For just over five hundred pieces, this puzzle was hard. But a fun kind of challenge. There were several days I didn’t work on it at all, or only fitted a few pieces in per sitting, so didn’t take a progress shot. Sometimes I had to just step away from it for a while, and when I came back, able to see things clearly again. It took me two weeks to complete!
This one has some nicely odd piece shapes, and a frustratingly awesome fur texture that looks slightly blurred on the scattered pieces, but falls into a clear picture once put together (due to it being a photograph). The first few stages were very tricky, but once things started looking like an actual tiger it stood out so impressive on the table, I just wanted to keep going.
I feel pretty certain now about my theory why some puzzle piece surfaces hurt my fingers. This one is the same brand as another shaped puzzle that was laid out on a table at the public library, and I only did a little bit of it before leaving because my skin became so irritated. So I was hesitant to do my tiger one at home, fearing the same reaction. However it only made my skin feel soiled, so that I had to wash my hands after every session, but not actually hurt. And by the end of the puzzle, I didn’t notice it as much. I do believe (as I read one one forum found via a search) that the puzzles traveling from far away manufacturers in China, are sprayed with something to deter insects munching in transit (products spend months in shipping containers, I’ve read) and the resultant film wears off some with each handling. So after two or three people handling the puzzle, I don’t think it would bother me at all. This because I’ve noticed before that if I have to use gloves, a dull yellow or brownish residue will come off on my fingers . . .
Anyway, I liked this puzzle. Through the whole working of it, I was afraid it would have some holes in the end, because I got it used, and there were a few legos in the box! So I imagined it had got hurriedly scooped up off some kid’s floor and I fully expected missing pieces. But it was complete, which was a very nice surprise.
2 Responses
Wow…bonus parts in this one. That’s funny.
What you say about puzzles, especially those coming such long distances, makes sense to me. I’ve noticed that some of them seem to absorb a lot of moisture before they hit the shelves, too…the pieces feel fat or bloated to me and they don’t lock right. I haven’t had the type of skin reaction you mention, at least so far.
Oh yeah, any that absorb moisture will get that thickness and not snap together properly. You’d hope they’d be sealed tight enough in plastic to avoid that- I haven’t experienced it with new puzzles yet, but definitely with a few used ones I acquired.