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.

 

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.