Fireplace Cuddle

On May 19, 2023May 18, 2023 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles12 Comments

Fireplace Cuddle – Karmin – 100 pieces

Such a sweet image! Perfect for my first day back at the puzzle board. It went together super quickly, and honestly, as I was putting it together I told myself “Hey, you’re still pretty good at this”. It was my very own little internal pep talk, and at the very least it made me smile.

I’m pretty sure that Penny was the one who sent me this puzzle, but I can’t be 100% positive. The memory definitely isn’t what it used to be, that’s for certain. Although, being that this is an image of a Boston Terrier puppy, it is almost doubtless that Penny sent it to me – we both have a deep and abiding love for Boston’s. ❤🐶

It might have been better to save this little puzzle for after my surgery, but I also needed a smaller one to get myself back into the swing of things to start recovering my puzzle mojo. No worries, there are PLENTY of smaller cardboard and wooden puzzles that have found their way to my puzzle room in the past week.

The PADS is severe and I self-medicated with a few online and in-person shopping sprees. 😇

I told hubby that this month I was spending a chunk of my disability money on a bunch of puzzles for myself. Being the awesome man that he is, he said “It’s about time you spent some on yourself.”

💕I love that man.💕

The Prodigal Puzzler Has Returned!

On May 3, 2023 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling20 Comments

Fireplace Cuddle – 100 pieces – Karmin

Holy crap, she’s finally puzzling again! Alert the media! After another extended mental health break (and some very gentle and kind nagging from my bestest puzzle buddy) I’m finally back at the board and hoping to get back my puzzle mojo. It’s been quite a long while everyone – I hope some of you are still here.

I’m not going to apologize for taking time off (because we should NEVER be sorry for making sure we’re doing whatever we need to do to be mentally healthy), but I am sorry for not giving you all a heads up first that I’d be gone for a while. Can’t say that I’m feeling much better at all, but I suppose if that were the prerequisite for getting back into my favorite hobby than it would never happen. So it’s finally gotten through my thick and graying head that I should just get puzzling and try to reap the benefits that it has on my short-circuited and menopausal brain. Granny needs some dopamine!

To that end, there are a few small wooden puzzles on their way to my house (as a reward to myself for finally getting my a$$ back in front of my board), and I’m working on this cute little 100 piece image of some adorable Boston Terriers. Yep, I’m still a sucker for the puppy puzzles. ❤🐶

I pray that you all are well and happy and still enjoying your puzzles. How have you been? Working on something gorgeous? Frustrating? Fun?

I truly missed you all – my Puzzle Posse. I do hope your P.A.D.S. hasn’t been giving y’all too much trouble.😊

Let’s Play Football

On May 23, 2020May 22, 2020 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles8 Comments

This is another thrift store puzzle that mom bought (I still probably have a year or more of thrift store puzzles that she bought to get through). Even though Karmin quality isn’t great I did this one because she bought it – and I love dogs and dog puzzles!

As soon as I opened the box and felt the pieces I knew it wouldn’t be the best quality or assembly. The fit wasn’t great and the pieces were pretty thin, but it was a fantastically adorable image and at least all the pieces were there. And I just cannot resist doggy faces, they’re the best!

Let's Play Football 1

Happily playing tug-of-war with a scarf, so cute! I started with the scarf because they were the easiest pieces to pick out, other than the sky most of the pieces were different shades of brown. The scarf leads to two adorable, happy puppy faces – irresistable!

Let's Play Football 2

The smiling face of this dog, and the scarf makes me think of Lady from Lady and the Tramp. It looks a little like the same breed, even though I don’t think it is; it’s really the smiling face.

Let's Play Football 3

You know I can’t resist a sad puppy face either. It just makes me want to give belly rubs and pets and scratches everywhere to make this little guy/girl happy!

Even with less than premium quality, this puzzle was entertaining for me; they don’t all have to be perfect for me to enjoy them. The quality wasn’t the best, but I had a good time anyway; watching the faces come together, figuring out the best way to assemble the sky, finding those pieces of the football that I didn’t pick out the first time, etc. I needed quiet, meditative distraction and this puzzle provided it.

Perfect puppy profiles provided puzzle play, plus peaceful pondering. 🧩💗

Suds and Pups

On March 9, 2020March 9, 2020 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment

Unlike many puzzlers who prefer cats, I absolutely prefer a puzzle with dogs – in fact I’m working on another one right now. This is such a cute image by Jenny Newland, but unfortunately it didn’t have the same quality as the previous puzzle with her artwork by the same brand. Still, I had a good time putting all those sweet puppy faces together. 🐶

This is one of my Christmas gift puzzles, and I LOVE the image. This puzzle had quite a few pieces not cut all the way through, and some that were bent. It must have been one that was cut when the die was duller – although I’m not sure how that results in bent pieces. Karmin isn’t usually a brand that I buy, but I was surprised at the thickness of the pieces and the way they fit together; they were much better than previous Karmin puzzles I’ve worked.

Suds and Pups 1

What an adorable face! I really enjoyed this artwork, it had exactly the right amount of difficulty for a 550 piece puzzle. It wasn’t too easy, in fact it was harder than I thought; but that is perfect for a smaller puzzle, I don’t want it to be over too quickly.

I had a great time assembling this puzzle, even with it’s issues. It was full of sweet puppy faces!

Helpful Garden Paws

On January 22, 2020 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment

This image is so very sweet, there’s something about the artwork, it isn’t like many other “cute animal” puzzles – something is special, but I can’t put my finger on it.

Slightly thinner pieces, somewhat bendable, but not too bad. Very good fit, exceptional image reproduction

Garden Paws 1