In The 90's

Brand: Happily

Pieces: 1000
Size:  68cm x 48.5cm

Product Code: -

I'm a big fan of collage puzzles, or puzzles that feature items grouped in a particular way. 

Holly Maguire's illustrated puzzle design above is no exception. I consider myself a 90's kid, even though I was born in the late 80's. I figure that since I was actually a kid during the 90's, the above puzzle is more relevant to me. I recognise and had some involvement with nearly everything in the above design- the nostalgia levels skyrocketed as soon as I laid eyes on it!

I love representations like these that are relatable and bring back fond memories. Its even better when the illustrations are impressively drawn and well laid out. The one problem I had with this puzzle was the texture of the pieces - they felt kind of 'rubbery' (for want of a better word) on top of each piece, and as a result, any puzzle dust would stick to the piece and not come off easily. Besides that small fact, the above puzzle was a pleasure to do, and I hope to tackle more in the future. 

Animalia Book Cover Collector

Brand: Ikon Collectibles

Pieces: 1000
Size: 51cm x 74cm
Product Code: IKO1846

As my baby girl grows older, we've been reading a lot more books that I used to read myself as a child. One that I haven't yet read to her but plan on introducing very soon is Animalia- the wonderful picture story by Graeme Base. His books are so beautifully illustrated, and when I first saw this puzzle that features the front cover artwork of the book, I knew I had to get it! 

This puzzle was a joy to do- there was barely any puzzle dust, the artwork was perfect, and the nostalgia hit I got after I completed it- woah! haha

There are a few more puzzles in this range, as well as some from another of Graeme Base's books, The Eleventh Hour, so I might have to add a few more to my wishlist.

Where The Wild Things Are

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 500
Size: 35cm x 48cm
Product Code:  62-168

I've decided to get nostalgic again today- since I've been looking through all my old books- and thought I'd put up this photo of a puzzle I did last year. I used to enjoy reading this book, and I'm hoping to introduce it to my daughter soon (I think she's a little young at the moment). 

This puzzle was good fun to do- the colour border makes it a bit more interesting- especially since the actual illustration is not that colourful. But it is an iconic illustration so they're forgiven!

Quality was wonderful and it made a nice trip down memory lane :)

Pokemon Bubble

Brand: Buffalo
Pieces: 500
Size: 54cm x 38cm
Product Code:  -

I went with a nostalgic puzzle last week by putting up one that I had owned since childhood. Well, I thought I'd continue in that vein with today's puzzle- although this is a different kind of nostalgia. This puzzle is relatively new- I bought it last year- but the content is the part that instils the nostalgia. 

I think I mentioned towards the beginning of this blog (quite a few years ago now) that I was a huge fan of the first Pokemon series. Well when I saw this puzzle, I knew I had to get it because although there are some of the newer characters in it, the majority featured are from the first series (and therefore recognisable to me!)

I love the colours and the vibrancy of the design- it really stands out and I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. I'm hoping that as Pokemon continues to grow, a wider variety of designs (in a higher piece count) will be released for puzzling fans. In the meantime, I'm happy to settle for cute ones like this :)  

Flipper Romance

Brand: Ravensburger
Pieces: 500
Size: 49cm x 36cm
Product Code:  141524

I don't know about you, but do you have a jigsaw puzzle that you have grown up with and done numerous times? I have a few like this, which I have always gone back to and re-completed, even though I have no real reason to do so. The puzzle above is one of them. I probably got this one when I was about 8 or 9 and have done it sooo many times. 

Now, in my big clear out, I have decided to complete it one last time and say goodbye. 

I've had hours of pleasure from it and I feel like I should give someone else some of the joy of doing it. 

I have (obviously) taken a picture of it for posterity and I will be listing it on eBay with some of my others over the coming days. While it will be sad to see it go, I'm also grateful that I was able to keep it for so long and complete it so many times! I don't even do that with any of the puzzles I purchase now so this one is particularly special. 

I've also managed to keep it in great condition, with no pieces missing and only a tiny bit of scuffing (one line) on the bottom of the image from age. 

Have you got a puzzle in your collection that's close to your heart? 

Do you think you'll ever say goodbye to it?

Fashion Fabulous Barbie

Brand: Buffalo
Pieces: 1000
Size: 68cm x 50cm
Product Code:  11660

It was hard to decide which puzzle to put up today. 

I wanted it to be something fun and pretty- cos it's my birthday!! 

It's also quite possibly the last puzzle I will be putting up for a while because I am scheduled for surgery this coming Monday and I'm not sure how my recovery will go (or whether I will be able to do many of the things I ordinarily do). Hopefully that isn't the case but you never know!

So.... Pressure's on!

Here's the choice- Fashion Fabulous Barbie...

Reminiscing to my childhood days, Barbie was one of my favourites- maybe because she looked the complete opposite to me, and was so stylish and pretty. When I discovered this puzzle I just had to buy it- it's not often that you see a favourite childhood toy immortalised in a puzzle design for ADULTS! All the Barbie designs I have seen before this (and since) have been aimed at children, with extremely low piece counts. 

This Buffalo puzzle was a joy to do- the pieces fit snugly, the design is bright and busy and the imagery is wonderful. 

So I think it's fitting that this is my birthday and 'sayonara for now' puzzle.

Hopefully my recovery will be smooth and I'll be able to continue on with this blog (and my instagram). Just know that as soon as I am able, I will get back to it!

Cheers!

Rugrats

Brand: Aquarius
Pieces: 500
Size: 35cm x 48cm
Product Code: 62-129

A lot of my friends have been giving birth over the last few weeks, and there are still more babies on the way! 

So I thought it would be quite fitting to put up a puzzle of one of my favourite childhood television shows (and one that is quite relevant)- Rugrats! 

I really enjoyed this Nickelodeon show, and the adventures that Tommy Pickles and his friends got up to- everything is different from the perspective of babies and toddlers! 

The quality of this puzzle was outstanding- the colours and design were bright and reminiscent of the show- and I thoroughly enjoyed putting the pieces together. I wish it was as easy to get other 'adult' puzzles of nostalgic shows and movies.

Digging Up Roses

Brand: Kodacolor Puzzles
Pieces: 100
Size: 29cm x 41cm
Product Code:  20100

Well, I'm back! And I'm happy to say that I'm feeling much better this week than I was at the same time last Saturday! I appeared to have a very short but brutal case of the cold- with very flu-like symptoms- but luckily that's mostly gone now.

Last week- on August 26 to be exact- it was National Dog Day in Australia. If I had realised last Saturday (the actual day), I would have put this puzzle picture up then. As it was, I didn't, and so I am putting it up now.

This was a puzzle from my childhood that I dug out when my parents made me do a cleanup of some of our old things stored in the garage. I highly doubt that you'd be able to find it in stores now. In fact, I don't know whether the brand even exists anymore! The pieces in this puzzle were large, made of thin cardboard (not the greatest quality) and obviously aimed at children. But oh well, nostalgia!

I decided to put this one up in a late commemoration of National Dog Day- we'll see what next week brings...

Cuddlies: Australian Tea Ceremony

Brand: Endeavour
Pieces: 108
Size: 41cm x 29cm
Product Code:  -

Well it's been nearly a year to the day since I first began this blog. I think I've made a pretty good effort at regularly posting (once every Saturday), and my Instagram has grown as a result. 

I've really enjoyed putting up pictures of the puzzles I have been doing (and a little bit of information about them) and I will continue to do so. 

To mark this year, I had a read back through some of my earlier posts. I noticed, however, that I didn't seem to write as much in each one as I do now- oh well!

I also noticed that in my introduction, at the very beginning, I talked about a puzzle I could remember doing as a child which featured an Australian bush scene and koalas drinking tea. At the time, I didn't have the box near me, and wrongly called it Bush Breakfast. I also said it was about 200 pieces or so. 

I was wrong.

I have since found the puzzle and decided to do it to commemorate the 1 year anniversary of this blog. It is actually called Australian Tea Ceremony, is only 108 pieces, and is pictured above. This puzzle is so old, and I don't think that the brand Endeavour (from Brisbane, Australia) even exists anymore, but it was good to get it out for nostalgia sake. All the pieces were still in the box too- bonus!

I hope you've enjoyed reading my blog so far. I will continue to put up posts in the future for your reading/ viewing pleasure...

Cheers!