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.

Another World’s Largest?

On September 16, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling2 Comments

21727970_1565108606866161_409047502984685597_n — World’s largest single image puzzle coming soon?

I’ve been trying to find more information on this puzzle, but here’s what I have found so far. None of this has been verified, I’m trying to find any info on it but am not having much luck!

*This is supposed to be the World’s Largest Single Image Jigsaw Puzzle at 42,000 pieces

*Is being manufactured by Educa

*Is supposed to be released just before Thanksgiving 2017

*Will have 7 bags of 6000 pieces each

*Comes with a booklet listing all the monuments pictured

I do not know the name of the artist, the cost, or when/if it will be available in the US. I would love to see the image close up, it looks beautiful and like it would be a LOT of fun to assemble!

Grafika has just come out this month with a puzzle that has more pieces (48,000), but the image is many smaller images combined. I believe the largest single image puzzle at the moment is the 33,600 piece entitled Wildlife by Educa.

If I find out any more information on this puzzle I will post it. I’m intrigued, how about you?

Hurricane Irma

On September 8, 2017September 8, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlingLeave a comment

https3a2f2fblueprint-api-production-s3-amazonaws-com2fuploads2fcard2fimage2f5843602f0f332264-9ecd-45fc-9e38-dd3ade7e996f — Satellite image of Hurricane Irma

My first thought looking at this picture is that the colors are beautiful and it would make a fun and challenging jigsaw puzzle. That’s only for a second or two though, then I think of how terrifying this hurricane is and that it’s on a collision course with several island countries, all of Florida, and much of the southeastern United States. Millions of lives are being threatened, and I’m praying that no more lives are lost to Irma’s rampage.

We are not under an evacuation order where I live in Florida, at least not yet. And I’m hoping it stays that way; from what I’ve seen on the news the traffic on most roads is a nightmare and I don’t know how in the world we’d be able to get anywhere if we needed to. My family is spending today “battening down the hatches” and preparing to hunker down to ride out the storm together. 8 adults (3 generations of my family) and 4 dogs together in my very small home – there are air mattresses, plenty of jigsaw puzzles to keep us busy, stacks of water bottles, plenty of canned goods and easy to prepare foods, coolers full of ice, and lots and lots of hope.

First and foremost we are hoping that everyone is able to weather this storm without loss of life. We can rebuild homes and get new things, but family and loved ones are irreplaceable. If I have my family with me, home is wherever we are – as long as we’re together.

Although we know that people are the most important thing, we are nonetheless also all hoping that our homes and possessions will not be destroyed by wind, water, or both. There’s plenty of anxiety and tension to go around as we worry about losing the “things” we own or losing a place to live. Worry won’t change a thing, but knowing that doesn’t stop us from worrying.

So my family will gather here to wait out the storm; we will watch the news while we wait, worry, and hope. Some of us here will work on jigsaw puzzles to pass the time, but the puzzles and puzzling isn’t that important. It’s just a way to pass the time and keep our minds from focusing only on the fear, anxiety or dread. I’m praying for all of us in her path, for those who have loved ones in harm’s way, and for everyone affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

I love jigsaw puzzles – I love assembling them, talking about them, shopping for them, blogging about them, even reading about them. But right now, they’re just a way for me to try and keep my mind off of Irma – she is unwanted and unwelcome but she’s on her way. I hope to be back posting about puzzles again very soon.

Lion King

On August 15, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Jigsaw PuzzlingLeave a comment

Had to travel out of state for a family funeral, and stayed with my sister-in-law and her family; while we were there my niece and I finished this puzzle. It’s quite fitting, really – The Lion King, the circle of life – I didn’t even realize it until just now, while typing up this post. Life goes on.

We gather to celebrate new life, and we gather to celebrate and remember a life lived. We are all a piece in many puzzles, many lives, and when our puzzle is finished it is a beautiful picture of a life lived.

There may be dark areas, where our choices or actions weren’t the brightest or best, but they all combine to make the person and the life that was. Or there may be a dark valley in our puzzle; not because of choices or actions, but because of the difficulties or trials life throws our way. And how we blend that darkness back into the light makes for a stunning image of a life well lived and well loved.

Our puzzle may not be as ornate or as colorful as someone else’s, or the pieces may become frayed around the edges, but our puzzle is us and those we love and care for – therefore our puzzle is beautiful and unique and can never be duplicated.

I don’t normally wax philosophical about jigsaw puzzles, but the past week is still with me and I didn’t realize how much until I began typing today. Life, and puzzling, goes on. I will try to be a beautiful piece in the puzzles of those I love, but no matter how my piece, or my entire puzzle looks, it is a picture of me and the life I lived – dark spots and all.

Review: Sunsout Puzzle Preserver (Glue)

On July 17, 2017February 24, 2020 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlingLeave a comment

This post is sponsored by Puzzle Warehouse.

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I don’t glue most of the puzzles I complete, but I have glued several puzzles for framing. This was my first time using Sunsout Puzzle Preserver and I liked it!

Some puzzles I’ve purchased specifically to frame after assembly, a Marine Corps puzzle for my husband last Christmas, Vintage Love Letters to hang in our bedroom, and several golf puzzles for hubby’s golf room. I’ve done my share of gluing puzzles, and while it seemed daunting at first, it’s really not difficult at all.

Sunsout Puzzle Preserver is very easy to use. The applicator brush is built into the lid so you can’t lose it, which is handy for those of us who can be absentminded and lose track of things. And the glue itself is opaque, so you can see where you’ve applied it, but dries clear and quickly. I think the high gloss finish brightens up the colors of your puzzle.

Also, if you have a puzzle where the piece shape is obvious in the finished image, gluing it can soften the look of those lines and make it look more like a picture instead of a puzzle. I recently reviewed a Eurographics puzzle called Tsuki Hoshi that my daughter loved – but the piece shapes were very obvious. I glued it for her using Sunsout Puzzle Preserver and the shapes were quite muted afterward! Check it out before and after…

Tsuki Hoshi by Haruyo Morita – Eurographics – 1000 pieces

You can tell especially in the moon and the lighter top portion of the puzzle, it looks more like artwork and less like a jigsaw puzzle. I was extremely pleased, it looks beautiful!

I prefer to apply it by pouring the glue directly on the puzzle and spreading it around with an old credit card, I find it gets applied more evenly that way. I did use the attached brush for gluing Paris Opera House, but it ended up needing a second coat. I didn’t have that trouble when I used my regular method. Be sure you put wax paper or plastic wrap underneath your puzzle so if any seeps through you won’t damage the surface beneath. Also, be careful not to apply too much, or it can get tacky – I went a little crazy the first time I used it. Oops! 😉 It’s a high gloss finish, so if you prefer matte I would use a different glue.

This is the before and after for Paris Opera House. In my opinion it sharpens the definition and makes the colors pop. You can see the darker colors more, but showing the shaded areas defines the arch of the ceilings. Compare the ceilings – the after picture shows more depth and the colors are brightened. I think it’s gorgeous!

Paris Opera House – Masterpieces (Masters of Photography) – 500 pieces

I’ve used this glue on puzzles from Masterpieces, Sunsout, and Eurographics, and it has turned out beautifully every time. Like I said, I don’t glue most of my puzzles, but for the ones I do I would definitely trust Sunsout Puzzle Preserver. It’s only $3.99 at Puzzle Warehouse for a 4 ounce jar that will do 2 or 3 1000 piece puzzles. That’s an excellent price compared to Amazon at $6.60!