Review: Pets Rock

Pets Rock
Pets Rock by Takkoda- Ceaco – 550 pieces

Pets Rock is actually the second puzzle in this series of three that I’ve done, and they all have the same name. They’re highly entertaining (at least they are for me), and go together quite quickly. I very much enjoyed this assembly, and it was the perfect puzzle to help get my puzzle mojo back after more than a week of no puzzling.

Ceaco isn’t a favorite brand; I find that sometimes the quality is quite lacking and sometimes it’s very good – there’s no consistency. The pieces of this puzzle were on the thin side, and had a tendency to bend. They fit together well though, there were a variety of shapes, and the image reproduction was very good. There was a lot of puzzle dust, so much so that I had to vacuum the puzzle board when I was done. A bit annoying, but for the most part didn’t detract from the assembly. Ceaco has a large and interesting catalog of images though, and some are too cute or gorgeous for me to pass up.

I didn’t enjoy the image as much as the first Pets Rock that I assembled; most likely because I’m now a little old lady, and I prefer the personalities that I know and relate to. Elvis, David Bowie, and Michael Jackson are more my style than Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry. Personalities aside, having six sections that are easily sorted and assembled is easy and entertaining. I started with kitty Katy Perry – that blue hair stood out and was fun to put together.

Even though the pieces weren’t the thickest and tended to bend a little, the assembly was quick, fun, and extremely entertaining. If the image is to your liking, it’s definitely recommended. I don’t think a puzzle has to be premium quality in order for you to enjoy it – and I absolutely had a great time putting this one together. 🙂

Details:

  • Title:                  Pets Rock
  • Artist:                Takkoda
  • Brand:               Ceaco
  • Piece count:     550 pieces
  • Size:                  Approx. 24 x 18 in. (61 x 46 cm)
  • Purchased:      New

Quality:

  • Board:               Fair, thin and easily bent
  • Cutting:             Good
  • Image:               Very good
  • Box:                   Average
  • Fit:                     Very good
  • Puzzle Dust:     Large amount
  • Piece cut:          Grid cut
  • Piece shapes:   Very good variety
  • Finish:               Slightly shiny finish, lays flat

Overall Rating:      Good, recommended

General Store

General Store
General Store by Michael Matherly – FX Schmid – 300 pieces

I found this at mom’s house while going through her things. I liked the artwork very much, and at 300 pieces knew it wouldn’t take long to assemble. How bummed was I when I figured out there were missing pieces? Not terribly, but still it was disappointing.

FX Schmid has excellent quality; thick pieces, nice fit, and gorgeous image reproduction. We only find this brand at the thrift stores, so I’m not sure if they’re even still being produced. This particular puzzle seemed quite old, though the box was still in pretty good shape.

I enjoyed this assembly very much, but I was a little upset that the adorable dog on the front porch was missing! 😥

Celebrity Chief Chef!

Chief Chef
Celebrity Chief Chef! by James Alexander – Jumbo (Wasgij) – 1000 pieces

I haven’t done a Wasgij for a while, and I forgot how much fun they are. As usual I am not showing the full image, no spoilers allowed! I only show the person (or thing) shown on the box as a hint. I don’t think the hints are overly helpful though, at least they aren’t for me.

Jumbo puzzles are excellent quality, although I do realize that sometimes there can be a problem with pieces fitting where they don’t belong. It usually isn’t a problem with the Wasgij puzzles though, the images are usually full of bright colors and busyness. There are so many Wasgij puzzles here to do, but sometimes I forget about the giant stack of them in my closet.

For the most part the Wasgij images aren’t hard to figure out, you normally know what the people are wearing and can start with that. Also, as you’re sorting you can find blocks of color or something with which to begin. It’s just a matter of figuring out what the perspective is, or what you’re supposed to be deciphering. They’re always entertaining!

 

Massive Munchies

Massive Munchies
Massive Munchies – Ceaco – 550 pieces

I had a good time with this one, I usually don’t see collages by Ceaco. This was another puzzle that my daughter suggested I buy when we were puzzle shopping together. She seems to know better than I do what I’ll enjoy assembling; perhaps I’ll have to take her with me on my puzzle quests more often. 😉

Fair quality, but pieces were on the thin side. The image was fun enough though that I wasn’t deterred.

Massive Munchies 1

With all the chocolatey and sugary snacks and cereals in this image (and in the stores), this was one of my favorites when I was younger. Mom used to shop at a store we kids called the “used bread store”, they had quite a lot of Hostess products and she used to buy a lot of these pies. I loved them warmed up. I haven’t seen these in any stores in quite some time, but this one made me feel a bit nostalgic.

Toy Story

Toy Story
Toy Story – Ceaco – 700 pieces

This one went quickly, but for some reason it wasn’t as enjoyable as I’d hoped – or it could be that it was my state of mind and had nothing at all to do with the puzzle itself. Sometimes I just can’t tell.

Toy Story 1

Buzz was the most fun to assemble for me, but he was a bit of a challenge. I assembled him first.

Toy Story 2

I love Woody’s face, he always seems so surprised and happy. Those legs are so skinny though, how do they hold him up?