The Coffee Shoppe

Brand: Sunsout

Pieces: 500
Size:  45.72cm x 60.96cm

Product Code: 41638

Today is Anzac Day and while I couldn't find any relevant puzzles in my collection, I was able to find this one of a coffee van (something that many people who attend the Dawn Service will most likely be utilising afterwards). 

This design by artist Janet Kruskamp features a quaint little coffee van in muted colours, and I thought the whole image was very charming - a little bit different from my usual styles but pretty all the same. 

Typical to the Sunsout brand, the pieces in this puzzle were random cut and that added a certain challenge to the puzzle but it was enjoyable to do all the same. 

I only wish that I had found a puzzle with poppies or something to do with the Anzac theme, but that's OK, I'll just have to search for one in time for next year. 

Banned Books

Brand: Chronicle Books

Pieces: 500
Size:  61cm x 39.5cm

Product Code: -

Another weekend, another puzzle offering!

This week, I haven't done as much puzzling as I would have liked, despite having a fair bit of time in the evenings to dedicate to it. Instead, I have been catching up on some of my reading, because I had some library books due and thought I should tackle them first. 

So on that note, I thought I'd put up a book-themed puzzle that I have completed. I have read some of the books featured in this puzzle design and honestly could not tell you the reasons why they were banned. This puzzle was a fun one to do but I had to leave the border till last because it was somewhat challenging. I found this puzzle at the Dymocks bookstore in Collins St, Melbourne, amongst a huge range of other puzzles. I love that puzzles are so readily accessible in a variety of stores.. although it's also something of a trap!

What's the most unusual place you've found a puzzle to purchase? 

Our Solar System

Brand: Arrow Puzzles

Pieces: 500
Size:  61cm x 45.5cm

Product Code: 18884

One of the biggest news stories over the last week has been the journey undertaken by the Artemis space mission, where a small group of astronauts have travelled to the far side of the moon and have sent back unbelievable images of Earth. This inspired me to dig out a puzzle that features space - one that I completed many years ago and had yet to put up. 

This puzzle was part of a small Space & Science collection (I think there were three puzzles in it by memory) and was an educational change from my usual puzzling images. The pieces fit together ok, despite being thin, and while the quality wasn't great, it wasn't terrible either - it was mostly standard for this brand's earlier puzzles. 

That said, the design is very educational and I found it quite appealing.

I have a few other space puzzles in my collection that I haven't gotten to yet but will eventually. Have you got any puzzles of a particular theme that you'd like to attempt at some stage? 

Lady And Bunnies

Brand: Alipson

Pieces: 500
Size:  47.8cm x 34.2cm

Product Code: 50129

Tomorrow is Easter so what better puzzle to put up than one featuring a woman and her bunny friends! I did have a puzzle that I purchased specifically for Easter (featuring many different designs of Easter eggs) but unfortunately I never got around to doing it before now. So the above image will have to do.

I hope you have a safe and fun-filled Easter weekend and enjoy all the chocolate! 

xo

Pokemon: Pikachu Silhouette

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 500
Size:  54cm x 38cm

Product Code: 3350

When I was in primary school back in the 90s, a little craze called Pokemon arrived in our world. Before you knew it, everyone was playing the Nintendo game and collecting the trading cards and talking about Pikachus and other 'pocket monsters'. 

Fast forward 30 years and we're celebrating the anniversary of that time. During my high school and university days, I dropped Pokemon and focussed on other things but as an adult, I am fully back in the game and have collected many of the cards. I have a full-blown collection, and besides jigsaw puzzles, this is what I spend most of my disposable income on. 

So you can imagine that when I have the chance to mix my two passions, I'll take it. 

I bought this puzzle second-hand but luckily all the pieces were there when I was completing it. It was fun to do, and I enjoyed putting it together- I only wish it had had more pieces!

There are only a few puzzle brands that have a licence to produce Pokemon-themed puzzles, but rest assured, I aim to try and 'catch 'em all' (Yeah, I know that was lame haha)

Until then, I will continue collecting the cards and completing the puzzles. 

50 Must-Watch Movies Bucket List

Brand: Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size:  55cm x 70cm

Product Code: JIG066

I used to love watching movies in my downtime while I was studying at school and university - it was the way I relaxed after hitting the books (although my mum probably thinks I spent more time watching films than actually studying!)

So when I saw this puzzle design, the nostalgia hit and I had to do it. I've seen quite a few of these films (although I can't be bothered counting right now to give you an exact amount) and I loved the images used to portray each one. The illustration style really drew me in. This puzzle was fun to do, and took me less time than I expected, considering it's 1000 pieces. It also came in a 'popcorn-style' bucket rather than a normal rectangular box, which created a bit more interest.

Do you enjoy doing puzzles that feature 'checklists'? How many of the films in this puzzle have you watched?

Ephemera

Brand: Kaiser Style (Kaisercraft)

Pieces: 500
Size:  45cm x 61cm

Product Code: KS2636

I'm a little late putting today's post up (although granted, it's still on the same day as I normally post - not a day late like last time!). And the reason for that? I was at a social puzzling event that's held at one of the region's libraries on the second Saturday of every month. 

I went with one of my workmate's, who is also very much into puzzling, and together we completed a 500 piece puzzle that we haven't done before. The above image isn't the one that we completed today because the photo I took of that wasn't very good, so I decided to put this one up instead.

This was from Kaisercraft - a Geelong-based craft store that has been focusing more on giftware in recent years. I liked the collage-style design and while the pieces weren't of the highest quality, the puzzle image made it worth doing.