It is something romantic about puzzles. Or maybe it is my childhood summers at my Dad's summer house that makes me feel romantic about puzzles. Spreading them out on a big table and piecing one with another. Slowly watching the motive grow, sorting, searching and finding... Getting frustrated, that type of frustrated that gives you belly ache and forces you to leave it alone for a little while... coming back later after a glass of lemonade and a cookie just to find THAT missing piece.
I love puzzles, although I don't lay them very often. I usually keep them for summer vacations and Christmas. But I always look for them on thrift markets and this particular one was found in Sweden last summer on a thrift shop tour. I love the motive. Luca Bo and I completed this puzzle together on a cloudy afternoon in Sweden last summer.
Lately I've laid lots of puzzles with Emmy Bo. During Easter we laid seven puzzles in just a few days. Outside in the sunshine we sat, adding one piece to another and chatting away a bit. Going back to basics in this simple, yet so challenging activity has been really good for me. I need basic. I've been under such stress this year that I need this mindless type of activity. It heals me.
You see, when you lay a puzzle you disconnect your brain from all worries and stress. You start to use a part of your brain that you don't normally use on a daily basis. At least that is what I experienced when we got into it this Easter. I found it quite challenging to find the pieces. I had to concentrate so hard that I couldn't even have a conversation... Emmy Bo laid one piece after another but I was stuck and ended up sorting colors instead.
After completing a couple of puzzles I could feel how my brain started to adjust to this "new" old fashion activity. My brain picked up more quickly on shapes, patterns and colors. Emmy Bo and I created a technique: First we sorted all the edge pieces and laid the frame, then we started to sort by details in the motive, then colors and in the end shapes... We became quite good at it I have to say. :) And now I'm hooked. I want more puzzles.
We prefer laying 500 piece puzzles but if we have a couple or a few days to lay it I'm sure we could make a 1000 piece too. Emmy loves animal motives, I love all the vintage authentic everyday life motives. I'm thinking that this will be Emmy Bo's and my thing when I grow older... Laying puzzles together. To exercise my forgetful old brain (!!!) and have some precious time with my youngest daughter. It is a sweet thought, don't you agree?
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW MY ROSE VALLEY HERE:
Oh yes, I must admit, I do love a puzzle. We normally only do them at Christmas time but occasionally the urge takes us in between. Very relaxing and therapeutic I agree. I hadn't thought about how it occupies the mind and takes it away from other things, but yes, you're right
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Lay a puzzle Sandra. Disconnect from everything and give your brain a full-brain exercise. Research explains that when you build puzzles, both sides of your brain, the creative right side and the systematic left side are forced to communicate and work together. Very interesting. Not only does puzzle building make us exercise the brain but it also prevents dementia, improves short term memory loss, lowers blood pressure and reduces anxiety. And most of all - it is fun. :)
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Indeed it is a sweet thought. My mother always lays puzzles in her spair time. Our children loved to help her back then they where younger.
ReplyDeleteI thought so too. And laying puzzles has so many great benefits for your well being and health. Excellent brain exercise. Thanks for popping Jeanette.
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Have always loved doing puzzles, when my children were younger, I would set up a puzzle and my one son in particular would sit for hours working on it. Another son, who never really sat down and worked on one, would be the one who would walk by and always seemed to spot a piece we were looking for. So relaxing and was always a great way to spend hot summer days indoors when it was to hot in the middle of the afternoon to play outdoors. Wonderful memories! Cathy
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy
DeleteWhat a nice little tale. I can see the whole scenario play up like a scene from a movie... Than you so much for sharing.
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I am going out to get a puzzle. Immediately.
ReplyDelete"You see, when you lay a puzzle you disconnect your brain from all worries and stress. You start to use a part of your brain that you don't normally use on a daily basis."
YES! Do it Maureen. We need that moment of peace more often than we think. Enjoy the puzzle building. :)
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Yes, I think laying a puzzle is a nice way to get rid of other thoughts and just concentrate on the game. And it's a game for all ages. I remember I got a puzzle for Christmas when I was a kid. It was a picture of all Europe. I can still remember the shape of each country. Both fun and educating. Now I'm hooked on cross word and crocheting.
ReplyDeleteHi Marianne
DeleteThat is interesting. That makes me remember my two favoprite puzzles form when I was a child. I think I have to search for the motives on "loppis" and markets this summer. I can still remember the sensation of joining the pieces and that great satisfaction and joy when it was all completed. It is almost like I can feel the pieces beneath my finger tips. SO cool. Thank you for sharing this and bringing these memories back to me.
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My daughter looked at my garden photos and said, Mom, that would make a cool puzzle! I'm like that's a great idea..so I Google it and there are companies that already do it..you send them a jpeg photo and you can pick how many pieces you want it to be and they make a puzzle out of it! Cool! That last photo on your instagram would make an awesome puzzle! You'll never get old..I like to say I'm vintage!! Haha!!xo Susie
ReplyDeleteHi Susie
DeleteI know! My Emmy Bo told me the same. It is a fun idea. I shall remember that and wish a puzzle of a special picture for Christmas. Great gift for the kids to give. ;) Thanks for the inspiration.
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A sweet thought indeed! Simply things I adore.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather loved laying puzzles too. He died 30 years ago, but when I see a puzzle, I still think of him!
ReplyDeleteI love laying puzzles too. I make the real big and difficult ones, which take me weeks to complete. I do it mostly in winter time. But now I see this, I want to get a puzzle and start!!
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