Focal Point of “Fireside Companions,” Buffalo, 1000 pieces, 27 x 20 inches
By the time I left for vacation on June 30, I had completed just over 400 pieces of pieces of Buffalo’s “Fireside Companions,” a 1000-piece puzzle based upon one of my favorite Charles Wysocki images. (I love the way that the painting works books and readers into the setting as a part of everyday life rather than resorting to the same old collages or bookstore or library shelves.) Anyway, I figured that I would quickly finish up the puzzle when I got home…but I quickly learned that my eleven-day layoff had made my puzzle-working skills pretty rusty. Luckily enough, however, it only took a day or two to regain my former “speed,” and my first Buffalo puzzle is now done.
My initial approach was to concentrate on the two large buildings that dominate the image, leading to the good start that gave me the false impression that this one was going to come together fairly quickly.
So next it was on to all of the action in the foreground, people at the bookmobile and all the rest.
All the time I was filling in as much of the foreground as possible, I knew that the sections I was postponing were going to be a good bit tougher than what I was working on. And I was right, because the sections of the puzzle above the buildings and just below the white house did turn out a good bit harder to complete than the rest of the puzzle.
But finally, all the bare tree limbs and sky were done. (I do have to admit that bare limbs are easier for me to work than heavily leaved trees.)
More foreground detail:
I particularly like the inclusion of this wagon full of underwear making home deliveries. (Doolies Woolies – Supreme Underwear)
This lady is apparently on her way home with a basket of books to read.
And this little guy couldn’t wait to get home before opening his new book.
Buffalo makes a great puzzle, and I’m looking forward to working more of them (I have eight of them on the To-Do Shelf right now). I particularly like the way that the puzzle lines don’t show up as sharply as they do on some other brands (the pictures make the lines stand out a lot more than they do to the naked eye) and how well the puzzle holds together when moved. I’ll be doing a formal review of Buffalo Puzzles soon and adding the company to my rankings list.
All in all, I enjoyed this one a whole lot despite the almost-two-week gap I experienced while working it. I see now why Buffalo Puzzles is so often mentioned when puzzlers are asked to name their favorite puzzle companies.