Cosmic Voyage

Brand: Crown & Andrews (The World's Most Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles)

Pieces: 1000
Size: 49cm x 68.5cm

Product Code: -

It's so frustrating that I have so many puzzles, but when I want to put up a particular themed image, I can't find it! 

Take this week for example. 

During the week it was May the 4th (Star Wars day). Do you think I could find an image today to put up? No! 

I know for a fact that I have several Star Wars puzzles in my to-do pile but I haven't completed any lately to post! It's also Mother's Day tomorrow but I couldn't find anything appropriate in my saved photos for the day. 

So instead I'm going with a vintage puzzle I did (and have owned since I was a child). The relevance? There isn't any really. I like the image and feel like putting it up. I went through a real dolphin faze when I was in school and this was a puzzle I adored doing at the time. The design is by Christian Riese Lassen. I'm not sure if you can still get designs by him?

Do you have a stack of puzzles you want to do but haven't gotten around to yet? I have literally hundreds and I keep finding more I want to get. This situation is getting out of hand haha. I need to start putting restrictions on myself, especially when stores put new puzzles on sale!

The Whitsundays, QLD

Brand: Ken Duncan Images Of Australia (Crown & Andrews) -The World's Most Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles
Pieces: 504
Size: 64cm x 24cm
Product Code: -

I wasn't sure which puzzle to put up this morning, so I decided on this tranquil scene of The Whitsundays in Queensland. I thought it would be a nice reminder that there is peace in the world (particularly following the news that Russia has declared war on Ukraine). 

This is a photo by Ken Duncan, a photographer whose puzzles I have featured quite a bit. I love his imagery of some of Australia's most beautiful landscapes. He is able to capture so much beauty through his lens- something pleasant to reflect on when times are dark. 

Despite all the different shades of blue, this puzzle was a pleasure to work, and I would love the opportunity to visit the place one day...

Kakadu Dreaming, NT

Brand: Ken Duncan Images Of Australia (Crown & Andrews)- The World's Most Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles
Pieces: 504
Size: 64cm x 24cm
Product Code:  -

Well it's Anzac Day today, and in typical 'me' form, I have no offerings featuring soldiers, poppies or anything that can especially be linked to this commemorative day for all of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have defended our countries. 

Honestly, I don't even know if such puzzles exist, but I have tried to redeem myself by putting up a picture of an Australian nature scene, created by an Australian photographer, Ken Duncan.

I have never been to Kakadu, or the Northern Territory for that matter, but I think this is a wonderful scene of the area, and something that the soldiers would have fought to defend in our amazing country. 

I have done many puzzles from this brand and all have been high quality with beautiful imagery (hence the sub-branding on the puzzles I guess!)

They really open up your eyes to another side of Australia- the more natural and idyllic side that most people don't often see. This is as close as I'm likely to get to this part of Australia at this point so I love that we can enjoy nature through the puzzle photography. 

Desert Oaks, Uluru, NT

Brand: Ken Duncan Images Of Australia (Crown & Andrews)- The World's Most Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles
Pieces: 504
Size: 64cm x 24cm
Product Code:  -

Happy Australia Day!

Today is January 26th, a national holiday where we celebrate the arrival of Britain's First Fleet on Australian shores in 1788. The day has been steeped in controversy over the last few years, with people wanting to change the date to one that is less 'offensive' to native Australians, some of whom call the day 'Invasion Day'. 

I'm really not fussed if the date is changed, as long as we still get to celebrate a public holiday!

To me, Australia Day is a chance to catch up with friends, have a BBQ and relax. It's a chance to celebrate the things that make Australia great. It's a chance to enjoy a day away from work and just chill out on a hot summer's day.

The puzzle above was the most Australian I could find in my collection- I haven't had the opportunity to do much puzzling lately so I had to use an image from my backlog which I hadn't put up yet! What could be more iconic and Australian than Uluru!

The quality of the pieces was terrific, the image- taken by Ken Duncan- was of course, spot on, and the colours were vibrant. I've done plenty of his puzzles and will continue to do so. You just can't go wrong!

The Twelve Apostles, Vic

Brand: Ken Duncan Images Of Australia (Crown & Andrews) -The World's Most Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles
Pieces: 504
Size: 64cm x 24cm
Product Code: -

I'm lucky enough to live near one of Australia's popular natural tourist attractions- The Twelve Apostles. Located along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, this natural formation along the coast is slowly eroding away but still draws thousands of tourists every year who stop along the roadside to view the picturesque sight.

I have decided to put this puzzle up today in association with an event that is running at the moment- although admittedly there's a little bit of a stretch. As you head towards the Great Ocean Road, in Bellbrae, there is an amazing place called The Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. 

Now, I've never been there but I have many friends and family members who vouch for the place and insist on me going there at some point. I absolutely want to but I need to find the time! Anyway, at the moment, they're holding a Hot Chocolate Festival and it sounds amazing. If you end up going along the Great Ocean Road to visit the Twelve Apostles and other landmarks, then you should definitely make a stop at the chocolaterie on the way!

Sooo, plug over- back to the puzzle! This puzzle is of a panoramic image taken by Ken Duncan- a renowned Australian photographer. The colours and quality of this puzzle were outstanding, and the image is a truly beautiful representation of Australia's natural wonders. 

I have a few other puzzles from this collection which I hope to do soon- the images are just so vibrant- making these into perfect reminders of travel memories, or enticing additions to a travel bucket list. 

Australia Day, Sydney Harbour, NSW

Brand: Ken Duncan Images Of Australia (Crown & Andrews) - The World's Most Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles
Pieces: 504
Size: 64cm x 24cm
Product Code:   -

Yesterday, January 26, was Australia Day- a public holiday! 

It's meant to be a day when Australian's celebrate the anniversary of the First Fleet landing on Australian shores in 1788, thus paving the way for colonization of the country. 

But in recent years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the day- particularly for indigenous Australians who have renamed the day 'Invasion Day' and want Australia Day celebrations to fall on a more inclusive day for everyone.

At the moment, things are still up in the air about the future of Australia Day, but until then, it will continue to be a day filled with Aussie flags, barbecues and a day off with family and friends (if you're lucky enough to get time off work). 

Above is a puzzle that I found by renowned Australian photographer Ken Duncan, featuring a scene on the Sydney Harbour from Australia Day in previous years past. This panoramic puzzle was quite easy to do, despite all the yachts and boats dotted throughout the picture, and the quality was wonderful. 

It's rare that I can find a puzzle that fits perfectly with a day's theme- so I was happy to find this one to put up from my collection!