On StJohn testing Instagram. New to it today http://t.co/pblCDxcs

The following quote came from a long-time Texas customer’s email after placing order for his 54th puzzle and I promised him Christmas delivery,

“Sounds great – this is puzzle #54 – and I calculate about 28,000 pieces to assemble.

When is enough enough?  Not quite yet.”

Yes, Chantilly is a BIG success because Riccardo (my ace tester) has not been able to do it. As he said, she has him going in circles. But Riccardo wants me to design a smaller version which will be more affordable…. hmmmm.

After my Ace Tester Riccardo ‘crushed’ Champette#1 and Champette#2 I licked my wounds and went back to the drawing board this past weekend. What sprang forth is Chantilly. I took the best of the Champettes and added a few zingers. Note that this version has handwritten clues showing where the swap points are. No need for Riccardo spending valuable time finding them. I want his brain power coming up with ideas on how to have Chantilly ever more beautiful.

Earlier this week Bill Bell drove up from New Jersey and delivered his masterpiece of Staveland. We were blown away. Three weeks ago he showed us his work in progress with part of the workshop unfinished because he couldn’t figure out how to have the Stave puzzles being crafted 400 years ago. Driving back to New Jersey he had an inspiration and VOILA! here it is. How ingenious!