Jigsaw Puzzle Talk
Choosing A Photograph For A Custom Puzzle | How To Turn A Picture Into A Puzzle
What To Consider When Choosing A Photo For A Custom Puzzle.
First, the better the quality of the photograph, the better the quality of the Custom Puzzle. It is suggested that your photo exceed the Minimum Resolution Guide. High-resolution files always lead to producing the best puzzles, so please keep this in mind when taking the photo.
Resolution Of Your Photo.
High Resolution photographs make excellent quality photo puzzles. Further, hiring a professional photographer and purchasing the proper size images for your puzzle is paramount to the success of the puzzle. If this puzzle is a family keepsake, I strongly suggest that you hire a professional if you do not own a high quality digital camera. Most of the new smartphones out today have incredible cameras that will take beautiful high-resolution files, but you will have to adjust the setting on your camera to take a High Dynamic Range or HDR.
Smart phones have amazing technology and it is very possible to take a high-resolution photo from your smart phone. The trick is also in the download. For more information on how to download a photo from your smart phone, please see our article on 10 Simple steps on downloading from an IPhone. Always remember that Actual or Original Size is the best choice when sending an image.
Color And Texture In Your Photo.
Colorful and interesting photo's make incredible custom puzzles. A beautiful Black and White photograph can be stunning and dramatic in a photograph, but a black and white image will be very challenging to assemble and might not have that same dramatic look on a custom puzzle. Choosing a photo that is colorful is less of a challenge to assemble and also looks amazing on a custom puzzle. Scenes with multiple colors and that are busy with different textures and objects make beautiful custom photo puzzles.
Texture In A Photo.
If you ask any dedicated puzzler about puzzles, almost all will tell you that all photos are not created equal, and not all photos make great photo puzzles. Choosing a beach scene that has a large beautiful blue sky and endless sand may look beautiful, but it is best to avoid this type of photo when creating a custom photo puzzle. Try to steer clear of images that contain a large amount of similar colors and textures, such as sky or grass.
Show Your Personality.
Photographs that show your true personality are the best fit for your puzzle. Will the photograph withstand time, or will it be like one of your old Prom photo's? You know, the one with the Beehive hairdo! Your photo should reflect who you are, show your love for each other, and should be natural and fun.
How To Create A Custom Puzzle
- Choose a photo.
- Choose the size of the finished puzzle.
- Choose a piece count to fit your needs.
- Upload your photo to the photo uploader and adjust as necessary.
- Save your photo.
- Go through checkout.
- Wait until it arrives to your doorstep.
We are often asked how to create a custom puzzle from our customers and our reply is always that it is simple and fast.
Create your Custom Puzzle Now.
Are Puzzles Good For Dementia Patients?
Template for our 76 and 108 Piece Heart Puzzle with Hints and Tips for Assembly
TIPS for our 76 and 108 Piece Heart Puzzle with Hints and Tips for Assembly
Puzzle Templates
Our Heart Shaped puzzle with either 76 or 108 pieces can be a bit challenging to assemble. The puzzle is very large in size, features uniform pieces that are similarly shaped and sized, but are not exact --- not to mention that they are all white. As with any puzzle with one color, these can be very time consuming, yet well worth the time.
Our template and tips should significantly decrease the time that it takes to assemble this beautiful puzzle, freeing up some valuable time.
Tips For Assembling Our White Heart Shaped Puzzle:
- Our puzzle template is a mirror image of the puzzle, so turning the puzzle pieces so that the back faces up is a great start. From here, you can match the pieces to their placement on the template.
- It is always easier to assemble the outside of the puzzle and work your way into the puzzle.
- There will be no visible gaps or irregularities, as this is an indicator that there is at least one puzzle piece improperly placed in the area. Taking a step back is an easy way to see this.
- You should not have to force any piece into place, as the pieces are snug but will not require forcing. You can easily damage the piece by forcing it into place, so please avoid doing this at all costs.
- Patience is the key, as this is a challenging puzzle to assemble but absolutely stunning when completed!
What Is National Puzzle Day?
National Puzzle Day is celebrated every year on January 29. Here at The Missing Piece Puzzle Company, we consider this to be the most epic day of the year!
National Puzzle Day is not exclusive to jigsaw puzzles, and many other puzzles are included in the day. Celebrating this day is easy due of the various types of puzzles that are available. We're including a list of some of the types of puzzles that can be done on National Puzzle Day. This is a list that expands with the imagination.
Types of Puzzles:
- Crossword
- Soduku
- Word Searches
- Trivia
- Brain Teasers
- Scavenger Hunts
- Escape Room
- Picture Puzzles
- and any other puzzle.
Puzzles of all sorts have many positive impacts and can improve your memory, cognition, problem solving skills, and help with social interactions. They are amazing to use in learning situations and students and teachers alike become absorbed with team solving. There are so many benefits to doing every type of puzzle and I witnessed many of the while I was teaching and using puzzles to in my classroom with great success.
So How Did National Puzzle Day Begin?
In 2002, National Puzzle Day was created by Jill Jodi, a very interesting person who started the day to celebrate her love of puzzles. This year, Ms. Jodi is offering 29 days of puzzles on her site for free. You can't beat free! Her blog is pretty awesome and I encourage you to read her inspirational and fun posts.
How To Celebrate National Puzzle Day.
It's simple. Grab your favorite drink, settle into a peaceful area, and play your favorite puzzle game! You can invite others, or enjoy the time yourself... it's just important to participate in one of the most fun days of the year.
Post your puzzle on social media using #NationalPuzzleDay or #puzzleday. Be sure to check out other puzzlers celebrating this amazing day.
Have A Puzzle To Show?
Post your puzzle here. We might feature you!
Thanks for reading and enjoy this awesom and fun day.
#puzzleonpuzzlers
8 Steps How To Fix A Broken Puzzle Piece With Household Materials
Let's face it, assembling a challenging puzzle can have evoke a variety of emotions that you might not have felt for a while, anywhere from the feeling of complete euphoria, all the way to complete and utter frustration, especially if you've broken a piece of your puzzle. Besides a missing piece to your puzzle, which we can fix, a broken puzzle piece can also be a very frustrating experience. Don't toss your puzzle into the trash because we have great news! We can help you fix your broken puzzle piece easily.
How To Frame A Jigsaw Puzzle Without Glue. Basic Steps From A Pro To Seal Jigsaw Puzzles Without Glue
Did You Ever Assemble A Jigsaw Puzzle To Find That You Are Missing A Piece Missing?
Are You Prepared For An Emergency Like A Hurricane? Making An Emergency Kit To Get You Through.
Get Prepared. Here Are Some Useful And Easy Suggestions On Preparations From People Who Have Survived Hurricanes.
Hurricane Season is upon us and it's time to get your supplies in order. While the frequency of Hurricanes hasn't increased, the intensity of the storms has and they are causing much more in property damage than in the past.
Here is a brief list of suggested items and just the basic necessities that are recommended. While the list isn't comprehensive, it should help in any emergency weather situation. Please note that this list is a work in progress and may include items that are not necessary for every situation. Please note that the list is in no particular order:
GENERATOR SAFETY:
Generators can be a wonderful addition to your disaster plan but you must use them with care. NEVER use a generator inside of a house or building. Keep all generators away from any doorway or window where fumes can come in and harm others. Generators emit carbon monoxide which is a silent killer. Generators can be very difficult to use, especially if you have a generator with a pull cord. Have a plan in place on where to use one safely, and fill the gas cans prior to the storm.
It's critical to have a plan before the emergency. Have a designated meeting place after the storm just in case you are separated. Know where to meet and get there when it is safe.
Be Safe! Puzzle on...
How Problem Solving In A Workplace Is Like Completing A Jigsaw Puzzle
As a small business owner and master in the field of jigsaw puzzles, I've found that problem-solving is like completing a jigsaw puzzle. There are several steps to go through in order to complete a puzzle efficiently and effectively.
How To Choose The Best Puzzle
The excitement of starting a jigsaw puzzle begins the minute that I select a puzzle to work on. Choosing the right puzzle is my first step in the problem-solving equation and can set the tone for my puzzling experience. Some questions that I ask myself are:
- Am I looking at doing a long-term puzzle with many complicated pieces or is a short-term puzzle better?
- Will this puzzle fit into the landscape of where I plan to assemble?
- Will this puzzle provide a positive and pleasant experience, or will it be a source of frustration and need constant attention?
Having a good plan on what to purchase surely sets the tone for a positive and pleasant puzzle experience.
Piece Count Selection Process
Selecting the piece count is usually the tricky part in selecting my jigsaw puzzle. A few questions that I have to consider are:
- Do I have enough room for the puzzle in the area that I want to use to assemble?
- What is the finished size of the puzzle and how much space will I need for the loose pieces while assembling?
- Is the area for the puzzle in a high-traffic area?
- Do I have a timeline that I want to work on to complete the puzzle?
- Do I need large pieces or small pieces in the puzzle?
Valuable Lessons Learned From Jigsaw Puzzles
Throughout the countless puzzles that I have assembled, I've learned some valuable lessons about life, work, and myself. I've noticed the many similarities of puzzling fun and can compare them to solving problems in the workplace.
First, Turn Over All Of The Pieces
Anytime I open a new puzzle I instinctively start turning all of the pieces of the puzzle so that the image on the puzzle is facing up. This is a natural action that I perform and one that starts my puzzle process. I find that it is very important to see the entirety of the problem to gain insight into trying to solve the problem. I want to get an overview and look at the systems, personalities of teammates, and try to assess if the objectives are aligned with the problem.
Construct The Frame
I assemble the edge pieces of the puzzle before any other pieces. As in a workplace environment, constructing the framework is key to solving a problem. Seeing the frame of the puzzle will define your project and opens you to more than one interpretation of the problem.
Look At The Cover On The Box
Assembling the photo on the box is the goal of the puzzle and keeping the cover on the box visible helps to achieve the goal. Having a clear goal/objective focuses me to achieve the desired output.
Develop a strategy
I try to break puzzles up into manageable pieces. I develop a strategy at the onset and tackle one section at a time. I decided, for example, I was going to complete the Lite-Brite section of the puzzle before moving on to the Monopoly section. Developing a strategy and breaking a challenge into bite-sized pieces helps you avoid getting overwhelmed. Strategic thinking is a critical leadership skill.
If It Doesn't Fit, Don't Force It
Jigsaw puzzles teach us that forcing what doesn't belong is counterproductive. When you find a piece that doesn't fit it's a great suggestion to try a different strategy. While some people may look like they fit perfectly into a space of the puzzle, they may not be the perfect fit where you are trying to force them into the puzzle. It doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't a key component, but reassessing their place in the puzzle might be warranted. If it isn't working, move on.
Celebrate The Wins
I find that when sitting down to assemble a puzzle that it's the small wins, like assembling the blue sky part of a puzzle, that help reduce the feelings of being overwhelmed. Knowing when it's time to walk away for a break, savoring small victories and being productive will help in the problem-solving process.
Everyday challenges can be a bit overwhelming but having a process in place to help assemble the puzzle makes any challenge a bit easier to face. Being able to problem-solve is a life skill that will keep the workplace flowing effortlessly.
Gather your puzzle and get started. It's well worth the effort.
If It Doesn't Click, Don't Force It. Lessons in life and love from working jigsaw puzzles.
Life can be stressful, that's for sure, so I've found a way of defragging from the stress by doing jigsaw puzzles. Have you ever worked on a puzzle? The first thing that happens as you pour the pieces out of the box is chaos and disorganization.
All of the puzzle pieces are willy-nilly, yet there is a calm that comes over when organizing the pieces so that each one eventually lands in the place that it was meant to land.
There have been countless studies on the benefits of jigsaw puzzles and all of the evidence points to the very fact that jigsaw puzzles give your brain a full-body workout that can benefit us all.
Jigsaw puzzles are trending and more and more people are finding solace and comfort in unplugging from the world and assembling jigsaw puzzles. Couples are using date night to assemble puzzles near a cozy fire and a great glass of wine.
Celebrities, life coaches, business giants, jigsaw puzzle experts, therapists, teachers, among others, use jigsaw puzzles in their repertoire of daily life and all have one lesson to share.
If It Doesn't Click, Don't Force It
Admit it, you've worked a puzzle and have actually been to the point of trying to force a puzzle piece into a spot where it didn't belong.
Do you remember trying to convince yourself that even though you know that it doesn't belong there and that it leaves a weird and hideous gap that it might, just might be because the cardboard is frayed, peeling, or somehow at fault?
You continue to force the piece by pressing, pushing, and turning it randomly trying to get it into the spot that you, deep down, know it will not fit into.
Trying to convince yourself that it will go into a spot where it shouldn't.
Eventually, moving on to the next piece, and the next piece after that, leads you back to the piece that you were trying to force earlier.
Now, it finally clicks into the place where it belongs.
Jigsaw puzzles are like life and people are just like puzzle pieces. While some people look like they might be the perfect fit and be exactly what you are looking for in that spot in your puzzle, they might just be another piece of your life puzzle and not the one that fits into the key spot of your puzzle.
When you find that key piece, they just fit. That's love...