Fierce Loyalty

Brand: Crown & Andrews Super 3D Prime 3D

Pieces: 500

Size: 61cm x 46cm
Product Code: -

I've decided to put up something a little bit different this time around- a lenticular '3D' puzzle! 

This is the first time I have ever completed one and it was quite an experience. It all depended on the way I looked at the pieces, or the way that the light reflected off them, which determined how quickly I was able to put it together. For a 500 piece puzzle, it took me quite a while! But the design was also quite dark which also made a difference. 

This design is from the Anne Stokes Collection, and has been adapted to this lenticular format. I thought it was pretty cool although it is much harder to take photos of puzzles in this style! 

There were only a few problems with this puzzle quality- a couple of bubbled spots where the image raised from the backing and showed on the design but there was nothing that could be done about this. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed this one- it felt good to tackle something slightly different.

And how fierce is the image?! Divine! :) 

The Mandalorian

Brand: Crown

Pieces: 48

Size: 26cm x 23cm
Product Code: -

I don't often do puzzles of extremely small counts- usually the smallest is 100 or 150 pieces- but I thought I'd make an exception for this week! 

This puzzle is a tiny 48 pieces, and features one of the characters from the Disney Plus series The Mandalorian- good ol' Mando himself! And the reason for this one going up today? Well the second series started again yesterday (although I haven't had the chance to watch it yet) and I thought, why not?! 

I also have a puzzle from the same 'series', featuring Baby Yoda but I figured that this one would be better this time round because the internet will already be flooded with images of him. I'm giving Mando a chance to shine! 

This puzzle was fairly good quality for the price and featured large, thin cardboard pieces. I suppose it really is aimed at children, hence the piece count, but I still enjoyed putting it together- it maybe took about 5 minutes tops to do, but I'm a sucker for pop culture puzzles, no matter the size. 

Like I said, there's also a Baby Yoda puzzle the same size from Crown, but maybe I'll put it up to commemorate the second series when it ends...

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? 

Stranger Things

Brand: Cardinal

Pieces: 500

Size: 45.72cm x 60.96cm
Product Code: -

Do you have a TV show that you absolutely love and can't miss an episode of? Have you discovered a new show way too late, and have to binge it to catch up? 

I love the Netflix show Stranger Things, but luckily I was pretty on the ball when I first discovered it and didn't have to binge too much to catch up. We were able to watch the whole second and third seasons as they were released and are really anticipating the next one! 

I know it's not a brand spanking new show, but I thought I would put up a picture of a puzzle I found for it. After seeing this puzzle online sooo many times I ended up sourcing it through eBay from America, and spent a ridiculous amount of money on it (mostly shipping costs, but for a 500 piece puzzle!) I just really wanted to do it! 😅😂

Luckily I was able to sell it on afterwards and recoup some of my money back. But I didn't really care, as long as I had the opportunity to do it! I really want to find a jigsaw puzzle of The Boys if such a thing exists because we just finished watching the second season and I love it! Gonna be such a long wait for the next season which is due to be sometime next year. In the meantime, I will do some more puzzles of favourite shows and movies if I happen to find them. It looks like there are a few good ones coming out soon. I have a couple of Mandalorian ones tucked away to be done later...

Disney Sneezy

 

Brand: Ravensburger

Pieces: 500

Size: 50cm x 50cm
Product Code: 152414

It's no secret that I love Disney puzzles but lately I've noticed that it's some of the minor characters that are getting showcased- and I love it!

Besides the main characters (usually the Disney Princesses), there has been a definite surge in the amount of puzzles I have seen that have been celebrating the Disney Villains. There are so many of these about now (I have done a few) and I can't wait to track down and do some more!

Then there are these ones.

The Seven Dwarfs from Snow White are admittedly important characters to the story, but they don't often get a look in- at least until now! Ravenburger has released a square 500 piece puzzle for each of the dwarfs, as well as one that features all of them. I have previously put up a pic of the Dopey one, and now I've decided to put up Sneezy (since it's Spring and hayfever is about hahaha).

I have all of these in my collection and plan to get them done soon. I've decided to tackle as many smaller count puzzles (500 pieces and less) as I can to free up room for my baby's nursery. I have a couple of months to work on this 'project' so we'll see how much I can clear and get done.

The quality of this one was perfect, as usual, and as you can see, the colours are super vibrant!

Hopefully I'll be able to complete and put up all the others soon...

The Collector's Cupboard

Brand: Wentworth Wooden Puzzles

Pieces: 500

Size: 51cm x 36cm
Product Code: 840313

What can I say? I'm an addict. 

I have so many puzzles waiting on the sidelines to be done- the entire top shelf of a built-in-wardrobe and piles all over the floor. They are just the ones I haven't done! And I have to try and reduce the amount before bub arrives because who knows how much I'll be able to get done after that? But I still find myself looking at (and maybe buying) more designs. I'm a shocker! I'd like to say that the above puzzle is mine but this is one I actually borrrowed from my brother-in-law. Yes, even though I have so many options of my own, I still borrow other people's puzzles to complete! 

But how cool is it? Can you honestly blame me? The above puzzle is from Wentworth Wooden Puzzles and yes, every piece is laser cut from wood. These are not your traditionally shaped pieces- every piece is unique and the design contains many whimsy pieces of various designs. I suppose they took their themes from the design (Collector's Cupboard) because the whimsy pieces were of everything from buttons to cats to cars- very cool. 

I have included some extra pictures below to illustrate how unusual this puzzle was to do:

Anyway, I'm very glad I was given the opportunity to try this puzzle- the quality was fantastic and the design was chaotic (in a good way) and very entertaining. You'd think you'd seen the whole design and then a new aspect would jump out at you that you hadn't seen previously. 

If you ever have the chance to do one of these, I say go for it!

Gin Lover's

Brand: Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles

Pieces: 500

Size: 35cm x 50cm
Product Code: JIG040

You know how sometimes you don't miss something until it's gone? That's me at the moment- with alcohol. 

Since becoming pregnant, I have obviously had to stop drinking alcohol, and while I never drank a whole lot anyway, it was nice to be able to have a drink when I felt like it. 

Gin was my alcohol of choice just before I fell pregnant and this puzzle reminds me of what I'm missing out on. My husband has been very sweet to me, buying sparking apple and grape juices and serving them to me in a wine glass when he's been having a whisky or some other drink, but it's just not the same. 

Oh, well, nothing to be done about it till after the baby's here. In the meantime, I will have to settle for doing puzzles of alcohol, like the one above.  

Although the design of the above puzzle is very cool, I was disappointed with the quality of the pieces. Many were peeling, with the design coming away from the cardboard backing. I have seen this with several puzzles from this brand unfortunately. Besides that, the puzzle was quite pretty (as well as informative). It came in cylinder packaging, with a reference poster. I know there are a few puzzles similar (whisky, etc) and despite the quality, I think I'd still like to try them..