When I found this puzzle at a thrift store, my mind drew a blank: why does it say inspirational garden? I kept thinking. It wasn’t until later at home when I opened the box and pulled out the picture insert from under all the pieces (not much help, barely larger than the box front) that I realized obviously why. There’s a religious saying in the upper right corner of the puzzle- which isn’t pictured on the box front. That was my least favorite part, so I did it first (also easiest to pick out the sharp letters from the jumble of loose flower colors). It was also the second-hardest part. I really liked assembling the flowers and foliage – though sometimes maddeningly abstract with the loose artistic brushstrokes. Reminded me of the Iris Cantata one.
The frustration with this puzzle was that so many pieces fit in the wrong place. Not too bad with the flat greens of the sunflower leaves or mess of greenery climbing the fence- a few swaps around and I figured it out. But when I got to the blank white background, that was so hard. I finally left it a DNF. Down to four pieces, I knew they would fit if I found the right pieces to move around (and those would require moving others around, for who knows how many switches). Stuck on the last step for a good half hour, then I just got tired of trying and stopped. Somebody else before me struggled with the same part, I can tell. A lot of the white pieces had slightly bent or dinged-up knobs and corners, probably from being pulled out of their spots and moved around, ha. At least I know the pieces are all there by count!
That’s after I patched in one on the bottom edge. (Funny enough, it’s missing in almost the same spot as the piece I replaced on Iris Cantata). Four layers of thin cardstock. I had it colored with marker on top at first, but it came out too dark. Replaced with white paper colored again, still too dark. Pulled that layer off and redid the color a third time, with just plain old crayon. Close enough!
Finished size 28 x 20″.
