Puzzle #29 - Vermont Christmas Company - London Promenade - 1000 pieces

 Puzzle #29

This one looks like it is going to be really hard.  We so desperately need a larger image like a poster to see the puzzle.  I cannot make out what is on the box or match to what is on the pieces.  They simply don't look the same.  Harder is one thing, but nearly impossible is not fun.  There is not enough detail in the pieces and you can't distinguish things in the image.  Disappointing so far... :(  This picture shows a couple of hours of work - just from yesterday's border!  :(

This has been such a difficult puzzle.  Walked away for most of the week.  Started back on Saturday and Sunday.  Haven't been able to work on things that connect - just little tiny bits (sometimes even just 2-3 pieces) and then trying to gauge where they might go in the overall picture.  No flow and I can't get a sense of it.  But it is possible... just really disjointed and difficult.  Noting the different color of the box for this 1000 piece puzzle and wondering if that indicates a higher level of difficulty?  Who knows.  Not my least favorite puzzle so far, but certainly not my favorite!

Finished on April 5, 2022

Puzzle #29 - Vermont Christmas Company - London Promenade - 1000 pieces - David MacLean

Mav loves looking at the puzzles  and I love looking at Mav.  :)

Puzzle #26 - Vermont Christmas Company - Village Square - 550 pieces

Puzzle #26

So after basically determining that Vermont Christmas Company puzzles are my favorite (except for missing a poster) this one has had multiple times where pieces fit together perfectly in the wrong place.  Twice along the edge and then once in the puzzle, but along an edge which made me finally figure that section out... then go looking and sure enough, more edge pieces were wrong.  But you couldn't tell from either the fit or the image.  None of the fits are super tight... and the images were of sky or the stone bottom, so vague anyway.  Perhaps with a larger poster I could discern there were real differences in the variation of the pieces - but naked eye, box, and such a close fit and look - there is no way.  That is so frustrating.  That is NOT what makes a puzzle FUN and challenging to me.  :(  Hmmm....   Also realizing the 1000 piece Vermont Christmas Company puzzles have irregular shapes which helps with unique fit (no mistaking where a piece actually fits).   The 550 piece puzzles (like this one) are more identically cut so you can have pieces that fit multiple places.  Very frustrating.  

Written upon completion of the puzzle...

It is truly funny to me how much easier 550 piece puzzles are (overall) than 1000 pieces.  I have come so far in just a couple months of puzzling.  I did this one in one day.  I wrote more detail on the 'underway' caption describing my frustration with pieces that fit multiple places.  But I do think it is because of the way they cut the 550 pieces versus the 1000 pieces.  1000 pieces are more random cut (which I don't like when Bits & Pieces does it, but do like when VCC does it).  That means they don't fit two places.  The 550 piece puzzles are more traditional (I think they call it ribbon?) cut - even though they say they aren't.  That means that pieces can fit more than one place.  And again, without a good poster to really see small details, it is nearly impossible to get it right.  You just play around with it until all works out.  That is not challenging, that is frustrating.  However, Vermont Christmas Company puzzles are still about my favorite at this point, I think.  I will just stick to the 1000 piece puzzles from now on...

Love that David MacLean! 

Finished on March 23, 2022

Puzzle #26 - Vermont Christmas Company - Village Square- 550 pieces - David MacLean 

Puzzle #25 - Vermont Christmas Company - Irresistible Italy - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #25

I'm beginning to really think about taking photos of the progress - it is interesting to see which parts come together first and in what order.  

I'm realizing the 1000 piece puzzles from Vermont Christmas Company have irregular shapes which helps with unique fit (no mistaking where a piece actually fits).   Their 550 piece puzzles are more identically cut so you can have pieces that fit multiple places.  That can be very frustrating.

I do love these puzzles from Vermont Christmas Company.  They could be made nearly perfect if they would include a good poster of the image.  As it is, the box is adequate, but not great.  It is impossible to see some of the image clearly so you are left guessing on architectural or plant details.  But the puzzles are well made, engaging, sturdy (for the most part) and high quality.  The image looks good and mostly clear on the puzzle pieces.  This was my first 1000 piece puzzle from them and it was enjoyable, tough, and fun.  Just wish they would include a poster!!  Fun puzzles.  

I love working puzzles by David MacLean.  Just about every puzzle company (that I buy) has David MacLean puzzles and I can spot them a mile away.  They are the most relaxing and inviting and daydream-inducing images for me, by far.  So very enjoyable.  

Finished on March 22, 2022

Puzzle #25 - Vermont Christmas Company - Irresistible Italy - 1000 pieces - David MacLean

Puzzle #18 - Vermont Christmas Company - French Village - 550 pieces

I had put together the edges, or thought I had, then noticed it looked a bit off.  I counted and the right side had 21 pieces while the left side had 22.  I spotted where I had made my mistake.  

It actually appears more obvious (that it is not the correct piece) in the photo I took than it did in real life.  But then, my eyes are getting older and the camera 'sees' far better than me!!  :D

So then I was back on track - hadn't yet found the final edge piece, but everything fit where it should (so far).  :) 

Vermont Christmas Company has very nice puzzle pieces.  They feel good in the hand and are sturdy; a great size.  Easy to work with.  Some of the colors are a bit vague, but this puzzle overall could just be that way... the muted colors.  It is very pretty.  I enjoyed putting it together a lot.  In fact, Vermont Christmas Company puzzles are among my favorites, I believe I would have to say.  It also comes apart easily for putting away.  Better than any other puzzle.  And yet the pieces do click together and feel fairly snug.  So don't know how they manage that on both ends, but they find the good middle.  

Puzzle #18 French Village by David Maclean 550 piece Vermont Christmas Company puzzle.

Finished on March 2, 2022

Puzzle #18 - Vermont Christmas Company - French Village by David Maclean 550 pieces

Puzzle #8 - Vermont Christmas Company - Biking Through Italy - 550 pieces

I remember this puzzle felt like a turning point of some kind.  I was ready to really seek out new puzzles and felt like I had a feel for what I liked (and didn't like).  This was my first puzzle from Vermont Christmas Company and definitely made me a stalwart fan.  This was also my first puzzle by artist David Maclean.  And while I didn't realize it then, he would absolutely become one of my very favorite puzzle artists - no matter the brand!

It was a 550 piece puzzle and was harder than I expected it to be.  The colors and print were quite vague so it was hard to tell what was what.  However, it was enjoyable - not frustrating like that Bits & Pieces puzzle had been.  It felt like a good challenge - and was very fun.  I even sent a photo of the completed puzzle to my friend, Donna... the bikes reminded me of her.  :)

Finished on January 26, 2022

Puzzle #8 - Vermont Christmas Company Biking Through Italy - 550 piece puzzle - David Maclean