Small Thoughts- Puzzles and Hobbies

Puzzles, crafts and other smaller thought activities!

“Harvest Festival” Puzzle Review | Cobble Hill Puzzles

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Another cozy Fall puzzle to do!


Puzzle Company: Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 500
Completed size: 19 x 26 inches
Puzzle Artist: Nancy Wernersbach or follow on IG : @nancywernersbach

Buy “Harvest Festival” Puzzle

Buy Harvest Festival in USA
Buy Harvest Festival in Canada

This is one of my favourite puzzles to do! To me this is the Fall version of “Spring Cleaning” also a puzzle made by Cobble. The illustration is done by well-known puzzle artist, Nancy Wernersbach. I believe she also does puzzles for Bits and Pieces puzzles as well.
Once again, so many details in this puzzle to keep it interesting! This fall puzzle is packed with images of cute little creatures, like ducks and ducklings. The usual hay, pumpkins, scarecrow and of course a brimming over bushel basket of apples. I love this puzzle 🙂

This puzzle comes with a high-resolution poster for reference and a sturdy box. The puzzle pieces are low glare, they have a textured linen-like finish to them. The puzzle pieces have interesting random cut shapes. I do prefer random cut pieces to traditional grid cut pieces. I love their puzzle pieces. I wish other puzzler makers would follow suit. I do not enjoy glare while doing puzzles.
Do you have a preference?

READ MORE: Halloween puzzle reviews

I give this puzzle a 9/10. I love the quality and the bright vivid colours.

Have you done Harvest Festival puzzle? Can you recommend other fall puzzles to do over the autumn months?

Halloween Buddies Puzzle by Cobble Hill | Adult Jigsaw Puzzle Review

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Halloween Buddies Puzzle Description and Summary

Puzzle Company: Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 500
Completed size: 19 x 26 inches
Puzzle Artist: Douglas Laird
Overall rating: 8/10
Notes: easy-medium difficulty (medium because there is a lot of gray in the image!), random cut pieces, reference poster included
More information on puzzle brands and puzzle brand comparisons.

 

Halloween Buddies Puzzle Review

One of my favourite Halloween puzzles is “Halloween Buddies” from Cobble Hill. The artwork on this 500 piece Halloween puzzle is by Douglas Laird. He is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland in 1946 where he graduated from Edinburgh College of Art. He came to Canada in 1965 and now lives in Ontario. Douglas Laird’s artwork typically features landscape, wildlife and everyday life.

The reasons I love Halloween Buddies so much are because of the quality of the puzzle pieces, the adorable illustration by Douglas Laird and the vibrant pigmented inks used in reproduction.
The puzzle quality of Halloween Buddies is excellent! They are thick sturdy pieces with a matte finish. The jigsaw pieces are random cut and the included poster is high resolution. Obviously, Halloween Buddies is a Halloween-themed jigsaw puzzle! There are many familiar (pun intended!) spooky Halloween images of trick or treaters out on a dark and stormy night.! It was so fun to discover a cute hidden pumpkin or a missed creepy spider while puzzling away. This was a joy to do and one of my all-time favourite puzzles.

Do you have a favourite Halloween puzzle? What do you think is the BEST Halloween puzzle? I would love to hear your ideas!

Totem Pole in The Mist | Cobble Hill Puzzle Review

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Totem Pole in The Mist – Jigsaw Puzzle

Puzzle Company:Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 1000
Completed size: 26.5x 19″
Puzzle Artist: Terry Isaac
Skill level: Intermediate- challenging
Overall rating:
5 star puzzle rating

Notes:
Cobble Hill makes their puzzle pieces a random cut and has amazing thickness. The random acts make the puzzle doing experience a little more fun.
Very little puzzle dust and beautiful, clean cuts in the wooden pieces.

This is likely one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have seen in a puzzle illustration. The artist is Terry Isaac, from British Columbia, Canada. The colour palette that was used but the artist is stunning. He paints the totem Thunderbird” from well-known carver Willie Seaweed, carved in the 1930’s.
The puzzle quality, the beautiful image and the included poster all made this one of my favourite puzzles.

This is a 1000 piece puzzle and the puzzle was a joy to do from start to finish.
The quality of the puzzle pieces is comparable to Ravensburger Puzzles. The price point is fantastic and Cobble Hill is a great value. The best part about Cobble Hill puzzles is the high-quality, high-resolution poster that comes with their puzzles. Including a poster makes doing their puzzles more enjoyable! The poster is not only a great keepsake but I love to be able to use a poster instead of a heavier puzzle lid for reference.
Recommend highly!

Totem Pole in The Mist is a great puzzle to do in the fall
and autumn months!

Autumn at Saruiwa Puzzle | Adult Puzzle Reviews

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Autumn at saruiwa

I like Japanese art, particularly watercolour. One of my favourite Japanese watercolour artists is Kawase Hasui (1883–1957). I especially love his subtle earth-tone colour palette and gorgeous gradients. Kawase Hasui helped to create the shin-hanga art style of the mid-century.

Is Autumn at Saruiwa the best autumn puzzle?

Pomegranate Puzzles have a beautiful buttery soft feel to their puzzle pieces. Their puzzles pieces have a wonderful feel and that makes for a pleasant puzzle experience. The puzzle pieces are cut in a grid pattern and have a good solid fit. The quality of the inks used is outstanding. The puzzle pieces are highly pigmented and the colours are vibrant and saturated.

This puzzle is a stunning piece of art. The stunning oranges, greens and ochres inks used made this a delightful autumn/ fall puzzle! I rate this fall-themed puzzle at a solid 7.5/10.
It was a medium-difficult level mainly because of the grid shape. If you are good with colours, then the gradients will be easy for you!

What do you think makes the best fall puzzle?

Let me know in the comment section here or on my Small Thoughts Puzzle CHannel

Autumn at Saruiwa Puzzle

Purchase Autumn at Saruiwa Puzzle in USA
Purchase Autumn at Saruiwa Puzzlein Canada

Fantastic Fall Puzzle! Country Road by Buffalo Games | Puzzle Review

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Country Road Jigsaw Puzzle

Buffalo Games-Days to Remember-Country Road-500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

I am OBSESSED with the nostalgia-themed “Days to Remember” puzzle series from Buffalo Games. I have enjoyed doing three or four of them in the last few weeks.  I recently did a review of Bountiful Meadows Farm Puzzle. The latest puzzle that I finished from this series is “Country Road“, and indeed it is! There are so many fall and autumn images to look at in the harvest-themed puzzle! Cutes illustrations of vibrant vegetables, plenty of pumpkins, baskets of apples and oodles of jams and jellies. made this puzzle a joy to complete.  loved the bright oranges, greens and other fall colours. They made this puzzle an absolute delight to do!

Buffalo Games puzzles pieces are random cut, nice size and a good fit.
My overall puzzle experience was 7.5/10 and it was an easy-medium level of difficulty. I loved the image much more than I thought I would. The 500-piece size, with smaller pieces, is perfect. I finished it in about 4 hours.

I am OBSESSED with fall and autumn puzzles. I have a ton to do- way more puzzles than tables and time!
How about you?

What do you think makes the best fall puzzle?

Do you like fall puzzles? Do you have a favourite autumn puzzle you think I would like? Please let me know in the comments section here or on my Small Thoughts Youtube channel!

Halloween Puzzles | Top 10 Puzzles to do on a spooky night!

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Cute Halloween Puzzles

List of Top 10 Halloween Puzzles for Adults!

1. Halloween Town- Vermont Puzzle Company: My review for Halloween Town puzzle here

2. Halloween BuddiesCobble Hill- Coming Soon! This might be hard to find outside of Canada.

3. a href=”https://www.bitsandpiecescanada.ca/product/manfreds-general-store-500-piece-jigsaw-puzzle”>Manfred General Store Bits and Pieces:

4. Yesterday’s Halloween by Artist Christine Carey. Love this puzzle artist!

What are the best Halloween Puzzles?

5. Any of the Ravensburger “Escape Puzzles”
I especially like Vampire’s Castle and The Witches Kitchen. They are a great size (750 pieces) and fun for whole family to do.

6. I LOVE this puzzle from White Mountain, Halloween House. Anything with little cutaways and behind the scenes. This is a good puzzle to do as a family.

7. LOVE anything by Charles Wysocki, they are hard to find in Canada, this one is super cute! Trick or Treat Hotel
trick or treat hotel
8. Stunning Halloween “collage type” puzzle: “Vintage Halloween” by Bits and Pieces

9. Autumn Welcome by Vermont Puzzle Company
Canada: https://amzn.to/3hQUCOw
USA:

Halloween Puzzles
10. Ravensburger Bizarre Bookshop Series. Just a tad creepy, this makes for a good Fall into Halloween puzzle to do with family or on your own.
Purchase in USA
Purchase in Canada

Do you have a Halloween puzzle you do each year? What do you like about it? What make a good Halloween puzzle?

Let me know in the comments section!

🧩 Halloween Town Puzzle | Vermont Puzzle Company | Puzzle Review

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Halloween Town Puzzle
Do you have a favourite Halloween puzzle?
I am really looking forward to doing this adorable 550 pieces Halloween Puzzle! Halloween Town is distributed by Vermont Puzzle Company. I think this might be the same company as White Mountain puzzles- they are very similar. The artist is Thomas Wood. I like this puzzle because I didn’t find the images too childish or cartoonish.

Halloween Town Puzzle

This spooky but cute puzzle features a neighbourhood scene of little trick or treaters who are all dressed up and knocking on doors. There are some very sweet Halloween outfits; I especially like the Super Mario costume and the little princess looking for treats! The images aren’t too spooky- little witches fairies and ghosts galore to look at while doing the puzzle.

What do you think makes the best puzzle for Halloween?


I have set aside several Halloween puzzles to do. Cobble Hill “Halloween Buddies” and “Manfred’s General Store” from Bits and Pieces. I also have my eye on some more folk art styles by artists like Charles Wysocki.

Buy Halloween Town Puzzle
Canada:
USA:

Bountiful Meadows Farm Puzzle Review | Bits and Pieces

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Bountiful Meadow Farms puzzle

I just finished another fall harvest puzzle! I have been doing a whole bunch of Country Store/General Store/ down on the farm type puzzles this past month, now they are taking on a fall theme.
Bountiful Meadows Farm is an adorable fall puzzle from Bits and Pieces Puzzles. And indeed it is! There are so many cute images of pumpkins, hay, apples and red barns off n the distant field.
The artwork is by Thomas Wood, it appears to be oil on canvas. 

The puzzle pieces are random cut.
My overall puzzle experience was 7/10 and it was a medium level of difficulty. The challenge came from the similar textures in tree leaves and the similar shade of brown and there were some false fits at first. My current puzzle setup means there is more glare than I would like, the puzzle pieces are a bit glossy.

I am OBSESSED with fall and autumn puzzles and I am really looking forward to doing more in the coming autumn weeks.

What is the best fall puzzle

Do you like fall puzzles? Do you have a favourite autumn puzzle you think I would like? Please let me know in the comments section here or on my Small Thoughts Youtube channel!

Buy in Canada: https://amzn.to/39g9u4n
Buy in USA: https://amzn.to/3tPn9so

Wheelbarrows & Wellies | Val Goldfinch | Gibsons Puzzle Review

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Wheelbarrows & Wellies
Wheelbarrows & Wellies Puzzle Review

Wheelbarrows & Wellies Puzzle- Val Goldfinch- Gibson Games

Overall puzzle rating: 8.5/10

Puzzle Company: Gibson’s Games
Number of pieces: 1000
Completed size: 27 x 19 inches
Puzzle Artist: Val Goldfinch
Puzzle Pieces: smaller, typical “1000 piece” size.
Notes: Standard grid cut. Thicker than average puzzle pieces, reference poster included.

Prepare for a whimsical adventure with this puzzle illustrated by artist Val Goldfinch, brought to you exclusively by Gibson’s Games. Get ready to dive into a world of spring and summer wonder, where summer scene is a delightful surprise- sprinkled with Spring magic. With over 50 charming images waiting to be uncovered – from bees buzzing busily to roses blooming bashfully and lawns freshly trimmed by mischievous gnomes – this puzzle is a joy. And fear not, fellow puzzlers, for a handy reference poster is included to keep your sanity intact!
I give this a solid 8.5 out of 10 rating for its irresistible charm and the sheer joy it brought to me.

I absolutely adored this thousand-piece puzzle from Gibson’s Games. It embodies everything I cherish in a puzzle – a captivating blend of artistry and challenge. As an enthusiast of collage-type illustrations, Wheelbarrows & Wellies surpassed my expectations with its delightful imagery. Each piece of the puzzle is a miniature work of art, adorned with vibrant graphic text, exquisite watercolor renderings of blossoming flowers, whimsical depictions of hidden animals, and enchanting springtime vignettes, all this can be accredited to the puzzle artist,  Val Goldfinch.

Perfect Spring Puzzle!

I absolutely adored this  colourful 1000 piece puzzle from Gibsons Games. It embodies everything I cherish in a puzzle – a captivating blend of artistry and challenge. As an enthusiast of collage-type illustrations, Wheelbarrows & Wellies surpassed my expectations with its delightful imagery. Each piece of the puzzle is a miniature work of art, adorned with vibrant graphic text, exquisite watercolor renderings of blossoming flowers, whimsical depictions of hidden animals, and enchanting springtime vignettes.

This could be the perfect puzzle!
It took me about two weeks to complete, working at a leisurely pace. It had very little puzzle dust and the puzzle fit is tight- so a great snap! The finish on the puzzle is not glossy but no matte either, more of a satin finish. The puzzle pieces are quite thick, similar to Springbok or Galison puzzle brands.

Beautiful puzzle illustration from artist Val Goldfinch!

The artist who did the puzzle is Val Goldfinch– I have since purchased 2 more from her, Pork Pies & Puddings, which features traditional British and Scottish foods like Haggis and trifle. I am very excited to do this on! I have been trying unsuccessfully to find her Christmas Alphabet puzzle in Canada from the series as well. Let me know if you see it!!!!!

Review | The Lovers by Mordillo Clementoni Puzzle

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Mordillo The Lovers Clementoni Puzzle Review

“The Lovers” by Mordillo- Clementoni puzzles

In this latest puzzle review video, I share my comments about the jigsaw puzzle “The Lovers“. This is a 500 piece puzzle from Clementoni brand puzzles.  I enjoyed doing it over Valentine’s Day and found it quite cheerful!  I also liked the image of a cute snake and giraffe sweethearts :).  This artwork on this colourful puzzle is done by Spanish artist and cartoonist, Guillermo Mordillo. Clementoni has released a whole series of puzzles that are devoted to this well-known and beloved artist.  It is a grid-cut puzzle that I find easy to do. The pieces had a nice fit and the finished size was 14 x 10- inches.
I found this to be an easy level of puzzle /a>, and found it to be quite relaxing. the colours and inks were really stunning!

Have done any puzzles from Clementoni?

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section!

“The Lovers” Clementino puzzle.
Purchase in USA
Purchase in Canada

Do you have a question about puzzle brands? Do you have suggestions for a new puzzle review?
Please leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments section or contact me:

Instagram: @smaller_thoughts https://www.instagram.com/smaller_thoughts/
My puzzle website: https://www.smallthoughts.ca

Puzzle Collection Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOulcPX4WDRSV0wxB3n4FkS1xfN1IOfxC
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Puzzle Review Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOulcPX4WDRQbnMDy_hlfsoa9AHo-RyT_

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