Pups in Cups

On November 15, 2018November 15, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles4 Comments

How cute are these puppies? So darn cute! They were absolutely as much fun as I’d hoped. I was finally able to get the last 4 sets of these mini puzzles, and mom, my oldest son and I went a little “mini puzzle crazy” a couple of weeks ago and assembled 3 sets in one day! 1500 pieces in total all in one day. 🙂

It’s not hard to get that many pieces assembled when you’ve got a lot of help and you’re putting together a lot of very small puzzles. It was so much fun working together – we had the best time!

The quality of these mini puzzles is very good. The pieces are a good thickness and fit together well, and the image reproduction is excellent. My only problem is that the colored backing seems to make it difficult for the die to cut completely through, and there are pieces on each of the mini puzzles that aren’t completely separated. It’s a minor detail, but worth mentioning.

Pups in Cups was the set I most wanted to assemble, and they didn’t disappoint. It’s so much adorable cuteness in one puzzle! The brightly colored cups were easy and fun to assemble, and the pups were more of a challenge than I thought they’d be. It was a great combination.

Pups in Cups 1 — Look at those sweet, sad eyes!

It was hard to choose a favorite, they’re all so sweet (and they didn’t have a Boston Terrier). But in my opinion all puppies are cute, no matter the breed.

These mini shaped puzzles are so much fun, and such a blessing when I’m not able to get out of bed and sit at the puzzle table. If I’m feeling well enough I can sit up and work them on my white board, and if I’m not they’re small enough to assemble one by one on a cookie sheet. And they’re much less expensive than the wooden micro puzzles!

If you haven’t tried shaped puzzles before and you’re not sure about them, I would recommend giving these mini shaped puzzles a try. Each mini puzzle has a different colored backing so that you can sort them easily, or if you want to give yourself a challenge you can ignore the backing and treat it like a regular 500 piece puzzle. They’re completely entertaining to assemble and so adorable! 🐾🐶🐾

No Peace Over Pieces?

On November 14, 2018November 14, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling12 Comments

Sometimes it’s so difficult to read tone and inflection online. Did they mean to sound so snarky? Do they not realize how that sounds, or am I putting my own attitude into these words? I read something online about the piece counts that puzzlers prefer and it may have been me, but some of the comments seemed to belittle people who did any puzzles less than 1000 pieces.

I’m sure a bit of it is me, I’ve been having such a difficult time with my anxiety that sometimes opening a box with 1000 pieces makes me extremely anxious and even upset. All those pieces, it just seems like too much. That said, it isn’t all just my emotions – some people spoke as though it was beneath them (and others) to work a puzzle under 1000 pieces; as though people who work smaller puzzles are less accomplished or intelligent. What is the purpose of that?

The world is an unfriendly and harsh place at times, why bring that outside world and it’s crankiness to fellow puzzlers who love reassembling chopped up pieces of cardboard and wood just like you? I don’t understand it, and it’s upsetting to me. Some people are unable to work larger puzzles because of a physical or psychological difference or limitation; and some people just prefer a smaller piece count. As far as I’m concerned, every small puzzle completed is just as beautiful and beneficial as a giant puzzle with 5000 pieces.

Who cares if my piece counts don’t measure up to yours, or yours to mine? So what if it takes you 2 days to complete your puzzle and it takes me a month? What matters is that we share the love of a hobby; that we find places online to meet, read about, or discuss that hobby. Not the petty competitiveness of making yourself feel better by bringing others down. Sigh.

I love puzzling. I love puzzles. Every size, every piece count – from 4 pieces to 40,000 – I find them all fun and entertaining in their own way. It isn’t up to me or anyone else to judge what puzzles you like, or like to assemble. If a quick and easy 100 or 300 piece puzzle makes you happy, fantastic! If you only work 1000 piece puzzles, you’re awesome! If your favorites are puzzles larger than 3000 pieces, that’s amazing! If you love jigsaw puzzles then you’re a fellow traveler and I’m so happy to meet you!

When you pick up a piece there’s a small pause; you consider the color, shape, and pattern – where should it go? How should I turn it? Where does it fit? Perhaps we should all pause for a bit before we speak (or type). Consider the shape of the comment, how it’s “color” will be received, does it fit in with the kindness we hope to receive when communicating with others? Just a small pause to consider, maybe that’s all that’s needed.💗

Happy puzzling my friends!

Vintage Needle Books

On November 13, 2018November 13, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

My brain is an interesting place, and for some reason it doesn’t want me to talk about this puzzle. I have absolutely no valid reason for it, but every time I look at this picture I don’t want to type up the post. It makes NO sense.

I had a wonderful time with the assembly; it’s a beautiful collage, it had great quality, and I even got to work on it with my puzzle posse. I absolutely loved it! Why shouldn’t I want to talk about it? No clue.

These sections were the ones I most enjoyed putting together. The blue Woolworth needle book was the first one to be assembled – 79 needles for 19 cents? WOW! I’d love to know how old that needle book actually is. The family in the upper right corner was the most challenging for me, and the very last section to be completed. There was something about the colors that seemed to make it more difficult than the rest. Still, I do love a challenge! 😉

Vintage Needle Books was great fun (even if my aging, messed up brain doesn’t want to discuss it); it’s definitely recommended!

Back to the Board!

On November 12, 2018November 11, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling2 Comments

Sugar Magnolia 1 — I’m finally back to work on this beauty!

It was almost four days that I was completely unable to puzzle, but finally I was able to sit and get back to the hobby that I love! It was only for a few minutes, but I still was unbelievably happy to get back to it. 😁

My birthday puzzle is still far from done, and even though I’m only able to work in short sessions I’m thrilled to be working on it again. Depending on how I’m feeling it may take another week or so to finish, maybe more. It doesn’t matter though, assembling this gorgeous puzzle is a joy – every single piece makes me smile!

Veteran’s Day/Remembrance Day – Tower of London Remembrance

On November 11, 2018November 10, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment

It’s Veteran’s Day here in the US, and Remembrance Day in the UK and the Commonwealth (in other nations as well); a day to remember those who have served and those who gave their lives in service to their country (in many countries, the day specifically honors those who died in the first World War). Today marks the 100th anniversary of the end of hostilities in World War I – “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”. We honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and those men and women who gave of themselves to give something back to their country. “Thank you for your service” is not nearly enough….

This puzzle shows many of the 888,246 ceramic poppies in the moat at the Tower of London – from an art installation in 2014 that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the day Britain became involved in World War I. Each poppy represented a British fatality in the war. It’s a beautiful image; stunning in its scope, and the reminder of lives lost. 888,246. That number takes my breath away.

I enjoyed this puzzle very much, and was happy that it gave me an incentive to spend some time researching Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, and Veteran’s Day. I even did a bit of research on one of the puzzle pieces! I had to email Wentworth to find out what one of the whimsy pieces represented; being the ignorant Yank that I am, I had no idea that the circular piece below is a sign for the London Tube! (London Underground, subway)

Tower of London Remembrance whimsies

The first 4 whimsies were easy, but I had to rely on the lovely customer service administrator at Wentworth to educate me about the last one. Thanks Amanda!☺

To all those who have served (including my handsome hubby, his brothers, and my son-in-law), thank you. Thank you. ❤