Hot Dog

Brand: Typo

Pieces: 200
Size:  30cm x 30cm

Product Code: -

Today is AFL Grand Final Day and it's a match between the Geelong Cats (my home team) and the Brisbane Lions. 

I was scouring my puzzle photos, trying to find something that would be relevant to the day but unfortunately couldn't find anything that would be a good representation. So instead, we're going with a lunch snack (sort of?) that might be associated with a footy game - a hot dog!

This puzzle was from a range that Typo put out which made a play on different food names. Generally I try to avoid buying puzzles from this brand - although they have some awesome designs, they are renowned for being poor quality. Their pieces are usually all cut the same, which means a lot of false fits and sometimes the print job can be blurry. I have done a couple but they have not been the best ones to do, and I've seen reviews on social media from a lot of people who absolutely refuse to purchase them. 

That said, this puzzle wasn't as bad as some of them and I do still like the image. It's just a matter of 'buy at your own risk' when purchasing from them. They might need to stick solely to what they're best at, which is quirky homewares and stationery...

In The 90's

Brand: Happily

Pieces: 1000
Size:  68cm x 48.5cm

Product Code: -

I'm a big fan of collage puzzles, or puzzles that feature items grouped in a particular way. 

Holly Maguire's illustrated puzzle design above is no exception. I consider myself a 90's kid, even though I was born in the late 80's. I figure that since I was actually a kid during the 90's, the above puzzle is more relevant to me. I recognise and had some involvement with nearly everything in the above design- the nostalgia levels skyrocketed as soon as I laid eyes on it!

I love representations like these that are relatable and bring back fond memories. Its even better when the illustrations are impressively drawn and well laid out. The one problem I had with this puzzle was the texture of the pieces - they felt kind of 'rubbery' (for want of a better word) on top of each piece, and as a result, any puzzle dust would stick to the piece and not come off easily. Besides that small fact, the above puzzle was a pleasure to do, and I hope to tackle more in the future. 

Vintage Dress Making

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 169283

If you've been following this account over the years, you would know that besides jigsaw puzzling, I'm an avid crafter and usually enter my cross stitch and embroidery into the town's local annual show. Because of this, I also enjoy doing puzzles that feature elements of my different passions, and so the above one was no exception.

While I have not attempted dressmaking (as yet) I loved the design of the above Ravensburger puzzle. 

The vibrant colours, busy design and pretty little details made the above puzzle a joy to do. 

Do you have other hobbies besides doing jigsaw puzzles? Do you try and find puzzles that feature cross-over designs with this hobby?

Fairytales Under The Stars

Brand: Reverie Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size:  50cm x 70cm

Product Code: -

I have been a keen follower of Reverie Puzzles since I first heard about them many years ago. 

Based in my hometown of Geelong, the brand prides itself on producing beautiful book-related jigsaw puzzles, with designs specially commissioned by the owner Melissa (who is an absolutely beautiful person I might add- I've met with her a few times). 

I have nearly all of the puzzle designs up to date (not including the newest launch which will be today! Eeee!) and they are ones that I intend to keep rather than sell on. 

As mentioned just above, they will be launching their latest collection today at 11am AEST and I'm so excited to add to my collection (lucky it was payday on Monday!)

If you haven't already done one of Reverie's puzzles, you must get your hands on one to try them out. While they are on the pricey side, the quality is exceptional, the artwork is beautiful and you will not be disappointed. You get what you pay for, and this is certainly the case with this brand- you can't go wrong!

Disney Frozen: Always Close To The Heart

Brand: Arrow Puzzles

Pieces: 500
Size:  52cm x 38cm

Product Code: -

Once again this is going to be a quick post cos time is not my friend this weekend!

In a few hours we will be travelling to Sydney for a whirlwind weekend - my husband is competing in the Sydney Marathon on Sunday and we will be attending my niece's 4th birthday party in literally a few hours time! But first we have to get to her house from the airport - travelling through the suburbs of Sydney (wish us luck)! 

So it's gonna be rush, rush, rush!

My niece loves Frozen, has a dog named Sven and is having an Elsa-themed birthday party, so what better puzzle to put up than the one above? This one is just a cheaper brand puzzle that you can purchase at Kmart but it was still fun to do.

Sorry, I can't write more about it, but time is of the essence and I still have so much to organise before we leave.

Have a great weekend and keep puzzling!

Stargazing: Celestial Camp Out

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 750
Size:  61cm x 46cm

Product Code: 17504

I'm a bit short on time this morning so this is just going to be a quick post. I usually tend to do 1000 piece puzzles with the occasional 500 piece one mixed in (especially when I'm preparing for a competition). Very rarely, I do larger count ones like 1500 or 2000 pieces (but that's more because of space restrictions). 

And then every now and then, you get unusual counts like the one above - 750!

This puzzle design called to me, and the piece count was in no way a deterrent. It was actually interesting to do a puzzle which was between the usual piece counts that I usually do. It ended up being an okay size dimension-wise too, so that was a bonus. Have you got many 750 piece puzzles in your collection? Do you enjoy doing them?

The Burbs

Brand: One But Many

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

When I was preparing for a puzzle sale a few weeks ago, I started sorting through some of my older puzzles that I knew I wanted to get done in time to add to my sell list. 

This was one of those puzzles.

I bought it from One But Many just as they were closing down their puzzle business, because I loved the illustrated design by Alice Achoo. It's such a vibrant and detailed representation of life in the suburbs, and while I didn't sell it this time around, I'm sure it won't be long before someone snaps it up.

In the meantime, I'm going to continue to look for unique and interesting puzzle designs that follow this same style of illustration. Have you seen any of interest like the puzzle above?