Mixed Flowers in an Earthenware Pot

On June 20, 2020 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

This puzzle is one of my large collection of micro puzzles from Wentworth, and the image is one that spoke to me recently. It reminds me of my mom, it’s beautiful, and it is also one that I absolutely would not like to assemble in a larger size.

There are quite a few images that I have in a small size particularly and especially because I enjoy the artwork but would never want to assemble them in a 1000 or even a 500 piece count. I put this image in that category, along with Starry Night by Van Gogh; there’s no way I’d be assembling either one in a larger count, it would be too frustrating for me.

That’s part of the reason I love these small puzzles from Wentworth; not only are they relatively inexpensive, they have many images that would be too tedious, difficult, or frustrating for me in a large piece count and the micro puzzles are the only way you’d find me assembling such difficult images.

Mixed Flowers whimsies

I’m not sure exactly how these whimsies tie in with the artwork, these seem more suited to an outdoor scene. But then again I don’t know for sure what whimsies would be best – other than just flowers.

I love my micro puzzles collection from Wentworth, and it’s nice to be able to revisit them. 💖

The North Pole

On December 28, 2019December 28, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

I love the look of this image, it reminds me of an Americana puzzle. It’s very different than the typical Christmas puzzle images that you normally see, and that’s what I love about it. If you look at the middle of the puzzle you’ll see that there’s a nativity scene – that’s something new, especially with this being the North Pole and Santa flying away to do his Christmas Eve work.

North Pole 1

The detail makes all the difference, I love the way they’ve cut that Santa whimsy! Wentworth whimsies make me happy, and one of the best parts of their puzzles is opening it up and searching through the pieces to see what shapes they’ve chosen and looking at the detail – at least it is for me.

I don’t get out much, and I have PADS, so my emotions are definitely linked to puzzles. 😉

The Puzzle that Broke the Ice

On December 12, 2019December 12, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

The Puzzle that Broke the Ice – Wentworth – 40 pieces

I did it! I think. Okay, I’m 97.5 percent sure that I did it! You can see why this puzzle reminded me of Winter Aspen – so much snow and trees. *shudder* It truly was the most challenging Wentworth puzzle that I’ve ever assembled, and it was only 40 pieces! Can you imagine getting any of the larger versions? This also comes in 252 and 510 pieces. I’m not sure if more pieces would make it easier or more difficult, but I definitely won’t be finding out.

I started by turning all the pieces upside down to sort them by shapes, it’s easier if you don’t see the image and just look at the specific shape.

Ice 1

After the sorting the real work begins. Obviously. A close look at the image on the box showed the irregular edge, and that there would be the top of stars and tree trunks along the edge. I started with the darkest and thickest trunk in the image on the far left. From there it was trial and error and a LOT of squinting to be certain each piece I added matched up with all the tree trunks and branches.

It was difficult as there was snow obscuring some parts of certain trees, but as I said I’m 97.5 percent sure I put this one together properly. 😎

One more holiday puzzle down! I’m pretty proud of myself for finishing this one and not putting it off any longer, I was truly dreading it (because I had tried before to assemble it and failed – my brain is being cooked from the inside by hot flashes and isn’t as sharp as it used to be). But as difficult as it was, it was still pretty awesome, completely absorbing, and looks very festive!

Wentworth has some extremely difficult holiday images like this one with repetitive shaped pieces and they all have fabulous names like The Puzzle that Burnt the Turkey, and The Puzzle that Ruined Christmas. The silly names make me laugh, but these little puzzles are no joke! They’re the typical excellent quality that the “regular” puzzles are, and even if they take me a little bit more brain power I really do enjoy the added challenge. I’m giving this one a difficulty rating of four out of five ice cubes. 😉

Brrr! 🧊🧊🧊🧊

London In Snow

On December 5, 2019December 5, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles3 Comments

It’s my first Christmas puzzle of the season, completed the day after Thanksgiving. Not because I was in any rush to do Christmas puzzles, which regular readers know are definitely NOT my thing; but because I’ve been in a slump lately and need to get some puzzles done and ready to post. Luckily I had 4 Wentworth micro puzzles here, and they’re not only going to be part of the holiday season here on My Jigsaw Journal, but they’re going to save me with some quick and easy completions. 🙂

Wentworth Wooden Puzzles are beautifully made with excellent quality, and I absolutely adore their micro puzzles. They are tiny little puzzles (30-40 pieces) that are easy to carry and quick to put together when you’re in need of a puzzle fix. All PADS sufferers know that feeling when all you want to do is be left alone for 10 minutes so you can get your hands on some puzzle pieces and be swept up in which piece fits here and where does that color go – it’s puzzle bliss. We are all in search of a few minutes of meditation with a puzzle, and these micro puzzles are the perfect thing for it!

This image is perfect for a micro puzzle, because it looks like it would be quite difficult in a larger piece count. The top half is all shades of white and grey, and the bottom is a sea of reds and yellows. I don’t know that it would be one I’d choose to assemble if it were anything larger than a 300 piece cardboard puzzle. That said, it’s truly beautiful artwork by Richard Macneil, and it made for a excellent micro assembly.

London whimsies

My favorite here is the whimsy of the Queen, the extra detail that Wentworth adds to their whimsies makes all the difference; you know exactly who that is with all the added lines, it’s lovely!

All Grinchy-ness aside, I enjoyed this assembly, as I do for all Wentworth puzzles. It has beautiful artwork, is well crafted, and gave me a few minutes of uninterrupted puzzle time that ended with a completed puzzle. Heavenly!

*There is one coming up that I’m dreading a little bit though, it’s a micro puzzle – one of their extra difficult ones with tessellating pieces – that I’ve attempted to assemble before and had to give up on. It brings back memories of Winter Aspen – YIKES! I’m determined to master it though; but I’m not sure if I want to save it until last or just do it and get it over with. Whichever one I choose, wish me luck!

Afternoon Visitor

On November 24, 2019November 23, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

This image is gorgeous, and I would definitely want to do this one in 1000 pieces. Look at the dogs sleeping by the fire – how sweet are they? Steve Read’s images aren’t always ones that speak to me, but this one was a joy to put together at 40 pieces, and I can see how it would make a great puzzle in any size.

Afternoon Visitor whimsies

Great whimsies, I love the silverware/flatware, the detail Wentworth puts onto their whimsies makes all the difference. You can’t always tell what some of them are by shape alone, it’s the extra cuts that clarify exactly what each one is. I don’t always like the look of the extra lines on the front of the puzzle, but it doesn’t usually detract too much.

This was the last of my regular micro puzzles; all I have left now are four Christmas/winter themed ones. According to my family’s tradition, no Christmas anything is allowed until after the Thanksgiving meal. So Santa and all his helpers are just going to have to wait until after next Thursday before assaulting me with holiday everything. (Yes, I’m feeling a little “Bah Humbug” this year).

I do wish I had a few more everyday image micro puzzles though, I could use them to pad my queue – I’m running out of puzzles for the blog again! Anyone out there feeling like writing up a guest post? Done any fun or fabulous puzzles lately? 😁