Penguins

On October 28, 2019October 27, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store PuzzlesLeave a comment

Unfortunately for me this is the last puzzle from the box of 20 that mom and I found at a local thrift store. I’ve had such a great time putting these together that I’m a little sad that they’re all done.

I consider myself educated and intelligent, but I have to tell you I was surprised to learn from this puzzle that there are penguins native to Africa. I may have heard that before, but I obviously didn’t process or retain it. To me the continent of Africa brings to mind deserts, jungles, safaris, and heat. Penguins in Africa? How awesome!

Penguins 1

I have to get myself to the thrift stores to see what other treasures I can find. My black belt thrift store shopping puzzle dealer isn’t around anymore to keep me swimming in interesting and beautiful puzzles – it’s time I started supplying myself. It’s worth a little pain to get myself out of the house and searching for some fun and unique puzzles.

Little Feminist

On October 27, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

This colorful puzzle was completely entertaining and quick to go together. Only one piece shape, but the little sections were relatively easy to pick out and assemble even without a variety in the piece shape.

I love the catalog of Mudpuppy puzzles, but they’re another brand that only has the one piece shape. Perhaps I’m getting to be a crochety old lady who complains too much, but I’m a bit annoyed by how many brands have just the one piece shape. I’ve assembled a few of their puzzles before, so at least I knew going in that they would all be the same shape.

This is my kind of image though; I love a collage and I love cartoon puzzles too. It went together very quickly because it was hard to walk away. Each section lead to the next, and they were all fun to assemble.

This is another puzzle that my daughter found for me in the clearance section at Barnes & Noble when we were trying to find a particular book. I can never go into a store without checking to see if there are any puzzles for me to look through. It’s a sickness, one I believe I discovered – PADS. I’m severely afflicted and loving it! 💖

Skulls In Progress

On October 26, 2019October 26, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling6 Comments

Skulls IP — Eurographics Skulls In Progress

My son got me this puzzle for Christmas last year, but he was adamant that I shouldn’t assemble it until closer to the Day of the Dead. Per his instructions I’ve waited, and will have it put together for the correct holiday. 💀

I haven’t assembled a Eurographics puzzle in a while. I was quite surprised to find that instead of an interesting random cut this puzzle is a grid cut (which I don’t mind at all) with only one piece shape (which I do mind). I don’t know when this change occurred, but I’m pretty disappointed I have to say. I’m sure it’s much cheaper to make a die with only the one shape, but we puzzlers appreciate some variety and craftsmanship. Is everything only about the bottom line? Oh well, it’s not the end of the world, just a small annoyance I felt the need to vent about.

It’s a beautiful image, and an explosion of color – it makes for quite a challenging puzzle! This is day three of working on it, but I’m hoping to finish it today. I’ve got a bee in my bonnet about getting myself some new puzzles, perhaps that will be the push I need to buckle down and get this one finished. The board needs to be cleared for a new puzzle.

Buzz, buzz – someone’s going puzzle shopping! 🐝🐝

Trains

On October 25, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles2 Comments

It’s hard to see in this picture, but this puzzle is missing a piece. Can you spot where it is?

When I started assembling each one from this big box of kids puzzles, every one I grabbed was complete, and I had high hopes that every one would be all there. Unfortunately my wish wasn’t granted and I had to send three of them to the recycling bin, including this one.

I assembled this puzzle with the educational side up, I usually do. I find them much more interesting and I love seeing what there is to learn about the subject of the puzzle.

Trains 1

I enjoyed the explanation of how a steam engine works, and it was interesting to see how trains have changed over the years. Just because this puzzle is only 24 pieces and geared towards children doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it or even learn something from it.

I really need to get my butt out of the house and get to the thrift store. Who knows what other wonderful treasures are waiting there for me to find?

Paris

On October 24, 2019October 24, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

I didn’t realize when I was assembling it that this artwork was by Ciro Marchetti – no wonder I loved the image so much, now it makes perfect sense! There are two other images in this series, New York and London. Hopefully these aren’t exclusive to Ceaco, I’d love to find them by another brand with better quality.

I was very disappointed by the quality of this puzzle. The pieces weren’t completely cut through, some so much so that I couldn’t separate them without damaging them. There was an abundance of puzzle dust that got everywhere, the fit was terrible and loose, and the pieces were thin and very easily bent. It’s been my experience that Ceaco puzzles of 750 pieces or less are better quality than their puzzles of 1000 pieces or more. I certainly won’t be assembling any more of their puzzles over 750 pieces if I can help it.

Paris 1

The fireworks and the word Paris were so much fun to assemble, I didn’t find them overly challenging. Many puzzlers say that assembling fireworks is frustrating and difficult, though I didn’t find that to be the case with this puzzle. I absolutely loved it!

Paris 2

This statue/light post was the most challenging part of the puzzle in my opinion. It was the last bit to be assembled, but I love the look of it – it’s very Parisian.

Paris is a beautiful image, but unfortunately the puzzle it was attached to was of poor quality. I can’t recommend this puzzle, but if you find the image made by another brand it is highly recommended. Even with the awful quality I found the actual assembly of the artwork to be extremely entertaining.