Tag: Makoto Nakamura

Review: Cats, Rabbits, Birds, Fish, and Flowers

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Puzzle reviews2 Comments
This post is sponsored by Puzzle Warehouse.
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Cats, Rabbits, Birds, Fish, and Flowers by Makoto Nakamura – Pomegranate – 300 pieces

The title of this puzzle is a mouthful, I know – but if you look closely you can see the reason for the name. All of the “flowers” you see are made up of Cats, Rabbits, Birds, Fish, and Flowers! Click the link to see this puzzle at Puzzle Warehouse.

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Can you see them?

Makoto Nakamura is one of the foremost tessellation artists in the world, and I adore his work! If you’re a regular reader of the blog you might remember the Pesky Parrots puzzle I assembled last year, it was by the same artist only the tessellations in that puzzle were the pieces themselves! I love that Pomegranate chose one of his works for their puzzles, isn’t it a striking image even before you recognize the animals?

Pomegranate puzzles are in the top echelon of puzzle manufacturers in my opinion; their quality is exceptional! The pieces are wonderfully thick and feel good in your hands. They fit together with just about the perfect amount of tightness, and the matte finish doesn’t glare under lights. Their catalog focuses on illustrations and fine art, and the image reproductions are crisp and clear and retain the original beauty of the artwork. I don’t normally comment on puzzle boxes, but the Pomegranate boxes are the sturdiest I’ve found; and as an added bonus nothing covers up the full image on the box top – you can see the entire picture! Not many companies do that, and it is very much appreciated by puzzlers. Click the link above to see all their puzzles currently available at Puzzles Warehouse.

Even though looking at the pieces made me think it might be a challenge, it was exactly the right amount of challenge for me. I couldn’t walk away from it! I started with the red and pink fishes in the center, and then worked color by color to finish flower after flower. It wasn’t super easy, but it wasn’t eyeball-crossing difficult either – just right!

If you enjoy this image, I highly recommend this puzzle. It’s excellent quality with a beautiful and interesting image. I loved it! ❤💐

Details:

  • Title:                  Cats, Rabbits, Birds, Fish, and Flowers
  • Artist:                Makoto Nakamura
  • Brand:               Pomegranate
  • Piece count:     300 pieces
  • Size:                  Approx. 20 x 20 in. (51 x 51 cm)
  • Purchased:      N/A

Quality:

  • Board:               Excellent
  • Cutting:             Excellent
  • Image:               Excellent
  • Box:                   Very good, sturdy with complete image on front
  • Fit:                     Excellent
  • Puzzle Dust:     Small amount
  • Piece cut:          Grid cut
  • Piece shapes:   Very good variety
  • Finish:               Matte finish, lays flat

Overall Rating:      Excellent, 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.

Perpetual Puzzles Pesky Parrots

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles3 Comments
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Perpetual Puzzles Pesky Parrots by Makoto Nakamura – The Lagoon Group – 36 pieces

Awesome puzzle in a puzzle by The Lagoon Group! There are 36 parrots, 18 facing one direction and 18 facing the opposite. There are several ways to assemble it according to the box. The first way that we tried was the picture above. Make a 6 x 6 “square” where no parrot is touching another parrot of the same color. Not really difficult to do, but the pieces were so fun to work with!

The pieces are extremely thick and the colors are bright and fun. Mom and I didn’t take long to assemble this first puzzle, but we enjoyed it all the same. 🙂

Onward to the next solution….

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In this picture is the same “square” 6 x 6 puzzle with no parrot touching another of the same color AND any beaks and feet that touch cannot be the same color. This solution took a little bit more time, and I almost let it beat me; but actually my dad stepped in and moved a few pieces for us! 😮 Puzzles aren’t his thing at all, and he never works puzzles with us – but for some reason he wanted to help with this one. Yay dad!!!

The last way to assemble it is called “Desktop Diversion”, place the pieces however you want, in any order or any shape. You could make a long line of the pieces or an interesting mosaic – it’s all up to you! A lovely way to clear your head and relieve stress if you ask me.

There were at least five different puzzles in this series by Makoto Nakamura, I’d love to find them all! There are Canine Capers, Brilliant Beetles, Lively Lizards, Feline Frenzy, and Pesky Parrots. It doesn’t look like they’re still being produced, but hopefully we find more of them, I loved it!