Fairytales Under The Stars

Brand: Reverie Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size:  50cm x 70cm

Product Code: -

I have been a keen follower of Reverie Puzzles since I first heard about them many years ago. 

Based in my hometown of Geelong, the brand prides itself on producing beautiful book-related jigsaw puzzles, with designs specially commissioned by the owner Melissa (who is an absolutely beautiful person I might add- I've met with her a few times). 

I have nearly all of the puzzle designs up to date (not including the newest launch which will be today! Eeee!) and they are ones that I intend to keep rather than sell on. 

As mentioned just above, they will be launching their latest collection today at 11am AEST and I'm so excited to add to my collection (lucky it was payday on Monday!)

If you haven't already done one of Reverie's puzzles, you must get your hands on one to try them out. While they are on the pricey side, the quality is exceptional, the artwork is beautiful and you will not be disappointed. You get what you pay for, and this is certainly the case with this brand- you can't go wrong!

Fashion

Brand: Happy Place

Pieces: 1000
Size: 49cm x 68cm

Product Code: -

I've gone with a somewhat different puzzle style for today's post (which you may also notice is a day late due to the wedding I attended yesterday). T

his illustrated collection of dresses, tops, skirts, pants and footwear (created by Hennie Haworth) drew my attention immediately. I've always been fascinated with fashion drawings and love to see the creativity come out to play. Putting this puzzle picture up has actually inspired me to dig out a couple of fashion-themed puzzles that I know I have hidden away and do them!! This puzzle was relatively easy to do when you searched for particular patterns in the clothing designs, and completed them in parts. I found it easier to leave the border and white fillers till the end. 

This was the first puzzle I have done from this brand and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although they are a little pricey, I have my eye on a few other designs so we'll see what eventuates from that.

I most likely won't be putting up a post at all next weekend because I will be travelling interstate for work. However, I will be back the following week with yet another puzzle post for you.

Take care and keep puzzling!

Pop Art

Brand: Laurence King Publishing

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68cm x 48.5cm

Product Code: -

I thought I'd put up a slightly different kind of puzzle today- this one is a puzzle I purchased from a bookstore which features the artwork of Andrew Rae. 

This design follows a Pop Art theme (as suggested by the title) and was a pleasure to do. It was fun working through the puzzle and discovering all the different references to the Pop Art genre. The best part was that you didn't even notice some of the details until you were actually piecing it together, simply because there are so many things to look at throughout the design.

I think there is a similar puzzle available that covers the Surrealism genre but I have not got it in my collection as yet.

I haven't done many puzzles from this brand but so far it hasn't disappointed. The pieces are sturdy and the quality is wonderful.

How are you going with your puzzling? Are you getting through some of the backlog of puzzles in your collection? I've just begun to do some of my smaller-count-pieced puzzles in the hope that getting them done quicker will reduce my to-do pile faster!

Happy Dawgs

Brand: Cra-Z-Art

Pieces: 1000
Size: 69cm x 51cm

Product Code: -

My husband's cousin got a brand new puppy during the week and so I couldn't help but want to put up a dog-related puzzle image! 

I did this puzzle (design by Dean Russo) a little while ago and it was more challenging than I anticipated. 

I think it was the multiple colours that got me. Dean Russo's artworks are very similar in style but I enjoy doing them. They always look very striking, and the best thing is, so many companies have produced his work, so you can always find a great design by him. This one is from Cra-Z-Art but I have also done puzzles featuring his artwork by Aquarius (and probably others, which I just can't think of at the moment). 

Do you have a favourite artist whose puzzles you always try to get and complete? Dean Russo isn't my favourite, but he would have to be in my Top 10 at least!

The Artist's Cabinet

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code: 149971

One of the reasons I enjoy doing puzzles so much is probably because of all the cool designs that are out there, through so many different brands. They are all so different, and many are appealing in their own way.

Today I have decided to put up the above puzzle, just because it's been a while since I last put up a Ravensburger!

This one was fun and also quite quick to do. It was my first Ravensburger in a while (after doing a variety of different brands) so it was nice to go back to a consistent quality puzzle brand. This design had lots of little details that made themselves obvious as you put the pieces together, and it looks as though it will be part of a new series- It said Cabinet Collection One on the box anyway. 

It's always good to go back to the old favourites :)

Little Artist

Brand: Mudpuppy

Pieces: 500
Size: 51cm x 51cm

Product Code:  -

How is your new year going? I know a lot of people who are currently isolating because they have either tested positive to Covid-19 or because they are close contacts to positive cases. It's such a disappointing start to the year, but hopefully things will improve and everyone will be safe and healthy once more.

In the meantime, besides working (we're very short-staffed at the moment), I have been participating in my third ever World Puzzle Days (WPD) event. This is a fantastic 3-month-long event where you try and complete as many puzzles as you are able. It's fun and was free to join this year, and since I thoroughly enjoyed doing it the last few years, I thought I'd have another go! I don't know if it will continue next year, because the organiser does a lot of it himself and it's a lot of work (he deserves a break!) but if it is running, I will definitely continue!

The puzzle I have posted today isn't one that I have done for the WPD but I thought I would put it up anyway cos it's so darn cute! I did this one last year and it features bright and beautiful illustrations of some famous artists over time. The quality was wonderful, as expected, and it was very easy to complete. Enjoy!

The World Of Frida Kahlo

Brand: Laurence King Publishing

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68cm x 48.5cm
Product Code:  39521

I am an admirer of art (even if I don't know a lot about it) and have to say that I am quite fascinated with Frida Kahlo and her works. Popular within all of the 'feminist' circles and 'women power' movements, I think Kahlo has really gained prominence over the last few years (even more so than she used to have). I have definitely noticed a lot more puzzles available that feature her anyway.

This puzzle, illustrated by Laura Callaghan, features lots of different details from Frida Kahlo's most popular paintings. It was quite interesting to do- so many aspects were involved in the artwork and you came across something new every time you looked or put another piece together. It's also bright and draws your attention- the way I like a lot of my puzzles! 

After doing this puzzle, I'm curious about the woman within the design- looks like I'll be reading up about this artist very soon...

Viva La Vida

 Brand: Eeboo

Pieces: 1000

Size: 58.4cm x 58.4cm
Product Code: PZTVLV

I've only done a few puzzles from Eeboo thus far, but I have to say, they are one of the more interesting puzzle companies I have come across in the last few years. Their designs are unique and vibrant, the quality is wonderful and the colours just pop out of the pieces! 

Above is a puzzle I completed featuring Frida Kahlo. There is sooo much detail in this design, and until you are putting it together, you don't realise how many facets there are to the illustrations. I thought I had looked over the design carefully but when I was piecing it together, more and more details about her life emerged through the illustrations. This was a beautiful design and very satisfying to complete. 

Frida Kahlo

Brand: Aquarius
Pieces: 1000
Size: 51cm x 71cm
Product Code: 65-340

In all the motivational women's books going around at the moment, Frida Kahlo is one of the resoundingly popular ladies that keeps cropping up. Although I have read about her in the past, I barely remember anything about her, besides the fact that she was someone who changed the art world against all odds and that she had a unibrow! I also know that she did a lot of self-portraits, but that is as far as my knowledge about her goes!

Regardless, when I saw the design of this puzzle, I was enticed to buy and do it. I thought the floral background was striking and the colours were amazing! This puzzle was quite easy to do when you sorted the colours by each flower style, and the pieces fit together perfectly as per typical Aquarius brand fashion.

Having completed this puzzle, I am kind of interested now to learn more about this iconic woman...

The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

Brand: Wentworth Wooden Puzzles
Pieces: 40
Size: 12.5cm x 8.7cm
Product Code:  740404

I haven't really done many wooden puzzles- they're a lot rarer and a lot more expensive to get a hold of. But a while ago, I came across Wentworth Wooden Puzzles and bought two of their ''fine art' range.

I have previously put up The Scream by Edvard Munch and thought that today I might put up a Vincent Van Gogh design. 

The wooden pieces in this puzzle are randomly cut- some in the recognizable shapes of a paintbrush and pallet, a bottle and a photo frame (see below). While expensive (and with smaller dimensions and piece count than I normally do), I thought it would be good to branch out and try something a little bit different. 

Sleeping Beauty

Brand: Masterpieces Puzzle Co.
Pieces: 1000
Size: 49cm x 68cm
Product Code:   -

Happy new year! 

It's set to be a scorcher today in Victoria, and along the East Coast of Australia, and I was thinking of putting up a summer-themed puzzle because of this. But then I reconsidered and decided to put up the above puzzle instead! I have been so tired lately, with a lot of broken sleep due to the weather and late nights, so I thought a picture of Sleeping Beauty might be appropriate (cos she is what I ain't!).

The above puzzle is from a company I have not previously had any experience with, but I still thoroughly enjoyed. The design on each piece was quite detailed and colourful, and the pieces were of a similar ilk to the ones that SunsOut produce- weird and wacky shapes that could go anywhere but fit together perfectly when you get them in the right place.

A lovely take on a classic fairytale, this puzzle took me a little bit longer to do than I expected but the end result was worth it. There are other fairytale designs in this series and I intend to do them all eventually. Another cool thing about these puzzles are the boxes they come in, which are shaped like books- you open up the box (as though it is a book) to reveal the puzzle pieces inside! This makes them the perfect gift for puzzlers who enjoy reading :) This design is also painted by Aimee Stewart, a well-known artist- so you know that the resulting picture is top quality! 

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


MasterPieces Book Box Assortment Sleeping Beauty Puzzle (1000 Piece)

Mucha - The Precious Stones (Puzzle Screen)

The puzzle from one side

The other side of the design

Brand: Pintoo
Pieces: 462
Size: 45.3cm x 22.9cm
Product Code: Q1031

Every now and then, I like to stretch my boundaries when it comes to puzzle completion and do one that's a little bit different. Pintoo usually meet that criteria for me, with their range of 3D-style puzzles. I have already completed several of their designs,and this mini-screen that they have created fits the bill perfectly if you want to do a pretty design that isn't too challenging but still has that wow factor. 

Featuring artist Alphonse Mucha's beautiful illustrations, this screen is made up of the four women he has used to personify the precious stones of emerald, amethyst, ruby and topaz. Double sided, and made of a solid plastic, the pieces fit together perfectly to create eight different panels (two of each woman- the original artwork image and a close up). The panels are joined with hinged puzzle pieces and the entire puzzle sits within a plastic folding frame. 

A close-up of the hinged puzzle pieces

This is a different style of jigsaw puzzling and makes a great display piece.