Puzzles, Books and More!: November 2022

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Puzzle #77 - Ravensburger - Window Shoppers - 1000 pieces

This was a lovely puzzle. Pleasant and nostalgic image, nice puzzle pieces (thank you, Ravensburger) :) and just enough of a challenge. However, this is one of those Ravensburger puzzles that comes in the small box. Since they refuse to put a poster in with their puzzles, it makes it almost impossible to see any detail. The box is small and they even cut into that image with icons so you can't see the whole thing. There is a full image on the side of the box that is maybe 1 inch by 2 inches... yeah right. Anyway, loved the puzzle, was a lot of fun to put together... but why oh why won't Ravensburger add a poster?? They are the Cadillac of puzzles so it just makes zero sense that they would exclude this simple request.

So if you can get this puzzle in the larger box (not the Barnes and Noble version) I would highly recommend it. Here is a 1500 piece version in a regular sized box... https://amzn.to/3VmRywh

Finished November 20, 2022

Puzzle #77 - Ravensburger - Window Shoppers - 1000 pieces

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Puzzle #76 - Gibsons - Magic of Christmas Window Shopping - 500 pieces

Gibsons is a UK puzzle company but I have placed several orders from them and had a great experience every time. Their prices are reasonable (you can choose to see the prices in US dollars) and their shipping fees are not bad at all. The quality of Gibsons puzzles is, in my opinion, outstanding. These are probably the thickest puzzle pieces of any brand that I have ever seen or worked. You get a poster with each puzzle and the pictures are so engaging. I highly recommend ordering from Gibsons.

I was already smiling from ear to ear at this early point. Thick beautiful pieces that are vibrantly and clearly colored and snap together perfectly. A heartwarming image - and England. Need I say more? I do love the quality of Gibson puzzles. They are top tier in every way. And incredibly, not badly priced to order direct and have shipped internationally. Well worth it, in fact. I love the poster, even if it is small. Image by Trevor Mitchell. This is one of a set of 4 puzzles in the box. But all 4 are individually bagged with a little title poster. Super high quality.

What a complete delight this puzzle was! Yes, I completed it in one day and so was 'easy' but it wasn't 'simple'. The image is engaging and has some trickier parts. I was never bored with this puzzle and smiled the whole time I was putting it together. Can't wait to do the rest in this set over the holidays. Pure Joy!!

Finished on November 8, 2022

Puzzle #76 - Gibsons - Magic of Christmas Window Shopping - 500 pieces

Monday, November 7, 2022

Puzzle #75 - Sunsout - Yellowstone Park - 1000 pieces

What I don't care for as much with puzzles like SunsOut is the wonky shapes of the pieces - it makes it impossible to build a border, because pieces don't fit together like that. So many pieces just sit side by side and then you must find other (interior) pieces to connect them. This goes all throughout the puzzle, but it makes creating a border extremely difficult (impossible). Yes, you just work these puzzles differently to accommodate that, but that is what I don't like. :) Sort of a love/hate thing. I am better with the wonky shaped pieces now than I was when I first started puzzling in January 2022, but I don't like having to constantly try to keep the puzzle together since nothing actually connects (just laying side by side). It is messy. Having said that, I do enjoy these puzzles and this is no exception. I just really struggle with this aspect and it causes me to not do these very often.

Sweet Mav climbed up to take a look at my puzzle and it got really messed up. Partly because pieces move if you just look at them! And partly because it just looked like something he could play around with. He doesn't do this with other puzzles that actually connect. This one looks a mess even when it is 'right'. And of course, I miss having a poster. :)

whoops! :D

So what I really don't like about Sunsout puzzles is no poster and the image on the box is very hard to make out. In this particular puzzle there are words - labels for areas of Yellowstone. Those should be helpful but I cannot make them out on the box at all! Can NOT read them! Can barely read them on the puzzle pieces. Now I realize I am over 50 and need reading glasses but is most of your puzzle population more like me? Not too many 20/20 vision readers! Right? Make the print larger or include a poster!!!! sigh... enjoying the puzzle in other ways - fun image But the wonky shapes (and the way when you lean in all the pieces just move all around) is driving me crazy. I want to love Sunsout more than I do. I think the lesson is never do more than a 500 piece Sunsout. I REALLY like them with 300 and 500 pieces. Must remember this.

Was so ready to be done with this puzzle. The wonky offset pieces throw my brain for a loop. And the colors on pieces didn't match the colors on the puzzle box. However, the image is beautiful and I love thinking about all our Yellowstone trips - each one so special. I am ready for a nice scenic puzzle, though... and not a Sunsout brand. Even to the last 5 pieces I still thought the pieces left wouldn't fit. Crazy!

Finished November 7, 2022

Puzzle #75 - Sunsout - Yellowstone Park - 1000 pieces

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Puzzle #74 - White Mountain - Paris Sunset - 1000 pieces

David Maclean puzzle image - love him! This is another nice scenic puzzle. I have done a puzzle with the Eiffel Tower in it how many times now? Paris was not my favorite city to visit in real life (not even close, really) but I do love putting together puzzles based in Paris! :) I had to laugh when I made the decision to put together the sky before other parts of the puzzle. Not what I usually choose!

Enjoyable puzzle but I can tell the rest is going to be more difficult. :) However, I am just plugging along and having a grand time. Love David Maclean images.

Paired with that German Pinot Noir that I really like.

This wasn't as difficult at the end as I thought it might be. I did finally sort by shape of pieces to finish out the final bits but it was a fun, pretty and challenging puzzle throughout. I really like having a poster (even though it isn't any bigger than the box, it is still easier to hold).