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. 

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. 

Eurographics "Gemstones" Chart

I picked up this Eurographics puzzle when I discovered Zulily.com.  Charts are a favorite of mine, and Eurographics makes several cool ones.  I love gems and minerals, and actually spotted the companion puzzle on minerals first but it sold out before I had spending money.  I've since gotten both puzzles, so that one will be soon to come.  I have a white wardrobe cabinet as my coat closet, and it has a side shelf cabinet where I store games and some crafts.  I'll mount both these puzzles in some light framing - maybe just gluing to foamcore - so that I can hang them on the inside door of the cabinet.  

There are thirty six gems in the puzzle, each with composition, hardness, luster, and colors listed.  At the bottom of the puzzle is a strip that defines terms, shapes, cuts, and shows main locations of harvesting gems.  The puzzle itself was difficult with all the wording, white background, and gradient gray shading to each rectangle.  At a finished size of 19 1/4" x 26 5/8", it would be an expensive framing job if I chose to do it, as it would require a custom size.  

The puzzle pieces were not cut incredibly tight, but reasonably so.  There was a fair amount of puzzle dust in the box, and several pieces were interlocked with resulting splitting of the cardboard when the pieces were twisted apart.  Where quality is concerned, Eurographics does not rate among my favorites.  I'd say the quality is average, but I liked the design.  It took me about eighteen hours over two and a half days to complete.

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?

Cobble Hill "Dog Park" by McKenna Ryan Quilt Designs

This weekend I completed a Cobble Hill puzzle, "Dog Portrait," in celebration of finishing a major work project.  I'm so thankful to have my free time back, and taking a few hours to complete this puzzle felt like the perfect way to slow down and recharge.  I've also adopted a new puppy since losing my Caitie last September.  Welcome Callie (below) to my family!   

In full disclosure, this puzzle was sent to me by the company for a product review request.  But it's one that would definitely have been on my purchase list had it not been gifted to me!  I love crafting, so the quilt look to this design is perfect for me.  And the theme reminds me of good times with my own pups at our favorite parks.  

"Dog Park" is a 500 pc puzzle with random cut pieces, measuring 18 x 24 inches when complete.  The puzzle size was a nice fit for my kitchen table, and the pieces were comfortingly large to make you feel an accomplishment quickly as it came together.  At a modest piece count, I had the puzzle complete in just two evenings.  I like that I can complete something and not have it sitting on my table for weeks at a time.  I glued the puzzle on the night I completed it and will be able to frame it as a gift for my dog walker or dog trainer.  Either one will be tickled with this image! 

I love Cobble Hill puzzles for their quality.  The pieces fit snugly together to the point that I could lift the puzzle for a photo even if I hadn't taken the time to glue the back.  They have a wide selection of images and themes available for purchase, so if dogs aren't your thing, there will be another puzzle that fits your personality.  Next up for me will be a Cobble Hill design of butterflies that reminds me of my grandmother.  I'll look forward to memories of her as I sit down with the puzzle.

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.

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.

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. 

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!

Masterpieces "Hero's Helpers" by Jenny Newland

I couldn't find a more fitting puzzle to do over the 4th of July holiday than this one, honoring fire dogs.  It was bought from a puzzle club in Orange County, so I assumed it to be complete.  When I found that to be the case, I knew it had to be glued and framed to donate to my local fire station.  Stay tuned for pictures of the donation and where it gets placed.

As I am learning how best to glue and frame puzzles, the lesson I took from this one was that I only mod-podged the back of the puzzle, so that it would stay together.  If the front is glued and it is not hung in a temperature controlled area, the glue can melt to the front in places, giving the illusion of a "bubble" inside the glass.  

I'm hoping kids who tour the firehouse will have fun with this artwork.

SunsOut Item No. 38066 "Blueberry Lunch" by Kirk Reinert

I did this easy 300pc SunsOut puzzle in a single evening and glued it to donate to the local animal shelter.  I was a bunny mama before I had dogs, so I love this image!  The colors are really beautiful, with so many shades of green and blue.  The image is copyright 2011.  Once again Caitie was my perfect model.

At 18"x24" the frame was quite expensive, but the local Aaron Bros. got bought out by Micheals, and so I lucked out with the store closing sale.  

SunsOut Item No. 59356 "Pets' Picnic" by Howard Robinson

SunsOut "Pets' Picnic" is a wonderfully furry image that contains every possible domestic pet.  So I'm preserving this puzzle by gluing it with Mod Podge, then attaching foam core as a backing.  I plan to donate it to the local animal shelter to bring a little whimsical atmosphere to the building.  It measures 18" x 24" and is copyright 2006.

I received this puzzle as a freebie in a box off Craigslist.  Because it was only 300 pieces, I was able to complete it in one night of babysitting.