Pretty “Flow” puzzles by Workman make for a relaxing and zen time

I find “puzzle time” one of the best ways to spend time with my family. It is something we can do together and feel like we completed a project. My favorite types of images are ones like these Flow Workman puzzles “Free to Just Be” and “Dare to Dream“. They have lots of pretty colors and patterns. Our family does puzzles in a very systematic fashion. First organize the pieces by color and pulling out the border. Complete the border and then do easy sections. Then the harder stuff which is generally the large solid color areas that you simply have to do by shape (my least favorite but luckily my Dad likes those. If you are already a puzzle fan I highly recommend these and if you are looking to try your hand a puzzles these would be a nice fist one to put together. And when you are done be sure to pass on to another either friend or family member or to a puzzle swap group which are easy to find on Facebook!

More about the puzzles from the publisher:

Dare to dream with this beautiful 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle from Flow.
Open a good book—and follow where it takes you. From American artist Sarah Walsh comes this tribute to the power of the imagination and its ability to transport us. What is real, beyond the woman and her book? Vibrant, lush, oasis-like, and yet startling—a blue striped zebra, a sky that goes on forever—this puzzle invites us to a place that we shape in our minds. That place we discover when we dare to dream.
—1,000 interlocking pieces
—Mini-poster 9 3/8 x 6 ¾ for reference or framing
—Completed puzzle size: 26 3/8 x 18 7/8

Take a deep breath with this beautiful 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle from Flow.
Pause for a moment to take it in. In this fresh and vibrant painting, Dutch-Egyptian artist Roequya Fris evokes the Cairo streets of her childhood, where you can almost hear the women singing while hanging laundry. This puzzle stirs the senses—with its patterned fabrics and pink stucco walls—inviting us, piece by piece, to feel the breeze and sun, to delight in splashes of color, to visit a city teeming with life and memory.
—1,000 interlocking pieces
—Mini-poster (6 ¾” x 9 3/8”) for reference or framing
—Completed puzzle size: 18 7/8” x 26 3/8”

Okay, this might be one of the coolest recycled craft ideas I’ve seen in a long time. If you’re into vintage typewriters and also love tinkering with tech, this USB Typewriter project is a brilliant mash-up of both worlds.

Basically, the idea is to take an old manual typewriter—you know, the clunky, charming kind with the click-clack keys—and turn it into a working USB keyboard. Yes, it actually connects to your laptop or tablet, and yes, it totally works. Talk about breathing new life into a piece of the past!

The project involves a special kit that includes a sensor board (to pick up your key presses), a USB interface board (to connect it all to your computer), and some reed switches (those help with the Shift, Space, and Return keys). There’s even a version of the kit that doesn’t require any soldering, so you don’t need to be an electronics wizard to pull it off.

I’d say this falls into that sweet spot of “advanced beginner” when it comes to skill level. If you’re comfortable using basic tools and following clear instructions, you could absolutely tackle this over a weekend. It’s a bit of a commitment, but honestly? The final result is SO worth it.

What I love most is how this blends sustainability with creativity—you’re upcycling a piece of history and turning it into something totally functional for modern life. Whether you use it for writing, coding, or just showing off at your local café, it’s a fun and eco-friendly DIY electronics project that’ll definitely turn heads.

If you’re passionate about recycled crafts or you’ve got an old typewriter gathering dust, this project might just be your next favorite weekend hobby. I’m already on the hunt for my next vintage find to transform! See the full tutorial here.

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