As I was growing up, cooler fall temperatures meant more time indoors and more time for one of our favorite activities – puzzles! There’s just something about puzzles that makes me feel nostalgic and cozy. Some puzzles we would do individually and others we would do as a family, including even the grandparents. From an early age, I remember being taught to start with the corners and edges and then fill in what you know. (I think there’s a life lesson hidden there, but that’s another blog post!)
Now that I have my own children, I’ve helped with many a number/ABC/block puzzle, but it has been awhile since I got my hands on a 500 piece work of art. I jumped at the chance to attend Witchfest at Gardner Village and be able to meet world-renowned folk-artist Eric Dowdle.
Eric Dowdle was highly entertaining telling us not only about his latest Gardner Village Witchfest Puzzle, but also about his recent ventures in Kenya. I love hearing someone share what they are passionate about. From growing up in Wyoming with 11 siblings to becoming a world-traveling artist, Eric Dowdle has created over 250 paintings. What I enjoy most about Dowdle’s paintings are the exquisite details unique to each location. Dowdle expertly captured the Halloween excitement and quaintness of a night at Gardner Village’s Witchfest by including fun details such as the witch who flew into the silo.
As soon as my family finishes putting the Gardner Village Witchfest puzzle together, I plan on framing it and including it in our Halloween decorations each year. Taking the children to Gardner Village with their cousins is a long-standing tradition in our family and the puzzle embodies our nostalgic memories perfectly. If you haven’t visited Gardner Village yet, be sure to check out Eric Dowdle’s Youtube videos like the one below to see how much fun it is!
Thank you Gardner Village, My Craft Channel, and Dowdle Folk Art for an exciting Halloween evening!
If you have puzzlers in your family – be sure to check out the many fabulous puzzles available at Dowdle Folk Art! The BYU Football Stadium puzzle may be making its way under our Christmas tree this year!
How many puzzles does your family do during the holiday season?
What location should Eric Dowdle make into a puzzle next?
This post is not sponsored, but I did attend a fabulous event in exchange for a blog post.
19 Comments
Ashlee · October 19, 2013 at 2:28 am
It was such a fun night! I need to break out the puzzle this week!
Cambria · October 19, 2013 at 8:58 am
I normally do not like puzzles, but even I am tempted by that Gardner Village puzzle. So fun!
Summer · October 19, 2013 at 9:12 am
It was so fun hanging out with you at Gardner Village – wasn’t Eric so funny!! We are planning on starting our puzzle this weekend. I like the idea of framing it and displaying it every year at Halloween.
Briton · October 19, 2013 at 9:20 am
We love Gardner Village! And that puzzle- it is HARD but amazing!
Claire @ A Little Claireification · October 19, 2013 at 9:51 am
How fun! That is amazing – I haven’t done a puzzle in years. My son loves them so this could be a fun family challenge to tackle. Thanks for sharing!
Onica {MommyFactor} · October 19, 2013 at 1:32 pm
My family and I love puzzles. How awesome you had the chance to meet Eric Dowdle and learn more about his latest puzzle. Looks like a fun event
Janeane Davis · October 19, 2013 at 5:18 pm
I have a family of puzzlers also. There is something really fun about working together to put a puzzle together.The sense of accomplishment when the last piece is filled in is amazing.
aprila · October 19, 2013 at 6:10 pm
It looks like you had fun. Framing a puzzle is a neat idea. My kids love puzzles.
Colleen Busch · October 19, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Looks like an amazingly fun time. We love puzzles at our home.
working mama · October 19, 2013 at 11:41 pm
attending event like this is fun ..
Ange · October 20, 2013 at 2:26 pm
That sounds like a lot of fun!!
Amanda O. · October 20, 2013 at 5:56 pm
This event looks like a lot of fun!
Amber {Because Babires Grow Up) · October 20, 2013 at 6:25 pm
My husband and I did several of Dowdle’s puzzles before our little ones came along. I love the personality he is able to capture of each location. And I love traveling so I’m a sucker for his puzzles. What a fun event! We loved going to Gardner’s Village when we lived in Utah.
Courtney · October 21, 2013 at 10:20 am
The puzzles are so cool! I have to get my husband an Ohio State one!
Melissa · October 21, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Love that Halloween puzzle… My SIL is a huge puzzle person. She likes to take them to the camper with her and do them when they are camping or spending time at their lake property. I will have to mention to her about these. She is a holiday décor freak like myself. haha! She would probably love one of these.
Barbara Boser · October 22, 2013 at 1:54 pm
This event looks so fun! And I love puzzles!
Sarah · October 26, 2013 at 11:02 am
That looks like it was a fun event! We aren’t big puzzle fans, but my dad is… he probably would have loved it!
Witchfest Blogs | Dowdle Daily Blog · October 22, 2013 at 10:36 am
[…] /2013/10/eric-dowdle/ […]
Gardner Village Witchfest | Keep Moving Forward With Me · October 29, 2013 at 4:10 pm
[…] to the delightful antics of Lucinda the Witch and a special presentation from puzzle folk-artist Eric Dowdle. After that we were unleashed on Gardner Village. Oh how I love to browse and shop to my […]