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.

puzglue_so_2

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!

I received this product at no charge in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own.

Adding Real Reviews

On June 22, 2017 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling, Puzzle reviewsLeave a comment

I was contacted recently by Puzzle Warehouse, their social media guru had found my blog and asked if I’d be willing to review puzzles, games, and puzzle products for them on my blog. Of course I said yes, I’m quite the puzzle geek/addict/fanatic and I’ve also fallen in love with blogging about the puzzles I do. Also, how cool is it that the largest puzzle store in the world found my little blog?? 😎

I started this blog because I wanted a way for family and friends to keep up with my progress on the world’s largest jigsaw puzzle, and I’ve kept it going because it’s really been fun for me to post about the puzzles I do. Since I was injured and unable to work there are honestly a very limited number of things I can do – but I’m always able to puzzle, even if I have to spend most of the day in bed and even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time.

I haven’t really been doing reviews here, I just talk about the puzzles I’ve done and why I did or did not enjoy them. Reviewing is a bit different and I think my criteria should be adjusted slightly.

I will continue to be honest of course, if I didn’t like it I’ll say why and what I think could be done to improve it. If I did like it what are my reasons? Nothing is perfect and no one would trust a reviewer that only gave praise because they were getting free products. Manufacturers want to know if there is something consumers think should be improved. Distributors want to be sure they are selling quality products that consumers will want to purchase. And most of all, consumers want to know if a product is a quality one and worth spending their hard earned money on. Does it do what it claims? Is it enjoyable? Will I be happy with my purchase?

I also have to think of the reasons why others might like a puzzle or puzzle product. Are they collectors? If so, what aspects of puzzles are the most important to them? If they’re going to assemble the puzzle once and then sell it, give it away, etc., what aspects would be most important to those puzzlers?

The images or artwork on puzzles and the reasons for liking or disliking them are subjective. My opinion of what makes the best puzzle image is likely different from everyone else’s. So a good review would take into account my opinions, but also consider the opinions of others and what might draw them to an image. Not every puzzle is for everyone, so I wouldn’t give a negative review just because I don’t like the image. I may say the image doesn’t lend itself well to puzzling, but again that is my subjective opinion and not a reason for a bad review. If we all had the same taste in puzzles what a boring world it would be! Besides, I’m a little excited about having puzzles chosen for me to do. If it’s not an image I would normally choose and I end up loving it, that opens up a whole new bunch of puzzles that I might now actually choose or purchase for myself. (Hmm, I wonder how hubby will feel about that? 😮 )

To sum up, I believe it’s my job as a reviewer to be trustworthy. To let the reader know the good and bad and the reasons that led me to that conclusion. To let them know if I found it enjoyable or think others may enjoy it even if it wasn’t my cup of tea. To give the reader the information they need to make an informed decision on whether or not they should purchase something. I won’t stray too far from how I’ve been writing about puzzles, but I will try to make sure I’m aware of what others look for in a great puzzle or product.

I will of course be providing links to Puzzle Warehouse where you can purchase all the products and puzzles I’ll be reviewing. They are the ones sponsoring the reviews – and they’re the largest puzzle store in the world!! I have got to get feeling better so I can take a trip to St. Louis! (Mom and I have been saving up for a puzzle pilgrimage) 😉