At The Old Stone Mill
416 Pieces, with 34 Figurals and 8 Picture Elements
Cutting: Genuine Cherry Ply
Approximate Size: 13 inches x 11 inches
Completed: February 9, 2010
Original Artwork: "Skating By The Mill," Copywrite Bonnie White
I really love using folk art as a source for what I make as it really lends itself to the antiquity of cutting old-fashioned wooden jigsaw puzzles.
One of the personal features I like to add to some of my puzzles is to inset gems into the wood to establish a certain effect. In this project, I inset more than 50 of them around the picture, to enhance the sensation of a "magical" snow. I used clear gems for this (the camera makes some look yellow), with the exception of some light lavender ones on the dusk horizon, and some blue ones over the frozen ice.
One of the personal features I like to add to some of my puzzles is to inset gems into the wood to establish a certain effect. In this project, I inset more than 50 of them around the picture, to enhance the sensation of a "magical" snow. I used clear gems for this (the camera makes some look yellow), with the exception of some light lavender ones on the dusk horizon, and some blue ones over the frozen ice.
The engaging scene in the artwork attracted many Figurals to "jump into" the puzzle, and many of the Picture Elements, such as many of the skaters, were happy to "jump out" for a while.
Buff the Magic Dragon has become very interested in the frozen water wheel and has flown in for a closer look.
...And not far away, two Figurals have stopped by to play the greatest sport in the world!
Many other Figurals have joined in on the winter fun as well, including a father pulling his two children on a sled....
...and some other children who have come to visit the puzzle for some snowman building fun! Who knows? Maybe Frosty will come to life after that top hat is placed upon his head!
Down by the pond, I was not surprised to find some other children Figurals stop by for some wintery fun, including a spirited snowball fight across the banks of the frozen stream.
These energetic youths have taken advantage of some of my gems, and converted them into their own personal snowballs!
Here, one boy casts his frosty projectile away, while another stoops down to gather a new one.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the stream, another lad sends a snowball flying back in self-defense!
This Figural has decided to take advantage of the ice in the puzzle and practice for Sochi 2014!
"Pork," the lazier of the two of my more commonly visiting feline Figurals has decided to rest inside the warm covered bridge and catch a nap.
He better be careful, though, as a skunk is approaching up in the rafters and he feels like sharing!
This particular Figural placed himself just right within the artwork so as to earn a characteristic white stripe down his back!
How did Trevor get up on that water way?
Just around the bend, it looks like Beans has found a new friend.
During all of this activity, Noop and Schmoo can be found huddling near a nice pine, while safely watching the happenings on the pond.
In the distance, the rolling hills have provided a nice opportunity to get some skiing in.
....While some winter deer take some time to bask in the day before it is over.
