Puzzle #47 - MasterPieces Americana - School Days - EZ Grip 500 pieces

Puzzle #47

I enjoy these puzzles but they aren't my favorite.  However, they are easy to do even without looking too much at the picture or box.  (but you have to look for the little people).  They are pleasant and relaxing but the images aren't as impactful as others.  Apple Pie Kitchen was memory inducing.  These are just cute puzzle images (and there is a place for that).  The quality is good.  MasterPieces does seem to have an issue with some of their pieces being a little beat up... but it isn't awful and they don't break.  The EZ Grip pieces are large which I think is not a bad thing.  So not a bad puzzle, but not a favorite either.  Pleasant and bland.  :)

In wine club speak, this puzzle would be the equivalent of an "I'd drink that" Pinot Grigio.  :D ha!!  Although, I paired this puzzle with a Rose from Provence.   :) 

Finished on July 23, 2022

Puzzle #47 - MasterPieces Americana - School Days - EZ Grip 500 pieces - Bob Pettes

Puzzle #40 - MasterPieces -Travel Diary Amsterdam - 550 pieces

Puzzle #40 

Fun puzzle - I really like the Travel Diary series.  They are all 550 pieces - so fairly quick and easy to put together.  They provide a nice, relaxing time and the image can help you daydream about traveling again.  They are sort of a puzzle equivalent to eating cotton candy... mindless, fun, but not overly taxing (or memorable).   However, they are a great way to spend a few hours puzzling. 

Finished on June 7, 2022

Puzzle #40 - MasterPieces -Travel Diary Amsterdam - 550 pieces - David MacLean

Puzzle #38 - MasterPieces Home Sweet Home Puzzler's Retreat 550 pieces

Puzzle #38 

Very fun puzzle - good image and quality of pieces.  But missing a piece in the end.  That is so deflating.  However, it was a good puzzle experience other than that.  

EDITED to say that I FOUND the missing piece!!  It was under the posterboard - so this puzzle now goes to 5 stars.  :)    

Engaging image - solid pieces, fun to put together. 

        

(I ended up finding that missing piece.)

Finished June 5, 2022

Puzzle #38 - MasterPieces Home Sweet Home Puzzler's Retreat 550 pieces - Chris Bigelow

Puzzle #37 - MasterPieces - Memory Lane EZ Grip - Barnyard Beauties - 300 pieces

Puzzle #37

This was my palate cleanser after struggling to finish up the last one (White Mountain Beach Vacation).  Did exactly what I wanted it to do... gave me a pleasant and easy puzzle to solve to get me back on track.  Going to start Puzzle #38 tonight!  :)   Puzzles are for enjoyment... which means solving puzzles of all sizes and difficulty levels.  The image on this one is lovely.  That wagon reminds me of the old black wagon we had when I was a kid.  Daddy let it sit in the front yard for one entire summer.  A bunch of us neighbor kids loved to sit and play in that wagon - and eat those little boxes of animal crackers.   :)   Great trip down memory lane.  Like the box says...

Finished on June 2, 2022

Puzzle #37 - MasterPieces - Memory Lane EZ Grip - Barnyard Beauties - 300 pieces 

Puzzle #33 - MasterPieces - Greetings from the National Parks - 500 pieces

 Puzzle #33

Puzzle #33 - MasterPieces Greetings from the National Parks 500 pieces.  Good puzzle.  Not as interesting as the Eiffel Magic one, but still a nice puzzle.  Interesting with the different cars.  Back to smaller pieces and size overall.  But still a nice puzzle.  I DO love the poster.

Finished on May 19, 2022

Puzzle #33 - MasterPieces - Greetings from the National Parks - 500 pieces - Joe Holodook

Puzzle #31 - MasterPieces - Travel Diary Italy - 550 pieces

 Puzzle #31

THIS will be my #31 that I actually complete!!  (after TWO 'did not complete' puzzles... wow)  Comforting to be working on a puzzle that is not horribly difficult.  However, it is a bit on the easy side.  Isn't there something in between????  sigh...

This may be the last one for a bit... I seem to have lost my puzzle mo-jo.  :). I enjoyed this one though.  A good one to take a break on.  Nice pieces that fit together well, image is clear, pieces are large, and the picture is pleasant to look at.  Good puzzle.  I have genuinely enjoyed every one of the MasterPieces Travel Diary puzzles that I have put together.  

Finished May 1, 2022

Puzzle #31 - MasterPieces - Travel Diary Italian Afternoon - 550 pieces - David MacLean

My 3rd (and most painful) 'Did Not Complete'

 My 3rd (and most painful) 'Did Not Complete'... but I'll come back to this one eventually.  

So, puzzles are like books.  There are some you love, some you enjoy, and some you just cannot bring yourself to finish.  I wanted to love this puzzle.  I love the image but it is just too difficult.  So many pieces are the same color or have no distinguishing marks.  I have literally been putting this puzzle together 1 piece at a time.  There is no flow.  And I just could not see enjoyment coming from taking each remaning piece and trying to pair it one by one with another remaining piece.  So sad.  When I looked at it didn't seem like it would be like this.  But it is.  I put it away with many pieces intact (as much as possible) and would like to think I'll revisit it one day.  But not today.  I need some successes in puzzles.  I need some nice 500-750 piece puzzles that bring enjoyment, not frustration.  Have had a run of not great puzzles.  Ironically, it coincides with a couple of months of not my favorite book club books.  Time for more enjoyable and lighthearted fare all around!  :)

I will return and finish this one someday.  

Did not complete - April 17-19, 2022

MasterPieces BelleVue Paris Rooftop View - 1000 pieces - David MacLean