Sugar Magnolia is taking soooo long! It has nothing to do with the puzzle itself, I’ve just been unable to sit in front of it long enough to make any substantial progress; fifteen minutes yesterday was all I could handle. 😕
It’s so beautiful, the pieces are wonderfully fun and entertaining to work with, and I’m unbelievably happy to have it – but it’s been 16 days now since it’s arrived and I would really love to see it finished! Yesterday I was able to put together the largest butterflies in the section above (one on each side of the puzzle). It’s coming together, though my progress is much slower than I’d like.
Ok, enough whining about it. Time to put on my big girl panties and get to work!
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.💗
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!
Well, I was right, hubby did get me the most expensive puzzle from my wishlist as a birthday present. I’m assembling it now and it’s coming together slowly, but slow is ok with me – I’m having the best time!
I tried to be upset with him, but I apparently misplaced my distress when I opened the box. Whoops. It’s called Sugar Magnolia from Liberty Puzzles and it’s GORGEOUS….
The artwork by Phil Lewis so beautiful and unusual – I love it! Though I don’t think I ever really would have bought it for myself. It’s one of those puzzles I put on my wishlist so I can look at it and sigh wistfully. (You know what I mean, right?) I’m so happy to have it, but I’m also upset with myself for not removing it from the list before I let hubby look at it. It makes no sense, does it? That’s me all over, nonsensical.
Nonsense aside, I am enjoying this puzzle so much! Mom came over to help me get started, and we had the best time spending several minutes just looking at the pieces. Then we poured them out onto a board and, oh my, there were so many! I’ve never had a wooden puzzle with this many pieces, there are almost 900. 😮
The pieces were all laid out, and then I put the box away. That’s part of the reason the assembly is going slowly – we’re not using the image. It makes the wooden puzzle experience last longer and gives me more time to look at and feel the pieces while I contemplate where they should go. I love being in the moment and focused only on the puzzle and it’s pieces. Heavenly!
I spent a bit of silly time setting up the picture above with a few of the whimsies. I have no explanation other than it made me smile. ☺ Adorable, aren’t they?
The Gardener’s Cupboard by Colin Thompson – Wentworth Wooden Puzzles – 40 pieces
I’m celebrating National Jigsaw Day by posting an awesome puzzle from the UK, The Gardener’s Cupboard from Wentworth. I’ll also be celebrating by working on a puzzle, big surprise, huh?
In the US we have National Puzzle Day on January 29; it isn’t specific to jigsaw puzzles, but includes all types – sudoku, crossword, brain teasers, etc. In the UK this is the 4th annual National Jigsaw Day, especially for us dissectologists! (That’s just a ten dollar word for someone who enjoys assembling jigsaw puzzles – with today’s exchange rate that word is worth about 7.7 pounds sterling 😎) I’m way over here across the pond, but I’m an avid puzzler so I’m down with celebrating any day that celebrates jigsaw puzzling!
Wentworth is celebrating by offering 10% of any regularly priced puzzles, and having a Golden Whimsy Piece Competition. Buy any of their micro puzzles from their Stocking Filler Collection this weekend (Nov. 2-4, 2018) and you may receive a Golden Whimsy piece. If you find one of the 3 special pieces you win a year’s worth of puzzles – the prize is 12 x 250 piece puzzles of your choice. Wow! My puzzles are already ordered, wish me luck. 🍀 Check out their website for all the details, and happy National Jigsaw Day!
Now to this beautiful Colin Thompson puzzle – it was so much fun! The whimsies were perfect for gardening…
I love the spade stuck in the dirt (top right), although it took a few seconds to register exactly what it was. It’s so enjoyable to open a Wentworth and find all the whimsies to see what they are and how they relate to the puzzle image! I need to get out more, right? I’m WAY too excited about these things. 😉
The micro puzzles from Wentworth are a godsend to me, allowing me to puzzle when I’m unable to get out of bed and sit at my puzzle table, or even when I can’t sit up in bed to work with a puzzle on my whiteboard. I can put all the pieces on a cookie sheet lined with paper and complete one of these beauties while laying down. That’s exactly how I worked on The Gardener’s Cupboard.
I think I’d like to work this image in a larger piece count, there’s just so much to see! Colin Thompson’s cupboard puzzles are filled with interesting (and weird) things – and all those adorable little pink people! Even though it might have been better with more pieces, this puzzle was great fun. Two thumbs way up! 👍👍
My Jigsaw Journal 