Pentatonix

On October 29, 2021October 29, 2021 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles6 Comments

Pentatonix – Unknown Manufacturer – 200 pieces

Unusually, the box for this puzzle has no brand name; I have no idea which company made this. The only information on the box is the dimensions of the puzzle and that it’s made in the USA. I checked their website and there is no other information. 🤷‍♂️

The quality of this puzzle was good/fair. The pieces were a workable thickness, the fit was nice, and the image itself was very good. Some pieces just snuggled in together instead of clicking together, which is truly a pet peeve of mine – but this is a Pentatonix puzzle, so I don’t care.

This group’s music has been one of the few things that made me happy in this past year. This puzzle cost a ridiculous amount of money for a 200 piece puzzle, since you only seem to be able to get it on their official website, but I honestly couldn’t care less. Their music lifts my spirits and makes me smile and helped keep me afloat during a really hard time.

My mom and I love a cappella music, and we used to watch The Sing Off together when it was on tv. If you’re not familiar, it was a tv show for a cappella groups (no instruments, vocals only). Pentatonix was on the third season of the show, and they were immediately both mom’s and my favorite. We’ve loved them ever since – we were Pentaholics!

During my “break” I spent more time than usual listening to music, almost exclusively Pentatonix – probably because not only are they best group I’ve ever heard and their music is amazing, but also because of the association to my mother. She adored them, and listening to them makes me feel closer to her.

I listened to every album, including all their Christmas albums no matter the season. The only reason I know many newer songs is because of this group. They cover a lot of popular music, but being an older lady I don’t really listen to new music anymore. But I do know certain songs because Pentatonix has done a cover of them – songs by BTS, Arianna Grande, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, etc. I think they’re talented beyond measure and as a bonus they also remind me of the best lady I ever knew. (If you’ve never heard their a cappella version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, do yourself a favor and check it out on YouTube, you’ll be amazed)

I’ve taken a closeup of my favorite member of the group – all of them. 💖 I’m so excited for Evergreen – their newest Christmas album which is being released today!

(Sorry, I didn’t mean to turn this into a commercial for them, but I just couldn’t help but tell you how much I love them and how much their music has meant to me, especially this past year – and big hugs to the hubby for getting me this puzzle to try and cheer me up and get me back to my puzzle board 🤟)

Realm of the Giants

On October 16, 2021October 15, 2021 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles2 Comments

Realm of the Giants by Silvia Christoph – Ravensburger – 200 pieces

Isn’t this a beautiful dinosaur scene? I love the colors; a lot of dinosaur puzzles are more drab, with browns, greens, etc. – this one seems to pop. The detail and colors make it lovely in my eyes.

Surprise, surprise! Not a clue how the assembly of this one went, you’re shocked right? It’s no surprise to me, as I can’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday – or if I even ate lunch at all! My memory has been steadily declining for the past few months, and I keep commenting on it to the hubby. But you’re here to see about a puzzle, not the ramblings of an old lady who can’t remember sh*t. 🤔

Anyone else reminded of Jurassic Park 2 where the little baby-looking dinosaurs attacked the little girl on the beach? Or is it just me?

Most people would look first at the T-Rex, as it’s the one dino that everyone knows and recognizes; but my eye was drawn to this “little” guy. I love the purple colors on the back, and that gorgeous fin. The colors in this image are absolutely beautiful, and it made for quite the fun assembly – I think.

I just liked the wings on this one, that’s the only reason you’ve got a close-up of them. I don’t know what the name of this species is, but I can say without doubt that I enjoy looking at their wings. 🙂

As always, Ravensburger puzzles are excellent quality. I would even go as far as to say that their kid’s puzzles are exceptional. The pieces are truly thick and sturdy and the fit is wonderful. This puzzle is still here in the house, and I took out some pieces to feel them – fantastic!

Disney Diner

On August 11, 2020 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store PuzzlesLeave a comment

This is the first Ceaco I’ve done in quite a long time; and this was a puzzle I got in a swap, I absolutely did not buy this – they’re still on my naughty list. I found that I was still carrying an attitude about this brand, which previously I might have apologized for, but not this time. My attitude is justified, and I won’t be saying I’m sorry for it.

Anyway, on to the puzzle.

The image is cute, and I enjoy puzzles with Disney images so this one was fun to put together. Thanks to Penny for sending it along!

Disney Friends In Progress

On July 24, 2020July 24, 2020 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

I’m slowly working my way back up to larger puzzles; I just completed a 100 piece from Vermont Christmas Company and now the piece count is doubled for this 200 pc. adorable Disney image. The background of the diner makes it fun and a little more challenging, in my humble opinion, and although it’s a Ceaco I’m hoping to enjoy it anyway.

Hopefully you’re all working on fun puzzles at the moment. Happy puzzling everyone! 🧩😍

The Human Body

On June 14, 2020 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment

This puzzle was very good quality, which is unfortunately NOT something I have said about the last few Eurographics puzzles I’ve assembled. Unlike those, this puzzle had thick pieces, many shapes, and a good fit. I love to be happily surprised by a brand that I’ve had issues with before!

Eurographics quality has gone down in my opinion, but this puzzle has bucked that trend and I’m happy that at least their children’s puzzles seem to have been made with a little more effort. I still wouldn’t buy an adult jigsaw puzzle from this brand for myself, but I’m happy that this one was much better quality than I expected. 🙂

Educational puzzles are so entertaining for me to put together, even if they’re made for young children. Sometimes I get to re-learn something I already knew, and sometimes I get to find out something new and interesting – and I LOVE THAT!

The smaller colored areas were easy to assemble, but the two human figures in the center were much more difficult…

The Human Body 3

Bones and muscle on both sides, looking very much the same, made it more difficult to assemble this part; and it was the last thing I put together. But I think that’s a very good thing; if a puzzle is too easy it becomes boring, and we don’t want our kids to be bored with puzzles we want them to be engaged and excited by assembling them. All the health and intellectual benefits of puzzling are even more pronounced for children; it helps their developing brains and they become better learners. I’m a huge proponent of puzzles for kids!

The Human Body 1

I enjoyed reading each of smaller sections on the different systems of the human body. It’s aimed at children, but it’s always good to give yourself a little basic refresher course. The circulatory system was the first section I assembled after completing the edge.

The Human Body 2