It's Puzzling

Ravensburger 1000 Piece Puzzle

Step into the captivating beauty of nature with Ravensburger’s 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, “Magical Valley.” A tranquil valley blossoms with vibrant wildflowers, set against the breathtaking backdrop of towering mountains.

We really enjoyed this puzzle, it took longer than we thought it would take to complete and was quite a lot harder than anticipated.

Getting started we sorted the pieces into eight areas splitting the flowers and plants area into greens, darks and lights for the plants and leaves and the flowers. Giving us a total of 8 perfectly sorted puzzle piece piles as Pippi Pepennopolis would say.

The path we chose to complete

1. Border
2. Sky
3. Trees and mountains
4. Trees and bushes on mountain side
5. River bed and rocks
6. Grassy area
7. Flowers and plants

1. Border

Always our go to start area, nice and simple to get the ball rolling!

2. Sky

Probably the easiest sky we’ve ever done in our long puzzling history ha-ha, was quick and simple the tonal color changes were quickly sorted and completed.

3. Trees and mountains

Another relatively quick and simple area to complete the color contrasts made puzzle piece selection nice and easy.

4. Trees and bushes on mountain side

This is where things started getting tricky, lots of dark green colors and difficult to determine what each piece was, ended up doing a lot of blind trial and error placement.

5. River and rocks

Is it a river or a stream or even a creek, this area had its difficulties with lots of similar colored pieces but overall wasn’t too bad.

6. Grassy area

Lots of yellows and difficulty came into play for this portion and took the most time to complete. Was a lot of satisfaction completing this area but wow it took a while!

7. Plants and flowers

Splitting this in the colors and greens so we could concentrate on the flowers then the plants, the green areas for the plants and the leaves took the 2nd most amount of time as it was really difficult to figure out what piece represented which leaf or plant.

Overall

Lots of fun completing this puzzle, would definitely recommend it especially for those who like scenic or photo realistic views.

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Ravensburger Magical Valley 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults

Priced at $52.52

So, you’ve just placed the final piece of your jigsaw puzzle, and you’re admiring your hard work. But now comes the big question: should you glue your puzzle and preserve it forever, or break it down and start on the next one? Gluing jigsaw puzzles is a popular way to turn your hard-earned masterpiece into a piece of art, but it’s not without its pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at whether gluing your puzzle is the right move for you.

The Pros of Gluing Your Jigsaw Puzzle

1. Preservation of Your Hard Work
   • Gluing your puzzle allows you to preserve all the time and effort you put into completing it. If you’ve spent hours—or even days—assembling a particularly challenging or meaningful puzzle, gluing it lets you keep that achievement intact. Instead of disassembling it and putting it back in the box, you can keep your creation for years to come.
2. Creates Unique Wall Art
   • One of the most popular reasons to glue a puzzle is to turn it into a piece of wall art. Glued puzzles can be framed and hung up, adding a personal touch to your home décor. Whether it’s a puzzle of a beautiful landscape, a beloved piece of artwork, or a special memory, hanging it on your wall allows you to enjoy it every day.
3. Gifting Opportunities
   • A glued puzzle can make for a unique and thoughtful gift. If you’ve completed a puzzle that has a special meaning to someone—perhaps a puzzle of their favorite place or a nostalgic image—gluing and framing it turns it into a memorable keepsake that they can treasure.
4. No Need to Solve It Again
   • Once glued, your puzzle is a finished product. For those who don’t want to redo the same puzzle or risk losing pieces in storage, gluing it means you don’t have to worry about keeping track of all those tiny pieces anymore.

Take a look at our accessory selection!

Everything you need to keep you sorted and glued

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The Cons of Gluing Your Jigsaw Puzzle

1. No Reusability
   • The most significant downside to gluing a puzzle is that it’s a permanent decision. Once you glue it, you won’t be able to take it apart and solve it again. If you’re someone who enjoys revisiting puzzles or sharing them with others, gluing removes that possibility.
2. Time and Effort
   • Gluing a puzzle isn’t as simple as it sounds—it requires time, patience, and the right materials. You’ll need to apply the glue carefully to ensure that all pieces are securely bonded without leaving lumps or streaks. Additionally, you may need to press down on the puzzle to ensure it stays flat and then wait for it to dry before handling it.
3. Risk of Damage
   • If not done correctly, gluing a puzzle can lead to damage. Using too much glue can cause the puzzle to warp or pieces to swell, while using too little might result in pieces not sticking properly. There’s also the risk of glue seeping through the cracks and leaving visible marks on the front of the puzzle.
4. Storage and Display Challenges
   • Once your puzzle is glued, it becomes a solid, often large, item that needs to be stored or displayed. If you don’t have space to hang it up or store it properly, the glued puzzle might end up in a less-than-ideal location, where it could be damaged or collect dust.

Tips for Gluing Your Jigsaw Puzzle

If you decide that gluing your puzzle is the right choice for you, here are a few tips to help you get the best results:

• Use Puzzle-Specific Glue: Puzzle glue is designed specifically for this purpose, and it dries clear to avoid ruining the appearance of your puzzle. Apply it evenly across the entire surface.
• Work on a Flat Surface: Make sure your puzzle is on a flat, stable surface before you begin gluing to prevent any warping or bending.
• Use a Spatula or Brush: Spread the glue with a spatula or brush to ensure an even layer, and press down gently to ensure all pieces adhere properly.
• Allow Adequate Drying Time: Give your glued puzzle plenty of time to dry completely before moving or framing it.

Final Thoughts

Gluing a jigsaw puzzle is a great way to preserve your work and create a lasting memento. However, it’s not the right choice for everyone. If you enjoy the process of solving puzzles and want the option to do them again, you might prefer to keep your puzzles in their original form. On the other hand, if you love the idea of turning your puzzle into art, gluing it can be a rewarding and creative project. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and what you want to get out of your puzzle experience.

So which are you? Let us know your thoughts on the subject in the comments section

Happy puzzling—and gluing, if that’s the path you choose!

Sorting the Pieces

• Edge Pieces First: The edge-first strategy is common because it creates a defined border, making the puzzle more manageable. For example, if you have a 1,000-piece puzzle, start by separating all the pieces with straight edges. Once you complete the border, you’ll have a clear visual boundary to fill in. This strategy is especially useful when the puzzle has distinct edge colors, such as a black or white frame.
• Color Sorting: Sorting pieces by color can help you focus on specific sections. For instance, in a landscape puzzle with a blue sky and green grass, group all the blue pieces together for the sky and all the green pieces for the grass. This reduces the need to constantly search through a pile of mixed pieces and helps you see patterns.
• Shape Sorting: Sometimes color alone isn’t enough to differentiate pieces, especially in puzzles with a lot of repetitive colors or patterns (like a large field of flowers). In this case, sort pieces by shape—such as pieces with two tabs and two blanks, or pieces with one tab and three blanks. This makes it easier to find the piece that fits when you’re stuck on a particular section.

Start with Distinctive Areas

• Begin with parts of the puzzle that stand out due to their uniqueness. For example, in a puzzle featuring a city skyline, focus on the easily recognizable buildings, such as a bright red bridge or a yellow skyscraper. These distinctive areas are usually easier to assemble because their pieces are more unique in color and design compared to other areas like a uniform sky or sea.

Work in Sections

• Working in sections can be highly effective, especially for large puzzles. For example, in a nature puzzle depicting a forest with a lake, start with the distinct areas like the lake first, then move on to the trees, and finally work on the background. By concentrating on these smaller sections, you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the whole puzzle and can piece together small victories as you go.

Use the Puzzle Box Image

• Frequently referring to the puzzle box image helps guide your progress. For example, if you’re assembling a puzzle of the Eiffel Tower, reference the image to identify where the tower meets the sky and the ground. Matching the pieces in these transitional areas can be easier when you have a visual guide. Additionally, the image can help you locate tricky patterns, like finding out exactly where a patch of green trees starts blending into the sky.

Focus on Piece Shapes

• If you’re working on a difficult section where colors blend (like a large area of water), focus on the shapes of the pieces. For example, look for pieces with a very distinct tab or blank (the in and out shapes of the pieces). You may notice that the puzzle includes particularly long tabs or blanks that only fit certain spots. This can help you advance in areas where color isn’t much help.

Build in Layers

• This strategy involves focusing on distinct layers in the puzzle. For instance, in a puzzle of a mountain landscape, start by assembling the base layer of the mountain, such as the rocks, before moving on to the midsection with trees and snow. Finally, work your way up to the top of the mountain, which may consist of lighter colors or cloud formations. By solving in layers, you keep the puzzle process manageable and methodical.

Rotate Pieces

• When you’re stuck on a section where pieces don’t seem to fit, try rotating them. For example, in a puzzle of a sunflower, you might find that the yellow petal pieces don’t immediately seem to fit. By rotating the pieces, you can align the subtle edges with the correct places on the flower. This strategy is especially helpful in areas with repetitive colors or shapes, like tree leaves, waves, or sand dunes.

Work Backwards from the Puzzle Image

• Advanced puzzlers often challenge themselves by solving the puzzle without relying on the box image. For example, in a mystery-themed puzzle, you could try solving it purely based on color and shape, without peeking at the final image. This makes the puzzle-solving process more about pattern recognition and spatial awareness, turning the puzzle into an even greater challenge.

Stay Organized

• Keeping your workspace organized is key to staying focused. For example, if you’re solving a 1,500-piece puzzle, it helps to have trays or bowls to sort your pieces by color or section (e.g., sky pieces in one tray, building pieces in another). Keeping pieces neatly sorted helps reduce frustration and makes it easier to focus on solving small chunks of the puzzle at a time.

Patience and Persistence

• Patience is essential, especially when working on difficult sections like an expansive blue sky or a monochrome puzzle. For example, while solving a 2,000-piece puzzle with a lot of repetitive elements, you might spend hours on a single section. The key is to take breaks when needed, come back with fresh eyes, and chip away at the challenging sections bit by bit. Staying persistent will eventually lead to success!

Take a look at a couple of our favorite Jigsaw manufacturers…