Puzzle #8 - Vermont Christmas Company Biking Through Italy - 550 pieces

Puzzle #8 - Vermont Christmas Company Biking Through Italy - 550 piece puzzle

I remember this puzzle felt like a turning point of some kind.  I was ready to really seek out new puzzles and felt like I had a feel for what I liked (and didn't like).  This was my first puzzle from Vermont Christmas Company and definitely made me a stalwart fan.  This was also my first puzzle by artist David Maclean.  And while I didn't realize it then, he would absolutely become one of my very favorite puzzle artists - no matter the brand!

It was a 550 piece puzzle and was harder than I expected it to be.  The colors and print were quite vague so it was hard to tell what was what.  However, it was enjoyable - not frustrating like that Bits & Pieces puzzle had been.  It felt like a good challenge - and was very fun.  I even sent a photo of the completed puzzle to my friend, Donna... the bikes reminded me of her.  :)

Finished on January 26, 2022

Puzzle #8 - Vermont Christmas Company Biking Through Italy - 550 piece puzzle - David Maclean  

Puzzle #7 - CraZArt - Lady of the River - 300 pieces

Puzzle #7 - CraZArt - Lady of the River - 300 pieces  (Mark Frost)

Still in quarantine and working my way through that online order of puzzles... this one was sweet and easy.  Bright, colorful and fun.  But I was beginning to realize I wanted more challenge than 300 piece puzzles (for the most part).  

Finished on January 24, 2022

Puzzle #7 - CraZArt - Lady of the River - 300 pieces  (Mark Frost)

Puzzle #6 - Ravensburger Cozy Wine Terrace - 500 pieces

Puzzle #6 - Ravensburger Cozy Wine Terrace - 500 pieces - #167968

I was so excited when this puzzle was delivered!  The minute I saw it online I knew I wanted to put it together.  It did not disappoint in any way.  This was also my first move 'up' from the 300 piece puzzles.  That felt a bit daunting!  :)  This was such an enjoyable puzzle - and of course I loved the image - it combined two of my favorite hobbies in one!  

Finished on January 22, 2022

Puzzle #6 - Ravensburger Cozy Wine Terrace - 500 pieces - #167968 - Challenging and fun.  Good pieces in size, color and fit.

Puzzle #5 - Buffalo Games puzzle - Charles Wysocki - The Three Sisters - 300 pieces

Puzzle #5 - Buffalo Games puzzle - Charles Wysocki - The Three Sisters - 300 pieces.

This was a balm to cover the frustration of that last one!  ha!  Simple, easy, sweet picture.  The pieces actually looked like the puzzle was supposed to.  And I did love the larger poster included, too - especially since the box was small.  I now know this is offered in 1000 pieces, as well.  I think I would enjoy putting that one together, too.  This really was a lovely and relaxing puzzle.  Pretty sure I would enjoy hanging out with these 'three sisters'.  :) 

Finished on January 20, 2022  (yes, we were still in covid quarantine...)

Puzzle #5 - Buffalo Games puzzle - Charles Wysocki - The Three Sisters - 300 pieces.

Puzzle #4 - Bits & Pieces A Visit to the General Store by Ruane Manning - 300 pieces

Puzzle #4 - Bits & Pieces A Visit to the General Store by Ruane Manning - 300 pieces.

By this time I had placed some online orders to feed my growing enthusiasm... :) They had arrived and I felt like a kid in a candy shop - or at the very least a kid with a brand new package of 64 crayons!  What to do first???  I chose this puzzle from Bits & Pieces and was soon feeling totally undermined.  I did NOT like the wonky shaped pieces.  This is when I realized my brain does not work 'sideways'.  (This puzzling experience truly has shown me many things about how I think... so very interesting.)  

Soooo, the Bits & Pieces 'random cut' is not for me... made zero sense to my logical brain.  I also felt the picture was so vaguely printed that nothing really looked clear or like it was supposed to.  However, I wasn't going to let it beat me!  I managed to finish it.  Looking back, this is so interesting that I struggled so much with a 300 piece puzzle.  I wonder if it would still be a struggle for me now or if I have strengthened my puzzling muscles enough that it would be easier today... hmmm....

Finished on January 20, 2022

Puzzle #4 - Bits & Pieces A Visit to the General Store by Ruane Manning - 300 pieces.  Love the picture - didn't care for the puzzle. 

Puzzle #3 - FX Schmid - A Day for a Brougham Ride - 300 pieces

Puzzle #3 - FX Schmid - A Day for a Brougham Ride - 300 pieces

More attic shopping... came up with this one next.  (Thankful for those slight hoarding tendencies I have??)  ha!  Still in covid quarantine...

This puzzle wasn't as enjoyable as the first two primarily because the colors weren't very distinct and so it was harder to put together.  Even after placing some of the pieces I couldn't tell by looking at that piece that it truly 'belonged' there.  But by this point I was 'old hat' at puzzling and decided to just take it in stride.   ;)   ha! 

Finished on January 18, 2022

Puzzle #3 - FX Schmid - A Day for a Brougham Ride - 300 pieces.  I did like the larger pieces. 

Puzzle #2 - MB Puzzles - Charles Wysocki Americana - Traveling Cowboy EZ Grasp - 300 pieces

Puzzle #2 -  MB Puzzles - Charles Wysocki Americana - Traveling Cowboy EZ Grasp - 300 pieces

Again, I went 'shopping' in my attic and found another old puzzle up there.  Good thing as we were still in covid quarantine.  :) 

This time I found Charles Wysocki's Traveling Cowboy.  I really liked this one.  Easy but with a bit of challenge - nice pieces to work with.  Getting the hang of this puzzling thing!  

Finished on January 17, 2022

Puzzle #2 -  MB Puzzles - Charles Wysocki Americana - Traveling Cowboy EZ Grasp - 300 pieces

My very first puzzle!

Puzzle #1 - Charles Wysocki Americana - Catchin' Bugs.   300 piece EZ grasp - MB Puzzles 

This is the puzzle that got me started.  My husband was sick with covid and we were cooped up in the cold, early days of January, 2022.  I decided to finally get on the bandwagon (albeit a couple of years later than the rest of the world!) and put together a jigsaw puzzle.  But being quarantined meant I had to go 'shopping' for a puzzle in my own house.  Lo and behold, I found a couple stashed up in the attic.  I lugged them down and decided to put them together.  I realized that I was going to love putting together jigsaw puzzles!  What a wonderful discovery!  I jokingly said that jigsaw puzzles are what I WANTED coloring to be last year.  (I decided to color as a stress reliever a year ago but found the whole process of coloring to be far too stressful!  ha!)  Putting together jigsaw puzzles provided me with mindful mindlessness... what a gift!  Truly, these puzzles have been a great stress reliever and I am fully hooked.  

Finished on January 16, 2022

Puzzle #1 - Charles Wysocki Americana - Catchin' Bugs.   300 piece EZ grasp - MB Puzzles