Underwater Wonders

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 100 XXL
Size:  49cm x 36cm

Product Code: 129720

We're starting to approach the end of the year and now a lot of puzzle-selling businesses are starting to offer sales on their stock in the lead-up to Christmas. Others, like Reverie Puzzles, are launching new collections.

If you're trying to be good and stop purchasing puzzles, this is an absolute nightmare! (But of the good kind, if there's such a thing)

Do you tempt fate and browse in case there's something you see that you want at a discounted price? Do you check out the new collection so that you can add to what you already own? Do you buy more, knowing that you don't even have the time or storage space required for any new additions? 

This is the dilemma I'm facing right now! 

If my husband knew that I was looking at sales and more puzzles, let's just say he wouldn't be too happy with me right now... Will have to keep it all on the down low..😐

Meanwhile, I have decided to put up the above puzzle today- because I am no longer the only one in my house who loves to put together jigsaw puzzles! My three-year-old daughter is now very much into the hobby and has tackled and completed this puzzle by herself, even though I originally thought it would be much too hard for her. She loves it! As do I, because the design is by Demelsa Haughton and who doesn't love her whimsical illustrations?!

I'm going to head off now, and try and talk myself out of looking at purchasing yet more puzzles! Have a great week! 

Wanderlust

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68cm x 50cm

Product Code: 12214

It seems like everyone is travelling or on holidays at the moment!

I have friends that are currently travelling Vietnam, Africa, Bali and Japan, and it's really making my travel bug come to the fore! But, even though I love to explore new places, sometimes I can't be bothered dealing with all the organisation involved in getting to that place. That's one of the reasons that I enjoy doing puzzles that focus on travel so much.

The above puzzle is from Buffalo, and it's one that I had been wanting to get for a long time, simply because of the colourful, pretty illustration. This puzzle was a pleasure to do, and I was able to complete it quite quickly by working in colour blocks. As I already mentioned, the design is so pretty, and I love that it covers a variety of different travel experiences. This is part of the Vivid Collection, and I'm keen to see if there are any more that might also interest me.

Tropical Paradise

 

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500

Size: 36cm x 49cm
Product Code:  141876

This is an oldie but a goodie, and one that I had to dig out of my childhood puzzle collection. I have done this puzzle countless times over the years and it always guarantees a nostalgia hit. I put this one up today because I needed to remind myself of better times, when we were able to travel to places just like this one and enjoy beautiful sunshine and tropical climates. 

I don't really have much more to say than.

I hope you enjoy looking at this puzzle as much I enjoyed putting it together.

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?

Underwater Sanctuary

Brand: Cardinal
Pieces: 500
Size: 35.5cm x 27.9cm
Product Code:  -

I've always loved images of dolphins, whales and other exotic and colourful marine life. 

There is just something so tranquil about these designs, with their aquamarine water- it almost feels as though you are part of this underwater landscape, frolicking with the creatures as they swim among the brightly coloured coral. Although I know that scenes like this one are fanciful and the reality is much different, I still enjoy doing puzzles like this one every now and then.

This Cardinal puzzle had very small pieces but they fit together really well to produce this well-designed image. The vibrant colours and busy scenery made it interesting to complete- there was always something different to look at as you put the pieces together. 

I've really grown to enjoy doing puzzles from this brand- they have a wide range of designs and the quality is usually really good. 

Clifton Springs, Victoria, Australia

Brand: Schmidt
Pieces: 136
Size: 32.5cm x 13.5cm
Product Code: 59367

I just thought I'd quickly shoot this one off before I get ready for a quick interstate travel today! 

The above image is of a scene very close to my heart (both figuratively and literally)- this is the old Clifton Springs pier, which is seriously just a short walk away from my home! 

I decided to put this one up today to remind myself that even though it is run-down and falling apart, it is also a source of beauty for many photographers and locals (including the fish that swim and feed around the area!)- This is especially so at sunrise and sunset, as you can see in the design.

I was so surprised when I saw this puzzle available for purchase- usually photographic puzzles feature landmarks that are known and familiar to all, not random little suburban bays. That's why I had to purchase this one straight away as soon as I saw it.

A lovely and creative reminder of home :)

Mermaid

Brand: Buzzed Puzzles
Pieces: 504
Size: 16" x 20"
Product Code: -

Several weeks ago, I was exploring through some puzzle images on Instagram, when I came across a new brand called Buzzed Puzzles. They wanted to bring to the market adult-themed 18+ puzzles that were 'not your grandmother's puzzles!' and were doing a Kickstarter campaign to get their idea firmly off the ground.

Intrigued, and always interested in new designs, I decided to contact them when they held a little competition, and luckily for me, I was able to choose a design to be sent to me! Of the three options, I chose the above design (although they were all enticing) and I have now put it up for your interest.

This was such a cool puzzle!

First of all, I thought the design was terrific, and a little out of the ordinary (which suited me perfectly- sometimes you need something a little bit different to break it up). The colours of the puzzle were vibrant and the pieces were well cut. But one of the best parts? No puzzle dust! Yes, that annoying problem was non-existent with this brand, which instantly gave them brownie points from me! 

Furthermore, Stephanie (one of the founders of the brand) was brilliant with her follow-up, ensuring that I had received the puzzle safely, as it travelled all the way to me in Australia from California, USA! 

I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Buzzed Puzzles in the future, and would love to support them when they launch their Kickstarter campaign in February 2019. In the meantime, check out their website buzzedpuzzles.com - you won't be disapppointed 

Popeye Village, Malta

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

When it's bleak and cold in your home country (winter!) you sometimes need a little sunny-side-pick-me-up. Besides going on a holiday, one way to do this is to do a puzzle with a lovely sunny image that immediately transports you to a warmer climate- hence my puzzle this week of Popeye Village in Malta.

While it doesn't appear to be a tropical location, the beautiful colours of the water and the bright red tiles of the buildings certainly make a difference when considering the dismal weather and overall greyness of life where I live at the moment! 

This puzzle was a little bit challenging to do when it came to working the background mountains and some parts of the ocean, but that only made it more interesting. There were plenty of colour shades to keep the design fresh and prevent boredom. 

I'd never heard of Popeye Village before, but apparently it's where they filmed the musical production of Popeye, and due to its popularity, they changed the village's former name to reflect that. 

I definitely wouldn't mind visiting it!

Reef Adventure

Brand: Puzzlebug
Pieces: 500
Size: 46cm x 28cm
Product Code:  -

It's hard to believe that around this time last year, rather than being in cold, rainy weather, I was travelling around Fiji and Vanuatu for my wedding and honeymoon. 

The weather there was absolutely beautiful, the places we visited were amazing and the people we met were lovely. I had my first experience learning to Scuba Dive (granted, it was only in a hotel swimming pool, but at least I was able to learn the basics) and we got to snorkel some beautiful reefs, particularly near the amazing 'floating bar' Cloud 9, which was an experience in itself. 

To reminisce, I thought I would post up this photo of a puzzle I did recently. Although we weren't lucky enough to see any sea turtles, we did get to see some incredibly bright and beautiful tropical fish in their natural environment. This puzzle brought back memories of warm water, pretty coral and the aforementioned brightly-coloured fish. It was pretty quick to do, when working in colour blocks, and the design was (and is) fun and busy.

Perfect for brightening up a dull-weathered day and bringing back lovely memories, I reckon!