Sunny Palms by Patrick Reid O’Brien – Mega Puzzles – 300 pieces
This puzzle was not fun, the image didn’t make for entertaining assembly at all. The fit wasn’t great either and it was an all-around pain in my behind until I was able to finish it and get it off my table.
Mega Puzzles aren’t a premium brand, and I knew that going in, but this one was the worst quality of theirs that I’ve found. I usually don’t have a problem with them for the most part, but this was a bad picture mixed with bad chipboard and it didn’t add up to entertainment.
All pieces looked like a variation of these, not easy to work with. The best part of this puzzle was giving it away! 😉
I positively LOVE LOVE LOVE these images of cats dressed up and looking thoroughly pissed, they make me laugh – and don’t we all need a laugh these days?
They’re Ceaco puzzles, and about average quality; I enjoy them regardless because the image is fantastic.
This cat looks so ticked off! If you look at the eye on the left, it looks like an arrow – kitty is saying “you are going DOWN for dressing me up like this!”
A Drive in the Country by Carol Lawson – The Jigsaw Puzzle Factory – 300 pieces
A new company for me to try out always makes me happy, and luckily this one had a beautiful image, gorgeous colors, and great quality. I’ve tried many, many different companies and from my experience finding great quality isn’t the norm. I was very pleasantly surprised. 🙂
Of course I can only speak for this particular puzzle, having only assembled one puzzle from this brand. Usually I prefer to try at least 3 different puzzles before making a final judgement, so I’d love to try another from this brand, hopefully a larger piece count. I’ve found that some companies that have excellent quality 300 piece puzzles don’t have the same quality for larger piece counts. I don’t know why this is, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me; but I have definitely found it to be true. I’m hoping to run into a larger puzzle from The Jigsaw Puzzle Factory to see what the quality is like and if it compares to the great experience I had with this one.
The pieces were nice and thick, fit together extremely well, and there were a very good variety of shapes. The quality of the image reproduction was excellent, though the finish was a little bit shiny. Overall the quality of the puzzle was impressive and I thoroughly enjoyed the assembly.
I love the tiny little details and the quality of the artwork by Carol Lawson; it was great fun to assemble. It reminded me of my youth for some reason I can’t explain, I just loved the softness and sweet quality of the teddy bears.
At only 300 pieces this went together quickly, but it made me happy and that’s the part that matters most. 💗
Fall on the Farm by Mary Thompson – Bits and Pieces – 300 pieces
This is a cute Americana image from Bits and Pieces. I think this may have been the first 300 piece puzzle of theirs that I’ve done. I was surprised by the very blocky shaped pieces, and that it was more difficult to assemble than it looks.
I’m not always happy with the quality of this brand, it seems to be hit or miss in the quality department for them. The last two Bits and Pieces puzzles that I purchased new were so awful to assemble that I only buy them second hand now. (Horribly loose fit and pieces shapes that were so obvious it almost obscured the image itself) Taking chances on iffy quality isn’t a good idea in my book, but I don’t mind so much if I’m only paying a dollar or two for a puzzle.
This one was pretty good quality though, and although more difficult than I thought it would be, it was an enjoyable assembly.
Normally photographic puzzles aren’t my thing, but this had such beautiful image reproduction and great quality – I couldn’t help but love it!
Ravensburger 300 piece puzzles are awesome quality, there’s something about the large pieces that helps you appreciate even more the fantastic chipboard and finish; I adore them. ❤
Buying them retail can be a bit pricey, so pretty much every one I’ve owned or assembled has been from a thrift store. It’s no big deal to pay $1.99 for one when you know that they’re six times as expensive purchased new. I do love a bargain.
I’m so grateful there are so many 300 piece puzzles out there to choose from for those of us with physical issues that make it difficult to sit for long periods or handle smaller pieces. Thankfully I live in Florida, the land of retirees, so there are plenty of 300 piece puzzles in the thrift stores around here for me find and enjoy. 🙂
My Jigsaw Journal 