Vintage Dress Making

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 169283

If you've been following this account over the years, you would know that besides jigsaw puzzling, I'm an avid crafter and usually enter my cross stitch and embroidery into the town's local annual show. Because of this, I also enjoy doing puzzles that feature elements of my different passions, and so the above one was no exception.

While I have not attempted dressmaking (as yet) I loved the design of the above Ravensburger puzzle. 

The vibrant colours, busy design and pretty little details made the above puzzle a joy to do. 

Do you have other hobbies besides doing jigsaw puzzles? Do you try and find puzzles that feature cross-over designs with this hobby?

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?

Vintage Knitting & Crochet

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 176205

Autumn is here and the days are starting to get a little cooler, which is why I have decided to post the above puzzle image- colourful wool and knits seemed like the perfect choice.

I loved the bright and vibrant colours in this design, as well as the throwbacks to vintage knitting patterns and retro photography. Even though knitting and crocheting are crafts I have yet to master, I am still fascinated by the process and would love to one day sit down and teach myself properly. I have attempted both a few times but other projects have always come along and I've set the learning aside to do those instead. One day! 

Is there a particular craft or hobby you enjoy doing besides jigsaw puzzles? Have you found a cross-over where you can do a jigsaw puzzle based on that craft or hobby? Let me know!

Squishmallows Squish Squad

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 175536

Have you ever looked at a particular puzzle design, and thought, 'boy that's cute', but then put it back because you thought it might be too difficult to do? 

I have to admit, I had my reservations about the above puzzle, thinking exactly that when I saw it. But I'm glad I persevered and purchased it in the end, because once I got into it, this puzzle was quite enjoyable.

I love Squishmallows, and my daughter has quite a few of them at home, so I thought the above puzzle would be a fun one to do. Even though it is full of repetition (similar to the style of those 'impossible' puzzles), I thought I'd give it a shot. It was quite easy to flow through when you sorted the colours and made up each of the characters. Then it was simply a case of piecing together each of the completed Squishmallows to complete the puzzle in it's entirety. 

Have you ever done a puzzle like the one above?

Barbie: Fashion Icon!

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 175185

I thought I'd put up this beauty today - a workspace devoted to Barbie and her various fashions. 

It features blueprints and photos of Barbie and her clothing throughout history, and was really enjoyable to do. 

I had to purchase this one from a UK-based website, as good Barbie puzzles for adults are unfortunately really hard to come by in Australia. There is such a market for them though! I sold it straight away when I attended a puzzle sale day.

I'm hoping to find some more over time, but for now I'll have to curb my puzzle spending and complete some of the ones I have in anticipation of the next puzzle sale (next month, to be held in Melton). 

Puffinry!

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size:  49cm x 36cm

Product Code: 167593

So it turns out I am less organised than I thought, or at least, more forgetful. 

The puzzle sale I mentioned last week is actually being held tomorrow (on Sunday) and not today as I originally thought. So that means I have one more day to prepare for it (and I am able to put up a post this morning!)

Which puzzle to put up? I was hoping to go with a love theme today for Valentine's Day (which was yesterday). I even completed a cute puzzle by Cobble Hill called Be Mine for the occasion, yet I never got the chance to take a photo and it's way too dark right now to take one and be happy with posting it. That photo might have to wait for another day, but please know that I did attempt to get it done (and the actual puzzle was completed in time!) 

Instead, I'm going to put up the above puzzle (cos it sort of looks like the puffins are having a close and romantic moment (or is that pushing the theme a little too hard?)) Whatever the case, the image (illustrated by Ailsa Black) is cute and cheerful. I enjoyed putting together this design and it was a little more challenging than I expected, which is always a good thing. 

I'm glad I was able to put up a post today, and will aim to be more organised photo-wise next time. 

Also, if you're around the suburb of Blackburn in Melbourne tomorrow (Sunday 16th February) between 9am and 12pm, we'd love you to visit the second-hand puzzle sale at Blackburn Bowls Club. It looks like it will be great fun and you could pick up one or two amazing bargains!

Rockefeller Christmas

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size:  36cm x 49cm

Product Code: 164240

I said I was going to post Christmas-themed puzzles for the month of December, and it seems somewhat weird to do that after the fact, but here is the last one anyway. 

It's been a great puzzling year! I have competed in two charity puzzle competitions, the Victorian state comp and the Nationals. My times weren't amazing (there's always room for improvement) but I gave them my best shot and I'm keen to improve on them next year when I compete again. 

I spent waaayyyyyy too much on new puzzles and have a lot that I need to move on within the new year, and I encouraged/ created new puzzlers at work with all my puzzle talk haha

I'm only 7 puzzles off beating the amount of puzzles done last year and I aim to smash out a few smaller ones in the next few days to finish out the year. 

I hope you've had an amazing year too, and have enjoyed following my puzzling journey. It's not as exciting as some, but I've enjoyed posting up photos of the beautiful puzzles I have pieced together.

Looking forward to continuing this through 2025 and beyond... until then, stay safe and keep on puzzling!

xo

Dreamworks Family On Tour

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 139750

I'm finally starting to approach the end of my cross-stitching stint, which I think I mentioned in my previous posts, so that means there will soon be more, newer puzzle images on the way! In the meantime, here is one that I did a little while ago and that I absolutely loved. 

I've seen most of the films that these characters appear in, so it was a pleasure to do the puzzle and reminisce about where they come from. The quality was exceptional and I was so lucky to be able to find a copy of this puzzle on Facebook Marketplace at the time, because it can be quite difficult to come by.

Hope you have a great weekend and keep on puzzling!  

Underwater Wonders

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 100 XXL
Size:  49cm x 36cm

Product Code: 129720

We're starting to approach the end of the year and now a lot of puzzle-selling businesses are starting to offer sales on their stock in the lead-up to Christmas. Others, like Reverie Puzzles, are launching new collections.

If you're trying to be good and stop purchasing puzzles, this is an absolute nightmare! (But of the good kind, if there's such a thing)

Do you tempt fate and browse in case there's something you see that you want at a discounted price? Do you check out the new collection so that you can add to what you already own? Do you buy more, knowing that you don't even have the time or storage space required for any new additions? 

This is the dilemma I'm facing right now! 

If my husband knew that I was looking at sales and more puzzles, let's just say he wouldn't be too happy with me right now... Will have to keep it all on the down low..😐

Meanwhile, I have decided to put up the above puzzle today- because I am no longer the only one in my house who loves to put together jigsaw puzzles! My three-year-old daughter is now very much into the hobby and has tackled and completed this puzzle by herself, even though I originally thought it would be much too hard for her. She loves it! As do I, because the design is by Demelsa Haughton and who doesn't love her whimsical illustrations?!

I'm going to head off now, and try and talk myself out of looking at purchasing yet more puzzles! Have a great week! 

Dreams Can Come True (Disney Princess)

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 150 XXL
Size: 49cm x 36cm

Product Code: 128730

This puzzle image today was chosen by my beautiful little girl who just got out of bed and decided to join me. She selected it because she saw all the Disney princesses and loves Moana. I'm glad she chose it, because I was seriously unsure about which one I should put up today!

Honestly, I'm a little frazzled, because today is the Victorian puzzle competition (which I am attending and competing in) but I have not had the chance to practice at all, and the weather is disgusting out there and we still have to travel, and last year I arrived over half an hour late and didn't complete the puzzle in time! I just want to finish and get a good time, without that anxiety haha! Time will tell how I go, but wish me luck!

I haven't really got much to say about this puzzle but that the quality was perfect Ravensburger-style and the design was appealing. Sorry for the brevity. 

Now I really need to go get ready. I'll let you know next week how I went!

The Seven Dwarfs

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size: 50cm x 50cm

Product Code: 152025

I'm back again! After two hectic weeks, I am finally able to spend a weekend at home and try and relax with a puzzle or two. 

Even better, lately my 3-year-old daughter has become engrossed in completing jigsaw puzzles of her own, and so we have spent so much time smashing out the puzzles she has in her collection. Future puzzle partner in the works? Hopefully! 

Today's puzzle was chosen by her, in fact, from my library of completed puzzle photos. 

This one, as I'm sure you're aware, is part of a collection of puzzles that has been very difficult for many to complete. I was lucky enough to get hold of the whole series when it first came out and have since sold all my copies. I know that some people are still missing one or two of the dwarves (in particular Dopey, who was the hardest to find) but I was lucky enough not to have that problem. I have gradually been putting up the photos from this collection and have probably got most of them up by now! (although I haven't looked through to confirm)

I'm not sure which puzzle I'm going to put up next. Maybe I'll leave it in my daughter's hands again! 

Until then...

Krypt Gradient

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 631
Size: 70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 168859

A few days ago it was International Color Day and so I thought it would be fitting to put up a photo of a gradient puzzle I completed a while ago. 

This is one of the Ravensburger Krypt puzzles- there are quite a few colours in the series but this is the only one I have purchased or attempted to do. 

I like the idea of the challenge for solid colours but I think I would get much too frustrated trying to do one. I prefer images to complete rather than that sort of thing. But I was happy to give the gradient one a go, simply because of the colours and the fact that it's probably one of the easiest to do from the collection!

Unfortunately, my photo doesn't do the colours of the puzzle any justice- they're much more vibrant and pretty in real life! 

Have you done any of the Krypt puzzles? What did you enjoy about them?

Mystic Dragons

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size: 49cm x 36cm

Product Code: 148394

This weekend is Lunar New Year and so I have decided to put up the only dragon puzzle I have completed in a while to commemorate the Year of the Dragon! 

I have a few others in my collection, including a beautiful one from Reverie Puzzles, but I never got the chance to complete it in time. 

This puzzle had it's challenges, despite being only 500 pieces, due to the similar colours and 'textures' in the design, but it was very satisfying to complete. I was lucky enough to win this puzzle in an online competition, with a company that has unfortunately now gone out of business. 

What's on for your weekend? Will you be celebrating Lunar New Year? Or having an early Valentines Day? I'll try and get a 'love-themed' puzzle done in time for next week to celebrate that one...

Summer At The Lake

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 300
Size: 70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 164387

This weekend in Geelong is the annual Geelong Revival event - a classic car show that is held on the Geelong waterfront and features time trials and hundreds of classic car displays. I tend to visit every year- I absolutely love to look at the beautiful old classic cars that have been so lovingly restored by the owners. 

I tried to find a car puzzle in my collection to commemorate the weekend but unfortunately I didn't have any on hand, so I'm putting up this one instead. At least it contains one classic car!

This puzzle was a large piece format and quite quick to do. The nostalgic 50's style image appealed to me greatly. 

Besides Revival this weekend, it is also Black Friday. Have you snapped up any good bargains in the sales? 

I tried to pace myself this year but I may have made a few sneaky purchases. Eek!