puzzlerpaige

I have too many fun interests. Really. Art projects, writing, learning and researching, cooking, fishing, butterflies, and living at the beach keep me busy. So does my wonderful daughter. Here's my whole story: As a child, I constantly drew pictures. I was convinced I was an artist, and the proof came when I won 2nd place in an art contest in Kindergarten. I drew a simple line drawing of the salt water aquarium (with fish) we had in our living room at home. Fred George won first place, but I don't remember what he drew. Then in 7th grade I won another contest with a picture created solely from small shapes cut from colored construction paper. The picture was a boat pulled up to shore and a sunset. I must have glued down a million pieces of hole punched circles for that shoreline. Then in my early teen years I started including a new art medium: wood. My folks bought a jigsaw for me and I made all sorts of things. Napkin holders, name plaques, animal shaped cut outs, tie racks, cutting boards and other things. And when my grandparents bought me a real belt sander as a gift I upped my output and made even more things. After high school I studied graphic arts (one of the best decisions of my life) and went on to work as a graphic artist and typesetter in the printing industry. Since then it seems life has gone by like a locomotive. Around the year 2000 I had what I'll call a creative explosion when I started making puzzles (it was fun but also therapuetic and helped me through a difficult time in my life). I made wooden cube puzzles, flat puzzles and other kinds too. Hence the name puzzlemaker. These days creating for me is defined more by cooking, writing, growing things and crafts (with the occasional art project thrown in). I also homeschool my daughter. What a blessing to teach and learn at home. And we have met some of our closest friends in this way. While I'm not Squidoo-ing, I'm gardening (tomatoes are my best crop), homeschooling, or researching new things that interest me (lately that's Squidoo). I love to fish, cook, take road trips and visit our large extended family. Some of my other favorite things are picking blueberries and bird watching.

In the Spotlight

Super Easy Chili Recipe

Looking for an Easy Chili Recipe? This is my go-to recipe for quick easy chili. I like to eat it in my favorite Tabasco chili mug, but no - it's not hot (unless you want to make it that way). It's just good, flavorful, easy and quick.The best thing...

• 
  220
  owlcation.com

  Black Fuzzy Caterpillar: The Giant Leopard Moth Caterpillar

  13 months ago

  This article explores the giant leopard moth caterpillar and its journey of transformation, as well as tips for caring for one.

• 
  9
  Easter

  Easter Party Games and Activities

  10 years ago

  Looking for ideas for Easter Party Games? Here I've put together a list of my Top 5 favorite ideas for kids and adults to interact and have fun at Easter gatherings. I didn't list the obvious choice of Easter Egg Hunt, but it is certainly a favorite...

• 
  20
  Easter

  Large Easter Eggs

  9 years ago

  Looking for large jumbo fillable Easter Eggs? Here are the best finds for this year.

• 
  21
  Textiles

  How to Sew a Marie Antoinette Dress

  13 years ago

  After much preparation (mental and physical!) we are ready to begin sewing Simplicity Pattern 3637, the Marie Antoinette Dress by Deborah Woodbridge. My daughter has asked for months if we could please make this 18th century style dress and we are...

• 
  11
  Easter

  Easter M&M's

  10 years ago

  All about Easter M&M's including colors, shapes and sizes. Also, which colors come in which bags and more.

• 
  5
  Musicians

  Song Sounds Like an Accordion Playing

  14 years ago

  The name of the song that sounds like an accordion playing is: Stereo Love. Since the name of the song is never heard in its lyrics the title has been a bit elusive. Seems everyone loves the song, but no one knows the name of it. The song is by...

• 
  7
  Crafts & Handiwork

  How to Make a Fleece Scarf: Easy No-Sew Project

  2 years ago

  I can show you how to make this cozy fleece scarf in just three sentences! I've also included extra info and photos to make it super easy.

• 
  39
  Crafts & Handiwork

  10 Paper Christmas Crafts

  19 months ago

  Super-cute, super-easy crafts and decorations you can make with your kids (or by yourself!). Free templates included.

• 
  34
  Crafts & Handiwork

  Top 10 Popsicle Stick Christmas Ornament Crafts

  2 years ago

  A compiled list of the best popsicle stick Christmas ornaments from our family . . . and all over the web!

• 
  59
  Musicians

  What is a G6?

  13 years ago

  G 6. If you've heard the extremely catchy lyrics in the popular song "Like a G6" you've probably asked "What's a G6?" You are not alone. The term "G 6" has been searched over a million times during the month the song rose to fame in October 2010. So...

• 
  492
  Home and Garden

  Ode to My Melitta Mill and Brew

  7 years ago

  This page was created for hopelessly devoted Melitta Mill and Brew fans. If you landed here, you probably already know that the Mill and Brew Coffee Maker is no longer made. And also if you landed here, you probably have owned and loved at least one...

• 
  38
  Gardening

  How to Grow Milkweed

  10 years ago

  Are you ready to grow Milkweed from seed? These step by step instructions show exactly how easy it is to grow your own milkweed plants. It's a very simple project that will result in Monarch Butterflies magically appearing in your yard. Not really...

• 
  27
  Making Money on the Internet

  How Does Rakuten (Formerly Ebates) Work?

  2 years ago

  Here is everything you need to know about Rakuten (formerly Ebates), including how to use it, how to get paid, and how to maximize your earnings.

• 
  12
  Crafts & Handiwork

  Making Paper Automata Toys With Rob Ives's Fabulous Book

  2 years ago

  Make toys that move... out of paper! Learn about the wonderful world of paper automata. Here's what you need to know.

• 
  113
  Crafts & Handiwork

  7 Easter Craft Ideas for Kids: Paper Crafts and More

  2 years ago

  Easy, fun Easter crafts for all ages.

• 
  138
  Crafts & Handiwork

  Easy and Fun Thumbprint Art Ideas for Kids

  2 years ago

  Here is a collection of fun thumbprint art ideas for you and your kids to try together!

• 
  57
  Crafts & Handiwork

  Upcycle Your Tin Cans With These Fun Recycling Crafts

  2 years ago

  These four tin cans were plain metal cans in a former life. I've given them a makeover to reuse them as "caddies" for all sorts of household and craft items. Learn how to do the same below!

• 
  36
  delishably.com

  8 Quick-and-Easy Appetizers to Satisfy All Tastes and Ages

  2 years ago

  Here are eight recipes for quick-and-easy appetizers everyone will enjoy.