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?

Happy Chappy

Brand: Journey Of Something

Pieces: 500
Size:  55cm x 38.5cm

Product Code: -

Don't you hate it when you stray from a path that you had previously planned out, but for no reason other than that you got distracted? 

I know sometimes these wanderings can have benefits and you may discover something different that you would not otherwise have seen, but if you have an end goal, this diversion can be more annoying than useful. 

This is the case with my horoscope/zodiac puzzles that have I have been trying to complete each month. I was on target for a while there, but because I have been so busy lately and haven't had the chance to puzzle, my plans have dropped wayside. I haven't done a new one in so long, and I'm so far behind! 

I'm putting this puzzle up as a place-filler today, but hopefully I'll be able to get back on track within the next few weeks or so. 

The above puzzle was a nice, pretty, and relatively quick one to do, illustrated by Anna Egberts. I don't think this puzzle is available anymore but if you come across it, I recommend it for it's lovely native floral design.

I've got to go and continue my cross stitching now cos I'm severely running out of time to get my entry completed for the Geelong Show but I'll see you all next week with another puzzle posting!

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!

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!

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...

Bookstore Astronomers

Brand: Eeboo

Pieces: 500
Size: 58.4cm x 58.4cm

Product Code: PZFBKA

Hello! And May the fourth be with you! Yes, today is Star Wars Day and in typical 'me' fashion, I have neglected to do a puzzle featuring characters from the popular franchise. So to compensate, I have put up a puzzle featuring some astronomers hard at work in their bookstore. 

I loved this design from Eeboo. The colours are vibrant, the illustration is detailed and pretty and there is so much to draw your attention into the puzzle. 

I'm going to have to cut this post short but if you ever get the chance to tackle this 500 piece puzzle, take it, as you won't be disappointed. 

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

Ariel's Underwater Paradise

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size: 49cm x 36cm

Product Code: 133277

Have you seen the new Disney live-action remake of The Little Mermaid? I haven't yet but it has recently opened at the cinemas and I am keen to see it, despite the mixed reviews. 

One of my friends saw it during the week and she was unsure about whether she enjoyed it or not- I think she was comparing it too much to the original Disney film. She liked some aspects of it, but disliked others. I guess it's a personal preference thing but I'd still like to form my own opinion on it. 

Anyway, I decided to put up this image from the original Disney film, featuring Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian. This is one of Ravensburger's Brilliant Series puzzles, where you also get a little packet of diamontes in the box to decorate the finished puzzle. I obviously didn't go that far- they are still in the packet they came in- but I made sure to complete the actual puzzle. 

At 500 pieces, this was a nice and relatively quick one to do, that satisfied my nostalgia/Disney craving at the time. The quality was as expected, but the colours seemed brighter in real life than what they appear in my photo. 

I'll let you know if I get around to seeing the new film, and what I think about it...

Radiate Positivity

Brand: Hinkler

Pieces: 500
Size: 61cm x 45.7cm

Product Code: -

Must I really say more?

As soon as I saw this image (and the other 2 in the collection) I knew I had to do it. I love these modern illustrations (and the messages that they impart). Happily, the quality of the colours, as well as the piece fit, were really good. 

Don't you love cheaply priced puzzles that still deliver on quality and style?! 

Home Sweet Home

Brand: Flow Workman

Pieces: 1000
Size: 67cm x 48cm
Product Code:  -

OK, the above house in the puzzle picture doesn't represent the way my home looks AT ALL, but as we in Victoria live through Lockdown 6.0, I thought that it might be appropriate (well at least the reference to home anyway).

Yes, you read that correctly. Lockdown 6.0.

I know that this one has hit more people harder than most- maybe because we only recently came out of 5.0 and things were seeming peachy. I'm not even really sure why this lockdown began. I didn't think there were any new major cases happening this time round but who knows? I just feel sorry for all the small businesses that are suffering because of it. 

Anyway I digress.... the above puzzle was quite interesting to do- I don't think I had done a Flow Workman puzzle before this one and I was pleasantly surprised at the velvety texture of the pieces and the tight fit. The colours were nice too. My only complaint was that some of the pieces had a sort of dusty residue on them, which was difficult to remove. This problem obviously comes from the manufacturing level, and hopefully it isn't the same across the board for all their puzzles. I quite like the range of unique designs that they have in stock and will likely get more as time goes on.

With all the lockdowns that have happened, I'm sure I'll have the time to tackle more!

Blame It On The Juice

Brand: Hardie Grant Books: A Piece Full Puzzle

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68.5cm x 48cm
Product Code:  -

Have you seen the Rocksaws jigsaw puzzles that feature the designs of album covers by the likes of Queen, AC/DC and other influential artists? 

There are so many of those available now, by that particular brand and by others that have copied them. I haven't yet done any (although I'm definitely interested), but I have done some other music-related puzzles, such as the one above. 

When I saw the above puzzle, designed by Georgia Perry, I was drawn towards the design, despite only having heard one of Lizzo's songs. The colours were vibrant and the illustration style stood out for me. It was actually quite a fun puzzle to do.

I might have to listen to some more of her music, and see why she was important enough to get an entire puzzle designed about her! 😂

I might also have to increase my puzzle to-do pile and get some of the music album cover ones! The only thing is, choosing which one! There are so many cool album covers and bands that are available, yet some of the designs look quite difficult to do (because of all the solid colours in the designs). I'll have to think about it...

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?

Narelle Wildman: Poppies

Brand: Blue Opal (The Art Collection)

Pieces: 1000
Size: 73cm x 48.6cm
Product Code:  BL00709

I was debating with myself about whether I would post this puzzle today or next week (because the title is Poppies and next weekend is ANZAC Day), but I decided to go ahead with it this week. The poppies above are not really symbolic of the ones we look at and commemorate for the occasion so I can probably get away with it! 

The main reason I wanted to post this is because it is an old puzzle that I dug out of my collection and decided to redo. 

In my last post I was talking about all the new puzzles I have purchased and how I'm starting to become overwhelmed by my addiction to buying new. But I have just as many old ones that have sat in my collection for years (even decades) that I might have to revisit before saying goodbye to them. 

The above puzzle is one of those. 

I remember taking up (what felt like) half of the kitchen table when I first did this at my husband's (then boyfriend's) house nearly 10 years ago. I didn't get a good photo when I finally completed it cos the room was quite dark and I had no way of moving the puzzle. Now, I'm a bit more organised and have more space so I decided to redo it and take a photo so I could finally sell it and say goodbye. 

I don't think Blue Opal makes this collection anymore so it was good to have and try it. The pieces fit together relatively well and the colours are vibrant, with shades that are quite similar (so it took a while to get some sections together). Overall, though, I'm happy with the puzzle and even though it will be sad to get rid of it, I can be happy in the knowledge that I completed it and someone else will get to enjoy it. 

How old is the oldest puzzle in your collection? How many times have you completed it? Will you ever get rid of it?