Small Thoughts- Puzzles and Hobbies

Puzzles, crafts and other smaller thought activities!

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_

Bits and Pieces “Two Beach Belles and a Flirt” Puzzle Review

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I just posted my video review of “Two Beach Belles and a Flirt” puzzle from Bits and Pieces; available in 500 and 1000 pieces. The lovely Illustration was done by American folk artist Mary Ann Vessey.

I think this is Bits and Piece’s answer to Charles Wysocki, one of the most popular “folk art” puzzle artists. If you like him or and of the Dowdle puzzles, who will LOVE this puzzle and the artwork. I like this artist. She used oils to do her paintings and the patina of the oils gives it a beautifully textured look, with oil you will get variations in the colour you don’t see in digital designs. I hope to do more of her puzzle designs and will keep an eye out for her work.

Bits and Pieces “Two Beach Belles and a Flirt” Puzzle Review

This was typical Bits and Pieces quality, very sturdy and thick puzzle pieces. There was some puzzle dust, which I always find with this puzzle brand- am I the only one? I consistently seem to get puzzle dust that multiplies as a do the puzzle!  The pieces fit very well together which gives a good snug fit. I do like the “chubby” feel of Bits and Pieces, and they do make for a satisfying puzzle SNAP!

Have you done a Bits and Pieces puzzle yet? What do you think of the artwork on this puzzle? I love it!

What do you think is the best Summer puzzle?

Buy online:
USA: HERE
Canada: HERE

Watch Youtube Puzzle Review now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB0gAHcZXGQ

Bits and Pieces Puzzle “Inside Gnome Garden” | 750 piece Puzzle Review

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I really enjoyed doing this bursting with Spring, Bits and Pieces’ “Inside Gnome Garden” puzzle

Bits and Pieces are well known for their “shaped” puzzles. Because of its unique shaped design, this puzzle was interesting and different from the standard square shape of most puzzles on the market. The ” Inside Garden Gnome” puzzle is shaped like a gnome! It has a border around it so not TOO challenging! I also liked the size, 750 pieces. It is not a common puzzle size, but I thought it was just right for me. A 1000 piece puzzle can be a big commitment and daunting! Inside Garden Gnome is full of little surp[ises to find while puzzling.
Bits and Pieces puzzle pieces are random cut as opposed to the standard grid. The negatives I can say about this Bits and Pieces puzzle are I did find a bit of puzzle dust and the pieces can be glossy. I also found the image themselves to be inconsistent, some were illustrations and others were digitized. The puzzle pieces fit very tightly- very few false fits. The quality of Bits and Pieces is very good overall.

I loved putting together all the flowers and keeping an eye out for the adorable little animals in this Spring-y puzzle. I hope you enjoy this jigsaw puzzle as much as I did! What do you think makes a puzzle the best spring puzzle?

Bits and Pieces “Inside Gnome Garden” Puzzle

You can read more about puzzle brands, like Bits and Pieces, and what makes a good puzzle on my recent post, Puzzle Brand Compared: What are the best puzzle brands?
Thank you for visiting!

Cobble Hill Four Seasons 2000 piece puzzle | Puzzle Review

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Four Seasons Puzzle

Welcome new and old puzzle buddies. You can view my full video review of Cobble Hill Four Seasons puzzle on my Small Thoughts channel. Thank you for taking the time to watch!

This jigsaw puzzle, Four Seasons by Cobble Hill is gorgeous! At 2,000 pieces, this puzzle is a lot to tackle and difficulty would be on the challenging side for most puzzlers. This is the kind of puzzle you could leave out on a table for people to do at their leisure or a rainy weekend at the cottage. It features the Fours Seasons and is divided into 4 sections, one for each season. Cobble Hill quality is fantastic. The pigments used for inks images are beautiful and as always, Cobble Hill comes with a high-resolution poster. I highly recommend Cobble Hill Four Seasons! Have you done this puzzle? Have you ever done a larger-sized puzzle like this before?

You can read more about puzzle brands, like Cobble Hill, and what makes a good puzzle, on my recent post, Puzzle Brand Compared: What are the best puzzle brands?

Apple Pie Kitchen by Cobble Hill | 500 piece Puzzle Review

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Apple Pie Kitchen by Cobble Hill

I finished my Apple Pie Kitchen by Cobble Hill puzzle over a rainy week in April and it lifted my dampened spirits! This is a 500 piece puzzle, typically most puzzlers would finish a 500 piece puzzle in about two hours. I take SLIGHTLY longer than most puzzlers and this took closer to 4 hours to do.
I loved the 1930’s style farmhouse kitchen and the bright warm colour palette used by the artist. There were many cute objects to look at while doing and the drawings on this puzzle are charming! I loved all the pattern prints in the puzzle, like the little girl’s calico dress and the plaid kitchen curtains.

Sellers of Apple Pie Kitchen ( USA)
Cobble Hill Puzzles

Makes Great Summer Puzzle!

Have you done this puzzle before? How long does it take you to finish a 500 piece puzzle?

New Spring and Summer Puzzles! Unboxing video!

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I Just posted an unboxing video of new puzzles that arrived this morning! They were all spring and summer-themed puzzles and from Buffalo Games and Bits and Pieces. I got a nice mix of 300 and 500 piece puzzles and some perfect ones to do up North!
I like to start each season off with the same puzzle. Can you guess what is?
Do you have a favourite puzzle spring you’d like to share? I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to post in the comments section of my New Spring and Summer Puzzles! Unboxing! video/a>!

New Spring and Summer Puzzle Video!

Get puzzles from my “New Spring and Summer Puzzles! Unboxing video!” in USA

Buffalo Games – Charles Wysocki – Root Beer Break at the Butterfields: https://amzn.to/3srTaVo

Buffalo Games – Charles Wysocki – Cocoa Break at The Copperfields: https://amzn.to/3uYcY4b

Buffalo Games – Country Store Puzzle
-500 pieces: Buffalo Games – Country Store
-1000 pieces: https://amzn.to/2Q4lfFa
-2000 pieces: https://amzn.to/3uYcY4b

Buffalo Games – Charles Wysocki – The Three Sisters
300 Large Pieces: https://amzn.to/3strE9G
1000: https://amzn.to/3strE9G

Bits and Pieces Puzzles:
https://amzn.to/3srSijm

Buy my “Best Spring Puzzles” online in Canada

Charles Wysocki – Cocoa Break at The Copperfields: https://amzn.to/3mTwrAk

Charles Wysocki – Root Beer Break at the Butterfields:https://amzn.to/3gfNQBX

Buffalo Games – Charles Wysocki – The Three Sisters: https://amzn.to/2QAknrG

Bits and Pieces: Time to Talk – 500 pc Herding Cows into The Barn: https://amzn.to/3ef44sg

Bits and Pieces: Lakeside Retreat

Bits and Pieces – 500 Pieces- Two Beach Belles and a Flirt: by puzzle Artist Mary Ann Vessey: https://amzn.to/32nVOkj
I just finished this puzzle and posted my review for Two Beach Belles and a Flirt: by puzzle Artist Mary Ann Vessey.

General Store Puzzle: https://amzn.to/32lVulV

Spring Puzzle Collection Video

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NEW PUZZLE VIDEO

Check out my new video just uploaded to Youtube; I posted a video of some of my Spring puzzle collection and what would make great puzzles to do over the Spring months.
In this puzzle video: My latest spring puzzle haul! Some new puzzles from my favourites brands Cobble Hill and Pomegranate!

Do you have a spring-themed puzzle you like to do each year?
What do you think is the “best” puzzle brand?

INSTAGRAM: @smaller_thoughts

Cobble Hill Hummingbird Magic
USA: https://amzn.to/3kP3pB9
Canada: https://amzn.to/2WL7j5U

Cobble Hill Totem in the Mist:
USA: https://amzn.to/3jEA0ds
Canada: https://amzn.to/3ByJ2iv

Cobble Hill “Apple Pie Kitchen”
USA: https://amzn.to/3BF4pyr
Canada: https://amzn.to/3DI8wMc

Ravensburger Escape Puzzle: Forbidden Basement
USA: https://amzn.to/3DRHVfV
Canada: https://amzn.to/3BCJoEJ

Cobble Hill Grandma’s Quilts:
USA: https://amzn.to/3teP4lh
Canada: https://amzn.to/3BDNDQk

Cobble Hill “Popular Backyard Wild Birds of North America”
USA: https://amzn.to/38y3aF0
Canada: https://amzn.to/2WIe6h6

White Mountain Puzzle brand: Birds of the Backyard
USA: https://amzn.to/3kLSzMp
Canada: https://amzn.to/3BAdQzk

Pomegranate Puzzles Pat Scott “Attraction”:
USA: https://amzn.to/3t7sICk
Canada: https://amzn.to/3mXboyF

Pomegranate Puzzles Charley Harper “Tree of Life”
USA: https://amzn.to/3dQeBdu
Canada: https://amzn.to/3gVP3Oe

“Spring Cleaning” by Cobble Hill- 500 piece jigsaw puzzle Review

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cobble hill spring cleaning bunny puzzle 500

Puzzle Company: Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 500
Completed size: 19.25″ x 26.625″
Puzzle Artist: Nancy Wernersbach
Overall rating: 9.5/10

This just might be the perfect Spring puzzle!

Spring Cleaning  500- piece Spring themed is loaded with Spring mages and lilac scented scenes!  I can almost smell the freshly-washed laundry that swing in the wind. So many precious scenes by the fabulous puzzle illustrator, Nancy Wernersbach. There is plenty to look at doing the puzzle without feeling overwhelmed. Golden retriever naps on the porch, bright quilt airs out in the year, a garden bursting with fresh blooms! The artist always uses a bight cherry pallet that pairs perfectly with her puzzles.
The difficulty level is easy and this Spring puzzle is a delight to do!

All Cobble Hill puzzles are matte finished with a linen-look weave to puzzle surface.
image of spring cleaning puzzle

Ravensburger Wooden Puzzle Easel | Best Puzzle Easel?

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Review of Ravensburger Wooden Puzzle Easel

by my number #1 Puzzle Buddy!

Thank you PuzzleBuddy1 for your review on Ravensburger’s Puzzle Easel
Features:
-Maximum puzzle size 24″ X 20″
-Fits most 1000 piece puzzles NOTE: Landscape only
If this swivelled or could accol=modate portrait ( vertical) puzzle orientation, this would be one of the best puzzle easels.
-Nice blue felted surface
-Four different adjustable angles
-Puzzle easel made of solid wood

PuzzleBuddy1 Ravensburger Wooden Puzzle Easel Pros:

-Did help my back and shoulder pain
-Easier control of light glare
-An angled puzzle board discourages feline lounging!

Ravensburger Puzzle Easel Pro & Cons:

    -Increases neck and shoulder strain if used on too high a tabletop
    -Can be an expensive initial investment
    -Storage / takes up space even when not in use
    -Doesn’t accommodate most portrait images, depends on the size of the easel and puzzle

What do you think is the best puzzle board or puzzle easel?

DO you have this one? I would love to hear your ideas and “small thoughts” about puzzle boards and other puzzle accessories!

Buy in Canada
Buy in USA

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