Great American Puzzle Factory Inc “California” by George Gorycki

When I saw this vintage puzzle on Ebay, I had to have it for my collection of California map puzzles hanging over my kitchen bar area.  It's copyright 1977, only three years after I was born, and made by The Great American Puzzle Factory Inc. from artist George Gorycki.  The Ebay listing showed it new in box, with the shrink wrap still on.  I opened it during a zoom conference call and had it complete in about six hours.  

Though the box looked fine, there is some moisture damage, mostly in one corner.  Because the water damage is on adjacent pieces, I think the puzzle was assembled at some point and put back into the box, then later shrink-wrapped and sold as new.  Whether it was the seller who shrink wrapped it or a past owner, who knows.  But I feel misled about the sale.  There's even one edge piece missing!  Since I completed the puzzle in one sitting, I don't feel there's any chance that I lost the piece.  I think it was not in the box.  Because the puzzle is vintage and I was so in love with the design, I decided to overlook it.

At 550 pc, The box says the finished size is approximately 18" x 24".  The key word is approximately.  I had to shave a half inch from one side of the puzzle when I went to frame it, or spend the money on custom framing after I had already purchased a frame.  Since there was one edge piece missing, I shaved from that side and left it at that. With the overlap from the frame, the missing piece is hardly noticeable.  But the design is no longer centered as it was intended to be.  Still, I love this puzzle and the details that are highlighted in the state!  I'll amend this post with a photo once it's hung in my kitchen. 

Karmin International "The Redecorators" by Linda Picken

This Linda Picken puzzle featuring painting puppies had me fooled - its blue color tones were more difficult to put together than I expected.  I framed these cute labs for a friend who has a dog boarding and training business.  "The Redecorators" is 18" x 24" at 550 pieces.  It's an earth friendly puzzle by Karmin International that is copyright 2011.  I found it at a thrift store.  There is a nice bio of the artist on the box that explains she's been painting for over thirty years and oil paintings of animals, especially dogs, are amongst her favorite subjects.

Channel Craft North American Wildlife Puzzles "Bear Cub" by Ken Jenkins

This bear measures 18" x 24" when complete.  I'd think so much black space in a puzzle would be daunting, but Jenny and Landon knocked out this 550 piece puzzle in short order!  It's copyright 2006 and made in the USA.  It's part of a series that includes a fox pup, racoon, and fawn in addition to the bear, so we'll have to keep our eyes open for the others in thrift stores as they're all considered vintage today.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Dowdle Folk Art "Santa Monica" Map Puzzle

I have this dream to have a wall of my home with framed California map puzzles, both vintage and current.  This "Santa Monica" puzzle from Dowdle was on my list, and I was fortunate to find it complete at a thrift store.  I don't have the wall space now, but I'll be saving this to hang next to my Hennessy Puzzles California map.

This is the first time I've tried the brand Dowdle.  They are a Utah company, which is where I went to high school, so I like the idea of supporting a local family business when buying new from them.  The pieces are thick; they fit together tightly and well.  The designs are always quite busy, with a flair of charicature in the colors and overall style of the art. 

Would you consider doing a puzzle in this style of design?

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