An Okotoks puzzle enthusiast has taken her hobby to the next level with her recently published Pic-a-Pix book.
After growing tired of Sudoku puzzles a couple of years ago Diane Baher discovered Pic-a-Pix. Pic-a-Pix puzzles are popular in Japan, but are just starting to catch on in North America. Finding more puzzle books soon became difficult for Baher, so she started to create her own puzzles.
“I was just searching for something new and I came across it and once I got onto it, I was really hooked,” she said. “Then before I know it, I had so many, I thought, ‘I should do something with these.’”
Baher’s “Pic-a-Pix” features 100 puzzles, which are fun for people of all ages, 12 years old and up, she explained.
Pic-a-Pix features a grid similar to a Sudoku game and each column and row indicates the number of squares that need to be coloured in groupings. The player must determine which squares are to be shaded. The shaded squares must match up per row and column and once complete, reveal an image.
“Instead of numbers or words, you end up with an image,” Baher explained.
Based on logic, players start with what they know to be certain and one correct move will lead to another, she said.
Baher said her background in computer drafting helps her to create Pic-a-Pix puzzles. She starts with a grid on the computer, sketches in an image and then matches the numbers to the rows and columns. She said it usually takes her a day or two to create a puzzle. Although she designed the images, Baher said she can play her own puzzles because she still has to go through the steps to solve them.
Pic-a-Pix puzzles serve as good brain exercises, as learning new things can help generate new brain cells, Baher explained. She will donate $1 from every book sold to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary.
In an email statement, society spokesperson Rebecca Geddes said the society was grateful for the donation, which will help people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias in Calgary and the surrounding areas.
“Puzzles, books and crosswords are examples of cognitive activities that people can do to improve their brain health,” she said. “The Alzheimer Society of Calgary believes that taking care of your brain health is as important as your physical health.”
Baher ordered 500 copies of her book and is confident she will sell them all. After less than two weeks, she had already sold nearly 100 copies.
“Two years ago I never ever imagined I would be here today,” she said.
People have taken well to her book, she said, adding she thinks people are looking for something new. Baher said she hopes her book will start a Pic-a-Pix trend in North America and is already working on a second book.
“I’ve never been so addicted to any kind of puzzle in my life. I used to be up on the couch late at night, laying back, scribbling for hours, I couldn’t go to bed,” she laughed.
“Pic-a-Pix” retails for $16 at Okotoks stores such as Hallmark and Shopper’s Drug Mart, Blue Rock Gallery in Black Diamond and Pixie Hollow in High River. Copies are also available through Baher’s website www.learnpicapix.com, which also features a demonstration and sample puzzles.
