Don’t Toss That Puzzle Book Yet! Creative Ways to Reuse & Repurpose Completed Puzzle Books
You’ve flipped every page, circled every word, and basked in that little spark of pride when you filled the last puzzle square. So… now what? Do you just toss that book in the recycling bin?
Not so fast! Your finished puzzle books can keep inspiring you long after the last clue is solved. Whether you’re a crafter, scrapbooker, or just love giving things new life, here are some fun, sentimental, and eco-friendly ways to reuse your completed puzzle books.
💜 1. Turn It Into a Memory Keepsake
Treat your completed puzzle books like trophies!
Add the date you finished them, a star rating for difficulty, or even a few notes about where or when you did each puzzle. (Coffee in hand on a rainy Saturday? That counts as a mood memory!)
Over time, your finished books become a personal “puzzle journal” — a record of your brain-boosting adventures.
Bonus idea: Cut out the front covers and glue them into a scrapbook, planner, or journal page as a “Puzzle Completion Collection.” Add stickers, photos, or little doodles to mark your favorites.
✂️ 2. Craft Something New
If you love crafting, puzzle pages are full of creative potential! Try:
Bookmarks: Cut puzzle grids into strips, laminate, and add ribbon or a butterfly sticker.
Gift Tags or Cards: Fold or cut puzzle pages into unique greeting cards — especially fun for birthdays or thank-you notes.
Collages: Tear or trim puzzle pages to decorate journals, mixed-media canvases, or photo frames.
Origami or Paper Stars: The grid lines add a unique texture that looks surprisingly beautiful when folded!
Paper Mâché: Perfect for art projects or decorative bowls — and a great way to keep pages out of the trash.
🧵 3. Repurpose for Sewing & DIY Projects
If you sew or quilt, puzzle pages can even serve a practical purpose!
Use finished pages as tracing paper or pattern test sheets.
Shred and use them as stuffing for pin cushions or small crafts.
Keep them as practice material for paper piecing or batting tests before using your good fabric.
It’s a perfect blend of practicality and nostalgia — your favorite pastime literally woven into your next project.
🌱 4. Upcycle for Earth-Friendly Living
Let’s give those pages a second life in nature!
Compost (paper pages only): If they’re printed on non-glossy paper, tear them up and add them to your compost pile.
Eco-friendly Packaging: Shred old pages for box filler in handmade or Etsy packages. Include a note:
“This packaging once kept my mind sharp — now it’s keeping your treasures safe!”
DIY Seed Paper: Blend shredded pages with water and wildflower seeds to make plantable paper. Perfect for gifting or for your garden.
🎁 5. Pass the Fun Along
Why not let someone else enjoy the joy of puzzling?
Puzzle Swap: Circle the puzzles you didn’t complete and gift the book to a friend, senior center, or waiting room.
Puzzle Memory Log: Create a “Puzzle Book Challenge” between friends — each person adds their name and date to the back cover before passing it on.
It’s a heartwarming way to connect people through creativity!
🎨 6. Frame It or Display It
Finished a puzzle that made you smile? Frame it!
Add your name and the date in the corner, then hang it near your reading nook or craft area. It’s a visual reminder of your progress and a simple way to celebrate your hobbies.
💡 Bonus Idea for Crafters & Creators
Want to take it further? Create your own “Puzzle Completion Journal” or digital tracker to record which puzzle books you’ve finished, which were your favorites, and which you’d love to try next.
I might even have a Purple Butterfly version of that coming soon. 😉
💜 From the Author
When I create puzzle books, I think about more than just the words on the page — I think about the peaceful, mindful moments they bring. Once the puzzles are done, I love the idea that they can live on in another form — maybe as a bookmark, a collage, or a cozy craft project.
Your creativity doesn’t end with the last puzzle — it begins again with what you choose to do next.
💜 With love and imagination,
Laura from Purple Butterfly Publishing
