I love putting together puzzles, but I find the boxes annoying to keep organized. The boxes are all different sizes. I used to keep them inside a closed cabinet, but then I challenged myself to make them pretty enough to put them out in the open! And guess what?! They turned out so cute! So I thought I’d show you how to organize puzzles.

how to organize puzzles

SUPPLIES

Linen Book Box– the 11″ size holds 500-1000 piece puzzles nicely
Rit Dye (to change the color of the linen book box)
Foam Craft Brush
Cricut Machine (any size machine will work. My favorite is the Joy Xtra)
Iron-on Vinyl (to make the label)
Weeding Tool
Heat Press (I like the small size for this project)

For this organization, I’m going to use linen book boxes to hold the puzzle. That way they can look really cute on a shelf. I’m really excited because I was able to source the linen book boxes in store so I could make sure all my puzzle pieces fit! These boxes would also be great for Board Game Books.

I know that not everyone keeps puzzles and puts them together. I’ve heard from people that when they’re done, they donate them. Personally, I like to redo puzzles! I pick pictures I love and only donate ones that I didn’t enjoy putting together. As a puzzle re-doer I have a zip lock bag just of the edge pieces so it makes it quicker to re do!

Since I love them, here’s my take on how to organize puzzles.

step 1- dye the book box (optional)

To start this project, I’m dyeing the linen book box. Now, this is an optional step. I’m dyeing each book a different color so I can get a row of rainbow books. These linen book boxes also come in a few colors so those ones I don’t have to dye!

To dye the book box, simply start a cup of water boiling in a small sauce pan on your stove top. Then take Rit Dye in the color of your choice and add about a Tablespoon to the boiling water. At that point, I like to test the dye on the back of the book box. Too light in color? Add more dye. Too dark in color? Add more water.

Then, use a foam craft brush to apply the dye to the linen book box. Dip the brush in the dye bath and then sweep it across the linen. I like to work my way across the book box making sure to not miss the front, spine, back, or the inside section where the linen hits the “pages” of the book box.

Put the book box out on a drop cloth or old towel to dry.

step 2- design the label

Next, to make each book box easy to find, I’m designing a label. First, I like to start with a canvas that is 2-1/2″ x 10-1/2″ to fit the spine of the linen book box. I like to make my labels with the graphic design software PicMonkey.

Then I add a rectangle border around the perimeter. For the label, I use the font “Futura Medium” to write out the name of the puzzle. I rotate the words 90 degrees so they fit inside the label. Then on either end of the label, I add a little graphic that has to do with the book box. For example, a birthday cake to go with a puzzle that has a birthday party.

Download the label.

step 3- cut and weed the label

And now, we’re going to use a Cricut machine to cut the iron-on vinyl. I put the vinyl on a mat (shiny side down) and feed it into the machine.

Next, I press go so the machine starts cutting the label. When it’s completed with the cut, I unload the machine.

Then, I use my weeding tool to pull out all the vinyl in the negative spaces so that all is left is the desired label.

step 4

Finally, I take the weeded label and I iron it onto the spine of the book box. Before beginning, make sure to open the book box and place the label in the correct orientation to work with the front of the book.

I like using a small heat press for this. I put the heat press on the vinyl and iron it on for about 30 seconds across the label.

Once the label has cooled down, I remove the plastic top section and dispose of it.

To completely finish the game, put the puzzle pieces in the book box. I also like to cut the top of the puzzle box to remove the picture from it and put it in the book box as well. Sometimes there’s a poster inside the puzzle box that shows the finished picture. Make sure to also move that into the book box.

after

When I was done, I lined up all the linen book boxes and they look so pretty as a rainbow on my console table!

I also hung this adorable bow garland which I think looks so cute! It’s technically Easter decor, but if you like bows and pastel rainbows I think it could work all year long.

For this project I also bought some vinyl book boxes and they worked nicely with ironing on gold foil vinyl. I’d never tried that before, so it was good to learn! Just make sure to not touch the heat press on the vinyl or it’ll melt it!

The rainbow books are so cute! And now my puzzles are organized! I’m so thrilled! Plus, now that they’re out I’m more likely to grab one to put together.

In conclusion, I’m really happy with how this came together! It turned out better than I expected and now they’re a pretty part of my decor. They look gorgeous and now I have a great solution for how to organize puzzles!

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