Celebration

Brand: Yarn

Pieces: 1000
Size:  75cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

Well as promised from last week, here is my Aboriginal art puzzle that I have recently completed for NAIDOC (National Aboriginal And Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week. 

This design, created by Alkina Edwards, stood out to me with its vibrant colours, cool patterns and overall prettiness. While it wasn't released specifically for NAIDOC Week like some designs from the Yarn website were, it is still a pretty representation of art created by an Indigenous artist.

These puzzles were made of nice, thick quality cardboard that had a glossy finish, and also featured letters on the back for those who prefer a little hint to piece placement. I tend to just try and ignore that and do the puzzle as normal but I thought I'd mention it in case it's a little off-putting for some people and they're not aware of it- I certainly wasn't! 

Yarn has a few puzzles available on their website, all created by Indigenous artists, so if you're interested in this style of art, you should check it out.

House Of Colors

Brand: Enjoy 

Pieces: 1000
Size:  68cm x 48cm

Product Code: 2153

Isn't it such a good feeling when you see the release of a particular design you've been wanting for ages, and then it becomes available for purchase? That was the way I felt when I saw the above image. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to complete it, and luckily enough, I was able to purchase a copy before it completely sold out everywhere! 

Since then, I have seen numerous people searching for it online and asking in Facebook groups if anyone has it available to buy. I have just finished mine and plan on bringing it to the Melton Puzzle Sale that is happening tomorrow in Melton, Victoria (April 13, 2025). I will try and reach out to some of those people on Facebook, in the unlikely event that I don't sell it there, but I'm not liking their chances. I'd much prefer to sell it in person and not have to deal with shipping and the hassle of going to the post office. I'm pretty sure this will be one of the first puzzles snapped up, and with good reason too.

The quality was amazing and the colours are so beautiful. The image just pops and is such a pleasure to do. It was a little more challenging than I first anticipated but once I got into the flow of it and was able to sort it by colours, it was very enjoyable to do. 

Will you be attending the Melton Puzzle Sale tomorrow at The Golden Fleece? If so, I'll see you there!

Disney Princess Collage

Brand: Ceaco

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68cm x 48cm

Product Code: -

You may have noticed that this post has come out a little later than is the norm- I usually post on a Saturday morning but this weekend I was working and was unable to get it out until now- my first day off! So I've decided to put up a cute puzzle that I did a while ago that represents some of the characters I saw over the weekend! I was working at Melbourne Supanova and saw quite a few cosplay Disney princesses strolling around, hence the above image. 

I really enjoyed doing this puzzle- I'm not sure why but stained glass images really appeal to me. Not only do they look super cool but they also provide a bit more of a challenge. I'm one of those people that used to always do the border pieces first, but with ones like this, it's so much easier to get the bulk of the image completed first and then leave the border pieces for the end. 

The image design for this one was stunning and vibrant and I really enjoyed piecing it together. 

I'll be travelling again over the next few weekends, so my posting will once again be a little bit sporadic. Next weekend I will be attending a Friday wedding and we'll likely be staying the night in the town it's being held, so I probably won't be posting until the Sunday. And the weekend after will see me in Sydney for work once again (so that one may be a Monday afternoon affair (or I might just postpone it until the following weekend, depending on how I feel). 

Regardless, know that I will be looking forward to posting up some more puzzle images very very soon...

Until then, take care!

Women Of The World

Brand: Hinkler

Pieces: 500
Size: 61cm x 45.7cm

Product Code: -

Yesterday was International Women's Day, a day when women are celebrated for their contribution to society and all that jazz. Honestly, I don't know how I feel about the day- it feels a bit like a farce to me. I mean, I'm all for celebrating this sort of thing, but dedicating a day (when it should be celebrated every day) seems a bit strange to me.

Regardless, I have put up a puzzle today that features women, in keeping with the theme. This puzzle was just a cheap one to purchase but the overall quality wasn't too bad. The colours were vibrant, the image stood out to me (you know how I love a pretty illustration) and the fit was decent. 

On a different topic, how's the weather at your place? We're about to go through a long weekend heat-wave. It will be interesting to see how I go with the warm weather- hope you stay cool this weekend and I'll see you next week with something fresh!

Love Equals Love

Brand: Buffalo (Vivid Collection)

Pieces: 300
Size: 38cm x 54cm

Product Code: 22109

It's Pride time!

From the 17th of February until the 5th of March this year, Sydney will be hosting WorldPride, which celebrates Australia's brilliant and diverse LGBTQIA+ community. What better way to embrace this than to put up a puzzle that celebrates love! 

I found this puzzle on an American website when they were having a Buffalo sale and the vibrant colours and sentiment stood out to me. I absolutely loved the design, and even though it was a smaller piece count than I usually buy (300 pieces), I had to get it. I just love the illustration!

The pieces fit together perfectly, in the usual Buffalo style. It actually took me a little longer to do than I expected, thanks to the background, but once I had the main parts down, it came together quickly enough. 

This was a great little puzzle and I'm glad I purchased it. 

Barbie's 60th Anniversary

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500
Size: 49cm x 36cm

Product Code: 150199

Today is my baby girl's 2nd birthday, so I'm gonna keep this short and sweet so I can get everything organised before she wakes up. 

She has recently started to enjoy playing with my old childhood Barbie dolls, and now has a couple of her own too, so I thought this was a good choice for today's puzzle. 

I have recently purchased a few Barbie puzzles that have become available and love them for nostalgic reasons! This one celebrates the 60th anniversary of their creation (although I think it's a couple of years older now). It was relatively quick to do (working in colour blocks) and I love how vibrant the colours are.

Like I said, I have purchased a few Barbie puzzles lately and can't wait to get to them. I'm so glad they're becoming available again. I'm even more excited about the actual Barbie dolls and how they've changed so dramatically to include all skin and body types to make them more inclusive for the kids playing with them!

OK, best be off now... birthday celebrations await!

The Witches Lair

Brand: Pennywinks

Pieces: 1000
Size: 75cm x 52cm

Product Code: -

Halloween is approaching, and what better puzzle to do than one that incorporates all the spooky fun of the day! 

I never used to be terribly interested in Halloween- I thought it was a very commercial and unnecessary day that we had adopted from other countries. But over the last few months, I have been invited to a party and seen all the excitement surrounding it, and now I'm kind of in the mood! Haha! I'm actually looking forward to dressing up and seeing other people's costumes now, and I'm looking forward to the day when my daughter is old enough to want to get involved. My, how things change...

Anyway, this puzzle is the only one in the Pennywinks catalogue so far. They released it through their Amazon page and are Australian. There are more puzzles apparently in the pipeline. The quality was wonderful, the colours more vibrant than my photo shows and the pieces fit together perfectly. While it was a little on the expensive side to purchase- I bought it when they put it on sale- I will definitely be looking at whatever else they have to offer in the future.  

Travel Stamp Fun

Brand: Harlington

Pieces: 1000
Size: 69cm x 50cm

Product Code: -

Next up is a puzzle that I was lucky enough to win in an Instagram competition for Harlington Puzzles a little while back. 

I absolutely love this design and was so happy that this was the one they chose to send to me! 

It's so fitting at the moment, with so many people travelling around the world again. Since I won't be leaving my home for any adventures any time soon, it seemed like a good puzzle choice to pass the time away. The design is so vibrant and colourful and I love the selections for each of the location stamps!

On a side note, have you seen how many puzzle sales are on right now?! This is really an exercise of my self-control- I have waaayyyyy too many puzzles that I haven't yet done to consider buying any new ones, but there's just so many that I want to get! Aarrghh! The struggles of a collector! In fact, I think it's safe to say that at the moment, I'm more interested in buying puzzles than doing them- I'll have to change that attitude pretty soon if I want to have anywhere to store them without running out of space!

Are you as out of control in the buying stakes as I am?

Pattern 4

Brand: Cardinal
Pieces: 500
Size: 27.9cm x 35.6cm
Product Code:  -

I felt like putting up a colourful patchwork-style puzzle today. 

The colours in this puzzle were just so vibrant and I love the mandala-style artwork. 

I haven't got a lot of time to post today so you won't have to endure my rambling this time round- just enjoy the photo! Hopefully I'll have more time to write next week.

Until then...

Heads Up

 

Brand: Cardinal

Pieces: 500

Size: 27.9cm x 35.5cm
Product Code: -

I love hearing about random national days and weeks- when things a little out of the ordinary have their chance to be appreciated or celebrated. My Mother-in-law has a block calendar specifically for this, which was gifted to her (possibly for Christmas last year?) and which she has used to add a bit of excitement throughout the year. 

For example, on International Pretzel Day, she made some yummy pretzels and on National Eat Chocolate Day, you can guess what we did! Haha.. 

I'm not sure if they are all real recognised 'holidays' but one that I know of is, at least in Australia, National Bird Week. This year it runs from Monday 19 October to Sunday 25 October, so I've just gotten in there before it ends. I don't really know much about the Week (you might have to Google it cos I don't have time to do it for you right now) but I thought I'd put up this puzzle I did of some tropical birds a little while ago- a perfect way to commemorate the week! 

This puzzle was very good quality even though it was one of those really cheap $1 ones, and the pieces were tiny. The colours were vibrant though, and it kept my attention throughout. Love those kinds!

I wonder which interesting day/week event I can incorporate my puzzle photos into next week? 

Mermaid

Brand: Re-Marks
Pieces: 250
Size: 27.9cm x 35.6cm
Product Code:  -

I've always been fascinated by illustrated artworks, whether they be adaptations of familiar characters or something completely unique. That's why I enjoy doing puzzles like the one above. Although I don't know who the artist is for this puzzle (I have also done several other designs by the same illustrator), I really love the style. The colours are so vibrant and the people (or mermaid in this case) who are featured are just so pretty. 

This puzzle was one of the first I ever did from this brand and I really enjoyed it. The pieces fit well together and there was a great collection of designs available.I'm hoping to purchase and complete more over time, but it's all dependent on the exchange rate, as I've only ever seen this brand available in the USA. 

If you get the chance to try Re-Marks out, however, I highly recommend it!

Garden Boots And Tools

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

It's Autumn here at the moment and the weather is as unpredictable as ever! 

Yesterday was freezing cold and felt like winter, while only a few days ago (around the Easter public holidays) we had such beautiful sunny and warm weather! 

I basically chose to post this puzzle because I felt like the bright vibes of spring were evident in the design and I needed to see that to rid myself of the negative feelings this weather is bringing. It's not that I hate the cold - I actually prefer it- but only when it's winter!

This puzzle was very easy to do, and as I mentioned earlier, is vibrant and bright which instantly made it stand out to me.

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 

Sound Of Soul Strings

Brand: SunsOut
Pieces: 500
Size: 45.72cm x 60.96cm
Product Code:  39366

I have a wide taste in music, which ranges in scope from Disney songs and Broadway show tunes to punk rock and heavy metal tracks. 

I'm willing to listen to anything, and appreciate most music. 

If you have a listen to my iPod, in fact, you would find such an eclectic variation, you wouldn't believe that all the music on it belongs to just one person. You might hear Muse playing at first, then Slipknot, then the Captain Planet theme song, then Celine Dion! Who knows what will play after you press 'shuffle'!

Because of this diverse appreciation for music, it means that I have seen many fantastic bands/artists and have many more that I wish to see throughout the coming years (provided they come to tour Australia). 
As it is, I have just bought tickets to see Robbie Williams when he comes to Australia next year, will be seeing Muse in December, and hope to buy tickets to see The Foo Fighters and Pink when they are released. A couple of weeks ago I saw Stone Sour- an awesome show- and I'd love to see Metallica again if they plan another tour soon. 

The puzzle I have posted today is musically-themed, although, once again, it is a different kind of genre to all of the popular music-type artists I have mentioned above. Focusing more on a classical aspect, this puzzle by SunsOut features a string instrument (I'm unable to decide whether it's a cello or a violin) and a keyboard on a vibrant background. Musical notes float around the almost tribal design, making the images stand out. The pieces in this puzzle are made from a thick recycled cardboard (of high quality), and come in a variety of strange and unusual shapes, as is the norm for this brand. 

This was a relatively easy puzzle to do, when working in sections of colour and pattern, and is perfect for any lover of music.