The Lord Of The Rings

Brand: Clementoni

Pieces: 1000
Size:  50cm x 70cm

Product Code: 39907

Well I'm back after a very busy and eventful weekend last week! 

I have decided to put up this puzzle because my brother and new sister-in-law are currently travelling through New Zealand on their honeymoon and they visited Hobbiton (the 'town' where the movie was filmed). 

This puzzle was challenging to do due to the similar sepia-toned colours. It is also not one I would ordinarily do, but a workmate lent it to me- it took him about 6 months to complete on and off and he wanted to see how fast I could do it! It took me about 7 days haha. Good lighting was essential to completing it but I got there in the end! I'm not sure where the puzzle is now- Gav didn't want it back and so the last I saw of it, it was sitting on a table in the lunchroom at work, waiting for a new owner...

Have you ever completed a puzzle at the request of someone else? Or do you only do the ones you want to do?

Cosy Jigsaws: Comfy Night In

Brand: Hinkler

Pieces: 500
Size:  50.8cm x 50.8cm

Product Code: -

We're back from our Bali holiday, and although I didn't come across any puzzles or puzzle shops, I did have a pretty awesome time away! It would have been lovely to bring one along and do it during the lazy days, but unfortunately puzzling can be a little difficult to do on the go, so instead I had to settle for reading and crossword puzzle books. 

I have had a few days at home to 'recover' from my holiday (and pick up a gross cold in the meantime), but that means I've also been able to hit the table and do some more puzzles too. 

These days off have also given me the chance to prepare for the upcoming Melton Puzzle Sale that will be held tomorrow (Sunday 13/9). I have to take a few more photos of my puzzles before I break them up but hopefully I'll be able to sell a few...

Right, I better get cracking, but in the meantime, here is a pic of a puzzle I completed recently. I picked up this cutie at Spotlight, along with another featuring food trucks. The colouring books from this series are so popular that as soon as I saw that they have also released a couple of puzzles, I had to get them. 

Have you got the colouring books or puzzles from this series in your collection?

Moana

Brand: Ceaco

Pieces: 500
Size:  51cm Diameter

Product Code: -

To celebrate the new release of the Moana live action film (which I have not yet seen) I thought I'd put up this round puzzle that I once completed. I am a big fan of Moana and enjoy doing puzzles of the film when I see them.

This one was different in that it was one of the first round puzzles I ever did. I loved the simplicity of the image and the different aspects involved in putting a puzzle together that was slightly different from the norm. I had to import this one from America, as it was not readily available in Australia - I wish there was a dedicated Ceaco supplier here!

Have you done many shaped/round puzzles? What do you think of them?

Disney Stitch

Brand: Arrow Puzzles

Pieces: 500
Size:  52cm x 38cm

Product Code: -

Yesterday (26th June) was a fan-based day that commemorates Disney's Stitch (Experiment 626) from the film Lilo & Stitch. So what better way to showcase this than by putting up a puzzle of the popular little alien. For once I have a puzzle done that relates to the theme!

The above puzzle was untitled on the box but it was still an enjoyable little one to do. The quality was adequate for the price, and the design was appealing. 

Are you a fan of the Lilo & Stitch franchise? Have you done any puzzles of them?

Shrek Family

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 500
Size:  35cm x 48cm

Product Code: 62395

Do you enjoy watching films? How about films that have had multiple sequels? Are they needed? 

The reason I ask is because I recently found out that a trailer has been released for Shrek 5! Five! Everyone I know who has seen it is disappointed with the animation, saying that it's nowhere near the quality of the original.

Not only that, but Toy Story 5 is about to be released and the promo for the film is going absolutely crazy- there are so many toys and bits of merchandise being released because of it. Are these sequels really needed? Aren't their stories done? Can't the companies behind them put some energy into creating completely new stories with new characters and narratives?

I have decided to put up this puzzle from Aquarius featuring some of Shrek's beloved characters. This puzzle took longer to do than I anticipated. I had hoped it would be a quick and easy one but the green turned out to be more challenging than expected. I was happy with the completed image though. 

Frozen 2: Destiny Awaits

Brand: Crown

Pieces: 300
Size:  61cm x 45.8cm

Product Code: -

I currently have my four-year-old daughter sitting on my lap and so today I have decided (through her input) to put up this puzzle from the film Frozen 2. She is a huge fan of Elsa and when we play games, I am usually Anna. 

This puzzle was quite easy and quick to do. I usually sell on most of my puzzles after I have completed them but I think I might hold onto this one for her to do in the future (cos she is also quite an avid little puzzler, and I'm sure she'll be able to smash this one out herself soon before long).

Have you ever been inspired to do puzzle designs simply because of the people you are with at the time? I'm pretty sure I would have done this one anyway without having a kid in the house, but she still has some influence...

Disney Princess

Brand: Crown

Pieces: 1000
Size:  69cm x 50cm

Product Code: 20415

I participated in a speed puzzling competition last Saturday, and although it was a fun experience, it was such a tough puzzle! This was the first puzzling comp in Geelong, so it was good to try it out in a place close to home for once. The puzzle was from Ravensburger and was titled Retro Mickey. Of the 13 people competing, only 3 finished it in the 2-hour time limit (I was not one of them haha)

This is the second Disney one I have done in a row for competitions - maybe I need to do some more Disney ones to practice?! I definitely have enough to choose from, and from a variety of brands. That's why I have decided to put up a Disney one today, featuring so many of the popular princesses. 

The above puzzle was fun to do, with the main challenge being the rose border on the edges. Regardless, I enjoyed doing it, the design was cute and the price was affordable (as is usually the case with this brand).

Have you competed in a puzzling competition recently? How did you go?

Gremlins VHS

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 300
Size:  25cm x 36cm

Product Code: VHS-015

Another filler post today - I'm heading to Melbourne for an overnight stay today because my husband is competing in the Melbourne Half Marathon early tomorrow morning (it was going to be the Marathon but he's downgraded to Half because of injury - go figure lol). Because of this, and because I'm trying to get my Geelong Show entries complete, it means that no puzzling is happening in the coming few days. 

This is unfortunate cos I have a local puzzle comp coming up next Saturday and it leaves me much less time to practice, but there's not much I can do with these time restraints. Oh well...

Anyway, I have decided to put up the above puzzle as my filler for today. I thought it would be fitting with the Halloween season approaching, even though I haven't actually seen the film.

This puzzle took a little bit of time to complete despite the piece count- this was due to all the white spaces, but the pieces fit together well so it wasn't too much of a hassle compared to what it could have been. 

I have quite a collection of 'movie poster' style posters, in a wide range of brands, and while some have been easier to complete than others, most have been a joy to do. 

Have you got or done many puzzles with this theme?

Disney Frozen: Always Close To The Heart

Brand: Arrow Puzzles

Pieces: 500
Size:  52cm x 38cm

Product Code: -

Once again this is going to be a quick post cos time is not my friend this weekend!

In a few hours we will be travelling to Sydney for a whirlwind weekend - my husband is competing in the Sydney Marathon on Sunday and we will be attending my niece's 4th birthday party in literally a few hours time! But first we have to get to her house from the airport - travelling through the suburbs of Sydney (wish us luck)! 

So it's gonna be rush, rush, rush!

My niece loves Frozen, has a dog named Sven and is having an Elsa-themed birthday party, so what better puzzle to put up than the one above? This one is just a cheaper brand puzzle that you can purchase at Kmart but it was still fun to do.

Sorry, I can't write more about it, but time is of the essence and I still have so much to organise before we leave.

Have a great weekend and keep puzzling!