A Haven for Vee

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

*Chimney Smoke and Cheery Snowfolk

Brrrrr...it is cold outside and the wind doth howl. I'm not going anywhere. Good thing that some diversion arrived a few days ago all the way from Catherine Holman's place. She sent me *a puzzle that she gave away at Pigment of Your Imagination. I was a blessed winner. 

Now I don't do a lot of puzzles and my eyesight has not improved over the years, yet I set up the card table immediately in front of the French doors where the light is pretty good for a few hours in the early afternoon. As you'll soon see, I have not made a lot of progress. I refuse to get competitive with myself. The minute the eyes balk or the neck tenses, I am done for the day. John wondered aloud how long it would take me and I let him know that it may take several months. I am considering it my winter project.
(I may live to regret using a fleece blanket for my table cover.) For those who may not have met Cathie, she is an amazing folk artist and that card above? That's her artwork! The puzzle is also created from her artwork! I like puzzles that have lots of little scenes within scenes. 


Thank you so much, Cathie! I'll let you know when it's done and I'll even take a picture.

Want to take a guess how long it'll take me? Pertinent information: five hundred pieces, in the round, and a fleece blanket to fight. You might let me know if you do puzzles in the wintertime.

See you Friday Lord willing and the blizzard stays away.

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50 comments:

  1. How wonderful, Vee- such a nice package!

    I haven't done a touch-n-feel puzzle in years but I never ever miss doing the online puzzles every friday on Beverly's blog How Sweet the Sound! Some are quite challenging and others one goes fast - if you click on that site it gives you a whole bunch more to choose from in different formats. It's always a fun thing to do during tea break.

    GL on your puzzle-on-fleece. I know Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch blog posted about a nifty puzzle board thing she made on the cheap - bet if you searched her search engine bar you could find it easy enough - ?

    Hugs.

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  2. What a wonderful puzzle. My husband and I do puzzles regularly it helps keeps his fingers nimble due to arthritis. We have a puzzle board that we do them on so that we can clear it away when not in use without having to break the puzzle up.

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  3. So crazy, but we're more likely to do a puzzle in the summertime when homeschool is not in session, although we have done them in the wintertime too. I like the one that you are doing! I hear you on the eyesight thing...sigh...

    I am going to guess 2 weeks to completion. Once you make a good deal of progress, I predict that you'll pick up the pace. Maybe I am putting myself in your place, because I get obsessed after a while.

    Happy puzzling!!

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  4. We love to do a puzzle at Christmastime and this year was no exception! We get so involved that it's hard to quit sometimes. We often haul all the available lamps over to the table and work at it for hours in the evenings. It can be addictive. The artwork on the puzzle and card are fabulous - enjoy!

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  5. I haven't done a puzzle in long time and I do love them. Hmm... I had to giggle over John's comment---hmm...maybe too summer? (ducking so you don't swat me, lol)

    Have a beautiful day friend, regardless of the weather.

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  6. That looks like an ideal puzzle to put together with a blizzard looming on the horizon. Catherine's artwork is lovely.
    I haven't done a jigsaw puzzle in years. I don't know how long it will take you, but I hope you enjoy the process.

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  7. Vee, Seeing your puzzle reminded me of one I got this summer at a yard sale. I should get it out and start working on it. Although puzzles were always more fun with my siblings. Stay warm and enjoy. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  8. I think you are in the forefront of fashion at the moment. So many people are doing puzzles! I read about them on facebook and in blogs and think maybe I will try to do one....When I was in England once, visiting a friend, I was introduced to Wentworth puzzles which are lovely, but too expensive here! But I love your friend Cathie's artwork.Maybe I'll look for something she made.You'll have a nice winter project there.

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  9. Looks like a really fun puzzle. I don't do them often but as a quilter, I enjoy putting pieces together. What a pleasant pastime for the winter months!

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  10. Ha! Puzzles are our wintertime activity. SB always gets one or two at Christmastime, so when the kids have gone home, the real cold of winter sets in, and the fires need constant attention, we bring out the card table and the puzzles come out. This year, I got SB a photomosaic puzzle with a Star Wars theme ... he says it's the hardest he's ever attempted! Enjoy your puzzle, Vee! You're in good company with a bunch of other folk!

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  11. Mr. Comforts and I used to do puzzles in the winter when we lived in upstate NY. We would set the table up by the fireplace. I love Cathies art. I have an original she made just for me when I was Lavender Hill Studio and I cherish it.

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  12. we enjoy puzzles from time to time and yours is darling.
    i have a vintage puzzle in our vintage trailer; the container
    is beautiful (which is why i bought it) but piecing the project
    has revealed a good number not accounted for - sigh.

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  13. One of my favorite pastimes is working jigsaw puzzles. What I do is get all the edge pieces and put the 'frame' of the puzzle together first. Put the pieces that match in color in one area, etc. The puzzle kinda falls into place after that. Since our home is too small for any large tables, I've been working puzzles on-line at http://thejigsawpuzzles.com .
    We finally have frost here. It looks like a light sprinkling of snow. Very pretty. Guess it's time for us to start working on the garden too because it will soon be potato planting time.
    Hope your day is blessed. ~:)

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  14. We used to do puzzles at Christmas time. It was fun for everyone. Perhaps when there are no longer two-year-old 'helpers' I will revive the tradition. You've given me a little push! How long will it take you? I'd guess that it will take you about 5-6 weeks if you are doing it alone. I think you're very sensible in moving away from the table at the first sign of a crick in the neck!

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  15. At least your puzzle is half the size of mine!! I did sit down yesterday and actually found about 20 pieces to connect. Oh my! I get very frustrated and my neck gets stiff so I can only do it for about half an hour at a time. I must take at it again today. Yes, the wind doth howl here too! At least it's not as cold today. I hope the storm misses you. I think it will be missing us again and hitting NS. Have a fun time with your puzzle.

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  16. Good morning! I do the same thing with my sewing...stepping away at the first sign of anything stiffening up that is. I have actually never done a puzzle, and yet have always wanted to. I have a feeling I would love it, IF I didn't become obsessive in trying to get it done which seems much more likely knowing my personality. Snow outside, a fire going, soup simmering...and a puzzle going sounds wonderful to me. Enjoy! Oh, and I am going to guess 3 weeks! lol

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  17. Sounds like so much fun, Vee! We love doing jigsaw puzzles in the winter, but it's been years. I did make a puzzle mat out of felt (tutorial at the Organized Christmas site) and one can just roll the partially completed puzzle up to move it. Considering how cheap and easy it was to make, the puzzle mat really works quite well. I did buy 2 jigsaw puzzles this fall at a 50% off sale at White Mountain Puzzles. Are you familiar with Fred Swan's art? I love it. We got a fall scene called Pie Apples and a winter one called Winter Gold. Both still in their wrappers ... life is just too busy. Enjoy your puzzling!

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    1. Yes! I have had a number of Fred Swan calendars through the years.

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    2. I love his work! You probably know he is a Vermont artist. Years ago, a friend I worked with had Fred Swan for a math teacher at Barre High School. Small world!

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  18. What a beautiful puzzle, Vee. You'll have it done in no time at all, I'm sure, once you get that circular perimeter in place. Puzzles seem to be very popular this winter, I think I might haul one out too. I visited Catherine's site, love her whimsical folk art!!

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  19. That looks stunning. I love doing puzzles. They are a winter pursuit here. We usually start a family attempt on Christmas afternoon, and then they all drift away and I am left doing it. Then that triggers a winter desire to do another one, and another one. Right now, there is an unopened one on my table, awaiting my attention. It seems to be very blue and to have many lit windows. Tiny windows. Maybe I need something less challenging......

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  20. What a beautiful puzzle and lovely card. Like yours, my eyes (and my neck) would let me know when it was time to call it a day. Have fun!

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  21. I love puzzles and find them addicting, I just don't do them very often. Hard to find a spot to leave them set up to work on!

    This one looks neat, and I'm going to guess 8 days until your finished!

    Deanna

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  22. Hi Vee - I am terrible at doing jigsaws but hubby is great at them. This one has such a nice scene. Joan Jepson

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    1. Hi Joan,

      Hope that you are enjoying your time away from blogging. Keeping busy with quiet pursuits or traveling?

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  23. Congrats on your win, it is a lovely puzzle. I haven't put one together in years. Too many kitties here that don't mind very well and have to be in the middle of everything.
    Btw, don't you even think about giving your blog the boot! Your blog isn't the only one I have trouble commenting on.
    Take care, stay safe and warm in the midst of this wintry weather and have fun with the puzzle.

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  24. Have fun with your puzzle win, Vee! I haven't done a puzzle in years...well, except for grandkids' puzzles. Good luck with your winter project. Maybe you should've kept that fleece blanket to warm yourself up while working on it!!

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  25. Oh Vee I admire you for having enough patience to do a puzzle! Girl...when they start talking about...match up the corners, grab the colors that look alike, start looking for this and that...well...that does me in right there! I have no patience for a puzzle unless it's a toddler size with 4 pieces! Then I have issues! Ha! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  26. I went to Cathie's blog. Oh, you are so right...she's VERY talented. You lucky lady! Spending a few quiet moments and not allowing yourself to stress will be a wonderful winter project. I'm on my way back to see more of Cathie's work. Thanks!

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  27. Vee, I do love to work jigsaw puzzles. Your gift is a lovely one. I'm guessing you will have it done in 2-3 weeks or earlier if you must have the blanket back! What at lovely rendition of your friend's artwork. Enjoy! ♥

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  28. Looks like a lovely picture with in that puzzle ! My mum used to do puzzles and they were 1000 or more pieces she would have them done in no time . As for me I cant sit still long enough to do one lol ! But I do like the idea some do with them when done and that is to frame them and put them up . Have a fun with it . Thanks for sharing , have a good day !

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  29. Hi Vee~

    What a great gift! Once upon a time, I used to put puzzles together, and I still love it, I just don't do it. I have several brand new puzzles that I bought to take on the river, but didn't get them done . . . sounds like a winter project for me too . . .:0) The round puzzle reminds me of a puzzle we put together once at the cabin. It was a winter scene with lots of snow and blue colors. It took us all winter, but it was just beautiful, and we were so pleased with ourselves when we finished it. It's so satisfying to see it completed. My husband's mother put together many, many puzzles and would glue them onto a board; she probably had 50 of them. Sure makes me wonder what happened to all of them . . .

    Have a great day!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  30. We did a round puzzle like that with our grands the other night and they definitely were better at it than us. Of course they have a closer relationship with the Disney characters as well. I think you may find you'll get better at it as you go, and of course, it's so good for our brains. Sounds like a perfect winter activity especially with snow and cold outside.

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  31. Coming to you from British Columbia through My Front Porch. I've been following your blog for a long time and enjoy it very much. It is time to say hello. I enjoy puzzles as well. I'm a bit of a collector actually. I have more then 17 Christmas puzzles that I use throughout the house for décor. Started years ago with the children and now I'm on my own doing them. I understand the eyesight issue. It's so important to have good light. I also have a few from other seasons and use them, especially fall.

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    1. Hello, Irene. One of my favorite names, I might add. Thank you for commenting. Was it scary? ☺

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  32. It looks like a beautiful puzzle!! I hope that you enjoy doing it, I will enjoy seeing the results! xx

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  33. Lucky you, what a great gift.
    Oh yes, you know I do puzzles and have another one going right now.
    My guess is you'll finish it Feb 24.

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    1. Ha! I put in two pieces today, Karen, just two!

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  34. Beautiful puzzle and looks like the perfect place to put it together! have a good night.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  35. Ok, this is my third time to try and leave you a comment. Phew. I am stubborn and won't give up. Just wanted to say hi and mention that if the weather predictions I've heard are correct, well, you might just need that fleece blanket for you and John to stay warm!

    Good luck with the adorable puzzle. I've never done one!

    Love,
    Sharon

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  36. I have not done a puzzle in decades! Nice winter project, but I lose interest so quickly these days.

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  37. I do enjoy puzzles in the winter. We did one when my parents and siblings were here in mid-December. I could get one out for myself, but the dining room table is usually covered with sewing these days. I think it will take you less than a month to do your puzzle. What a sweet gift to receive. Stay warm, Vee, even if you have to upset your puzzle to get the blanket around you.

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  38. What a nice gift. That makes a great wintertime project. I'd get rid of the fleece blanket now before the frustration builds. Besides, it will be useful as winter wears on. It's harder for me to put a puzzle together in the winter because of the bright sunlight reflecting off the pieces. Have fun. I saw that there's a Downton Abbey jigsaw puzzle. I might look into that.

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  39. Will wonders ever cease? Yes, it is me, venturing in and leaving a comment. I have hundreds of unread blog posts according to Bloglovin', but I'll never get to them all. I was helping a new friend with a puzzle a couple of weeks ago. She is a puzzle-aholic. It did my heart good because I hadn't done one in about 35 years. That looks like a pretty Americana scene. I'm guessing that it will take you a month. Once you get the perimeter done, the rest follows quickly.

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  40. It's been a long time since I've done a puzzle. Love the scenes on this one. A great "I'm not going anywhere" project! My dad just completed the Last Supper puzzle I gave him for Christmas...

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  41. Thanks for sharing my puzzle on your blog Vee! I think you'll have better luck without the fleece blanket. I need to get mine out and give it a whirl.

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  42. Well, how's the puzzle coming? Smiling about your fleece blanket 'handicap'! I have not done a jigsaw puzzle in years (actually, since Heidi was at home and we did one together every Christmas). What's the blizzard situation over there now?

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  43. I'm not sure I'd have the patience for a puzzle but I wish you luck with your giveaway win Vee. A friend that does puzzles all the time has one of those roll up mats so she can move it off the table when needed.

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  44. Hopefully, you'll get the puzzle down before the tulips pop out of the ground :) It's a really pretty scene! What a great artist she is.

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