Squishmallows Squish Squad

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size:  70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 175536

Have you ever looked at a particular puzzle design, and thought, 'boy that's cute', but then put it back because you thought it might be too difficult to do? 

I have to admit, I had my reservations about the above puzzle, thinking exactly that when I saw it. But I'm glad I persevered and purchased it in the end, because once I got into it, this puzzle was quite enjoyable.

I love Squishmallows, and my daughter has quite a few of them at home, so I thought the above puzzle would be a fun one to do. Even though it is full of repetition (similar to the style of those 'impossible' puzzles), I thought I'd give it a shot. It was quite easy to flow through when you sorted the colours and made up each of the characters. Then it was simply a case of piecing together each of the completed Squishmallows to complete the puzzle in it's entirety. 

Have you ever done a puzzle like the one above?

Memory Lane

Brand: Journey Of Something

Pieces: 500
Size:  55cm x 38.5cm

Product Code: -

This is just going to be a quick post today, because in less than two hours, I will be travelling to the airport for a weekend trip to Sydney! 

Because of that, I have decided to put up a simple yet interesting puzzle designed by Natalie Jeffcott for Journey Of Something. This puzzle was one of those ones that could be worked in stages because of the collage-style format of the design. Although I have to admit that I left the edges (and most of the white bits) until last to complete the puzzle!

It was a relatively quick and fun one to do and stands out for it's nostalgic toy factor.

Told you this one would be short and sweet. See you next week!

Retro Vibes

Brand: Gibsons

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68cm x 49cm

Product Code: G6609

Today I'm all about the Retro Vibes! I was really in need of a hit of nostalgia so I unearthed this puzzle that I completed a little while back, featuring my 90's childhood. 

This puzzle includes so much that I used to have in my life when I was younger, and when I first saw it, knew I had to have it in my collection. I also love the colour palette and style of the illustration. The pieces fit together well, and had an almost velvet feel to them. 

This puzzle brought back so many fond memories of toys, bands, fashion and ideals, and I'm so glad someone else had the same idea and was able to bring it to life through their artwork- and that Gibsons were kind enough to commission it and print it as a puzzle! 

Are there any puzzles you have bought/completed simply for the nostalgia hit it brought?

Barbie: Girl Power

Brand: Crown

Pieces: 300
Size: 61cm x 46cm

Product Code: 19691

I was in the mood for Barbies and nostalgia for today's post, so here it is!

In recent months, I have located quite a few Barbie-branded puzzles (although mostly from Ravensburger) to add to my collection. I just love the memories the images invoke, plus they're so pretty!

This one was just a cheap one from Aldi but still turned out to be okay quality for a quick puzzling fix. Sometimes you can get some little gems from shops like this! This puzzle had thinner cardboard pieces and the pieces were quite large but it still came out alright. 

Do you have a favourite childhood toy that you would love to see immortalised in puzzle form?

Vintage Barbie

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm

Product Code: 150212

Last week was Easter and sadly, I realised that although there was plenty of chocolate eggs in the house, I had no Easter-themed puzzles to put up. I didn't even have any of a rabbit in my collection! How sad. It got me to wondering, are there really that many puzzles around with an Easter theme? I am only aware of a few- they are nowhere near as prolific or popular as Christmas-themed puzzles... 

On Monday is ANZAC day, and I don't even have any puzzles to commemorate that! No poppies, no soldiers, nothing. I don't know if there is even any that exist! Oh well...

Today I have decided to put up a pretty Barbie puzzle- just because.

This one was from Ravensburger and I had to purchase it online from America because it's not available here in Australia. It was such a nostalgic and pretty puzzle that I had to have it! I also purchased a couple of other Barbie ones at the time- it was a Barbie order- but I haven't had the chance to complete them yet. 

I used to love Barbie when I was younger (being the only girl in the house, I had quite a few). I still love her, and love how she's now inclusive of all skin colours. I even saw one with more realistic proportions a few days ago- love them bigger thighs! Its great how they're trying to cater to more different looks nowadays. And about bloody time too! 

 

Enchanted Christmas

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size: 49cm x 36cm

Product Code:  168620

A case of insomnia has me up and posting this one a bit earlier on a Saturday morning than I would like. But I figured that since I was up, I may as well do it now...

This puzzle design is another by Demelsa Haughton- I absolutely love her work! She has such pretty and whimsical illustrations, and they come across as wonderful puzzle designs. 

This Christmas-themed puzzle is no exception. She puts lots of little details into her work, and sometimes you don't see them until you're piecing the puzzle together. The characters are all very cute and I am excited that I got to do yet another of her gorgeous creations. 

This is the last weekend before Christmas! Crazy how time flies. I'll have another (final) Christmas puzzle up next week and then we'll see what happens next in regards to design posts. What will the new year bring?!

Fashion Fabulous Barbie

Brand: Buffalo
Pieces: 1000
Size: 68cm x 50cm
Product Code:  11660

It was hard to decide which puzzle to put up today. 

I wanted it to be something fun and pretty- cos it's my birthday!! 

It's also quite possibly the last puzzle I will be putting up for a while because I am scheduled for surgery this coming Monday and I'm not sure how my recovery will go (or whether I will be able to do many of the things I ordinarily do). Hopefully that isn't the case but you never know!

So.... Pressure's on!

Here's the choice- Fashion Fabulous Barbie...

Reminiscing to my childhood days, Barbie was one of my favourites- maybe because she looked the complete opposite to me, and was so stylish and pretty. When I discovered this puzzle I just had to buy it- it's not often that you see a favourite childhood toy immortalised in a puzzle design for ADULTS! All the Barbie designs I have seen before this (and since) have been aimed at children, with extremely low piece counts. 

This Buffalo puzzle was a joy to do- the pieces fit snugly, the design is bright and busy and the imagery is wonderful. 

So I think it's fitting that this is my birthday and 'sayonara for now' puzzle.

Hopefully my recovery will be smooth and I'll be able to continue on with this blog (and my instagram). Just know that as soon as I am able, I will get back to it!

Cheers!