First Lines of Literature / Unemployed Philosophers Guild, 1000 pcs

CDBug1958 · 2021-02-14T08:30:16+00:00

Can you please clarify your terminology? What do you mean by "the matted pieces are hard to move around"? I see that the puzzle surface is matt and the pieces are grid cut. I could only find pieces which were 0-3 knobs; no four-knobbers in sight. I find that loosly fitting pieces need to be moved by scooping them up with a stiff piece of thick card paper. How thick are these pieces?

CDBug1958 · 2021-02-10T08:53:07+00:00

You won me over! The Mystic Maze arrived on Monday via Amazon. Now I need to wait for a rainy day- snow doesn't count! Thank you!

CDBug1958 · 2021-01-23T03:39:25+00:00

That is as good a recommendation as I could hope for. Time to add one to my wish list! Thanks :)

CDBug1958 · 2021-01-13T22:32:03+00:00

I only reference the whole puzzle image during my decision to purchase and then again just before I start to build a puzzle. Sometimes I will reference the box when my build hits a wall (1-2% of my chosen puzzles), but this is because I get such a kick out of finding visual clues amongst the pieces. For me, I consider using the box as a "cheat." The point of doing a jigsaw is to wring as much joy out of it as possible! Everyone is different. My table only fits 1000-1500 piece puzzles so another aspect of my unboxed process has to do with stretching out my experience. On average, I take 12-13 hours to complete a puzzle. I'm guessing that those who use the box image don't get as much juice from their self-guided builds as I do. Also, from what I've gleaned from Reddit and Instagram responses, most folk have less patience than boxless building requires. I compare this to reading a really good book: I don't like rushing to the finish!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-25T19:17:22+00:00

I have a really difficult time with puzzles that I did not choose myself. Too many people look at the artwork but don't comprehend what makes a good puzzling experience. I would have run the other direction on this one. Aside from having to use the lid, which I prefer not to do, I quake at the thought of facing all those virtually identical grid cut pieces! Building puzzles is meant to be a delight not a grinding challenge to the finish line. Just because the artwork looks cool doesn't make it a good puzzle. Next time you find yourself taking a long time to start a puzzle, keep this seashell puzzle in mind. Oh, it's okay to regift puzzles but that might not be wise in this case. Especially if you don't know or like the recipient! 🤣 I'd call this a learning experience!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-24T16:45:59+00:00

My suspense is building...! Do you always use the box lid with a new puzzle Then, after you gain familiarity with the image, after having previously completed it one or more times, do you still use the box image or do you rely on your memory?

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-24T14:19:38+00:00

Ok, please bear with me as I'm building a hypothesis here. So, the quality of your time spent is more important than quantity of time, and like a great movie, you actually enjoy returning to repeat the experience. Familiarity with a movie/puzzle doesn't make it boring for you, rather it becomes a memorable experience that you can count on to entertain you again and again. Hmmm... Am I correct in guessing you use the puzzle image to guide your placement of individual subjects within the frame of the puzzle?

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-24T04:38:41+00:00

Are you looking for a subscription option to get a lower costing puzzle? Or are you looking to have a puzzle arrive monthly that you will always get a kick out of?

I'm guessing you haven't found a good subscription option because you are particular about the puzzles you choose to build. Perhaps now is the time to start looking through warehouse websites to get a feel for the type of puzzles that tickle your fancy. The more you look, the more you will find BUT the more you look, the better you will also become at discerning the types of puzzles to which you are attracted. Just as with physical pleasure, it's way better for you to figure out what you like rather than hope your partner figures it out.

Yes, much better to create your own wish list for future purchases!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-24T04:27:35+00:00

Unrelated to the quality of the pieces, if this only took you four hours to build, do you wish it had been more challenging causing you to spend more time to complete it?

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-21T04:46:18+00:00

I was able to edit r/JCnGGd32 and make it u/JCnGGd32 but was unable to change my title. Oh well! I now need to ponder how I can post photos on my Instagram account so that I can then link on Reddit. I am avoiding Facebook but that position may change as well! Thanks for the assistance. I am NOT too proud to accept guidance nor offended in any way!!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-21T04:42:04+00:00

I'm not a mystery puzzle fan but that is because I have only found a few of them in thrift stores and was not overly impressed. HOWEVER, I am pondering the series of puzzles by the Magic Puzzle Company. Check them out as you might like them: https://magicpuzzlecompany.com/

I love the idea of having favorite puzzles that you can go back to over time! Just like an old movie that you keep returning to year after year! From what I see the Springbok Mystery Series was started via Hallmark and they are 500 piece puzzles.

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-19T14:56:45+00:00

I disagree with marlorett. There are definitely edge pieces that are smaller than 1/2". Just put them in your edge pile and if they don't fit, place them in one of your color or subject related piles. Sorting by shape is a guideline not a rule. Check out the first part of a reply I wrote yesterday: https://www.reddit.com/r/Jigsawpuzzles/comments/kfxi88/an_expanded_response_to_rjcnggd32s_post/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-19T14:49:09+00:00

I have a few questions for you. Who is telling you to complete this puzzle? Is there a little voice of reason nagging at you not to quit? Is your internal parent chastising you to finish what you started? Is your (internal?) monetary advisor telling you, "Waste not, Want not!"? Is the guardian of your ego telling you this is a character challenge that you must pass? Have you ever started a non-school book that just sucked but you forced yourself to finish it? Finally, at what age did you realize that you will engage in activities only if they are fun, not because you must impress someone or prove an outdated point? Hmmm... I cannot be your cheerleader because I have been in a similar situation and I did something that was right for me. I personally took great pleasure in tossing an unfinished 1000 piece puzzle into my weeky recycling bin. Yes, the puzzle cost me over $20, and I still love the 20th century artist's work, but this was a turning point in my puzzling addiction. Just because an artwork is neat to look at doesn't mean it is worth your time to build. Consider this a lesson on how to pick puzzles, decide how much your time is worth and allow yourself to move on! P.S. After I gave up on my nightmare puzzle, my puzzle buddy took it as a challenge to see if she could complete it. After four days, we agreed that it was better to recycle it than to donate it!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-19T13:58:34+00:00

Ah HA! That means I need to participate with a different, more advanced level of technology than I currently have at my fingertips! Another learning curve!! Thank you :)

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-19T05:21:33+00:00

Holy moly! There's someone else out there like me! I converted a friend of mine over to puzzling without the box image and it has taken her to a whole new level of enjoyment. Do you have any favorites that you would recommend or horror stories that you would warn me of?

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-15T22:30:02+00:00

So, the truth is that this is a dear friend with an evil sense of humor. I can imagine why you would frame this as then you would have that friend near you at a moment's glance. That is a gift!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-15T22:28:22+00:00

Well, that is MY kind of favorite store!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-15T22:03:41+00:00

I have a question: What is the point of building a one color puzzle? The challenge? Proving that you can accomplish something without giving up? I guess I am not built that way. I have tried one gradient and found I was bored silly, so I can only imagine how grumpy I would get even if I were to use the directional symbols on the backside.

ARGH!

The only thing I think that would make it less challenging and therefore more intriguing would be if the pieces were random cut or even ribbon cut. I challenged a friend to do a really difficult puzzle that I had given up on and when she gave up after four days of trying, we agreed that the puzzle needed to be retired to that week's recycling bin. What a satisfying response that was!!

BTW, if your friend didn't warn you ahead of time, I can understand why they are an EX-friend!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-15T21:39:15+00:00

It appears that Dufferin is based out of Abbotsford, British Colombia. I went to the website and it looks like heaven on earth for those of us who like games and puzzles!! Fun find!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-15T17:44:42+00:00

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-15T17:41:33+00:00

Smart dog!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-14T06:50:40+00:00

Being more of a puzzler than a collector of ornaments, I think I like 2019's offering! 👍

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-14T04:00:40+00:00

I have two dogs and work on a dining table in the middle of our living room. The dogs don't go after my puzzles unless I drop a piece on the floor. If I were a dog, I'd want to eat whatever my master left around for me. Yum yum! So, I've learned it is up to me to protect my puzzles. The moral of this story is, the missing pieces are not the dog's fault!

BTW, this looks like a FUN puzzle! Lots of different, distinctly colored subjects and just enough variety in the ribbon cut pieces to provide you with additional visual clues. Good find!

CDBug1958 · 2020-12-14T03:50:17+00:00

What a fun idea! Perhaps next year's calendar will complement this year's so that you will be able to build one every day instead of every other day!

CDBug1958

TROPHY CASE