Native Parrot Shaped Puzzle

Brand: Findon

Pieces: 323
Size:  30cm x 40cm

Product Code: -

Although a lot of people swear by Aldi Australia's cheaper grocery prices, and prefer visiting them in comparison to some of the larger supermarket chains, I only tend to visit if I know that they are going to be selling something of interest in their bi-weekly special buys. 

Over the last few months, they have had a few different ranges of jigsaw puzzles available, which means that I have been visiting more than usual. Not only have they had a range of smaller-count (aimed at children) mini puzzles, but they have had a decent selection of wooden, shaped and foil puzzles available. Surprisingly, the quality is quite good, especially considering the cheap prices. 

There were three wooden shaped puzzles - set in a wooden tray - that I purchased, and the picture above is one of those. While it doesn't fit as well in the tray as it probably could, the quality isn't too bad and the overall image looks good. 

Next week is the Victorian State puzzle comp in Malvern, so depending on the time I leave the house to get there, I may not have time to post. But I will do my best! And if I don't get the opportunity, I will try and post the day after instead...

Wish me luck!

Koala By Pete Cromer

Brand: Five Mile

Pieces: 500
Size:  52cm x 38cm

Product Code: -

I love a good illustrated puzzle and the above design- created by Australian artist Pete Cromer- is no exception. Based in the Colac Otway region of Victoria, Cromer is wonderful at creating images of Australian wildlife with a colourful and unique-looking twist. His home area was recently affected by the Victorian bushfires, and so I have decided to decided to put up an image of one of his puzzles as a sign of solidarity. 

The above puzzle may look a little tricky to do with the blocks of colour, but there was a slight gradient to the blue, which made it easy enough to complete. 

Have you done any puzzles like this one that may look harder to do than they actually are?

Tropicana Australiana

Brand: La La Land

Pieces: 500
Size: 48.2cm x 35.5cm

Product Code: SP-LL07

It's my birthday today! So I thought I'd put up a beautiful puzzle that I completed last year from Australian brand La La Land. This colourful and vibrant design really caught my attention, and was even used in a state puzzle competition (although I can't remember which one). I really wanted to put up a puzzle that I received for my birthday from a really good friend but I obviously haven't had the chance to do it yet. He bought it for me on a recent trip to Japan and I absolutely love it. It's Tenyo, and Disney, and just amazing. 

Have you absolutely loved any puzzles you've ever been gifted? I definitely have!

I'll speak again next week when I have more time. Oh, and Happy Mother's Day for tomorrow to all the mums out there...

Sneaky Gulls

Brand: One But Many

Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

Last week I was in the good ol' city of Brisbane for work, so I wasn't able to post a photo up. I knew that I was heading there, and usually I'd give a heads up beforehand that no posts would be going up, but this time I just lost track of the time and didn't get around to it.

But that is OK, cos I have selected a puzzle for today and hopefully that will be satisfying enough for the time being. 

This one is from an Australian brand called One But Many, who have recently closed their doors, with the owner going on to new and different ventures. The puzzle was part of a range illustrated by Alice Achoo, and features a typical summers day at the beach. I loved the illustration when I first saw it and was impressed with the quality of the puzzle, even though it was quite pricey (as many independent puzzle manufacturers can be). 

Even though their online store and business is now closed, you still may be able to pick up this puzzle and others of the same brand second-hand. It's well-worth trying one at least once.

Pearling At Dampier

Brand: Mr Bob Puzzles

Pieces: 252
Size: 38cm x 38cm

Product Code: -

This week is NAIDOC Week in Australia (which stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee)- a week when we celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

I have several puzzles that feature Aboriginal artwork and I had planned on getting them done in time for this week, but alas, time slipped away (as usual) and I wasn't able to complete them. 

One puzzle I had already completed, however, was this wooden one from Mr Bob Puzzles, featuring the artwork of Emma Blyth. I thought this image was absolutely beautiful when I first saw it, and thought it might be relevant to the theme this week. This puzzle had several whimsy pieces like flowers, leaves, and a kangaroo within Australia, amongst others. The pieces fit together well and the quality was wonderful. 

If you haven't yet done a wooden puzzle from Mr Bob Puzzles, you should get onto it! They might be a bit pricey but they're well worth it!

Mother And Son

Brand: Mr Bob Puzzles

Pieces: 252
Size: 30cm x 38cm

Product Code: -

Tomorrow is Mother's Day so I thought this puzzle would be appropriate to commemorate the day!

I absolutely love this image-it's so cute! It was designed and illustrated by Australian artist Rebecca Cool, who has collaborated with and released quite a few puzzle designs with Mr Bob Puzzles. 

This was one of her designs that jumped out at me. 

This wooden puzzle features your usual whimsy pieces like a flower and a heart, but it also has a baby crawling and a onesie in there too. 

I haven't done a lot of wooden puzzles- I think all the ones I have done have been from this brand- but I really enjoyed the finish of this one. 

If you're celebrating Mother's Day tomorrow, I hope you have a good one!

Banksia Bloom

Brand: Okay Lady

Pieces: 400
Size: 52cm x 52cm
Product Code:  -

I haven't had as much time as I would like to puzzle lately. This is despite having bought even more puzzles in the last few weeks! 

A combo of starting a new job and caring for my little one when I have been home has meant that I've put jigsaw puzzling assembly on the backburner. But since it's the weekend, I'm going to try and get at least one or two done. 

The above puzzle is the first one I have ever done from small Australian business Okay Lady. They have a range of pretty, colourful designs that I absolutely adore. The above design was not as challenging as I expected, and was quite quick to do, being only 400 pieces. I enjoyed the quality and have a few more to do in my collection. If you get the chance, you ought to check them out!

Narelle Wildman: Poppies

Brand: Blue Opal (The Art Collection)

Pieces: 1000
Size: 73cm x 48.6cm
Product Code:  BL00709

I was debating with myself about whether I would post this puzzle today or next week (because the title is Poppies and next weekend is ANZAC Day), but I decided to go ahead with it this week. The poppies above are not really symbolic of the ones we look at and commemorate for the occasion so I can probably get away with it! 

The main reason I wanted to post this is because it is an old puzzle that I dug out of my collection and decided to redo. 

In my last post I was talking about all the new puzzles I have purchased and how I'm starting to become overwhelmed by my addiction to buying new. But I have just as many old ones that have sat in my collection for years (even decades) that I might have to revisit before saying goodbye to them. 

The above puzzle is one of those. 

I remember taking up (what felt like) half of the kitchen table when I first did this at my husband's (then boyfriend's) house nearly 10 years ago. I didn't get a good photo when I finally completed it cos the room was quite dark and I had no way of moving the puzzle. Now, I'm a bit more organised and have more space so I decided to redo it and take a photo so I could finally sell it and say goodbye. 

I don't think Blue Opal makes this collection anymore so it was good to have and try it. The pieces fit together relatively well and the colours are vibrant, with shades that are quite similar (so it took a while to get some sections together). Overall, though, I'm happy with the puzzle and even though it will be sad to get rid of it, I can be happy in the knowledge that I completed it and someone else will get to enjoy it. 

How old is the oldest puzzle in your collection? How many times have you completed it? Will you ever get rid of it?

Monopoly: Australian Community Relief Edition

Brand: Winning Moves

Pieces: 1000
Size: 53cm x 53cm
Product Code:  WM01148-EN3

The Monopoly board game has such a, well, monopoly I guess, over the gaming world. There are so many different versions- covering music, pop culture, and even cities.

Now they have a few variations in jigsaw puzzle format. 

I have the original Monopoly jigsaw puzzle, which I plan on doing soon but I also have the above one, which was released as a fundraiser for struggling Australian communities. In it, the towns names have been changed to some of those affected and in need of aid (although I'm not sure if it was because of fires, floods or some other disaster which has befallen the towns- I really should read what it says on the box!)

This puzzle was quite different, in that the piece shapes followed a certain format. They were longer and narrow, and followed a pattern as you assembled the pattern. That said, it was quite quick to complete, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

The Australia Edition

Brand: Journey Of Something

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

Since Covid-19 took over the world, there has been a huge influx of puzzle brands coming onto the market so people can while away their 'stay at home' time with activities such as puzzle assembly. So many companies sold out of their designs with this unprecedented demand, and a whole new audience grew. 

Because of this, a lot of regular puzzlers had trouble locating designs from their favourite brands, and it meant having to either do ones already in their collection which had been put off for others (I'm guilty of this) and also trying new brands (also guilty). 

One of the new brands I decided to try was not necessarily new- Journey Of Something has been around for quite a few years already- but it was new to me (in that, I hadn't purchased from them before. I had always admired their artist-based designs but couldn't justify the cost. Even though they are only a small business, their prices seemed way too expensive compared to the usual $30 or so I usually spend as maximum. For your reference, their puzzles cost over $50 each for a 1000 piece puzzle. But when they had a sale, I decided to take the plunge and just buy some. Their Australian-owned and I thought I'd do my bit to support local.

I'm glad I did.

The designs are expensive (as I said) but that said, I know they have to cover the costs of manufacture, copyright for artists, shipping, promotion, etc, and still make some money at the end of it. All of the designs are carefully curated and beautiful. The pieces come in a fabric bag inside the box, whose lid lifts up and is held with ribbon. Presentation is perfect. 

I chose the above puzzle and two others, and thought I'd put up this one first because Australia Day (a public holiday which has become very controversial over the last few years- 'aka Invasion Day') is this Tuesday and I needed something Australian themed to display. 

Extremely good quality and very pretty. I loved the landmarks, illustrations, and overall design of this Australian map. If you get the chance, check out their website and see what goodies catch your eye. 

Artist Hour

Brand: La La Land
Pieces: 1000
Size: 50cm x 70cm
Product Code:  PU-LL09

I thought I'd put up a puzzle from an Australian brand today, just for something a little bit different!

La La Land is primarily a gift brand that specialises in unique designs that feature Australian flora and fauna, and occasionally pop-culture references (like the one above). They sell tea towels, greeting cards and a range of other items, as well as a small range of jigsaw puzzles. 

The above puzzle is one that I picked up which features 7 well-known or influential artists enjoying a cheeky drink at the bar together. These artists all lived during different times but it is a fun imagining of what life would be like if they were all around at the same time and were able to compare their particular artistic styles with one another. 

The quality of this puzzle was quite good (for a company that doesn't specialise in puzzles) and I really enjoyed the unique design. Can you recognise all the artists in this image?