I've finished!
This afternoon I added the final pieces to my Home for Christmas jigsaw, and I have to admit it has proved to be quite the challenge. I've always loved jigsaws. Searching out the corners, completing the straight edges, then fitting all the middle pieces until the puzzle is finally complete. But what I had forgotten is that most of the jigsaws I've done previously have been for children, whereas this one has 1000 pieces.
I bought this puzzle last year with the intention of completing it on the run up to Christmas. I took a relaxed approach. Too relaxed, as it turned out. I didn't start it until halfway through December and I only managed to complete the border, so in my frustration it was hurriedly packed away. This year, determined to finish it, I set it up on the dining table and got started on the border right away. This was quite straightforward as, fortunately, I'd had the foresight to at least keep the border pieces separate from the rest when I'd put it away following my first attempt.
For the last two weeks I've been chipping away at it whenever I've had a spare moment. Sometimes I've managed to place just one or two pieces, whereas others I've completed whole sections. Often, I've found myself lingering over it far longer than I intended - it's surprising how time flies when I'm concentrating. Some pieces seemed almost impossible to fit, to the extent I was convinced some of the puzzle pieces were from a completely different jigsaw, and occasionally I've returned to it to discover I've had a little 'help'.
I think you'll agree, it's a lovely festive scene. Will I get another to complete next Christmas? Maybe, but perhaps one which has just 500 pieces. ☺
J. X
