Narelle Wildman: Poppies

Brand: Blue Opal (The Art Collection)

Pieces: 1000
Size: 73cm x 48.6cm
Product Code:  BL00709

I was debating with myself about whether I would post this puzzle today or next week (because the title is Poppies and next weekend is ANZAC Day), but I decided to go ahead with it this week. The poppies above are not really symbolic of the ones we look at and commemorate for the occasion so I can probably get away with it! 

The main reason I wanted to post this is because it is an old puzzle that I dug out of my collection and decided to redo. 

In my last post I was talking about all the new puzzles I have purchased and how I'm starting to become overwhelmed by my addiction to buying new. But I have just as many old ones that have sat in my collection for years (even decades) that I might have to revisit before saying goodbye to them. 

The above puzzle is one of those. 

I remember taking up (what felt like) half of the kitchen table when I first did this at my husband's (then boyfriend's) house nearly 10 years ago. I didn't get a good photo when I finally completed it cos the room was quite dark and I had no way of moving the puzzle. Now, I'm a bit more organised and have more space so I decided to redo it and take a photo so I could finally sell it and say goodbye. 

I don't think Blue Opal makes this collection anymore so it was good to have and try it. The pieces fit together relatively well and the colours are vibrant, with shades that are quite similar (so it took a while to get some sections together). Overall, though, I'm happy with the puzzle and even though it will be sad to get rid of it, I can be happy in the knowledge that I completed it and someone else will get to enjoy it. 

How old is the oldest puzzle in your collection? How many times have you completed it? Will you ever get rid of it?

Monopoly: Australian Community Relief Edition

Brand: Winning Moves

Pieces: 1000
Size: 53cm x 53cm
Product Code:  WM01148-EN3

The Monopoly board game has such a, well, monopoly I guess, over the gaming world. There are so many different versions- covering music, pop culture, and even cities.

Now they have a few variations in jigsaw puzzle format. 

I have the original Monopoly jigsaw puzzle, which I plan on doing soon but I also have the above one, which was released as a fundraiser for struggling Australian communities. In it, the towns names have been changed to some of those affected and in need of aid (although I'm not sure if it was because of fires, floods or some other disaster which has befallen the towns- I really should read what it says on the box!)

This puzzle was quite different, in that the piece shapes followed a certain format. They were longer and narrow, and followed a pattern as you assembled the pattern. That said, it was quite quick to complete, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Qantas: Super Service

Brand: Impact Puzzles

Pieces: 1000
Size: 50cm x 70cm
Product Code:  IMPZ0059

I'm an active follower on several puzzling Facebook groups and I've seen a trend on one particular page where people show their 'thrift store' finds, or other purchases that they have made. They also tend to show their collections- which are usually piles of boxes high and make mention of their 'addiction'.

I have an enormous collection of puzzles I have not yet completed- about 200 plus- and I know that's way too many but I still can't help but buy more if I see an awesome design, or I see a good price for something I've 'had my eye on'. Then of course, there are the new brands that I discover and want to try! 

It truly is an addiction! I know it'll take me forever to complete them all (about a year and a half if I'm being generous) but I can't help but add more to my collection... Admittedly, it's a much safer addiction than drugs or alcohol but it still hurts the pocket after a while. I've even found myself hiding new purchases from my hubby (I don't have to worry about him reading this so my secret is safe!). Are you also puzzle addicted?

Today I have decided to put up the above puzzle, which is like a retro poster for Australian airline Qantas. During the week, Qantas, along with a few other airlines have released thousands of really cheap domestic flights to try and get business underway again. I decided to put this puzzle up to pay homage to that (and also cos I'd really like to go on a holiday!). Even though I have a few of this brand in my collection, this was the first Impact Puzzle I had done. The quality was quite good, and they have a good range of designs. I'll more than likely be digging out a few more to do soon.

Coffee Lover's

Brand: Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles

Pieces: 500

Size: 35cm x 50cm
Product Code:  JIG-039

This post is going up a lot earlier than any I've put up in recent times! Baby was very unsettled during the night and decided that 5.55am was the perfect time for a feed this morning! It wouldn't be so bad except I've gotten used to getting up between 7am and 7.30am for her usual feed and the early start has messed with me... 

Which is why I thought it would be fitting to put up the above puzzle about a beverage I've come to rely on! 

I've always liked the taste of coffee and enjoyed drinking it, but never thought that the caffeine had much of an effect on me. I could drink it (except later at night) and not worry that it would keep me up. In fact, I used to scoff at the people who said they couldn't function without their coffee in the morning! 

All of that has now changed. I was obviously just not tired enough for the coffee to not have an effect on me. Now I know what tiredness is, caffeine comes as a welcome relief- I look forward to it now, not just for the taste, but for the boost it gives me in the mornings. Who would have thought? 

This puzzle from Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles was fun to do. It was interesting to see just how many coffees they could list, and read what was in it and how they 'look'. The box it comes in is even in the shape of a coffee bean bag! Very original.

It seems the humble coffee bean has a lot of variations when brewed! The puzzle quality was OK- there were a few pieces where the image had peeled off the backing a bit- but it fit together well. I've had this problem with other Ridley's puzzles so it seems to be the norm.

Despite this little manufacturing glitch, I'm sure that any coffee lover will adore this puzzle. It might even provide some inspiration for their next coffee fix. How many on this list have you tried?

DC Comics: Superman Retro Collage

Brand: Aquarius

Pieces: 1000
Size: 51cm x 69cm
Product Code:  65-233

When it comes to pop culture, I'm the first to admit that I love a good superhero movie. I know some people have their preferences regarding whether DC Comics or Marvel are better, but although I tend to lean more towards Marvel, I still have a deep appreciation for their DC superhero counterparts.

Last night my husband and I watched Zack Snyder's Justice League- hence the reason I have put up the above Superman puzzle- and I have to say, it was quite impressive! I saw the original Justice League film when it was first released a few years ago, and although I don't remember much of it, my husband insists that this version was way better. I did, however, remember a few of the scenes that were featured (it was Zack Snyder's cut of all the film work- you can google the reasons this film was made if you want more info), so I guess that's a win!

The above puzzle by Aquarius was made up multiple Superman comic covers, and was quite easy to do when you worked by section. The colours were so vibrant, and it was great to see all the adaptations to the Superman character over the years. Fans of the comic are sure to love this design. 

This puzzle is the 1000 piece version. I posted a picture of the 100 piece version of the same design several years ago http://jigsawpuzzlelove.blogspot.com/2017/11/dc-comics-superman-collage.html but thought, why not? That was in 2017 so enough time has passed!

We also finished watching Marvel's Wanda Vision last week and I have been searching fruitlessly for puzzles that feature the characters. Don't you hate it when you're looking for a particular puzzle design and it doesn't even exist?! I'll keep searching... someone might bring out a design eventually considering how popular the show was.

In the meantime, I have plenty of other Marvel and DC Comics puzzles to do so that should keep me busy :)

Little Feminist

Brand: Mudpuppy

Pieces: 500
Size: 51cm x 51cm
Product Code:  -

It really feels like these weeks are just flying by. 

I don't know if this is the case for everyone or it's just because I have a new baby who seems to be growing up so quickly, but it feels like each day is over almost as soon as it begins. I guess that's what sleep deprivation can do to you!

During the week it was International Women's Day and I had every intention of putting up a puzzle that had strong women themes, but of course, I missed the boat! So I've decided to put this one up now, as a tribute to that. It was a toss up between this one and a women in science one, but I've decided to save that one for another day. 

This one, by Mudpuppy, is much more colourful and has cute illustrations of some of history's most influential women. I absolutely love the design and the quality was wonderful, much in the way you would expect from the Mudpuppy brand. 

Hopefully by the time the day rolls around next year, I will be more organised- there's an awesome couple of puzzles from Lucky Puzzles that I have ordered and expect to arrive in the next month or so that would be perfect for the next International Women's Day (if I can last that long without putting them up!)

Elsa (Disney's Frozen)

Brand: Yanoman

Pieces: 70
Size: 10cm x 14.7cm
Product Code:  97-69

I have decided to extend on last week's post and put up the above puzzle today. Last week I mentioned my love for musicals and explained that Frozen: The Musical would be coming to Melbourne in Winter. 

Having said that, I thought I would put up this small postcard-sized puzzle that I purchased from the Japanese brand Yanoman. 

This puzzle was one of a series which also included Elsa's sister Anna, Rapunzel (from Tangled) and Cinderella. I'm not sure if there were other Disney princesses but those were the ones that I saw available at the time. These puzzles, as I mentioned, are postcard sized when completed, and the pieces are made from a thin, partially see-through plastic which click together nicely. 

I thought the illustrations of the princesses were quite pretty, and that was my main drawcard towards buying them. The style of the puzzle pieces was also a motivator- you don't often come across puzzle pieces that aren't made of cardboard or wood. 

Like all the Japanese brands I have come across, the quality of this puzzle was perfect. If only they were more readily available!