Collection Challenge #21 - Vintage Puzzles

This weeks suggestion comes from Mary B. who asked to see my collection of vintage puzzles.  I like old puzzles for a couple of reasons.  They often have great graphics and usually they are fairly cheap.  I do not like it when I do a puzzle and discover missing pieces...but that is a gamble I am willing to take when it comes to puzzles.

First I have puzzles intended for children.

Usually these puzzles really show their age as children were not very careful with them  I really don't care much about condition...the images are what captures my heart.

I have quite a few adult puzzles. I love to get a puzzle from an estate sale and set it up on an extra table I have in the basement. I will leave it out and do a couple of pieces here and there between loads of laundry or trips to the basement.  My son is really good at puzzles and often I will pass by and he will have done a good sized section.

When I was taking pictures for this post I realized for the most part I am drawn to two types of images...flowers or cute people/dog scenes.

While I like to do puzzles. Sometimes it seems a shame to break it apart and put it away in the box.  I often use the completed puzzle in a project.

I used some old cigar boxes and covered the lids with a puzzle.  I modge podge the puzzle so it stays together and cut it down to the same size as the cigar box lid. I used silver tape to tidy up the edges and then glued it on the lid.  I also added a wooden bead to dress it up and make opening it up easier.

This is a really good solution if one section of the puzzle is missing quite a few pieces.

This is my next puzzle project destined for the lid of a cigar box.

I must really have issues with taking a puzzle apart and putting it back in the box after all the work to finish it.  Sometimes I just add a couple of coats of modge podge to a completed puzzle and it becomes art for my wall.  That is the case with these floral gems. I really do love the graphics and colors on old puzzles...they just don't compare to modern ones.

I also like holiday themed puzzles.  I love the expression on the man's face. I modge podged this one to use at Christmas.

This puzzle had a couple of pieces missing. I wanted to modge podge this one together and I have discovered that if the piece that is missing is not really a key piece (like an eye or part of the face) you can often "make" the missing section.  I color copy part of the puzzle with a similar pattern or shading.  In this case the dog was missing part of the body as well as a section below that.  I color copied a similar area and then haphazardly cut it to fit.  The borders of each piece offer some camouflage and busyness and often you can't tell there is a patch unless you know to look for one.

There are two patches in this photo...but I think I did a pretty good job at concealing them.

Fun stuff.  Puzzles to make my mind sharp as I do them and puzzles to re-purpose into a new item once I finish them.  Thanks for the challenge Mary!

If you have a suggestion for a future challenge, just leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of _____." I will see what I can come up with!

Comments

[Lisa]

I have been looking for some wall art for my playhouse. I can't seem to find anything I like.

The idea of using puzzles would be great. Thanks for the interesting post and idea!Back to the vintage store I go.

[janet]

The cigar boxes are wonderful! I'll have to go see what Mom has in her basement.
The Indian Elephant is my favorite.
Thanks for another great Tuesday morning, Laurie

[Elma]

I love the children ones:) What a great ideas to use old puzzles.

[Mary B.]

Laurie, Thanks for showing all of your old puzzles! I also loved the graphics. The children were precious and the dogs were so cute. I liked the idea to put them on a box lid.
Mary B.

[barbara]

I love doing puzzles (but I don't collect old ones....) Mod-podging them to keep and display is a really, really good idea! (And cheaper than paint by number!) Wait - do you have a paint by number collection???

[Lynn]

I figured you'd be so busy getting Ben ready to go that blogging would have to wait!! But you persevered. And a Scottie puzzle to boot!

[Melissa]

Well....as you might know...I too collect old puzzles. I can't pass them up. The graphics are too cool. Perhaps it is best that we are blog friends and not neighbors as we would have to fight at estate sales over everything! I must say that you have great taste!! :o)

[Linda @ A La Carte]

You have a great collection of puzzles! Love the one's for children.

[Elizabeth]

I am now in love with puzzles! I too like the ones with the people and animals. I have never seen anything like these. They are wonderful! I have a source for cigar boxes, now to find a puzzle. This was an amazing post. Your creativity knows no limits! Wow! E

[Janis]

Hi Laurie,
Great puzzles and graphics! I am
always in awe over your unique
collections and I also love the
expression on the man on the sled!!!
Hugs,
Janis

[Janis]

Laurie, please show your collection
of vintage corsages whether they
be Christmas, Easter, Valentine's
Day, etc.
Hugs,
Janis

[nancy]

Laurie,
I love all your collection and i espically love your craft room! COuld you please show me your collection of cats! Thank-you, Nancy