Lafayette Puzzle Factory "Amazing Coral Reef" by Gerald Newton

Lafayette Puzzle Factory is a company I'd never heard of before.  This thrift store find from their Puzzle Collector Art series is copyright 2011.  It's a vibrant ocean scene that measures 18"x24" and advertises "unique shaped pieces."  The art is by Gerald Newton.  Jenny and Landon make quick work of puzzles in the 500 piece category, like this one.

Ceaco "Earth Blanket" by Schim Schimmel

How cool is this Glow in the Dark puzzle from Ceaco?  Titled "Earth Blanket," it's by artist Schim Schimmel and is copyright 2006.  It measures 20"x20" for ages 12 and up. At 550 pieces, the sky looks challenging to me!

Buffalo Games Eyes of the Wild "Blue Eyes" by Collin Bogle

This close-up shot is courtesy of Buffalo Games Eyes of the Wild" Realistic Wildlife Paintings Series.  It also comes with a poster in the box.  It's a 500 piece puzzle measuring 21.25" x 15in.  The interesting thing is that the box is marked ages 14+.  Clearly Landon has skills to complete this level of difficulty!

Golden Unnamed Puzzle "4729-44" by Tony Stone

This cute pet puzzle is a vintage Golden thrift store find.  Marked 550 pieces, unfortunately, it was missing two of them.  Finished size measuring 15 1/2" x 18", the box is marked ages 10 to adult.  Puzzles continue to keep Jenny and Landon busy during the Coronavirus pandemic school shutdown.

Springbok “Route 66”

Jenny bought this Springbok "Route 66" puzzle because it looks like her cousin's workshop, with many electric signs.  She and Landon completed this together, and they're now sending it to the cousin that inspired the purchase.  At 1000 pieces, the finished puzzle measures 24"x30".

When the Artist Shares Your Completed Puzzle

Because I include my pups in the photos of my puzzles, I have an album on my facebook pet page that has all the dog/puzzle photos.  Apparently the artist of the Pomegranate puzzle "The Arrangement" caught my post with the finished, framed puzzle.  It was a lot of fun to see I'd been shared by the puzzle artist himself!  And he loved my pups.  Win-win!

Pomegranate "The Arrangement" by Eric Wert

This is my first puzzle by the brand Pomegranate.  I bought it off Zulily.com in January, as a reward when I was working long hours on a film project, but it was March before I got around to opening the box.  I've been looking forward to this lovely image.  I thought the bright colors would make the puzzle easier to complete, but I actually found this one to be quite difficult!  There were lots of subtle differences in shading, and lots of blue and red in distinct areas of the puzzle.  Even the mostly brown background had a very subtle texture.  It took me most of a week to complete.  I then found I was missing a single piece, and had to contact the company via their website to fill out their replacement piece form, and wait for the hole to be filled via the mail.  So it was several weeks before I could glue this puzzle.

The next hurdle was the fact of its unusual size.  Thinking it would look great above my stove, I had always intended to frame this one, but completed it when I was laid off from work due to the Coronavirus pandemic.  Since funds were slim, I had to find a way to frame this on the cheap.  Eurographic's SnapFrame puzzle came in my color choice of gold, on Zulily at only around $30 (plus about $6 shipping).  But the finished puzzle was 20" x 25", not the same as Eurographics.  So I came up with the idea of using cork at the top and bottom of the frame.  I'd found the cork months ago at the dollar store and was initially thinking of using it as a puzzling surface but came up with other solutions for my table.  So the cork squares had been lying around.  I was glad to find a use for them, and really liked the idea of incorporating the natural material into my kitchen decor.  The snap frame was easy to use, though because I was trying to frame an odd size, the corners don't match up well.  I could shave off the sides of my puzzle for a better fit, but for now, I just wanted it done and off my table so I could start a new project. 

I find Pomegranate to be one of the better brands I've worked with.  The pieces are not large, and are cut on a grid-type pattern, rather than irregular pieces.  The thickness is lovely and the print has a nice sheen.  I'm not surprised this brand is often sold in museum gift shops.  And the company has great customer service, as I experienced when I was looking to replace my single missing piece.   I'll definitely be looking to add to my Pomegranate collection.

The artist, Eric Wert, is a contemporary American painter who began his career as a scientific illustrator. The painting is dated 2015, an oil on panel.   The back of the Pomegranate box had a nice bio on the artist and his work. 

Impact Photographics "Yosemite National Park" by Brian Ernst

This interesting souvenier puzzle from Impact Photographics had over 500 pieces.  Jenny said this one was a difficult puzzle due to the shapes of the pieces.  Its finished size measures 17.5" x 23.5".  The puzzle image was photographed by Brian Ernst, and it was made in Korea.  There was a lovely little description of the park on the back of the box, but I don't see a copyright date for the image. It definitely made me want to go visit Yosemite!

SunsOut “Animal Kingdom” by Howard Robinson

Here's another wild animal themed puzzle, this one by SunsOut, titled "Animal Kingdom" from artist Howard Robinson.  At 300 pieces this is definitely a puzzle Landon could do on his own, though mom Jenny may have kept him company.  Its finished size is 24"by 18.  It's made in the USA.  I love the combination of animals and the tropical leaves lending a jungle feel. 

Landon and Jenny may be ready for a little puzzle break, after completing eight puzzles in just over a week.  I'm sure they'll be back with another puzzle before the school year ends. 

Eurographics “Minerals” Chart

I am a big crafter, including beading and jewelry-making, so I've long been attracted to gems and minerals and attended lots of rock conventions.  In fact, when I was in sixth grade I entered a science fair with my rock collection and made it to the state level of the competition.  You may remember in early March when I did my first Eurographics puzzle, a chart of Gems.  I photographed that one before I'd framed it.  In mid-March, after Los Angeles had been shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I finished the companion chart puzzle on Minerals.  I bought both of them new at the same time but found I needed to take a little break in between.  By comparison, the Gems puzzle contained much more information that the Minerals chart, including a map listing where the gems could be found, and definitions of some terms used to grade them.  The Minerals puzzle had great pictures which showed color and shape of the minerals, but no other information beyond their names. 

The Minerals chart is 1000pc, printed in Canada but made in USA.  The finished puzzle is 19 1/4" x26 5/8".  There is no year of copyright listed on the box.  

My idea was to find a lightweight frame, so that I could hang both charts inside the door of my wardrobe coat/game closet.  I was concerned about the odd size of the finished puzzles and expected to have to do some sort of custom thing.  But I found out Eurographics actually makes a frame called a SnapFrame, and it's sold on sale at Zulily.  They come in black, silver, or gold for around $30 plus shipping.  It was reasonable, shipped flat, and turned out to be fairly easy to assemble the puzzle in the frame.  I also liked that the same framing would allow the two puzzles to be further unified. 

Ravensburger "Colorful Marina" by David Stern

This 500 piece "Colorful Marina" is one of a few Ravensburger puzzles I've thrifted for Landon to complete.  Ravensburger is known for high quality in its puzzle construction, but I find myself drawn to this image.  Landon and Jenny knocked this one out quickly.  It measures 19 1/3" x 14 1/4", copyright 2015.

RoseArt Brand Encore "Up, Up and Away" No. 06052

This RoseArt Brand 500 piece puzzle is clearly vintage, but I can find no copyright year to date it.  It was thrifted, but is complete.  A beautiful image of hot air balloons that makes me want to attend a festival!  It's titled "Up, Up and Away" and I wish I could do just that.  Great job, Landon!

Hasbro Cardinal "Junior Jungle" Super 3D Puzzle by Howard Robinson

Landon and Jenny mastered this Super 3D Puzzle by Howard Robinson titled "Junior Jungle"!  This 500 piece puzzle must have been difficult to study as the pieces changed dimension.  It measures 24 x 18 inches and is copyright 2014.  It was made in China.

Ceaco "Life in Calico Country" by Ellen Eilers

Here's the next 550pc puzzle Landon and Jenny completed during the Coronavirus shutdown.  I love this tranquil scene of country life!  It's completed size is 18" x 24".  Made in the USA, there's a bio of the artist, Ellen Eilers, on the back of the box.  The box is also marked for ages 12 and up.  Landon is only eight years old!  So proud of his patience and problem solving skills.

Dowdle Folk Art "Nativity" by Eric Dowdle

It may not be Christmas, but Jenny and Landon are celebrating their time together.  This 500 piece puzzle by Dowdle Folk Art was made in Utah, not far from where I spent my middle and high school years.  I love the idea of supporting this family owned USA company.  The finished puzzle measures 16" x 20"

Ceaco "Mother and Father" by Schim Schimmel

This 550 piece puzzle by Ceaco Glows in the Dark!  It's from a line of three designed by Schim Schimmel featuring wildlife.  It's made in the USA, and the finished puzzle measures 20" x 20".  Copyright 2008, it's design is eco friendly.  The box is marked for age 12 and up, again much more mature than Landon's age.  

Landon looks so much more like his mom Jenny as he grows older.  Even in the short time we've had this blog up, it's so much fun to see how he's grown and changed.

Karmin International "Cat Bookshelf" by Randal Spangler

Now that all California elementary schools have switched to online learning due to Coronavirus Pandemic, Landon and his mom Jenny are returning to their puzzle hobby.  I know Landon misses his buddies, but I think he's awfully lucky to have his mom and dad's undivided attention.

This puzzle from Karmin International features the artwork of Randal Spangler in 550 pieces.  It measures a finished size of 24" x 18".  The box mentions an earth friendly design and is copyright 2017. 

This was a thrift store find that seems to be complete!  I'll be passing it along to my cousin.