Cafe On The Water Puzzle 
by Guest Writer Roberta Shore

We invite you to read Roberta Shore's review on the following jigsaw puzzle. Since she has discovered the advantages of jigsaw puzzling, she has reviewed/journaled several that will be available on this website. 

Cafe On The Water Puzzle Amazon link

Cafe On The Water Puzzle White Mountain Puzzles Ribbon cut 1000 pieces Finished size: 24” x 30”

Cafe on the Water Puzzle - Roberta's Review

Roberta-Profile
Cafe-on-the-water-puzzle

Cafe On The Water Puzzle

White Mountain Puzzles

Ribbon cut

1000 pieces

Finished size: 24” x 30”

My (advancing) Newbie difficulty rating: moderate to advanced

Why I am still a newbie: I lose my patience when sorting. I want to get it out of the way and try to be too precise about everything (by color and by objects) while also finding the edge pieces. This leads to always having a few missing edge pieces when I begin to actually put the puzzle together. And, I’m really slow. That did get better with this puzzle, but to be honest, that doesn’t bother me as long as I see progress. I don’t consider puzzling to be a race. I applaud their ability, but I do not need to beat other faster puzzlers.

So, what happened with this puzzle? I was missing TEN edge pieces when I put the frame together. I went hunting for them in my concentrated trays of precisely sorted pieces. As I did that, I found myself putting parts of the puzzle together, (and, yes, I found the missing edge pieces)! Initially, my thought was to start with the sky, but instead, I built out from those parts.

I bought this puzzle because each building was distinctly colored, a plus for sorting. I didn’t realize at the time how tedious my sorting technique would become! From now on, I think I will use the Puzzle Hobby technique - a general sort while finding the edge pieces, build the frame, and then do a more organized sort for the build. But, I was correct about the buildings. So, as Puzzle Hobby suggests, tray by tray, I laid the pieces out by shape and tint and they were built with ease. Same with the sky; the cobblestones were last, and probably the most time consuming area.

I have now done sixteen 1000 piece puzzles since I began this new hobby almost five months ago. Most were finished over 5 days. I don’t count hours, I take a lot of breaks, and I much prefer puzzling in daylight. This one just eked into the fourth day, but it felt like it was going even more quickly. Did I have fun? Absolutely! Do I feel more capable? Yes! But, there are still puzzles that look too daunting for me to try. I surely have challenging puzzles in my stash, but almost all the ones I’ve chosen answered my first question - can I sort this? Oh, there are a few at the bottom of the pile that answer this question - What was I thinking? So, yes, I might be a level 2 newbie now, but I’m still a novice when it comes to the big challenge. I’ve learned a lot, and I love puzzling.

Hopefully you learned a lot from my experience with this puzzle. It was easy to like! I have done several White Mountain puzzles - they deserve their excellent reputation. There are no negatives to report for this one. Tight fit, no broken, bent or splitting pieces, none were missing. Newbie bonus - their puzzles are larger, so the pieces are larger. What I like most are the bright, sharp colors and the photographic look of this illustration - different from most of their selection.

My grades: puzzle quality A+, fun factor A+

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About: White Mountain Jigsaw Puzzles

A Legacy of Quality and Variety

Introduction

White Mountain jigsaw puzzles have become synonymous with exceptional quality, captivating artwork, and a diverse range of themes. With a rich history spanning several decades, White Mountain puzzles have garnered a loyal following among puzzle enthusiasts worldwide. In this article, we delve into the fascinating history of White Mountain puzzles, highlighting their unique artistic collaborations, thematic variety, and range of puzzle piece sizes.

A Legacy of Quality and Craftsmanship

White Mountain puzzles originated in 1978 when founders Cronan Minton and Ted Wroblewski established the company in Jackson, New Hampshire. From its inception, White Mountain has been committed to producing puzzles of the highest quality, using premium materials and precise manufacturing processes. This dedication to craftsmanship has earned them a stellar reputation within the puzzle community.

Artistic Collaborations and Captivating Themes

One of the hallmarks of White Mountain puzzles is their collaboration with talented artists from various backgrounds. These collaborations have resulted in an extensive catalog of puzzle themes, ensuring there is something for every puzzle enthusiast.

The White Mountain puzzle collection features works by renowned artists such as Charles Wysocki, Terry Redlin, and Fred Swan. Their distinct styles and attention to detail bring to life a variety of themes, including Americana, nostalgic scenes, wildlife, nature, landmarks, and pop culture. Whether you're looking for a puzzle that evokes a sense of small-town charm or one that celebrates the beauty of nature, White Mountain offers a diverse selection to suit different interests and preferences.

Variety of Piece Sizes and Formats

White Mountain puzzles cater to puzzle enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels, offering a range of puzzle piece sizes and formats. They understand that different individuals have varying preferences and requirements when it comes to puzzle difficulty and piece size.

For those seeking a challenge, White Mountain offers puzzles with standard-sized pieces, typically ranging from 500 to 1,000 pieces. These puzzles require focus, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills to complete. They are ideal for puzzle enthusiasts looking for a satisfying and immersive experience.

White Mountain also recognizes the needs of those who prefer larger, easier-to-handle pieces. They offer puzzles with larger piece sizes, typically ranging from 300 to 550 pieces. These puzzles are suitable for individuals with limited dexterity, visual impairments, or those who simply enjoy the comfort of larger pieces.

In addition to their traditional puzzle formats, White Mountain also offers special formats such as shaped puzzles and collage puzzles. Shaped puzzles add an extra element of challenge and visual interest, featuring unique outlines that correspond to the puzzle image. Collage puzzles combine multiple smaller images into a cohesive larger picture, providing a unique and visually stimulating puzzle experience.

Conclusion

White Mountain jigsaw puzzles have established themselves as a symbol of quality, craftsmanship, and artistic variety. With their rich history and commitment to excellence, White Mountain continues to captivate puzzle enthusiasts with their collaboration with renowned artists, diverse themes, and a range of puzzle piece sizes.

Whether you're seeking a challenging puzzle that immerses you in a nostalgic scene or a puzzle with larger pieces for ease and comfort, White Mountain offers a wide selection to cater to different interests and needs. With each puzzle, White Mountain invites you to embark on a captivating journey of creativity, relaxation, and joy.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)