Landon’s Fall Puzzling

I thought Landon was too busy with first grade to continue puzzling, but it turns out I just didn’t get the photos!  Since school started in September, he’s done all four of these puzzles!  He’s passed them along to other friends, so I don’t have the stats to post, but it sure looks like he was having fun!  Way to go, L.

MasterPieces "A Dog's Plea" -- June Payne Hart

I bought this puzzle new in box from a fellow puzzler I knew through a facebook group.  I couldn't really read the poem in the photo she'd posted, but it looked neat, and I'd lost Caitie only a few days before.  I thought it would be a poem about the rainbow bridge that I could frame in her memory.  Rather, it speaks of not holding onto a pet too long.  I'm not sure I agree with the poem's sentiments, but I wanted to frame and donate it anyway.  I thought the collage of pups would be fun.  It was, but it was more difficult than I expected! 

A Dog's Plea

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in

all the world is more grateful for kindness than the 

loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I

should lick your hand between blows, your patience and

understanding will more quickly teach me the things you 

would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's 

sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging

of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I 

am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed

to bitter elements.  I ask no greater glory than the 

privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell 

you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp

and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, 

and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my

life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer

enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic

efforts to keep me going.  I am not having any fun.  

Please see that my trusting life is taken gently.  I shall leave

this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my

fate was always safest in your hands.

-Author Unknown

Mega Puzzles The Saturday Evening Post "Time to Eat"

"Time to Eat" marks the second from The Saturday Evening Post series that I've completed.  This 2013 puzzle has a distinctive 1970s theme in its design.  So much fun to go back in time!  I have the perfect foodie recipient to whom to gift this puzzle, so I glued it when complete and will be looking for a frame. 

This is also the first puzzle I completed since losing my little Caitie to an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting four weeks ago.  I'm so glad I have the photos documented with her for this blog.  She was my little companion who would sit on my foot while I worked on a puzzle, and sometimes snuggle in my arms as I puzzled. 

Postscript:  I had this puzzle framed and gifted it to a friend who works for a large produce company.  It was a great way to thank him for regularly inviting me to foodie events and cookbook author presentations.  

Callie modeled the framing job.  Too often, puzzles are not finished in standard sizes, so that they must be custom framed.  To save money, I buy a standard frame bigger than the puzzle, then have a custom mat cut so that the puzzle will fit the frame.  I think this one came out great, but even with this tactic, it was still expensive to finish.

Schmidt Puzzles "Owl Collage I"

I splurged and bought this puzzle off ebay to do with a facebook group, "Group Puzzling Fun."  They choose a puzzle a month to do in conjunction as a group, and post progress to each other.  I loved the quality of this German puzzle.  The colors and patterns of each owl were unique, which made it easier to put together.  I was able to complete this puzzle in short order, and had a lot of fun with it.  The popular owl theme will lend itself to passing it along to someone else quickly as well.  

Eeboo "Cats at Work"

I got this puzzle from a trade - my first of the brand Eeboo.  Their puzzles have a lovely shiny smooth texture.  The bright sheen makes them great for hanging, with or without a frame.  The bright colors were more fun to work with than I had expected, and it made the time pass quickly.  I decided to put this together for a cat-loving friend's birthday.  I hope she likes it. 

I thought it fun to show you the photos I'd taken in sequence; apparently even puppy Caitie gets tired if I take too long.

Hennessy Puzzles "California Map Puzzle"

I did an internet search to find a California state puzzle that I could frame for my kitchen.  I was looking for one that specifically had a lot of pictures, with the state bird, state flower, and whatever other icons that could be worked into the drawing.  This is one of the first ones I've framed to keep myself, and it'll look great with the vintage green walls of my kitchen.

Hennessy Puzzles is a family owned business, smaller company, with high-quality puzzles both in the designs and the manufacture.  I was very pleased with this one.  They have several other designs now on my wish list that I can't wait to have, including a vintage xmas and one on vintage trailers.  I'll be a repeat customer!  They were also very kind and responsive when I thought I'd lost a piece, mailing me the piece in question within a couple days of my contacting them.

SunsOut "Waiting for the Mailman" by Susan Brabeau

Today I hosted a puzzle exchange event for meetup.com.  This was my second hosted event, the first being a few months ago.  But this time I cross-posted to several different groups, and so we had about ten people come and go, with about eight people who stayed for the full time.  In addition to trading puzzles, we also did a puzzle together while there.  It was one I'd brought that I had gotten for free on craigslist, SunsOut "Waiting for the Mailman" by Susan Brabeau.  A used puzzle, that turned out to be complete, with 500pc.  As a group, it took us about two hours or so to put together.  

It was so much fun to do a puzzle as a collaboration!  We had great conversation as we worked, and great beverages since we met at a local coffeehouse.  There were even people in the restaurant that approached us during and after our event that were interested to find out what we were doing, so we referred them to the main meetup group.  I hope we have a few new people join for next time.

I ended up with my first Eeboo brand puzzle from the exchange, so I'm excited to try that out.  And another White Mountain that is a collage of backyard birds which I'm excited to put together too.  And I donated five or six puzzles to the exchange, while only bringing home two, so I came out ahead in terms of household clutter.

Cobble Hill "Dog Quotes"

The girls helped with my latest dog puzzle during a Los Angeles heat wave....Cobble Hill’s 1000pc “Dog Quotes.” This one will be framed eventually.  Not sure if I will auction it off for dog rescue, keep it, or give it to one of our awesome support team that cares for my pup (groomer, vet or pet sitter). 

I loved all the famous quotes pertaining to dogs that are scattered throughout this puzzle!  Many different breeds are represented, including the Chihuahua and Daschund, though unfortunately no Rat Terrier (let alone a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier).  I bought this new off Amazon with a giftcard as a special treat to myself and was so excited to break into a brand new box.  

I often get better pictures before framing as I don't have to worry about glare from the glass, so I wanted to take a few shots before I consider how to mat and frame. 

Fire Station Donation

In early July, I did a puzzle that I framed for donation to my local fire station.  "Hero's Helpers" was a cluster of dogs in fire gear and paraphernalia, so it seemed only fitting.  Today I went back to LAFD Station No. 60 in North Hollywood to see how and where they were using it.  

The puzzle was placed atop a shelving unit in the fire station's kitchen.  It's hard to see the full picture, but it is being utilized, and it's in a public area in the station.  My thought was that kids who tour the fire station would find it fun and colorful, so the fact that it's somewhere general public may sometimes see it is great to me.  

The fire personnel were welcoming to me when I went to donate, and when I went back to take a picture of it.  And, the station I chose is in my neighborhood, so I'm glad I can contribute to my own local community.  It's a small thing, but I hope I make someone smile.

Buffalo "Songbird Garden" by Johanna Basford

This puzzle is from a collection that goes with one of the first puzzles I did this year, "Forest Owl."  Its bright colors make this puzzle so soothing and fun, transporting you to a fantasy garden.  

Cobble Hill “Just Before the Bell” by Jim Daly

This is the same brand and style as the last puzzle I just did.  However, that one was perfect as a library donation.  Not sure what I'll do with this one; perhaps resell, or perhaps find a teacher friend that might want it for a classroom.

TCG Sure-Lox “Playful Kittens” by Jenny Newland

Landon just celebrated his seventh birthday!  There are 500 pieces in this Jenny Newland puzzle.  And of course, cats.

Cobble Hill "Drifting Off"

 Cobble Hill's "Drifting Off" is near to my heart as I loved books as a child.  This sweet image is one of my favorite puzzles I've completed, and I thought it is perfect for a library.  So I'm framing this to donate to my local public library, if they'd like it.  But my photos seem to take better without the glare of glass from a frame, so I took a couple pictures after gluing the back with Mod Podge.  An easy 500pc puzzle, this one only took me a weekend to complete.  I love the quality of Cobble Hill and have collected several more.  Can't wait to see this hanging up!

F.X. Schmid "Meeting at the Amazon Cafe" by Timothy Knepp

I loved the coloring, detail, and imaginative fancy of this puzzle, but unfortunately found it to be missing two pieces.  It was a thrift store find that I started while babysitting, so once again I'll never know if I bought it incomplete or lost pieces while working it.   The square shape was unusual, as was the 600 piece count.  A vintage from 1994, with artwork by Timothy Knepp.  I'll be looking for more F.X. Schmidt as the puzzle quality was great; nice, tight fitting pieces that hold together well.