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!

I’m Having the Best Time!

On November 7, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling4 Comments

Sugar Magnolia whimsies — Having fun with whimsies!

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….

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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?

It’s National Jigsaw Day in the UK! The Gardener’s Cupboard

On November 3, 2018November 3, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Jigsaw Puzzling4 Comments

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! 👍👍

New Puzzle Day!

On November 1, 2018November 1, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlingLeave a comment

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I’m so excited!!! Hubby says my birthday present from Liberty Puzzles will be arriving today! My puzzle dealer in the brown truck will be bringing me joy and happiness in a box. I can hardly wait!

What will it be? How many pieces? Why isn’t it here already?

It’s gonna be a good day today – I can feel it! Although, I think I may have gone over the limit for exclamation point usage in one post. Whatever! I’m so excited! New Liberty wooden puzzle today! 🤩

Assorted News

On October 26, 2018October 26, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling5 Comments

Just a few little tidbits that I thought I’d pass along…

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One of My Jigsaw Journal’s readers and fellow puzzle blogger, Puzzle Momma, has recently gotten back to her GIANT of a puzzle, Life – The Great Challenge. This big boy is 24,000 pieces and she’s down to about her last 1000 pieces or so. She’s back working on it after about a year’s hiatus, and I for one am cheering her on. Go Penny! I can’t wait to see pictures of the entire puzzle, although I bet it’s 10 times more beautiful in person than in any pictures. Check out her blog Puzzle Momma to watch for updates. (When I was working on my big puzzle, knowing people were “watching” on the blog helped me to work on it every day – even if only a few pieces. So we’ll be watching! 😇)

Outset Media, which, among many other things designs and manufactures Cobble Hill puzzles, has mentioned My Jigsaw Journal in their latest news update on their website! In a post about puzzle bloggers they enjoy, my humble little blog was one of three mentioned! 😱 Check out their post for their thoughts on some awesome jigsaw puzzle blogs. (Yeah, I said my blog was awesome – because I couldn’t think of a good way to compliment the other two amazing bloggers without complimenting myself!)

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Lastly, and the one I’m most excited about, I pulled up my wishlist at Liberty Puzzles on my husband’s computer last night so he could choose a birthday present for me. If you knew me, you’d know that it’s completely out of character – I don’t really care for presents. I know that’s a ridiculously odd thing to say, but I am a ridiculously odd person! I’m not a fan of being the center of attention, and presents make me uncomfortable. Yup, I said that. Welcome to the weird world of me.

That said, I have a big birthday coming up, and for once I’ve decided to help him out. Since he was going to get me a present this year even though I always ask him not to, I thought it best to make sure it was something that I’d really like. He asked for suggestions, so I figured now was the time to go big or go home – wooden puzzles! You only turn half a century old once, right? 😎

So I’m excited to see what fantastic new Liberty Puzzle I’m getting (knowing hubby, it’ll be whichever puzzle on my wishlist was the most expensive). I’ll try not to think about that, and just be overjoyed that I have an awesome husband who always tries to make me happy and loves me madly even after 30 years of marriage. 💖