heppnerguy Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 I have stayed away from puzzle making because I do not like the idea of using a piece of my wood to paste on a puzzle pattern and then have to stack it on top of the photo I am going to cut. I did choose to free hand cut some puzzles but overall I just stopped cutting them. The last week a thought came to me. I once tried to put the puzzle pattern directly on the photo but I really did not like that because the puzzle pattern was too wide and it showed in the lighter colored areas of my puzzle. Then all of a sudden it came to me. What if I use Inkscape and make a puzzle pattern but reduce the size of the lines? so I gave it a try and it worked perfectly. I will add my puzzle pattern here along with instruction on how to use it. I hope it world for you, give it a try and see.. instructions. open Inkscape and import the my pattern..then import the photo you want to use to cut into a pattern. after changing the inkscape to the format you want: such as inches and 81/2 X 11 paper. ( this depends on what country you are in )....then simply put your photo into the small box in the center of the screen and make it whatever size you desire.. Next select the puzzle pattern and drag it over the photo, ( be sure you select the puzzle pattern to be the top layer ) make the puzzle pattern the exact size of your photo and then select and combine both of them, making them now one item. When you print it out you will have the puzzle pattern printed on the photo but the puzzle pattern is smaller than your blade and it will disappear as you cut it. I used a number 2 double tooth blade to cut my puzzle. If you have any questions, just PM me and I will respond with an answer for you Dick heppnerguy amazingkevin and WayneMahler 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 I like your idea Dick. You have solved a problem for yourself! For me it's to much work! When I do puzzles I use a calendar page of a subject I like. Then cut it free hand with a 2/0 skip tooth blade. No pattern needed! amazingkevin and stu 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 More tips and tricks! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 I'm a freehand puzzle cutter Dick much easier. That a good tutorial for those who don't though. Thanks for sharing. Roly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courdorygirl Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Dick, I do mine quasi-freehand. I go ahead and paste my photo to the wood, then use a grid generator to make squares the size I want (usually one inch) then tape that to my wood (no wasted wood that way) the. I freehand the tabs and holes as I go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Good information Dick. I don't cut puzzles but have been thinking about adding them to my arsenal. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted July 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Dick, I do mine quasi-freehand. I go ahead and paste my photo to the wood, then use a grid generator to make squares the size I want (usually one inch) then tape that to my wood (no wasted wood that way) the. I freehand the tabs and holes as I go. That is an interesting concept. I too do not do very many puzzles but when I do decide to cut one, it is usually from a photo I see on Facebook, Like someone showing their new baby or a special moment in time for them.. They always seem to enjoy receiving them. Just something a little different that costs me very little to make and ship. So I am not really clear on how you paste it to your wood, unless you paste it on the back side opposite the picture.. Thanks for the nice tip.. I hope you see this and reply because I as you can see, I am a little confused Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted July 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Good information Dick. I don't cut puzzles but have been thinking about adding them to my arsenal. Thanks for sharing. Wayne, You are entirely welcome. I always hope that some of my ideas end up helping others. I don't get many but if I really think it might be helpful, I try to share it here. I know I have found a lot of helpful things on The Village for myself Dick heppnerguy WayneMahler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courdorygirl Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 That is an interesting concept. I too do not do very many puzzles but when I do decide to cut one, it is usually from a photo I see on Facebook, Like someone showing their new baby or a special moment in time for them.. They always seem to enjoy receiving them. Just something a little different that costs me very little to make and ship. So I am not really clear on how you paste it to your wood, unless you paste it on the back side opposite the picture.. Thanks for the nice tip.. I hope you see this and reply because I as you can see, I am a little confused Dick heppnerguy Hey Dick, sorry it took me so long to get back, I haven't been online much. I print my picture on photo paper then use 45m spray adhesive on th back side to stick it to my wood, then let it dry for 30 min or so before cutting. after 24 hours the glue is cured and won't come off. Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Scroller Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 (edited) I cut all of my puzzles freehand. I use 3M 77 spray adhesive on poplar 5 ply or baltic birch. I spray the back of the picture and the wood and then spray the picture with Watco Satin Lacquer after the glue has set. It cuts the glare and I never use more wood to attach any pattern. If I cut a figural I just tape it to the picture, cut it and remove the little bit of tape from the picture. I use Flying Dutchman Superior Puzzle blades (FD-SP) as they are the thinnest I can find other than jewelers blades. Cutting freehand has its challenges but it's fun. Edited August 26, 2015 by Southern Scroller Lucky2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted September 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Actually, I cut all my puzzles free hand too but I just did not like the way that I have seen as examples of how to cut puzzles and decided to try to come up with an idea that might work a little better for those that are not comfortable with puzzle cutting free hand. I have not made a puzzle for some time but I enjoy doing one when I see a photo on Facebook that I think the one that posted it might like a puzzle of it. It could be a wedding , vacation or a new baby. Just a fun unexpected gift that costs me almost nothing to make and mail to them Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Scroller Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Actually, I cut all my puzzles free hand too but I just did not like the way that I have seen as examples of how to cut puzzles and decided to try to come up with an idea that might work a little better for those that are not comfortable with puzzle cutting free hand. I have not made a puzzle for some time but I enjoy doing one when I see a photo on Facebook that I think the one that posted it might like a puzzle of it. It could be a wedding , vacation or a new baby. Just a fun unexpected gift that costs me almost nothing to make and mail to them Dick heppnerguy Great idea. I think I would like to do that myself. I'm thinking of someone who loves golf and jigsaw pictures and they posted a pic of a beautiful golf course with the Tetons in the background. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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