Tag: Missing Pieces

Beethoven

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

Beethoven (Peanuts) – Ceaco – 100 pieces

This cute little puzzle was at the cabin, and you know I can’t resist a kids puzzle (even if it is a Ceaco). Unfortunately one of the pieces had obviously escaped, and it’s in a pretty obvious place too; poor Snoopy is missing a section of his doghouse. Nevertheless, we had fun putting it together – and hubby helped with this one too!

You can tell by the picture above that this puzzle has been well loved; there are several pieces with the image lifting up from the tabs, and a few places where it doesn’t lay completely flat. But I can’t blame Ceaco for those things, this puzzle has been assembled more than a few times – by children. Kids aren’t always as gentle as we might want them to be with their toys. So, all of that is to say that the quality of this puzzle was actually pretty good, it seems to have held up well to repeated assemblies and disassemblies.

It didn’t take long with three adults working together, but it was still quite enjoyable. Sometimes working on a puzzle made for children makes you feel as if you’re really good at puzzles. Look how fast we got that done, we are FANTASTIC at putting together jigsaw puzzles! 😎

Plus, I spent the weekend explaining to everyone that part of the reason puzzles are so enjoyable is because you get that little hit of dopamine when you find the piece you’re looking for or make a connection. Your brain is sending you chemicals that make you feel good, and who wouldn’t want that? Puzzles are amazing!

We all got our little ego/dopamine boost when we finished this – and then we must have spent 45 minutes to an hour looking through all the other puzzles at the cabin for the missing piece.

Wherever he is, he chose his hiding place very well. 🔎🧩

Peanuts – Day 1

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles6 Comments

Peanuts by Charles Schulz – RoseArt – approx. 125/500 pieces

Lucy, Schroeder, and Woodstock, just hanging out together. Just a fun afternoon of classical music and Lucy’s unrequited love for Schroeder. Very cute.

This puzzle was a gift from hubby for Mother’s Day – he’s a sweetie and I love him to puzzle pieces. Unfortunately, this was the first time I was disappointed in any of these sets; the quality was subpar which made the assembly both frustrating and unsatisfying.

I’ve never had a problem with the quality of these sets of smaller shaped puzzles, perhaps this may be pandemic related. Many puzzle companies started having their manufacturing done in China when the demand for puzzles was sky high during all the lockdowns. The quality went down (in my opinion) for several companies, and maybe this “made in China” puzzle was one of the ones that didn’t get as much attention as it should have.

First of all, there is a missing piece; I am 99% certain it is not my fault. Poor Woodstock seems to have had a rough trip to the barber shop – he’s missing a big chunk of hair! Secondly, the fit of this puzzle was TERRIBLE; it was both extremely loose and “mushy”. Many times you couldn’t tell if the piece was placed correctly even when it was obviously the right one.

Loose fitting, mushy connections and missing pieces – how very very disappointing.

Livingroom Rompers

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

Livingroom Rompers (Paws Gone Wild) by Giordano – Ceaco – 550 pieces

I love the image, but there really was too much fur and darker areas for my taste. It’s a great “picture”, but the assembly wasn’t as much fun as the doggies look like they’re having. Oh well. 🤷‍♀️

It wasn’t the greatest quality, it had a spongy fit (that’s the best way I can think to describe it) that sometimes made it seem as though you didn’t place the piece correctly. But what else can you expect from a Ceaco? I have them on my naughty list and DO NOT EVER spend any of my precious puzzle budget on this brand; but this was a puzzle sent to me from my friend, so of course I was going to assemble it.

French Bulldogs are my dream dog, look at the adorable face – it’s way too cute! Both of my sons say that our next dog (still not ready for that yet) should be a Corgi but I’ve always wanted a Frenchie. I have a feeling the boys will probably get their way, but that’s ok. All dogs are awesome if you ask me. 😊💗

Perhaps I have a type? This little bulldog with a sweet pink bow is definitely my type, look at that bulldoggy face!

This knocked over coffee cup that says “Love My Doxies” really sets the scene. The puppies everywhere were cute and all, but it’s the mayhem that makes it for me – Puppy Pandemonium!

Crazy Cuisine Cart*

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles12 Comments

Crazy Cuisine Cart* by Iralu – Cardinal – 150 pieces

So disappointing. Not only was the quality pretty bottom of the barrel, but this little guy was missing seven pieces! It absolutely wasn’t my fault, I opened the bag directly onto the table and there’s no way that many pieces got up and walked away. Oh well, as one of the Puzzle Posse told me; If I put all the pieces available together I have completed the puzzle – even if it wasn’t complete.

This was one of the puzzles from the Cardinal multipack that I knew wouldn’t be great quality, but wanted to assemble the images because they are so different and interesting. Still love the artwork!

Lady Bug Land

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

Lady Bug Land by Michael Searle – Ravensburger – 300 pieces

Beautiful and colorful, this one was a goldilocks assembly – not too hard, not too easy, just right. I couldn’t pass this bright beauty up when I went to the thrift store, it was too gorgeous to leave it sitting there on the shelf.

Great Ravensburger quality even though it’s been assembled many times. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten one of their puzzles from the thrift store that wasn’t in good shape; they hold up well in my opinion. Especially the smaller piece counts and images made for kids, they’ve always been great quality.

Obviously there was a missing piece, but it’s been a while since I’ve had a thrift store puzzle with a piece that’s gone AWOL. It’s a risk we take when buying second-hand, but it doesn’t bother me much at all.

As a friend told me, “Our job is to put all the pieces together until there are none left; even with missing pieces you can still complete your task and put them all together.”

Mission accomplished! 😎