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?

Artist Hour

Brand: La La Land
Pieces: 1000
Size: 50cm x 70cm
Product Code:  PU-LL09

I thought I'd put up a puzzle from an Australian brand today, just for something a little bit different!

La La Land is primarily a gift brand that specialises in unique designs that feature Australian flora and fauna, and occasionally pop-culture references (like the one above). They sell tea towels, greeting cards and a range of other items, as well as a small range of jigsaw puzzles. 

The above puzzle is one that I picked up which features 7 well-known or influential artists enjoying a cheeky drink at the bar together. These artists all lived during different times but it is a fun imagining of what life would be like if they were all around at the same time and were able to compare their particular artistic styles with one another. 

The quality of this puzzle was quite good (for a company that doesn't specialise in puzzles) and I really enjoyed the unique design. Can you recognise all the artists in this image?

Pokemon Bubble

Brand: Buffalo
Pieces: 500
Size: 54cm x 38cm
Product Code:  -

I went with a nostalgic puzzle last week by putting up one that I had owned since childhood. Well, I thought I'd continue in that vein with today's puzzle- although this is a different kind of nostalgia. This puzzle is relatively new- I bought it last year- but the content is the part that instils the nostalgia. 

I think I mentioned towards the beginning of this blog (quite a few years ago now) that I was a huge fan of the first Pokemon series. Well when I saw this puzzle, I knew I had to get it because although there are some of the newer characters in it, the majority featured are from the first series (and therefore recognisable to me!)

I love the colours and the vibrancy of the design- it really stands out and I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. I'm hoping that as Pokemon continues to grow, a wider variety of designs (in a higher piece count) will be released for puzzling fans. In the meantime, I'm happy to settle for cute ones like this :)  

Flipper Romance

Brand: Ravensburger
Pieces: 500
Size: 49cm x 36cm
Product Code:  141524

I don't know about you, but do you have a jigsaw puzzle that you have grown up with and done numerous times? I have a few like this, which I have always gone back to and re-completed, even though I have no real reason to do so. The puzzle above is one of them. I probably got this one when I was about 8 or 9 and have done it sooo many times. 

Now, in my big clear out, I have decided to complete it one last time and say goodbye. 

I've had hours of pleasure from it and I feel like I should give someone else some of the joy of doing it. 

I have (obviously) taken a picture of it for posterity and I will be listing it on eBay with some of my others over the coming days. While it will be sad to see it go, I'm also grateful that I was able to keep it for so long and complete it so many times! I don't even do that with any of the puzzles I purchase now so this one is particularly special. 

I've also managed to keep it in great condition, with no pieces missing and only a tiny bit of scuffing (one line) on the bottom of the image from age. 

Have you got a puzzle in your collection that's close to your heart? 

Do you think you'll ever say goodbye to it?

Patriotic Farm

Brand: Cardinal
Pieces: 500
Size: 35.56cm x 55.88cm
Product Code:  -

Now, I'm not American, but I understand that today is a very important day for Americans so I have decided to put this one up for them. 

Today is Independence Day, and while I would have preferred to put up a puzzle of the film cover (if such a puzzle exists) I have instead found this puzzle in my collection of a very patriotic-looking farm (hence the title). 

I enjoyed this little puzzle despite the enormous over-the-top flag on the barn- the pieces were small and well-made and the colours were vibrant. I know it vaguely suits the theme of 4th of July, but I'm not overly fond of patriotic gestures to country so I'm not really fussed about it otherwise. All I have to say is that it was small, fun, and relatively quick to do. 

I hope to have some time to do some new puzzles over the next few weeks so we'll see what's up next!