For The Love Of Puzzles
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Last night on my Instagram Story I showed a time-lapse video of Aaron and I working on a puzzle together before rewatching a couple Game Of Thrones episodes to get ready for Season 8.
I got some questions about which puzzles are my favorites so I decided to put together a short post to share those in one place.
My favorite puzzles are illustrated vs. a photo and most often include animals or nature. That's just personal preference and the ones I gravitate towards. Most of mine I've ordered from Amazon and others I've picked up at gift shops. You can also often find puzzles at Goodwill. We mainly do 1000 piece puzzles. We often sit there and turn on music that plays via our Apple TV.
We usually start with all the outside pieces first and then fill in the middle. Rarely do we sit down and do a whole puzzle at one time which leads to this question:what about the cats? Do they mess with the puzzle when we leave it out on the table? For some reason they don't jump up on that table. Who knows why because they definitely climb on other stuff around here.
Obviously a Christmas-time photo but you get the idea.
I love being able to have it on this table (we added this table when we got married) and we use it mainly for homework, puzzles, games, etc.
We have a closet in our living room that is home to our games & puzzles. It used to hold more toys but as the kids have gotten older we've been able to phase those out to make room for more puzzles. Right now I'm holding on to most of these puzzles because I kinda love them as a collection but would totally share/trade with friends in the future.
Also, if you are looking for something to add to an Easter Basket these could totally work.
Here's some I own and have enjoyed putting together (or plan to) over the last couple of years:
Galison Avian Friends 1000 Piece Puzzle - pretty sure I first saw this one via Liz Lamereux who also loves puzzles.
eeBoo Below The Surface 1008 Piece Puzzle - I love this brand and have since bought a few others.
eeBoo Sloths 1000 Piece Puzzle
eeBoo Cats At Work 1008 Piece Puzzle
eeBoo Peacock Garden 1008 Piece Puzzle
And here's the one we are working on right now:
Galison United Eats Of America 1000 Piece Puzzle
Recent additions to my collection also include:
Mudpuppy Cool Cats 1000 Piece Whimsical Carolyn Gavin Illustrations Of 23 Cats
Galison Rainbow Popsicle Puzzle 500 Piece
Galison Naranjas Puzzle 1000 Piece (this is probably the next one I want to tackle)
Do you have a favorite? I'd love to read about it in the comments!
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38 comments
I love puzzles, too, and have the rule that you're not allowed to look at the box (unless you're absolutely desparate.)
Replies to memorybee
You are braver than I am! I totally use the box.
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I love these ones. Some of the ones that we have enjoyed lately are Dowdle puzzles of some of the places that we have traveled to or want to travel to.
Replies to bookemper
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Have you ever done a wooden Liberty Puzzle? My cousin introduced me to them while we were visiting and then sent me home with one from her collection. They are amazing! https://www.libertypuzzles.com/
Replies to mom_of_rylee
Wow! Those are beautiful!
Oh my, those puzzles are beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
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We did a 1,000 piece Ravensburg puzzle of Disney Christmas Train this past December. It was so awesome. Your America Eats puzzle looks really cool. I've been wanting to do a Harry Potter one, but I haven't found any I really like yet.
Replies to jamie59
My daughter and I enjoy doing this Harry Potter one every year at Christmas! https://www.amazon.com/New-York-Puzzle-Company-Christmas/dp/B01LNKAFUU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=harry+potter+christmas+puzzle&qid=1554511792&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
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I totally love puzzles. I have one on my coffee table and yesterday just couldn’t stop til it was done! It had been up there for about 2 weeks. I like puzzles from www.whitemountainpuzzles.com. My brother lives near there and I often gently encourage him to go there and get me some ( and of course there is always Amazon!).
Replies to sunnybrook494
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This is super helpful! Most puzzle brands here in germany are kinda expensive and I don’t like the designs - love all the illustrated ones you suggested!
Replies to Pigwidgeon
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We love puzzles too. No particular brand, I usually choose it based on the picture and the number of pieces. We used to bring one out most years for Christmas/New years break and almost always bring one along on week long beach or mountain vacations. A few years ago we tackled a 2000 piece puzzle - great satisfaction when it was done :) but we are sticking to less pieces in the future. We totally use the picture on the box!
Replies to paminsc
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We are big fans of Ravensburger puzzles; you quickly learn that not all puzzles are created equally!
Replies to edsen1
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I love doing puzzles too! I really enjoy the Ravensburger brand of puzzles.
Replies to PoochPatrol
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Also love puzzles, our favourite brand is Wasgij puzzles, the picture on the box is a clue to either "what are they looking at?' or 'What happens next?'or 'what does the scene look like in the future?. .... love that you don't know what you are going to end up creating.They make great Christmas versions as well. great for a family Christmas activity.
http://www.wasgij.co.uk
Replies to andiegirl
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Recently re-discoverd puzzles. There is always one out in the work break room. Waiting for the microwave one day I started putting pieces together and I found it very relaxing, so I bought one for home. Piqued my daughter's interest and this evening she just bought her 3rd puzzle in as many months. Thank you for sharing the ones you like. Good future purchases!
Replies to NightOwlAlways
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One of my all time favorites is the Eeboo Women’s March puzzle https://www.amazon.com/eeBoo-Women-March-Puzzle-Pieces/dp/B07DF67Y68
Replies to TrishaStubbs
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I would like to Introduce you to Charley Harper, a Cincinnati native and nationally known artist. He has done a lot of art for the National Parks. His estate has taken some of his artwork and put them into puzzles (100, 300, 1000). I have linked two 1000 piece puzzles examples for you, check them out (and his other puzzles)! https://www.charleyharperartstudio.com/shop/PuzzlesGames/SierraRangePuzzle1000PieceFormat
https://www.charleyharperartstudio.com/shop/PuzzlesGames/Birducopia1000-PieceJigsawPuzzle
Replies to swimfin
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Charley Harper too! A long time ago, I found a Charley Harper lithograph that I just love, from there I moved to his wall calendars that I get every year. Just a few years ago I discovered his puzzles, and love them!
Oh yes! I love his illustrations?
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Nothing beats a Stave puzzle!
Replies to mjacchina
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Flox have some beautiful New Zealand puzzles you might like :) https://flox.co.nz/product/jigsawpuzzlekikorangi-pre-order/
Replies to raya
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It’s no wonder that you love these, Ali! Gorgeous colors! Puzzles are often a wintertime pleasure at our house, and we love to take them on beach vacations. BTW, should you ever decide to let go of any of them, your local senior center would be very happy to receive and enjoy them!
Replies to shoregazer
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Wasgij all the way for me. It’s all I do. Love yours tho. So colourful!
Replies to scrappysuenz
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We love puzzles too, some of our favourites are the Galison Michael Storrings 1000 piece Paris and New York puzzles-so pretty.
Replies to aussiehostie
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I love puzzles, too, and added a lot of these to my Amazon cart. :) I have a LOT of puzzles from the Vermont Christmas Company. They are very good quality yet reasonably priced. You can get most of their puzzles from Amazon, too. https://www.vermontchristmasco.com/category/jigsaw-puzzles
Replies to AnnaMariePea
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I just started this one and I know how much you love Floret Flower. https://www.amazon.com/Galison-9780735355293-Floret-Flower-Multicolor/dp/0735355290
Replies to debpereira
Yes! I have that and totally forgot to add it to my list!
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