Quick tip...

[wood-n-things]

This belongs in the--Now why didn't I think of this before department...

I have several calendars that I plan on using for puzzles...Today I turned one over to look at the thumbnails that show what pics are inside. I didn't want to tear into the cellophane yet...and it dawned on me....DUH @ ME!

The pics of all the interior pages are on the back cover sheet...
these could be included to show the completed view.

I don't have to take a picture of the puzzle to include as a picture of the solution....I already have a thumbnail view to include with the finished puzzle...


D O H!

Now tell me you already do that......HeHeHe

and you didn't share with me....? Shame on YOU!

[Sally]

Yes - I had planned to do that too but I'm finishing these boxes I got at Michael's and I don't want to mar the surface. So I'm thinking of attaching the thumbnail to the inside of the lid. Those are very small pictures - they won't be much help but we don't want to make them too easy.
How do you label the puzzles? I've seen what Shawn does and those are very nice. Are those labels he makes himself on the computer? I've printed lots of those business cards you put through your printer. ????? Maybe a Avery label on the bottom of the box or the bottom of the lid. What do you do?

[wood-n-things]

I was using an avery label on the bottom and I'm looking for boxes and will place the label inside the lid...

[Sally]

I have lots of computer inserted business cards - so I tested this this morning. I'll either have to cut them down a bit or fold them for the boxes I have. I think I might use double sided tape to tape them to the inside of the lid. Just an idea. Our auction is next week-end so . . . . I'm staying focused on 12 step puzzles.

[wood-n-things]

If you use some of your made up glue or modpodge it adheres the card just great and is much cheaper than d/s tape...Just a thought..A little dab on the back of the card and spread it with your finger press into place and on to the next one...

I like your cards btw.

[Carter-Johnson]

Some thoughts on your thoughts.....

Packaging puzzles depends on your eventual purpose, i.e. will you be selling them, displaying them, or what? In my case, I loan them out all over the country to families who enjoy them and thus they are put simply in gallon zip-lock bags on which I write the name of the puzzle, the number of pieces, the completion date, the artist and the type of wood.. I am now filling my 18th large plastic container in my basement and the 480 or so puzzles that are in them are boxed by date completed.

Each baggie has a picture in it of the picture or photo before I start. I used to use the little pictures on the backs of the calendars but I found that a lot of older folks really could not see them because they were so small. When I figured out how to take without flash and print 4 x 4 photos, I've stuck with that, and also used those kinds of photos for posting to the forums.

whatever is phun..... Carter

[Scrolling Days]

Originally Posted by Carter Johnson

Some thoughts on your thoughts.....

..... When I figured out how to take without flash and print 4 x 4 photos, I've stuck with that, and also used those kinds of photos for posting to the forums.

whatever is phun..... Carter

I know this isn't a photography Forum, Carter, but can you easily describe how you take pictures without a flash? Are you just using special lighting? I usually take my pictures from a slight angle to avoid the glare-back, but that of course causes a slight tilt to the final picture.

[oldvaxguy2]

Oh wise one Carter,

As one of you students of color line cutting and general puzzle cutting. Please please tell us how you get all those great photo's of puzzles. I'f tried all sorts of things and one get one out of three to look half way decent.

[Carter-Johnson]

I bought a Casio camera about three years ago. I think it was priced in the mid $200's. It has many settings for bright lights, indoor, close-ups, etc. One of those settings is called "High Sensitivity" and it's depiction in the manual is of a fireplace at night.

I put the puzzle on a white board and simply put it on the carpet in my living room about 15 feet from the front picture window. It doesn't seem to make much difference whether the sun is out or not. The window faces north so obviously the sun is not shining on the puzzle. If I do it outside or closer to the window I sometimes get a glare. I stand directly over the picture and hold the camera about 3 1/2 feet from the floor.

This setting works by pushing the shutter just part way down for a moment and then pushing the rest of the way. There is no flash, but there is a one-second or so delay before the picture displays itself.

I've described this the best I can 'cause I don't know much about cameras. All I know is that it works and if you have a relatively new camera it should have a similar setting.

Carter

[Scrolling Days]

Thanks, Carter. I've seen you take a picture which emphasizes the kerf as well. Is there a setting on the camera you use for that, or are you able to do it digitally on the computer?

Here's an example of what I mean. I just borrowed this from one of your earlier posts.