Turtle

Brand: Critters Within Wooden Puzzle

Pieces: 191
Size:  30.5cm x 28.5cm

Product Code: -

Today (May 23) is World Turtle Day and for once I have a puzzle that's relevant to the theme!

I purchased this wooden puzzle from Kmart, along with the three others in the set (dog, cat and owl). While they were all only small piece counts - with the largest still under 300 pieces- they were somewhat challenging to do with the whimsy pieces, colourful patterns and shaped designs. 

I quite enjoyed doing this one, and the thick, interlocking pieces made the quality feel much more than I expected from a Kmart-branded item. 

I've already sold my copies of this puzzle and its counterparts but if you ever get the chance to do them, you should check them out!

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?

Great Ocean Road Trip, Vic, Australia

Brand: Karen McKenzie Art

Pieces: 500
Size:  50cm diameter

Product Code: -

Last week was a terrible one in Victoria for bushfires, with half of the state in flames. But in typical Victorian fashion, within a few days (and while some bushfires were still burning), some Victorian towns experienced severe flash flooding! These towns were situated along the Great Ocean Road and several cars were swept out to sea as a result. I've watched video footage of this, as well as the helicopter recovery of these cars during the week and it's absolutely insane to think that all of this happened on our doorstep. 

The Great Ocean Road is a relatively short drive from Geelong, and I've travelled it many times. It's a beautiful coastal drive, and even if you have a problem with windy roads and car sickness, it is still a pleasure to see the views that are afforded to you, and to visit the lovely towns along the way.

Karen McKenzie has captured the scene perfectly in her illustrated puzzle depicting the drive. I'm not completely sure why Luna Park (in St Kilda) features, but the rest of the design is a wonderful representation. I saw this puzzle in her online store and purchased it because of its familiarity. She has also created designs of heaps of other regional Australian towns which is pretty cool. The puzzle pieces are sturdy, colourful and of good quality.

Have you got any puzzles that represent the place you live?

The Burbs

Brand: One But Many

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

When I was preparing for a puzzle sale a few weeks ago, I started sorting through some of my older puzzles that I knew I wanted to get done in time to add to my sell list. 

This was one of those puzzles.

I bought it from One But Many just as they were closing down their puzzle business, because I loved the illustrated design by Alice Achoo. It's such a vibrant and detailed representation of life in the suburbs, and while I didn't sell it this time around, I'm sure it won't be long before someone snaps it up.

In the meantime, I'm going to continue to look for unique and interesting puzzle designs that follow this same style of illustration. Have you seen any of interest like the puzzle above?

Celebration

Brand: Yarn

Pieces: 1000
Size:  75cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

Well as promised from last week, here is my Aboriginal art puzzle that I have recently completed for NAIDOC (National Aboriginal And Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week. 

This design, created by Alkina Edwards, stood out to me with its vibrant colours, cool patterns and overall prettiness. While it wasn't released specifically for NAIDOC Week like some designs from the Yarn website were, it is still a pretty representation of art created by an Indigenous artist.

These puzzles were made of nice, thick quality cardboard that had a glossy finish, and also featured letters on the back for those who prefer a little hint to piece placement. I tend to just try and ignore that and do the puzzle as normal but I thought I'd mention it in case it's a little off-putting for some people and they're not aware of it- I certainly wasn't! 

Yarn has a few puzzles available on their website, all created by Indigenous artists, so if you're interested in this style of art, you should check it out.

Birthday Party Cakes

Brand: Eurographics

Pieces: 1000
Size:  48.89cm x 67.63cm

Product Code: 6000-5700

I had originally planned on putting up a puzzle that featured Aboriginal art this weekend, considering tomorrow is the beginning of NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal And Islanders Day Observance Committee) but I realised that although I have completed the puzzle I wanted to post, I have not yet taken a photo of it!

I hope to remedy that soon and maybe have it done in time for next week, but that means that I had to find an alternative puzzle to post. 

Which brings me to the above puzzle - birthday cakes!

June is a busy month for birthdays in my family and so this is the perfect puzzle to represent that. It feels like we're eating some form of birthday cake every week throughout June and the start of July, in order to celebrate everyone's birthdays. 

The above puzzle was a fun one to do- very colourful and busy, with some beautiful and delicious-looking cake designs...

Which month is a busy birthday month in your life?

Inseparable Cat And Kitten

Brand: Enjoy Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size:  68cm x 48cm

Product Code: 2122

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and it's also my birthday, so what better puzzle to put up than a cute cat and her kitten! 

I did this puzzle a little while ago and it was the first time I had done a puzzle from the Enjoy brand. It was such a pleasure to do and I've done one or two since. The quality is amazing and the colours are always so vibrant.

I don't really have a lot of time to write much more cos I have to get ready to go to Melbourne, but I hope you enjoy the image I have put up and I'll get back to you next week with something new!

Vintage Knitting & Crochet

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 176205

Autumn is here and the days are starting to get a little cooler, which is why I have decided to post the above puzzle image- colourful wool and knits seemed like the perfect choice.

I loved the bright and vibrant colours in this design, as well as the throwbacks to vintage knitting patterns and retro photography. Even though knitting and crocheting are crafts I have yet to master, I am still fascinated by the process and would love to one day sit down and teach myself properly. I have attempted both a few times but other projects have always come along and I've set the learning aside to do those instead. One day! 

Is there a particular craft or hobby you enjoy doing besides jigsaw puzzles? Have you found a cross-over where you can do a jigsaw puzzle based on that craft or hobby? Let me know!

Squishmallows Squish Squad

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 175536

Have you ever looked at a particular puzzle design, and thought, 'boy that's cute', but then put it back because you thought it might be too difficult to do? 

I have to admit, I had my reservations about the above puzzle, thinking exactly that when I saw it. But I'm glad I persevered and purchased it in the end, because once I got into it, this puzzle was quite enjoyable.

I love Squishmallows, and my daughter has quite a few of them at home, so I thought the above puzzle would be a fun one to do. Even though it is full of repetition (similar to the style of those 'impossible' puzzles), I thought I'd give it a shot. It was quite easy to flow through when you sorted the colours and made up each of the characters. Then it was simply a case of piecing together each of the completed Squishmallows to complete the puzzle in it's entirety. 

Have you ever done a puzzle like the one above?

House Of Colors

Brand: Enjoy 

Pieces: 1000
Size:  68cm x 48cm

Product Code: 2153

Isn't it such a good feeling when you see the release of a particular design you've been wanting for ages, and then it becomes available for purchase? That was the way I felt when I saw the above image. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to complete it, and luckily enough, I was able to purchase a copy before it completely sold out everywhere! 

Since then, I have seen numerous people searching for it online and asking in Facebook groups if anyone has it available to buy. I have just finished mine and plan on bringing it to the Melton Puzzle Sale that is happening tomorrow in Melton, Victoria (April 13, 2025). I will try and reach out to some of those people on Facebook, in the unlikely event that I don't sell it there, but I'm not liking their chances. I'd much prefer to sell it in person and not have to deal with shipping and the hassle of going to the post office. I'm pretty sure this will be one of the first puzzles snapped up, and with good reason too.

The quality was amazing and the colours are so beautiful. The image just pops and is such a pleasure to do. It was a little more challenging than I first anticipated but once I got into the flow of it and was able to sort it by colours, it was very enjoyable to do. 

Will you be attending the Melton Puzzle Sale tomorrow at The Golden Fleece? If so, I'll see you there!

Wonderland Gang

Brand: Arrow Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size:  69cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

As you're probably aware by now, I'm a sucker for cool illustrated designs when I'm buying and completing puzzles, and the above puzzle was no exception to the rule. 

When I first saw the above design, I had to purchase it (as well as the accompanying two other designs that came in the Carnival series with it). Although this is the only one from the trilogy that I have so far completed, I was happy with the quality and colours in the design (especially considering the brand is within a lower price-range). The quirky image and busy design made it stand out, and I'm happy that I was able to find it.

This is the last 'normal' puzzle I will be putting up over the next month- next week is the start of December! How did that come around so quickly?! The puzzles from here on in will be festive-themed to celebrate the arrival of Christmas and the holiday season.

Have you started doing any Christmas puzzles yet in anticipation of the holidays?