Author: Stacey at myjigsawjournal

The Prodigal Puzzler Has Returned!

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling20 Comments

Fireplace Cuddle – 100 pieces – Karmin

Holy crap, she’s finally puzzling again! Alert the media! After another extended mental health break (and some very gentle and kind nagging from my bestest puzzle buddy) I’m finally back at the board and hoping to get back my puzzle mojo. It’s been quite a long while everyone – I hope some of you are still here.

I’m not going to apologize for taking time off (because we should NEVER be sorry for making sure we’re doing whatever we need to do to be mentally healthy), but I am sorry for not giving you all a heads up first that I’d be gone for a while. Can’t say that I’m feeling much better at all, but I suppose if that were the prerequisite for getting back into my favorite hobby than it would never happen. So it’s finally gotten through my thick and graying head that I should just get puzzling and try to reap the benefits that it has on my short-circuited and menopausal brain. Granny needs some dopamine!

To that end, there are a few small wooden puzzles on their way to my house (as a reward to myself for finally getting my a$$ back in front of my board), and I’m working on this cute little 100 piece image of some adorable Boston Terriers. Yep, I’m still a sucker for the puppy puzzles. ❤🐶

I pray that you all are well and happy and still enjoying your puzzles. How have you been? Working on something gorgeous? Frustrating? Fun?

I truly missed you all – my Puzzle Posse. I do hope your P.A.D.S. hasn’t been giving y’all too much trouble.😊

Rare Birds

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles10 Comments

Rare Birds by Allison Strine – Buffalo – 500 pieces

After completing Unusual Animals by the same artist, I had to check around and see if there were any other images of hers to be found – thank goodness there were! This was so beautiful, great fun, and went together very quickly because I couldn’t walk away. I adored it!

This Buffalo puzzle had EXCELLENT quality. I know that some Buffalo puzzles are being made in China, but this one was made in the US. The fit was especially nice, it felt great going together.

It was so hard to choose which birds to show closeups of, they were all so interesting. I must have changed my mind at least 10 times. At least. And then I changed it again. 😎

Such interesting facts about this stork! It’s brave enough to fight a crocodile, and then it eats it! Yikes. *Making a mental note to NEVER mess with a Shoebill Stork.* Of course after reading that to cool down it poops on itself, I highly doubt I’ll be getting anywhere near it.

Loved the look of this section, and how the Kakapo’s face looks something like the kiwi it’s perched on. Plus, I wonder why they smell good – that’s so interesting to me – is it their diet or how they preen themselves? Plus they live to be more than 90 years old, that’s amazing!

The Three Wattled Bellbird, that’s another new one for me. And it has a bird call that’s called a bonk – new information for me as well. And it’s call can be heard a mile away? Holy guacamole! (guacamole made from this bird’s favorite food – wild avocado)

A Wysocki In Progress

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling3 Comments

Sweetheart Chessmate by Charles Wysocki – Buffalo – 300 pieces

Regular readers might remember that for me sometimes Charles Wysocki’s images can seem a bit repetitive, this one is NOT one of those! I’ve assembled a few of his puzzles with only one building in them, and adored each and every one – and I’m hoping this will be another in that same vein.

It’s only been sorted so far; but it makes me so glad I ordered myself a few smaller piece count puzzles. Having only 1000 piece puzzles around was stressing me out. It was actually causing anxiety to the point that I didn’t even want to go into the puzzle room – and that is not good.

But this 300 piece Wysocki image is just what I need, and hopefully it will help me build myself back up to working on the bigger piece counts. It’ll be lovely!

Colorful Collage

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles8 Comments

Colorful Collage – Colorcraft Puzzles – 1000 pieces

Colorful and beautiful, and I just I knew I would love this one. It was exceptionally easy to sort, except for the two sections with straws; but I just sorted them together as one section. It was lots of fun and just what I needed.

This brand has good quality. There was a small section where the cutting wasn’t great, but it was only a few pieces and didn’t detract from the fun of assembly. Otherwise overall it was good quality. There’s something odd about the fit though – it doesn’t feel like a good fit, but once you’ve got it put together it stays very well. I’m not sure how it can BE a good fit but not FEEL like a good fit, but there it is. Like I said, it’s odd.

I was the most nervous about this section. It was difficult, but I was really proud of myself for getting it done!

On the opposite end of the spectrum, this was the easiest section for me. Kind of boring, really – but very pretty.

All the sections were so bold and colorful, I just adored this assembly! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Cat Selfies – Day 4

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles6 Comments

Cat Selfies by Howard Robinson – Cra-Z-Art – approx. 125/500 pieces

This group has my favorite image – can you guess which one? I’m certain that you can. 😉 I enjoyed these pretty kitties much more than I expected to, and I’m glad they were hanging around the house when a bunch of smaller puzzles was what I needed.

These were good quality puzzles, and as always I recommend you give them a try if it’s something you think you might like. I just ordered two new sets, stay tuned to see them at some point in the future. I don’t know that they’re the kind of images that would lend themselves to names and backstories, but they’ll be great fun to assemble anyway – and that’s the whole point.

And now for introductions to our final three…

Everyone, meet Esther – if you guessed this was my favorite image you win! Esther was taken by surprise when her photo was taken, and isn’t too happy about sharing the spotlight with Bertie Butterfly. She likes to be the center of attention at all times, and no matter what you’ve done she’s done something similar – but much more impressive (you know the type). Esther is a retired grandma who spends most of her time doing absolutely nothing. She doesn’t really have any hobbies, but according to her she’s tried them all and been AMAZING at every one. Her kids and grandkids don’t visit a lot, she’s a bit much to handle too often.

Say hello to Cyrus – he really knows how to pose for pictures doesn’t he? Cyrus likes to keep things light and silly outside of work because his job is very serious (and dangerous). He is a snake milker – he milks snakes for their venom! Snake venom is used in making medicines and it’s extremely dangerous work to milk the snakes. Cyrus has a way about him though, and he’s very good at his job. On the weekends he is a clown at birthday parties and business events, and he also enjoys hosting karaoke parties.

Mabel here considers herself a delicate flower of a cat, but the truth is she’s unbelievably clumsy and awkward and is constantly injuring herself. (That’s why I love her!) Fortunately Mabel’s work keeps her sitting down almost all day, so there are less opportunities for her to get hurt – she’s a graphic designer and spends most of her days on her computer. In her spare time she enjoys completing crossword puzzles, watercolor painting, and growing her own herbs. Mabel is awkward, but she’s got a whole group of friends and family who cherish her, and that’s what really matters. 💗

I always love putting these sets together, even if there are no stories to go with them. I find them to be great fun and love all the different sets they’ve designed so far. They’re good quality and quite entertaining for me – that’s all I really need.