1 Start with nine 1 1/2-inch wooden cubes (from http://www.craftparts.com).

2 I started with a rough sketch and list to sort out which subway lines and images would go on each cube face.

3 Cut strips of painters' tape and adhere to the sides of the cubes so you can paint a clean edge onto each cube face.

4 I painted several of the sides of the wooden cubes the color of the NYC subway lines.

5 Once I had the subway colors on the cubes, I used the small detail brush to draw the letters of the subway lines in white and black.

6 I wanted some of the faces of the cubes to work as a stackable puzzle. I painted the faces of my nephew's family (J and his little brother, his mom and dad) on four cubes, then shirts and bottoms for each person on other cubes.

7 I used a permanent-ink marker to draw simple details onto the faces.

8 Here are my nephews, J and his little brother, N.

9 And J's mom and dad.

10 Then, I wanted to paint the other sides of the wooden cubes to look like subway cars.

11 It would be cool to make these magnetic so the cubes could connect!

12 On other faces of the wooden cubes, I featured some of my nephew's favorite subway stops.

13 And of course, the rest of the faces of the wooden cubes featured all the letters and numbers of the NYC subway lines.

14 I picked up this denim drawstring bag at a dollar store; it's the perfect pouch for my gift.