Size: 1000 pieces
Dimensions: 51.12cm x 66.52cm
Producer: Big Ben, MB Puzzles
Notes: Covent Garden is a district in London, England, located on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin’s Lane and Drury Lane. It is mainly associated with the former fruit and vegetable market located in the central square which is now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as “Covent Garden”. The district is divided by the main thoroughfare of Long Acre; north of which is mainly given over to independent shops centred on Neal’s Yard and Seven Dials, while the south contains the central square with its street performers, and most of the elegant buildings, theatres and entertainment facilities, including the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and the London Transport Museum. [Wiki]
Category: Puzzles
Puzzle: River of Life Triptych by Steven Michael Gardner
Size: 1500 pieces (3 puzzles of 500 pieces each)
Dimensions: 91cm x 91cm
Producer: MasterPieces
Painting: photo
Artist: Steven Michael Gardner is a native of San Diego, California, and I really loves all animals, the beauty of nature and the wonder of life itself. His love of the animal kingdom and passion for preserving our environment has given him the inspiration and basis for the subjects of his artwork. He has been drawing and painting as a full time artist since the age of 20. Many of his original designs have been widely published in magazines and books, and for many years he has created designs for zoos across the country. These are still available as signed and numbered prints, posters, jigsaw puzzles, notecards, and apparel wear. [Gardner Gallery site]
Notes: Find 13 eagles, 14 wolves, 10 bears [Puzzle box]. This puzzle consists of 3 separate puzzles that, when put together, create one large picture encompassing the land, the river, and the sky.
Puzzle: Sip into something more comfortable
Size: 500+ pieces, 2 missing
Dimensions: 45.72cm x 59.69cm
Producer: Springbok, by Hallmark, PZL3607
Notes: Throw a summer party anytime of year! Drink recipes on back of box… Plus your very own set of festive drink umbrellas inside! [Puzzle box]
Recipe for a Wonderful Summer
When the summer is a scorcher and the sidewalks start to sizzle,
Then it’s time to hit the hammocks and get out those sticks that swizzle.
Find some curvy, swervy glasses, so far-out they’re outer-spacial,
Then just pop them in the freezer till they’re looking really glacial.
Now you’re getting to the good part, and that’s mixing up those flavors,
Those tangy, fruity liquids that each taste bud’s bound to savor.
Start with ordinary orange juice, then pour in a touch of mango,
And before the day is over, you may learn to do the tango.
If you’re feeling really reckless, you can put in some papaya
And add a shot of rum – or two – or three – oh me, oh my-ya!
Now mix your drinks in reds and pinks, in pearly shades and bluish.
As swallow follows swallow, they will make you feel brand-newish!
Don’t forget to add some garnish – cherries, berries, lemon sections.
Build the grandest of concoctions to the point of pure perfection.
You can even add a posy or a very small umbrella
To make each grateful guest feel like a festive gal or fella.
Remember now to not forget when temperatures are soaring,
The way to beat the heat is just by mixing up and pouring
Some spirits so exotic they’ll both cool you down and warm you,
And two or even three of them could never ever harm you.
No need to let the climate turn your days into a bummer
When you know the perfect recipe for one terrific summer!
[Dean Walley, puzzle box]
Recipes for summer sipping – anytime!
Drinks on puzzle from left to right.
Tequila Sunrise
2 oz. Tequila
4 oz. Orange Juice
3/4 Grenadine
Stir tequila and orange juice with ice and strain into highball glass. Add more ice cubes. Pour in grenadine slowly and allow to settle. Stir before drinking to complete your sunrise.
Blue Hawaii
1 oz. White Rum
1/2 oz. Blue Curaçao
1/2 oz. Cointreau or Triple Sec
1 oz. Cream
Shake ingredients well with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. A delightful after-dinner cocktail for a warm summer’s night.
Margarita
1 1/2 oz. Tequila
1/2 oz. Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Curaçao
1/2 oz. Lemon or Lime Juice
Shake well with ice. Strain into prechilled salt-rimmed cocktail glass. To prepare glass, rub rim with lemon; then dip into salt and shake off excess. Although traditionally the glass for a margarita is salt-rimmed, it may also be sugar-rimmed. A slice of lime or lemon peel may be added if desired.
Piña Colada
3 oz. Rum
3 tablespoons Coconut Milk
3 tablespoons Crushed Pineapple
Place in blender with two cups of crushed ice and blend at high speed for a short time. Strain into Collins glass and serve with straw.
Yellow Bird
3 oz. Orange Juice
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Lime Juice
1 1/2 oz. Rum
1 1/2 oz. Banana Liqueur
1 tablespoon Kahlua
Put all the ingredients in a blender with a little ice and blend until smooth. Pour into a large goblet. Decorate with slices of orange, lime, lemon and pineapple and a Maraschino cherry.
Singapore Sling
1 0z. Gin
1 oz. Cherry Brandy
1 oz. Lemon Juice
1 teaspoon Sugar
Soda to top
Shake ingredients well with ice. Pour contents into a highball glass and top with soda. Decorate with a slice of lemon and a Maraschino cherry.
[All recipes are printed on the puzzle box]
Puzzle: San Pietro by Rod Chase
Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 48.26cm x 35.56cm
Producer: The Canadian Group, Sure-Lox
Artist: Rod Chase, Photorealist
Painting: The Glory of San Pietro
Notes: This view is from across the Tiber River looking toward St. Peter’s. I spent the evening photographing this scene during the twilight hours on our last night in Rome. The composition is based on one specific photo while dozens of additional photos were used to provide details for the architectural features. I especially enjoyed painting the reflections on the water, an exercise in abstract line and shape. The colors were muted to faded blues and Terra Cotta tones, which provide a more monochromatic color scheme representing the incredible history and beauty in Rome, and Italy in general. [Rod Chase]
Puzzle: Evening Light by David Miller
Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 23 cm x 53cm
Producer: MasterPieces, Vertical Panoramic series
Artists: David Miller
Notes: David C. Miller is an internationally acclaimed marine artist who’s work has graced the covers of everything from greeting cards to jigsaw puzzles, but his best work has always been done on lexan and canvas. His use of acrylics have earned him acclaim from art critics as well as environmentalists. David’s personal pursuit has always been that of environmental preservation. His portfolio includes commissioned works for such prestigious foundations as Sea Turtles of the World, an environmental group protecting endangered sea turtles, and The Franklin Mint, part of the proceeds from the porcelain heirloom collectors plates goes to the Save The Dolphin program. His work is also shown in many prestigious Aquariums across the nation.
Coupling his artistic talent with a degree in technical drafting David began his career as a full-time artist in 1984, and received immediate recognition for his captivating marine subjects, portrayed with unique depth and three-dimensional perspective. [David Miller site]
Puzzle: Cobblestone Bridge by Thomas Kinkade
Size: 700 pieces
Dimensions: 86.36 cm x 30.48cm
Producer: Ceaco
Artist: Thomas Kinkade
Box: photo
Notes: Cobblestones are stones that were frequently used in the pavement of early streets. “Cobblestone” is derived from the very old English word “cob”, which had a wide range of meanings, one of which was “rounded lump” with overtones of large size. “Cobble”, which appeared in the 15th century, simply added the diminutive suffix “le” to “cob”, and meant a small stone rounded by the flow of water; essentially, a large pebble. It was these smooth “cobbles”, gathered from stream beds, that paved the first “cobblestone” streets.
Note that Cobble is a generic geological term for any stone having dimensions between 2.5–10 inches. A cobbled area is known as a “causey”, “cassay” or “cassie” in Scots. [Wiki]
Puzzle: Summer’s Delight
Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 50.8cm x 50.8cm
Producer: Springbok, by Hallmark, PZL2443
Photographer: Phil Smith
Notes: Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice. The date of the beginning of summer varies according to climate, culture and tradition.
From an astronomical view, the equinoxes and solstices would be the middle of the respective seasons, but a variable seasonal lag means that the meteorological start of the season, which is based on average temperature patterns, occurs several weeks later than the start of the astronomical season. According to meteorologists, summer extends for the whole months of June, July and August in the northern hemisphere and the whole months of December, January and February in the southern hemisphere. [Wiki]
Puzzle: Safe Harbor
Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 33cm x 48.3cm
Notes: Puzzle showing a lighthouse during the day and – when tilted – under the starry sky.
Lenticular printing is a technology in which a lenticular lens is used to produce images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles. Examples of lenticular printing include prizes given in Cracker Jack snack boxes that showed flip and animation effects such as winking eyes, and modern advertising graphics that change their message depending on the viewing angle. This technology was created in the 1940s but has evolved in recent years to show more motion and increased depth. Originally used mostly in novelty items, lenticular prints are now being used as a marketing tool to show products in motion. Recent advances in large-format presses have allowed for oversized lenses to be used in lithographic lenticular printing. [Wiki]
I do not have a record of the producer of the puzzle as I do not have the box anymore. A clarification is welcome – if you have any clue as to the details regarding this puzzle, I would much appreciate that information.
Puzzle: The Unicorn by Myles Pinkney
Size: 550 pieces
Dimensions: 61cm x 46cm
Producer: Ceaco, Glow in the Dark series
Artist: Myles Pinkney
Box: photo
Notes: A unicorn (from Latin unus ‘one’ and cornu ‘horn’) is a mythological creature described as having a long, straight horn extending from its forehead. Though the modern popular image of the unicorn is sometimes that of a horse differing only in the horn, the traditional unicorn also has a billy-goat beard, a lion’s tail, and cloven hooves—these distinguish it from a horse. Marianna Mayer has observed (The Unicorn and the Lake), “The unicorn is the only fabulous beast that does not seem to have been conceived out of human fears. In even the earliest references he is fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary, but always mysteriously beautiful. He could be captured only by unfair means, and his single horn was said to neutralize poison.” [Wiki]
Puzzle: Sanctuary by Sheila Wolk
Size: 1000 pieces
Dimensions: 73cm x 48.6cm
Producer: Impressions, Sure-Lox
Artist: Sheila Wolk
Painting: photo
Notes: I wish the artist’s site contained some information about the painting itself and the inspiration for it. Unfortunately, the designers appear to be more concerned with protecting the images from being stolen by placing the artist name in large letters over the top of the paintings.
A sanctuary is the consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar. In modern parlance, the term is used to mean any place of safety.
In Europe, Christian churches were sometimes built on land considered as a particularly ‘holy spot’, perhaps where a miracle or martyrdom had taken place or where a holy person was buried. The place, and therefore the church built there, was considered to have been sanctified (made holy) by what happened there. In modern times, the Roman Catholic Church has continued this practice by placing in the altar of each church, when it is consecrated for use, a box (the sepulcrum) containing relics of a saint. The relics box is removed when the church is taken out of use as a church. [Wiki]
Puzzle: Razzberry Creek Crossing by Carl Valente
Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 48.1cm x 64.8cm
Producer: RoseArt, Borders series
Box: photo
Artist: Carl Valente – In the nineties, Carl began his magnificent “Homes of the Americana” series. This series includes Victorian farmhouses, manors of New England, villages on the lakes of the Midwest, log homes of the West, and colonials of the South. [Bentley Publishing Group site ]
Painting: photo
Puzzle: A wave of colour, County Cork
Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 68cm x 48.1cm
Producer: Mega Brands, Windows of the World series
Artist: Fine photography by John and Debora Scanlan
Notes: County Cork (Irish: Contae Chorcaí) is one of the twenty-six traditional counties of the Republic of Ireland and one of the thirty-two traditional counties in the island of Ireland. The southernmost of the Irish counties, it is located in the province of Munster. It is Ireland’s largest county and is the second most populous county, with a population of 481,295 in 2006. Named after the city of Cork (Irish: Corcaigh), Cork is colloquially known as “The Rebel County”. In recent times, the name has referred to the prominent role Cork played in the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) when it was the scene of most of the fighting; in addition, it was an anti-treaty stronghold during the Irish Civil War (1922–23). [Wiki]
Puzzle: Shaped castles
Size: 1000 pieces, multiple pieces missing
Producer: Sure-Lox
Thank you to Renee for providing the size and the producer as I do not have the box for this puzzle anymore.
Notes: Shaped puzzle on black background depicting multiple castles in a single collage, surrounded by a white border.
A castle (from Latin castellum) is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble. This is distinct from a palace, which is not fortified, from a fortress, which was not always a residence for nobility, and from a fortified town, which was a public defence – though there are many similarities among these types of construction. Usage of the term has varied over time and has been applied to structures as diverse as hill forts and country houses. Over the approximately 900 years that castles were built they took on a great many forms with many different features, although some, such as curtain walls and arrowslits, were commonplace. [Wiki]
Puzzle: Fortress of Dragons by Matt Stawicki
Size: 550 pieces
Dimensions: 61cm x 46cm
Producer: Ceaco, Glow in the Dark series, # 2333-34
Artist: Matt Stawicki
Notes: Fortress is a series of fantasy novels by science fiction and fantasy author C. J. Cherryh, published by HarperCollins. They are set in a medieval fantasy world with a 15th century feel and feature magic, sorcery, medieval warfare, politics and other elements common to the High Fantasy subgenre. [Wiki]
The fourth book of the series – Fortress of Dragons – was published in 2000. Matt Stawicki did the cover for this book.
Puzzle: Grand Teton Mountain, Wyoming, USA
Size: 1000 pieces
Dimensions: 51.12cm x 66.52cm
Producer: Big Ben, MB Puzzles
Notes: Grand Teton, at 4,199 m, is the high point of the Teton Range, and the second highest peak in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The mountain is entirely within the Snake River drainage basin, which it feeds by several local creeks and glaciers.The Teton Range is a minor range of the Rocky Mountains, which extend from southern Alaska to northern New Mexico.
The origin of the current name is controversial. The most common explanation is that “Grand Teton” means “large teat” in French, named by either French-Canadian or Iroquois members of an expedition led by Donald McKenzie of the North West Company. However, other historians disagree, and claim that the mountain was named after the Teton Sioux tribe of Native Americans. [Wiki]
Puzzle: Sydney Harbour Bridge
Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 59.69cm x 39.37cm
Producer: The Canadian Group, Sure-Lox, Wonderful World series
Notes: The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of both Sydney and Australia. The bridge is locally nicknamed “The Coat Hanger” because of its arch-based design.
Under the directions of Dr J.J.C. Bradfield of the NSW Department of Public Works, the bridge was designed and built by English firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd of Middlesbrough, and opened in 1932. According to the Guinness World Records, it is the world’s widest long-span bridge. It is also the fifth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world, and it is the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 metres from top to water level. [Wiki]
Puzzle: That’s Life! Part I – The Labyrinth by Marino Degano
Size: 2000 pieces
Dimensions: 68cm x 96cm
Producer: Heye
Artist: Marino Degano – The cartoon artist Marino Degano is at home in many cultures. He was born in Italy, grew up in Germany and currently lives in France, and so is well acquainted with the little idiosyncrasies, corners and edges of European citizens, and does not shy away in the slightest from using this as the core of his charming ironic masterpieces. [Southwest Puzzles site]
Notes: This covers all the vices available to people. Envy, greed,vanity, wrath, sloth, gluttony and lust. Degano hasn’t missed much about life and covers some of it in graphic detail. [Southwest Puzzles site]
Puzzle: 1000 Islands
Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 59.69cm x 39.37cm
Producer: The Canadian Group, Sure-Lox, Wonderful World series
Notes: The Thousand Islands is the name of an archipelago of islands that straddle the Canada-U.S. border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. They stretch for about 80 km downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario. The U.S. islands are in the state of New York. The islands, which number 1,793 in all, range in size from over 100 km2 to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, to even smaller uninhabited outcroppings of rocks that are home to migratory waterfowl. The number of islands was determined using the criteria that any island must be above water level all year round, have an area greater than 1 square foot (930 cm2), and support at least one living tree. [Wiki]
Puzzle: Via dell’Amore by Rod Chase
Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 48.26cm x 35.56cm
Producer: The Canadian Group, Sure-Lox
Artist: Rod Chase
Video: The Love Story behind Via dell’Amore
Notes: The Cinque Terre towns were extremely isolated until the last century. Villagers rarely married anyone from outside their town. After the blasting of the second train line in the 1920s, a trail was made between the first two towns: Riomaggiore and Manarola. A gunpowder warehouse was built along the way, safely away from the townspeople. (That building is today’s Bar dell’Amore.)
Happy with the trail, the villagers asked that it be improved as a permanent connection between neighbors. But persistent landslides kept the trail closed more often than it was open. After World War II, the trail was reopened, and became established as a lovers’ meeting point for boys and girls from the two towns. (After one extended closure in 1949, the trail was reopened for a Christmas marriage.) A journalist, who noticed all the amorous graffiti along the path, coined the trail’s now-established name, Via dell’Amore: “Pathway of Love.” [Smithsonian.com site]
Puzzle: Middleton Place Garden
Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 59.69cm x 39.37cm
Producer: The Canadian Group, Sure-Lox, Puzzlers Collection series
Notes: Middleton Place is a plantation in Dorchester County, directly across the Ashley River from North Charleston and about 24 km northwest of Charleston, in the U.S. state of South Carolina. Built in several phases throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the plantation was the primary residence of several generations of the Middleton family, many of whom played prominent roles in the colonial and antebellum history of South Carolina. The plantation, now a National Historic Landmark District, currently functions as a museum, and is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States. [Wiki]