Meadow Cottage

On May 25, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment

Wentworth puzzles make me very happy; and since I bought wooden puzzles for both my mother and my daughter (and myself) this year for Mother’s Day I’ve been working with them quite a bit lately.

These micro puzzles are not as easy as they look, and are perfect for when you don’t have a lot of time or space but still want to get your puzzle on. They’re great for me when I’m feeling terrible and spending most of my time in bed; I can lay out and assemble the entire puzzle on a cookie sheet.

I love the artwork of Dominic Davison, his landscapes and cottages are absolutely gorgeous. Because he uses a mouse instead of a paintbrush to create his digital works of art I find them much easier to assemble than puzzles that use images of traditional paintings. His use of color and light in the composition makes for great puzzles that are appealing, charming, and fun to put together.

I’ve still got 16 of these micro puzzles left to assemble (and 3 that are done and waiting to be posted); I’m looking forward to each and every one of them. Even if the image or the cut is difficult I know that I’ll be able to get it done – they’re only about 40 pieces. Even I can do that!

Almond Blossom

On May 18, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

I purchased all of these micro puzzles more than 7 months ago, I thought it was about time I got to assembling them all. It doesn’t hurt that they’re so small and easy to work with while in bed. They also give me a chance to work on images that I wouldn’t normally do in a larger piece count. Although Almond Blossom is a beautiful piece of artwork there is NO WAY I’d assemble this image in 500 or 1000 pieces – it would be way too frustrating for me.

I have 7 more everyday image micro puzzles left to assemble, and 8 more Christmas or winter themed ones – not including the 3 I’ve already assembled that are in the queue ready to post. I’m saving the winter ones for Christmas in July on the blog, and have started peppering in the others here and there.

It’s been almost a month since I’ve been able to sit at my puzzle board to work, so almost everything I’ve assembled has been done in my room or in bed. These micro puzzles are perfect for that, I can “get my puzzle on” without causing too much pain or frustration.

I ordered myself a Mother’s Day/Wedding Anniversary present that will be arriving today – a beautiful, colorful, intricate wooden puzzle from Liberty Puzzles. It has enough pieces to offer a challenge (so it won’t be over with too quickly), but it will fit perfectly on the white board so that I can work on it in bed. I can’t wait to open the box and look at all the pieces! It also gives me plenty of motivation to finish the lovely puzzle I’m currently working on so I can start on the gorgeous present I bought myself. 😍

Mixed Flowers in an Earthenware Pot

On May 15, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles2 Comments

I spent about 4 days in bed last week; I wanted to work on puzzles so I got out a few of my micro puzzles from Wentworth so that I could assemble them on a cookie sheet while lying down. This was my first Renoir!

I don’t always enjoy working fine art puzzles, the brush strokes and indistinct shapes make assembly more difficult. Sometimes the challenge is just what I need, and sometimes I just don’t want to have to think so hard. Although when there are only 40 pieces my brain doesn’t have to work too strenuously for too long – thank goodness! 😉

I think there are probably still 10 or more of these Wentworth micro puzzles I have yet to assemble. They’re perfect for when I want to puzzle and don’t have much time, space, or energy to assemble a larger one. I’m so glad we found the micro puzzles, and am looking forward to putting together more of them.

I love working with wooden puzzles; even though the fit is loose and sometimes the piece shape is very evident I don’t really care. I just bought myself a present of a new Liberty puzzle and can’t wait for it to arrive. It doesn’t matter that it’s expensive, I don’t apologize for treating myself to something that makes me happy.

Fantasy Palace

On May 11, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles7 Comments

This puzzle made me think it would be difficult, but it wasn’t. Quite the opposite, it was entertaining and beautiful – and it makes me a little sad that I don’t have any more new bigger wooden puzzles to assemble. Eventually I’ll get myself some more though, no worries.

I’ve long admired the artwork of Ciro Marchetti, his use of color and whimsy is absolutely beautiful – it reminds me of Aimee Stewart’s art. This is the first puzzle of his that I’ve done and it was more fun than I’d hoped for. That it was a wooden puzzle added to my enjoyment, it’s the best time I’ve had puzzling in a while.

I’ve run out of adjectives to describe how fabulous working with wooden puzzles is. It’s a special treat, and I make no apologies for spending money on something that makes me happy. Every post with a wooden puzzle ends with me encouraging you to treat yourself to a wooden puzzle, and I will continue to do that. Wooden puzzles are a visual and tactile pleasure to work with; we’re completely worth it – no question.

Secret Garden (Biddlestone Manor)

On March 22, 2018 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw PuzzlesLeave a comment

This was just a quick break in the middle of working another puzzle, it was definitely something I needed. I’ve been having trouble being able to puzzle lately, and I needed to get a puzzle done quickly and feel some great wooden pieces too. Thank goodness I have a bunch of these Wentworth micro puzzles around for times like this. 🙂

Secret Garden is a pretty difficult image, it’s only 40 pieces but it took me almost 20 minutes to get it assembled! At least I’m hoping it was because the image was challenging and not because of my recent puzzle problems.

It was a fun challenge though, and I absolutely love the times when I’m puzzling and the rest of the world seems to fade away and all that’s left is the pieces and how they fit together. When the only thing that registers is the patterns and colors, that’s when assembling a puzzle is the most fun for me. Times ceases to exist and I can be shocked at how much of it I’ve lost. Jigsaw puzzles are the best!

The image isn’t one I would normally choose, but when there are only 40 pieces I’m a little braver and a little less picky. I don’t think I’ll ever do Starry Night in a larger piece count, but I didn’t hesitate to get it in the micro size. Whatever the image, Wentworth micro puzzles have a deceptively challenging cut and are great fun to put together. This was exactly what I needed!