Category: Helsinki

London Cafe, 2023-12-16

puzzler19092 Comments

Pieces&Peace is a new brand to me, and I usually don’t get puzzles of more than 1000 pieces from unknown brands, but I really liked the image and made an exception. The quality turned out to be fine, but no more than that. There was a grid cut with a good mix of piece shapes, but I did have some false fits, unfortunately. Otherwise, everyting was good.

On the box, it also says Alizé Group, and the puzzle is made in France. I though Alizé Group sounded familiar, and googled it. According to this, they also distribute Grafika and Bluebird puzzles, and have recently invested in a major production site in Behren-lès-Forbach (very close to the German border, as it happens), and the production of these brands, previously often oursourced to Turkish and Polish firms, will move to France. Interesting! I had a look at the last Bluebird puzzles that I bought, but that was back in early 2022, and they were still made in Turkey or Poland, but clearly, they have the French production running by now, if this puzzle is anything to go by.

London Cafe by Miranda Sofroniou, Pieces&Peace, 2000 pieces. Completed on December 16, 2023.

One thing that I really enjoyed was that the box was just big enough to hold the pieces – no more than that.

Colour Frenzy, 2023-11-29

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JaCaRou was a new brand to me, and it turned out to be excellent. A grid cut with a good mix of piece shapes and very distinctive pieces, and just tight enough that you can easily move sections around, but not so tight it’s a pain to take apart. Since it’s a Canadian brand, the puzzles are quite expensive in Europe, but the quality is so good that this won’t be my last JaCaRou, although I won’t be able to buy that many of them.

The image was a bit more challenging than I had anticipated, but with such a good quality puzzle it was truly a joy to do. Loved it!

Colour Frenzy by Anie Maltais, JaCaRou, 1000 pieces. Completed on November 29, 2023.

Every Life Asks For Nature, 2023-11-10

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Another Stenvall duck puzzle, another very strange title. This time the duck is clearly meeting someone, probably for a date if the flowers are anything to go by. I really enjoyed the sky and the volcano, but a bit less grass would have been nice. As usual with these puzzles, it wasn’t as difficult as it looks.

Every Life Asks For Nature by Kaj Stenvall, Tactic, 1000 pieces. Completed on November 10, 2023.

Books, Bits & Bobs, 2023-11-05

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This was just as much fun as it looks. As expected, the large text on top was the only thing even remotely challenging with this, and even that was pretty easy.

Books, Bits & Bobs by Tetiana Bulba, Ravensburger, 1000 pieces. Completed on November 5, 2023.

One Doesn’t Drown, 2023-11-04

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Back to the Stenvall ducks. This time, a duck walks on water. Fortunately, this was an excellent quality puzzle, otherwise it would have been really hard. I did the yellow bits first, then the rocks and the white in the foreground. After that it became difficult, and at first, I wasn’t even able to tell which pieces were water and which sky, but as usual, after a while it started to make sense. I ended up doing the water first, and finally the sky. Not easy, but very satisfying.

One Doesn’t Drown by Kaj Stenvall, Tactic, 1000 pieces. Completed on November 4, 2023.

The Halloween House, 2023-10-10

puzzler19094 Comments

Lovely little Halloween puzzle with large pieces. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this all that much, but it was nothing to do with the puzzle. I had a cold and was running a fever when I did this, and was really incapable of enjoying anything. This puzzle deserves better. Anyway, I’m all better now. Happy Halloween!

The Halloween House, Ravensburger, 300 pieces. Competed on October 10, 2023.

Mandatum for the Fatherland, 2023-10-17

puzzler19093 Comments

A duck is sleeping under a duvet with the Finnish flag. As usual, I have no idea what this is in reference of. I know the painting is from 2004, and I had a look at things that happened in Finland in 2004 and late 2003, but nothing stood out. Anyway, the puzzle was moderately challenging, but not too bad. I did the blue bits first, then the white, and finally the green grass.

Mandatum for the Fatherland by Kaj Stenvall, Tactic, 1000 pieces. Completed on October 17, 2023.

Lightly at Midday, 2023-10-15

puzzler19096 Comments

Back to the Stenvall duck puzzles. The sky took quite some time to finish, but the rest was easy. No cranky ducks this time, this one looks pretty happy.

Lightly at Midday by Kaj Stenvall, Tactic, 1000 pieces. Completed on October 15, 2023.

Space Above Lunar Horizon, 2023-10-11

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Cherry Pazzi was a new brand for me, and it turned out to be excellent. The pieces are thick and sturdy, and there is a good mix of piece shapes. There were no false fits, and the fit was tight, but not so tight that it was difficult to take apart. The finish is very smooth and pleasant. There was no puzzle dust. All over excellent quality from this Polish brand.

I loved the space themed image as well, of course. This was a great puzzle.

Space Above Lunar Horizon, Cherry Pazzi, 1000 pieces. Completed on October 11, 2023.