Lost Places: The Mad House (The Asylum)

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 170982

Yesterday was Halloween and I thought the above puzzle would be appropriate for the occasion.

Part of the Lost Places series by Ravensburger, this haunting image is part of a collection of photographic designs that feature lost and abandoned places. The above image features a Mad House setting- wouldn't want to be alone in that place! haha it definitely gives off creepy vibes. 

This is just another short post cos I'm in recovery mode after a horror-themed wedding celebration last night.

Hope you have a great weekend and happy puzzling!

Stargazing: Celestial Camp Out

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 750
Size:  61cm x 46cm

Product Code: 17504

I'm a bit short on time this morning so this is just going to be a quick post. I usually tend to do 1000 piece puzzles with the occasional 500 piece one mixed in (especially when I'm preparing for a competition). Very rarely, I do larger count ones like 1500 or 2000 pieces (but that's more because of space restrictions). 

And then every now and then, you get unusual counts like the one above - 750!

This puzzle design called to me, and the piece count was in no way a deterrent. It was actually interesting to do a puzzle which was between the usual piece counts that I usually do. It ended up being an okay size dimension-wise too, so that was a bonus. Have you got many 750 piece puzzles in your collection? Do you enjoy doing them?

The Lion King

Brand: Ceaco

Pieces: 500
Size: 46cm x 36cm

Product Code: -

This puzzle came in one of the Thomas Kinkade 4-in-One Disney boxes (Season 1 if I remember correctly), and I absolutely love this design. 

All of his paintings are just magical- he manages to capture each iconic scene perfectly. 

I know some people are not fans of his puzzles due to the paintbrush strokes sometimes making completion of the puzzle difficult, but I think this adds to the charm (and really it's not that difficult to put them together!)

This one was very quick to do and brought on all the nostalgic feels! It's also fitting because the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has just announced a show where they will be playing the score to the film in concert next year- tickets have already been booked lol

What A View

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 300
Size: 46cm x 46cm

Product Code: 2841

Happy New Year!

This would have been the ideal time to put up a puzzle featuring fireworks or some sort of celebration of the coming new year, but once again, I have forgotten to prepare ahead in my puzzle-making and therefore have no images of the sort!

Instead, I have found this image, which is reminiscent of the camping trips we have taken with friends over previous years. Sure, we have not had any scenes remotely like this one appear through our tent doors (I don't know if Australia even has any spots like this) but the camping spirit is there. 

This puzzle was from Buffalo and I was blown away by how pretty the scene was. Even though I'm not a huge fan of camping, I still wouldn't mind waking up to a view like this. 

What are your plans for celebrating the start of the New Year? We left it to the last minute this time round so we will be 'camping' at a friends place. Will you be getting dressed up? Hitting the town? Seeing the fireworks?

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you enjoy a safe and fun night and have a prosperous coming new year!

See you next year with a hopefully updated puzzle catalogue!

xo

Deck The Halls

Brand: Waddington's Of London (Winning Moves)

Pieces: 1000
Size: 66.5cm x 50cm

Product Code:  WM00507-EN1

The second of this year's Christmas puzzles is by Waddington's Of London, who have released this puzzle in Australia through the brand Winning Moves. Deck The Halls is a wonderful nostalgic scene of a Christmas gathering, with the kids helping mum to decorate the tree and the dog begging for Christmas treats from dad. 

This is such a classic scene that I couldn't help but order it when I saw it. The design is vibrant and features gold foil on the Christmas tree- giving it that extra sparkle (unfortunately it's not terribly visible in the photo). This puzzle also came with a certificate of authenticity and a collectable golden coin for people who have collected the series over the years. 

This was a great and busy puzzle to do and I might look out for more like it in the future.

The Fantasy Bookshop

 

Brand: Ravensburger
Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code:  197996

I've always been a booklover and so when I first saw this puzzle design by Aimee Stewart, I knew I had to do it. It appealed so much- I wish I had access to a place like the one above! Or that I owned a place like the one above! 

But as I don't, I've had to settle for a puzzle image of it instead. 

This one was by Ravensburger and is full of little details that you don't really see until you're putting the pieces together, like the little mouse hiding on the shelf. 

I really enjoyed this busy little shop design and will continue to look out for more book-themed puzzles.

Patriotic Farm

Brand: Cardinal
Pieces: 500
Size: 35.56cm x 55.88cm
Product Code:  -

Now, I'm not American, but I understand that today is a very important day for Americans so I have decided to put this one up for them. 

Today is Independence Day, and while I would have preferred to put up a puzzle of the film cover (if such a puzzle exists) I have instead found this puzzle in my collection of a very patriotic-looking farm (hence the title). 

I enjoyed this little puzzle despite the enormous over-the-top flag on the barn- the pieces were small and well-made and the colours were vibrant. I know it vaguely suits the theme of 4th of July, but I'm not overly fond of patriotic gestures to country so I'm not really fussed about it otherwise. All I have to say is that it was small, fun, and relatively quick to do. 

I hope to have some time to do some new puzzles over the next few weeks so we'll see what's up next!

Disney Moments: Bambi (1942) (Collector's Edition)

Brand: Ravensburger
Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code: 196777

I did this puzzle quite a while ago but have decided to put it up today. My reason? Just because. 

Part of the Disney Moments puzzle collection by Ravensburger, this was a very cute puzzle to do, and one I quite enjoyed. I have purchased all the designs in this series and am currently trying to get the rest which were released later but are a little bit harder to come by. These more difficult ones include Aladdin and Lady And The Tramp- I'm going to persevere! They're just too awesome! 

I had grand plans to put up an Australian-themed puzzle today, as tomorrow is Australia Day. But that idea went out the window when I realised I hadn't planned for that, and therefore not completed a puzzle in time for it. This is  despite having many scenic designs in my collection. Oh well, next time!

Taj Mahal (Oriental Marocco)

Brand: Ravensburger
Pieces: 500
Size: 49cm x 36cm
Product Code:  145348

The Australian government has recently announced our federal elections will be happening on May 18, 2019, where we are to vote for the party that will represent Australia on the world stage. 

Similarly, elections are taking place in India- with the general election scheduled to take place in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. 

Now I'm not really a follower of politics and the like- I honestly couldn't care less unless it has a significant impact on my life and the ones I care about- but I thought I would take the opportunity to put up a picture of a puzzle that has links to India and the news! 

This puzzle was pretty quick to do, however I'm not sure if it's actually available anymore- it may be out of print because I haven't seen it for sale in a very long time. On the box, it was called Taj Mahal but online (at the time of purchase) I kept seeing it listed as Oriental Marocco (which is why I put that title in brackets next to it).

The quality was great, the colours were vibrant and the image (as you can see), is lovely. I'm not sure if I would ever want to visit India considering all the poverty, but I can't help but be enticed by the beauty of this world famous mausoleum. 

Colorful Houses, Burano, Venice Italy

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

I'm not sure if you've seen the extraordinary footage or photos of Venice at the moment, but if you haven't, it's well-worth checking out! 

I know that they're used to the occasional sinking of their city into the water, but the way they just accept that it's happening and adapt to suit the situation is so bizarre to me! 

I saw a video on Facebook last night of people in a restaurant just wading through at least 10cm of water- dressed in their ordinary outfits and with the addition of gumboots (or bootie-type things to cover their shoes). They didn't let a little bit of water sloshing on the floor stop them from living their lives! I guess Venezians are just used to it...

I have decided to put up a photo of a Venetian scene which I found in the Puzzlebug range. Although the puzzle was cheap to buy, the vibrant colours and attractive image were a drawcard. It was quite easy to do if you sorted the pieces by colour (for the buildings), and the pieces fit together adequately (as expected for the price). 

Beautiful City Architecture And Colors In Summer Season, Oslo, Norway

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

The Puzzlebug brand, while cheap, always has interesting designs, and this one is no exception. 

I like how they find images to represent various towns and cities, that you may not normally see in a jigsaw puzzle design. 

This one, featuring the Norwegian city of Oslo, is charming and picturesque- making you want to just pack your bags and visit!

The only fault I have with these puzzles (besides the fact that they sometimes don't join that well) is that they have such long and convoluted titles! Sure, that's not a terrible thing, but they do seem a bit too long-winded sometimes! Oh well, what can you do? 

Otherwise, they're not too bad for the price and at least there's plenty of variety in designs to choose from...

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Southern Iceland

Brand: Heye Puzzle
Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code: 29769

Today I thought I'd put up a scenic puzzle for a change- here is a lovely scene from Southern Iceland, brought to you in puzzle form from Heye Puzzles. Part of the Alexander Von Humboldt collection, this puzzle was given to me for Christmas from my brother-in-law. I think he expected me to take longer to do it than I actually did! Despite all the details in the rocks, sky, land and water, it only took me a few days (with large gaps of time in between) to complete. 

This image is absolutely stunning, and made me wish I could see it in person- if the photo looks this good, imagine how it would look in real life! The quality of the pieces was outstanding (as expected for Heye) and the colours are vibrant (as you can see from the photo taken).

Another top puzzle from this puzzle powerhouse!