Small Thoughts- Puzzles and Hobbies

Puzzles, crafts and other smaller thought activities!

Linda Nelson Stocks| Puzzle Artist Profile

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Peddlers Cove Puzzle
“Peddlar’s Cove” by Linda Nelson Stocks
Linda Nelson Stocks grew up on her family’s farm in Illinois, USA. Linda painted in oils in a folk-art style. She especially loved portraying children and dogs in scenic settings. . Her own dogs, Mary Rose and Lily, are often found in her delightful paintings.  Linda Nelson Stocks’ artwork and talent were discovered by  Bob Lang, founder of LANG Graphics, back in 1982. Her stunning illustrations can be found on calendars, cards, puzzles and other fine art gifts.

What do you think of puzzle artist Linda Nelson Stocks?

Are you familiar with her artwork? Have you ever done a puzzle featuring this artist’s illustrations?
I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts!

Upon her death in 2011, Linda Nelson Stocks left her art estate to Connecticut Community Foundation as a means of establishing a charitable fund. Linda believed in their mission of fostering creative partnerships to build rewarding lives.

Puzzles that feature the artwork of Linda Nelson Stocks:

“Best Snowman Ever” Puzzle from Bits and Pieces


“Cutters Covered Bridge” by Bits and Pieces


“Christmas Memories” Puzzle by LANG


“Sweet Meadowland” by Ceaco

 

Linda Nelson Stocks is known for her charming and intricate illustrations that often depict rural life and nostalgic scenes. Here are 20 puzzles featuring her artwork:

  1. “Country Kitchen” Puzzle
  2. “Main Street Memories” Puzzle
  3. “Farmhouse Porch” Puzzle
  4. “Harvest Time” Puzzle
  5. “Village Square” Puzzle
  6. “Family Reunion” Puzzle
  7. “Homestead Haven” Puzzle
  8. “Summer Festival” Puzzle
  9. “County Fair” Puzzle
  10. “Autumn Harvest” Puzzle
  11. “Winter Wonderland” Puzzle
  12. “Springtime Serenity” Puzzle
  13. “Old Mill Stream” Puzzle
  14. “Garden Party” Puzzle
  15. “Barnyard Buddies” Puzzle
  16. “Sunday Stroll” Puzzle
  17. “Picnic in the Park” Puzzle
  18. “Schoolhouse Memories” Puzzle
  19. “The Quilting Bee” Puzzle
  20. “Sunday Drive” Puzzle

These puzzles often capture the warmth and simplicity of rural life, making them both visually appealing and enjoyable to solve.

“Christmas Town” Puzzle Review | Cobble Hill

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Christmas Town puzzle

“Christmas Town” Puzzle Description and Summary

Puzzle Company: Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 275
Completed size: 24″x 18″ inches.
Puzzle Artist: Linda Nelson Stocks
Puzzle Score: 9/10 puzzle pieces!
Notes: Reference poster included, larger-sized pieces for easy handling, random cut jigsaw pieces.

Where to buy “Christmas Town” Jigsaw puzzle

Purchase “Christmas Town” puzzle in Canada
Purchase “Christmas Town” puzzle in USA

“Christmas Town” Puzzle Review

I loved everything about artist Linda Nelson Stocks’ illustration of “Christmas Town”. This is an absolutely charming scene of village life and was so pleasant to put together. Victorian-era neighbours and children gather together to play and laugh over the Christmas holidays.  The artwork is painted in oils, which give it its rich lustre. The puzzle features a beautiful holiday colour palette of lush greens, cherry reds, yellows, soft blues and sparkling whites painted in a folk art style.

I normally don’t do 275 piece puzzles, however, I literally could not resist this image. I fell in love with the heartfelt and nostalgic illustration! It was even more gorgeous when it all came together as a completed puzzle. Cobble Hill uses high-quality inks in their puzzles and the image reproduction is excellent.

I sat down with a hot cup of cocoa and finished on a perfect snowy Saturday morning and felt one with the little sledding kids and running dogs in the “puzzle” snow.

This was easy-medium difficulty. I give “Christmas Town” a 9/10!!!!

Nancy Wernersbach: Puzzle Artist Profile

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Amazing puzzle illustrator Nancy Wernersbach

One one the best things about puzzles is that people do them for different reasons. Some peo[le like the challenge of solving a difficult image, others prefer easy large sizes. The most important part of the puzzle for me is the image! There are so many talented artists bringing their own style to our favourite puzzle brands! One of the most popular puzzle artists is Nancy Wernersbach . Mancy s one of the most well-known puzzle illustrators famous for her bright oil and watercolour paintings of cozy homes and pets. Nancy’s artwork has a distinctive look- primary colours of warm yellows, rich reds and deep blues. I hope you enjoy doing puzzles by Nancy Wernersbach as much as I do!
Do you have a favourite puzzle artist?
What is the most important part of the puzzle for you?

Artist website: www.nancywernersbach.com
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/nanwernartist/

Nancy Wernersbach currently lives in Long Island, New York where she teaches.

Popular Nancy Wernersbach puzzles:

“Harvest Festival” puzzle review

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!

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_

Puzzle Review: Sleeping Beauty by Andrea Kurti | “Classic Tales” Series

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kurti andrea Sleeping Beauty puzzle

Puzzle Review: Sleeping Beauty by Andrea Kurti

Piece Count: 1000
Difficulty Level: Medium to Hard
Overall Puzzle Rating: 8.5
Grid Cut
Image: 10/10
Finished size of Sleeping Beauty 18½” x 26¾” or 47cm x 68cm

Sleeping Beauty by Andrea Puzzle. I love the “Classic Tales” series by Andrea. This one is “Sleeping Beauty” and indeed she is! The artist is Kurti Andrea, @kurti.andrea on Instagram. I love this artist and this whole series from the Romanian company D-Toys. Combined with the magic of fairy tales and puzzles, this divine! I enjoyed the whole experience, the image is the most important of the puzzle for me. The gorgeous artwork on this puzzle was a delight!

Fairy Tale Puzzle Sleeping Beauty by Andrea Kurti

This puzzle has a linen finish and the pieces are very similar to Ravensburger quality and similar if not small er size puzzle pieces. I have sausage-like fingers so I do prefer to do 500 piece puzzles or White Mountain puzzles. There was minimal glare when doing the puzzle. It is a standard grid jigsaw-type puzzle cut. The puzzle pieces fit well together.
One of my favourite colour palettes is cool blues with warm oranges. hank you for your beautiful work Andrea Kurti!

The other puzzles available in this storybook-themed series include Arabian Nights, Snow White, and The Frog Princess. They are all lovely puzzles and works of art in themselves.

You can but this puzzle on Amazon in Canada here
I have grabbed from my local puzzle place when I saw in stock, I see that they can be hard to find.

Compare D-Toys Puzzle Brand to Brands like eeBoo, Ravensburger and more on Puzzle Brand Comparison Chart Page.

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