Making Pictures : Jigsaw Puzzles

I like to make pictures. Now matter how I go about it. As long as I get to make pictures!

Jigsaw Puzzles has been one way for me to do that from a very young age. Being the youngest of 4 kids : by the time I came along there was already a few jigsaws knocking about the house so I just joined right in. Many a wonderful warm sunny afternoon was spent with the family, doing a puzzle around the table while listening to a radio broadcast of some or other rugby match. Wonderful memories of deep joy and real belonging. And whenever I was sick in bed, as soon as I was feeling better the first thing I would do is build a puzzle!

I've never lost my love for jigsaws even if I did not do that many while the boys were young. I simply did not see the need to struggle to keep very curious boys out of a box of fascinating little pieces of multicoloured cardboard! As soon as they got the 'no, don't touch that!' idea though, I was right back at it!

I still have jigsaws dating from the 1950's in my closet and I'll be sure to show you those one day, but for now let's jump right in where I am right now, with the one I completed a couple days ago -

I received it as a gift for Christmas last year. One of 2 Christmas gifts of jigsaw puzzles. Ha! My family knows me...

This is the first double sided puzzle in my collection and initially I thought 'hmmm...only 500 pieces. Shouldn't be too bad especially since the one side is glossy while the other side is more mat, so that telling them apart is easy.' Then I started to build it. Let's just say it is not as easy as it looks. Great fun though and a super challenge, especially as one gets used to all the little nuances in the colours.

Just after Christmas I build the glossy side...

But before I could take a picture...this happened...sigh...LOL

So last week I did the other side with the many small pots of plants.

Definitely a jigsaw to do again and again!

Here's a picture of the bottom of the box with all the details in case you are interested to hunt this one down.

Tweet Wishes!

I cannot believe it's been 2 months since I last posted. Not that I have been idle...just have not gotten round to posting! Yikes!

But here goes...Tweet Wishes for a friend.
I'm entering my card for the Art Impressions Challenge 259 'Shaker Cards'

Edited to add: So happy to have won Top Spot with this card! Thank you AI!

Laying flat with the shaker bits all over... The shaker contains sequence as well as music note and bird punchies.

And standing up to show the view through the cut out window shaker to the inside of the card. 

I used an embossing folder to create the woodgrain texture which I then stained with Tea Dye Distress Ink to accentuate the raised areas. The stamped images are from the Art Impressions Floral Birdhouse Popcard .4946 set,which also contains the sentiment and butterfly stamps. It is adorable!

I added a few white die cut sprigs to complete the picture and sprinkled more colourful sequence all around.

And inside : I used a blue card base which I blended with Distress Inks (Broken China and Salty Ocean) and spritzed with water for a more interesting look.

I'm entering this card for the Art Impressions 'Shaker Cards' Challenge 259

I used Art Impressions Floral Birdhouse Popcard 4946 for my card

Come and join us...there's a few days left still!