Kittens with Pumpkins

On July 26, 2017July 26, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store PuzzlesLeave a comment

Gorgeous puzzle! Cobble Hill makes an excellent large piece puzzle – beautiful linen covered pieces that feet great in your hand and fit together wonderfully. Thrift store finds are so much fun. 😉

This was one of the 5 puzzles mom and I assembled in one day. We grabbed all the kid’s puzzles we needed to assemble to check that all pieces were there and did every one! For me it was the best quality puzzle of the day. The image is adorable and sweet and would be great for kids; and it isn’t too childish, so it would also be good for anyone who needs or likes larger piece puzzles.

Puzzle Warehouse carries this puzzle in two sizes, a 35 piece and a 60 piece. It’s a great quality puzzle, I highly recommend it. 👍

Love Letter

On July 25, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment

I finally got to try an Anatolian (Perre Group) puzzle! I saw a puzzle at Puzzle Warehouse that I really wanted to try but it was discontinued and there was only 1 left. I didn’t want to take the chance that someone else would buy it, so I ordered it and added this puzzle to the purchase so I could get free shipping. I took the opportunity to order from a company I hadn’t tried before, and here we are!

The pieces were thick and feel good in your hand, and fit together quite well. I’d heard that Anatolian puzzles have a very loose fit, but that wasn’t the case, not with this puzzle at least. I’d say the fit is about average, not too loose and not too tight. The pieces were quite shiny, which was a bit difficult as there were a lot of dark areas in this puzzle. At one point I noticed that the paper I line my trays with was reflecting light and making it worse, so I took the pieces off the trays and put them on the board – big difference! It was much easier after that; I’ll have to remember that trick if it happens again. 🙂

The piece shape seems a bit obvious in this picture, but it didn’t seem as bad in person. I’m trying to get better at taking pictures for the blog, but obviously I’ve got a way to go. I do the best I can. Apologies. 😐

I enjoyed this puzzle very much and wouldn’t hesitate to order another from this manufacturer. I love that they include a stand for the box top, I always enjoy getting extras and this is one that comes in very handy! Also they have a missing piece service and will send you a replacement – most companies don’t have that. They’ve got quite a few puzzles that are gorgeous and look like fun to assemble. I’ve only done one puzzle, but what I’ve seen so far is very good. Can’t wait to try more. 😎

Review: Spot It Winter Wonderland

On July 24, 2017December 28, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Game Reviews2 Comments

This post is sponsored by Puzzle Warehouse.

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Spot It Winter Wonderland is the most fun game! I wasn’t sure about it when I first saw it, I’m not sure what I thought. Whatever it was, I was completely wrong!

It’s extremely easy to learn and play, and is wonderfully entertaining for kids and adults alike. Definitely adults because my mother and I have been playing it a LOT and having the best time. So it’s fun for kids, and just as fun for “adults” (I don’t consider myself an adult really, I’m a grown up – but in my mind I’m still a fun-loving kid 😉 )

The game is simple, there are 6 images on each card (for this edition they are winter symbols – mittens, hockey stick, snowflake, etc.) There is one, and only one matching symbol between any two cards. Whichever version of the game you choose to play the object is to find the matching symbol between one of your cards and the face up card. Mom and I play by dealing 10 cards to each player (less if you have more than 3 players) and turning over the top card of the remaining deck. Find a matching symbol on your card, call it out and put your card on top of the center card. The winner is the first person to run out of cards.

Sound too easy? Sound boring? It isn’t! When the pressure is on and speed is important it isn’t easy at all! When someone calls out their match your brain tells you to look for that symbol instead of just looking for any match; and the symbols can be different sizes, so if you’re looking for the purple hat it may be very small or very large…

There are instructions included for 5 different ways to play, or you could even make up your own version of the game. Puzzle Warehouse has many different editions of Spot It to choose from; animals, shapes, numbers, sports, several licensed Disney editions, and even larger editions for parties including one with a timer. Click here to see all the matching/memory games available at Puzzle Warehouse.

The tin is small, about 3 inches in diameter, so it’s the perfect travel size. I keep it in my purse so it’s always available for a quick game. We use the lid of the tin to keep the card pile from sliding all over, so we can play just about anywhere. They even make a waterproof version for playing poolside! It’s great for a quick game for any reason – waiting for food in a restaurant, to decide who gets to take out the trash, etc. – it’s fast and fun and I end up laughing every single time we play. Also, for other grown ups out there, it would be an excellent game to play while enjoying adult beverages. 😉

Most of the Spot It games aren’t available for online purchase at Puzzle Warehouse due to a vendor agreement, but there are several ways to order it. You can call Puzzle Warehouse toll free at 866-539-4278, you can order through their catalog (click here to request a free catalog), or if you’re lucky enough to live near their brick and mortar store you can buy it in store while puzzle shopping. 😎 Also, if you live near their store in St. Louis would you like to be my new best friend???

I received this product at no charge in return for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are truthful and 100% my own.

Garden Bridge

On July 23, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store PuzzlesLeave a comment

Pretty puzzle from Masterpieces, sadly missing a piece. Oh well, at least we saved someone else from having to buy an incomplete puzzle. 🙂

Mom and I had started a whole different puzzle this day, and after about 100 pieces we gave up. The other puzzle was an awesome image, but unbelievably tedious and un-fun. We tried to like it, then we remembered that doing puzzles is supposed to be fun and why in the world were we doing a puzzle we weren’t enjoying?? Sometimes we think that we have to finish a puzzle, just because we bought it. Nope. If it ain’t fun, it ain’t worth it! We spent our money to learn a lesson. That day’s lesson? Sometimes the coolest pictures make the worst puzzles!

So, we gave up on that one and decided to try this uncomplicated, beautiful puzzle with only 300 pieces. It was MUCH nicer to work.

The large pieces were nice and thick and fit together well – we both enjoy a large piece puzzle every now and then. The quality was good and the picture was lovely and we both enjoyed the assembly. It’s nice to work an easier puzzle once in a while, it makes you feel like a puzzle master. Look how fast I completed this entire puzzle! 😉

The scene by Alan Giana is beautiful and serene and it makes me think of summertime in the north. Blooming flowers and butterflies, birds and a small stream – lovely and calm. Extremely nice puzzle that was unfortunately missing a piece. Darn.

Fishing with Friends

On July 22, 2017July 22, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment

Beautiful puzzle that I don’t believe Jumbo is manufacturing anymore, I got the last one at Puzzle Warehouse. It’s really lovely, but I wouldn’t want to do another one.

Jumbo is right up there with Ravensburger in my opinion, excellent quality puzzles and a great catalog. Their fit is exceptional and I love the way the pieces feel in my hands. In my mind these two companies are tied for first place.

This puzzle, however, was a bit tedious. Not counting the border, 99% of the pieces were ballerinas (2 prong/2 hole) and many pieces could be placed where they didn’t belong. With so much sameness in the sky and water it was pretty difficult and time consuming working those areas.

On the positive side, the puzzle comes with a chart of the pieces because you’re supposed to assemble the entire puzzle and then remove the pieces indicated on the chart to give you the decorative edge you see above. It was extremely helpful in finding the correct pieces to assemble the border. You’re supposed to start with the large piece in the center of the puzzle and work outward from there. I don’t always do as I’m told, so I assembled the edge and the chart was very helpful. 😎

Glue was also included. A packet of powder that you mix with water and then apply. I followed the directions and the glue was very thick, almost a gel-like consistency. I tried to apply it the way I normally do, but it didn’t work very well. I think perhaps it would have been easier to apply with a brush. I’ll have to try it with a paintbrush if there’s a next time with powdered glue.

The puzzle is gorgeous, and I’m glad I did it. But I also was a little let down by the assembly and probably wouldn’t order another one unless the image was amazing. But since they’re no longer being produced I doubt I’ll come across another any time soon. Still, the deco border makes the puzzle stand out, and it’s really quite beautiful!