Shimmer and Shine

Shimmer and Shine – Cardinal – 24 pieces

*Here’s another completed puzzle from 2024, although there wasn’t much in the draft for this one, so this is going to be a pretty bare bones kinda post. In fact, what I wrote was – “meh, warped pieces”. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this puzzle wasn’t overly impressive. LOL*


Even though I’ve put together some extremely large and difficult jigsaw puzzles, I still enjoy puzzles of all sizes – even those made for children. This one however didn’t seem too impressive back when it was assembled. “Meh” isn’t a word that I use regularly, so this one must have been pretty run of the mill and not particularly well made.

Sorry Cardinal, I calls ’em like I sees ’em. 😎

Dory and Nemo

Dory and Nemo by Disney/Pixar – 24 pieces

To be honest, this was done so long ago that I no longer have the puzzle here at the house, and I cannot remember which brand it was. But I can tell you that I delivered it to my darling “grandson” and he is enjoying it quite a bit according to his mom. Excellent news!

I can also tell you that it was relatively good quality, other than some slight warping on the pieces that you can see in the picture below…

But for me, spending 59 cents on this puzzle at the thrift store, I still got my money’s worth and then some. A sturdy kid’s puzzle for less than a dollar, and I was able to give it to my honorary grandson for him to enjoy assembling many more times. A bargain at twice the price!


I had the most awful day yesterday (which I will tell you all about later on), and was looking through my phone at old pictures (you’ll understand later). There were several pictures of finished puzzles and I decided to transfer them all to the new computer. Shocker of all shockers – I’ve got six completed puzzles that I never wrote about – pictures and all!

As I was trying to take my mind off of other things this evening (it’s after 11 pm currently), I started putting together drafts of all the puzzles that were completed forever ago so that I’d have a little bit of leeway in getting myself back to the puzzle table while still being able to post more often. There will be discussions in the Jigsaw Journal household today regarding use of the puzzle table and how I can both be able to work on puzzles and allow my husband to continue to bring home the bacon – from home. As it were.

Sorry, it made sense in my head. 🤷‍♀️

Kitty in a Basket

Kitty
Kitty in a Basket – Unknown – 24 pieces

I found this puzzle in the puzzle room, sandwiched between two boxes. It had no container at all, so I have no idea of the brand or the title (if there was one).

Many puzzles for children, especially photographic ones, have no title. Just a cute little image that kids would like, and like to assemble. I’ve given this one the not so imaginative title, Kitty in a Basket. Sometimes the easiest and most obvious is the best choice. I could have gone with something enigmatic or ridiculous, like “She’s Hiding Her Sadness”, or “The Wistfulness of Veronica”. But what’s the point of that, other than to amuse myself? 😉

Anyway, not the best quality puzzle, but it was easy to put together and I finished a puzzle for the day – both good things!

Be safe out there tonight my friends, Happy New Year’s Eve! 🎉🎆🎉

Penguins

Penguins
Penguins – Patch Products – 24 pieces

Unfortunately for me this is the last puzzle from the box of 20 that mom and I found at a local thrift store. I’ve had such a great time putting these together that I’m a little sad that they’re all done.

I consider myself educated and intelligent, but I have to tell you I was surprised to learn from this puzzle that there are penguins native to Africa. I may have heard that before, but I obviously didn’t process or retain it. To me the continent of Africa brings to mind deserts, jungles, safaris, and heat. Penguins in Africa? How awesome!

Penguins 1

I have to get myself to the thrift stores to see what other treasures I can find. My black belt thrift store shopping puzzle dealer isn’t around anymore to keep me swimming in interesting and beautiful puzzles – it’s time I started supplying myself. It’s worth a little pain to get myself out of the house and searching for some fun and unique puzzles.

Trains

Trains
Trains – Patch Products – 24 pieces

It’s hard to see in this picture, but this puzzle is missing a piece. Can you spot where it is?

When I started assembling each one from this big box of kids puzzles, every one I grabbed was complete, and I had high hopes that every one would be all there. Unfortunately my wish wasn’t granted and I had to send three of them to the recycling bin, including this one.

I assembled this puzzle with the educational side up, I usually do. I find them much more interesting and I love seeing what there is to learn about the subject of the puzzle.

Trains 1

I enjoyed the explanation of how a steam engine works, and it was interesting to see how trains have changed over the years. Just because this puzzle is only 24 pieces and geared towards children doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it or even learn something from it.

I really need to get my butt out of the house and get to the thrift store. Who knows what other wonderful treasures are waiting there for me to find?