World’s largest single image puzzle set for release at the end of December!
Finally some new information on this puzzle! According to the Educa Borras Facebook page the release date is now set for the end of December. They say the puzzle is so big it doesn’t fit on Facebook, so you should check out their Instagram page – you can click through and see the entire puzzle in much better detail.
I like the image, but I have to be honest, I’m not as super excited over it as I was the Disney puzzle. It’s not because I’m that much into Disney, but that the images on that puzzle reminded me of my childhood and also of my children when they were young. Or perhaps I’m just feeling a little melancholy this weekend. Who knows?
I wouldn’t say no to assembling it if it were given to me, but I don’t know that I’ll be going out of my way to get it. Looks fun, but I think I’m good for a while unless another image comes along that really strikes my fancy. I assembled the World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle when it was still the world’s largest, I’m ok with that accomplishment – I don’t feel like I need to keep going bigger and bigger. (But that’s just me, if you’re wanting to take it on, I’ll be cheering for you!)
Down on the Farm by Charlie Girard – White Mountain – 1000 pieces
I love a collage! I was pretty surprised that mom found this at the thrift store, I believe it’s a relatively recent White Mountain release. It was a fun assembly, as usual – it’s like having a bunch of mini puzzles that fit together. Heavenly!
White Mountain Puzzles are normally good quality, and except for the fit this one was as well. The fit was extremely loose and it was easy to upset pieces accidentally. This isn’t a problem I’ve ever had with a White Mountain puzzle, if anything they can sometimes have a fit that’s a bit too tight. I’ve had a couple with a fit so tight that you can stand the puzzle straight up on it’s edge! Click here to see a picture.
There were plenty of words, which of course made me happy. I love having words to put together! Collages seem to go quickly, because it’s difficult for me to walk away from it. One small section leads to the next and before you know it the entire puzzle is finished and you’ve lost all track of time. These are the best kind of puzzles if you ask me. 🙂
African Splendor by Andrew Farley – Ravensburger – 500 pieces
Another beautiful 500 piece Ravensburger, mom and I started this one the day after Thanksgiving but didn’t finish it before I left. Mom completed it that night; isn’t that just like a mother – having to finish things for their children. 😉
The 300 and 500 piece puzzles have become a favorite for mom and I to do together. Unless it’s a remarkable image we usually don’t have enough time to finish a 1000 piece puzzle, so the smaller piece counts are perfect. That leaves plenty of time to chit chat, laugh, and even pull the Spot It game from my purse for a couple of quick hands. (If you saw us play this game you’d be shocked at the little old ladies cussing at each other while laughing hysterically, it’s so much fun!)
This was another puzzle that is easy to work with someone else. Easy enough to pick out one of the animals and work on it without getting in the other person’s way. It’s not an image that mom and I would normally choose, but we’ve found we’re not nearly as picky when the prices are amazing. Tightwads we are, and proud of it! It was a fun assembly but challenging; and absolutely worth the 69 cents we paid for it.
Mom and I work puzzles together every week, and I’m so glad we get that time. I enjoy being able to assemble puzzles with someone, and it’s even better when that someone is mom. 💗 We’re so lucky to have each other!
Mandala Fruit Tree by Paul Heussenstamm – Pomegranate – 500 pieces
I chose Mandala Fruit Tree to review, and I wasn’t disappointed – it’s just beautiful! I also enjoyed learning about mandalas from the information of the back of the box. I had no idea they were spiritual and used for meditation, or that they are a mystical symbol seen by many as the doorway to the soul.
The artist, Paul Heussenstamm, believes that soul patterns are manifested in mandalas, and his works often contain them. All of that makes this image even more striking and interesting for me. Click the link above to see all of this artist’s puzzles currently available at Puzzle Warehouse. (They even carry a couple of Peaceful Wooden Puzzles of his work! Click to see my post on my wooden puzzles with a review of Peaceful Wooden Puzzles)
Pomegranate is one of my favorite brands. The pieces are wonderfully thick and the finish feels almost soft in your hands. The fit is tight, but not too much; you won’t have to use your upper body strength to put them into place. 😉 Their catalog of puzzles is mostly fine art, and the image and color reproduction is superb. I don’t normally comment on puzzle boxes, but even the boxes of Pomegranate puzzles feel amazing – you know you’re holding a premium puzzle in your hands when you’re holding a Pomegranate.
This puzzle was more of a challenge than I anticipated, but I was up for the task. Once I assembled the edge and the plain blue background I had to come up with a strategy for the tree itself. I decided to separate the pieces by shape and work by piece shape first and then color/pattern. It worked wonderfully and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire assembly. Mandala Fruit Tree was even better than I thought it would be, I highly recommend it! 👍
Details:
Title: Mandala Fruit Tree
Artist: Paul Heussenstamm
Brand: Pomegranate
Piece count: 500 pieces
Size: Approx. 24 x 18 in. (61 x 46 cm)
Purchased: n/a
Quality:
Board: Excellent
Cutting: Excellent
Image: Excellent
Box: Excellent, short bio of artist on back
Fit: Very good
Puzzle Dust: Moderate amount
Piece cut: Grid cut
Piece shapes: Good variety
Finish: Matte finish, lays flat
Overall Rating: Excellent, highly recommended
I received this product at no cost to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own.
Hang Loose by Scott Westmoreland – Ravensburger – 500 pieces
This is a puzzle that I probably wouldn’t have purchased new; it’s not the typical artwork that interests me. But as usual I am proven wrong because this was so much fun to assemble! Will I ever learn? Probably not. But it is fun that I’m still getting surprised by how fun a certain image is to assemble, so I guess I’ll just keep on being me! 😉
In addition, it was a great puzzle to work with someone else (my mom ❤) – the towels and surfboards on opposite ends of the puzzle make it perfect for working with others. It’s easy to grab the pieces for one of the boards or towels and assemble it without getting in someone else’s way. We had a great time with this puzzle, and it was just the right amount of challenging with the sky and ocean. I highly recommend it!
This would be a great puzzle for a summer vacation with family, or even for a holiday get together where you’re snuggled in front of a fire wishing for the beach. Hang loose, and happy puzzling! 😎
