Colorfully Creating

Homework. It's a part of our lives every weeknight. There have been several times over the years where the kids bring something home, usually from art class or creative time, and I think, "wow, that's cool - I should lift that idea for scrapbooking someday!"  I've had those thoughts plenty, but have yet to act upon my ideas.

Last week, however, I had to help Kyle with a math assignment, in which he had to create a crossword puzzle with words provided by the teacher. Using an on-line resource to create the puzzle was perfectly acceptable. As I was helping out, I had an "aha" moment. I had been kicking around several ideas for the BoBunny "14 Loves" assignment... a mini album of Abby with her 14 favorite stuffed animals, 14 qualities I love about my husband...pretty usual stuff. As I utilized an on-line puzzle making resource, I thought, "hey, wouldn't it be cool to createa  crossword puzzle of 14 things my family and I love"...and thus, the layout "US" was created.

To create your own personalized puzzle, visit Puzzle Source.  There are a number of puzzles you can make -  think of what fun you can have with page ideas! Print your puzzle onto acid free paper, to use on your layout as is, OR use it as a guide to recreate the puzzle on grid patterned paper. With many manufacturers offering grid papers in their collections, this is simply a fun way to utlize them with a twist.

The best part - family interaction! Have your family solve the puzzle as a team – ensuring the puzzle includes hints that everyone can answer.

To create the grid – use a pencil to chart your word placement on grid patterned paper. I used BoBunny's "My Sweet" in the Persuasion collection. For one down, I wrote the number 1 where the word starts, and a 1 on the last square the word uses. Don’t worry about the numbers – you can cover them up with letter stickers or letter tiles (which I created with an 18 pt. font stamp), or simply erase the pencil marks once your grid is drawn with a fine tip marker. Important tip: Determine your maximum grid square count – for example, the grid used in “Us” is 17 squares long, and 16 squares wide – use these numbers to determine where your squares will start and stop, ensuring you have enough room when a patterned paper has a design cover grid squares, as is the case in “My Sweet”. Print the puzzle hints on a transparency or solid-type paper and add to the page.
Designer Tip: Folded ribbon idea – use paper clips to hold ribbon in place, removing clips as you stitch. This avoids using adhesive that will eventually “gunk” up your needle.

 A few addtional close ups of details in this layout. I had a perfect matching 2.5" wide sheer ribbon in aqua that I really wanted to use. I knew it would be difficult, not to mention bulky, to thread all that ribbon through button-holes, so I used a scissors to cut about a 1/4" strip to thread through and knot.

Supplies Used:
BoBunny
Persuasion: Cardstock Patterned Paper - "My Sweet' Blooms (pink), Dot (green), Stripe (cream), Love Notes (red); Happily Ever After Rub-on; Love Is All Cardstock Sticker, Flowers, SWAK iCandy Brads; Buttons & Bling
Dot Cardstock: Coffee, Blush; Double Dot Ribbon: Wild Berry; Chunky Chipboard Alpha Blush; Chunky Chipboard Swirls & Brackets Wildberry

Other:
Ribbon - Michaels aqua sheet
Pearls: Hero Arts
Paint: Scribbles Iridiscent Blush by Duncan (on blush chip alpha)
Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk Inks, Staz-on by Tsukineko in Olive Green, Timber Brown, Black Cherry Red
Stamped Alpha: Circa 18pt by ProvoCraft (dial a letter)
Glitters: Sparkle Mod Podge (frame), Stickles (red) by Ranger on heart cut-outs

Transparency: 3M

Thread: Coats & Clark
Transparent Sticker Ticket: My Mind's Eye
Misc: cardstock - raspberry

Pen: EK Success Zig Writer brown fine point

Embossed “Love 14” embellishment – Cuttlebug

I hope you will consider utilizing an on line puzzle maker to create a fun embellishment, or idea, for your page. Or if you don't want to scrap it, consider making a Valentine puzzle for your family and use it as a Valentine's Day family fun game. It's a great way to see how 'in tune" family members are with one another. Thanks for stopping by Colorfully Creating.  And as always....

Happy Creating!

Rita S.