King Of The Jungle

Brand: Tilbury

Pieces: 1000
Size: 69cm x 50cm
Product Code:  -

Yesterday was International Puzzle Day (which I missed- Oops!) but because I'm based in Australia, most of my international Instagram followers are only really coming into the day now. 

Looking at it this way, technically, this means that I haven't missed it at all! I'll take advantage of the time difference and claim it today haha!

I have been doing so many puzzles lately for the World Puzzle Days (WPD) event that is currently occurring online. While it runs until the start of March, I'll probably only have about a week left now that I can participate, with baby's arrival coming in a few weeks. That means I was rushing to meet my piece goal (15000 pieces- which I have now completed). While I would love to continue until the completion of the event, I know that realistically it's probably not a possibility.

Even putting up images on this blog and my Instagram might be a little bit difficult for a while- baby's take a lot of time up!- so if you don't see consistent posts like usual, that'll be the reason why. In fact, next week will probably be the last consistent post I make in a while. Of course, I'll try to continue but we'll see where baby takes me.

In the meantime, here's a picture of a puzzle I received for Christmas last year from my brother and sister-in-law. I hadn't done any by this brand before so it was a lovely treat. The design image is pretty awesome too! Enjoy

The Australia Edition

Brand: Journey Of Something

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

Since Covid-19 took over the world, there has been a huge influx of puzzle brands coming onto the market so people can while away their 'stay at home' time with activities such as puzzle assembly. So many companies sold out of their designs with this unprecedented demand, and a whole new audience grew. 

Because of this, a lot of regular puzzlers had trouble locating designs from their favourite brands, and it meant having to either do ones already in their collection which had been put off for others (I'm guilty of this) and also trying new brands (also guilty). 

One of the new brands I decided to try was not necessarily new- Journey Of Something has been around for quite a few years already- but it was new to me (in that, I hadn't purchased from them before. I had always admired their artist-based designs but couldn't justify the cost. Even though they are only a small business, their prices seemed way too expensive compared to the usual $30 or so I usually spend as maximum. For your reference, their puzzles cost over $50 each for a 1000 piece puzzle. But when they had a sale, I decided to take the plunge and just buy some. Their Australian-owned and I thought I'd do my bit to support local.

I'm glad I did.

The designs are expensive (as I said) but that said, I know they have to cover the costs of manufacture, copyright for artists, shipping, promotion, etc, and still make some money at the end of it. All of the designs are carefully curated and beautiful. The pieces come in a fabric bag inside the box, whose lid lifts up and is held with ribbon. Presentation is perfect. 

I chose the above puzzle and two others, and thought I'd put up this one first because Australia Day (a public holiday which has become very controversial over the last few years- 'aka Invasion Day') is this Tuesday and I needed something Australian themed to display. 

Extremely good quality and very pretty. I loved the landmarks, illustrations, and overall design of this Australian map. If you get the chance, check out their website and see what goodies catch your eye. 

Ice Cream Desserts

Brand: Puzzlebug

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

Since my pregnancy began, I have had so many people asking me if I've had any cravings at all- real food or otherwise! I honestly didn't think that I had, until I thought about it more closely and realised that I've been eating (and wanting to eat) a lot more ice cream, sorbet, gelati, etc lately! Despite what my husband believes, I know it's true (he thinks I always wanted it anyway).That's my craving haha

I decided to put this puzzle up to celebrate this realisation, and also because I haven't put up any food ones in a while. This Puzzlebug puzzle was lower quality as expected (they usually are) but I still enjoy most of their designs and imagery. With this one, I was missing two pieces (as you can see in the background and corner) but for some reason there was one extra of another piece? So disappointing but not totally unexpected.. oh well! It's the first time that's happened in a while so I'm not too fussed, especially considering the price of the puzzle!

We'll see what next week brings!

Feelin' Just Poochy

Brand: Cra-Z-Art

Pieces: 100
Size: 33cm x 25cm
Product Code:  -

What more can I say? 

It's a new year, all my appointments with my obstetrician have shown than my pregnancy is going well, and it's a lovely day (weather-wise) today. Who wouldn't be feeling poochy (peachy)? Haha 

Hoping that I haven't jinxed myself now!

This puzzle was part of a collection of six that I came across while in Kmart. Each feature cats and dogs with graffiti-style artwork surrounding them- quite cute! Being cheaper types of puzzles, I expected the quality to also be cheap (and I was right- very large and thin pieces of cardboard), but the designs are cute enough that I was happy not to worry about it. 

They are from the artist Keith Kimberlin if you feel like checking them out. 

Mario Kart: Funracer

Brand: Winning Moves

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68.3cm x 48cm
Product Code:  -

Hey all, welcome to a new year! Hope your New Year's festivities were safe and a whole lot of fun.. 

There are two reasons I have put up the above puzzle today.. 

One reason is because, being a new year which has followed an extremely unprecedented and shit year, this puzzle is kind of relevant. It's all about racing forward to cross the finish line and be a winner. Hopefully that's something that people can do this year.

The other reason is a more personal one. One of my best friends has a nine year old son who has been battling a debilitating muscle disease his whole life. In the last few days, his health has gone very downhill and though we are all trying to be optimistic, it isn't looking good :'( One of his favourite games/characters is Mario, so this one is for him. Hope he pulls through....

This puzzle is by Winning Moves and was a little challenging in some parts (the sky, ugh!) but it turned out well. The quality was great and the pieces fit together well. It's likely I'll do a few more puzzles by them in the future...

Star Wars: A Very Vader Christmas

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 300
Size: 54cm x 38cm
Product Code:  92500-2803

OK I did it. 

I just couldn't help myself.

In my own flimsy self-defence, I didn't have any other Christmas-themed puzzles in my photo collection that I could put up, but the fact that I've done two in a row of Buffalo, Star Wars and piece count is a little bit sad. 

You'll just have to show some Christmas spirit and forgive me for it! Haha 

I'll have to make sure I have some more Christmas puzzles in my collection before December rolls around next year...

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas- the next time I post will be in the year 2021 so I hope you also have a safe and happy New Year!

Keep puzzling!

Star Wars: Holiday Yoda

Brand: Buffalo

Pieces: 300
Size: 54cm x 38cm
Product Code:  92500-2805

Following the finale last night of Disney Plus' second season of The Mandalorian, I had big plans to put up a picture of the Baby Yoda puzzle that accompanied the Mandalorian one I put up several weeks ago.

But then I realise that there are only 6 days to go until Christmas, and that since I only really post on Saturdays, it would be past Christmas when I put up my next post- unless I make an exception this time of course! 

So I thought in a slight compromise, I would put up the above puzzle- it features Yoda (the real one, not baby Grogu) and a nice Christmas-y theme. I'll just have to leave the other puzzle for a different time- maybe when series 3 is announced?

The above puzzle was quite fun to do and there is an accompanying Vader one in the series (which I have also done, but will hold off on posting for a while). 

I hope you have a merry and safe Christmas and I'll probably post at least once more before the year is out. 

Hopefully next year will be a lot better than this year has been!