How to Glue a Puzzle

Hi Puzzlers,

We were recently visiting with our friends at Piece Time Puzzles and they shared with us an instruction sheet on “How to Glue a Puzzle.” Well we were so impressed with it we just had to pass it along to all of you.

How to Glue a Puzzle

1) Slide a sheet of waxed paper under assembled puzzle to protect the table

2) Pour a small amount of clear drying craft glue on the face of the puzzle. (Mod Podge works well)

3) Using a brush, rubber spatula, or piece of cardboard; push the glue across the puzzle. This should force the glue between the pieces, leaving very little on the surface and reducing the risk that the puzzle will curl as the glue dries.

4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the face of the puzzle has been fully glued.

5) Let glue dry completely.

6) Peel wax paper away from the back of the puzzle and discard.

7) Place puzzle face down onto fresh sheets of wax paper.

8) Repeat step 2 and 3 to apply a very thin coat of glue to the back of the puzzle.
.
9) Let glue dry.

10) Repeat steps 2 and 3 to apply a second, thicker coat of glue to the back of the puzzle. This stiffens the puzzle for hanging.

11) Repeat steps 10 until desired stiffness is achieved, allowing glue to dry between each application.

Please Note: This gluing method may not be appropriate for all puzzles. Ask manufacture for advice before gluing puzzles with special finishes (i.e. visual effects or foils).

Display Options:
Attach eye screws at both ends of a strip of wood that is slightly shorter than the top edge of the puzzle. Glue wood to the back of the puzzle and hang with picture wire.
Have puzzle matted and/or framed by your local Custom Frame Maker.

Frame the puzzle yourself with a Puzzle Framing Kit.

Happy Puzzling!

Sun Protection

Hi Puzzlers,

Summer officially begins June 21st and this is the time of year when most of us start thinking about sunscreen and sun-protection in general. I’m kind of a crazy person when it comes to blocking the harmful effects of the sun. I do all I can to prevent burning and over exposure which leads to skin cancer. But every year I get more perplexed by all the choices in protection and which SPF’s are actually the best. Should I pay more for the 100 SPF and is it really that much better than 30SPF or 50SPF? Does a brand name guarantee a better product? Here is a quick look at what I found.

The best SPF choice for protection is the 15SPF to 30SPF range. Higher SPFs (Sun Protection Factor) only add 1%-2% more protection. Choose the higher SPFs if you are not diligent about re-application and also the 30SPF if you will be vacationing in an area with higher a UV indexes such as the Caribbean. Also, there’s not much difference between adult sunscreen and child or baby sunscreen. Don’t forget your lips - they burn too! Use SPF15 and above.

Buy products that state they are a “Broad Spectrum” protectorant or UVA/UVB protectorant. UVAs give you wrinkles and skin cancer and too much UVB exposure results in sunburns and skin cancers. Be sure to read the ingredients and look for avobenzone (this one can be irritating), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide as one of their ingredients as these products insure UVA protection. Unfortunately, some sunscreens say they are Broad Spectrum but really aren’t. Also, if your skin is sensitive look for PABA free.

Waterproof or Water Resistant: Go with the waterproof as it provides 80 minutes of water protection versus the 40 minutes of protection from the water resistant. Plus waterproof provides better protection from sweating. It is best to always go with a waterproof even if you’re not planning on getting wet or swimming.

Brand name verse store brand: Consumer Reports says expensive isn’t always better and reports that some store brands that were the least expensive rated in the good to very good range!!!

Apply sunscreen properly…unfortunately most of us don’t!

Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going out. It needs this long to be absorbed by the skin. Also apply enough! No skimping here; Adults need at least 1 ounce.

Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas and don’t forget your back, neck, ears, face, hands and feet. Use it rain or shine. You can be burned in cloudy weather.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours, it does not last all day. Reapply it after you come out of the water-YES! Every time.

Sunscreen and bug repellent: The sunscreen must be applied first and you should give it time to be absorbed (fifteen minutes), then apply the bug repellent.

Wear UPF Clothing: This is different than SPF as it rates how much the fabric reduces the UV radiation to the skin. “Only clothes with a UPF of 15-50+ may be labeled as sun-protective. Also, like regular clothing, sun-protective clothing may lose its effectiveness if pulled too tight or stretched out, if it becomes damp or wet, or if it is washed and worn repeatedly.” Or you can add a sunscreen to your clothes by using the laundry additive Sun Guard. It contains Tinosorb which increases the UPF of the fabric and last for up to 20 washings.

Finally, SPF made simple and easy.

Happy Puzzling!

Saving Money At The Pumps

Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s topic is about the importance of regular car maintenance. My Dad always said to change your oil in your car every three thousand miles and if you do it without fail your car will last forever! He also said “Don’t listen to them (mechanics) when they say you can do it every five thousand miles.” My Dad was right most of the cars I’ve had have lasted at least 10 years! What my Dad didn’t mention was that with regular maintenance you also get better gas mileage. With gas prices cresting the four-dollar mark I thought this information was worth passing on.

My revelation began last week when we had one of our cars serviced. My husband Jack, being the diligent accounting professor he is, started to notice the mileage on his vehicle was considerably less then he had been getting. What could be wrong? The snow tires had been removed and the oil had been changed. Then it occurred to us that it had been quite some time since the air filter and spark plugs had been checked.

So off the car went to get a quick tune-up. After about an hour the mechanic came back and said the car was done and that the air filter was so clogged that he was surprised the car was even running! He said we would not only see an improvement in the mileage but in performance. Boy was he right! I thought the lack of pick up in the car was because it is a four cylinder. Wrong! It was the air filter. We also saw a 5-mile-per-gallon improvement in mileage!!! As a result, my car is scheduled for a tune-up next week too! The tune-ups will pay for themselves in saved trips to the pump. Here is a list of quick tips to help you save at the pumps too.

1) Tire Pressure: By having and maintaining the correct tire pressure you can expect to see a 2.8 % improvement in fuel efficiency. Your car owner’s manual lists the proper air pressure for your car tires. Also choose tires with the lowest rolling resistance. Maintaining tire pressure is a cheap fix. Most air pumps cost about 75 cents to use and you can do it yourself.

2) Proper Octane: Only 5% of all cars manufactured have engines that require high-octane gas. If you’re using high octane and your vehicle does not require it you’re wasting your money. Check you car owner’s manual for correct octane levels.

3) Slowing Down: Reduce your highway driving speed from 65 to 55 and use your cruise control as much as you can. Also, avoid fast stops and starts; you could see as much as a 15% improvement! This is a tough one for me-everyone calls me Mario Andretti.


4) Junk In Your Trunk: Remove anything you are not using, as extra weight decreases mileage. Also, remove any items that cause drag such as bike and ski racks when not in use. Place items inside the vehicle or trunk when ever possible and avoid using the vehicles roof rack. Washing and waxing your vehicle also improves the aerodynamics and mileage, and so does USING the A/C when traveling on the highway. Oh yes -- saving money can be comfortable!

5) Maintenance and Tune Ups: This is one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle. Regular maintenance keeps your vehicle in top performing condition and will save you money now and in the long run - 4% on average in increased fuel mileage! If you are a do-it-yourselfer, make sure to check for spark plugs, low transmission fluid, dragging brakes, air filters. If you’re hearing a carbon knock, check and service the fuel injectors.

Puzzlers, just think about all the new puzzles you could buy with all the money you’re saving at the pumps.

Happy Puzzling!

Loose Change

Hi Puzzlers,

Have you seen our new puzzle, Loose Change? It makes me smile and reminds me of all the things we do with coins. My cousin Leo loves collecting coins and is always asking us to keep an eye out for his search of the moment. Remember as a kid saving all the loose change you could get your hands on to buy those must-have designer jeans or that awesome new Schwin five-speed bike complete with matching fenders? The funny thing is, most of us still save our loose change for that something special.

American coinage began in 1792 when our founding fathers realized our young country needed a respected monetary system and, with the help of Congress, passed the very first Coinage Act. Shortly after passing this act, the nations first mint was constructed in Philadelphia in 1792. Its first circulation comprised of 11,178 copper cents followed by gold, silver and nickel coins. It is believed that President Washington donated some of his own silver to be minted.

Some of the coin denominations were quite different then those of today. Between 1793-1857 there were copper half-cents; 1864-1873 copper two-cent coins; 1851-1873 silver three-cent coins; 1865-1889 nickel three-cent coins; 1794-1873 you could find half dimes made of silver, and between 1875-1878 silver twenty-cent coins were available. The penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar and dollar are still in circulation and they are no longer made of silver and gold.

So where did “In God We Trust” come from, you may wonder. In 1861 the treasury department received a letter from a minister requesting that God be recognized on our coinage. Finally, three years later on April 11,1864, through an Act of Congress, the motto “In God We Trust” was first printed on all two-cent coins. Other coins would soon follow suit. “The motto was omitted from all new gold coins issued in 1907, causing a storm of public criticism. As a result, legislation passed in May 1908, made "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins on which it had previously appeared. On July 11, 1955, Legislation, made the appearance of "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins and paper currency of the United States. On July 30, 1956, "In God We Trust" became the national motto of the United States.”

Only a few women have been portrayed on our coinage. The first was Susan B. Anthony, a school teacher, women's rights activist, social reformer, editor, and writer. She appeared on a dollar coin which was produced from 1979-1981. Next to appear on the dollar coin was Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their western exploration of the United States. Circulation of this coin began in 1999 and is still in circulation today. Also, Helen Keller appeared on the back of the 2003 Alabama quarter.

WOW! Coins are not only fun to collect and save but rich in history too!

Happy Puzzling!