Tag: Puzzles In Progress

Happy Beads In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling6 Comments

Happy Beads by Elspeth McLean – Ravensburger – 500 pieces

I fell in love with a couple of puzzles by this artist at the store, and bought two of her 500 piece puzzles. Of course I got them home, opened the boxes and looked at the pieces and thought “Why in the world didn’t you recognize how difficult these were going to be?” That’s me all over, if I love the image then damn the consequences – I’m buying it!

Actually this one seems like it’ll be the easier of the two that were purchased, and even though I knew going in it would be challenging it hasn’t been as horrible as I’d prepared myself for. Actually it’s been much more enjoyable than even I thought.

Last night I was working on this and one bead led to the next; things were connecting and even though I knew I needed to get out of my chair and go lie down it was extremely difficult to crowbar myself away from this puzzle. In the end a bargain was made (in my mind) that once the pieces were pared down from four trays to three that would be the end of work for the night. It was difficult, but eventually the last piece was put in for the evening and finally got myself to bed. 🛌💤

It’s going together slowly, bead by bead, but it’s been nice just zoning out and searching for the pieces of one bead or another; it’s almost meditative as focus is definitely required. When a puzzle takes that much of my concentration it almost shuts out the rest of world.

Isn’t that something we all need from time to time? I certainly do!

Soda Fountain In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling, Thrift Store Puzzles6 Comments

Soda Fountain – Buffalo – 1000 pieces

Don’t you love the look of old-timey ads and artwork? Well, I do. They make for more difficult puzzling sometimes, but the end result is worth it in my opinion. I’m loving this one!

This is a thrift store purchase and the quality has been EXCELLENT so far. It’s obvious that it’s been assembled a time or two (it was manufactured in 2010), but there are no bent pieces, no torn or lifting image, and the fit is absolutely amazing. It makes me want to be sure my next puzzle is a Buffalo as well. I know they’re all not going to be the same as far as quality, but this assembly is making me quite happy.

I’m still working on completing all the faces and skin, but it’s getting there and looking really nice. It’s funny how when I look at the picture of what I’ve done so far it seems as though it would be simple to find the missing pieces of this face or that spot; but in reality it ain’t easy at all!

I’m a Pepsi gal myself, but Coca-Cola really does have such great old advertising images. Good thing drinking Coke while I’m puzzling isn’t required. 🥤

Wonderland In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling11 Comments

Wonderland by Bill Bell – Wentworth – 140 pieces

This little Wentworth puzzle has been slow going so far, I’ve put away the box so this is being put together without an image for reference. Still, it’s bright and colorful and I’m hoping it’ll be great fun.

The image on the box seems quite small, and it’s a bit difficult to see the detail; so I’m looking forward to seeing the artwork in more detail on the pieces themselves. There have only been a few pieces put together here and there, when I see a piece that goes with another – pretty much like all jigsaw puzzling now that I think about. But there’s so much going on that it isn’t coming together as quickly as it normally does.

Still having a good time with it though, and that’s the part that counts!

I’m having a rough time lately, and don’t seem to be as interested in puzzling as I usually am. Once I get a puzzle going things are ok, but it’s getting one started that’s the problem; I’d rather lay in bed and watch Netflix to be honest. But that isn’t good for me at all. Sigh.

The Alchemist’s Home In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling6 Comments

The Alchemist’s Home by Vasilisa Romanenko – eeBoo – 1000 pieces

I’m loving this puzzle that my beautiful daughter gave me for Christmas and although it’s slow going I’m enjoying every bit of it. It’s been quite a while since I’ve put together an eeBoo puzzle, but the image on this one is fantastic and it’s been very entertaining so far.

Just a side note, the “stamp” on the front of the box says that the company is Woman Owned and Mother Run. LOVE THAT!

Ice Cream Social In Progress…

On By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling, Thrift Store Puzzles6 Comments

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

It took me forever to decide which puzzle to do next; my last puzzle of 2023 was a 1000 piece puzzle that was a bleeping nightmare to work with and my first puzzle of 2024 was a little 101 piece puzzle that my son got me for Christmas. I wanted the next one to be entertaining and relatively good quality and seeing this Lars Stewart image made my decision for me – bright colors, lots of words, and lots of yummy, colorful ice cream!

This is a thrift store purchase, and there are a lot of pieces with bent tabs, but otherwise the quality has been good so far. The fit is nice, the finish is matte and has a good hand feel, there are a good variety of pieces and the image reproduction is gorgeous.

Here’s hoping it’s a complete puzzle and it remains fun to assemble!