Celebrity Chief Chef!

Chief Chef
Celebrity Chief Chef! by James Alexander – Jumbo (Wasgij) – 1000 pieces

I haven’t done a Wasgij for a while, and I forgot how much fun they are. As usual I am not showing the full image, no spoilers allowed! I only show the person (or thing) shown on the box as a hint. I don’t think the hints are overly helpful though, at least they aren’t for me.

Jumbo puzzles are excellent quality, although I do realize that sometimes there can be a problem with pieces fitting where they don’t belong. It usually isn’t a problem with the Wasgij puzzles though, the images are usually full of bright colors and busyness. There are so many Wasgij puzzles here to do, but sometimes I forget about the giant stack of them in my closet.

For the most part the Wasgij images aren’t hard to figure out, you normally know what the people are wearing and can start with that. Also, as you’re sorting you can find blocks of color or something with which to begin. It’s just a matter of figuring out what the perspective is, or what you’re supposed to be deciphering. They’re always entertaining!

 

Wasgij In Progress

In Progress

I’m currently working on a Wasgij puzzle, it’s going a little slowly but I’m still having a good time. You won’t get to see the finished image here on my blog (I don’t like spoilers), but you can see Momma Cabbage and her babies running around – aren’t they cute? I’m not sure yet if they’re chasing the mouse or if he’s leading the way, but I will get it figured out eventually.

I have a stack of about 20 Wasgij puzzles in my closet over four feet high, and I need to work on whittling it down (some of them have 2 puzzles in the box, one of the actual box image and the other is the Wasgij that has to be figured out). Because they’re in my closet I sometimes forget about them, but they were calling to me yesterday and I got this one going.

As usual I’m loving it, it’s so satisfying when I figure out where a section belongs and fit it into place. Every now and then I challenge myself by putting away the box and assembling a puzzle without the aid of an image, with a Wasgij I don’t need to add the extra challenge – it’s built right in.

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For this image you have to puzzle what the lady with the polka dot bow is seeing. All I know for sure is what the gentleman in the middle is wearing, so you’d think I would have started with his shirt – for some reason I haven’t even pulled those pieces yet. It may be the next section to be assembled though, we’ll have to wait and see. 🙂

A Purrrfect Escape!

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A Purrrfect Escape! Wasgij Mystery #13 by James Alexander – Jumbo – 1000 pieces

A Purrrfect Escape was lots of fun! I really enjoy the Wasgij  puzzles, assembling a puzzle you have no picture for is a great challenge. I never show the entire image for these puzzles that you have no picture for, I don’t want to spoil the fun for anyone. I only show the character on the front of the box that has a before and after image; that way I’m not giving anything away and I’m not showing anything new.

The sense of humor of these artists is on par with mine, and I always enjoy the situations they’ve imagined and how their characters end up. In this puzzle Special Agent Wasgij has been captured by the enemy, he has to think fast and look for a getaway. How can he escape his shackles, distract the guards, and make his way to freedom? The answer is what you have to puzzle, and it’s an interesting result!

The colors on this puzzle were bright and fun and I enjoyed figuring out the solution to Special Agent Wasgij’s tiny problem. There were several people to assemble including guards, scientists, the evil villain and his girlfriend, and even the little old lady who serves the “evil tea”.

I still have a stack of Wasgij puzzles in my closet to assemble, it has been reduced some but is still almost 5 feet high with puzzles yet to be done. I’m tackling them when I can, although I just ordered the four new ones (which add up to 6 new puzzles as 2 of the puzzles have a bonus puzzle included!) I’m slightly addicted to puzzles, and a bit off my rocker; but I’m adorable according to my husband, so it’s all good. 🤗

A 14th Century Castle!

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Wasgij Back to #2 – A 14th Century Castle! by Bill Houston – Jumbo – 1000 pieces

When I was deciding what puzzle to do next I looked at my photos and realized I hadn’t done a Wasgij in over a month, it was definitely time! This was the first of the Back To.. series that I’ve done, the opposite of the Destiny puzzles – and it looks like I love them both! 🙂

As usual, I don’t show the entire finished puzzle. I don’t like to ruin the fun for anyone in figuring it out for themselves.

Jumbo quality is exceptional and right up there next to Ravensburger – for me anyway. I love the feel of the pieces and how they fit together, and the puzzles are gorgeous! If you can’t tell – I’m a fan. 😎

In this puzzle we see a 14th century castle as it is today, with tourists and souvenirs and tours being given. So what was it like in the 14th century when the Lord of the castle lived there? Today they’re selling hot dogs and ice cream, what was being sold back then? There’s an archaeological dig today, where did those bones come from? It’s a great image for puzzling and you’ll enjoy the finished puzzle – there’s so much to look at!

I really enjoy the added challenge of the Wasgij and What If puzzles, it’s nice to puzzle without an image to work from, it feels like more of an accomplishment when I’m done. Plus the added bonus is that each series is from a manufacturer with excellent quality.

As usual, I loved this puzzle – no big surprise! How boring,they’re always great – ho hum. 😉

The Best Days of our Lives!

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The Best Days of our Lives! by Graham Thompson – Jumbo (Wasgij Destiny #1) – 1000 pieces

The very first Wasgij Destiny! This one was much more difficult for me, perhaps because I wasn’t feeling well, or just because it was more difficult. Who can tell? As usual, I don’t show the entire image because I don’t want to spoil the fun of figuring it out!

With this puzzle the box shows children at school in the cafeteria and you have to puzzle them at their class reunion many years later. Will the lovebirds still be in love? Will the best friends still be friends? How will the teachers have changed? As usual Graham Thompson’s image is fun and funny and excellent for puzzling!

It took me 3 days to finish this puzzle, partly because it was a little more challenging than usual, and partly because there were many things going on with family obligations. Still, when I could I worked on it and it was a pleasure. As usual the quality was excellent and makes for a great tactile experience. Every time I complete a Jumbo puzzle I want to immediately do another; the way the pieces feel and fit together makes for a wonderful assembly in every way.

If you haven’t tried a Wasgij or any other Jumbo puzzle I highly recommend it. They have a great selection of puzzles to choose from –  photography, landscapes, collages, fine art, and some of the best cartoon puzzles around. There’s something for everyone!