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Scenic Byway:

Puzzling Adventures

By Stephanie Loomis
Crafty Cruisers
Intermediate Stamping Team Designer

Altered books have birthed a new craze of altering all kinds of familiar items. Altered puzzle art is less intimidating than altered books and equally addicting. Puzzlers can alter entire puzzles as a unit or choose to alter one piece at a time. Altered puzzle collaborations allow multiple artists to work on a single project. Puzzle pieces can be combined for larger canvases, or left in individual pieces for interest. The possibilities are limitless.

This project is a self-portrait, with each section representing something personal. Only one section will be described here, but the process is virtually the same for all.

I prefer the Melissa and David puzzles I find at Tuesday Morning or other discount stores. Heavy cardboard toddler puzzles are, also, options.

Thanks to the artists at the Yahoo Puzzleart group for their contributions to my personal collection of altered puzzles and for feeding my addiction!

Supplies:

Church stamp set (The Stamping Studio)
Timber Brown Staz-On Ink Pad (Tsukineko)
White glossy cardstock
Wooden children's puzzle
YES! Paste
I Kan Dee chalks --Earth Tones (Pebbles Inc.)
Low odor acrylic sealer (Krylon)
3D Glass Finish (StampCraft)
Bible charm Pop dot Hymn title

Note: I was fortunate to have access to broken down hymnals destined for the rubbish heap. Check local churches who may be buying new hymnals and ask for the most broken down. The ones in reasonably good shape may be donated to camps or mission groups, but those with broken spines or damage are generally thrown away. In lieu of an actual hymnal, type the hymn title and scripture verse and print.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the puzzle surface by sanding, painting with Gesso, or peeling the glossy paper from the puzzle surface. (I prefer removing the puzzle picture whenever possible).

2. Trace puzzle shape onto glossy cardstock and cut out.

3. Ink the Church stamp with the Timber Brown ink pad and stamp onto glossy cardstock cutout. Let dry. Attach to puzzle piece with YES paste.

4. Use a generous amount of chalk to tint the image.

5. Seal with spray sealer.

6. Cut hymn title and verse from hymnal page or create a facsimile.

7. Attach vertically to puzzle with 3D Glass Finish.

8. Affix charm with pop dots.

I have, also, included extra completed puzzles for your inspiration.

                      Aloha

                                        Dreams of Tuscany

                   American Authors #1

                                                               American Authors #2

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