Hey Sup

Brand: Cra-Z-Art
Pieces: 100
Size: 33cm x 25cm
Product Code:  -

Hey Sup? 

Haha wanna know the reason for today's puzzle? It's AFL Grand Final day and the contesting teams are the Bulldogs (as above) and Melbourne. I haven't followed the footy in years but I thought I should put up something of relevance today and this was the only puzzle that really fit the bill. I honestly don't care who wins. Football is just one of those things that I've turned away from over time...

The above puzzle was part of a series (I think I've posted at least one other from it in the past) that was photographed by Keith Kimberlin. He has done many other dog and cat portraits, which were released as a 100 piece per puzzle collection- 6 in all. They're cute and good for something different. Quality was cheap as expected for the price and brand, but you get some cute stickers with the pack too!

Sometimes you just need to do a smaller piece puzzle for a quick fix...

All Good Things Are Wild & Free

Brand: Flow Workman

Pieces: 1000

Size: 67cm x 48cm
Product Code:  -

I wasn't sure which puzzle to put up this morning but then I was inspired by a fellow puzzling instagrammer who put up a photo of this design. Not long after, an outdoor-loving friend posted on Facebook that they had just bought a property which they will use as a retreat to get away from their busy lives. The pics of their new place look very similar to the above picture, so I considered that a sign!

And so we have the above picture.

This puzzle was great to do and had lots of little details (like the bugs on the flowers). It actually took me a bit longer to do than I expected too. The pieces fit together perfectly- my only complaint was that there was a dusty sort of residue on some of the pieces that was difficult to remove. It was obviously due to something in the manufacturing process but it was still disappointing. Nevertheless, I was overall quite pleased with the puzzle, and have to say that I enjoyed putting it together. 

I have done a couple from this brand now- they have wonderful illustrations and you should try them out if you get the chance.

Pokemon: Character Panels

Brand: Impact Merch

Pieces: 1000

Size: 50cm x 70cm
Product Code:  IMPZ0118

During the week, McDonalds Australia was meant to release a Pokemon-themed Happy Meal. 

One of my brothers, who is a huge fan, enlisted me to go and buy some so that he could try and collect all the trading cards which come with the food. Unfortunately, none of our local stores had them in stock yet so I still haven't been able to get any. This is despite Ebay going crazy with them. I'm guessing a lot of the ones for sale (at ridiculously inflated prices I might add) are being sold by McDonalds employees who managed to get their hands on them early.

Anyway, because I wasn't able to get any, I thought I'd put up a Pokemon puzzle instead. The above puzzle was quite easy to do if you worked in colour blocks but was still moderately challenging. I love the above 'original' characters so it was a pleasure to do this design.

Impact Merch has come through with quite a few cool popculture designs, and I can't wait to see what else is in store!

The Secret Garden

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000

Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code:  168064

Have you ever had a puzzle that you've wanted desperately to do but you just cannot find it anywhere? 

The above puzzle is my unicorn puzzle and I'm excited to say that I was actually able to get hold of it to complete it!

It's only a fairly new release by Ravensburger, but the above design- illustrated by Demelsa Haughton- has been on my wishlist ever since I first saw it. I suppose a lot of people have been after it, because it has been sold out absolutely everywhere and been extremely difficult to find.

I was lucky enough however to get the chance to complete it- even if I wasn't able to own it. 

There's a wonderful new little business based in Tasmania called Thinkercise, where you are able to rent from a selection of puzzles. You can rent the puzzles of your choosing from their growing list, it is sent to you with a return label and after you've completed it, you send it back. You have 2 months to complete the puzzle from the date it is received. The owner of this business, Hannah, is absolutely lovely. 

I was so happy to discover that The Secret Garden was available to rent and jumped on the chance straight away. And what an amazing puzzle it is! The illustration is lovely and there are so many details to find. It actually took me a bit longer to complete than I anticipated- the leaves/branches on the sides and the white/grey around the birds was a bit more challenging than I realised but this just made it more interesting to do. 

Of course, being Ravensburger, the quality was excellent. 

If you're in Australia and would like to do some puzzles without forking out a fortune (and without having to onsell or store them somewhere afterwards) then renting from Thinkercise might be a good option for you.