Puzzle #50 - White Mountain - Summer Breeze - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #50

Large, solid (mostly) pieces.  Several pieces had paper in the little pockets/slots - sloppily cut, I guess.  I think this happens with White Mountain.  Not a deal breaker but noticeable.  Also noticeable and I remember happening once before so will try to determine if it is a WM issue... there was a teensy tiny bug crawling in the puzzle dust.  Ugh.  Almost too small to see.  Made me think about how many more and in how many boxes and can it spread from box to box and what is it??  sigh.  The poster is nice but is actually a tad bit smaller than the image on the box.  MasterPieces and Buffalo Games still win on poster size, I think.  But the overall size of this puzzle is nice to work with.  It completely fills my jumbo size puzzle caddy.  Been looking forward to doing this puzzle for awhile.  Love this scene.

Taking photos to show progression and difficulty - what was the last to go together.

This puzzle was an absolute dream!!  I was a little gun shy on White Mountain after Beach Vacation was SO much fun until it became pure drudgery at the end... putting a damper on things.  This one never did that.  It was challenging, to be sure, but never frustrating.  It was such a lovely and relaxing image and had so many interesting aspects to it.  I had to sit and finish it not because I wanted to move on but because I was so enjoying myself.  Wonderful puzzle!  White Mountain pieces do tend to have small (almost insignificant) damage to pieces - bent places, top lifting off... but not bad at all.  Just not as strong as say, Ravensburger or even Cobble Hill I think.  Still, it is definitely a puzzle company I really enjoy.  And you just can't beat a good David MacLean image!

Finished on July 27, 2022

Puzzle #50 - White Mountain - Summer Breeze - 1000 pieces - David MacLean

Puzzle #49 - Galison - Painted Desert- 500 pieces

Puzzle #49

Very nice puzzle.  My first ever Galison brand.  Square, not rectangle.  Not that that matters - just noting.  Sturdy pieces, good image color, very interesting poster.  Made note to self - you don't necessarily sort by cactus on this one.  :D  ha!  I mean you can... but...  

Will definitely get more of this brand.  Small poster - smaller than the box.  Sometimes had to look at the box to get a  (slightly) better view.  But, still like having a poster included.

I really loved the picture on this one - looking closely at details of the Painted Desert - interesting and engaging.  

Finished on July 24, 2022

Puzzle #49 - Galison - Painted Desert- 500 pieces - Amy Peppler Adams

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 #46 - Cobble Hill - Apple Pie Kitchen - 500 pieces

Puzzle #46

What a truly lovely puzzle!  Large sturdy pieces feel good in the hand.  I like large pieces (I know some don't).  Relaxing and enjoyable image and the pieces are clear.  Only 500 pieces but not simple.  Just good puzzle fun.  The dog was the hardest!  Ha!  Stove was the next most difficult part.

Finished on July 21, 2022

Puzzle #46 - Cobble Hill - Apple Pie Kitchen - 500 pieces

Puzzle #45 - Buffalo Games - Cities in Color Raining in Paris - 750 pieces

Puzzle #45

I almost gave up on this one.  Glad I persevered.  Turned out to be pretty and even enjoyable.  But early on I had a bad feeling about it.  Buffalo does that thing where pieces fit more than one place which is super obnoxious.  And it all looked pink and purple except for a few areas.  I came as close as getting the box open to start putting the puzzle away then I decided to just try a little bit more.  I was able to fill in the sky and upper right quadrant and that helped me keep going.  Should have taken a photo today of final progress... the last bits were the rain covered sidewalk/road and the building upper right side.  But I got it.  Buffalo does that dumb piece thing, but they do have a nice, large poster which is important to me.

Finished on July 19, 2022

Puzzle #45 - Buffalo Games - Cities in Color Raining in Paris - 750 pieces

 

Puzzle #41 - Cobble Hill - Nancy Drew - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #41 

Oh my goodness!  THIS is one of my favorite puzzles I have ever put together!  I LOVED this!  The book covers took me back.  They were an interesting mix, though, of the covers I read and some covers that Julie read.  Seeing there is also a 'Vintage Nancy Drew' that is the really old covers... And also a Hardy Boys version.  May have to do both of those as well, although THIS was the one that touched my heartstrings.  

A nice large poster was included - I do love that.

This was my first Cobble Hill puzzle - very nicely done.  Solid pieces, random cut, vivid colors (mostly) and challenging (especially at the end) but not frustrating.  This puzzle brought me so much joy!  This one I could actually see myself doing again in the future!!  Also of note - becuase it was a collage I found myself piecing it together differently than any other puzzle.  I was working on pieces of the covers and then eventually got them connected.  

Finished on June 12, 2022

Puzzle #41 - Cobble Hill - Nancy Drew - 1000 pieces