Vintage Dress Making

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 169283

If you've been following this account over the years, you would know that besides jigsaw puzzling, I'm an avid crafter and usually enter my cross stitch and embroidery into the town's local annual show. Because of this, I also enjoy doing puzzles that feature elements of my different passions, and so the above one was no exception.

While I have not attempted dressmaking (as yet) I loved the design of the above Ravensburger puzzle. 

The vibrant colours, busy design and pretty little details made the above puzzle a joy to do. 

Do you have other hobbies besides doing jigsaw puzzles? Do you try and find puzzles that feature cross-over designs with this hobby?

Tools For Creative Success

Brand: Galison

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68.58cm x 50.8cm

Product Code: -

I have to admit, I'm a huge stationery fan. Just the act of going into a store (even if it's just Officeworks) and seeing/ buying all the crisp new notebooks, colourful pens and fresh art supplies gets me excited. Haha so lame but true.

That's why I can't help but be attracted to puzzle designs such as the one above. I love designs like this normally, but to see them with a stationery theme makes them all the more enticing. 

The above puzzle was a pleasure to do- the colour palette is a gorgeous mix of pastels and brights, and the pieces fit snugly together. Even the layout of the illustrations is pleasing to the eye. 

Do you have a particular theme that draws your attention and makes you want to buy it?

Needles And Such

Brand: MB Puzzle 

Pieces: 1000
Size: 50.8cm x 68.58cm
Product Code:  -

Yesterday (Friday 30 July) was World Embroidery Day so I thought it would be fitting to put up the above puzzle which features needles, thread and other embroidery materials! I have done a lot of embroidery over the years (mostly cross stitch though) and I love the fact that there is a day dedicated to commemorating such a fun and beautiful craft.

The above puzzle (with artwork by Angela Anderson) was a bit more challenging to do than I previously expected, probably because of the repeating motifs throughout the design, but I really enjoyed it regardless. The colours were vibrant and the design was busy (but not too busy if you know what I mean). The quality of the pieces was good for a cheaper brand puzzle. 

What hobbies do you do that have been commemorated by a special day? Have you seen puzzles around that are representative of your hobby? 

Colorful School Supplies

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

If you haven't already realised it from reading my previous posts, I live in Australia, and over the last week, it has been 'Back To School' time for thousands of Aussie kids.

Our school grading system is slightly different to other countries'. We have both public and private schools, and the amount of students at each school can range from four or five in tiny rural communities to thousands in larger, city-based schools. Children usually begin prep at about four or five years of age (sometimes they might be six years old), and go through to Grade 6. This is Primary School. They then begin Year 7 at High School, which continues through to Year 12- the final year. Each state has a different name for the final years (in Victoria, where I live, it's the VCE), and of course not everyone continues through to Year 12. Some kids drop out, some take on apprenticeships, or some look at other types of study/work. There are also combined schools which teach years Prep-12, some schools which cater to just one gender, some that have strong religious ties, and some that might have an unusual curriculum. Some might even have a mixture of these factors!

Regardless, there is an education type to suit every student in Australia, and as of this week, the kids (and teachers) have said goodbye to holidays and hello to a new school year.
Many of my friends have children who have just started school for the first time, and the constant stream of 'first day' uniform photos on my Facebook feed has proved it!

That's why I decided to do a puzzle that has a decidedly back-to-school theme for this week's post. This puzzle design of bright and colourful stationery reminds me of how much I used to love buying new school supplies for the coming year. The design is fun, a little messy, but very much how it should be. This one was quick to do, by working in colour blocks, and is a nice reminder of school without being too focused on the educational side :)