The Hendrix Edition

Brand: Journey Of Something

Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code:  -

Have you ever done a puzzle subscription?

I've been keen to do one for quite a while but considering how many puzzles I have bought and own (and still need to do!) I haven't been able to justify adding even more to my pile! Also, I don't know how I'd be able to keep them hidden from hubby if they started coming once a month! 

But there are some awesome ones out there if you're interested. While a lot of them that I'm interested in don't ship internationally, there are a few Australian ones around...

Puzzlepost.com.au have some pretty good offers, and Journey Of Something (where the above puzzle comes from) has just started a 12-month subscription plan. They're not making it easy for me to avoid temptation!

I've done a couple of puzzles from Journey Of Something, including the one above. The illustrations/artwork are awesome and the quality of the puzzles is pretty great too. They would look fantastic framed and displayed on your walls so if you're into that kind of thing, you should check them out. 

I was in a musical kind of mood this morning, hence I have put up the above Hendrix-themed puzzle which uses lyrics from one of his songs... love it!

Fantasia

Brand: Ceaco (Thomas Kinkade Disney 4-in-1, S2, Puzzle 1)

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

I felt the need to put up a Disney puzzle today, because it's been a while since I've done that, and I have a lot more on the way. 

I admit that in the last few weeks, I've had a bit of a puzzle-buying binge. There have been so many amazing deals on, and I've come across so many puzzles that I just have to have that I've bought way more than I should have. Honestly, I've been having to smuggle them into the house so my husband doesn't see and complain about how many I already have! Now I just have to set aside the time to do them all!

The above puzzle is one I did a little while ago from one of the Kinkade-illustrated 4-in-1 boxes of Disney puzzles. I love the detail he puts into each of them- he's so talented and the images are beautiful. The quality of these puzzles are usually pretty good too, with the unusually shaped pieces adding a little bit of a challenge (sometimes). I thought I had all of the 'series/seasons' of these box sets but it looks like there are more than I realised so I'll have to do some research about what I haven't got (I've got S1-S6 by memory).

Hopefully I'll be able to get some more puzzling done very soon- I need to reduce my to-do pile to justify buying more!

Narelle Wildman: Poppies

Brand: Blue Opal (The Art Collection)

Pieces: 1000
Size: 73cm x 48.6cm
Product Code:  BL00709

I was debating with myself about whether I would post this puzzle today or next week (because the title is Poppies and next weekend is ANZAC Day), but I decided to go ahead with it this week. The poppies above are not really symbolic of the ones we look at and commemorate for the occasion so I can probably get away with it! 

The main reason I wanted to post this is because it is an old puzzle that I dug out of my collection and decided to redo. 

In my last post I was talking about all the new puzzles I have purchased and how I'm starting to become overwhelmed by my addiction to buying new. But I have just as many old ones that have sat in my collection for years (even decades) that I might have to revisit before saying goodbye to them. 

The above puzzle is one of those. 

I remember taking up (what felt like) half of the kitchen table when I first did this at my husband's (then boyfriend's) house nearly 10 years ago. I didn't get a good photo when I finally completed it cos the room was quite dark and I had no way of moving the puzzle. Now, I'm a bit more organised and have more space so I decided to redo it and take a photo so I could finally sell it and say goodbye. 

I don't think Blue Opal makes this collection anymore so it was good to have and try it. The pieces fit together relatively well and the colours are vibrant, with shades that are quite similar (so it took a while to get some sections together). Overall, though, I'm happy with the puzzle and even though it will be sad to get rid of it, I can be happy in the knowledge that I completed it and someone else will get to enjoy it. 

How old is the oldest puzzle in your collection? How many times have you completed it? Will you ever get rid of it?

Monopoly: Australian Community Relief Edition

Brand: Winning Moves

Pieces: 1000
Size: 53cm x 53cm
Product Code:  WM01148-EN3

The Monopoly board game has such a, well, monopoly I guess, over the gaming world. There are so many different versions- covering music, pop culture, and even cities.

Now they have a few variations in jigsaw puzzle format. 

I have the original Monopoly jigsaw puzzle, which I plan on doing soon but I also have the above one, which was released as a fundraiser for struggling Australian communities. In it, the towns names have been changed to some of those affected and in need of aid (although I'm not sure if it was because of fires, floods or some other disaster which has befallen the towns- I really should read what it says on the box!)

This puzzle was quite different, in that the piece shapes followed a certain format. They were longer and narrow, and followed a pattern as you assembled the pattern. That said, it was quite quick to complete, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Qantas: Super Service

Brand: Impact Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size: 50cm x 70cm
Product Code:  IMPZ0059

I'm an active follower on several puzzling Facebook groups and I've seen a trend on one particular page where people show their 'thrift store' finds, or other purchases that they have made. They also tend to show their collections- which are usually piles of boxes high and make mention of their 'addiction'.

I have an enormous collection of puzzles I have not yet completed- about 200 plus- and I know that's way too many but I still can't help but buy more if I see an awesome design, or I see a good price for something I've 'had my eye on'. Then of course, there are the new brands that I discover and want to try! 

It truly is an addiction! I know it'll take me forever to complete them all (about a year and a half if I'm being generous) but I can't help but add more to my collection... Admittedly, it's a much safer addiction than drugs or alcohol but it still hurts the pocket after a while. I've even found myself hiding new purchases from my hubby (I don't have to worry about him reading this so my secret is safe!). Are you also puzzle addicted?

Today I have decided to put up the above puzzle, which is like a retro poster for Australian airline Qantas. During the week, Qantas, along with a few other airlines have released thousands of really cheap domestic flights to try and get business underway again. I decided to put this puzzle up to pay homage to that (and also cos I'd really like to go on a holiday!). Even though I have a few of this brand in my collection, this was the first Impact Puzzle I had done. The quality was quite good, and they have a good range of designs. I'll more than likely be digging out a few more to do soon.