Review: Cupcakes I

On May 20, 2018May 20, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Puzzle reviews2 Comments

This post is sponsored by Puzzle Warehouse.

Cupcakes I – Lafayette Puzzle Factory – 500 pieces

Cupcakes I is one of a series of mini shaped puzzles that I found to be great fun. As soon as mom and each finished one of the cupcakes I knew I was in trouble – I want every single set of puzzles in this series!

My picture isn’t the best, I can usually do a better job, but the picture I took seems quite dark. I wanted to show the beautiful colors and shapes in greater detail….

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This would be a great way to start out with shaped puzzles if you’re intimidated or not sure about them. These are color coded on the back so that you can sort them easily, or if you’re looking for more of a challenge you can just ignore the colored backs and put them together without any assistance. I had the best time putting these together and can’t wait to try out all the other puzzles in the series. There are more cupcakes, fish, puppies, high heeled shoes, birds, butterflies, and teacups.

Lafayette Puzzle Factory has an extremely varied catalog and beautiful images to choose from. Their pieces are a good thickness and fit together well; and the image reproduction is bright and colorful. This is only the second adult puzzle by LPF that I’ve assembled, and I find their image reproduction to be stellar – absolutely gorgeous! The finish is slightly shiny and can cause glare under artificial lights although I didn’t find it too annoying. For me the image is a major factor in puzzle quality, and if the colors are bright and fun to work with I find it easier to overlook other minor quality issues. Click the link above to see the puzzles they have in stock now at Puzzle Warehouse.

I highly recommend these shaped mini puzzles, they are so much fun to assemble!

Details:

Title: Cupcakes I
Artist: Cra-Z-Art
Brand: Lafayette Puzzle Factory
Piece count: 500 pieces
Size: N/A – 12 small shaped puzzles
Purchased: N/A, sent for review

Quality:

Board: Very good
Cutting: Very good
Image: Very good
Box: Average – must cut to open
Fit: Very good
Puzzle Dust: Very small amount
Piece cut: Grid cut
Piece shapes: Good variety
Finish: Slightly shiny finish, lays flat

Overall Rating: Very good, highly recommended

I received this product at no cost in order to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own.

Dragonfly

On May 17, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles6 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve assembled a Ravensburger, probably because most of their puzzles that I own are 1000 pieces or more. I got this one when I made a special trip to Tuesday Morning to get myself some more 300 and 500 piece puzzles. I didn’t know that store carried Ravensburger puzzles; I got this and two other 500 pieces that I have yet to assemble. I couldn’t pass up a 500 piece Ravensburger for only $5.99, even though none of the 3 puzzles I bought are my typical preferred images.

I’m finding 1000 piece puzzles overwhelming these days; when I open up a puzzle with that many pieces it’s just upsetting and too much for me. I don’t completely understand it, but I’m blaming chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and probably menopause too. Luckily there are plenty of smaller puzzles around for me to work on that allow me to decompress and just let my mind go blank – to think about nothing but the next piece. It’s one of the best things about puzzling for me, allowing me to turn off my brain and stop it from worrying and stressing and all the other crazy things it seems to do on it’s own.

This image was quite challenging, and took me a while to finish. I didn’t mind though, as long as it isn’t too difficult as to be frustrating the challenge makes it easier to tune out the world and focus only on the puzzle. The fit was slightly looser than the average Ravensburger, but it wasn’t overly annoying. The darker colors took a while to get used to, but eventually I was able to make out the smaller differences in shades that helped to put everything together properly. Fun puzzle, beautiful image, and an excellent stress reliever.

Fantasy Palace

On May 11, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles7 Comments

This puzzle made me think it would be difficult, but it wasn’t. Quite the opposite, it was entertaining and beautiful – and it makes me a little sad that I don’t have any more new bigger wooden puzzles to assemble. Eventually I’ll get myself some more though, no worries.

I’ve long admired the artwork of Ciro Marchetti, his use of color and whimsy is absolutely beautiful – it reminds me of Aimee Stewart’s art. This is the first puzzle of his that I’ve done and it was more fun than I’d hoped for. That it was a wooden puzzle added to my enjoyment, it’s the best time I’ve had puzzling in a while.

I’ve run out of adjectives to describe how fabulous working with wooden puzzles is. It’s a special treat, and I make no apologies for spending money on something that makes me happy. Every post with a wooden puzzle ends with me encouraging you to treat yourself to a wooden puzzle, and I will continue to do that. Wooden puzzles are a visual and tactile pleasure to work with; we’re completely worth it – no question.

Harvest of Gold

On May 8, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles3 Comments

This image reminds me of my youth; I grew up in farm country. Tractors and fields remind me of home and a simpler time.

The colors of these machines jumped right out at me; dad always had a John Deere, as did most of the other people in our area. I don’t ever recall seeing a blue tractor! As a puzzler, the bright blue and yellow made for an easy place to start assembly, once they’re done there are plenty of places to work from and holes to fill in. I thought the corn field itself would be a pain, but it wasn’t bad at all. I suppose it’s more about the artwork than I thought!

This was the first panoramic Sunsout puzzle that I’ve assembled, the fit was very nice (not too tight) and it was grid cut rather than random. It doesn’t seem like it from the picture, but this puzzle is 3 feet long. It’s nice every once in a while to have a longer, shorter puzzle; there’s less leaning forward to place pieces and it’s easier on your back and neck. At least that’s how it is for little old lady me. 👵

Fly Away Home

On May 1, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles4 Comments

I love the bright colors in this puzzle, and the artwork is quite interesting. Mom and I assembled this together, and although the fit was terrible we had a good time with it. Everything doesn’t always have to be perfect, we can be entertained and appreciate the time spent together puzzling even if it’s quality was sub par.

MasterPieces puzzles have fluctuating quality at times, I’ve had excellent puzzles from them and also really bad ones. It seems as if different series are manufactured at different places, the quality is so varied. The pieces of this puzzle are grid cut and more elongated than most other MasterPieces puzzles I’ve assembled. The image reproduction is very good, as is the piece thickness and variety; but the fit was extremely loose and difficult to work with.

The image is perfect for puzzles and I found it very unique and fun – the colors and patterns made for just the right amount of challenging that day. The artist, Hayley Gillespie, has a delightful point of view and the artwork made the puzzle worth assembling even with the fit problems. I’d love to find more of her puzzles.

Mom is away this week and I won’t be visiting or puzzling with her on Friday. 😪 When real life gets in the way of my puzzle happiness it is such a bummer! Come home soon momma, I miss you already.