About my ratings

Perhaps because of my day job, I'm a tough rater. Everything 3/5 and above I consider worth the time and money. If I purchase on Etsy or a similar platform and the puzzle is as expected, I will give a top rating on the platform because of how seller ratings work, but here "as expected" is probably a 3/5 in most cases.

Monday, March 20, 2023

Venice Canal

 Whimsy Wood Puzzles, 500 pieces. I haven't always been super fond of this maker, despite some interesting cuts and images, but this one really shows craft and ingenuity. The border full of dropouts works almost like a Teaser puzzle, since things that look like connectors often fit in only half the space you imagine they'd take up, making fitting the border together a challenge--one I liked a lot. 4/5






Thursday, March 16, 2023

Black Bear, Sue Coccia

 Liberty, 651 pieces. I think this might be their largest Coccia, and it delivers--including a tiny dropout that makes assembling the legs more complicated. There's also a bonus 3D puzzle that isn't part of the cut otherwise. 4/5

color line cutting




moose next to tiny dropout

birds and butterflies

deer, wolves, and other woodland creatures

more deer/moose/etc

paw prints--perhaps the unique pieces here?

check out the beaver gnawing at the stump


Bouquet of Flowers on the Ledge

 Mr. Gogo, 345 pieces. As usual, beautifully cut, with the addition of dropouts that add a bit of complexity. A pleasure for the hands and eyes. 4/5





Wednesday, March 15, 2023

San Francisco, Jan Davidson

 Liberty, 670 pieces. A nice Liberty with a lot of blue; some minor color variation but mostly it's done by shape or putting boats together and then placing them among the blue. I like that kind of thing but maybe avoid if you don't. 3/5




two tables, one cat

bicycles with one trailer (I don't think I've seen that one before)

music

dragon

streetcar (for the SF vibes) and temple


Harmonie, E. Grasset/F. Gaudin

 Sr. B Puzzles Workshop, 437 pieces. A nice image with unusual dimensions and a stylistically similar mini-puzzle. The only whimsy is the signature piece. 4/5





Over the Rainbow

 Stave, 120 pieces. A very nice Teaser with good colors and fun teaser pieces with lots of curves. 7/10





Tuesday, March 14, 2023