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.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Dampy Donuts

 Stave, 435 pieces. I love doing Stave skies because the piece shapes are initially unreliable but ultimately perfect guides. 6/10



pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

bird perched on building




sun+D+hay stroller+s

many different umbrellas: with whimsy, color line cut, and multipiece




Paul Gaugin, Landscape with Peacocks

 Nautilus, 350 pieces. I don't get as much out of Gaugin images as the Impressionists; maybe it's something about the brushstrokes. 3/5




 

Flower Still Life with Alabaster Base, Spaendonck

 Chestnut & Hemlock, 230 pieces. The stacking layers and fine cutting are really impressive; I found the pieces a shade too small for maximum comfort. 4/5






Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Jungle Dreams, Hiroo Isono

 Nautilus, 180 pieces. Smaller pieces than I usually see in a Nautilus. Related to low piece count? 3/5





Pliffity Flip!

 KK Puzzles, 122 pieces. Lovely hand-cut puzzle with small pieces and plenty of difficult color line cutting. 4/5





Louis Wain, Three Kittens

 Artifact/Ecru, 178 pieces. Lots of cuddling kitten whimsies here. 3/5


just a few




Monday, June 23, 2025

Angela Gomez, St. Teresa

 Artifact/Ecru, 133 pieces. Small but colorful. 3/5





Made in the Shade

 Stave, 125 pieces. A three-sword Teaser that seemed a bit closer to two to me, because it gave good guidance about where to put all the teaser pieces. 7/10



although that foot shaped dropout was tough!


Illustrated Map of the Republic of Mexico, Miguel Gómez Medina

 Liberty, 633 pieces. Very nice, with lots of fun whimsies, including a VW Beetle, I assume to reflect Mexican manufacturing. 4/5