This is a gorgeous 2000-piece puzzle in a bright and fun cartoon style that should appeal to men and women alike. The colors are lovely, and there’s a lot of detail in this scene. The large size and the sketchy cartoon art style make this puzzle more challenging than most. Be prepared for a serious puzzling effort! The final puzzle is very large at 38.5″ x 26.5″ and feels like a major accomplishment. The finish is flat and smooth and the puzzle would look good framed. The Buffalo Games quality is quite good and pleasant to assemble, though there can be glare off the glossy surface under strong overhead lights. Recommended for those like cartoon puzzles, puzzles in larger sizes, or those are looking for something a little more challenging... CONTINUE READING

I've been checking the web every day for any sightings of the 2016 limited edition Christmas puzzle from Waddingtons. Today it cropped up! Drum roll.... What do you think?  I think it's nice, but it's not my favorite. For the past three years, Waddingtons appears to be using the same artist who creates digital images... CONTINUE READING

This fishing collage puzzle is from two of the best names in the business--Aimee Stewart and Ravensburger. It boasts excellent manufacturing quality and a lovely vintage-style illustration that is full of detail and interest. This puzzle would make an excellent gift for the fisherman in your life or anyone who appreciates masculine-themed puzzles. Recommended!... CONTINUE READING

This is a pretty and easy to assemble Christmas puzzle at a bargain price and better-than-bargain quality. The cut away house design gives the puzzle a collage-like effect, with separate areas of color and pattern to assemble. The Lafayette Puzzle Factory quality is decent with pieces that were clean cut and not easily bent. The image is bright and well-bonded to the backing. There was no image lift or damage to the pieces. The cut is a standard grid cut with a good variety of shapes. There was never any confusion about where a piece fit. The illustration style is lovely with nice color and detail throughout the image. This is a recommended addition to your collection of Christmas puzzles... CONTINUE READING

Susan Brabeau is an American artist who creates quirky Americana nostalgia paintings loaded with humor. Many of her images have been made into jigsaw puzzles from manufacturers like Sunsout, Gibsons, Ravensburger, and Holdson. First, thank you so much, Susan, for doing a virtual visit with Jigsaw Junkies. It’s a treat to be able to learn more about... CONTINUE READING

This 1000 piece Susan Brabeau puzzle from Sunsout is a medium difficulty puzzle good for those who like a little more challenge. I enjoyed the random-cut piece, the art style, and the humor in this image, particularly the characters in the scene. There's a lot of white-to-light-purple, and similar colors appear distributed throughout the scene, so it's a bit trickier to assemble than some jigsaws. Recommended for fans of Americana, Susan Brabeau, or the knitter in... CONTINUE READING

I adored this 1000 piece Susan Brabeau puzzle from Sunsout. It's a fun image that has large characters, a variety of easily-recognized colors and patterns, and a sweet little visual story. The Sunsout quality is very good with random-cut pieces and faithful reproduction of the details and colors of the original painting. Assembly is quick and relaxing thanks to the various dresses on the ladies, the ornate hats, and the unique colors and textures on the four cakes. Once you start it, you'll be tempted to keep going until the last piece is placed. Highly recommended! Score: 9/10... CONTINUE READING

Everyone knows that engaging in regular physical exercise, such as walking, helps the body stay healthy. There’s a reason for the saying: Use it or lose it. Your muscles can gradually lose strength and atrophy if not used regularly. That is, if you are completely sedentary.  But what about your brain? Does the same principle... CONTINUE READING