One of my favorite things to do (although this isn’t a Sunday post) is to put together jigsaw puzzles. I especially love to work jigsaw puzzles during the fall and winter seasons, when the days are shorter and the darkness comes earlier.
I treated myself to a puzzle board a couple of Christmases ago, when Princess Pinky was still with me. There is nothing like a cat to cause a person to lose puzzle pieces! The board I got swivels 360 degrees and has four drawers and a cover to protect it when the human is away and a cat is at large. Pinky crossed the rainbow bridge last October (I still miss her), so the cover doesn’t get used now. But the board continues to see lots of action.
I love that I can just walk up to the table, poke through random pieces, and find one or two to put into place before I return to writing. At other times, I’ll have a very focused session with the puzzle. About half an hour is my max. Or whenever my back starts to hurt from bending over the table. Although I try to sit, I seem to do better when standing.
My favorite puzzles come from Ravensburger. I’ve tried others and been disappointed. I always get the Large Piece format, easier for older eyes and fingers. The largest size my puzzle board can handle is the 750 large piece puzzles, but that’s about the perfect size for me. Takes me long enough to complete without it being so long I get frustrated.
Spring is almost here. Very soon, I will put the puzzle board away and let it rest until fall arrives again. But here are a few photos from the puzzles I’ve completed this winter.
Do you like to work jigsaw puzzles? What’s your favorite puzzle maker?
~robin
Robin Lee Hatcher
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We do a jigsaw puzzle or two every Christmas when all the kids are home. We play a “game” where everybody hides one puzzle piece in their pocket hoping to be the one who “finds” the last missing piece that completes the puzzle. 🙂 We try to pick puzzles that are 1000 pieces or less and have some easier sections for the younger kids, but our grandkids—even the little ones—are all pretty sharp (and much more sharp-eyed than me!) and they always amaze me!
Oh, that sounds wicked with all those missing pieces!!
Oh boy, I covet that library puzzle.
It’s called “Dream Library.” Here’s a link to it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS78MQ3V
So fun, Robin! I enjoy puzzles, too, though I usually do them mostly in December. Ravensburger is also my favorite. In fact, I have the last one you posted. Loved the puzzle within a puzzle plus all the books. I love puzzles with lots of bright colors so it is easier to sort the pieces (my least favorite part). One of my daughters-in-law is a puzzler too, so whenever I have one going, I always encourage her to help me. It’s nice to have something the two of us can do together.
My daughter does puzzles in December too. That seems to be a common, fun holiday pastime for many. And the puzzle within a puzzle one was one of my favorites to put together.
I love doing puzzles. There’s something so relaxing about it and a sense of accomplishment when you finish and see the results.
I agree, Amy. Relaxing and yet motivating to see it come together.
Fun post! I too love puzzles and my puzzle board with drawers so I can work at my own pace and move it when needed. My favorites are Lawrence King’s The World of….(Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, et al.) and Galison’s Michael Storrings puzzles, like city scenes of London. A little challenge, but not frustrating.
I’ll have to check those out. Thanks.
I love puzzles, too! I got two “bookish” ones for Christmas. I’ve finished one and haven’t yet started the other. My puzzle time changed drastically when I got a rolling puzzle table with a cover, so I could work on my puzzle at night in front of the TV, then roll it away to my bedroom if we have people over! I enjoy Ravensburger puzzles, but also Laurence King ones!
That’s two recommendations for Laurence King. I’ll take a look at them.
Hi Robin: It’s great to know that you are a fellow puzzle-lover! Our favorites are by Charles Wysocki. He always has an American flag in it somewhere (very patriotic) and generally cats. Since I’m a cat lover, he speaks my language. 😁 My mother, who is turning 90 in a couple of weeks, also loves puzzles. She always has one going and the family gravitates to it whenever they visit.
Take care and keep on puzzling!
Thanks for that recommendation, Joyce. I’ll check out those puzzles.
I don’t have a favorite brand. Guess I don’t pay much attention to that! However, I am working on the absolutely hardest puzzle I have ever done! It is by Ceaco. It’s Thomas Kinkade’s 1000 piece 70 Bridge Street. I started it the first of October and am still working. It is on my closed in porch so in really cold weather I could not work on it but as long as the sun is shining, it warms up there. I am hoping to move in a couple of months so hope to get it finished so I don’t have tear it up to move! I also like to work puzzles standing up! I don’t seem to see as well sitting down. Friends have helped me too–sometimes without getting a single piece in! I always find Thomas Kinkade puzzles more difficult but this is ridiculous!
LOL. I have Thomas Kinkade paintings, and I can understand how difficult they could be as a puzzle.
I love puzzles as do our kids and grands but my husband does not. I like Ravensburger as well and have one called The Reading Room, a tough one that was a group effort. I do stand up to work them quite a bit. The puzzle box is a great idea that I need to check out. We just spent Spring Break with our families at a lake cabin and had one going so are not limited to when we work them.
I don’t think I have the Reading Room. I’ll have to look for it.
I’ve recently taken to doing puzzles when I spend time at our lake house! Because I’m typically there over a weekend, I gravitate to puzzles I can begin and end in that time frame. My favorites have been the 300 piece puzzles of Charles Wysocki’s Americanana art that I buy at Target. 🙂
I have two or three of the 300 pieces. They definitely go faster than the 500 to 1000 piece ones.
My husband really enjoys working puzzles. I’m not very good at it. I bought him a puzzle board like yours for Christmas last year and he’s worked three puzzles on it so far.
The puzzle board definitely makes it easier to work on a puzzle over time.
I love all your beautiful puzzles.also love to put puzzles together. I guess I would say it’s my second hobby. Reading, puzzles & crocheting.
I buy puzzles from several different companies. I wish I could show you some of mine. The last one I put together was a zebra that looked like it was made from stained glass. I’m actually going to frame it for my bedroom. My husband built me 2 storage benches and they are covered in zebra material. I love them. My husband passed away August of 2021 so money can’t buy those benches.