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The Joy of Jigsaw Puzzles

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Captivation in a box!

Jigsaw puzzles. Say it again: Jigsaw puzzles. What did you think about? Is there a favorite puzzle you've put together which springs to mind? Is one of your favorite memories built around putting a jigsaw puzzle together? Do you crave those moments when you sit in front of one or do you hate them? Do they put you to sleep?

Personally, I just cannot help myself! When I hear even the mention of jigsaw puzzles, I want to look at the puzzle's image for a while. Then I want to cut open the box - carefully, of course, so I won't lose any of those precious pieces.

When the opened box is set before me, my pulse quickens and my mind takes a journey into the world of discovery. I travel, I rest, I write, I think, I find solutions to problems. You name it!

If there is any way you can imagine a 90-year-old lady sitting in front of a jigsaw puzzle - even with arthritic fingers - you'll likely have found me (not that Arthritis has set in yet.)

If jigsaw puzzling is new to you, I would suggest beginning with puzzles which are very colorful.

Don't go for a wooded background or a bunch of leaves and snow until you become more seasoned. If you attempt it, chances are you may grow discouraged in your attempts.

Puzzles for your child

... or the child in you

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Relaxation

in a box

Unless I'm on the brink of exhaustion and cannot keep my eyes open, putting jigsaw puzzles together is one of the most relaxing activities I can do. Admittedly, I haven't done as many jigsaw puzzles over the past year as I would have liked because of fear my son would pull them off the table. It would shatter me - I know it.

It also doesn't help that I don't pay attention to bedtime when doing jigsaw puzzles. I stay up two to three hours past the time I should be in bed and struggle when waking for work in the morning...so, for now, I write instead or pick up a book and read - though, even then, it's difficult to keep my eye on the time.

If only there was no such thing as a clock. Wouldn't life be nice if we could do things as we wanted for as long as we wanted?

Each time I consider placing myself in front of a jigsaw puzzle, I must prepare to spend at least three hours; often, it's longer.

Puzzles for the dog lover

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Is jigsaw puzzling a part of your life?

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Puzzles for the cat lover

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Jigsaw puzzling is one of my favorite hobbies which developed during childhood and persists today.

Puzzles for the horse lover

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Tips for putting together jigsaw puzzles

from an avid puzzler

  1. Separate the edge pieces and set them aside.
  2. Sort all remaining pieces according to shape and place them into separate Ziploc freezer bags. For example, if there are two round prongs across from each other, place these into one bag. Proceed with the other shapes.
  3. Get a Roll-o-Puzzle for storing the puzzle when you are not working at it. It may be sold under different names but, essentially, it's a felt mat which can be wrapped around a large tube and secured with straps. You can even place all your puzzle pieces on the inside of the tube.
  4. Unless you desire to re-do the puzzle at a later date, set it with glue and display on a wall in a prominent area of your room/house. However, even placing strong packing tape on the back of it will keep the pieces together without adding a glossy finish to it, if you prefer.

Puzzles for the nature lover

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Love 'em or hate 'em

Do you enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles?

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Love it!

Linda Z. says:

I rarely do puzzles but found one of a tapestry cat that I just loved and now I am looking for tips because it has 1,000 pcs. I even have one of those roll-up matts for storing. I am slowly getting into it.

Posted January 02, 2012

KaraLynnRussell says:

My son moved out on his own recently and we turned his room into a family room. I finally have someplace to set up a puzzle and leave it until I'm finished. I've had one puzzle or another up ever since.

Posted January 31, 2010

OhMe says:

Like you, I have to set aside several hours to work a puzzle. I can just get lost in them.

Posted January 24, 2010

bethd821 says:

I haven't done a puzzle in a long time, but do enjoy the challenge.

Posted January 23, 2010

LeanneChesser says:

I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles and have fond memories of doing them as a child. I used to spend many hours doing them, but not anymore!

Posted January 23, 2010

Hate it!

Kelsey-Budden-16 says:

As you know, I rarely do them! lol...I just love it when it's towards the end and then I could say that I helped! :-)

Posted January 26, 2010

happynutritionist says:

I don't hate them, but can't say that I do them very much. But give me a coloring book and some crayons...love that! I did that while hubby did the jigsaw puzzle we received for Christmas.

Posted January 24, 2010

 

Be forewarned!

I sit diligently at a puzzle with every piece in front of me, separated as per the suggestions above. I get down to the end of the puzzle and - oh, no! There's a piece missing.

Be creative! Tape a piece of paper to the back of the puzzle where the piece is missing and color it in with coloring pencils. Of course, you'll want to use colors which would be close enough to what should be there.

I did this once. No one has ever noticed! It's been two years - and counting!

Shaped Puzzles

Are you up to the challenge?

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My youngest daughter enjoys jigsaw puzzles. My oldest daughter enjoys them when they are nearly finished; she will help out in the last few hours so she can take some credit for putting it together.

Admittedly, we share much laughter when sitting around a jigsaw puzzle. It's a great way of spending time together and many subjects arise in conversation. Some subjects are expected; others - definitely not!

Would you prefer to do puzzles on your computer?

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One last word...

I hope you have a wonderful time putting together your next jigsaw puzzle.

Jigsaw puzzles and you

Please feel free to leave your comments here. If you have any favorite memories built around a jigsaw puzzle, please let us know!

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  • Reply
    Kelsey-Budden-16 Jan 26, 2010 @ 9:57 pm | delete
    Ummm...cool lens! :-) I wondered why you didn't do the jigs anymore!
  • Reply
    OhMe Jan 24, 2010 @ 6:25 am | delete
    I do enjoy working a Jigsaw puzzle. I get caught up in it just like I do when I read a book. Nothing else gets done until I am finished.
  • Reply
    Norma_Budden Jan 24, 2010 @ 6:31 pm | delete
    Same here, sister. :) It's so hard to break away from those puzzles. They are even more engaging than Squidoo - and I can't believe I just wrote that. :)
  • Reply
    Sylvestermouse Jan 23, 2010 @ 11:56 am | delete
    I love the idea of having that "conversation" time with your daughters. I have so many hobbies that somehow puzzles were left behind in my childhood. I think the idea of working on one for so long and then having to take it apart again to store it was just devastating. However, just reading your lens makes me wish I had one to put together right now. The shaped ones are really pretty!
  • Reply
    Norma_Budden Jan 23, 2010 @ 10:05 pm | delete
    The only time I've ever taken a puzzle apart and placed it back into the box was during childhood. Since moving out on my own some years ago, I put the puzzles together and place them around my walls and use them to set the theme/mood for a room.
  • Reply
    bethd821 Jan 23, 2010 @ 10:56 am | delete
    Nice selection of jigsaw puzzles. I like the shaped puzzles. I've not tried one of those. 5*
  • Reply
    Norma_Budden Jan 23, 2010 @ 10:04 pm | delete
    I've done a few shaped puzzles; generally, they are my preference because they pose more of a challenge. However, I did do a wolf puzzle (normal rectangular shape) a couple of years ago and it posed a challenge because all 1000 pieces were either black, grey or white. That was some feat! :)
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Norma_Budden

I am a person who has great zest for life, regardless of the overwhelming odds a day may present.
I'm a busy mother of three children who ends up spending... more »

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