Haruyo Morita: Higasa

Brand: Eurographics
Pieces: 1000
Size: 48.89cm x 67.63cm
Product Code: 6000-0742

I haven't posted any Eurographics puzzles for a while, so I thought it was time to remedy the problem!

This design was adapted from an artwork by renowned and popular Japanese artist Haruyo Morita, and is one of a few that the Eurographics brand has included in their collection. I love the details in the kimono and the vibrant colours used in the background behind the geisha. In fact, all of the designs are beautiful.

I do, however, have one complaint, and it is not one I have had to make before, When putting together this puzzle, I noticed that the pieces were not cut well at all. This was the first time I ever encountered something like this and I was particularly surprised because I know that the quality of these puzzles is usually pristine. It seems as though the blades of the machine that cut this particular batch of puzzles was blunt and rather than change it, the company continued to (poorly) cut the designs. As a result, the pieces were difficult to put back together and the quality was terrible. I was lucky enough to get a full refund from the place I purchased it from after I alerted them to the problem and a replacement given. I wish I had thought to take photos of the ill-cut puzzle for you but it completely slipped my mind. 

Regardless, the design is beautiful, the puzzle was replaced with no drama and I learnt the valuable lesson that no matter how renowned a puzzle company can be, quality control can always be compromised. 

Queen Of Jade: Art by Nene Thomas

Brand: Sunsout
Pieces: 1000
Size: 48.26cm x 76.2cm
Product Code: 67683

I love the fantasy artworks of Nene Thomas- she is such a talented woman! Luckily, some of her designs are available as puzzles through Sunsout, which means that I am able to buy, piece together and enjoy her beautiful artwork!

I decided to put up the above puzzle because it has an Asian theme- which is quite relevant considering I will be heading off on a weeklong holiday to Japan in a few days! Because of my trip, I won't be able to post up a puzzle next week (for the first Saturday in who knows how long!), but I'll be sure to put one up when I get back after the following Monday. In the meantime, you can admire this beautiful design of the Queen of Jade...

As always, the quality of the puzzle was exceptional. This puzzle took me a little longer to do than expected, because of all the similar colours and the flowers (which were plentiful) but I think the end result makes it worth it! I have a few more puzzles in a similar style to this (also designed by Thomas) and I can't wait to do them.

I need to go organise my packing for my trip now so sayonara until next time. 

Hopefully I might be able to pick up a few puzzle purchases (from Japan) for my collection...

Playful Pandas

Brand: Cardinal
Pieces: 500
Size: 35.5cm x 27.9cm
Product Code: -

It's quite rare that I don't post this blog (and Instagram) on a Saturday morning, but sometimes circumstances call for a change. Tonight my husband and I are going to be attending the Evanescence concert in Melbourne (one of my favourite bands from my teenage years), and we'll be staying in the city overnight so I won't have any opportunity to post tomorrow morning. We'll also be staying in Melbourne until late tomorrow night- we wanted to experience 'White Night'- therefore my next opportunity would have been Sunday morning and that just feels too late! 

So I'm getting in a day early!

I have decided to post the above puzzle for two reasons- one, we'll be spending time at Melbourne Zoo on Saturday and I love to visit the pandas! And two, even though it's the Year Of The Dog for Chinese New Year, I didn't have any puzzles of dogs to put up so I figured I'd put up one of a distinctly Chinese animal instead! 

The above puzzle was quite easy to do, although some parts of the dragon (above the pandas) were a little bit challenging. The pandas themselves weren't too bad because the shading of their fur made it easier to differentiate each part and determine which panda was which. 

Funnily enough, when I finished this puzzle, there were two pieces left over, with nowhere left to put them! Usually with these cheaper brands, you find yourself missing pieces, so I suppose that was a pleasant surprise, even if I couldn't do anything with them. Maybe there's another Playful Pandas puzzle out there somewhere that's missing two pieces?! Oh well, at least it wasn't mine!

Orchids (Art by Nene Thomas)

Brand: SunsOut
Pieces: 1000
Size: 48.3cm x 76.2cm
Product Code:  67636

I love romantic fantasy art. 

Usually comprised of a beautiful woman in a stunning landscape, these artworks are often a sight to behold. 

While there are many talented artists, one in particular that I admire is Nene Thomas, who has released many of her artworks as prints, cross stitch charts, and lithographs (among other things). You can purchase some of her work at http://nenethomas.com/

In conjunction with SunsOut, Nene Thomas has gifted puzzlers with some of her work in jigsaw puzzle format, including the above design.

Orchids is a stunning (and somewhat challenging) puzzle which, as you can see, contains a lot of similar background colours. I have to admit that it took me quite a while to complete this one, over a space of several days. That said, the end result is absolutely beautiful. The colours are vibrant and the quality of the unusually- shaped pieces is excellent.

I will more than likely follow this puzzle up with some other puzzle collaborations by both Thomas and SunsOut.

Japanese Garden

Brand: Cardinal
Pieces: 500
Size: 35.5cm x 27.9cm
Product Code:    -

Isn't it amazing how fast time flies. 

It was only two years ago that I had just returned from a fantastic holiday to Japan with my then boyfriend (now husband), but I didn't even realise it had been so long until Facebook 'reminded' me! 

To mark the occasion, I have decided to put up a picture of one of my Japanese-themed puzzles. 

This puzzle by Cardinal was a pleasure to do, and the first I ever did from this brand. The puzzle pieces are quite small (which is something I tend to appreciate with a small working space) and well-made. The design, as you can see, is stunning. While we were in Japan, we saw many traditional temples and gardens like this one (especially in Kyoto) and this puzzle brings back beautiful memories.

If you have never been to Japan, I highly recommend visiting- the country and it's people are beautiful!

This puzzle is available to purchase from Fishpond.com.au by clicking on the picture below:

Derjen- Dancing Girl (Showpiece Lantern)

Brand: Pintoo
Pieces: 192
Size: 9cm x 9cm x 13.8cm
Product Code:  Q1040

If you've been following this blog, you will have noticed that the puzzles I tend to post up are usually 2D in format. I occasionally like to do 3D puzzles (if the designs interest me enough), however I am more of a fan of traditional 2D jigsaw puzzles. 

For this particular post, I have decided to show one of the Pintoo Showpiece Lanterns that I have completed. I have made up several of their 3D puzzles over the years- they have vases, flowerpots, screens and lanterns in their range, all made up of sturdy plastic pieces in pretty designs. 

This particular Showpiece Lantern- Derjen- Dancing Girl, features four pretty images which you piece together in a box style. Included with the puzzle are extra plastic pieces- the base (which holds a battery compartment and switch) and a topper to hold the lantern together, I haven't put any batteries in (it uses 3x AAA batteries, which you need to unscrew the base of to insert), but I imagine that when the lantern is switched on,  the slightly opaque plastic would give off a lovely yet dim glow. 

Pintoo have released some gorgeous designs over the years and it felt right to put another of their offerings up in today's post. Hope you like it!

Close up of side 1

Close up of side 2

Close up of side 3

Close up of side 4

Japanese Doll

Brand: Pintoo
Pieces: 160
Size: 11x11x27.4cm
Product Code:  S1010

Last year I put up an edited picture of a Pintoo 3D puzzle vase that I had completed- The Dragon And The Phoenix- A Good Omen. The image was made up of four pictures, each showcasing a different side of the vase. Having completed yet another one of Pintoo's pretty designs, I have decided to post the photos from this puzzle in a similar way. 

This puzzle, titled Japanese Doll, features images of Kokeshi dolls (which are traditional Japanese dolls and widely collected) in a bright manga style. The rim and base of the vase are bright pink to complement the cheerful colours in the design, and the vase comes with an accompanying black stand for display. This design is very girly, and would suit anybody who likes the bright and quirky side of Japanese popculture. 

Royal Peacocks

Brand: Sunsout
Pieces: 500
Size: 45.7cm x 61cm
Product Code:  11040

You know how sometimes you're just in the mood to do a puzzle from a particular theme? I'm not sure why, but for some reason I was really interested in birds this week. So what was I to do but go in search of a puzzle that would showcase something of the feathered variety? 

This puzzle- made by the USA company Sunsout- features two beautiful peacocks in front of an Orientally-themed background. The colours in this design are vibrant, with a lovely mixture of turquoises, greens and muted pinks. The blossoms, feathers and tile patterns really enhanced the Oriental style, and the unusually shaped pieces added to the complexity of putting together the image.

This puzzle is available from Fishpond by clicking the link below:

Royal Peacocks a 500-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle by Sunsout Inc.

The Beauty Of Brocade

Brand: Clementoni (High Quality Collection)
Pieces: 1000
Size: 69cm x 50cm
Product Code: 39085

This beautiful puzzle from the Fantasy collection was a pleasure to do.Not only is the girl in the illustration extremely pretty, but the puzzle (with all of its similar red and orange tones) made the puzzle more challenging. This was given to me as a Christmas present and I managed to complete it within a few weeks by working on it for a couple of hours each night. 


This puzzle is available from Fishpond by clicking the link below:


The Beauty of Brocade, 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Made by Clementoni

The Dragon And The Phoenix- A Good Omen

Brand: Pintoo
Pieces: 160
Size: 11x11x27.4cm
Product Code: S1002

This is the first time I have ever attempted to do a 3D puzzle vase, despite having seen a few at my local puzzle store. 

The vibrant colours and design were quite appealing, and I couldn't help but buy it! I have taken photos of the various sides of the vase (as it has different images all the way around) so that you can see exactly what it looks like. 

Assembly-wise, the vase was quite easy to do- the back of each piece was numbered and had an arrow to indicate where each piece went next. The pieces are also made of a firm plastic, so there's no danger of accidentally snapping them. Each puzzle box comes with the black stand (for displaying purposes), a coloured base, a coloured rim (for the top of the vase to give it a neat finish) and a little container that is placed inside the base of the puzzle (for holding water if you want to actually use the finished piece as a vase). 

This is a cute and practical puzzle, and something a little bit different if you want a change from the standard 2D jigsaw puzzle.