Star Wars: A Very Vader Christmas

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 300
Size: 54cm x 38cm
Product Code:  92500-2803

OK I did it. 

I just couldn't help myself.

In my own flimsy self-defence, I didn't have any other Christmas-themed puzzles in my photo collection that I could put up, but the fact that I've done two in a row of Buffalo, Star Wars and piece count is a little bit sad. 

You'll just have to show some Christmas spirit and forgive me for it! Haha 

I'll have to make sure I have some more Christmas puzzles in my collection before December rolls around next year...

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas- the next time I post will be in the year 2021 so I hope you also have a safe and happy New Year!

Keep puzzling!

Star Wars: Holiday Yoda

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 300
Size: 54cm x 38cm
Product Code:  92500-2805

Following the finale last night of Disney Plus' second season of The Mandalorian, I had big plans to put up a picture of the Baby Yoda puzzle that accompanied the Mandalorian one I put up several weeks ago.

But then I realise that there are only 6 days to go until Christmas, and that since I only really post on Saturdays, it would be past Christmas when I put up my next post- unless I make an exception this time of course! 

So I thought in a slight compromise, I would put up the above puzzle- it features Yoda (the real one, not baby Grogu) and a nice Christmas-y theme. I'll just have to leave the other puzzle for a different time- maybe when series 3 is announced?

The above puzzle was quite fun to do and there is an accompanying Vader one in the series (which I have also done, but will hold off on posting for a while). 

I hope you have a merry and safe Christmas and I'll probably post at least once more before the year is out. 

Hopefully next year will be a lot better than this year has been!

The Little Mermaid

 Brand: Ceaco

Pieces: 500
Size: 46cm x 36cm
Product Code:  -

Disney has recently released news of their latest 'live action' casting for The Little Mermaid and it's looking to be a corker! I know there have been a few people wishing that the films would be left alone, but this one (well the cast, anyway) looks as though it is going to be absolutely wonderful. 

That's why I decided to put this puzzle up today- The Little Mermaid is harder to come by than some of the other Disney characters. This was one of the Thomas Kinkade 4-in-1 Disney puzzles that I completed a little while back. It came in the S3 box with Winnie the Pooh, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.

Can't go past a Disney puzzle!

Game Of Thrones: Fire And Ice

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 500
Size: 54cm x 38cm
Product Code:  03350-3358

I'm an avid reader, and have been since I first picked up a book as a young child. 

But one series that I have never read, despite watching the entire show, is The Song Of Fire And Ice (aka Game Of Thrones), written by George R. R. Martin. I really enjoyed the HBO television series but I can't bring myself to actually read the books. 

It's not only because the show deviated from them so early on, but the main reason is that he has never finished them (and doesn't appear to be interested in doing so either). While working at the bookshop, I can't tell you the amount of times that fans would come in, looking for the next book in the series (which keeps getting pushed back again and again). I swear the man has given up and not even begun to start writing. 

Instead, he has released side stories from the series that have links to the characters but don't continue the story arc of the series. This frustrates me so much that I don't want to start the series and have to wait an indefinite amount of time before I can find out what happens next. I've seen how the fans react to waiting this long and just don't want to join that tribe.

I read online yesterday that a new series based on the backstory of the Targaryen's is in the works, which has further fueled the ire of fans, who are again asking why the author can spend so much time on the shows, rather than finishing the series. 

I'm interested to see how it all pans out, but in the meantime, I thought I'd put up a photo of one of the GoT puzzles I have done by Buffalo. This one was good quality and pretty quick to do- I liked the contrast in the design between the ice and fire...

Flinders Street Station, VIC

Brand: Ken Duncan Images Of Australia (Crown & Andrews)- The World's Most Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles
Pieces: 504
Size: 64cm x 24cm
Product Code:  -

Over the last few months there have been many people critical over the way the Victorian Government has handled the corona virus. The state of Victoria was in major lockdown, with the city of Melbourne hardest hit- I think I heard somewhere that Melbournians were facing some of the toughest lockdown restrictions in the world! 

But those months of restrictions and sacrifices are now over! Yay! Victoria has recorded over 28 days of virus free living! Those who complained can now see the proof that what was done to eradicate the virus was successful. Of course, it's not completely eradicated (it can always be reintroduced by travellers once all the state borders open and international travel begins properly again) but for now we're on a high!

We're in a much better position than the pain and horror that many overseas countries are facing right now- the USA and some countries in Europe are facing hundreds of thousands cases a day! Crazy! Hope they start to see some recovery soon...

To celebrate Victoria's success, I have put up a puzzle featuring Melbourne's iconic Flinders Street Station. It's such a beautiful and recognisable piece of architecture, which will be super busy again in no time as people freely begin to travel again. 

Cute Giant Panda

Brand: Puzzlebug

Pieces: 100

Size: 22cm x 28cm
Product Code: -

How cute are Giant Pandas? I was going to put this picture up a few months ago following the news that a Panda had given birth to twins at a zoo somewhere overseas, but obviously that never eventuated and I ended up putting up something else instead. 

Having remembered it now, I have decided to put the photo up. 

This was a cheap Puzzlebug puzzle, so the quality wasn't particularly great, but despite this, I still continue to buy them for their images and designs. They always look so appealing! Oh well...

Tinker Bell And Peter Pan Fly To Neverland

Brand: Ceaco

Pieces: 500

Size: 46cm x 36cm
Product Code: -

Today I have decided to put up a photo of this puzzle, which is part of a 4-puzzle-pack by Thomas Kinkade (Series 1 for anyone who is interested). And the reason for this one? Well I have recently finished reading a book that featured the characters from Peter Pan- focusing mainly on Tinker Bell and Wendy and I was inspired to put this puzzle up because of that. 

The book is part of the Disney Twisted Tales series (printed by Scholastic) and, while it is aimed at younger readers, it is fantastic nonetheless. Each book questions the events in a particular Disney story, and inverts it completely to make an entirely new story. For example, in the one I just finished (called Straight On Till Morning), the story takes a turn and asks what would have happened if Wendy went to Neverland with Captain Hook? (Rather than Peter Pan as she does in the original book). I also read one recently called Let It Go (based on Frozen) which is rewritten as though Elsa and Anna never knew each other. 

I love inverted fairytales as much as I love the originals and so this series is a joy to read. There are plenty more in the series if you are interested... but back to the puzzle. 

This puzzle was great Ceaco quality and I enjoyed finding all the little extra details in it, as Thomas Kinkade is known for doing. You can't really tell clearly from my photo but the clouds are outlines of Captain Hook and the pirates, ensuring that they are included in the illustration. I did the other puzzles in this box too and will eventually put them up. These are great illustrated puzzles and I intend to do them all eventually. 

Fierce Loyalty

Brand: Crown & Andrews Super 3D Prime 3D

Pieces: 500

Size: 61cm x 46cm
Product Code: -

I've decided to put up something a little bit different this time around- a lenticular '3D' puzzle! 

This is the first time I have ever completed one and it was quite an experience. It all depended on the way I looked at the pieces, or the way that the light reflected off them, which determined how quickly I was able to put it together. For a 500 piece puzzle, it took me quite a while! But the design was also quite dark which also made a difference. 

This design is from the Anne Stokes Collection, and has been adapted to this lenticular format. I thought it was pretty cool although it is much harder to take photos of puzzles in this style! 

There were only a few problems with this puzzle quality- a couple of bubbled spots where the image raised from the backing and showed on the design but there was nothing that could be done about this. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed this one- it felt good to tackle something slightly different.

And how fierce is the image?! Divine! :) 

The Mandalorian

Brand: Crown

Pieces: 48

Size: 26cm x 23cm
Product Code: -

I don't often do puzzles of extremely small counts- usually the smallest is 100 or 150 pieces- but I thought I'd make an exception for this week! 

This puzzle is a tiny 48 pieces, and features one of the characters from the Disney Plus series The Mandalorian- good ol' Mando himself! And the reason for this one going up today? Well the second series started again yesterday (although I haven't had the chance to watch it yet) and I thought, why not?! 

I also have a puzzle from the same 'series', featuring Baby Yoda but I figured that this one would be better this time round because the internet will already be flooded with images of him. I'm giving Mando a chance to shine! 

This puzzle was fairly good quality for the price and featured large, thin cardboard pieces. I suppose it really is aimed at children, hence the piece count, but I still enjoyed putting it together- it maybe took about 5 minutes tops to do, but I'm a sucker for pop culture puzzles, no matter the size. 

Like I said, there's also a Baby Yoda puzzle the same size from Crown, but maybe I'll put it up to commemorate the second series when it ends...

Heads Up

 

Brand: Cardinal

Pieces: 500

Size: 27.9cm x 35.5cm
Product Code: -

I love hearing about random national days and weeks- when things a little out of the ordinary have their chance to be appreciated or celebrated. My Mother-in-law has a block calendar specifically for this, which was gifted to her (possibly for Christmas last year?) and which she has used to add a bit of excitement throughout the year. 

For example, on International Pretzel Day, she made some yummy pretzels and on National Eat Chocolate Day, you can guess what we did! Haha.. 

I'm not sure if they are all real recognised 'holidays' but one that I know of is, at least in Australia, National Bird Week. This year it runs from Monday 19 October to Sunday 25 October, so I've just gotten in there before it ends. I don't really know much about the Week (you might have to Google it cos I don't have time to do it for you right now) but I thought I'd put up this puzzle I did of some tropical birds a little while ago- a perfect way to commemorate the week! 

This puzzle was very good quality even though it was one of those really cheap $1 ones, and the pieces were tiny. The colours were vibrant though, and it kept my attention throughout. Love those kinds!

I wonder which interesting day/week event I can incorporate my puzzle photos into next week? 

Stranger Things

Brand: Cardinal

Pieces: 500

Size: 45.72cm x 60.96cm
Product Code: -

Do you have a TV show that you absolutely love and can't miss an episode of? Have you discovered a new show way too late, and have to binge it to catch up? 

I love the Netflix show Stranger Things, but luckily I was pretty on the ball when I first discovered it and didn't have to binge too much to catch up. We were able to watch the whole second and third seasons as they were released and are really anticipating the next one! 

I know it's not a brand spanking new show, but I thought I would put up a picture of a puzzle I found for it. After seeing this puzzle online sooo many times I ended up sourcing it through eBay from America, and spent a ridiculous amount of money on it (mostly shipping costs, but for a 500 piece puzzle!) I just really wanted to do it! 😅😂

Luckily I was able to sell it on afterwards and recoup some of my money back. But I didn't really care, as long as I had the opportunity to do it! I really want to find a jigsaw puzzle of The Boys if such a thing exists because we just finished watching the second season and I love it! Gonna be such a long wait for the next season which is due to be sometime next year. In the meantime, I will do some more puzzles of favourite shows and movies if I happen to find them. It looks like there are a few good ones coming out soon. I have a couple of Mandalorian ones tucked away to be done later...

Disney Sneezy

 

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500

Size: 50cm x 50cm
Product Code: 152414

It's no secret that I love Disney puzzles but lately I've noticed that it's some of the minor characters that are getting showcased- and I love it!

Besides the main characters (usually the Disney Princesses), there has been a definite surge in the amount of puzzles I have seen that have been celebrating the Disney Villains. There are so many of these about now (I have done a few) and I can't wait to track down and do some more!

Then there are these ones.

The Seven Dwarfs from Snow White are admittedly important characters to the story, but they don't often get a look in- at least until now! Ravenburger has released a square 500 piece puzzle for each of the dwarfs, as well as one that features all of them. I have previously put up a pic of the Dopey one, and now I've decided to put up Sneezy (since it's Spring and hayfever is about hahaha).

I have all of these in my collection and plan to get them done soon. I've decided to tackle as many smaller count puzzles (500 pieces and less) as I can to free up room for my baby's nursery. I have a couple of months to work on this 'project' so we'll see how much I can clear and get done.

The quality of this one was perfect, as usual, and as you can see, the colours are super vibrant!

Hopefully I'll be able to complete and put up all the others soon...

The Collector's Cupboard

Brand: Wentworth Wooden Puzzles

Pieces: 500

Size: 51cm x 36cm
Product Code: 840313

What can I say? I'm an addict. 

I have so many puzzles waiting on the sidelines to be done- the entire top shelf of a built-in-wardrobe and piles all over the floor. They are just the ones I haven't done! And I have to try and reduce the amount before bub arrives because who knows how much I'll be able to get done after that? But I still find myself looking at (and maybe buying) more designs. I'm a shocker! I'd like to say that the above puzzle is mine but this is one I actually borrrowed from my brother-in-law. Yes, even though I have so many options of my own, I still borrow other people's puzzles to complete! 

But how cool is it? Can you honestly blame me? The above puzzle is from Wentworth Wooden Puzzles and yes, every piece is laser cut from wood. These are not your traditionally shaped pieces- every piece is unique and the design contains many whimsy pieces of various designs. I suppose they took their themes from the design (Collector's Cupboard) because the whimsy pieces were of everything from buttons to cats to cars- very cool. 

I have included some extra pictures below to illustrate how unusual this puzzle was to do:

Anyway, I'm very glad I was given the opportunity to try this puzzle- the quality was fantastic and the design was chaotic (in a good way) and very entertaining. You'd think you'd seen the whole design and then a new aspect would jump out at you that you hadn't seen previously. 

If you ever have the chance to do one of these, I say go for it!

Gin Lover's

Brand: Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles

Pieces: 500

Size: 35cm x 50cm
Product Code: JIG040

You know how sometimes you don't miss something until it's gone? That's me at the moment- with alcohol. 

Since becoming pregnant, I have obviously had to stop drinking alcohol, and while I never drank a whole lot anyway, it was nice to be able to have a drink when I felt like it. 

Gin was my alcohol of choice just before I fell pregnant and this puzzle reminds me of what I'm missing out on. My husband has been very sweet to me, buying sparking apple and grape juices and serving them to me in a wine glass when he's been having a whisky or some other drink, but it's just not the same. 

Oh, well, nothing to be done about it till after the baby's here. In the meantime, I will have to settle for doing puzzles of alcohol, like the one above.  

Although the design of the above puzzle is very cool, I was disappointed with the quality of the pieces. Many were peeling, with the design coming away from the cardboard backing. I have seen this with several puzzles from this brand unfortunately. Besides that, the puzzle was quite pretty (as well as informative). It came in cylinder packaging, with a reference poster. I know there are a few puzzles similar (whisky, etc) and despite the quality, I think I'd still like to try them.. 

Viva La Vida

 Brand: Eeboo

Pieces: 1000

Size: 58.4cm x 58.4cm
Product Code: PZTVLV

I've only done a few puzzles from Eeboo thus far, but I have to say, they are one of the more interesting puzzle companies I have come across in the last few years. Their designs are unique and vibrant, the quality is wonderful and the colours just pop out of the pieces! 

Above is a puzzle I completed featuring Frida Kahlo. There is sooo much detail in this design, and until you are putting it together, you don't realise how many facets there are to the illustrations. I thought I had looked over the design carefully but when I was piecing it together, more and more details about her life emerged through the illustrations. This was a beautiful design and very satisfying to complete. 

Unicorn Cupcake

Brand: Puzzlebug

Pieces: 100

Size: 22cm x 28cm
Product Code: -

Today's puzzle has been put up for our friends, who are launching their new business today. Their coffee and pastry van business has it's grand opening today, and what better way to celebrate than to put up a puzzle of an incredibly cute unicorn cupcake? I'm not sure if they would be able to make and sell cupcakes with as much detail as the one above, but I'm sure they would taste just as good, if not better! Hopefully the rain will ease and they will have a successful first day!

Beauty And The Beast Eternal Love

Brand: Tenyo

Pieces: 1000

Size: 29.7cm x 42cm
Product Code:  DW-1000-479

Hi all,

I decided to put this one up today cos it's been a while since I've put up a Disney-themed puzzle. It was also my wedding anniversary yesterday and I love the sentiment of eternal love that is portrayed in this puzzle design, so why not? 

I bought this puzzle on my last visit to Japan from the awesome Tokyu Hands. It is honestly one of the best stores I have ever been to- I absolutely love it there. They sell EVERYTHING! This puzzle came in such a small and compact box (if you look at the dimensions of the puzzle listed above, you can see that the pieces are quite small to be able to do the puzzle in that size). That's another reason I love Japanese puzzles- they're so compact! This one was also a glow-in-the-dark puzzle, which I didn't realise until I was completing it- another bonus! (see the photo below)

I hope I get the chance to visit Japan again some day!

Tropical Paradise

 

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500

Size: 36cm x 49cm
Product Code:  141876

This is an oldie but a goodie, and one that I had to dig out of my childhood puzzle collection. I have done this puzzle countless times over the years and it always guarantees a nostalgia hit. I put this one up today because I needed to remind myself of better times, when we were able to travel to places just like this one and enjoy beautiful sunshine and tropical climates. 

I don't really have much more to say than.

I hope you enjoy looking at this puzzle as much I enjoyed putting it together.

The Periodic Table Of The Elements

 

Brand: Eurographics

Pieces: 1000

Size: 48.89cm x 67.63cm
Product Code:  6000-1001

In Australia at the moment, we're celebrating National Science Week (well we're towards the end of it anyway) so I thought it would be fitting to put up this puzzle for today (since I already put up Little Scientists a few weeks back).

What better representation of science than the periodic table of the elements! I remember learning the first 20 symbols and elements off by heart when I was at school and studying Chemistry, and I still haven't forgotten them! 

This puzzle from Eurographics was quite easy to do when you separated each of the elements by colour and was very informative once completed. I love puzzles like these where they also have an educational aspect. The quality was perfect - I've only ever had one Eurographics puzzle where the quality was poor- and the colours are vibrant. 

How many of the elements do you recognise?

Tree-Dwelling Slowpokes

Brand: Mudpuppy

Pieces: 500

Size: 46cm x 36cm
Product Code:  -

I have been feeling so lethargic lately that no other puzzle fit as well as the one that I have chosen to display today. 

The above puzzle was quite quick to do, besides the similar colours, and perfectly represents the laziness I have been emulating over my last few days off. 

You know when you feel so tired that you just can't work up the energy or motivation to do anything? That has been me- I have done the bare minimum lately and I hate it. But sometimes you just can't get out of little funks like these. I woke up earlier today and with a bit more energy so hopefully that's the end of it and I'll be able to be a bit more productive from now. But we'll see how I go...

In the meantime, enjoy this cute Mudpuppy puzzle- they're always good quality and have a nice selection of designs to choose from. 

Winnie The Pooh 2

Brand: Ceaco 

Pieces: 500

Size: 46cm x 36cm
Product Code:  -

Part of Kinkade Disney 4-in-1 (S2)

I never thought I'd compare myself to a fat yellow bear, but this is exactly how I'm feeling at the moment! Floating away on the end of a balloon and needing someone to tether me to the ground to avoid disappearing up into the clouds. 

The last few weeks have been full on here in Victoria, Australia, with the craziness of Covid-19.

We've had a spike in cases and deaths, and this has led to Melbourne going into stage 4 restrictions, while the rest of us in regional Victoria have reverted back to stage 3 restrictions (like those we experienced last May/ June). 

Who knows when it will end? 

Luckily, I was able to book in some annual leave (which just happens to be now during the beginning of Lockdown 2.0) so I can stay home and take care of personal appointments during this time. Luckily I also have plenty of puzzles to keep me occupied :)

The above puzzle is one of four in a box, illustrated by Thomas Kinkade. This one features Winnie the Pooh and friends. The pieces in these are unusually shaped but fit well together and the overall dimensions of the puzzle are quite small, which I like.

I have plenty more of these series so I plan to get them all done eventually. They're so cute!

1990's Film Alphabet

Brand: Buffalo
Pieces: 300
Size: 54cm x 38cm
Product Code:  -

I love nostalgia- in case you haven't noticed. I also love films and quizzes. Even better is when all these things are combined to make the ultimate in puzzles!

When I first saw this puzzle online, I couldn't help but want it- it's such a fantastic design! I was born towards the end of the 80's but I consider myself a 90's child because that's the decade I grew up in. Therefore, I was so excited to try and guess what each of these films were. I'm pretty sure I was able to name all of them quite easily, getting stuck on maybe one or two. Luckily there was a list included to help solve those mysteries!

The quality was quite good, and I've already mentioned my appreciation for the graphics in the design. They're just enough to identify the films without being too obvious. 

How many films in this puzzle can you name?