The Bookshop Cafe

Brand: Reverie Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size: 50cm x 70cm

Product Code: -

Hi all, I'm not sure if I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was going to skip a week of posting. I had to travel interstate for work and was unable to put up any photos on this blog or on Instagram. But I have a couple of weeks free before my next interstate jaunt, so here we are. Today you get the honour of seeing this amazing puzzle from Reverie Puzzles, and who knows what next week will bring!

This puzzle was a pleasure to put together. The design (like all of the ones commissioned for this brand) is gorgeous- I love the illustrations! The colours in this design are vibrant, the pieces fit together snugly, and there's just general good vibes surrounding this puzzle (I don't know how else to explain it). I own most of the puzzles from this brand and look forward to having the chance to complete them all at some point. 

Is there one puzzle brand that you absolutely love and wish to own every design from?

Jenny Sanders: Running On Empty

Brand: Blue Opal
Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code: BL01905

I'm not sure why, but I really like these collections of puzzles by Blue Opal that feature the artworks of Australian artist Jenny Sanders. I have already posted up quite a few of them and have plenty more in my collection to do. Not only is the quality of the pieces great, but the designs are just perfect representations of classic Australian cars in 'their natural environment' (whatever that means, haha). 

I have always admired old, done-up cars, although there is no way I would be able to maintain or drive them myself. While a few of my friends have restored some in real life, the closest I think I'll be getting to them (besides being a passenger in one) is to do these puzzles!

This one features a lovely old green Holden (I don't know what kind of make it is but I'm sure someone could tell me!) in front of an old-school cafe (seemingly in the middle of nowhere). The colours are vibrant and the design layout made it pretty easy to piece together- the only challenge really came in the colours of the sky but even the gradual shading in the colours made it less difficult than it could have been.  

There will be more of these Jenny Sanders car puzzles on the way in this blog so if you're not a fan of them (as I am) then you'll probably be a bit disappointed! C'est la vie!

Coffee

Brand: Colorluxe
Pieces: 1500
Size: 58cm x 84cm
Product Code:  3911

During the week I had to travel to Melbourne for some blood tests at St Vincent's Hospital. 

My test was an early 8.30am one (which I had to fast before), but this meant that I had to leave my house at 5.25am to catch the 5.54am train, in order to get there in time.

And because I was fasting, that meant no coffee. 

Now, I don't usually rely on coffee to wake me up in the mornings. I just like the taste. But not being able to drink any, while walking the streets of Melbourne to get to the hospital, was a more difficult task than I had anticipated! The smell of freshly brewing coffee was everywhere! 

Luckily I was able to get my fix (no, I'm not addicted) not long after the tests were concluded, but as a homage to coffee-lovers everywhere, I have decided to put up this puzzle.

This puzzle was unique, in that the back of the puzzle was colour-coded in sections. This was meant to aid in the sorting of pieces so that the puzzle could be completed more easily. Although I mostly ignored this, it did help on occasions when there were similar colours (like browns and tans) that could be situated almost anywhere in the design. It could also be a tad frustrating though, especially when you thought you had found a particular colour (like blue for example), and it was actually a blue-backed piece, rather than part of the design background. 

I quite enjoyed doing this puzzle. The collage-style was engaging and there were many points of interest within the design. It certainly helped cheer me up after my coffee deprivation!