I just learned the phrase and the history of “going for the brass ring” – basically it’s exactly what is depicted in this little jigsaw puzzle picture here.
If you will, please note the dare devil child leaning off the side of this carousel reaching for some little object off of that black metal contraption just out of reach from the carousel. The little object is a brass ring!
I’m sure we’re all familiar with Merry-go-rounds that have the bobbing horses that appear to gallop forward with the ride. Well, I guess they didn’t always do that, the animals were stationary and to make the ride more fun, they would place rings off to the side of the carousel and perhaps a lucky rider would grab the one brass one!
The winner could turn it back in for a prize of sorts, most often a free ride on the carousel. I had never heard this before but it is apparently an idiom as well, do you know anyone who uses that in their daily life?
This charming little puzzle was so cool! I have seen some of these before and wondered how they would be to put together. I just never found one that I liked the picture of. Until recently, I found this one by artist Jane Wooster Scott.
Just a scene from an old timey town with fun colours and some good hidden animals within. I’m sure you’re thinking , “what’s so special about this puzz?”
It’s a cork puzzle! This was kind of a fad for puzzles in the 90s and I gotta say, I was a fan. The pieces felt so great, they fit together perfectly and there wasn’t a snap in place but more like a smoosh, a satisfying smoosh.
I’m sure you’ve already noticed the lovely scalloped edging on this puzzle, but I mean check out these fun shaped pieces! Some of the animals are even multiple pieces together the make the shape.
The attention to detail is amazing! This puzzle is by Ceaco and was released in 1992, I was really happy to see that it was complete too, what a treat! If I find another cork board puzzle with a fun image, I will definitely be picking that up, this was such a fun and unique experience.
The lobster is my favourite 🙂
thepuzzlesivedone 
I’ve done a couple cork puzzles too, and you’re right, they’re so wonderful to work with. And I think the phrase “a satisfying smoosh” will be in my head all day! LOL
Interestingly, both of the larger (500 piece) cork puzzles I’ve assembled also featured artwork by Jane Wooster-Scott. Her artwork does make for lovely puzzling. 💙
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Ha ha! When you commented about that, then I couldn’t stop saying that in my head too 🙂
I really hope to find some more cork puzzles, it was so fun! And that artwork was amazing, classic puzzle style with a hometown feel for the nostalgia!
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We’ve been lucky to find all of ours at thrift stores/charity shops; most have been great quality, a couple of them have not – they’re always interesting though.
A satisfying smoosh!
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