Puzzles

So for this week we have something which looks really cool and complected but in fact is very easy. Its rather fun but still looks somewhat adult. We have puzzle pieces!

So a general note about choosing colors for this. Of course any colors can be used however both must be able to show up on top of the other. What this means is: if you use a really dark color and a lighter color, the light polish you use but be easily seen if painted on over a dried dark coat. If you want to do black and a color which does not show up on it, I would recommend using white instead of the color (Like mine) and then simply painting the color over once you are done.

So for starters I used my lighter color (white) as a base coat. You have to be sure that you let this coat dry completely because you will be putting tape on it. If it is not drying fast enough I suggest dipping your hand in an ice bath or cold water, or spraying it will a cooking spray.

Next I cut out strips of post-it notes about a 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch in size. Of course any kind of tape or sticky thing can be used, I just like the nice clean edges of post-it notes, and that they are colored and easy to see. I then placed them so that one quarter of the nail was covered by each, making sure that their corners only just touched. Be really sure that you push the tape/post-it all the way down to the nail everywhere it touches it. Otherwise you will be left with places for the polish to spill through and go underneath.

Now will all the post-its in place I simply painted over with my black. It tends to work best if you pull your brush away from the post-its so as to prevent any paint from getting underneath  Again be sure to wait until the black is completely dry before moving on.

Next I took the post-its off leaving my nail with four distinct sections. When taking of the tape try and pull in a straight line, and ideally end with the tape just on the edge of the paint, and then pull straight up. Do not pull it from the side or in a rolling motion as sometimes the edge of the paint will be pulled with it, and then your line is not as clean.

For a last touch I took a straight pin and covered the head in black polish. Then using the pin made two dots on each nail, one in each white section connected to a black section, giving a puzzle piece shape. Next I covered the pin in the white polish and again made dots on the black connected to the white, giving a puzzle piece shape to the white sections.

Thats it! I hope you enjoy the nails and be sure to leave any suggestions/comments/questions.