Balloon Reflections

Brand: Puzzlebug

Pieces: 500
Size: 46cm x 28cm

Product Code: -

Hi all!

In keeping with what I planned on doing last week regarding puzzle posting in themes and by national days, boy have we got a lot of options for this week!

I'm going to have to make a proper list so that I can do the puzzles well in advance and have the photos ready to go when it's time. This weekend is Queen Elizabeth's platinum jubilee (and since Australia is still part of the Commonwealth, it's still relevant, although not as much as it once was). So I could have put up a puzzle I have of her, but unfortunately I haven't yet completed it. 

During the week it was National Reconciliation Week. I started doing an Aboriginal artwork designed puzzle but once again, didn't finish it in time for today's photo post. Maybe next week? 

It's also Pride Month so I have the option to put up a nice 'love is love' type puzzle within the next few weeks :)

We also had National Donut Day and National Cheese Day, but today I'm going with a day which is to be celebrated tomorrow (since it's the only one I am prepared for) and that is Hot Air Balloon Day! 

This was just a cheap Puzzlebug puzzle so the quality was passable but I liked the imagery so why not? 

I'm really going to need to make that list and work from it soon!

Pokemon Pokedex: Pocket Monsters No. 001- No. 151

Brand: Ensky
Pieces: 1000
Size: 51cm x 73.5cm
Product Code:  1000T-31

I've always been a fan of the original (first series) of Pokemon. 
I, along with my brothers, collected the trading cards when we were in Primary School, and we had some of the games on the original Game Boy! How's that for a blast from the past?! 

Of course, as time went on, Pokemon became less popular- until Pokemon Go was released in 2016, that is! Suddenly it was back, and although I didn't jump onto the bandwagon, I still remembered my love for the little Japanese characters. 

When I saw this puzzle of the first series (the ones I knew by heart) I knew I had to get it for nostalgia sake. It was amazing how much I remembered about each Pokemon (including name, look, type, evolution, etc)!

This puzzle is from Japanese brand Ensky and the quality was perfect. I really enjoyed putting this one together and although the character's names were written in Japanese, I didn't mind in the slightest. 
After all, it's a Japanese puzzle, the character's are Japanese and why shouldn't they be represented in that way?! 

This is a great puzzle for fans, and I'm pretty sure that if you're interested, there's a puzzle that has the next 150 characters or so. I won't be getting it though, despite the fine quality- this was the one for me, I don't recognise many more of the characters! 

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 

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...

Colorful Boats On The Lake

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


How was your Christmas? I hope you had a fabulous day with your family and friends, and were able to fully enjoy the festivities!

Now, if you're a regular reader of this blog, you will know that this is not my usual posting day. I usually post up each Saturday morning (at the moment it's Friday night), but I'm going to be a bit out of the ordinary this week and put up my weekly post now. I'm heading off camping with friends for New Year's and we're leaving bright and early tomorrow morning. Hence, the reason I'm posting now- there's no way I can get up early enough to write something and still be ready in time to leave! And there is likely to be little by way of phone reception or internet access where we're going...

For my last puzzle post of the year, I have decided to put up a picture of Puzzlebug's Colorful Boats On The Lake. I was hoping to get a puzzle I have of fireworks done in time to celebrate the new year, but wasn't able to complete it in time. Maybe next year! 

I decided to put this one up because we're going to be near a lake (while camping) and it still has a summer- type of vibe for our southern-hemisphere new year celebrations.  

I hope you have a safe and happy new year and look forward to the adventures and puzzling that 2018 will bring!! 

Happy Holiday

Brand: Ravensburger
Pieces: 1500
Size: 80 x 60cm
Product Code:  163076

With the approach of the Christmas season comes yet another 'event' that many people look forward to- the start of the holidays! 

While some of us only get a few days off between Christmas and New Year, for many, it is just the rejuvenation that one needs to keep going until their allocated annual leave or holiday time. 

If you're lucky enough to have planned your holiday time for this period, then you can enjoy some blissful time away from the hectic struggles of the workplace (or school, if you're studying), and relax away your days. If not, then it is easy enough to enjoy the few days you have and look forward to a longer rest a little further in the future. 

Regardless of your situation, there's no doubt that any holiday is a good holiday, which is why I thought this puzzle- Happy Holiday- would be quite appropriate. The imagery in this puzzle brings to mind sunny beach holidays and relaxing ocean views (probably quite hard to imagine if you live in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year!), and evokes memories of salt, sun and sand. 

This puzzle, despite its size, was quite quick to do, especially when done in sections. You would think that some of the sections would be difficult (with like colours in many of the sand and sky images) but the varying shades made this less of a challenge than you'd expect.

The design is vibrant, fun and inspiring (especially if you're planning an upcoming beach holiday!)

I hope you enjoy your holidays- beachside or otherwise!