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, January 9, 2017

Zen Puzzles, Red Rose

327 pieces.  Laser-cut.  This was a tough one to evaluate--the central motif turned out to be essentially push-fit because it was different pieces of roses, and I'm not a huge fan of push-fit, but the shapes were beautiful and the ultimate puzzle overall was quite a challenge.  I ended up enjoying it but would have liked somewhat more interlocking in the center.  4/5

starting out

small whimsies

part of the central motif

close-up on the center

finished

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Stave, Feel the Noise

A beautiful Treat that required careful attention.  9/10
starting out

beginning to organize

much of the structure done
complete

Stave, Tempest in a Teapot teaser

50 pieces.  Adorable as always; not particularly difficult. 7/10
starting out

frame complete

All done--packed pretty tight!

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Stave, Riding High

175 pieces. Beautiful, as usual--and constructing the elephant was almost as challenging as fitting in the remaining pieces!  9/10
starting out

some progress structurally

filled in the blanket

almost done


The First Thanksgiving, John Leon Gerome Ferris

561 pieces, Liberty. Not my usual style of Liberty, but it was pleasant enough, with a lot of muddy colors to locate once I got the sky out of the way. 4/5.
starting out

progress

more progress

done

Friday, December 30, 2016

Christopher Saxon's Map of England and Wales

Optimago, 600 pieces.  The old maps displayed things very differently than we do today.  Fun to put together.  4/5
starting out--I wimped out and did the frame first

finished


Puzzlewood, Winter

650 pieces. With lots of branch-shaped pieces, this was a nice challenge. 5/5
starting out

progress
finished--lots of similar colors in the sky and the water increased the challenge, as did the color line cutting