Stargazing: Celestial Camp Out

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 750
Size:  61cm x 46cm

Product Code: 17504

I'm a bit short on time this morning so this is just going to be a quick post. I usually tend to do 1000 piece puzzles with the occasional 500 piece one mixed in (especially when I'm preparing for a competition). Very rarely, I do larger count ones like 1500 or 2000 pieces (but that's more because of space restrictions). 

And then every now and then, you get unusual counts like the one above - 750!

This puzzle design called to me, and the piece count was in no way a deterrent. It was actually interesting to do a puzzle which was between the usual piece counts that I usually do. It ended up being an okay size dimension-wise too, so that was a bonus. Have you got many 750 piece puzzles in your collection? Do you enjoy doing them?

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?

Aries

Brand: Cobble Hill

Pieces: 500
Size:  67.6cm x 48.9cm

Product Code: 45011

I managed to get this one up within it's date timeline! Hooray!

But only just...

I figured I should put this one up today, with the anticipation that I can find something Easter-themed for the next few weeks of puzzles. There's only one 'normal' puzzle between this one and the previous Zodiac one, which doesn't really fit in with how I wanted the postings to look, but I guess that can't be helped if I want to put them all up within their time frames.

Anyway...

This is the next one in the sequence, and, like the others, it was a fun, relatively quick one to do. I've enjoyed keeping up with the different images, and reading about the qualities associated with each star sign, even if I don't believe them. 

What star sign are you? Have I put up the associated image for it yet?

House Of Astrology

Brand: Galison

Pieces: 500
Size: 50.8cm x 50.8cm

Product Code: -

Anyone who has followed this blog or my Instagram page will know that I am often drawn to particular designs. I love Disney and popculture images, as well as illustrated designs that use bold and bright colours. Sure, I like many other styles too, but these are my predominant go-tos. 

The above puzzle, by Galison, ticks the boxes for illustrated puzzles, as well as my fascination with horoscopes and astrology. I'm the first to tell you that I'm a practical person, and don't believe in the 'properties, spirituality, etc' associated with horoscopes, starsigns, crystals and all that jazz, but I still find it all fascinating. The above puzzle was equally fascinating, and a pleasure to do. It even featured gold foil on the pieces which added an extra sparkle to the design. The pieces fit together well too, which is always a bonus. 

Have you done any of the gold foiled puzzle before? They seem to becoming more readily available and I find them so pretty...Let me know your thoughts.. Until next time...

Astrology

Brand: Eeboo

Pieces: 1000
Size: 58.4cm x 58.4cm

Product Code: -

Tomorrow is the last day of 2023! I can't believe how fast this year has flown! So much has happened and yet, when I think back, it's all been a blur. 

Puzzle-wise, I've spent waaayyyy too much on puzzles, and have struggled to find spots to store them all before I have the chance to do them. I'll have to try and curb my spending next year- I have literally hundreds that I have to get through now! I also need to be more proactive in selling the ones I've completed. It may be time to do a market stall solely selling jigsaw puzzles...

I also participated in my first puzzling competition this year which was a fun (if not stressful) experience. I have already entered to do a fun, charity-based one next January in Melbourne, and will again try to compete in the state competition...

How has your puzzling year stacked up? I'm keen to go through my stats and see how many puzzles I have completed this year, plus all the other relevant info but that can wait until the new year.

In the meantime, have a fantastic and safe new year with your family, friends and loved ones and I'll come back at you in 2024!

Cheers! xo

Zodiac

Brand: Eeboo
Pieces: 1008
Size: 58.4cm x 58.4cm
Product Code: -

Wow! It's amazing how much can change in a week. 

Last Saturday I was still hopeful that our holiday to the USA in April could go ahead. Now it's very unlikely. Since my last post, many countries have closed their borders and gone into lockdown, and the Australian government has implemented bans on large gatherings of over 100 people (a few days ago it was 500). They have also made it so that all restaurants and bars have to have a 4m square space around each patron- social distancing in the extreme! 

Meanwhile, around the world, the coronavirus is still going strong and infecting and killing people. 

So it looks like our holiday is postponed indefinitely. 

I know it has to get worse before it gets better but this is so sad- particularly when you consider all the small businesses that are getting affected by the lack of customers (who have gone into isolation). And another factor that is really doing my head in? The people who are stockpiling and making it extremely difficult for everyone else to buy basic grocery essentials. Frustrating to the extreme!

Luckily there are jigsaw puzzles to soothe the soul and keep us occupied during these crazy and challenging times!

I have decided to put up Zodiac  today, because everything is being left to the stars to determine lately! This is a great puzzle, which can be turned any which way and still be facing the right way up, due to the way the picture was designed. Each of the zodiac signs are represented and the quality is lovely. This is the first Eeboo branded puzzle I have ever done and I was very happy with the results. I will definitely be doing more of them in the future.