Underwater Sanctuary

Brand: Cardinal
Pieces: 500
Size: 35.5cm x 27.9cm
Product Code:  -

I've always loved images of dolphins, whales and other exotic and colourful marine life. 

There is just something so tranquil about these designs, with their aquamarine water- it almost feels as though you are part of this underwater landscape, frolicking with the creatures as they swim among the brightly coloured coral. Although I know that scenes like this one are fanciful and the reality is much different, I still enjoy doing puzzles like this one every now and then.

This Cardinal puzzle had very small pieces but they fit together really well to produce this well-designed image. The vibrant colours and busy scenery made it interesting to complete- there was always something different to look at as you put the pieces together. 

I've really grown to enjoy doing puzzles from this brand- they have a wide range of designs and the quality is usually really good. 

Disney Tangled Rapunzel

Brand: Yanoman
Pieces: 70
Size: 10cm x 14.7cm
Product Code: 97-71

One of my best friends dabbles in theatre when she's not working her normal 9-5 job, and she is absolutely amazing! Each year, she performs in a production by a small local theatre company Medimime- which is made up of Barwon Health staff members and their families- and they perform a fun pantomime to raise money for Barwon Health and various wards of the Geelong Hospital. 

This year's panto will be Rapunzel, and Kate will get to don her evil garb and play the bad guy once again, so I thought it would be fitting to put up a pic of this puzzle I completed of Disney's version of Rapunzel- Tangled. This small puzzle is from the exceptional Japanese company Yanoman, and the pieces are made from a thin, partially see-through plastic that clicks together in a very satisfying way! There are several other Disney Princesses in this series, which are illustrated in a similar style. I love these designs- they're so pretty, and the colours are wonderful. 

Unicorno: Stellina (Tokidoki)

Brand: Re-Marks
Pieces: 100
Size: 25.4cm x 25.4cm
Product Code: -

I felt like putting up something bright, simple and cute today- and what better than this little gem from Re-Marks?

Tokidoki is a Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand that features a range of cute characters, including the one above. When I first saw this puzzle, I was going through something of a unicorn phase and I couldn't help but purchase it. This square puzzle is aimed at children, with large pieces and a simple colour pallet. In the cube-shaped box, there was also a poster, an adhesive sheet and a hanging tag, for displaying purposes once the puzzle is complete. 

This puzzle was quick to do and it's bold colours make it stand out beautifully. 

Haruyo Morita: Higasa

Brand: Eurographics
Pieces: 1000
Size: 48.89cm x 67.63cm
Product Code: 6000-0742

I haven't posted any Eurographics puzzles for a while, so I thought it was time to remedy the problem!

This design was adapted from an artwork by renowned and popular Japanese artist Haruyo Morita, and is one of a few that the Eurographics brand has included in their collection. I love the details in the kimono and the vibrant colours used in the background behind the geisha. In fact, all of the designs are beautiful.

I do, however, have one complaint, and it is not one I have had to make before, When putting together this puzzle, I noticed that the pieces were not cut well at all. This was the first time I ever encountered something like this and I was particularly surprised because I know that the quality of these puzzles is usually pristine. It seems as though the blades of the machine that cut this particular batch of puzzles was blunt and rather than change it, the company continued to (poorly) cut the designs. As a result, the pieces were difficult to put back together and the quality was terrible. I was lucky enough to get a full refund from the place I purchased it from after I alerted them to the problem and a replacement given. I wish I had thought to take photos of the ill-cut puzzle for you but it completely slipped my mind. 

Regardless, the design is beautiful, the puzzle was replaced with no drama and I learnt the valuable lesson that no matter how renowned a puzzle company can be, quality control can always be compromised.