Puzzle Pride

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles3 Comments

Puzzle Pride – MicroPuzzles – 150 pieces

Even though this image was quite difficult I loved this one. As an added bonus part of the proceeds from the sale of this puzzle go to The Trevor Project, which makes me extremely happy; love it when I can buy a puzzle and help people at the same time!

The quality is typical for a MicroPuzzles puzzle, and I love being able to subscribe and get new fun images each month. This is one that I bought from their website (puzzle shopping addict? anyone?) and I’m constantly looking for new and interesting images to put together whether the puzzles be large or small.

This image, luckily, was double sided. When I wasn’t sure about whether or not a piece was placed correctly I could just turn it over to verify. Several times I was wrong, because although you might think a rainbow colored puzzle would be simple to assemble – it wasn’t. But therein lies the fun!

I always appreciate a double sided puzzle, especially when the image on the front is a bit challenging, like this one was. Can’t say enough good things about this puzzle.

Love is loved it! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Soda Fountain In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling, Thrift Store Puzzles6 Comments

Soda Fountain – Buffalo – 1000 pieces

Don’t you love the look of old-timey ads and artwork? Well, I do. They make for more difficult puzzling sometimes, but the end result is worth it in my opinion. I’m loving this one!

This is a thrift store purchase and the quality has been EXCELLENT so far. It’s obvious that it’s been assembled a time or two (it was manufactured in 2010), but there are no bent pieces, no torn or lifting image, and the fit is absolutely amazing. It makes me want to be sure my next puzzle is a Buffalo as well. I know they’re all not going to be the same as far as quality, but this assembly is making me quite happy.

I’m still working on completing all the faces and skin, but it’s getting there and looking really nice. It’s funny how when I look at the picture of what I’ve done so far it seems as though it would be simple to find the missing pieces of this face or that spot; but in reality it ain’t easy at all!

I’m a Pepsi gal myself, but Coca-Cola really does have such great old advertising images. Good thing drinking Coke while I’m puzzling isn’t required. 🥤

A World of Money

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles6 Comments

A World of Money by Charlie Girard – White Mountain – 550 pieces

It’s been a while since a White Mountain collage was on my board, and this one was a doozy! It’s much more difficult than it looks, but was very enjoyable. It was so interesting to see some of the world’s money, some of the bills are so beautiful.

Typical White Mountain quality, the fit was good and there are a great variety of piece shapes. This being a thrift store puzzle means it’s been pre-loved, so there were quite a few pieces with image lift on the tabs. Also, the image reproduction leaves a little bit to be desired. Some parts of the image are crisp and clear and some parts seem fuzzy and indistinct. Still, I know all about White Mountain quality going in and put up with the little problems because collages are my puzzle happy place and assembling one that may not be premium quality still makes me smile.

I’m not sure why this particular dollar bill intrigues me, but it does. It’s just boats on the sea, but it draws my eye every time I look at the image. To me it’s just quietly beautiful.

Pink elephants on parade! (Give yourself old person brownie points if you got that Dumbo reference) This bill jumps out at me too, the beautiful blues and that gorgeous pink elephant – love it!

Not being a world traveler, and only really having seen American and Canadian money in real life, that’s where I started – with the American dollars. The pieces were relatively easy to pick out, as were the ones for the golden bucket and the coins. Once those were assembled I just looked over my trays of pieces and started pulling out colors or faces that struck my fancy. It went together slowly over a few days, and even though it took a while it was still very enjoyable to assemble.

The quality wasn’t the best, but it didn’t really matter. It was a thrift store puzzle that only cost a few dollars and was complete – can’t really beat that. If I worked out on the price per hours of entertainment I got more than my money’s worth.

It may not be much to some people, but having an interesting puzzle on the board to keep my hands and mind occupied is worth SO MUCH! Jigsaw puzzles are the best hobby, and having them in my life is worth more to me than a world of money! 💜

Down on the Boardwalk

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles4 Comments

Down on the Boardwalk by Charles Fazzino – TCG – 300 pieces

The riotous color in this image was very enjoyable and went quite quickly once it was started. I’ve done a few Charles Fazzino images and they’ve always been interesting and entertaining to put together. Normally artwork with so many things packed tightly together isn’t quite my cup of tea (think Jan van Haasteren), but this one has enough breaks with the ocean and sky that it wasn’t too difficult.

The quality was much better than expected for a TCG puzzle; they are hit and miss in the quality department for me – usually more misses than hits unfortunately. But this puzzle had great reproduction, good cut, and an excellent fit.

Everything was bright and fun with lots of people, places, and things to see. Love the Rainforest Cafe!

The whole puzzle was just all around fun. I’ve never been to Atlantic City, but this boardwalk puzzle makes it look like fun.

Wonderland In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling11 Comments

Wonderland by Bill Bell – Wentworth – 140 pieces

This little Wentworth puzzle has been slow going so far, I’ve put away the box so this is being put together without an image for reference. Still, it’s bright and colorful and I’m hoping it’ll be great fun.

The image on the box seems quite small, and it’s a bit difficult to see the detail; so I’m looking forward to seeing the artwork in more detail on the pieces themselves. There have only been a few pieces put together here and there, when I see a piece that goes with another – pretty much like all jigsaw puzzling now that I think about. But there’s so much going on that it isn’t coming together as quickly as it normally does.

Still having a good time with it though, and that’s the part that counts!

I’m having a rough time lately, and don’t seem to be as interested in puzzling as I usually am. Once I get a puzzle going things are ok, but it’s getting one started that’s the problem; I’d rather lay in bed and watch Netflix to be honest. But that isn’t good for me at all. Sigh.