Sugar Maples, Mr. Z's Puzzles

205 pieces.  Color line cutting increases the challenge.  Ships as a tray puzzle, assembled; I like boxes better, but that's my only complaint about this puzzle, which has a very nice hand feel.  4/5

starting out

close up on sky

color line cutting on the trunk

complete

Bird Mandala, Elm

775 pieces.  Lots of internal color line cutting and repeated images made this one a very nice challenge.  Elm puzzles have a great hand feel, though I think they lack some of the fundamental cleverness of a Stave.  5/5 regular scale, maybe 6.5/10 Stave scale.

starting out

almost accidentally worked inside out

done

Jigsaw Art by Thom Spencer, glowing woman

About 220 pieces. Nice curvy cuts I think of as coral-style, presenting a challenge to assemble because the lines take a little more imagination to connect up. 4/5

starting out

turns out I assembled the cleavage first

all done

Elm, Poinsettia Wreath

710 pieces.  This was not kidding around in terms of difficulty--a lot of internal cutouts, plus obviously repeating colors and shapes. 7/10, Stave scale.

starting out

progress (restored after the puzzle was moved for a party)

complete

Stave tidbit, Fall 2016

Approx. 30 pieces. Cute picture with nice bird color line cutting.

The beginning

The end

The Railway Station, William Powell Frith, Optimago

600 pieces.  Another puzzle with an unusual shape and some challenging dark areas. 4/5

starting out

progress! which I guess is the theme of the painting, too

All done

The Arbour, Emanuel Phillip Fox, Optimago

500 pieces.  Fine specimen of Optimago: loose pieces, delicate colors; details emerge only when the puzzle is assembled.  3/5.

starting out

finished