How to Make Your Own Secret Puzzle

Choose the secret picture you want to display on your puzzle. Consider an enlarged, meaningful photograph or an adorable calendar picture. Avoid thin photo material like magazine pages, because they can tear and lose shape very easily.

Copy your secret picture or scan it into your computer. Keep your picture in a safe place in case you'll need to reveal it to anyone later.

Select the backing of your puzzle. Choose solid materials like cardboard, foam core or slates of wood. Cut the backing to 1 inch larger than the size of your picture.

Cover the back of the picture with dry mounting spray. Lay it gently and smoothly onto the backing. Place a large book over it and let it dry overnight.

Use a pair of sharp, thin scissors to cut the extra cardboard ends off of your puzzle. Tightly cut around the circumference of your picture as straight as possible.

Turn your cardboard puzzle over to its back. Draw the shapes of the puzzle pieces with a pencil. Make sure your puzzle pieces each have at least two semicircles poking out or inside a drawn piece.

Cut out the puzzle pieces with your scissors. Start from one corner and follow the drawn out lines as precisely as possible. Cut slowly, especially around the semicircles.

Put your secret puzzle in an eccentric container like a treasure chest or heart-shaped box. You can keep it for yourself or give it as a gift for someone who'd appreciate the picture waiting to be discovered.