Is that not an adorable little elephant?? I can’t get over how cute he is! This puzzle really hasn’t been as difficult as I thought it might be, although it isn’t easy either. But it’s going quickly and I’m really having a great time.
Once I finished his skin, I had no idea where to go next. I was stumped for a while, made a decision, then I was having quite a rough time focusing because I wasn’t sure I had made the right choice. I know, I know – I’m over thinking it. I realize that now!
I decided to work on the water next, but even within the blue and white there are so many shades and also more grey reflected onto the water. There are a LOT of pieces, but at the end of the evening I decided I should just start grabbing certain shades and assemble them. I don’t have to follow any set pattern or keep going underneath the pieces already put together. Whatever is working for me is what I’ll do. 🙂
Wish You Were Here by Brooke Faulder – Bits and Pieces – 1000 pieces
This one I didn’t think I would enjoy, it’s not the typical puzzle image that I like. That said, I really had fun with this assembly.
The little puppy’s face is adorably cute, although my daughter says it looks judgmental. It makes me laugh because once she said that, I can see it! Still cute, but a little judge-y. Like he/she is disgusted to be at the beach, or can’t believe you spent so much time working on a puzzle!
The random piece cut was fun and interesting, and the image is almost seamless. My only problem was that there were about 9 places on the edge where the pieces just sat next to each other and didn’t connect. A pet peeve of mine – jigsaw pieces should click together, not sit together!
It seems to be going really quickly 🙂 I am not complaining though, I’m really proud!
I have learned in my assembly of this giant puzzle so far that every piece has a twin, and the twin is on the same line. The puzzle is 72 pieces by 56 pieces. There are 2 rows of twinkly edge pieces on each side. That leaves 68 pieces. So you can start counting on piece number 3 and once you have assembled 34 pieces (not including outside 2 pieces), the pattern repeats. So piece number 37 will be the exact same shape as piece number 3. When there is a lot of sameness in color, this can be a huge help!
I learned in the first section that every piece has a twin. The second section taught me that every twin occupies the same line. For some reason, this morning when I was going to begin working on Dumbo’s skin it clicked in my brain. If they repeat in the same line, and I have most of the rest of the line, I can use it to find out what shape I’m looking for!
Having 10 trays of grey pieces, I can use every bit of help I can get. So even though I didn’t have much time this morning, I was able to put in about 130 pieces before I went over to visit at mom’s. I’m estimating that just this morning I probably saved about 2 hours! The first piece I was looking for, all I had to go on was that it was all grey and would have at least 1 male end. Could have been 1,2,3 or 4 for all I knew, there weren’t any surrounding pieces to help in identifying shape. Using the twin method, I knew I was looking for a piece with 2 male and 2 female ends. What a time saver! Instead of having to go through 9 trays for that piece, I only had to check the trays with that shape. Â 2.5 trays to go through instead of almost all of them. I’m so happy my brain finally made the connection, cause this will really help me.
Hoping to get lots more accomplished tomorrow, and be able to condense my trays down from 10 to an easier to manager number. Here’s hoping!
Finished the little guy’s ears (except for the bubbles), and most of the straw. I’ve sorted the grey pieces by shape and will start tomorrow the long slow process of filling in Dumbo’s skin. He’s starting to look like that cute little elephant that learns how to fly!
Won’t be as much progress tomorrow, cause it’s Friday. But as always I’ll work a little in the morning, and then again in the evening once I get home. But I’m looking forward to spending the day at mom’s to have adult conversation and just hang out together. And my dog will be thrilled to spend time with mom’s little guy running around the yard and barking at strangers (a.k.a. everyone).
Still having a good time, even though some colors/patterns seem tedious occasionally. But when I look at the day’s progress in pictures or even just by piece count, I’m always proud of myself for sticking with it. And there hasn’t been a day yet where I didn’t want to work on the puzzle. If anything, I’m always upset with myself for not being physically able to work on it more.
Hope you’re enjoying my journal, cause I’ve really been enjoying blogging about the puzzle every day, and also about other puzzles I’ve done. It’s quite motivating to have others “watching” to see if I’ve gotten anything accomplished that day. Makes me want to always have something to show at the end of the day. I don’t know how many people are actually reading this other than my mom and daughter, but it doesn’t really matter. I’m having fun with the blog too! 🙂
Another collage! I LOVE collages! This puzzle was a gift from my mother, and I had a great time putting it together.
I always love to have lots of words to assemble, and the books reminded me of my childhood; reading Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, going to the library to get more books to read and watching the tv shows on the weekends. Shaun Cassidy anyone? Pamela Sue Martin? Parker Stevenson? I do believe I am showing my age. The Hardy Boy/Nancy Drew Mysteries! 🙂
Although the puzzle seems dark, it wasn’t overly difficult, and Cobble Hill pieces feel so great with the linen finish. The random piece cut makes it more interesting (or more difficult depending on your preference) If you like collage puzzles or Nancy Drew, this puzzle is for you.
My Jigsaw Journal 