A Puzzle for Baxter

I saw a similar handmade puzzle in my 1970s craft book and decided to make one for sweet Baxter, firstborn of one of my oldest and best friends, Elise. He's burly, beautiful, and about to be a big brother!

Gather ingredients: wooden blocks of the same dimensions, 4 for small puzzle, 9 or 12 for large. (you can even use second hand alphabet blocks) pictures that make your eyes glad (I like to use national geographics from the 50s, family photos, old calendar art, and dust covers from my favorite children's books), glue, exacto knife, clear acrylic gloss.

Find pictures that fit your blocks when laid out in a square, trim to fit, glue it down, and when dry then carefully use the exacto knife to cut the blocks apart. (do front and back at the same time) When you have done this six times you have a lovely puzzle or just pretty building blocks. Use the acrylic gloss to seal it and give it shine. Babies love them because they are blocks, bigger kids love the challenge of a 6 sided puzzle. Sew a small carrying bag and you have a thoughtful gift made with love.











*family photo by the lovely miss james

2nd Annual Trashcan Regatta!

Okay, so my friends are more awesome than your friends. Don't take offense! Just enjoy this hilarious proof. We dragged poor Grambie and Pops into the sweltering heat to witness this punk rock phenomenon, boats made from trash and powered by humans trying not to sink and racing each other across Ladybird Lake. (for a grand prize of a new tattoo and a wooden trophy) AND GLORY.

The video is from last year's race for alas, we got there just minutes too late to catch the action. The aluminum boat with stovepipe was this year's champion and sunburns and lonestars were absorbed by all.