Tag: Milton Bradley

Embroidery Table In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling, Thrift Store Puzzles8 Comments

Embroidery Table by Andrew Farley – Milton Bradley (Big Ben) – 1000 pieces

I’m currently working on this gorgeous tableau of embroidery supplies, and all I can think about is how much mom would have loved this puzzle. I didn’t consciously plan it, but this is the puzzle I’m working on today – the seventh anniversary of her passing. How can it seem as if I just lost her yesterday and also that she’s been gone for way too long?

I found this beauty at the thrift store a month or so ago, and I’m hoping it’s complete because it really reminds me of my awesome momma; it was bagged inside the box, so there’s reason to think it may have all the pieces. The quality is fair, about the usual for a Milton Bradley puzzle, but the image reproduction is fabulous. The colors are bright and crisp, and everything looks as it should. Mom would have loved to have glued and framed this one for her craft room, of that I am sure.

It’s going really well, and I found myself getting out of bed last night when I couldn’t sleep just to sit in front of it and put a few pieces in – one of the clues that tells you how much fun the image is. There are only three trays of pieces left and I’ve gotten used to every single one. I know where things should go and I’m familiar with every shape and color so why can’t I just be left alone so I can sit in the puzzle room till it’s finished? I’m tired of taking breaks!

Most certainly this one will be finished today, I’m just not sure what to do with it once it’s finished. I could box it up and re-donate it to the local Goodwill. But I’m thinking I might want to host a giveaway with it in honor of my crafty momma who loved making things, assembling puzzles, and finding bargains at thrift stores – but I don’t even know if all the pieces are present and accounted for.

If it’s complete would anyone be interested in winning this gently used thrift store puzzle? It’s a gorgeous image and so far has been extremely entertaining to assemble.

We all miss you mom, more than words can express. 💔

Teal Lake

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles11 Comments

Teal Lake by Andy Russell – Milton Bradley (Big Ben) – 500 pieces

I love the image of this puzzle, and I liked that even though it was only 500 pieces it was still a bit challenging. It made for some fun puzzling!

This is a thrift store puzzle, and other than quite a loose fit it was pretty good quality. The image reproduction is lovely, there are a good variety of shapes and the chipboard was a nice thickness. The finish is matte and feels soft to the touch; the loose fitting pieces made for some frustrating moments trying to move pieces around, but otherwise I was happy with it.

Teal Lake In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling, Thrift Store Puzzles2 Comments

Teal Lake by Andy Russell – Milton Bradley (Big Ben) – 500 pieces

Although I started this puzzle yesterday afternoon, every time I sat down to work on it later in the day someone or something interrupted. It was just one of those days apparently.

This was a thrift store purchase, and other than a slightly loose fit I’ve been quite happy with the quality so far. The finish is matte so there hasn’t been any glare issues under the lights, and the hand feel is soft and very nice.

Andy Russell is a new artist for me, and his work reminds me a bit of Eric Dowdle; the rounded but almost symmetrical and precise shapes made me think of his artwork immediately when I saw it. It will be interesting to see if this is as difficult as I sometimes find puzzles with a Dowdle image.

Ice Cream Social

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles, Thrift Store Puzzles5 Comments

Ice Cream Social by Lars Stewart – Milton Bradley – 300 pieces

Such a fun and colorful image, I really had a good time putting this one together! This was a thrift store puzzle, and although it was pre-loved and had a few bent tabs it was good quality and all the pieces were there – what more could a PADS sufferer ask for?

The quality of this puzzle was better than anticipated. There were the bent tabs, but otherwise I was more than happy with every other category. There were a very good variety of piece shapes, the cut was nice, the fit was exceptional, the finish was matte and it had a nice hand feel.

Exceptional fit, you say? Hmmm. Is she gonna take another stupid standing up puzzle picture? Of course she is!

These pictures and standing up a puzzle really do make me happy. I have no explanation and I make no excuses. 😎

Koi Fish

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles10 Comments

Koi Fish by Ciro Marchetti – Milton Bradley (Big Ben Luxe) – 500 pieces

Absolutely gorgeous image by Ciro Marchetti, it made for such entertaining puzzling! Underwater scenes aren’t usually my thing, but my daughter wanted me to buy this one so I couldn’t disappoint her. She’s such an enabler (LOVE that about her). 😉

I had no idea when I bought this that it was a Marchetti image, there was absolutely no mention of the artist anywhere on the box. Disappointing. If I had my artwork on a puzzle I would absolutely want to see my name on the box – wouldn’t you? Luckily the poster that came in the box had the artist credited.

It’s hard to give a rating for the quality – other than the fit it was very good/excellent – but fit is SO important! Piece shapes, cut, reproduction, finish, and chipboard were all really quite good; even better than expected. But how a puzzle fits together is unbelievably essential to a good assembly experience, and the fit on this puzzle left a lot to be desired. It wasn’t just loose, it was spongy as well; even when the correct pieces were put together you still weren’t always sure because it felt almost wrong the way it fit. I guess I’m giving it a good rating. Honestly, if the fit were better it would have gotten an excellent rating and I would have also given it a highly recommended.

It’s hard to say fish have expressions on their faces, but there something about the eye on this Koi fish, it almost looks embarrassed. It actually made me laugh when I really looked at it.

Look at these gorgeous colors! Ciro Marchetti’s work reminds me of Aimee Stewart, their use of color is similar, and makes for such fun puzzles in my opinion. Stunning!

Wonky fit aside, it was a beautiful image that made for truly fun puzzling. I started it late at night and finished by 9:00 the next morning. It makes me wish I had more puzzles with his artwork here, this one was fun!