Shrek Family

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 500
Size:  35cm x 48cm

Product Code: 62395

Do you enjoy watching films? How about films that have had multiple sequels? Are they needed? 

The reason I ask is because I recently found out that a trailer has been released for Shrek 5! Five! Everyone I know who has seen it is disappointed with the animation, saying that it's nowhere near the quality of the original.

Not only that, but Toy Story 5 is about to be released and the promo for the film is going absolutely crazy- there are so many toys and bits of merchandise being released because of it. Are these sequels really needed? Aren't their stories done? Can't the companies behind them put some energy into creating completely new stories with new characters and narratives?

I have decided to put up this puzzle from Aquarius featuring some of Shrek's beloved characters. This puzzle took longer to do than I anticipated. I had hoped it would be a quick and easy one but the green turned out to be more challenging than expected. I was happy with the completed image though. 

Gremlins VHS

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 300
Size:  25cm x 36cm

Product Code: VHS-015

Another filler post today - I'm heading to Melbourne for an overnight stay today because my husband is competing in the Melbourne Half Marathon early tomorrow morning (it was going to be the Marathon but he's downgraded to Half because of injury - go figure lol). Because of this, and because I'm trying to get my Geelong Show entries complete, it means that no puzzling is happening in the coming few days. 

This is unfortunate cos I have a local puzzle comp coming up next Saturday and it leaves me much less time to practice, but there's not much I can do with these time restraints. Oh well...

Anyway, I have decided to put up the above puzzle as my filler for today. I thought it would be fitting with the Halloween season approaching, even though I haven't actually seen the film.

This puzzle took a little bit of time to complete despite the piece count- this was due to all the white spaces, but the pieces fit together well so it wasn't too much of a hassle compared to what it could have been. 

I have quite a collection of 'movie poster' style posters, in a wide range of brands, and while some have been easier to complete than others, most have been a joy to do. 

Have you got or done many puzzles with this theme?

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...

Beetlejuice VHS

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 300
Size:  25cm x 36cm

Product Code: -

Once again, I'm a bit behind in the postings of my Cobble Hill Zodiac puzzles. I've completed a few of them but I haven't had the chance to take photos of them yet. It has been dark every time I have left the house for work in the morning, and dark on my return, so I haven't taken ANY puzzle photos lately, unfortunately. I'll have to try and take some this weekend so I can catch up on my posting.

In the meantime, I have decided to put up the above puzzle. It would have been better suited to next weekend because that's when I will be going to Melbourne to see the musical, but I've had to bring it forward. 

I only saw the original Tim Burton film a few weeks ago, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the film is portrayed on stage- it was so weird and wonderful! Haha! This puzzle was fairly quick to do and came in a cool VHS-style case (which is what drew my attention to it in the first place). 

Have you got many puzzles that have interesting packaging or do you prefer your puzzles to come in a more traditional box?

Aquarius

Brand: Cobble Hill

Pieces: 500
Size:  67.6cm x 48.9cm

Product Code: 45021

So much for trying to keep up to date with series images as they happen! 

I was planning to put up each of these horoscope puzzles within the dates that they are suited, and I've already missed the second one by a few days! I realised on the day of the switch over (I should have put this one up last weekend) but oh well, better late than never I guess!

I'll try to keep with it as the year progresses but no guarantees I'll be on time haha

I'm really liking this collection- do you usually collect the whole sets of puzzle designs when they're released? I have a whole load of collections but unfortunately, not the time to do them all. I really need to sit down and dedicate some time to completing a set or two...although it doesn't help when new puzzle collections are released so often! 

What do you think is the best way to tackle this dilemma? I'd love to hear from you!

Paul Frank Pirate Ship

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 1000
Size:  51cm x 71cm

Product Code: 65-521

What a crazy start to the weekend!! 

I finally got all my stitching done and delivered to the showgrounds on Monday for the Royal Geelong Show, that was meant to take place this weekend. I was all set to attend like I usually do on a Friday night. 

But the weather had other ideas! We had torrential rains, most of the roads were flooded and the Show decided to make the unprecedented decision to cancel the show (for Friday, still waiting to hear about the rest of the weekend) because of flooding and safety concerns. 

I had to drive through what was basically a river to get home and I'm hoping my car is faring well after its ordeal (I haven't driven it since last night and I'm worried about what the water could have done to its undercarriage).

So I still don't know whether I won any homecraft events, or even if I'll get to see my work on display (the showgrounds are probably all still flooded now). 

Hence my puzzle choice for today. I decided to put up this cute one featuring the iconic Paul Frank with his friends, sailing on a pirate ship. It seems a boat's the only way to get around at the moment in these parts! This puzzle was very good quality and the bright chunks of colour made it easier to piece together, although I had to leave most of the orange sky till last (luckily it was in gradient form rather than solid colour to make piecing it together easier). 

Have you had any crazy weather encounters lately? It's probably best to stay inside and get some puzzling done when it's like this anyway...

DC Comics Bombshells

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 1000
Size: 51cm x 69cm

Product Code: 65-249

Happy New Year! 

Sorry about the belated post- what a great start to my posting for the year...

We had some fairly vicious storms last week and one of them fried our router so I had no internet last week and couldn't be bothered setting up my phone as a hotspot. But all is well now, so I'm posting my first puzzle picture for the year 2024 (albeit a week later than normal). 

How was your holiday season? Or are you still enjoying time off?  Did you get much puzzling done?

I unfortunately didn't get much done at all, which is a pity considering I have a competition coming up soon that I really need to practise for! I'll get into it as soon as I've put this up.

Today I've decided to put up a puzzle I completed a couple of years ago now (yes, I'm that far behind) because I feel like going with a girl power theme right now. This puzzle was fun to do, and I enjoyed seeing a different aspect to the DC Universe (which usually focuses more on the male superheroes and a select few women ones).

Anyway, finally got it up so hope you enjoy :)

 

Dean Russo: Love Is Power

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 500
Size: 35cm x 48cm

Product Code: 62-282

I wanted to put this puzzle up for the month of June- Pride Month- before I miss my chance! 

I will be travelling for work over the next two weekends so I may not have the chance to post anything (unless I do it in the middle of the week between travel). Therefore, I think it's best that I put this up now, in case I don't get the opportunity later. 

I bought this  puzzle because the image was just so striking. I love the colours, the sentiment and the style of the artwork. It was also the first time I had ever seen the puzzle image so I thought I better get it while it was still available. The pieces fit together perfectly and the quality was wonderful. 

I have done quite a few Aquarius puzzles over the years, and I haven't been disappointed with the quality as of yet. 

I'm not sure if I'll have the chance to post any more puzzle photos in the next few weeks but I'll certainly try if I am able. If I don't get the chance, I hope your coming weeks are lovely and I'll be back soon with some more puzzle posts  for you!

TMNT Pizza

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 500
Size: 35cm x 48cm

Product Code: 62-311

As I mentioned several weeks ago, I was going to have a little hiatus from posting up puzzle images on a Saturday (as I usually do). 

This was the first major break from the page that I have ever had since it's inception in August 2016. Not even a major surgery in 2019 or my daughter's birth in 2021 stopped me from posting regularly over the years. 

All it took was 2 long and busy weekends working at the Supanova (Australian Comicon's) interstate over the last few weeks for that to happen. The weekends were full-on busy, but I enjoyed every minute of the set-up, selling, and pack-down with my workmates (except for catching Covid and coughing my way through the end- that wasn't as fun).

This is my first weekend in 3 weeks where I am home and once again able to post. Although I could have done it on the Wednesday's, I preferred to spend that time with my little family. 

I have put up the above image for several reasons. 

1. It's TMNT! Who doesn't love them? Plus the popculture reference is there from having sold some of their merch over the weekend (not me personally, but I'm sure someone did)

2. Pizza! We ate a lot of junk food over the last 2 weeks, including good ol' pizza

3. I haven't put up any character puzzles in quite a while (not since Aladdin's Jasmine back in September) so I needed to include something this time round.

The above puzzle was excellent quality and the colours were vibrant and fun. Aquarius never seems to disappoint, and I'm very grateful for that, considering the amount of their puzzles I have in my collection.

Speaking of which, is everyone ready for the Black Friday sales?! I am, but I'm also dreading it, cos I know just how many puzzles I have at home which I have not yet done, and I know my self-control for buying them is shot. This is going to be a problem...

Matilda (Roald Dahl)

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 500
Size: 35cm x 48cm

Product Code: 62-155

Matilda has always been one of my favourite books (and films). 

So much so, that when the musical (featuring Tim Minchin's music) was shown in musical theatres, I went to Melbourne solo to watch it! 

I recently found out that they're reproducing the musical as a recorded film and I'm not sure how I feel about it. But, that said, I'm also very likely to watch it when it comes out. In the meantime, you can see what you think about the puzzle that I have put up today. 

Featuring the classic illustrations of Quentin Blake, this puzzle highlights the best parts of the story. It was a quick and fun one to do and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

There are more puzzles like this that cover some of Roald Dahl's other iconic and popular stories, like James And The Giant Peach and The BFG, but this was the one for me! 

The only thing I'm really disappointed about is that my photo is not as clear as it could have been- Oh well, it was the best I could do at the time!

Nickelodeon Cast

 

Brand: Aquarius
Pieces: 1000
Size: 51cm x 71cm
Product Code:  65-317

During the week, I started a new job as a warehouse packer for an awesome store. 

They ship thousands of items a day to people all over the world, and specialise in anything to do with popculture. One of the things I packed yesterday was a cool-as Loungefly backpack that featured all the great 90's cartoons of Nickelodeon, and so I was inspired to put up this puzzle today because of it. 

I did this puzzle a little while ago, and I love that I can name a majority of the characters. I used to love some of these shows when I was a kid, especially Rugrats, Aah! Real Monsters, Catdog, Rocko's Modern Life and Hey Arnold (but especially Rugrats!)

This puzzle was a great nostalgia hit! 

Where The Wild Things Are

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 500
Size: 35cm x 48cm
Product Code:  62-168

I've decided to get nostalgic again today- since I've been looking through all my old books- and thought I'd put up this photo of a puzzle I did last year. I used to enjoy reading this book, and I'm hoping to introduce it to my daughter soon (I think she's a little young at the moment). 

This puzzle was good fun to do- the colour border makes it a bit more interesting- especially since the actual illustration is not that colourful. But it is an iconic illustration so they're forgiven!

Quality was wonderful and it made a nice trip down memory lane :)

DC Comics: Superman Retro Collage

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 1000
Size: 51cm x 69cm
Product Code:  65-233

When it comes to pop culture, I'm the first to admit that I love a good superhero movie. I know some people have their preferences regarding whether DC Comics or Marvel are better, but although I tend to lean more towards Marvel, I still have a deep appreciation for their DC superhero counterparts.

Last night my husband and I watched Zack Snyder's Justice League- hence the reason I have put up the above Superman puzzle- and I have to say, it was quite impressive! I saw the original Justice League film when it was first released a few years ago, and although I don't remember much of it, my husband insists that this version was way better. I did, however, remember a few of the scenes that were featured (it was Zack Snyder's cut of all the film work- you can google the reasons this film was made if you want more info), so I guess that's a win!

The above puzzle by Aquarius was made up multiple Superman comic covers, and was quite easy to do when you worked by section. The colours were so vibrant, and it was great to see all the adaptations to the Superman character over the years. Fans of the comic are sure to love this design. 

This puzzle is the 1000 piece version. I posted a picture of the 100 piece version of the same design several years ago http://jigsawpuzzlelove.blogspot.com/2017/11/dc-comics-superman-collage.html but thought, why not? That was in 2017 so enough time has passed!

We also finished watching Marvel's Wanda Vision last week and I have been searching fruitlessly for puzzles that feature the characters. Don't you hate it when you're looking for a particular puzzle design and it doesn't even exist?! I'll keep searching... someone might bring out a design eventually considering how popular the show was.

In the meantime, I have plenty of other Marvel and DC Comics puzzles to do so that should keep me busy :)