SLOW DOWN...

I found this puzzle at the Salvation Army store in Leduc.  It was the first time I went looking for a puzzle at a thrift store.  I was reluctant to even try searching because of the possibilities...  Missing pieces, damaged pieces, spilled soup on the puzzle box.  So many worries.  I have requested used puzzles from friends and family because there is a connection and maybe the same concerns are there, but I was willing to risk it, just to share in the same puzzling space.  

I went up and down the aisles at the Sally Ann and found this beauty.  It is only my third puzzle with words on it, but I liked the message.  And the sloths were cute.  I did find, when I opened it, that there were parts of the puzzle already assembled, so I still got to share in the puzzle space with whoever left this beauty behind there.  

This puzzle is 750 pieces and was fun to do.  It was a challenge, as the pieces were all the same standard shape.  When I got down to the dark blue pieces, it took a long time to finish because of misfits.  But I finally got to where I was satisfied with the fits, even through I wasn't totally convinced I had every piece in the "right" place.  A bonus...  there were no missing pieces, or damaged pieces and no one spilled soup on the puzzle box!

The puzzle is a panoramic. It is my third panoramic puzzle.  I also like those.  I have the other two puzzles displayed on the wall at my puzzle table.  

Today is special... my husband and I have been married 14 years today.  It's a good day to remember these words...

 "SLOW DOWN... 

HAPPINESS IS TRYING TO CATCH YOU"

MY LOVE FOR COBBLE HILL

 

There is nothing quite like the feeling of finishing a 2000 pc puzzle.  It may be small when compared to what is out there in big puzzles, but for me, in my space, it is the biggest puzzle.  

Yesterday I finished my "Rosemary's Birds" puzzle that I got from Cobble Hill.  I introduced it on Youtube as a gift I got from winning an online contest.  I submitted a picture of a Cobble Hill display at the Devon Home Hardware, and they gifted me a puzzle of my choice.  I chose Rosemary's Birds.  It was colourful and seemed doable.  I started it on February 20 and finished it on March 11.  

I don't always go right through when it comes to big puzzles.  I often break up the puzzling process with smaller puzzles.  That is why this one took some time to finish.  I kept breaking up the process.  

On March 10, my husband drove me to Cabella's and treated me to a puzzle haul.  Their Cobble Hill puzzles were on sale for sixteen dollars a puzzle.  That is a good deal.  Cobble Hill is my favourite puzzle manufacturer, so I took advantage of the sale and picked up eight puzzles: six 1000 pc and two 500 pc. 

I debated doing a Youtube video and decided against it.  I figured I would just wait until the puzzles are finished to add them to one of my portfolios videos.  It is so much more interesting to see the finished product.  I watch puzzle haul videos from some of the puzzlers I watch on Youtube, and they are kind of boring after a while.  So this is where I will share a picture and leave the details to the finished reveal.  

My husband helped me out with some of the selection.  He said it was my choice, but I also want to get some puzzles with pictures he likes too.  It helps include him in my passion and for me that is important.  I like it when he gets excited at my puzzles.  He is honest and lets me know when either the picture is to busy or not really inspiring for him.  That way, when he does like one, I know it is authentic joy.  

This whole puzzle haul started out with him looking online for puzzles for me.  When I saw the price of what Amazon was charging, I went online and discovered the Cabella's sale.  So we made a trip and combined it with some banking visits.  I am still amazed that a hunting and outdoors store offers such a great selection of puzzles, but my favourite Cobble Hill puzzles are for the most part, outdoors themed puzzles. 

Even with my puzzle haul, I am now on the lookout for my next 2000 pc puzzle.  I am on the lookout for a 1500 pc puzzle, because I haven't done one of that size yet.  But not just any puzzle will do.  I need one that is colourful, with a lot going on and not the same size puzzle piece shape.  When a puzzle "calls to me"... it is hard not to want to take it home.  Now I just get to wait for the "call".  

THE PUZZLE OF MY PASSIONS

Dollarama hasn't offered me a great selection on puzzles.  But I still look when I am there in case something shows up.  I was coming through Leduc on the way home from a visit with my Mom, and I stopped in at Dollarama and I found this puzzle.  I haven't been to impressed with the quality of Dollar store puzzles, but this one amazed me at the quality and design.  The pieces were thick with a sheen coating.  It is a 500 pc, 23" diameter round Eeboo puzzle that I got for five dollars.  

I am not a speedy puzzler, but this one I managed to finish in an afternoon and evening.  I was amazed at the creativity of what the designer did with some very creative words and colours.  Inside the box, one can find the definitions, but I didn't spend too much time trying to understand the meanings.  I just enjoyed the beauty on the puzzle pieces.  

This puzzle seems to collect my most recent passions all in one creative expression. 

1. Puzzles

2. Colour

3. Words and Writing

4. Creativity

5. Time 

There is an extra significance to the circle.  I like circles more than squares and rectangles. Corners are collecting places for dust, dirt and disobedient children.  Circles are more like gathering places for community where no one is left out or not heard.  

This has risen to the level of one of my favourite puzzles.  I look forward to finding a way to display it somewhere in my office.  

And that idea inspired an office renovation project.  Got to go now... I have a wall that needs my creative attention.