Vibrant Puzzle Calendar Kit Puzzles 3 & 4

On September 26, 2017September 28, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles1 Comment

Bouquet 100 pieces

Window Box 100 pieces

This is the second puzzle from this calendar kit that I’ve assembled. I really am enjoying them! I don’t normally do 2 sided puzzles, but these small ones have been pretty fun. If you didn’t see my post on the calendar kit and what is included click here see puzzles 1 and 2.

The images are all stock photos it seems, and they’re all flowers in some form or another. Pretty pictures! Even though they are only 100 pieces it’s still enjoyable for me, and it’s still interesting to watch the images come together. I used to be snobby and think that puzzles less than 1000 pieces weren’t for me, they’re too easy or not worth my time. I have, of course, come to my senses! 😉

As long as you’re having fun, who cares about anything else? Doesn’t matter if it’s a brand no one else seems to like, or you don’t finish your puzzles as fast as other people. What’s important is that you’re enjoying the hobby, right? I say if it isn’t fun for you, stop! If you’re enjoying it, go for it. It isn’t a competition, it’s a hobby. And first and foremost it’s supposed to be fun. (stepping down from my soapbox)

It’s so interesting the variety of puzzles we’ve found in the many thrift stores in our area. Vintage, newer, from gently loved to never been opened; from Aquarius to White Mountain, and puzzles from many countries! We have one from South Africa that I haven’t assembled yet, and mom just found an awesome Japanese puzzle that I’m working on at the moment. 😎

Review: Dr. Seuss I Can Do That Card Game

On September 25, 2017September 25, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Game Reviews2 Comments

This post is sponsored by Puzzle Warehouse.

810558010259 — Dr. Suess The Cat in the Hat I Can Do That! Card Game – Ravensburger

I was a little bummed out when I got I Can Do That to review, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to play it. I was injured several years ago and have had mobility issues since, but I’m still a child at heart. So even though I was looking forward to playing it, I turned it over to my 10 year old product tester instead. Thank goodness cookies keep him on the payroll! 😉

The game is simple, really. There are 24 cards and a foam fishbowl (see the picture above). You lay all the cards out face down, like when you play a memory game. The object is to turn over a red action card, a blue location card, and a yellow fish card. If one of each card is not drawn they are put back and it is the next player’s turn. Remember where the cards are so that you can turn over one of each color on your next turn. Once all 3 color cards are drawn that player has to act out the activity described by the 3 cards, e.g. crab walk to the window with the fish between your elbows. If the player completes that activity they get to keep the cards. The player with the most cards at the end of the game wins.

I made sure that Levi had the game before Hurricane Irma dropped in to visit, there’s no better time to play games then when the power’s out! Here’s his review…..

He thought this game was fun and interactive (his word not mine). He thought some of the things you have to do are funny and some are hard, such as hopping to the front door and back with the fish on your head! He said you look goofy doing some of the things, but that also makes it fun. He wasn’t sure about the age range starting at 3 years old because some of the things are very difficult to accomplish – even when you modify the game for younger children as per the instructions.

Levi thinks it would be a good family game, maybe for a holiday gathering or family dinner. Also, he says he thinks there should be more cards, because with multiple people the games goes by really quickly. Overall he liked it very much; it kept him moving and there were plenty of laughs too. It gets a thumbs up from Levi. 👍

While I wasn’t able to play it, I agree that it would be a fun game at a family gathering or game night, especially with kids and grownups playing together. I knew that Ravensburger made games and toys in addition to puzzles, but I had no idea the range of games they have available. Click to see all the Ravensburger games available at Puzzle Warehouse. (Mom loves the mandala designers – she has about 4 in her house right now!)

This was a fun review for Levi, but I’m hoping the next game I get to review is something I can play too – I hate being left out of the fun stuff! 🙂

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

World Landmarks 42,000 pieces

On September 24, 2017December 5, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling10 Comments

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Latest update on this new puzzle from the Spanish Association for Puzzles!

*Will measure 24.5 x 5.15 feet ( 7.49 x 1.57 meters)

*The puzzle is named “World Landmarks” and was illustrated by Adrian Chesterman, the same artist who did the previous largest single image “Wildlife” (also by Educa)

*The release date in Europe is November 20, 2017; I have no information on when it would be available from stores in the US

*The initial suggested sales price is 350 euros (approximately $418 USD) That’s not too bad, that’s approximately what I paid for the Disney puzzle and that included shipping from Germany to the US.

I’m really tempted by this one. I love the detail in Adrian Chesterman’s puzzles, and the colors are always gorgeous. It looks like it would be fun and interesting to assemble, doesn’t it? It does to me! But what in the world would I do with this puzzle? The Disney is still in sections and napping underneath my bed!

**UPDATE** Click to see new updated information.

Policeman Dreams

On September 24, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles5 Comments

There’s something about this image, I love it! I haven’t had enough coffee this morning to articulate exactly why, all I know is that this image makes me smile and was a pleasure to assemble.

I went about assembling this puzzle backwards – I started with the more difficult sections. No idea now why this was, but I started with the sidewalk/road and then the sky. The rest of the puzzle wasn’t as challenging, although the cars did take a bit more concentration.

MasterPieces quality has been improving, in my opinion. The pieces fit together very well and are a good thickness. The finish is still a bit shiny, but overall that’s really my only issue. Every once in a while I get a puzzle where the pieces aren’t completely separated, but I’ve seen that with every puzzle manufacturer. There’s never going to be a company that is perfect every single time.

The Childhood Dreams collection by Dan Hatala is nostalgic and heartwarming and focuses on moments between parents and children. There are at least 11 more in the series that I’ve seen and I would love to do every single one of them; they are absolutely gorgeous! My black belt thrift store shopper has been given instructions to buy any of this series that she can find. 🙂

Celestial Map Puzzle Ball

On September 23, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles4 Comments

This was only the second 3D puzzle that I’ve assembled, and it was a bit of a letdown. There were 4 missing pieces, 1 piece completely broken in half, and many pieces that were bent and damaged. 😦

Mom and I were hoping to enjoy this assembly as much as the first puzzle ball that we did, but the condition of this puzzle was terrible. Wherever it’s previous home, it was not well loved – in fact, someone was extremely rough with it. It looks as if whoever took it apart before was not careful or gentle, perhaps they didn’t enjoy the assembly. Whatever the reason, they damaged it and lost pieces. Why not just throw it away?

Although this puzzle was a bit of a disappointment, it was still fun to spend time with mom assembling it. That’s the most fun thing about puzzling for me I think, sharing it with loved ones. I enjoy the solitude of working on a puzzle alone, trying to concentrate only on what I’m doing and finding the next piece. But even more enjoyable is working a puzzle with someone, talking and laughing and spending time together. It’s 10,000 times better than staring at the tv, scrolling through things on your phone, or clicking through web pages on the computer!