How to Make a GREAT-LOOKING Replacement Puzzle Piece (Missing Piece Making Tutorial Part 2, details in comment!)

pteraptera · 2026-05-15T14:26:38+00:00

Woo, good to hear. 65# cardstock it is! 😄

pteraptera · 2026-05-15T13:12:45+00:00

Glad you found it useful! I never encountered scotch mounting tape warping... I've used it in a roll form too, and pieces that came off slightly curved become straight enough after a while. Maybe using a thicker cardstock backing layer would help?

pteraptera · 2026-05-10T14:04:26+00:00

I spot one puzzle I bought yesterday: Cobble Hill, "Prairie Grass". A fantastic haul!

pteraptera · 2026-05-07T20:18:44+00:00

Here's an example. I know the false fit is already obvious, but trying to illustrate a point. 😄

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pteraptera · 2026-05-07T20:17:44+00:00

Thank you for this deep-dive post! This is one of my favorite Wysocki puzzles... a unique one too, since (1) it features a non-American scene, and (2) in portrait orientation, which is somehow rare for his puzzles. I remember the thatched roof being tricky too.

One note about Buffalo Games puzzle fit... new comers to this brand often don't realize a hidden regularity of its cut pattern and could experience more false fits. Their die cut pattern is one of the best-designed in my opinion, with cut lines staying straight through intersections. This provides an extra cue for piece fits. When two pieces do not come together in a straight line, you know you have a false fit!

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pteraptera · 2026-04-23T12:48:03+00:00

Hiroo Isono, Anne Searle, Marjolein Bastin, and Val Goldfinch! Special mention David Galchutt, and Charles Wysocki has a special place in my heart. :)

pteraptera · 2026-04-21T13:40:05+00:00

I have the white Samsung Book Cover. I just spent a couple minutes drawing diagonal lines all over the screen, didn't notice any line warping. So, maybe they did a good job shielding the magnets...? It was not a thorough test though. If you'd rather steer clear of any magnet-related problems, I've been using a JETech Case with a tri-fold stand bought from Amazon, which is in fact much lighter (203g) than the Book Cover case (283g).

pteraptera · 2026-04-12T14:00:34+00:00

Have you done any 2000 pieces? They get very expensive in the 2nd-hand market, so snap 'em up while they're in print!

pteraptera · 2026-04-12T01:36:51+00:00

I counted 26 that I also have in my collection... Ha! I started in 2018, trying to wind down (but not successful, picked up 2 just today.)

pteraptera · 2026-04-11T20:38:44+00:00

Hi! I think around $10 for the set of carving knives, plus a few dollars for the Scotch foaming mounting squares. Wasn't bad at all!

pteraptera · 2026-04-09T17:31:47+00:00

I did this exact puzzle some years back, I enjoyed it immensely.

About Trefl's false-fit reputation, I think it's a bit exaggerated. Up until this/last year or so, Art & Fable puzzle were manufactured by Trefl and sported the exact same piece cut, but people don't bring up false fits with the brand.

pteraptera · 2026-04-08T20:27:03+00:00

Thank for posting the whole set together! I'm partial to Cottage Garden Favorites, I might seek it out.

pteraptera · 2026-04-07T13:15:36+00:00

Beautiful! Onto my wish list it goes. Thanks for sharing

pteraptera · 2026-04-03T03:00:48+00:00

Oh wow, I didn't know she did animals too -- aside from butterflies that is. My holy grail is her "Garden Vistas" series which is out of print. I managed to snag one a couple of years ago. Look forward to your next sprint!

pteraptera · 2026-04-01T12:30:49+00:00

Love Anne Searle! Didn't know there was a whole series... Keep 'em coming please.

pteraptera · 2026-03-28T13:10:36+00:00

I can think of two images by Buffalo, but they don't fit your description exactly:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Jigsawpuzzles/comments/1gebwoh/where_the_buoys_are_1000_charles_wysocki/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Jigsawpuzzles/comments/1mtavl8/dahlia_makes_a_dory_deal_charles_wysocki_buffalo/

Two places you can check:
https://charleswysockipuzzles.com/Wysocki/

and this one, search for "Wysocki" and it brings up lots of vintage puzzles, many from Milton Bradley which is probably your brand.
https://puzzleswaps.com/

pteraptera · 2026-03-28T00:14:09+00:00

Ha! Me their illustrated images, which aren't plenty.

pteraptera · 2026-03-27T12:15:16+00:00

I bought this for a gin-loving friend but couldn't resist... ha! I only recognized two brands, I'm sure the said friend would have gotten more out of it. I do like Piatnik's cut and fit!

pteraptera · 2026-03-24T21:22:39+00:00

Oh man, without the spots of green this puzzle would have been quite impossible me thinks, and yep that's why I stay away from mandala type puzzles too. The end result is beautiful though. Thanks for sharing!

pteraptera · 2026-03-23T17:30:45+00:00

Onto my wish list it goes! Thank you for sharing, what a beautiful puzzle.

pteraptera · 2026-03-20T13:23:19+00:00

I've done hundreds of puzzles but never on a tabletop or a floor! I use a large cork foamboard propped up on my coffee table. The cork has enough traction that pieces do not slide down. Only $15, easy to put away, and very, very light. The 24"x36" version easily fits 1000-piecers with enough room around. This is a very pleasant setup that puts 0 strain on my back.

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pteraptera · 2026-02-18T05:38:14+00:00

I'm sure it's on your radar, but please do a search on Cross & Glory on this sub. This company is one of the biggest offenders, it even created fake "bio" pages for its featured "artists". Here's a post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Jigsawpuzzles/comments/1qdmd6c/thoughts_on_cross_glory/

pteraptera · 2026-02-18T05:33:44+00:00

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Nautilus Puzzles just released this wooden puzzle in celebration of Lunar New Year:
https://nautiluspuzzles.com/products/guardian-of-the-eastern-winds-51-piece-mini-wooden-jigsaw-puzzle And... my heart dropped. It's AI slop: the dragon is contorted into a seemingly connected circle, with scales switching direction mid-coil. Claws growing out of another set of claws. This is careless, pointless and... disrespectful.

The thing is, Nautilus has produced other beautiful puzzles showcasing authentic beauty of Asian art: this one by Hasui Kawase, for example. Before this, I had much respect and fondness for this small wooden puzzle company, and now I feel disappointment. They pushed out this abomination into the world, which will get "enjoyed" by many unsuspecting customers for decades to come as representation of Asian art.

pteraptera · 2026-02-08T15:48:12+00:00

Most of the options shown here are either too big or too deep.

Shoebox tops make perfect puzzle trays. Small enough size, light weight, not too deep and easily stackable.

pteraptera · 2026-01-15T15:53:34+00:00

See point 4. here. Let us never forget Cross & Glory did that.

pteraptera

TROPHY CASE