The Wedding

On April 23, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles5 Comments

Got my hands on another old wooden puzzle, are you surprised? It’s a lovely image, but there were so many missing pieces! I went into this knowing there were only 499 pieces, but I mistakenly assumed that meant there was only one missing piece. I was wrong of course. This puzzle apparently started out with 510 pieces, not 500. Still, mom and I had a good time putting it together and that’s what counts. The Wedding 1

There is such beautiful detail in the artwork, the hands seem almost photo quality. It was a beautiful puzzle and mom and I enjoyed it even with the many missing pieces.

The Wedding 2

EBL 1920 – I wish I knew if that was in reference to the date the puzzle was cut or if it’s when the image was painted. It could be both, actually.

I’ve got one more old puzzle yet to assemble and one more in the queue, but unless I find something amazing I’m done with the vintage/antique puzzles. Not because this one had lots of missing pieces, but because either fortunately or unfortunately (I’m not sure which), the municipal building puzzle was so amazing, and such fantastic quality that I feel that everything else is a bit of a letdown. Even if it’s great quality it still isn’t as good. I was so lucky to find that puzzle; it’s a one of a kind, exceptionally well made, and mom and I enjoyed the journey of putting it together so much – it just can’t be matched or duplicated. Nothing even really comes close.

I’ve told hubby to stop sneakily buying these old puzzles on eBay. He purchased a few for me as a surprise, it’s very sweet but I’d prefer it if he didn’t do that anymore. I think I’d rather be happy we had the experience and fun of assembling a very rare and wonderful antique than be let down by the not up to snuff quality of lesser (but still lovely) puzzles.

What Do You Think?

On April 20, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling12 Comments

Recently I was contacted by a new puzzle company, looking for feedback from puzzlers about their new product; they’d love to hear your thoughts about their puzzles.

Starz Puzzles are a new brand of wooden jigsaw puzzle and their product seems quite new and different. Unlike many other companies their puzzles are made of solid maple hardwood – not plywood or MDF; in addition, they print the images directly onto the wood, there is no paper involved. They also have designed a new star-like piece shape, which according to Starz allows for an unlimited puzzle, an infinity puzzle. Are you intrigued? I am.

Please check out their website by clicking the link above, and if you’re so inclined please leave a comment here letting them know your thoughts. Any feedback, good or bad, is welcome; they would very much like to know what those of us who actually assemble jigsaw puzzles think. Even though I haven’t actually assembled one of their puzzles I’m giving them my feedback as well.

Thanks so much for your help! 🙂

Three Hunters

On April 8, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles4 Comments

3 Hunters — Three Hunters? – ? – 340 pieces

This is another vintage wooden puzzle that mom and I assembled. It was great fun, with an amazing fit that you wouldn’t believe! We know absolutely nothing about this puzzle – it came without a box so we don’t know the maker or name of the image. Still, it’s lovely and mom and I enjoyed it very much.

At only 340 pieces it was much quicker the the municipal building, but it was still quite difficult. There’s something about a vintage image like this that makes all the colors seem fuzzy and indistinct which adds quite a bit to the challenge. I love the softness of the look even though it adds to the difficulty for me.

I really had a great time with this puzzle, it’s beautifully made and has a lovely image.

Farmyard Scene

On March 23, 2019March 23, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzles4 Comments

I’m not sure why I purchased this micro puzzle, it’s not my usual “type” of image; it’s very dark and kind of boring for someone like me who likes bright, busy images. Still, even if the image isn’t my favorite, I still enjoyed figuring out which piece went where and seeing the completed puzzle.

Farmyard Scene whimsies

These micro puzzles are absolutely perfect for me when my brain wants to puzzle but my body isn’t cooperating. Even if I’m not up to sitting in my comfortable chair in front of the puzzle board I can still put one of these together on a tray in bed. And although I’d usually rather spend lots of time puzzling, being able to spend only 10 minutes or so with a jigsaw puzzle seems to settle my nerves and lift my spirits. 🙂

More Mystery Puzzles!

On March 12, 2019 By Stacey at myjigsawjournalIn Jigsaw Puzzling10 Comments

ACDB5597

I bought a few more “mystery” puzzles on eBay in the past week. They’re all vintage wooden puzzles, and all a mystery as we have no idea what the images will be. 😎

The first one to arrive (some of the pieces are shown above) is amazingly cut; and although it isn’t as sturdy as our municipal building puzzle, the intricate almost coral-like cuts are definitely fun to work with and the fit is even tighter than the big puzzle! Mom and I finished it yesterday – 3 missing pieces and a few broken tabs – but I truly wasn’t disappointed, we enjoyed it very much! I’ll be posting about it when it comes up in the rotation.

2 more are on their way. One is complete (according to the seller), and the other looks to be cut by the same person as the municipal building puzzle. We’re not sure if the second one is complete, but we are very excited about working with pieces like that again and seeing what both images turn out to be!

I know, I’m a crazy person. But I’m adorable and fun too, so it all works out. 😇