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. 

Let The Sun Shine In

Brand: Anatolian
Pieces: 500
Size: 33cm x 48cm
Product Code: 3599

You know how sometimes a piece of artwork just draws you in? That's what happened to me with this puzzle design...

I'm not sure why it appealed so much, but when I saw the mixed-media style image, it just drew my attention and I had to purchase the puzzle. It could have been the bright and expressive colours, or maybe it was just the multilayered detail, but I really enjoyed doing this one by Anatolian. 

This was only my second puzzle from this brand but it didn't disappoint. The pieces fit together nicely and the colours were vibrant. Although Anatolian have fewer distributors within Australia, I'm going to have to get some more from them at some stage!

Tiger Family

Brand: Ravensburger
Pieces: 1000
Size: 50cm x 70cm
Product Code:  191178

If you follow Australian Rules (AFL) football, you will know that today is Grand Final Day, 

Contending for the cup are the Adelaide Crows and Richmond Tigers, and, while I don't support either of these teams normally, I'm jumping on the bandwagon for the Tigers. It has been 37 years since Richmond last won a premiership, and it's safe to say that their fans are excited about the game coming up today. I hope that they can do it for Victoria and take home the premiership cup.

Because it's quite difficult to find footy-themed puzzles, I decided to put up this Tiger Family puzzle from Ravensburger to commemorate the team. 

This puzzle took a little while to do, considering all of the similar colours in the tiger's fur. I had to try and differentiate between each of the three tigers, and piece them together accordingly. I found it was easier to complete the plant-life on the sides of the puzzle first, then work my way into the centre.

A little bit challenging, this puzzle was nonetheless a pleasure to do and the end result is striking.

Beachfront: Art by Lori Schory

Brand: SunsOut
Pieces: 1000
Size: 32.875inches x 26.5inches
Product Code:  96018

I have to admit, I haven't done very many shaped jigsaw puzzles. 

Perhaps it's because they aren't as readily available as your standard rectangular puzzle. 

In the past, I have completed a round puzzle (Wonderful World Of Disney 1) , but even as I was doing it, it didn't feel as though it was shaped, due to the straight edges of the border. 

That's why doing the above puzzle was such a profoundly different experience. 

The fish shape of Beachfront actually made the completion of this puzzle feel different. Not only do you have to work out the shape of the fish, but you have to find where the rest of the design correlates to that outline. Putting  together the jagged fins on its upper and lower body was a little bit challenging, as they came in several pieces and sometimes you weren't sure exactly how long each part was meant to be.  But this was a very welcome challenge- it's not every day that I have the opportunity to put together a puzzle like this! 

The design, which is bright and full of detail, was fun to put together. This puzzle also has uniquely-shaped pieces (including the occasional fish-shaped piece!) which only made the 'shaped' experience feel more complete. 

I haven't done many SunsOut puzzles because they're not as common in Australia as they would be overseas, but I will be making more of an effort to seek them out in the future!