Ephemera

Brand: Kaiser Style (Kaisercraft)

Pieces: 500
Size:  45cm x 61cm

Product Code: KS2636

I'm a little late putting today's post up (although granted, it's still on the same day as I normally post - not a day late like last time!). And the reason for that? I was at a social puzzling event that's held at one of the region's libraries on the second Saturday of every month. 

I went with one of my workmate's, who is also very much into puzzling, and together we completed a 500 piece puzzle that we haven't done before. The above image isn't the one that we completed today because the photo I took of that wasn't very good, so I decided to put this one up instead.

This was from Kaisercraft - a Geelong-based craft store that has been focusing more on giftware in recent years. I liked the collage-style design and while the pieces weren't of the highest quality, the puzzle image made it worth doing. 

Be Mine

Brand: Cobble Hill

Pieces: 500
Size:  67.6cm x 48.9cm

Product Code: 45079

Today is Valentine's Day, and whether you 'celebrate' it or not, there's no doubt that there is going to be a lot of 'love-themed' stuff going around. This is my addition to the mix.

The above puzzle, which was designed by artist Barb Tourtillotte, features a whimsical love bird and floral design and is very romancey (for lack of a better word). The pieces in this puzzle were random cut, which added to the interest of completing it, and made it just that little bit more challenging. This design was a little bit out of the ordinary for me but I still enjoyed putting it together. 

Are you tackling any jigsaw puzzles specifically for Valentine's Day?

Liberty - Christmas Tree Of Life (Foil)

Brand: Galison

Pieces: 500
Size:  51cm x 51cm

Product Code: -

So I had the AJPA Nationals last week, and although I didn't get through to the finals, I did manage to finish my puzzle in the allotted time...just! We had 2 hours to complete the puzzle and I finished in 1:58:40 - with 1 minute and 20 seconds to spare! Phew! Haha, what a relief!

Anyway back to the usual blog fare... because we are now in December I thought I'd put up a Christmas-themed puzzle from Galison. This one has foil accents but they're hard to see in the photo. In real life, there are nice golden parts scattered throughout the design. This puzzle was very busy and a little more challenging than I expected but still fun to do. Have you got some Christmas designs in your to-do pile?

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!

Fantastic Animals: Flamingos

Brand: Clementoni

Pieces: 500
Size:  36cm x 49cm

Product Code: 35067

I don't have much time to write today so I thought I'd put up this quick one! I'm a bit under the pump to get my stitching entries complete for the show and I'm going to lose a lot of valuable time because we're staying in Melbourne overnight so that my husband can compete in the Melbourne Marathon tomorrow morning. 

So I've put up this puzzle I have completed of some fabulous flamingos, to remind everyone that they too can be unique, flamboyant and fun! 

Have a great weekend!

Native

Brand: Kaiser Style (Kaisercraft)

Pieces: 1000
Size:  68cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

When we were on our New Zealand holiday, we went to Kiwi Park in Queenstown, where we were able to see some gorgeous (usually elusive) Kiwis and a whole range of other birds that are native to the country. I did see a 100 piece puzzle available that featured illustrations of some of these birds but I didn't buy it. So to try to make up for that little faux pas, I am putting up a puzzle today that features some native Australian birds.

This puzzle is from Kaisercraft- an Australian crafting store that has slowly moved away from their traditional card-making and crafting origins, and is now more of a gift shop. They sell a range of puzzles that feature illustrations and this is one of the ones I have picked up over time. The designs are pretty but they are on the cheaper end of the scale when it comes to quality (although admittedly, there is nothing wrong with them for the price).

Do you like to pick up puzzle mementos of places you've been to, or things you've seen/done? Or do you have regrets later (as I did) and try to find alternatives? (like my NZ birds to Australian birds puzzle expedition haha)

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...

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

Snail Mail

Brand: Re-Marks

Pieces: 300
Size: 45.7cm x 61cm

Product Code: -

Well, it's a brand new year- we're already a week in!- yet everything feels very much the same for me. 

I'm still spending way too much on puzzles that I want to do, but probably won't have the chance to do! 

How good were some of the Boxing Day and End of Year sales? 

Once again, I bought way too many and now have over 300+ puzzles on my to-do list- all of which are currently sitting in my spare room which I was hoping to clear out sometime soon! 

I don't know how I'm going to get through them all (without the added pressure of completing ones that I'll no doubt continue to buy- I know I have a problem). Even if I complete one a day (unlikely), that's still gonna take me about a year to get through them... but hey, I'm willing to give it a shot! I'll just have to forgo other activities to get it done 😉

The puzzle I've chosen for today was one I completed a few years ago that features stamps from all around the world. I figured this one would be appropriate for the holidays, especially with all the travel that's taking place at the moment. This puzzle was bright and colourful, with lots of lovely stamp images. As someone who collects stamps, I enjoy looking at designs like this one. 

Do you collect anything other than puzzles?

The Secret Garden

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000

Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code:  168064

Have you ever had a puzzle that you've wanted desperately to do but you just cannot find it anywhere? 

The above puzzle is my unicorn puzzle and I'm excited to say that I was actually able to get hold of it to complete it!

It's only a fairly new release by Ravensburger, but the above design- illustrated by Demelsa Haughton- has been on my wishlist ever since I first saw it. I suppose a lot of people have been after it, because it has been sold out absolutely everywhere and been extremely difficult to find.

I was lucky enough however to get the chance to complete it- even if I wasn't able to own it. 

There's a wonderful new little business based in Tasmania called Thinkercise, where you are able to rent from a selection of puzzles. You can rent the puzzles of your choosing from their growing list, it is sent to you with a return label and after you've completed it, you send it back. You have 2 months to complete the puzzle from the date it is received. The owner of this business, Hannah, is absolutely lovely. 

I was so happy to discover that The Secret Garden was available to rent and jumped on the chance straight away. And what an amazing puzzle it is! The illustration is lovely and there are so many details to find. It actually took me a bit longer to complete than I anticipated- the leaves/branches on the sides and the white/grey around the birds was a bit more challenging than I realised but this just made it more interesting to do. 

Of course, being Ravensburger, the quality was excellent. 

If you're in Australia and would like to do some puzzles without forking out a fortune (and without having to onsell or store them somewhere afterwards) then renting from Thinkercise might be a good option for you.

I Like Birds

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code:  164196

I was having trouble deciding which puzzle to put up today so I thought I'd go with this colourful and sweet one from Ravensburger which depicts lots of pretty birds in various seasons.

As soon as I saw this design, I knew I had to get it- it's so pretty! 

Besides the copious amounts of puzzle dust (Ravensburger has seemed to have a problem with this of late), the puzzle was pretty much perfect- vibrant colours, good fit and quality pieces. 

Have you done this puzzle before? What did you think of it?

Heads Up

 

Brand: Cardinal

Pieces: 500

Size: 27.9cm x 35.5cm
Product Code: -

I love hearing about random national days and weeks- when things a little out of the ordinary have their chance to be appreciated or celebrated. My Mother-in-law has a block calendar specifically for this, which was gifted to her (possibly for Christmas last year?) and which she has used to add a bit of excitement throughout the year. 

For example, on International Pretzel Day, she made some yummy pretzels and on National Eat Chocolate Day, you can guess what we did! Haha.. 

I'm not sure if they are all real recognised 'holidays' but one that I know of is, at least in Australia, National Bird Week. This year it runs from Monday 19 October to Sunday 25 October, so I've just gotten in there before it ends. I don't really know much about the Week (you might have to Google it cos I don't have time to do it for you right now) but I thought I'd put up this puzzle I did of some tropical birds a little while ago- a perfect way to commemorate the week! 

This puzzle was very good quality even though it was one of those really cheap $1 ones, and the pieces were tiny. The colours were vibrant though, and it kept my attention throughout. Love those kinds!

I wonder which interesting day/week event I can incorporate my puzzle photos into next week? 

Cuddly Love Birds

Brand: Puzzlebug
Pieces: 100
Size: 22cm x 28cm
Product Code:  -

Well, I said I was probably going to miss posting up a puzzle last week and that was absolutely true! I had a valid excuse though- the wedding of one of my brother's! He married his beautiful fiance and I couldn't be happier for them! Hence the small puzzle post this week of a pair of cute little Love Birds!

This was just a cheap, small-piece puzzle that I picked up at Kmart but the quality was adequate for what I paid and the colours were bright and clear. 

Next week I hope to put up a picture of a more substantial puzzle but we'll just have to see how I go...

Dolphin World

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

It's quite rare, but occasionally you come across a brand new puzzle that has a fault or two in it. 

Sometimes the pieces aren't cut correctly or they're cut so finely that a knob piece has snapped off in the packaging. 

Sometimes (although rarely) there is an extra piece in the box that has no place in the actual puzzle (or is a duplicate of a piece that has already been placed).

But this is the kicker- the real and very frustrating problem that some puzzlers face- a missing piece!

Sometimes it is the fault of the puzzler, having dropped a piece. Sometimes the missing piece is the result of a wayward pet who has decided that they would like a tasty cardboard snack. But sometimes it IS the manufacturers fault and the piece is simply not in the box. 

This was the case for the above puzzle. I didn't bother contacting the manufacturer or the place that I purchased the puzzle- it was not worth the trouble for the price that I paid for it- but it was extremely frustrating. 

Luckily it isn't terribly noticeable in the overall scale- can you see where the piece is missing in my above photo? But my point is that it does occasionally happen, and it can be a very annoying deal, especially if the piece count is high and you've been working on completing the puzzle for some time. 

That said, despite the missing piece, I quite enjoyed the above puzzle and was happy with the design. If it was fully complete it would have been a treat to do!