Two dimensional puzzles good fit for local lady

BY BONNIE KAY BALDWIN
LAKE MILLS GRAPHIC
Brenda Rambo, resident of Mills Harbour Assisted Living, has always enjoyed working on a good jigsaw puzzle. But it wasn’t until a couple years ago, that her hobby would become even more interesting.
Rambo moved from Texas to Lake Mills in 1993. Later, when she came to live at Mills Harbour, she wanted to share her love of puzzles with her friends.
Her first puzzle to work on, was a butterfly-shaped puzzle with photos of various butterflies within the shape.
Once she saw it complete,  she said, “It is too beautiful to take it apart and put it back in the box.” So she decided, along with her sisters, Evelyn Holtan (Joice) and a sister, Charlene Koester (visiting from Texas) to decoupage the puzzle, glue it onto poster board, cut it to the shape and then glue magnets on the back of the poster board, as well as the back of the 30-inch by 40-inch canvas. (The reason for the magnets was because they were afraid the puzzle would be too heavy to hold onto the canvas, otherwise.) Before attaching the puzzle to the canvas, they painted a simple background on it, which framed the puzzle. This gave it a two-dimensional look.
“It became a family endeavor,” Rambo said with a chuckle. But, it worked so well, that they did numerous other puzzles the same way, including an elephant/safari, lion, cats from around the world, flowers, angels and birds. She began to bestow some of them on friends and family.  
Now, Rambo has chosen a number of wooden puzzles from a Smithsonian museum catalog, although they are quite a bit more expensive than a regular jigsaw puzzle. The pieces are small and two-dimensional, but she thought they would be easier to pick up than regular jigsaw puzzle pieces.
“They are a challenge, but that’s what so appealing—that’s what makes it so much fun. Some are so beautiful that I just want to share them.”
The puzzle pieces are placed on a table down the hall from her room and she invites other residents to work at putting it together. The puzzle on the table now, is called, The Fall Garden. And in her apartment, are a couple more—one just in time for the upcoming season—Autumn Leaves.
“Some of us help put the pieces of the puzzle together, but what she does with the puzzle is unique—painting a canvas and preparing it to hang on a wall,” said fellow resident and friend, Colleen Rogness. “That’s the hard part.”

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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