Cobble Hill Archives | Small Thoughts- Puzzles and Hobbies

Den Dreams by Cobble Hill- a Bear-y cute Jigsaw Puzzle

3:17 pm By Canadian Puzzler Leave a Comment

Dreams of Spring for both Bear and puzzler alike1 with Den Dreams puzzle

Puzzle Company: Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 500
Completed size: 19.25″ x 26.625″
Puzzle Artist: Greg Alexander
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Notes: Image is done in watercolours, with rich, intensely pigmented colours.
Cobble Hill puzzle feature glare-reducing linen paper.
The artist, Greg Alexander, from Wisconsin is a well known nature artist. His art is painting is hyper realistic.

Puzzler Notes: Interesting random cut puzzle pieces. Includes a reference poster- the quality is excellent.

The image nice, but lots of similar grasses and fur make it challenging. This is on the difficult side and would not start out with this or give as a gift to beginner puzzler or if you hate fur, like me.
this is good for someone who likes bears.

“Village Tree” Christmas Puzzle by Cobble Hill | Puzzle Reviews

11:48 am By Canadian Puzzler

This was an unexpectedly enjoyable Christmas puzzle to do!
“Village Tree” 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Puzzle Company: Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 500, 1000
Completed size: 26.625 x 19.25 inches
Puzzle Artist: Persis Clayton Weirs
Puzzle Score: 7.5/10 puzzle pieces!
Difficulty Level: Easy-Medium
Notes: Portrait (vertical) orientation. High-quality, hi-resolution reference poster included random cut jigsaw pieces, matte linen finish on puzzle pieces.

Where to buy “Village Tree” Jigsaw puzzle

Purchase “Village Tree” puzzle in Canada
Purchase “Village Tree” jigsaw in USA

“Village Tree” Puzzle by Cobble: Review

At first glance, I thought this puzzle might be a bit “dull”. I wasn’t sure about the colour palette or the busy green pattern of the Christmas tree featured in the town square. I was so happy to be wrong! Coloured ornaments, twinkling lights and fun outdoor scenes to make this Christmas jigsaw puzzle “sparkle”.

There were so many design elements in this puzzle to keep it interesting! varying patterns in the rows of houses, the pretty gradient of yellow/ blue skyline and lots of fun textures throughout. Several village scenes, like warmly dressed, figure-skaters, happy carolers and a horse-drawn -sleigh brought me back to fond memories of childhood and snowy holidays.

I found this to be a medium difficultly level of a puzzle. The large area of the green Christmas trees made it a little challenging. I rated it at 7.5 because of the beautiful illustration by artist Persis Clayton Weirs and of course because of the outstanding quality of Cobble Hill puzzles. It rated a bit lower because I don’t normally enjoy “portrait” puzzles- they are sometimes hard with my terrible eyesight.
The pretty Christmas colours, the lovely artwork and the quality of the puzzle made for a great Christmas puzzling experience!
I give this puzzle a 7.5/10!

Have you done “Village Tree” puzzle? Do you have a favourite Christmas puzzle you like to do over the holidays?

“Christmas Town” Puzzle Review | Cobble Hill

5:20 pm By Canadian Puzzler

“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!!!!

Fall and Halloween Puzzle Collection video now posted!

6:17 pm By Canadian Puzzler

WATCH NOW!

WATCH on Youtube NOW!

In this two-part puzzle video: Check out the two-part series of my fall and Halloween puzzle collection video!
I do a video walk-through of ALL (for now!) my fall-themed puzzles, including some adorable Halloween puzzles. Some of the jigsaw brands in the video: Bits and Pieces, Pomegranate Puzzles, Buffalo Games, Vermont Puzzle Company, Cobble Hill Puzzles and more!

🧩 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 here on my Youtube puzzle channel:

🧩 Instagram: @smaller_thoughts

🧩 Buffalo Games – Country Store – 500 Piece Jigsaw
USA: https://amzn.to/3FNxVFn
Canada: https://amzn.to/3ALkySd

🧩 Buffalo Games-Days to Remember-Country Road, Hiro Tanikawa
USA: https://amzn.to/2YTIHJH
Canada: https://amzn.to/3p6Osyf

🧩 Bits and Pieces – Quilting Room, Parker Fulton
USA: https://amzn.to/3ANPscN
Canada: https://amzn.to/3j4O9A4

🧩 Ravensburger The Fishing Lesson, Mary Ann Vessey
USA: https://amzn.to/3FVgIda
Canada: https://amzn.to/3j5pUBF

🧩 Bountiful Meadows Farm puzzle review
USA: https://amzn.to/3DLsxAG
Canada: https://amzn.to/3p6P5b5

🧩 Halloween Town Puzzle
USA: https://amzn.to/3p9pBtJ
Canada: https://amzn.to/3ALk4eR

🧩 Read my puzzle review for Kawase Hasui: Autumn at Saruiwa

🧩 Bits and Pieces: Hens and Chicks
USA: https://amzn.to/3FVgcMg
Canada: https://amzn.to/3FVgcMg

🧩 Read review for : Cobble Hill: Halloween Buddies
USA: https://amzn.to/3aI8ZRd
Canada: https://amzn.to/3aI8ZRd

🎵
Music: “Somewhere” from Leonard Bernstein’s Westside Story arranged and performed by Mr. Bill
Mr. Bill played bass professionally for over 40 years. He was classically trained. In his retirement years, Bill decided to learn how to play dinner jazz on piano. He has arranged mostly well-known, slow-tempo songs that have interesting chord progressions.
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The sheet music for “Somewhere” arrangement can be found at: https://musescore.com/user/4506351

“Harvest Festival” Puzzle Review | Cobble Hill Puzzles

1:51 pm By Canadian Puzzler

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?

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

4:22 pm By Canadian Puzzler

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

2:16 pm By Canadian Puzzler

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:

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!

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

3:20 pm By Canadian Puzzler

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

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:

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!

Cobble Hill Four Seasons 2000 piece puzzle | Puzzle Review

2:02 pm By Canadian Puzzler

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

2:32 pm By Canadian Puzzler

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?