Anyone like to chat about jigsaws?

[thefinaltwist]

I've only very recently started a jigsaw and so far I'm really enjoying it! I'm sick fed up of aimlessly scrolling on my phone every evening until bedtime. I feel like I'm wasting so much time! I'm a reader but a few chapters at a time is my limit before my mind starts to wonder or I find myself skim reading, even when I'm really enjoying the book this happens. Also in the evenings I used to cross stitch and I had started to learn how to crochet ( very basic level ) and all of this has fallen to the side in favour at staring at a screen.

So this year I've decided to make more of an effort to get back into these hobbies and thats when I decided to try jigsaws.

I got my first jigsaw from the charity shop last week for £1.50 ( love a bargain ) its a garden bird scene with a watering can, various flowers and some insects ( 1000 piece ) not sure if that was a bit adventurous 😂I'm around halfway and I have to admit I'm thoroughly enjoying the challenge! It's very satisfying watching it come together slowly.

I've got another charity shop find lined up to do next its a 500 piece old fashioned greengrocers.

So if anyone would like to chat please feel free 🙂

'The sales assistant said it happens quite a lot'

Yikes. I feel very lucky with my charity shop puzzles then - only 2 or 3 over many years with a piece missing.

This is my latest - really enjoyed doing it. It's called 'Rhymes and Reason' - lots of nursery rhyme characters.

About to start my third puzzle of the year

That looks like Arkwright's shop! I do like the Corner Piece pictures.

I thought of Arkwright!

I am currently doing the Corner Piece Eiffel Tower. Pretty picture but lots of blue/white sky.

I've always done jigsaws in the winter but now I'm imagining sitting in the garden, under a parasol, in the summer listening to an audiobook and doing a puzzle.

Has anyone done this? Is a slight breeze a problem?

Does anyone know of a decent puzzle board that can fit up to 1000 pieces?

That’s one of my favourite summer activities PoseyFlump. Take the jigsaw board outside, put it on the table, cool drink, quiet music, hope neighbours aren’t blasting their music out, lovely jigsaw time. Slight breeze hasn’t been a problem, although I’ve sometimes had to put something on the corner of the picture sheet if there’s a separate one.

For a jigsaw board Bookist I just have a sheet of MDF from B&Q. It’s 4 foot x 2 foot (approx 122 x 61cm and about 1cm thick). I slide it under the sofa. Could do with being a bit thinner but it doesn’t bend. It’s plenty big enough for 1,000 piece puzzles.

Thank you. I bought a puzzle board but the felt on it is a bit loose so it wrinkles. Do you find the pieces slide around on the MDF?

No, the pieces don’t slide. The surface is smooth but not shiny IYSWIM.

Thanks @LetUsPrey I'm definitely doing this in the summer. Can't think why I only save them for Christmas! Roll on sunshine ☀️

I have found my people. I discovered puzzles in lockdown and I'm quite fussy. I would hate for anyone to buy me one as they'd have to be a certain style/brand/quality.
I live the Cloudberries ones and Eeboo, although they're often square so don't fit well in my puzzle board. For Christmas I got some puzzle trays to sort out the colours etc.
in my element doing a puzzle, nouse cancelling headphones listening to an audio book. I do get annoyed if someone 'helps' though!

We’ve just finished the Disney Villains Prince John jigsaw ( 1000 pieces ) , and it had 2 extra pieces of side , so someone somewhere is 2 adjoining pieces short .

You're right but it just seems wrong, like having apple crumble in July or having a vase of daffodils in November!

I know what you mean @TheOrigRights! Although I cheat apple crumble and use tinned apples and eat it all year round. Of course, with custard in the winter and ice cream in the summer 😂

So now I've got my sunshine, parasol, jigsaw, audiobook and apple crumble with ice cream. Oh and a refreshing drink 😉

I love a jigsaw, just finished a HOP one similar to what OP described. Moved onto another with a winter landscape. DH hates them but all our teen DC are happy to pop the odd piece in as they pass.
Over lockdown jigsaws became hot currency on our local bartering group & have remained popular.

Jigsaw lover here too! I like the Gibsons ones. I use a big jigsaw mat that has two 'doors' that shut over the jigsaw with Velcro and you can put it away if needed.
Only tend to do 1000 pieces and love the Christmas scenes any time of the year!
It's so relaxing and I lose all track of time. It's a good way for me to switch off from worries/stress. Usually do it in silence but like a bar of chocolate or glass of wine to accompany me😂

Thank you. I'm popping to B&Q later x

I love Wentworth's too. Buy them normally from eBay, do them and then resell on. I love that they are thicker pieces but also are all odd shapes too so feel harder to do. I also am on their mailing list so when they are having a sale or send discount codes, I can buy a few new ones too. Although one which was cheap in their sale is now listed a lot on eBay as many people bought to resell.

Find the 250 piece Wentworths fit nicely on a large lap tray so can do on my sofa. Just have to put it out of the cat and DH's reach as one of them will send it flying.

Tried a Wasgij recently as a co-worker had brought one in, which was hard but found I am more a Wenworth fan.

I'm fairly new to jigsaws. The ones I like are the Gibsons' nostalgic ones e.g. Spirit of the 70s or one I have showing products and shopping from the 80s. I think it's because I'm quite interested in nostalgic images. I have found a few on eBay but have also been outbid on several occasions as they seem to be popular. I never see those ones when I look in charity shops.

Received a membership to the British Puzzle Library for my birthday last year, they are all wooden, handcut jigsaws without images on the boxes. It’s ruined me somewhat for even Wentworths…

Ferretmad2, I never even knew such a thing existed. Just checked out their website. I love that the jigsaws don't have guide pictures - that must make the process longer. The history of the library sounds like something out of Wodehouse.

This is my latest - only 300 pieces (and the pieces were very big), but nice to do, and nice quality. Brand is 'Eurographics'.

Finished 🕊️🦜
3 bits missing - could well be in the house or have been hoovered up, I've been working on this a while.

I did find a Christmas chocolate truffle under the sofa. What do you think? Shall I?

Of course. Unless it's Christmas 1973.