The Cheshire Cat (Disney)

Brand: Clementoni

Pieces: 500
Size:  36cm x 49cm

Product Code: 35123

Yesterday (August 8) was World Cat Day and since I had already put up my cat puzzle from Enjoy Puzzles, I had to find a different completed one in my collection to post. Voila! I did this one quite a while ago, featuring the mysterious cat from Disney's Alice In Wonderland. I loved the bright colours and the interesting patterns. Although it was 500 pieces, it was somewhat challenging to do, but I enjoyed the challenge all the same!

Today I'm keeping it relatively short cos it's the Victorian State Puzzle Competition at Malvern Town Hall and I have to prepare for the drive up and then the solo competition which will be held at 2pm. I'm so looking forward to it! Especially since it appears that the puzzle will be from the Cherry Pazzi brand and I haven't yet done a puzzle by them!

Wish me luck and I'll talk to you next week!

Barbie: Global Style Icon Since 1959

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size:  52cm diameter

Product Code: 120014942

Although puzzle availability has become a lot better in Australia over recent years, there are still some puzzles that are only released exclusively overseas, meaning it can be difficult to get a hold of them without spending a fortune in shipping fees. 

The above puzzle is one such title. I found this Barbie illustrated puzzle on a UK-based website and made a relatively big order of this and other puzzles to justify the shipping costs. 

While the design was wonderful to do, I did however come across one problem- the puzzle was missing a piece! You can see in the photo (on the right hand side) that there is a little gap where the piece should be. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a replacement because Australia's Ravensburger branch doesn't stock the puzzle, and they weren't able to help me from any of the overseas branches because I am not in the country that the puzzle was purchased from. How disappointing! The people I messaged were lovely however, and I'm not terribly concerned as it isn't that noticeable. I'm grateful I was ale to get the puzzle in the first place!

Have you ever had a problem similar to mine where a replacement piece/puzzle wasn't an option? What did you do?

Freya

Brand: Deico Games

Pieces: 1000
Size:  68cm x 47cm

Product Code: 77448

Good morning all! 

I'm not sure if there's a story behind this illustrated design by Groos Zselyke, but the wintery scene above certainly seemed appropriate for the cold days we've been experiencing lately. 

I've had this puzzle in my collection since about 2021 and only recently got it out to complete it. I decided to go through some of the older puzzles I had, with the intention of doing them and getting them ready to sell at the upcoming Laverton Bowling Club puzzle sale. 

Although the image is beautiful, the pieces were quite a loose fit. I've only done a couple of puzzles from this brand, seeing as it's difficult to get in Australia (I had to import it from the UK), but the artwork was too pretty to pass up!

Have you ever imported a puzzle simply because it was unavailable in your country and you really loved the design?

Cancer

Brand: Cobble Hill

Pieces: 500
Size:  67.6cm x 48.9cm

Product Code: 45014

Time to continue with my horoscope puzzles! Looking at the stats, it doesn't appear that these puzzles are as popular as I thought they would be. The number for views and likes of them drops significantly in comparison to puzzles of different images. Regardless, I am going to continue putting up the series because:

a) I like them

b) I've been actually doing them!

c) If you're hanging out to see your particular star sign and it hasn't come up yet, I don't want to stop midway

d) I'm doing this for myself, not for the amount of social media love they get

On a different note, tickets for the AJPA Nationals event went on presale yesterday and I've secured my ticket for the solos competition. I can't wait! Will you be attending the competition? Will you be competing? 

I now have three comps lined up for this year- need to get practicing! 

Celebration

Brand: Yarn

Pieces: 1000
Size:  75cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

Well as promised from last week, here is my Aboriginal art puzzle that I have recently completed for NAIDOC (National Aboriginal And Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week. 

This design, created by Alkina Edwards, stood out to me with its vibrant colours, cool patterns and overall prettiness. While it wasn't released specifically for NAIDOC Week like some designs from the Yarn website were, it is still a pretty representation of art created by an Indigenous artist.

These puzzles were made of nice, thick quality cardboard that had a glossy finish, and also featured letters on the back for those who prefer a little hint to piece placement. I tend to just try and ignore that and do the puzzle as normal but I thought I'd mention it in case it's a little off-putting for some people and they're not aware of it- I certainly wasn't! 

Yarn has a few puzzles available on their website, all created by Indigenous artists, so if you're interested in this style of art, you should check it out.

Birthday Party Cakes

Brand: Eurographics

Pieces: 1000
Size:  48.89cm x 67.63cm

Product Code: 6000-5700

I had originally planned on putting up a puzzle that featured Aboriginal art this weekend, considering tomorrow is the beginning of NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal And Islanders Day Observance Committee) but I realised that although I have completed the puzzle I wanted to post, I have not yet taken a photo of it!

I hope to remedy that soon and maybe have it done in time for next week, but that means that I had to find an alternative puzzle to post. 

Which brings me to the above puzzle - birthday cakes!

June is a busy month for birthdays in my family and so this is the perfect puzzle to represent that. It feels like we're eating some form of birthday cake every week throughout June and the start of July, in order to celebrate everyone's birthdays. 

The above puzzle was a fun one to do- very colourful and busy, with some beautiful and delicious-looking cake designs...

Which month is a busy birthday month in your life?

Care Bears

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 500
Size:  35cm x 48cm

Product Code: 62-228

It's been a turbulent news week, with America joining the overseas war drama and bombing various nuclear sites in Iran during the week. 

I hate that there is so much going on like this and that people can't just live peacefully together. 

I suppose that's why I'm taking a very simplistic view of it and putting up a cute puzzle of Care Bears- if only more people took their approach and used hugs and love to make the world go round. 

This puzzle was quick to do and very cute, especially if you're a fan of the nostalgic series. 

Enjoy your weekend, stay warm, and we'll see what happens next week...

Popcorn Puzzles: The Naked Gun

Brand: Arrow Puzzles

Pieces: 500
Size:  45.5cm x 61cm

Product Code: -

I'm not sure if you've seen the new trailers being released for the Naked Gun film reboot, but I was inspired to put up this puzzle of the original film after watching them on YouTube. 

The new film, starring Liam Neeson, looks to be just as ridiculous as the original starring Leslie Nielsen. 

(Sidenote: I wonder if they took the actors' names into consideration when they were casting the role for Frank Drebin Jr cos their names are also quite similar).

Anyway, I know that my husband will be keen to see the new one when it comes out because he's always been a big fan of the film and I know he's been following all the new trailers with interest. 

Back to the puzzle, this one was just a cheap one from Kmart that was as you'd expect for the price. The pieces fit together well enough though, and it came in 'popcorn-box' style packaging, hence the name Popcorn Puzzles. 

Will you be seeing the new film when it comes out? Or would you prefer to watch some other film?

Gemini

Brand: Cobble Hill

Pieces: 500
Size:  67.6cm x 48.9cm

Product Code: 45013

Yay! Finally up to date with the Horoscope puzzles! This one celebrates those born in Gemini and was just as enjoyable to do as the ones previous. I only have 5 more from the series to complete and I will try my best to put them up within their time frames (although no guarantees).

Have I put up your star sign yet? Or is it one of the ones to come later in the year?

Donut Lover's Jigsaw Puzzle

Brand: Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size:  55cm x 70cm

Product Code: JIG043

Yesterday was National Donut Day, so what better design to put up than one that celebrates all things donuts?!

The above design features a variety of our favourite baked and decorated treats, with an illustration, name and description of each one for good measure.  

This puzzle was a lot easier to do than it looked, especially when you sorted out the pieces by colour and text, but I'm a little disappointed that the vibrancy of the colours didn't come through as well in my photos compared to in real life. Regardless, it was still a treat to do, and just one more in Ridley's collection of 'lovers' puzzle designs that I have now completed. 

Did you celebrate yesterday with a donut or two? I unfortunately didn't, but I'll be heading to the shops soon so who knows what may fall into my shopping basket? Haha

Winter Walk

Brand: Bluebird

Pieces: 300
Size:  47.75cm x 34.29cm

Product Code: F-90803

Over the last few weeks we've definitely started to feel the winter chill approaching... and the sad thing is, it's still Autumn! (until tomorrow anyway haha) 

In recognition of the cooler months ahead, I have decided to put up this cute puzzle that I purchased from an online store overseas. I absolutely adored the image when I saw it (even though my husband insists that it's an AI-generated image). Honestly, I agree with him, but that still doesn't detract from the cuteness of the design. This puzzle was 300 pieces but when made up, was about the same size as a standard 500 piece puzzle. It was relatively quick to do and the quality was good.

I have done a few Bluebird puzzles in various count sizes, and have plenty more in my collection to do- they have never disappointed me to date. 

Are there any brands that you like the look of and are keen to try?