French Fries

Brand: Typo

Pieces: 200
Size:  30cm x 30cm

Product Code: -

On Tuesday (14th July) it will be Bastille Day - France's national celebration day.

I thought I'd get in slightly earlier and put up a French-themed puzzle to mark the occasion. I've done so many puzzles that fit this theme over the years but surprisingly (or maybe not so surprising when you consider that it's me) I was unable to find as many as I would have liked. So I've put this one up instead. 

Fits the theme, is a bit quirky and was a quick and fun one to do. Do you celebrate the national days of different countries? Is it because you have the family background? Or just because any excuse for a celebration is a good excuse? Let me know what you think!

Cheese Cake

Brand: Typo

Pieces: 200
Size:  30cm x 30cm

Product Code: -

My birthday has always been around the Mother's Day weekend. Last year it was actually on the day (which was verrrryyy busy) but today it is the day after, so it won't be quite as full on. Because of this, I have decided to put up the only 'cake' puzzle I could find in my photo collection.

This puzzle was part of a set released from Typo (from the Cotton On brand) that featured a play on words for a few different things - including the above 'cheese cake'. The quality wasn't really the best, as expected from this brand - a lot of false fits - but the imagery was still cool and appealing so I couldn't help but buy and complete them. 

Luckily my birthday usually yields much better options when it comes to jigsaw puzzles - if my people buy me some, that is!

New York City Life

Brand: Eeboo

Pieces: 1000
Size:  58.4cm x 58.4cm

Product Code: -

You may have noticed that this week's post is a day late... or maybe you didn't... 

Either way, I apologise for the delay in getting my post to you. 

I ended up working yesterday morning (unusual for me on a weekend nowadays) and so I was unable to get anything up before I had to leave home and clock on for work. 

I was helping to set up our stall for the Melbourne Toy Fair, and even though I was busy most of the time, I did get to have a sneaky look at a few stalls as I passed by them. I'm hoping that when I'm back there working on Wednesday, I might be able to have a proper look, and perhaps even make some puzzle purchases from stalls if they'll allow it.

In the meantime, I'm going to put up this puzzle that I completed a little while ago.

I thought it was somewhat relevant because some of the people I work with just came back from the New York Toy Fair, and over the last two days I have been helping to set up for the Melbourne one (no comparison in size or excitement though!). 

The puzzle was typical of Eeboo, with a detailed and well laid-out design, vibrant colours and good quality pieces. As always, no complaints except for maybe the glossiness of the pieces but that's not really anything to worry about unless you're trying to take a decent photograph of the finished design. 

Hopefully I'll be back on schedule next week, but until then, happy puzzling!

Wonderland

Brand: Magnolia

Pieces: 1023
Size:  60cm x 60cm

Product Code: 3013

Today's puzzle delves into the strange and unusual world of Wonderland, with various characters and scenes from the Lewis Carroll story depicted in this older Magnolia design. 

I'm not sure why, but I seem to have accumulated a few puzzles with an Alice In Wonderland theme, and this puzzle is one of them. It was a pleasure to do, and was a little challenging with the backgrounds behind each of the illustrations. 

Is there a literary theme that you have followed in your puzzling adventures, like my Alice one? I'd love to hear what it is!

Stranger Things Gang

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 300
Size:  46cm x 46cm

Product Code: 22702

My plans for a Christmas-themed puzzle December have unfortunately already come to an end!

Although I know I have plenty of puzzles of this style, I haven't had the chance to do any or take photos of them yet for this blog, and so that little idea comes to a complete full stop. 

Instead, I have put up a puzzle I purchased some time ago of the gang from the Netflix hit show Stranger Things (don't ask me what season, they've all blurred together since I last watched it and I'll have to watch a serious recap before starting the latest and final season).

I thought this puzzle was a cute and fun one to do, and is a passable alternative to Christmas puzzles considering the show is back on our screens for the last time.

Have you got a show that you enjoy watching that has been immortalised in puzzle form?

Liberty - Christmas Tree Of Life (Foil)

Brand: Galison

Pieces: 500
Size:  51cm x 51cm

Product Code: -

So I had the AJPA Nationals last week, and although I didn't get through to the finals, I did manage to finish my puzzle in the allotted time...just! We had 2 hours to complete the puzzle and I finished in 1:58:40 - with 1 minute and 20 seconds to spare! Phew! Haha, what a relief!

Anyway back to the usual blog fare... because we are now in December I thought I'd put up a Christmas-themed puzzle from Galison. This one has foil accents but they're hard to see in the photo. In real life, there are nice golden parts scattered throughout the design. This puzzle was very busy and a little more challenging than I expected but still fun to do. Have you got some Christmas designs in your to-do pile?

Hot Dog

Brand: Typo

Pieces: 200
Size:  30cm x 30cm

Product Code: -

Today is AFL Grand Final Day and it's a match between the Geelong Cats (my home team) and the Brisbane Lions. 

I was scouring my puzzle photos, trying to find something that would be relevant to the day but unfortunately couldn't find anything that would be a good representation. So instead, we're going with a lunch snack (sort of?) that might be associated with a footy game - a hot dog!

This puzzle was from a range that Typo put out which made a play on different food names. Generally I try to avoid buying puzzles from this brand - although they have some awesome designs, they are renowned for being poor quality. Their pieces are usually all cut the same, which means a lot of false fits and sometimes the print job can be blurry. I have done a couple but they have not been the best ones to do, and I've seen reviews on social media from a lot of people who absolutely refuse to purchase them. 

That said, this puzzle wasn't as bad as some of them and I do still like the image. It's just a matter of 'buy at your own risk' when purchasing from them. They might need to stick solely to what they're best at, which is quirky homewares and stationery...

Happy Plants

Brand: Mudpuppy

Pieces: 500
Size:  51cm x 51cm

Product Code: -

This weekend is a long weekend! Woohoo! 

Despite all the controversy and drama of the last few years regarding Australia Day and it's place in the Australian calendar, the public holiday is still continuing. 

I had plans to put up an Aboriginal art puzzle, but then I realised that I still haven't had the chance to do the ones that I bought from Yarn, and so I've put up this cute plants one instead. 

When I saw the above image I loved the kawaii style of the illustrations. It was pretty quick to do, although the white background and borders definitely had to be done towards the end. 

I love plants and flowers but unfortunately I tend to kill most of the ones I have growing so fake plants and images (like the above puzzle) are the way to go for me!

Alchemist's Library

Brand: Eeboo

Pieces: 1000
Size:  58.4cm x 58.4cm

Product Code: PZTAHL

Today I felt like putting up a puzzle that was both busy yet calm (if that makes sense)!

This puzzle fits the bill perfectly. 

The entire design is busy- there is so much to see in the image! Lots of little trinkets on then shelves, a little girl exploring the night sky through a telescope, an alchemist taking notes and adornments on the walls. But the colours also make it seem soothing, like a cosy little nook that would have a calming effect on whoever is working in there. I love this illustration and was drawn to it as soon as I saw it. The puzzle pieces were also of high quality, as is usual with the Eeboo brand. 

There are several puzzles in the 'Alchemist' series and I look forward to working my way through them all at some point.

The Seven Dwarfs

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size: 50cm x 50cm

Product Code: 152025

I'm back again! After two hectic weeks, I am finally able to spend a weekend at home and try and relax with a puzzle or two. 

Even better, lately my 3-year-old daughter has become engrossed in completing jigsaw puzzles of her own, and so we have spent so much time smashing out the puzzles she has in her collection. Future puzzle partner in the works? Hopefully! 

Today's puzzle was chosen by her, in fact, from my library of completed puzzle photos. 

This one, as I'm sure you're aware, is part of a collection of puzzles that has been very difficult for many to complete. I was lucky enough to get hold of the whole series when it first came out and have since sold all my copies. I know that some people are still missing one or two of the dwarves (in particular Dopey, who was the hardest to find) but I was lucky enough not to have that problem. I have gradually been putting up the photos from this collection and have probably got most of them up by now! (although I haven't looked through to confirm)

I'm not sure which puzzle I'm going to put up next. Maybe I'll leave it in my daughter's hands again! 

Until then...

House Of Astrology

Brand: Galison

Pieces: 500
Size: 50.8cm x 50.8cm

Product Code: -

Anyone who has followed this blog or my Instagram page will know that I am often drawn to particular designs. I love Disney and popculture images, as well as illustrated designs that use bold and bright colours. Sure, I like many other styles too, but these are my predominant go-tos. 

The above puzzle, by Galison, ticks the boxes for illustrated puzzles, as well as my fascination with horoscopes and astrology. I'm the first to tell you that I'm a practical person, and don't believe in the 'properties, spirituality, etc' associated with horoscopes, starsigns, crystals and all that jazz, but I still find it all fascinating. The above puzzle was equally fascinating, and a pleasure to do. It even featured gold foil on the pieces which added an extra sparkle to the design. The pieces fit together well too, which is always a bonus. 

Have you done any of the gold foiled puzzle before? They seem to becoming more readily available and I find them so pretty...Let me know your thoughts.. Until next time...

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. 

Kingdom Of Happy Joy

Brand: Fred

Pieces: 500
Size: 50.8cm x 50.8cm

Product Code: 5289347

Happy Easter for tomorrow!

As my usual MO, I have once again neglected to find a puzzle that perfectly fits the theme for the week. I'm pretty sure that last year (and probably years previous) I have said that I will have an Easter-themed puzzle ready in time for the following year- whether it be one that features eggs, bunnies, chocolate or any other such thing. Alas, it is not to be (again). 

I did, however, manage to complete this one, which is cute and features a bunny (but is not really related to Easter). The title is even Kingdom of Happy Joy which I feel is slightly appropriate when considering feelings around Easter and how you feel as you're eating chocolate (but I also admit that's kind of a stretch). 

Even though I have a few Fred branded puzzles, this was the first one I had completed, and I wasn't disappointed. The fit was wonderful and the colours are a lot more vibrant than my photo suggests. I also liked that the image was different to other brands- a little bit unusual, cute, nostalgic and whimsy. 

I hope you have an excellent and safe Easter and look forward to seeing you again next week with a fresh puzzle pic!