Cut and Paint a Colorful Snowmen Puzzle

Use a patterns to recreate the wonderful paint job on this clever puzzle

Simple patterns to help you paint these elaborate designs

In Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Holiday 2011 (Issue 45), Lou Paparo shared patterns for his layered snowflake puzzle.

When I made my first snowmen puzzle seven or eight years ago, I thought it was finished when I’d painted the snowmen white, added eyes and noses, and colored their clothing. My wife thought otherwise. She removed the puzzle from my hands and retreated to her workbench to embellish the snowmen with flowers on their caps and patches on their scarves. Since then, she has appointed herself art director, adding her artistic touch to our puzzles so each one is unique.

While Lou's wife, Pat, has years of painting experience, it can be difficult to recreate her wonderful paint job. The attached painting patterns and reference photos are designed to help you recreate the images. Start by painting the snowmen puzzle pieces with gloss white paint.  Using black paint, add the eyes and buttons that were made of coal and orange paint for carrot noses.  Apply transparent stains of water based paints to the hats, scarves and music book. Make sure that any stains, paint and top coat used are non-toxic and child safe.