Succulents and Cacti - No Nurturing Necessary

Growing plants has many benefits and rewards, but these beauties of nature require quite a bit of time and care. If your working schedule is packed and you can't spare a few hours on a  daily basis, growing succulents and cacti may be perfect for you. They've certainly become a popular subject matter for jigsaw puzzles. You'll find some of the ones that we discuss below featured in our puzzles. 

There are hundreds of zero-maintenance succulents and cactus types, and today we’ll talk about a few, but first let’s go over the most dominant types.

Aloe

Aloe succulents are known to possess numerous medical properties; Aloe vera is arguably the most popular representative of this type, although each sub-group is different than the next in terms of size, required care, and looks.

Some of the most notable Aloe plants are the elegant Black Beauty, the petite Crosby’s Prolific, the Doran Black, which actually has white flowers, the prickly Hellskloof Bells, and Torch Aloe while the Christmas Carol arguably has the most beautiful flower.

Aloe plants are fairly resistant to hot temperatures and high humidity. Room temperature is perfect for them (around 24 C), although they won’t mind an ambient below 15 C either. They should be watered deeply and infrequently. Watering them once every second-third week during springtime should be enough while they need even less water come autumn and winter.

In terms of lighting, they’re best kept in bright places while exposing them to direct sunlight should be avoided. But, it's okay to put one next to a study lamp! And they look gorgeous next to cute pups too!

"Yorkies Are My Type" shedding a little lamp light on aloe

Haworthia

The gorgeous aloe lookalikes, Haworthia plants are easy to care for and are exceptionally popular plants among home gardeners. Even though they’re typically between 3-5 inches tall, some could grow as big as 20 inches; even the largest Haworthia plants can be kept indoors.

These plants require very little amounts of water and can grow to be healthy under most conditions as far as moisture and lighting are of concern. They shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight, though. They are ideally grown in potting soil mixed with either pumice or perlite.

One of the reasons why this is an ideal “care-free” plant is that it isn’t particularly phased by any type of humidity. It does, however, need good ventilation.

Some of the most popular Haworthia plant types are the tiny Mutica and Star Cactuses; the Haowrthiopsis Concolor resembles Aloe Black Beauty while Reinwardtii requires the least maintenance. And Haworthia Fastigiata is well known as Zebra Cactus.

Can you spot the Haworthia Fastigiata in "Terrarium Cat"?

Echeveria

Echeveria sub-groups are very diverse and almost completely dissimilar when compared to one another. They vary in terms of size, color, structure, and required maintenance, although the vast majority of types can easily endure harsh weather and temperatures.

Although there are dozens of Echeveria species, the famed Black Prince, Afterglow, Gorgon’s Grotto, Neon Breakers, and Lola are among the most popular ones, all of which can easily be grown either indoors or outdoors.

Curly Locks may be the most famous winter Echeveria. It can survive temperatures that are slightly below zero, although it’s not particularly cold-hardy. Like most Echeveria plants, it requires water when the soil totally dries out; it welcomes full sun, although it will grow healthily even when kept in the shade.

A lot of wonderful cacti and succulents in "Succulent Garden"

Opuntia

The most famous family of cacti is Opuntia. All species of Opuntia have arms shaped like paddles and are remarkably resistant to extreme temperatures. Furthermore, the fruits of the vast majority of Opuntias are edible and surprisingly tasty and nutritious.

Party Favor, Pink Forst and Pina Colada have bright red, pinkish flowers with dark green leaves while Texas Prickly Pear and Black-spined Prickly Pear have dark-red, almost purplish fruits and slightly warmer-colored leaves. 

The only Opuntia species that bears little semblance to other groups is Opuntia Microdasys Albata, which is more commonly called Angel Wings (or Bunny Ears). Its pads are a bit wider and rounder, completely covered in petite spines, and they’re a bit more difficult to handle. Additionally, they’re the only species of Opuntia that can’t survive temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius.

Mammillaria

Mammillaria succulents are among the most common gifts due to their small size and gorgeous outlook. These cacti can basically sustain themselves with a bare minimum of water, and they don’t mind temperatures below zero.

Although there aren’t many sub-groups of Mammillaria, they’re distinctly different from each other and have different requirements.

The Ladyfinger Cactus is generally favored by beginner gardeners, as it can’t grow beyond 12 inches, it can endure temperatures below 6 degrees Celsius, and it can be put anywhere.

Mammillaria Gracilis Gragilis, otherwise known as the Thimble Cactus normally grows in small clusters. Its spines are petite, but sharp nonetheless. Although it’s not cold-hardy per se, the Thimble Cactus can withstand freezing temperatures with ease.

One of the most gorgeous Mammillaria types is the Feather Cactus, which was named for its beautiful white ‘feathers’ (flowers). Its spines resemble spring dandelions, although they’re as sharp as those of any other cacti.

Feather Cactus needs at least a quarter of a day’s worth of sunlight and is considered the most demanding Mammillaria type, but even so, it’s remarkably easy to care for and grow indoors.

Finally, the Rainbow Pincushion is a tiny cactus plant that boasts superior resistance to cold (can endure temperatures down to –17 degrees Celsius). As stunningly beautiful as it is prickly, this Mammillaria is a very popular representative of its genus.

If taking care of cacti or succulents feels overwhelming, find peace in using your green thumb to take care of these puzzle plants.

Better Than Alphabet Soup! A Review of Shelley's ABC 2000 Piece Puzzle

by Elmer Prather, guest blogger

This is the 45th Cobble Hill puzzle I have had the pleasure of putting together. It is a 2000 piece puzzle titled Shelley's ABC by Shelley Davies. This is the second Shelley Davies puzzle I have put together. The first was a 1000 piece puzzle titled Timepieces. The reason I chose this puzzle was because I saw it would be a challenge and would be a beautiful puzzle to hang on my puzzle wall. This puzzle is a MEGA 3D puzzle. It is a collage of hundreds of numbers, alphabet letters and miscellaneous objects she included in the puzzle layout. I am also into photography and as such I have made many collages but nothing as complex as this.

This was a complicated puzzle to put together, therefore I had to rethink my approach several times before I was able to complete it. It took a lot of thought to put each of the puzzle pieces in its proper place. With the hundreds of items in the puzzle, there were few opportunities to do much piece grouping. It was simply pick up a piece, look at the reference picture, find the location where it belonged and place it on the spot. I got excited the closer I came to finishing it it because I could see how good it was going to look when finished.

Progress Photo of 2000 pc Shelley's ABC by Elmer Prather

I love to put challenging puzzles together and this one certainly fit the bill. Ms. Davies inserted hundreds of large and small items in the puzzle with random placement except for the alphabet letters she inserted. These letters, being in alphabetical order, helped me find the general location a particular puzzle piece belonged. I could never have put it together without the reference poster that is inserted in all Cobble Hill puzzles.

I was fascinated by the vast assortment of letters and words in the puzzle. There were numerous alphabet letters, some small case, some large case. Some letters were in circles, some were partially hidden by being placed in a larger subject piece.

When I opened the puzzle and started putting it together I felt overwhelmed but like I stated earlier, I love challenging puzzles. I took my time and did not get in a hurry. I just worked on it a little at the time and it finally started to take shape and then it was finished.

It is a beautiful puzzle. The purples, pinks, greens, oranges and all of the other colors come together to make it stand out and will cause anyone who views it to take notice and admire it.

Shipping. The cost of doing business.

Cobble Hill is a Canadian wholesale company creating high quality puzzles with quirky random cut pieces.  While our puzzles are enjoyed around the world, it's not always easy to find the puzzle that one wants.  Retailers have space constraints and they can rarely take every single image or they sell out faster than they can replenish.  

So, in 2014, we made a choice to offer online shopping and puzzles are shipped out of Brampton, Ontario. However, the goal has never been to drive traffic to our website. Our preference has always been for the consumer to purchase from our retailers. This is why from top to bottom on our website, one can find several different links to 'find a retailer'; this was very important to the owner, Dave Manga. We knew the website could also help retailers with brand recognition, and puzzlers are happy to find a puzzle that has eluded them in their neighbourhood store and online. 

But, in an effort not to compete with our valued retailers for business, we rarely ever do discounts or free shipping. However, we do quietly support our online shoppers by absorbing shipping costs on practically every order. We charge flat rates instead of live rates, which means we're eating anywhere from $1 to $25 dollars. The graphic below shows orders packed with three to five puzzles and an example of costs shipping within Ontario, and to the east (Nova Scotia) and west (Alberta); PEI and BC can cost even more. We don't make any money on shipping, but it's a cost of doing business.

Customer Freight Charge (red) versus Actual Freight Cost (yellow)

So while we don't actively offer discounts, we are trying to help curb expenses for the puzzler. In the United States, we aren't eligible for some of the cool discounts that the USPS offers, so we eat shipping costs there too. 

And lastly, we know puzzlers have been confused by our minimum purchase message because so many of us online shoppers are used to website offers of "free shipping with minimum purchase of $xx.xx". But check out our FAQs Section C6 "Where to Buy" as it explains why we now have a minimum purchase and that doesn't come with free shipping. 

Thank you for all your support over the years! We say this to our puzzlers, our retailers, and our distributors around the world! Your support of Cobble Hill puzzles has been amazing!!

Nominate Your Library

During the pandemic, we watched libraries adjust as they had to pivot how they provided services in their communities. More than a matter of not being able to check out books, the changes meant no more game nights, no borrowing of puzzles, no storytime, no author readings, and so much more.  But libraries are strong and hung on mightily! We are pleased to see our libraries still thriving and serving the people who adore them. 

That's why in April, we ran a Nominate Your Library contest inviting people to suggest their local library to win a puzzle prize from Cobble Hill. In Canada, Cochrane Library was the winner and in the United States it was Oil City Library, which had a few submissions from different people. We wanted to celebrate libraries because we know how important they are to the community. During Covid, libraries could no longer leave open puzzles out on tables for guests to complete, but many started providing puzzles for curbside pick-up. Being able to continue borrowing from the library was a blessing to so many, especially those on fixed incomes. When you're a voracious reader or puzzler, it may not be economical to always purchase books or puzzles, so having the library as an additional resource is essential to many households. 

With the Nominate Your Library contest, we found out that some libraries offer a lot more! Judith, the winner for Canada, who submitted Cochrane Library in Alberta, told us, "The library assistants at this library are the kindest, friendliest group of people you could meet! As well as books, they have a wonderful "Library Of Things" including garden equipment, power tools and, of course, jigsaw puzzles!" And Emily, who submitted Oil City Library told us that she is, "...so grateful for my library and all of the wonderful resources they provide to our community!" 

There are now a dozen new puzzles available for checkout at the Cochrane Public Library. We're still waiting for Oil City Library to make their puzzle picks, but they're excited about adding a new set of puzzles to their offerings!

Just a few of the puzzles that we sent to the library!

We want to thank all the puzzlers who submitted their library to us!  We look forward to running this contest again next year - so we hope that you'll all plan to vote for your library! Here is a list of the submitted libraries - some had multiple submissions from different people, which we loved seeing! 

Nominate Your Library Nominees for 2021

There are several different dates celebrating libraries, but we're asking you to mark your calendars for National Library Week on April 3-9, 2022.  We think the American Library Association does a great job of providing events and resources, so check them out! Canada has a library association too, but we think that Librarianship.ca does a great job of keeping current, so that's our recommendation for library resources. Thanks for supporting your local libraries and bookstores, wherever and whenever possible!

National Parks and Reserves of Canada

by Elmer Prather, guest blogger 

This is the 44th Cobble Hill Puzzle I have had the pleasure of putting together. It is a 1000 piece puzzle titled National Parks and Reserves of Canada by Cobble Hill Puzzles. I need to have a connection with a puzzle before I spend the time and energy putting it together. The connection I have with this puzzle is my love for Canada. Canada has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and it goes from coast to coast. It has the second largest land mass of any country in the world. There are 10 Provinces, 46 National Parks and approximately 207 Reserves in Canada. I have had the pleasure of visiting 11 of the national parks and 9 of the Provinces. Each has its own characteristics and beauty. This puzzle depicts scenes in each of these parks you may be able to see if you visit them. 

Photo and assembly by Elmer Prather

The National Parks in Canada are protected natural areas throughout the country that represent distinct geographical regions of the nation. Under the administration of a government branch, Parks Canada, National Parks allow for public enjoyment without compromising the area for future generations, including the management of Canadian wildlife and habitat within the ecosystems of the park. Within Parks Canadian is a wide range of protected areas, encompassing National Historic Sites, National Conservation Areas and National Parks Reserves. 

This puzzle introduces the person putting it together to the beauty of the Canadian National Parks. When the puzzle is finished the end result is fascinating. The many different bright colors and muted hues used in the puzzle jump out at you. You will want to look closer at each National Park park shown in the puzzle to be sure you did not miss anything. See picture below. I really enjoyed putting this one together.

Sort, Sift, Stack, and Store!

Cobble Hill is excited to finally have some accessories added to the line! Just over a year ago we added Sorting Trays and a felt Roll Away Puzzle Mat. We were shocked at the welcomed reception we had to the products and excited to see that the felt mats sold out incredibly fast! Like lightning fast! We have them in stock (as of this moment), but not to worry, the last reorder was increased ten fold to ensure that we don't run out again any time soon! 

Here's a look at the felt Roll Away Puzzle Mat. On the felt mat is Common Quilt Blocks, a popular 1000 piece Cobble Hill puzzle that has a finished size of 26.625" x 19.25". You can see that there is plenty of room for your puzzle pieces. 

When you're taking a break or want to travel with the puzzle, you can simply roll it up! The tube is a sturdy cardboard that is used to roll up the mat, then use the hook and loop strap to keep the pieces from falling out. These are excellent to have if you have a pet because we know kitties like to swipe your pieces and dogs like to eat them. So, it's a good idea to put the puzzle away if you need to take a break from it!

The other cool accessory that we brought on board are our Sorting Trays. These are incredibly unique to Cobble Hill because our sorters includes small holes in the tray that allow one to sift the puzzle dust. Now granted, we hope there isn't any puzzle dust in your puzzle, especially ours, but the reality is that it happens. Now you can open the bag, plop the pieces into a tray and give it a little shake to sift out any dust. Just be sure to sift over an area that isn't your working space!

Photo of Cobble Hill Sorting Trays & Archie Love Triangle puzzle by Dorothy K

Included in the box are six sturdy trays. You can obviously sort any brand of puzzle using the trays. They stack on top of each other too, for saving space, if you're just working on one tray at a time. We've been getting great feedback from puzzlers who are using these trays, so we're confident it's a must have accessory if you're a sorter!

Cobble Hill Puzzle Sorting Trays

The above is a good visual of the holes and what the box looks like. If you give them a try, let us know by sending in your comments to our General Inquiries form!

Last, but not least, we will soon have glue!! When I was a kid there was a PSA with puppets where one character yells, "Glue, I need glue!" Granted it was a PSA about borrowing without asking and the puppet broke a lamp he "borrowed". But we have had SO many puzzlers ask us about glue that I can't help but hear that cry for "glue, I need glue"... Glue will be coming. It was a challenge getting the right mixture, but final approval on the formula has been made.  We can't wait to announce it once it arrives to our warehouse!

Cobble Hill Puzzle Glue - not final art

We hope that you are all still enjoying your puzzle hobby during this pandemic. So many puzzlers have been whipping through puzzles, we thought we'd hear about puzzle burnout by now, but nope! Happily, everyone is still enjoying their puzzles and we're thankful that you choose Cobble Hill. 

If you have been enjoying our Sorting Trays and/or Roll Away Puzzle Mat, please share on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to tag us #CobbleHillPuzzles. 

Welcome to the Cabin

by Elmer Prather, guest blogger

It is hard to believe that I have just finished putting my 43rd Cobble Hill puzzle together. It is a 275 piece puzzle titled Welcome To The Cabin by Sam Timm. I chose this one because I love old log cabins. My connection to this puzzle was an old cabin that was built in the early 1900s. A close friend of mine rented this log cabin to be used as a hunting/fishing lodge by the members of the hunting and fishing club he had established. The cabin gave members a place to meet, have meals, plan hunting and fishing trips and to socialize. It was located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia on the Chattahoochee River.

Welcome to the Cabin by Sam Timm 1000 pc assembled by Elmer Prather

There was a small lake between the cabin and the river. The cabin was built on 40 acres of land abutting the Chattahoochee River. Sitting on the back porch of the cabin you could see the lake behind the cabin, just as the puzzle depicts. There was an inlet between the lake and the Chattahoochee river where the original owners could move their small paddle wheeler boat from the lake to the river. After many years of use, the boat sank into the lake.

 

The three room cabin had all of the modern conveniences like running water, electricity and a bathroom. It was heated by a large rock fireplace. It was cooled by raising the windows. My friend rented the cabin for several years. We had to stop using it when the remnants of a hurricane blew 100 year old pine trees across the road making access to the cabin impossible. Eventually the cabin fell into disrepair and was torn down. The property is now a Nature preserve.

 

The cabin in the puzzle reminded me of this cabin. The picture in the puzzle had many scenes that stood out. Some of them were the old used pick up truck parked beside the cabin, the light shining down from the three windows on the side of the cabin. Another scene that caught my eye were the two ducks flying over the lake in front of the cabin. The ducks reminded me of the ducks that flew onto and away from the lake behind my friend's cabin. In the finished puzzle, the blues in the duck's wings really stood out. Whoever owned the cabin must have been a hunter, like my friend, because there are deer antlers mounted on the side of the cabin. There is a bird house attached to a large oak tree beside the lake. The picture depicts a late evening timeframe since you can see the evening sun reflecting across the lake. There is ample firewood to heat the cabin stacked by the oak tree.

 

I did not see a boat in the puzzle but with the cabin being on a lake with a boat dock, there was probably one located nearby. I imagined that the cabin had a man and woman living there. The man had probably taken the boat out and was fishing while his wife prepared dinner in the cozy cabin kitchen.

 

The cabin in the puzzle was built with asphalt shingles not the wooden ones normally found on older cabins. The rocks used to construct the chimney can be seen above the roof line. They appear to be river rocks. The rocks that were used to build the chimney probably came from around the lake.

 

The puzzle had a ribbon across the bottom that read, “Welcome to the Cabin”. It made a statement that the owners enjoyed spending time with their friends and neighbors.

 

It was a pleasure putting it together and seeing it come to life.