Small Thoughts- Puzzles and Hobbies

Puzzles, crafts and other smaller thought activities!

Cedar Waxwings Puzzle by Cobble Hill Review

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cedar waxwings bird puzzle cobble hill

Cedar Waxwings Jigsaw Puzzle

Puzzle Company: Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 1000
Completed size: 26.5x 19″
Puzzle Artist: Sam Timm
Skill level: Intermediate
Overall rating:
4.5 puzzle rating

Notes: Puzzle artist is retired pastor Sam Timm, who lives in central Wisconsin. Reverend Timm lives close to the wildlife he loves to paint in his art. He has been painting wildlife since 1975.Stunning Reference poster included. Glare-free linen paper puzzle pieces.

Two Cedar Waxwing birds are perched on tree with laden with colourful red berries. Lovely landscape with a red barn with a silo and windmill and cute pond.

I loved this puzzle. I found the colour palette soothing. The details in painting of the birds made each puzzle snap a delight.
Don’t let the browns fool you-there is lots of colour and texture to m make this a great puzzle experience.
The larger size, 1000 pieces took me longer than usual. This is nice one to do as a couple or family.

Best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever- Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies

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chocolate chip cookie recipe
Ad Free and no pop ups recipe.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Makes 6 Large “Bakery” style Cookies

Recipe Ingredients for Chocolate Chip cookies
3/4 C butter
1/2 C white sugar
1 C light brown sugar, tightly packed
2 1/3 C Flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt (Kosher preferred)
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
10 oz. high quality chocolate ( chopped in chucks or small squares)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
1. Melt butter (do not brown)
2. Mix sugars with melted butter by hand or mixer on low
3. Add eggs slowly
4. Whisk together dry ingredients
5. Mix together ingredients, add chocolate last.

Divide and make six large balls, divided equally, on cookie sheet lined with parchment or greased lightly.
Bake at 325 for 14 minutes or until golden brown.

Winter Deer Jigsaw Puzzle by Cobble Hill- Review

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Winter Deer Puzzle

Winter Deer Jigsaw Puzzle

Puzzle Company: Cobble Hill
Number of pieces: 500
Completed size: 19.25″ x 26.625″
Puzzle Artist: Persis Clayton Weirs
Overall rating: 6.5/10
Skill level: Difficult

Notes: Posted included. Glare-free puzzle pieces.
The artist, Persis Clayton Weirs is known for her wildlife works and often painted scenes from her native Maine. The images and details are beautiful. Sadly she passed away in 2016.

This is a lovely image however it does not make for an easy puzzle experience. The 500 piece size makes it manageable however the limited colour palate was difficult and at time frustrating for me. I am someone who does puzzles solely on the image. I prefer a colourful image to look at. I also not a puzzler that likes the challenge of difficult puzzles, so keep on mind. This might be the puzzle for you!

Calendula Cream Recipe – Wonderful DIY Salve with Calendula and Beeswax

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calendula cream flower salve

Best Calendula Cream Recipe EVER

Ingredients:
2 Cups Calendula flower
1 Cup Comfrey leaf
I cup chamomile flower
1 Cup Lavender flower
opt: 1/2 Cup Marshmallow Root
opt: 1/4 Cup Myrrh Gum
opt.: 1 Cup St. John’s wort flower

1 litre ( 4 Cups) Olive Oil
Grated Bee’s wax
opt: Essential oil of Lavender
opt: Vitamin E Oil

Directions for Calendula Cream:
1. Combine the herbs and olive oil in a glass jar ( a large mason jar or pickle jar works well). Cover tightly and let sit in warm sunny spot for at least two weeks.

2. Strain oil mixture through cheese cloth, saving oil. Squeeze tightly to get remaining oil.

3. Put oil in double boil on very low heat. Let warm for warm hour. Strain again.

4. Add approximately 1/4- 1/2 Cup grated beeswax, depending on consistency you would like. You can text by dropping few drops of melted liquid on wax or parchment paper and let cool or put small amount in freezer for 5 minutes. Make sure it is spreadable.

4. Add essential oils, Pour into small jars.

This makes a wonderful cream or slave for diaper rash, people with sensitive skin, or dry itchy skin.
I have been making for over 25 years. I started making my own cream specifically to use a when I was using cloth diapers and used as barrier cream. I used to give as little gifts for baby shower or at Christmas and people would keep coming back for more, saying it really helped them with their skin and I keep in my repertoire to make each year!

Love cleaning? Dawn Power wash DIY Dupe Recipe

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

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Bear in den jigsaw puzzle image

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.

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.

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!

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

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?

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