Tag: Day of the Dead

Candy Calaveras

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles12 Comments

Candy Calaveras by Randy Wollenmann – Wentworth – 40 pieces

This amazingly detailed and gorgeous image made for a bit of difficult puzzling, even at only 40 pieces. But it’s so beautiful and my love for the decorative skulls (calaveras) and my appreciation for the holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) made it even more fun, even with the tougher assembly.

The skulls are very cool, and the cactus is ok – but a taco and a chili? I’m not so sure about those two.

I enjoyed putting this little puzzle together; the bright colors and busyness of the image made it a little challenging, but having whimsy pieces makes it a bit easier. The odd shapes and the pieces that fit around them are always a good place to start if you’re having trouble with the image itself. Once you get a few pieces put together it becomes easier and before you know it you’ve got a completed puzzle. 🧩💚

The Day of the Dead is a two day Mexican holiday for remembering and praying for friends and family members who have died. I’m not of Mexican heritage, but I’ve always loved the meaning of the holiday and especially the traditional decorative skulls. The candy form, called sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar) represent loved ones who have passed on and are used as an offering – they’re typically placed on an altar or a gravestone – to the spirit of the dead.

To me the skulls are beautiful, and what they represent is even more so. A day to remember the loved ones you’ve lost, what a wonderful holiday. To me, saying “Happy Day of the Dead” just seems wrong, so I’ll just send you good wishes today, and hope that the memories of your loved ones bring you happiness.💕

Skull “Beauty of Flowers”

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles9 Comments

Skull “Beauty of Flowers” – Winston Puzzles – 300 pieces

My sweet, loving, darling husband got me this puzzle for my birthday this year – bless him. He knows how much I love the decorated skulls and what the Day of the Dead holiday is all about, what a thoughtful hubby I have. 💕

It’s just too bad this beautiful image was on this puzzle; unfortunately terrible quality wooden puzzles seem to be popping up everywhere. I wish that weren’t the case, but it is.

When I saw the box I suspected it wouldn’t be good, and unfortunately I was correct; beware wooden puzzles with no brand name shown! Although the puzzle was ordered from a website called “Winston Puzzles” there is no brand name on the box, there is no piece count, image name, or artist credit either. The website said this puzzle was 170-210 pieces; to get an accurate number I had to count them by hand, and they were off by quite a bit – there were 300 pieces. Sigh.

There are a bunch of whimsy pieces, but they have no relation to the image at all. They’re just shapes someone thought were cute or interesting; and because it’s a wooden puzzle they were able to cut them out. So disappointing.

As I was sorting the pieces I got a sliver of wood stuck in my finger, the puzzle wasn’t sanded or sealed properly. When I put the puzzle away after it was finished and photographed my board had little chips of wood everywhere all over the fabric, that has never happened with a wooden puzzle before. In addition, there were little bubbles underneath the image on the top of the pieces – it wasn’t attached to the wood correctly.

Many of the edge pieces didn’t connect at all, a BIG pet peeve of mine. It’s so frustrating to accidentally brush against pieces and have them come apart. I wish I had enjoyed the assembly more. It was a difficult image, and the quality of the puzzle itself made it even harder.

I do NOT recommend Winston Puzzles, please spend your puzzle budget elsewhere. There are many reputable wooden puzzle companies that make beautiful, quality wooden puzzles that you will enjoy much more.

I always appreciate the gift of a puzzle, whether wooden or cardboard, even if the quality isn’t up to my somewhat snobby standards. I love that he tried to find an image that I would enjoy, and truly do appreciate the gift, regardless of it’s quality.

Hubby has been informed, very gently, that there is a list of approved puzzle companies and should he have questions, he can always ask about a puzzle company in general. He knows how much I love jigsaw puzzles, and that even if they’re not always fabulous I absolutely appreciate the thought that goes into the gift of a puzzle.

I love my hubby to the moon and back – and he tried, that’s what counts. 💖

Traditional Mexican Skulls

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles4 Comments

Skulls
Traditional Mexican Skulls – Eurographics – 1000 pieces

This beautiful puzzle was a Christmas gift last year from one of my beautiful sons. Although my oldest gave this to me, my youngest was adamant that I not assemble it until closer to the Day of the Dead. Being the awesome mom that I am, I waited months and months to assemble it; it was difficult to wait though, I absolutely love decorated skulls and the Day of the Dead (which is why they picked this one out for me, for sure).

I was a bit disappointed by the lack of variety in piece shapes – most Eurographics I’ve ever done have been a random cut. It didn’t have to be a random cut though, a grid cut with variety in the shapes would have been just as welcome. The quality was otherwise very good though, and I’m thankful for my gift no matter what. (Shout out to my fantastic sons and my amazing daughter who helped them shop for Christmas presents. I love you guys so much! 💗)

I truly love this holiday – especially this year. It’s a two day Mexican holiday for remembering and praying for friends and family members who have died. I’m not of Mexican heritage, but I’ve always loved the meaning of the holiday and especially the traditional decorative skulls. This year though, with the loss of mom so new, and the fact that my birthday is the same week and I’m struggling with celebrating without her – the Day of the Dead very much seems like the perfect holiday for me.

I miss you mom, and today I’m remembering you with all my love and praying that you’re at peace and maybe even enjoying a fun little heavenly puzzle with grama. We always spent the day after Halloween together, going from store to store buying all our favorite candy at bargain prices and having a ball. It won’t be the same without you, and I’ll be thinking of you all day. 👼