Sure-Lox "Tiny Tabbies"

This 500 pc puzzle contains Landon's second favorite subject - cats!  Made by TCG Sure-Lox, a Canadian company, in 2007.  The finished puzzle measures 19in by 14in.  A thrift store find, we were pleased to find all the pieces complete and bagged inside the box.  There's no artist credited for the photography but it must have been a fun shoot to catpture!

Ravensburger "Beautiful Ocean" by Mark Gregory

Ravensburger Puzzle's "Beautiful Ocean" has a tranquil scene above and below the water, by artist Mark Gregory.  Landon was able to complete this 100 piece puzzle on his own.  The finished puzzle measures 19 x 14 inches and was copyright 2012.  Another thrift store complete find!

Ravensburger "Pirates' Treasure" by James Talbot

Landon completed this Ravensburger puzzle on his own.  At 100 pieces, it was not difficult, but the pirate scene was imaginative!  The finished puzzle by artist James Talbot measures 14 1/2 x 19 1/3 inches.  It is copyright 2006.  This was a thrift store find.  To think this puzzle is thirteen years old, we were lucky that it is complete!

School's Out for Summer!

....and Landon has time to puzzle!  Landon's graduated first grade, looking forward to second grade in the fall.  He'll turn 8 years old in July.  Summer holds a weeklong baseball camp, weeklong golf camp, a visit to family in Texas, and lots of fun escapades with his mom!  The first of those escapades was visiting a cat cafe to play with all the resident kitties.  Next up is Landon's first concert at the Hollywood Bowl (KidsBop).  His birthday party this year will be at a lasertag facility.  

These two puzzles came from Landon's personal stash, so I don't have the stats to report.  But stay tuned for more!

Liberty Puzzles' "Skunk Harbor" by Phil Lewis

Liberty Puzzles is a brand in a unique and special class.  A handmade wooden puzzle, there are few brands that compare, namely Artifact and Wentworth.  I don't know of any other than these three that take the time and effort to hand craft wooden puzzles with this level of detail: unique whimsy shaped pieces and vivid colors.  So it's no surprise that these works of art carry a premium pricetag. I was lucky enough to find Phil Lewis' "Skunk Harbor" used on craigslist locally for $30, less than a third of its list price, giving me an opportunity to try a wooden puzzle for the first time. 

I expected to be impressed with the quality of the puzzle.  But I found the image and the diffictly of the puzzle much more exciting than I had expected.  I'm having lighting issues in my puzzle corner right now, so I spent an hour or two in the morning working on this puzzle for about five days.  The clouds and ocean were easy to pull out and finish, as well as the three mandalas in the center of the tree.  But the leaves and branches were beyond challenging. 

Once again, a lovely puzzle is not made in a standard size for easy framing.  If I want to hang this on a wall, I'll have to pay for expensive custom framing, as the finished size is 12.75" by 16.75".  I just can't understand why puzzle companies can't size puzzles to standard frame sizes. 

But the sizing is really my only complaint.  The liberty pieces fit snugly, if not tightly.  And where they are a bit loose, the interesting shapes help the puzzle to hold together for short moves, as required to take our pictures.  The wood is about a quarter inch thick  Because of their depth the small pieces were not prone to breaking, something I was afraid would happen. 

I think a puzzle from Liberty Puzzles would make a nice gift to mark a special occasion, whether it be a wedding or graduation.  I'll keep it in mind now that I've tried one myself.  And definitely snatch up any used ones that I come across!

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.

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.