Tuco: The Covered Bridge

Details: After discovering the wonderful Tuco puzzle a few months ago, I snatched this one up when I saw it on the thrift store shelf. While the picture isn't as nice, I do like that this puzzle is round. I don't think this puzzle is as old as the previous one but it was still super fun to put together 
Difficulty: Easy
Done: 12 May 2014
Cost: $1.99
Obtained: Local thrift store
Pieces Missing: None!
    

Queen Manatee

I've been on the hunt for a nice, quick and easy embroidery pattern for a while. I found Studio MME's May Stitch-a-long via Wild Olive. I received the email with the pattern and immediately printed it out and got to work. After a marathon session of Buffy I had a beautiful Queen Manatee. I changed the crown and septor colors to a regal gold and used backstich instead of split stitch for the seaweed. I also used a collection of colors I've had in my stash since I was a child. 

Sometimes - like when I stay up too late working on a project that I just decided to do - I really love my childfree, low responsibility lifestyle. 

Tuco: Suspense

I 'yoinked' this puzzle off the thrift store shelf as soon I noticed that the pieces were made of 'thick, easy-to-handle wood-like pieces made of upson laminated wood fibre board' because one of the few things I know about vintage puzzles is that really old puzzle's pieces were commonly made of wood - and for $1.49 how could I go wrong?

This puzzle has 'over 350 Triple-Thick Interlocking Pieces' and is made by Tuco Deluxe. The subject is "Suspense - Painting by Clair V. Fry". 

A bit of research suggests that this puzzle was made after 1957 as that is when the painting was completed according to this site. Tuco has an interesting history according to this site... 

"Tuco was a subsidiary of The Upson Company which originally produced 3/16” wallboard for home construction. During the Depression when the home construction industry plummeted, The Upson Co. came up with the idea of producing cheap picture puzzles using the unused pieces of wallboard. The newly formed Tuco brand sold its puzzles for 69 cents at a time when its competitors were selling their products for over $3. Tuco’s extra thick picture puzzles proved extremely popular and by 1933 the company was shipping over 50,000 puzzles every day. It is said that the company survived the Depression period by cutting and marketing picture puzzles."

The owner of this site is super helpful, in case you have troubles identifying your Tuco puzzle!

This puzzle was a pure joy to put together. Even at 350 pieces, this puzzle was engaging and challenging to put together - as not all of the pieces are classical interlocking. The photo is beautiful as well. I also really loved how thick the pieces were. I will definatly be snatching up any other Tuco puzzles I find. 
  
  
 

Springbok: Wish You Were Here

Details: Springbok 'Wish You Were Here' postcard themed 500 piece puzzle. PZL4168
Difficulty: Easy
Done: 6 Feb 2014
Cost: $1.99
Obtained: Thrift Store
Missing Pieces: None - but there were three extra pieces in the box.
Size: 18 x 23 1/2

I love when puzzles overlap with my other holidays. Check out my postcrossing profile here.  

White Mountain Puzzles: Farm Stand

Details: White Mount Puzzles Item #268 Farm Stand. There is bits of informational writing about the various fruits and such.
Difficulty: Easy
Done: 8 Feb 2014
Cost: #3.99
Obtained: Thrift Store
Missing Pieces: None
Size: 24x30 inches (Almost didn't fit on my puzzle table!)

Embroidery: Girls

Six Geisha Girls - All stitched with a three inch embroidery hoop and left over floss ends. Not sure what I will do with them. Want the pattern?

Sun's Out: Northern Lights

Details: Sun's Out, 500 piece puzzle, "Northern Lights" by Graeme Stevenson
Difficulty: Easy, but super enjoyable.
Done: 5 Feb 2014
Cost: $3.00 (brand new)
Obtained: Thrift store
Missing Pieces: no
Size: 19x19 round

Embroidery: Owl

I've been eyeing this pattern since it first came out in JUNE 2009! Well, I finally stitched this up while marathon-ing the really horrible tv show 'Suits'. I did it in various shades of brown except for three light blue stitches between the eyes, and of course the yellow pupil. I have plans of doing a whole wall of owls in my study (ie. above my desk) - get it? Owls in the study? Smartie pants!

There are two major reasons I've been embroidery more lately. 

1. I figured out how to transfer patterns. For years I've avoided embroidery because I couldn't figure out an easy, cheap, no special equipment way to transfer patterns. I use tissue paper! I trace the pattern onto tissue paper (tracing paper). Then the pattern is tacked down with spare thread to the fabric. Simply stitch through the tissue paper and follow the easy to see lines! When the pattern is done, remove the tacking thread and gently pull the tissue paper away from the design. This takes a while, especially on a pattern like this owl but it's not hard. Voila! 

2. I gave up trying to learn the french knot and now use the colonial knot! Super easy!

   
Here is the link if you want to stitch up your own! Link  
 

Bits and Pieces: Chocolate Dreams

Details: Bits and Pieces, 500 pieces, Chocolate Dreams - No. 48127
Difficulty: Easy
Done: 3 Feb 2014
Cost: $1.99
Obtained: Thrift Store
Missing Pieces: None
Size: 41 x 51 cm

A pleasant fun puzzle.     

Springbok: Snow Village

Details: Springbok 1000 piece puzzle 'The Original Snow Village' XZL6302
Difficulty: easy
Done: 3 January 2014
Cost: $1.99
Obtained: Thrift store
Missing Pieces: 1 piece missing
Size: 24 x 30 inches  

Artists Collection: The General Store

Details: Artists Collection 'The General Store' by David Knowlton 550 pieces
Difficulty: easy
Done: 12 Jan 2014Cost: unknown
Obtained: I got this as a Christmas present when I was a kid. The dates on the back state that it was completed on 27 December 2002 and 3 January 2005
Missing Pieces: none
Size: 18 x 24 inches 

Hallmark: Boughs & Berries

Details: Hallmark Jigsaw Puzzles 'Boughs & Berries'
Difficulty: Easy
Done: 3 Jan 2014
Cost: $0.99
Obtained: Local thrift store - this store is the same chain as the one near me but their puzzles are always way cheaper!
Missing Pieces: one
Size: 18 x 23 1/2 inches 

Cobblehill: One December Night

Details: Cobblehill "One December Night" 1000 piece puzzle
Difficulty: moderate
Done: 3 January 2014
Cost: unknown
Obtained: thrift store
Missing Pieces: none
Size: 67.6 cm x 48.9

Ravensburger: Winterwunderland

Details: Ravensburger Limited Edition Christmas 1000 piece puzzle. No. 19259 "Winterwunderland"
Diffculty: Moderate
Done: 29 Dec 2013
Cost: $2.99
Obtained: Thrift store
Missing Pieces: none
Size: 70 x 50 cm

Springbok: Knit Knacks

Details: Springbok 'Knit Knacks' 1JIG10550 1000 pieces
I bought this puzzle from a thrift store that raises money for a charity - the little old ladies that run the shop commented on how lovely the picture was. More proof that my hobbies are old lady approved
Difficulty: easy
Done: 27 Dec 2013
Cost: $2.00
Obtained: Thrift Store
Missing Pieces: None
Size: 24 x 30 inches

Embroidery: Winter Stitching Club

Here are the little hexagons joined to make a snowflake type shape. The Winter Stitching Club makes a table runner type thing. I'm really glad about my choice to not include the little faces on the stitchery. My favorites are the cup of tea and the thermos!

Previous Post on this subject.  

Springbok: A Christmas Memory Tree

Details: I found this puzzle where I find the majority of my puzzles, the thrift store but this puzzle was special. It was still in the cellophane and still had a tiny piece of wrapping paper attached to the back. This puzzle was made in 1993 and it's 2013. 
Difficulty: Easy
Done: 25 December 2013
Cost: $1.99
Obtained: Local Thrift Store
Missing Pieces: None
Size: 24 x 30 inches, shaped puzzle  

Cobblehill: The Blacksmith's Shop

Details: Cobblehill 'Canadian Artist Series' The Blacksmith's Shop by Cornelius Krieghoff.
Difficulty: Moderate. A lot of grey color.
Done: 23 December 2013
Cost: $2.99
Obtained: Local thrift store
Missing Pieces: None
Size: 29.25 x 18.25 

Eurographics: Canadian Pacific

Details: I originally saw this series of train puzzles on the internet and was wary about the brand but this puzzle fits together well. I travel across the country on the train frequently and I just love it when puzzles join two (or more) hobbies/interests.  
Difficulty: Easy
Done: 19 December 2013
Cost: $2.00
Obtained: Brandon Thrift Store
Missing Pieces: None
Size: 191/4 x 26 5/8 inches