Category: Jigsaw Puzzling

Review: Sunsout Puzzle Preserver (Glue)

On 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
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 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) 😉

One week to go!

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling, World's Largest Puzzle ProgressLeave a comment

cropped-712jbqy3n3l__sl1200_.jpgOne week from today we’re assembling Disney’s Memorable Moments! Friends and family have been invited, hall has been reserved, and I’m super excited! 🙂

I’m really excited to see every section put together and although in my head I know the measurements of the finished puzzle, it will be a different thing altogether to see it firsthand. Each section as it was completed seemed like an enormous puzzle on it’s own, and connecting them will be quite an awesome sight. 😮

I’m hoping to have an excellent picture that I’ll be able to put on the home page of the blog to replace the advertising image. Honestly though, how in the world do you get a good picture of a puzzle that’s 23 feet long and lying on the floor? I’m thinking we’re probably going to have to take a ladder. A camera rigged drone? (That made me laugh just thinking about it) Hopefully there’s a picture that turns out good enough to use here. I want a picture of myself lying or sitting on top of the puzzle, luckily the puzzle is so big the camera will have to be far enough away that it won’t be too close to my face. 😉

So if you’ve kept up with my blog and watched my progress on the “World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle”, it’s finally going to be completely assembled on Saturday June 17, 2017! Most likely I’ll post an update and pictures on Sunday, so stay tuned. 😎

In Progress

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlingLeave a comment

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Working on Drunk as a Skunk from All Jigsaw Puzzles. This little guy is watching the skunk, and I thought he was cute.  My brain doesn’t seem to be functioning well this morning so instead of typing up a new post I decided to just show what I’m working on at the moment.

Started this puzzle yesterday, and I’m probably about 30-40% done. It’s going quickly, which is excellent because sitting and working is difficult for me this week. Luckily I have this awesome adjustable table hubby made for me and I can work while standing if I need to. Hope to be done with this by tomorrow sometime. 🙂

A New Bad Boy In Town!

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling4 Comments
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The New World’s Largest Puzzle!

Well look what I found wandering the web looking at jigsaw puzzles! This new puzzle is manufactured by a French company – Grafika, will be available in September of 2017, and will be 48,000 pieces!! 😮 I was sure Educa would be the next world’s largest! It seems I’m rarely right about anything these days. If my math is correct the price of this bad boy is 510 US dollars (395.99 British Pounds) Oh my.

The new puzzle is called Travel Around the World, and represents countries on every continent. The completed puzzle will measure 26.77 x 6.30 feet (8.16 x 1.92 meters). Apparently the puzzle will be delivered in a wooden box with wheels to haul the 55 pounds (25kg) of puzzle pieces! There are 24 separate bags of 2000 pieces each. It also comes with 2 posters of the puzzle image, and a poster showing a map of the world with the locations of the individual puzzle images.

The purists will say it’s not really a 48,000 piece puzzle unless you mix all the bags. I’m sure the purists are lovely people, but they should also try not to stomp on the feelings of others who might enjoy doing large piece puzzles in sections. Just my opinion. I say, if it makes you happy to mix the bags, go for it. I also say, if you want to do the puzzle in sections and still say you’ve completed the puzzle, go for it, and way to go! When my 40,320 piece puzzle is all laid out and connected I would like for someone to try and say something snarky about how I didn’t REALLY put together a 40,320 piece puzzle. I walk with a cane. It’s sturdy, and metal. Just saying. 😇

I’ve never heard of or tried Grafika, and haven’t seen any reviews of their puzzles either. Makes me want to get at least one of their puzzles to try it out and see what I think of the brand. Has anyone else tried this brand? I’d love to hear from you if you have.

I gotta admit, I’m super tempted! I still have 2 weeks to go before we assemble the current World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle and I know once I see it all laid out like that it’s gonna make me want to do the next one too! I should just cool my heels, find a Grafika puzzle and try it out and see how I feel about it, right?

I like the look of this one too! Help! I think I may have a problem. I still have no idea what’s going to happen to the Disney puzzle. *sigh*