Fresh Blooms

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles1 Comment

Fresh Blooms – Re-marks – 1000 pieces

This adorable puzzle was a very nice assembly, even though I was in a mood when working on it. It survived my menopausal madness, and went together pretty quickly despite sitting untouched for almost an entire day.

Typical Re-marks quality, which was quite good. The finish on this one was quite shiny though, and caused a little havoc on the darker sections. I don’t have much natural light in my puzzle room and working under artificial lights makes it difficult when the finish causes glare. It makes it difficult getting a good picture as well, especially if I finish in the evening or very early mornings; with no light other than artificial ones keeping the camera at an angle to prevent glare on the images makes for a more challenging editing process with each picture. I know, I’m complaining a bit. But if you’re looking for all positivity all the time, you’re in the wrong place.

These were my favorite little tableaus in the image. That little puppy peeking over the table at the cookies, while working on that section in the evening I had to stop and make myself some hot chocolate because that steaming mug had me dreaming of warm cocoa! The party section in the middle was colorful and fun, and the stark simplicity of the last section was absolutely beautiful.

My typical choice for collage images are usually quite different from this one, but I enjoyed it just the same. Every little section gave me a sense of accomplishment as they were finished, and the whole puzzle looks amazing.

Happy Here In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlingLeave a comment

Happy Here by Jessica Hische – Buffalo (Premium) – 300 pieces

So after completing the first section of my new giant puzzle I picked this beautiful image by Jessica Hische to be my palate cleanser – a smaller piece count that can be completed much more quickly than a larger image that takes lots of time and brain power. The image is it for me, it looks both simple and challenging, and the colors are lovely together even though normally brighter colors make me happiest.

I’m somewhat surprised by the quality of this Buffalo puzzle, it’s from their premium line. I gotta say, give me a regular old Buffalo puzzle any day. This is the second or third “premium” puzzle of theirs that I’ve worked with, and underwhelmed is the most prominent feeling regarding the quality of these pieces and how they’re fitting together. This puzzle almost seems as though the chipboard is slightly warped in some places, and the fit isn’t the usual Buffalo click you get with one of their regular puzzles. Buffalo, if you’re looking for some feedback, here it is…If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Still I’m looking forward to finishing this puzzle, though it may take several days as a new virus has just taken up residence in this old body. I’m feeling like crap on a cracker, but it’ll get finished eventually. No matter how long it takes, I’m just happy to be here; back at my beloved puzzle board, back on the blog, celebrating Halloween this month (and actually looking forward to the Christmas puzzles I have lined up 😮), celebrating my 58th birthday soon – just happy to be here.

Happy puzzling today my friends. 💗

Hanna-Barbera Collage

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles1 Comment

Hanna-Barbera Collage – MasterPieces – 500 pieces

This puzzle was lots of fun, and the pieces felt almost luxurious! What’s not to love about a great collage image like this on an excellent quality puzzle?

I’ve been doing a lot of MasterPieces puzzles lately, and have enjoyed every single one. Their catalog of images has great variety to it, and their quality is even better than I remembered. They have a random cut which makes for interestingly shaped pieces, and the fit is exceptional. The image reproduction is crisp and clear, and the matte finish makes it easier to work with under artificial lights. Overall they’ve got great puzzle images on wonderfully made puzzles and I’m a fan!

As a child of the 70’s and 80’s, of course I watched all four of these tv shows – my favorite of these four was Scooby-Doo, but I liked them all. These shows are from way back when many tv shows actually had theme songs and again Scooby-Doo wins this battle, it was the best theme song of all these shows, with the Flintstones coming in a close second. I’ve been singing these songs in my head for quite a while now, and I’m having a great time reminiscing.🎶🎶

It’s getting less impressive, isn’t it? All these puzzles standing up, ho hum – so boring. Doesn’t matter to me, taking these pictures still makes me happy!

Olde Buck’s County

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles6 Comments

Olde Buck’s County by Charles Wysocki – Buffalo – 300 pieces

Does this gorgeous Wysocki image put you in the Halloweeny holiday mood? It wasn’t very evocative of the holiday itself, but the artwork definitely puts me in the mood for more fun fall-themed puzzles. I hope they’re all as fun as this one was.

I chose this fall image for my first puzzle post of October because of all the pumpkins everywhere, pumpkins always makes me think of the autumn season. Where I grew up in the north October means apple cider, hay rides, pumpkin patches, and wonderful cooler weather. (As I’m writing this – in August, in Florida – what I wouldn’t give for some of that cool weather!)

This little tableau made me smile. The root beer man is delivering and he’s pumping it into the cellar – I wonder how many kegs of “beer” they have down there!

Millie’s Never-Weary Bake Shop, wouldn’t you love to pop in there and stock up on some wonderful homemade cakes and pies and breads? I would!

It was a little iffy whether or not this puzzle was going to stand up, but the fit was good enough for the Stacey Stance.😎 Such an entertaining puzzle, I’m sure the local senior center would love this one. It feels like the perfect image for that, doesn’t it?

It’s Halloween Holiday Time!

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles6 Comments

Happy October everyone! I know most people aren’t as excited about Halloween as I am, but it’s my favorite holiday and I’m VERY excited to get to work all my Halloweeny and fall puzzles. You might not be as fired up about them as I am but that’s ok, I’ll be pumped up for all of us.

At first count I have five 1000 piece puzzles that are fall or Halloween specific, a 550 piece, a whole stack of Harry Potter puzzles from Wentworth, and three MicroPuzzles of 150 pieces. Plus, when Penny and I got together last month we played puzzle chess with an adorable 100 piece puzzle that is also Halloween themed, and there will be a fun post about that coming soon.

I’m looking forward to putting all of these puzzles together, but I’m more excited about sharing them all with you – my PADS Posse!🎃🦇👻