We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Also, some of our posts contain other affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on our links.
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.
My Newbie difficulty rating - advanced
Oh my goodness! I’m still a newbie, but after 4 months and more than a dozen puzzles under my belt, I’m getting a bit more daring. The first thing I ask myself when I keep looking at a puzzle I like is “Can I sort this?” Um, I answer “sure, sky, water, statue, flags. But still, the buildings are crazy tough, and all that sky. Oh, let’s do it!” So I did. It took me 5+ days, but I finished it and felt very accomplished. My sorting technique is, well, my own :-)— not just by color but also by object where possible. It’s time consuming, and not my favorite part of the process, but it makes the construction go faster and easier.
This puzzle presented 2 major areas I knew would be challenging — the buildings and the sky. While finding the edge pieces, I sorted by color, and also sorted out the flags, the sailboats, the cruiser, the bigger birds, plane, and helicopter, tour boat wheelhouse, and statue parts. I did throw all the people parts in one pile. Then I put the edge together, put in the wheelhouse, and then did the people part, pulling the pieces from the pile starting with the foreground row, and sorting out faces, and most noticeable colors.
My initial sort by color worked fine for the statue and well enough for the water, but then came the BIG challenge, the buildings and the sky. The buildings, as you see, are hardly distinct, I sorted by texture as best as possible and put parts together for eventual placement.
The sky — I built it up from the buildings because the pink / yellow pieces were sorted and easy to pick out. For the blue / white / purple sky I used the Puzzle Hobby Technique, laying out the pieces by shape and by color shades. There were at least 150 pieces, I think more!
This puzzle had 7 distinct puzzle shapes, so I had 7 sort trays across my table and atop the finished puzzle portion. I absolutely can tell you that technique lowered the stress level by 1000 percent! When all was said and done, I had fun!
White Mountain puzzles have a high quality level and this puzzle shows why for the most part. Sturdy box, minimal puzzle dust, sturdy pieces with no broken or bent or separated parts, none were missing, good fit — large portions did fall apart when moving them, some sheen on the finish, poster (it is smaller than the box picture).
Colors are bright. I realize that the misty areas in front of the buildings are intentional, but there were blurry areas at the edges of the water and sky. Nice bonus for new puzzlers - White Mountain puzzle measurements are larger than other brands, so the pieces are larger. I’ve done a few other White Mountain puzzles - in total I think they are comparatively excellent.
None had missing pieces, most had tight fitting, pick the whole thing up fit, good colors, good variety of themes, excellent customer support. So, in total, White Mountain, and even this puzzle, get an A+
We have collected a massive list of jigsaw puzzles in numerous categories on our Amazon Store link. It's a quick way to browse most current puzzles and/or specific seasons, accessories and themes. Makes for a terrific one-stop jigsaw puzzle gift giving shopping centre. CLICK HERE
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)