Christmas Gifts
The kids were gifted two sets of puzzles last Christmas. And while they were excited about it, they of course had to get extra hands from the mommy to get them done. Well, I don't really mind because it's a great bonding activity with them at the same time a really good brain exercise for all of us!
49 Pieces 3D Burj Khalifa
I've always been intrigued by how 3D puzzles must be completed so when the kids asked to start doing it, I did not hesitate to join. And guess, what? I enjoyed it! LOL.
The parts of the puzzle were numbered and there was an instruction on how to put them together. Though only 49 pieces, it still took us a couple of hours to complete it because joining the parts needed utmost care so as not to break the parts.
 |  |  |
|---|
The puzzle was divided into four parts -- the base layer, the middle layer, the top, and the attachments at the sides.
We had to be careful to take out each piece by the number so as not to get confused on how to splice them together. Each piece would have slits that would connect to the corresponding parts.
The finished product is quite big which stands at 44cm tall and 16.3 cm wide.
On to a more challenging puzzle...
A 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle!
As if not contented with the above 3D puzzle, the kids asked that we also start working on the second set of puzzle -- the 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle! My head felt like it exploded when I saw all the parts! Once completed, it would be 70x50cm. It's big.
The first thing I did was find a carton that I can cut to fit the puzzle. Good thing we have kept the box of the fridge we purchased a few months back and I was able to cut a part of it.
We started fishing out the pieces for the sides of the puzzle. I tell you, that was quite an arduous task!
We then started to sort the puzzle pieces by color. So far, the easiest portion for me would be the bottom corners because there were flowers on the design and it's easier to find them amongst the pile. They are also the easiest to put together.
"This must be a part of something..."
The pieces are so confusing because they almost look similar to each other, but also quite surprising sometimes that yeah, they each have their own spot to fill in the canvass.
There are pieces that stand out that you can easily make out like the birds below, but now, the remaining parts are quite hard.
 |  |  |
|---|
The main subject of the canvass -- the wolves -- would be the very challenging, and of course, the castle in the middle. I tried to put together some pieces of the castle but none of the pieces make sense to me yet. Perhaps because I've been straining hard already and I just need to have a bit of a rest to continue.
"Looks right, yet so wrong..."
Whatever... at least I have put already put together two pieces of the castle. Hundreds more to go...
One piece joined is progress. I believe that. LOL. Sometimes, I cannot believe that a random piece I pick would be the piece I've been looking for.
This is how the puzzle looked like after about two hours spent on it today (it's the third day already!). I was still able to put together some parts, like the icy bush at the foot of the castle. Hopefully, I can get at least a portion of the castle done...
... or the wolves...
... or the top corners.
Let's see.
So that's why I've been afk most of the day these past three days. I've been puzzlin' away and I'm enjoying it!
