Puzzle Postcard

Step 1: Choose your materials

Step 2: Draft in pencil

Step 3: Add detail

Step 4: Cut it up

Step 5: Make it out

Here’s the fun part

Surprise your friends with this fun, unique gift—all it takes is some basic art supplies, a creative mind and a little know-how.

18 years ago

By Duangtawan Nilayon | Jul 20, 2006

Step 1: Choose your materials The paper should be sturdy enough to withstand the Thai postal system—and fairly big: at least 3-4 times the size of a normal sheet of A4. Use whatever drawing tools you want: colored pencils, watercolors, even crayons work well.
Step 2: Draft in pencil Or, if you’re the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type, don’t. Just skip ahead to Step 3.
Step 3: Add detail This is where you make the design your own. Add colors, messages, ornaments—whatever tickles your fancy. You can add interest for the person on the receiving end by writing a message that stretches over a large part of the page.
Step 4: Cut it up Each piece should be a reasonable postcard size. The standard is about 4.5 by 6 inches, but you can make it bigger or smaller if you like.
Step 5: Make it out Print the receiver’s name and address on the back of each card, and stamp them. Be sure to write clearly—there’s no return address, so if the post office can’t read the destination your masterpiece will end up languishing in the bottom of a mail cart somewhere for all eternity. Nobody wants that.
Here’s the fun part Send the cards one by one, spacing them out by a few days or even weeks. As your friend receives them, he or she can begin to piece together the bigger picture. Take your time and keep the receiver guessing—they’ll be dying to finally see the whole picture.

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