The House of Puzzles brand from Scotland has announced their new puzzles for July 2016. They're hard to get in North America, so if you're in the UK you're in luck. But hopefully they will have US distribution in the future. Here are my top picks of... CONTINUE READING
This is a striking fantasy image with a positive message–dream big! The Trefl brand from Poland is a grid-cut puzzle with fairly standard piece shapes and sizes. The pieces are not as thick as some Euro brands like Ravensburger or Jumbo, but thick enough to resist bending and damage. This puzzle is easy to assemble. The girl is a brightly-colored element that goes together quickly. The cityscape is not as interesting as the girl to assemble, but slight variations in color in the fog, and the recognizable buildings, keep it from being difficult... CONTINUE READING
There are a lot of awesome new puzzles to talk about this month! Tis the season for the Christmas and Fall releases to start to appear. First, let's look at the ones that were just announced (and aren't yet in stock). NEW PUZZLE ANNOUNCEMENTS Buffalo Games Buffalo Games tends to release a few new puzzles a month... CONTINUE READING
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
