Month: December 2017

Review: Dream Cottage Retreat

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Puzzle reviewsLeave a comment
This post is sponsored by Puzzle Warehouse. 
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Dream Cottage Retreat by Cra-Z-Art – Kodak (Lafayette Puzzle Factory) – 1000 pieces

Dream Cottage Retreat is a gorgeous puzzle! Several family members commented on it while I was assembling it, that isn’t something that usually happens around here. They all said how colorful and pretty it was and I agree. 🙂

This was my first experience with Kodak, according to Puzzle Warehouse they are manufactured by Lafayette Puzzle Factory. I was impressed with the overall quality although I did have some minor issues. There were several sets of pieces that weren’t fully separated; this is not a major issue as it’s easy enough to separate them without damage to the pieces. There were, however, 3 sets of pieces that weren’t cut completely through and couldn’t be separated without damage. Both of these issues are most likely the result of the puzzle being the end of the run when the die isn’t as sharp. This didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the puzzle, and the overall quality of this puzzle was very good. The pieces are a good thickness and fit together well, if somewhat loosely. The image reproduction especially is excellent and looking at the other puzzles in the series, the images they’ve chosen look to be amazing as well. Click on the link to see all the Kodak Premium Puzzles in stock now at Puzzle Warehouse.

This was a random cut puzzle, which I find is a nice change every once in a while. It takes my brain a few minutes to make the switch, I solve these puzzles differently than grid cut. It’s good exercise for my brain, keeps me on my toes! Being random cut, some of the pieces of this puzzle seemed quite small, so if fine motor skills or eyesight is an issue it’s something to consider.

I love cottage/cabin puzzles, they are what the British would call “chocolate box” puzzles. I had to look it up, but it means an image or picture that is pretty in a idealized or conventional way. They seem pretty ideal to me; places that I would love to go, or a cottage that would be my dream getaway. Wouldn’t it be lovely to sit in the gazebo with a puzzle on a beautiful summer day?

I enjoyed this assembly, and it went quicker than most 1000 piece puzzles for me. It was hard to stop working on it to do all those annoying life things like eating, walking, etc. As always, I come back to my puzzling – it keeps me sane. ☺

Details:

  • Title:                  Dream Cottage Retreat
  • Artist:                Cra-Z-Art
  • Brand:               Kodak (Lafayette Puzzle Factory)
  • Piece count:     1000 pieces
  • Size:                  Approx. 19 x 27 in. (50 x 68 cm)
  • Purchased:      n/a

Quality:

  • Board:               Very good
  • Cutting:             Fair
  • Image:               Excellent
  • Box:                   Very good, small and square
  • Fit:                     Good, somewhat loose
  • Puzzle Dust:     Small amount
  • Piece cut:          Random cut
  • Piece shapes:   Very good variety
  • Finish:               Slightly shiny finish, lays flat

Overall Rating:      Very good, recommended

 

I received this product at no cost in order to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own.

Fairgrounds

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles3 Comments
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Fairgrounds by Eric Joyner – Andrews + Blaine – 126 pieces

After attempting Winter Aspen, I consciously stayed away from very small piece puzzles. It took a while for my bruised ego to recover from my defeat, but eventually I decided to give them another try. I’m not sure where they came from, but mom had two 126 piece puzzles in clear plastic boxes. The completed puzzle measures approximately 3.9 x 11.8 inches (10 x 30 cm) They’re so cute and tiny, you could take them anywhere!

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The image of this one looked fun (and decidedly easier than the other – Van Gogh’s Irises), so Fairground was it. The assembly was pretty quick and straightforward; it was a bit more challenging than the average 100 piece children’s puzzle, but it was very enjoyable. The pieces were very nice, thicker than other small puzzles that I’ve worked. They were sturdy and fit together quite well. The image reproduction is clear and bright; I was impressed with the quality of the entire puzzle.

To be honest, I didn’t even realize until I was finished that the two “towers” on either side of the image were made of doughnuts! 🍩 Once I saw the doughnut towers I realized it was artwork by Eric Joyner. I’d seen a few puzzles with his artwork from Artifact Puzzles when I was trying to decide on the image for my first wooden puzzle. I love the whimsy of the works, and the silliness – not to mention the bright, fun colors. There are even a few of his puzzles on my wish list of Artifact Puzzles.

I think I’ve gotten over my inability to complete Winter Aspen, and if there’s a world’s smallest puzzle that looks like fun I’ll probably attempt it. I still have Van Gogh’s Irises, same clear plastic box, same piece count – but it’s going to be a tad more of a challenge. Perhaps I’ll attempt it on a day when it feels like all the brain cells are firing at maximum capacity. Today – it ain’t that day. 🤨

Review: Fall: Joy of Puzzles with Bob Ross

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Puzzle reviews4 Comments
This post is sponsored by Puzzle Warehouse.
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Fall: The Joy of Puzzles with Bob Ross – Wellspring – 500 pieces

I’m not usually one for landscape puzzles, but this one looks serene and calming, Fall: (The Joy of Puzzles with Bob Ross), it’s quite a lovely image. And the fact that it’s Bob Ross is an added bonus – just thinking about his show makes me smile. “We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents” 🙂

This was a fun assembly that I took on immediately after a more challenging puzzle, it was the perfect palate cleanser. I needed something fun and a little bit simpler – this was absolutely the right puzzle at the right time.

I was glad to be able to try out the new Bob Ross puzzles from Wellspring. I’m not sure if they’re an offshoot of Sunsout, or if they’re just manufactured at the same place; the box is the same size and shape of a Sunsout with the number stamped on the bottom and the slip of paper inside from Sunsout Customer Service. The quality seems about the same as a Sunsout puzzle, but the puzzle is grid cut instead of random. The chipboard is nice and thick and the fit seems the same as well – good quality overall. If you’re a fan of his artwork there are 4 puzzles in this series, one for each season; click the link above to see the ones currently available at Puzzle Warehouse.

I definitely recommend this puzzle. It went together quickly but wasn’t too easy, and was a nice change of subject matter for me. Landscape puzzles aren’t normally what I would choose, but I see the draw. As usual when I review a puzzle I try to look through other puzzles of that genre, and as usual I’ve added more puzzles to the wishlist. Check out a beautiful and VERY interesting Pomegranate puzzle called Enassamishhinjijweian. No, I did not fall asleep face first onto my keyboard – that’s really the name! I provided a link so no one else has to struggle to spell that. 😉

I guess I have to rethink my preferences, apparently I do like landscapes.

Details:

  • Title:                  Fall: The Joy of Puzzles with Bob Ross
  • Artist:                Bob Ross
  • Brand:               Wellspring
  • Piece count:     500 pieces
  • Size:                  Approx. 18 x 24 in. (46 x 61 cm)
  • Purchased:      n/a

Quality:

  • Board:               Very good
  • Cutting:             Good
  • Image:               Very good
  • Box:                   Average
  • Fit:                     Very good, a bit tight
  • Puzzle Dust:     Small amount
  • Piece cut:          Grid cut
  • Piece shapes:   Good variety
  • Finish:               Slightly shiny finish, lays flat

Overall Rating:      Very good, recommended

 

I received this product at no cost to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own.

New Info: World Landmarks 42000 Pieces

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling1 Comment

 

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World’s largest single image puzzle set for release at the end of December!

Finally some new information on this puzzle! According to the Educa Borras Facebook page the release date is now set for the end of December. They say the puzzle is so big it doesn’t fit on Facebook, so you should check out their Instagram page – you can click through and see the entire puzzle in much better detail.

I like the image, but I have to be honest, I’m not as super excited over it as I was the Disney puzzle. It’s not because I’m that much into Disney, but that the images on that puzzle reminded me of my childhood and also of my children when they were young. Or perhaps I’m just feeling a little melancholy this weekend. Who knows?

I wouldn’t say no to assembling it if it were given to me, but I don’t know that I’ll be going out of my way to get it. Looks fun, but I think I’m good for a while unless another image comes along that really strikes my fancy. I assembled the World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle when it was still the world’s largest, I’m ok with that accomplishment – I don’t feel like I need to keep going bigger and bigger. (But that’s just me, if you’re wanting to take it on, I’ll be cheering for you!)

Down on the Farm

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles6 Comments
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Down on the Farm by Charlie Girard – White Mountain – 1000 pieces

I love a collage! I was pretty surprised that mom found this at the thrift store, I believe it’s a relatively recent White Mountain release. It was a fun assembly, as usual – it’s like having a bunch of mini puzzles that fit together. Heavenly!

White Mountain Puzzles are normally good quality, and except for the fit this one was as well. The fit was extremely loose and it was easy to upset pieces accidentally. This isn’t a problem I’ve ever had with a White Mountain puzzle, if anything they can sometimes have a fit that’s a bit too tight. I’ve had a couple with a fit so tight that you can stand the puzzle straight up on it’s edge! Click here to see a picture.

There were plenty of words, which of course made me happy. I love having words to put together! Collages seem to go quickly, because it’s difficult for me to walk away from it. One small section leads to the next and before you know it the entire puzzle is finished and you’ve lost all track of time. These are the best kind of puzzles if you ask me. 🙂