Tiered Treats In Progress…

On November 26, 2023November 26, 2023 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling6 Comments

Tiered Treats by Aimee Stewart – Wentworth – 210 pieces

My son picked out a wooden puzzle for me to assemble next, and I’m having lots of fun already. How would it not be fun? It’s an Aimee Stewart image!

It’s a shaped puzzle, so the edges aren’t where I’m starting; obviously I started with the blueberries. I don’t have the image near the board to look at; usually when assembling a wooden puzzle I put the image away so the assembly lasts longer. I like to fully enjoy working on a wooden puzzle and focus on nothing but the pieces and colors. 🧩💚

Because I don’t have the image close at hand I pulled all the blueberry pieces thinking they would all be in one section, but it looks as if I was wrong, they seem to be everywhere.

That’s ok though, it’ll all fit together in the end.

Africa Map

On November 12, 2023November 12, 2023 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles10 Comments

Africa Map by Liv Wan – Artifact – 441 pieces

What a fun puzzle! This is a testament to the fact that even though an image may not be what jumps out at you at first when you’re shopping, it can still be a highly entertaining puzzle to assemble – I absolutely loved this one. 💖

Normally I prefer a Victorian cut in a wooden puzzle, or better yet something even more out of the ordinary; this puzzle has “grid cut” shapes, and usually I would pass right on by this one in favor of something more “interesting”. But offer me 50% off and free shipping and I cannot be responsible for what happens. Someone gave me access to my debit card and left me alone and unsupervised – even with my very advanced PADS disorder. Not my fault – not my fault at all! 😇

Look at these fabulous whimsies! All manner of African animals, their beautiful people, even buildings and monuments. Stunning!

It’s a little tricky to find, but just below and to the left of the elephant on the right side of the picture is a street food called Bunny Chow. I was intrigued when this section was put together and did a little research into what it was; it sounds amazing! It’s a mix of spices, meat, chickpeas, and potatoes served in a hollowed out bread bowl – yummmm. As long as it isn’t too spicy I’d be all over that! (My daughter finds my lack of spice tolerance amusing, and when something is too hot for me she says “OMG Mom, you are SOOOOO white!”)

There were so many interesting animals, foods, and natural wonders to see in this image – 100 pictures wouldn’t be enough to show you everything. I adored it once I started assembling, and loved learning about all the regional foods and native animals. Ever heard of a Giant Ghana Snail? I hadn’t. How about Suya? It’s a traditional smoked, spiced meat skewer that’s popular in much of West Africa. (Also, this little picture is a small shout-out to one of my regular readers from Nigeria – hi Tayo!) 😎

I had such a good time putting this one together that it makes me re-think all the puzzles I pass on by when I’m puzzling shopping online. First impressions aren’t always correct.

Hmmm, maybe I need to stop typing and get myself to a puzzle website – tout suite!

Candy Calaveras

On November 2, 2023November 1, 2023 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles12 Comments

Candy Calaveras by Randy Wollenmann – Wentworth – 40 pieces

This amazingly detailed and gorgeous image made for a bit of difficult puzzling, even at only 40 pieces. But it’s so beautiful and my love for the decorative skulls (calaveras) and my appreciation for the holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) made it even more fun, even with the tougher assembly.

The skulls are very cool, and the cactus is ok – but a taco and a chili? I’m not so sure about those two.

I enjoyed putting this little puzzle together; the bright colors and busyness of the image made it a little challenging, but having whimsy pieces makes it a bit easier. The odd shapes and the pieces that fit around them are always a good place to start if you’re having trouble with the image itself. Once you get a few pieces put together it becomes easier and before you know it you’ve got a completed puzzle. 🧩💚

The Day of the Dead is a two day Mexican holiday for remembering and praying for friends and family members who have died. I’m not of Mexican heritage, but I’ve always loved the meaning of the holiday and especially the traditional decorative skulls. The candy form, called sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar) represent loved ones who have passed on and are used as an offering – they’re typically placed on an altar or a gravestone – to the spirit of the dead.

To me the skulls are beautiful, and what they represent is even more so. A day to remember the loved ones you’ve lost, what a wonderful holiday. To me, saying “Happy Day of the Dead” just seems wrong, so I’ll just send you good wishes today, and hope that the memories of your loved ones bring you happiness.💕

Skull “Beauty of Flowers”

On November 1, 2023November 1, 2023 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles9 Comments

Skull “Beauty of Flowers” – Winston Puzzles – 300 pieces

My sweet, loving, darling husband got me this puzzle for my birthday this year – bless him. He knows how much I love the decorated skulls and what the Day of the Dead holiday is all about, what a thoughtful hubby I have. 💕

It’s just too bad this beautiful image was on this puzzle; unfortunately terrible quality wooden puzzles seem to be popping up everywhere. I wish that weren’t the case, but it is.

When I saw the box I suspected it wouldn’t be good, and unfortunately I was correct; beware wooden puzzles with no brand name shown! Although the puzzle was ordered from a website called “Winston Puzzles” there is no brand name on the box, there is no piece count, image name, or artist credit either. The website said this puzzle was 170-210 pieces; to get an accurate number I had to count them by hand, and they were off by quite a bit – there were 300 pieces. Sigh.

There are a bunch of whimsy pieces, but they have no relation to the image at all. They’re just shapes someone thought were cute or interesting; and because it’s a wooden puzzle they were able to cut them out. So disappointing.

As I was sorting the pieces I got a sliver of wood stuck in my finger, the puzzle wasn’t sanded or sealed properly. When I put the puzzle away after it was finished and photographed my board had little chips of wood everywhere all over the fabric, that has never happened with a wooden puzzle before. In addition, there were little bubbles underneath the image on the top of the pieces – it wasn’t attached to the wood correctly.

Many of the edge pieces didn’t connect at all, a BIG pet peeve of mine. It’s so frustrating to accidentally brush against pieces and have them come apart. I wish I had enjoyed the assembly more. It was a difficult image, and the quality of the puzzle itself made it even harder.

I do NOT recommend Winston Puzzles, please spend your puzzle budget elsewhere. There are many reputable wooden puzzle companies that make beautiful, quality wooden puzzles that you will enjoy much more.

I always appreciate the gift of a puzzle, whether wooden or cardboard, even if the quality isn’t up to my somewhat snobby standards. I love that he tried to find an image that I would enjoy, and truly do appreciate the gift, regardless of it’s quality.

Hubby has been informed, very gently, that there is a list of approved puzzle companies and should he have questions, he can always ask about a puzzle company in general. He knows how much I love jigsaw puzzles, and that even if they’re not always fabulous I absolutely appreciate the thought that goes into the gift of a puzzle.

I love my hubby to the moon and back – and he tried, that’s what counts. 💖

Meditating Skeleton

On October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles4 Comments

Meditating Skeleton by Ryoko – Artifact (Ecru) – 81 pieces

What a fantastic puzzle! It was easier than I thought it would be and went together very quickly. Although it was assembled in May of this year, I kept it on the back burner to post on my favorite holiday – Halloween. I absolutely loved this puzzle❣

LOVED IT!

Looking at a well cut wooden puzzle from the back always makes me smile, so I like to take a picture from the back when it’s possible so perhaps you’ll get a smile out of it too.