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Arts & crafts

jigsaws

(45 Posts)
ninathenana Tue 12-Feb-13 17:59:20

Not really arts n crafts, but as there isn't a hobbies forum.........

I was wondering what's the quickest you've ever finished a puzzle? I've just completed one in 10hrs over 4days which is quick for me smile

Roseyk Tue 12-Feb-13 20:00:53

I quite like jigsaws, they are very calming and do pleasantly past some time.

I dont think I have ever completed a whole one except when doing a jigsaw Puzzle with my grandchild.

What would be fun is for you to suggest a puzzle that we can all buy, then have a challenge to see who can complete it first, smile

dahlia Tue 12-Feb-13 20:17:24

Since moving to our current home, I have had nowhere to do a jigsaw while the building work goes on - no table, no good light, etc. Daughter bought a funny "Carry On" jigsaw when we visited for Christmas and we did it between us at odd moments during the holidays. We both love jigsaws, and I find them relaxing; I particularly look for a particular brand that uses odd shapes in the jigsaw pieces, and loathe those with photographs on the front. Son bought me a Christmas pudding Impossipuzzle for a jokey present - it took me 20 minutes to complete!
Of course, jigsaws are a complete waste of time! smile

Hunt Tue 12-Feb-13 23:29:37

Of course jigsaws are a complete waste of time! That said I have just finished my first 1000 piace jig saw. It was a jigsaw of the flower fairy alphabet of Cicely Mary Barker. I was so chuffed when I had finished it I sent a photo of it, via my mobile phone ,to my daughter who had given it to me at Christmas. Next one ,please

Anne58 Tue 12-Feb-13 23:39:43

A chap I worked with was off sick with stress. I phoned him one day to see how he was getting on, he said he was doing a jigsaw as sort of therapy but wasn't making it much progress, hadn't been able to start with the edge pieces or anything.

I asked what the picture on the box was, he said it was a cockerel. I said "Clive, put the pieces back in the box, they're cornflakes."

Bags Wed 13-Feb-13 06:06:52

phoenix, grin

As to making jigsaws being a waste of time. No, it's not. Hand-eye coordination, and shape-and-pattern recongnition are both involved and are important, practical skills for much of life. This is why jigsaws are good for children, as well as being fun if they enjoy doing them. And anything that's good for children is good for adults too in my book.

Besides, having fun and relaxing is not wasting time. It's having fun and relaxing!!

What's that line about always leaving time to stand and stare?

Ella46 Wed 13-Feb-13 08:33:59

Someone on another thread put a link to the New Yorker online jigsaws a few days ago, and since then I haven't done anything else shock
I'm totally addicted, and getting faster and faster at completing them!

Someone make me stop,please...............although if Bags says it's ok....................hmm grin

Ariadne Wed 13-Feb-13 08:36:51

You know, I might just get a jig saw puzzle...honestly, I'm tempted! Thanks.

AlieOxon Wed 13-Feb-13 08:57:04

I do them with my grandson, but I get to finish them. I like the ones with no picture, but a story with the puzzle to solve from the scene when you have finished.

Nelliemoser Wed 13-Feb-13 09:23:06

I find them wonderfully relaxing. A good jigsaw and the radio on is bliss.

whenim64 Wed 13-Feb-13 09:31:54

I always used to have a jigsaw on the go on the table, till I found the online ones. My little grandsons helped me decide to stick to the virtual ones last year. Whilst I was busy at the sink, they packed up my almost completed 1,000 piece jigsaw into the box and announced 'there you go, nana, we tidied up for you!' grin

My unsympathetic daughter said 'it's what we've taught them to do - put it away if you're not playing with it!' hmm

vegasmags Wed 13-Feb-13 09:50:34

Oh when that's hilarious - I would have loved to have seen your face!

I love jigsaws and prefer the physical to the virtual kind. I like 1,000 piecers and I don't really mind what the subject is, as nearly all my puzzles come from the local charity shops. I reckon that there must be a hard core of jigsaw fanatics in my area - I always return mine to the charity shop once completed, fastening the box carefully with a rubber band and sellotape to ensure that no jigsaw fan ends up in that terrible place - The Last Piece Missing!

Lilygran Wed 13-Feb-13 10:21:38

The big advantage of on-line is you don't need to leave a table out of use. As well as DGS tidying up before you've finished, when I loved that! But all the ones I've come across are very small. Are there any big ones? And can you do them on an iPad?

annodomini Wed 13-Feb-13 10:33:05

when, you must have had to be very very restrained in your reaction! I'd probably have wept!!

whenim64 Wed 13-Feb-13 10:57:53

I haven't come across any big ones yet, but would love to find some that take a few weeks online.

As well as tidying my jigsaw away, they didn't notice that one had fallen on the floor. The dog gave me that one, after she had chewed it out of shape........! grin

I didn't react anno - sort of resigned myself to these regular surprises when those two monkeys are in my house.

AlieOxon Wed 13-Feb-13 11:09:44

I have a big piece of hardboard (about 3' x 2') for jigsaws - packs away easily when not in use, and can be lifted off the table!

Ariadne Wed 13-Feb-13 11:15:11

Well, thanks a bundle, you lot! Just found an online jigsaw page and what have I been doing for the past half hour?? I must exert some self discipline...but I did enjoy it. grin #anotherwayofwastingtime

whenim64 Wed 13-Feb-13 11:30:15

grin

Bags Wed 13-Feb-13 12:23:42

Those felt jigsaw cloths that you can roll up mid-jigsaw are good.

Bags Wed 13-Feb-13 12:24:32

My sister-in-law just outs another cloth on the table over the jigsaw and sets the table for meals on top.

Ella46 Wed 13-Feb-13 17:18:19

I can't do them on a table as it hurts my neck and back, so online ones that take about 20 mins are perfect for me.

Nelliemoser Thu 14-Feb-13 09:27:30

vegs I always put the pieces in a freezer bag. If you shake the puzzle you want to buy in a charity shop you can tell if its in a bag or not by how it rattles. I have not had any incomplete ones.

Thank God for charity shops. They do a wonderful job as a jigsaw puzzle exchange service and make an excellent profit at the same time.

vegasmags Thu 14-Feb-13 10:27:08

Nellie - what a brainwave and one I shall now adopt. Good old charity shops. I would love to know who my fellow jigsaw enthusiasts are - I have thought of putting a note in the box, along the lines of If You Like Jigsaws, Meet In the Rose and Crown On Tuesdays at 10.00 - then I decided that would sound really creepy and terrifying!

Rosiebee Fri 15-Feb-13 15:06:55

Has anyone tried jigsaws by Colin Thompson? I hadn't done a jigsaw since I was a child until I saw The Bizarre Bookshop by him. Loads of fine detail and also very funny [names on the book spines - 'Lord of the Pies' 'Lady Chatterley's Pullover' also 'Lady Chatterley's Plover'] DH and I sat one evening until 12.45am fitting in just one more piece. Now have three more that I had as Christmas presents. They're so much more absorbing than the usual landscape that always has too much blue sky. When it was finished we bagged all the edge pieces in one bag and the rest in another before passing it on. Time just flies and I forget everything when I'm sat with a jigsaw. smile

MercedesYang Fri 22-Feb-13 02:31:05

Oh, I love jigsaws!!! But just saw the game when watching TV and do not have the experience to play it, I guess can not complete it very soon, regularly about a week would be right for me. smile