Doing a 13 FOOT LONG Jigsaw Puzzle

Have you ever seen a puzzle like this before? Is it one that you would want to attempt?

Fun fact: the reason why the puzzle's sections don't interlock together is because the actual painting is in 4 pieces. Coupled with the fact that it's actual size, means it's surprisingly accurate to the source.

Hello Karen,
my Parents had this exact same Puzzle when I was a little girl. When I saw the thumbnail to your video, I just couldn't believe it!
I remember seeing this huuuuge piece of art as it was proudly displayed over the hallyway's mirror right next to the entryway. My little eyes used to study every little detail of it, I still remember how every fish looked a little different. I can't believe this Puzzle has actually found you, you found it and completed it!
My family has since fallen apart, I no longer speak with any of them, but what remains is the memory of this puzzle along with other things that went missing over the years.
What a beautiful peace of nostalgia you have found.
Thank you for sharing it with the world. I'm grateful to be able to admire it again. Thank you!

In Brazil we have a saying: "Se arrependimento matasse...", Which translates to something like "If regret could kill (me)...", and it is just perfect for the moment you realized that mixing the four bags wasn't really a great idea 😂

It's funny to think that the coffee stain is the thing that brought the value of the puzzle down but in a few years it will probably make it more valuable because it's easily recognisable as being in a Karen Puzzles video hehe

Italian here. Unfortunately I have no knowledge about selegiochi background, from a quick Google search I've found that today they still import and sell toys, but sadly no more puzzle.
In the '90s their puzzle were pretty easy to find and I've made every Escher puzzle they were selling, including this long one and I loved every minute of it. In my parents home two of these puzzles are still framed and hanging in my old room and I'm pretty sure my mother haven't thrown away the other ones, i have to ask because watching you made me kinda nostalgic of that time of my life...
Greetings from the isle of Capri
Ps: your italian pronunciation was completely wrong but so so cute ❤️

Hi, I’m Italian and found an Italian website about puzzles and a girl talked about Selegiochi puzzles, saying she couldn’t find anything online except the founding of the company (1977) and decided to send an email directly; they answered telling her they did puzzles briefly in the early 80’s and then just dropped doing them completely (which is why there are only Escher puzzles in their lineup). Now they just do kid toys, which is why you didn’t find anything about their puzzles!
Love and stripes from Italy ✌🏻

19:25 “my goal is do red” - procrastination expert starts by doing black and white parts 😂

I was struggling with a solid colored part of a jigsaw puzzle but after watching your videos I finished it , 🙏😊

I recently saw the original of this artwork in an exposition about Escher and it was amazing to see it in puzzle form!!!

Quote of the Day: “My brain hurts. Everything hurts. Literally everything hurts.”

I’ve been to the M.C. Escher museum in The Hague several times, but only now I’m realizing the craftsmanship that has gone in these gradients. Seeing how the color dithering is made by hand one stripe at a time gives a better realization on the effort it took to create this artwork.

So, the puzzle arrives in 4 bags. Karen proceeds to mix them together and then spends 1 hour 20 minutes sorting the pieces into 4 piles. 😁 Also I can't believe you have not seen "Beetlejuice". You need to watch it immediately. It's much better than "Stripes".

I have a collection of 1000 pc MC Escher puzzles. The hardest one I did is called "House of Stairs". Not to be confused with the well known picture of the stairs going every which way (titled "Relativity"), this is a picture of these robotic looking 6 legged lizards climbing staircases. I started it one time and didn't get very far and gave up on it. Later I decided I have to defeat this puzzle, and completed it. These MC Escher puzzles are more difficult than they look, because the are just grayscale images. Not all of them have STRIPES in them. wink wink.

This would make such a great hallway decor. What a great conversation starter. I ❤MC Escher

Unlike many art puzzles, this one is life size. The real Metamorphosis II is 19cm by 390cm.
The challenge now is that someone needs to make a puzzle of Escher's Metamorphosis III. It is the same width, but twice as long.

Karen: I’m gonna mix all the bags together
Karen: resorts all the pieces immediately 😛

I didn't like this puzzle when I first saw it, but after seeing it all put together, I think it's very pretty. The STRIPES definitely look like the hardest part. Thank you, Karen, for another enjoyable puzzle video.

I was talking with my mother about the possibility of having this kind of puzzle a while ago, since I'd gotten her a different Escher puzzle (the drawing of the waterfall that feeds into itself), and mentioned how fun it would be to see a full-length Metamorphosis in puzzle form, and now here it is! I don't think I'd ever want to do this myself, I'm extremely intimidated by those stripes and the checkerboards and I think it would take me for-freaking-ever to get even one section done, but that's why I love watching these videos.

I think the edges are straight so you can put the four parts together in different configurations. The image is continuous: you could put the parts together iso that the two "metamorphose" parts are together in the centre of the puzzle. The straight edges are a unique feature, not a bug.

The stripes! Ive wanted this puzzle for a long time but have never been able to justify that price. I once spent 70 dollars on a puzzle and my husband still laughs at me for it. Love it!

Something I'm curious about: if you were to tape the sections together, could you actually curve the puzzle into a ring (circle) with the two ends matching up to form one unending image?

You increased the entropy of the Universe by mixing the pieces from those four bags.
So many edge pieces!!
Have you done any puzzles from The Magic Puzzle Company? They are very funny and fun and surprising. Unfortunately, There is a secret at the end of the puzzle, so you wouldn't really want to reveal that in a video.
Anyway, love your videos and your enthusiasm. I do a lot of puzzles, too. I recently gave away 35 to charity, but still have no room under the bed.

Thanks to Karen this year I have increased my puzzle piece count from 1000 through 1500 and 2000 and now I am waiting for my first 3000 to arrive .I love fitting 300 and 500 in between.

I greatly appreciate the pure joyful enthusiasm you bring with each puzzle! I’d be seeing red & green STRIPES after just a hour or two with this puzzle.

This is like finishing revising a whole year’s syllabus in two days lmao

So glad I was already watching RUclips, left in the middle of a video to come straight to watch yours!!

To be fair, you did kinda sign up for all those stripes with your decision to combine sections :P I'm one of those weird viewers that rarely does puzzles herself but greatly enjoys watching you work your way through them. :)

I am big M.C. Esher fan I didn’t know there were puzzles of his drawings I would have bought them back in the 1980s I had small children then and as a stress reliever I did jigsaw puzzles in the evening when they went to sleep. I still love jigsaw puzzles they got me through the pandemic. Great channel can’t wait to see what you do next

I am doing puzzles with 3000 pieces and you keep motivating me to keep doing them. In general, I am from Poland

It was so funny because when you were talking about how easy you thought it was going to be, I was thinking "Wow, that looks SO hard to me!" I used to have these prints framed on my wall. I've always seen it in these four pieces - I wonder how Escher saw it being presented.

I love watching you take on these challenging puzzles. Making them into an interesting story, showing them of in a beautiful way in your videos and giving insight into how it’s like being the puzzler of them. I am really happy you do it, so I can watch from behind my cup of tea. I mean only the stripes would make me dizzy taking on that puzzle

I love this puzzle. It has a beautiful flow to it and I can't stop looking at it. It is so mesmerizing. You really have a talent in picking extremely interesting puzzles to do. I love your channel. Thank you Karen.

You certainly earned your STRIPES doing this amazing puzzle! I love MC Escher's art, and I really love the long puzzle in this video. I have the 1,000 "House of Stairs" MC Escher puzzle, and it is by far the hardest puzzle I have ever done. I still do the puzzle every couple of years, just for the challenge of it. I enjoy difficult puzzles. The "House of Stairs" puzzle is especially hard because there is only black and white. Karen, you wouldn't enjoy doing this puzzle because of the weird insect-like creatures that climb the stairs mindlessly. Thanks for you fun videos! Nice to see others enjoying the art of puzzling! 🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩💖💖

this was probably my favorite so far and it looks like it would be a really cool display piece

I’m so glad that you enjoyed this one Karen, as it looked very challenging to me! The finished puzzle definitely made for some cool photos 🔳🔲🔳

This is a pretty cool puzzle! The stripes sure made making it interesting !

It's fascinating to watch you solve all the puzzles. NGL, I never understood the thrill of puzzles, but it's nice to watch :)

A very interesting and unique puzzle with the challenging stripes section. Good to see the return of the 24000-piece Educa puzzle, yay!

I think of all the puzzles I've watch you do, I like the imagery on this one the best. Its gorgeous!

I love when you MIX it all up, LOL. I just watched the video where you did the 3 Gradient puzzles. I made up a drinking game - every time you put your fingers to your temple I have to take a sip. Luckily I only drink water and tea. 😂

His art is amazing! Was looking closely how the things morphed into each other. The whole thing tells a story almost like moving picture! It's so cool! Something about his art makes me FEEL something! The way the bee/hornet exits the hive and how the rook connects as a castle to that town.

So many stripes, so much patience needed, well done Karen!

Escher was one of my favorites growing up. I think this piece was either in my Sunday school classroom (we met in a high school) or my algebra class in middle school. I love tessalations so much!

I am so super impressed with that puzzle ,you are so super talented Karen

Brilliant puzzle concept. Perhaps the best I've ever seen.

It sort of surprised me that it took you so long, but I'm glad you stuck with it. That pile of stripes was daunting to look at, but I knew you would work it out. I enjoy watching all your puzzling Karen. Your video editing, stats, and enjoyment of puzzling are a joy to watch.

I love artwork puzzles, I have the MCEscher self-portrait puzzle that's framed and hanging on my wall, it was a pain to put together, but is so amazing to look at everyday.

I personally love stripes on a puzzle, especially when I know which direction the pieces go, like this puzzle! But I'm red/green colorblind so I'm not sure I would have the patience to finish this puzzle. Thanks for the videos Karen ♥️

This was surprisingly difficult! Props to you for completing it.

Karen mixes up the pieces and then resorts them before starting! I love that dedication.

Hey Karen, in my younger times I puzzled this puzzle. I did it three times after I permanently hang it to the wall. For me it still one of the best puzzles ever. I like panorama style puzzles and it was fun seeing the matamorphosys appearing slowly.
However, I do have a different version of that jigsaw. My box does not show the entire puzzle on the face. It does only show a the section of the stripes with "Metamorphose". The sides of the lid do show the entire puzzle around the box. My version is a contineous version, no edges in the middle and my tiles are different (all corner style).
Mabe this helpful for or at least intersting to know.

When I saw that pile of 'stripes' I was in awe. This could never be me.
I thought it was interesting that they made distinct sections, if you wanted to frame it more easily you could stack them into a fatter rectangle.
I also thought it was a fun detail that the two ends match as well for a full round robin. Very Escher-esque.

I enjoyed this video about that long puzzle with those intimidating-looking stripes. Nice work Karen!

I'd love a video comoaring vintage puzzles with new puzzles, especially vintage puzzles holding together a lot better than newer ones!

Blast from the past! My math teacher had Metamorphose painted on the wall of her classroom. And she also had a Soma cube! (This was...20+ years ago)

Escher is an artist that makes "impossible" figures on his work. He almost makes a not on your brain when you look at his artwork because you know that it's impossible yet he made it possible. The thing I like on his work is to try and figure out the "mistake" he made in order for the figure to be impossible, it's not always that easy, you can see an example of what I mean in 4:46 on the structure. This company does puzzles of his artwork I believe, and as always I love watching your videos! I hope I was able to let you know more about this artist

Escher, puzzles, Karen ... So much joy!! 😍 And all those stripes!

Stripes! Such a cool video- I'd love to see this one get a custom frame!

This puzzle is beautiful and reminds of the patterns on a kimono. You are very brave for working this puzzle! Well done. I started to panic for you when you dumped all the pieces together and I saw ALL THOSE STRIPES!! Seriously!

1:13 You're such a mad lad Karen

Really admire your patience on the sorting process

Loved this puzzle. Was surprised about the time it took for a puzzle expert like yourself, Karen... and a puzzle I'd refer to the picture, as I usually like to puzzle blind for longevity. Wish I could buy second-hand, but cannot because severe coeliac from birth, and many puzzlers snack! Cross contamination and such. Would love to see this puzzle reprinted, because it's definitely worth the money.
Kudos on completing and sharing and thanks for making me smile with your brain ache (good brain ache, of course) x x

I've never seen such a gorgeous puzzle! I don't do puzzles, but I'd love to hang that on my wall with all of its beautiful woodcut stripes.

Selegiochi (se-le-joe-key) is a company founded in the 70s near Milan. Initially they produced jigsaw puzzles with this kinda obsession over Escher (no idea what it's all about); apparently they switched to puzzle toys for kids after the 80s. They're still around today, but they still make no jigsaws, and they have no stock of their old production. Ebay or second hand purchases is the only way to get one, I reckon.

What a beautiful puzzle! I looked on Ebay and they had it in a different box for $500! I don't do puzzles, but I'd love this one as a work of art mounted on the wall.

Stripes! I am in awe of your dedication. This one looks like a nightmare in puzzle form and definitely well beyond my skills and patience level. Congrats!

Yeah I would have given up. Great job on finishing that puzzle or puzzles. Keep up the amazing videos Karen.

I owned one of these Escher puzzles and I never could finish it. I'm relieved I'm not the only one who struggled with these.

Karen ,
What took you 25 hours , would take me 25 weeks ! Another great puzzle. It’s interesting to see all these different puzzles you’re putting together. Good work !
STRIPES

Hey Karen I just wanted to thank you for two new relaxing obsessions, being both return to puzzling and your channel itself! I haven't finished anything over 500 pieces yet, but I'm using your advice on sorting the pieces to do a 1040 pieces spiral puzzle, and even though the sorting wasn't perfect, it still feels like the longest chunk of time, as I spent on it 3+ evenings - but today was the first evening I actually spent on doing the puzzle itself, and I'm already so far into it!

Karen, I just love your channel. I have watched hours of your videos. Your enthusiasm and love of puzzles simply gives me joy in my heart. I am happy to be one of your Patreon supporters and hope others who enjoy your videos will also give a small amount back. As for this video, I enjoyed it very much, partly because, like so many people, I love Escher drawings. But I definitely I would have given up when faced with all those 'stripes' pieces! Good job!

These types of puzzles are ones I really enjoy. Easy puzzles that take a few hours to finish are not my cup of tea.

I graduated HS in 1990, and these were very popular puzzles when I was in high school. Also on t-shirts and on posters

That looked excruciating, but the end result was stunning. The stripes section looked especially difficult.

Im glad i came upon your videos
I pulled out my moms puzzles (500+) after finishing this 100puzzle piece set when i was babysitting 😮‍💨🙏
And it is so true about getting out and socializing then coming back to puzzling! It helps your mind see better 🤣🍾

So many "stripes", Karen:) You were so brave to mix all the pieces together but you did it! Thanks for sharing:)

Stripes. Great job!! This is by far my favorite puzzle I’ve watched you do! It’s beautiful and makes you think just looking at it! 🙌🏼

One of the most unique puzzles I’ve seen!

this puzzle artwork is amazing!

Hi Karen! I want to tell you that today in uni a professor showed us an older video from you where you were talking about typography. I love your puzzle videos and I was pleasantly surprised to see you!!

I love the patterns on the puzzle!

I really like these videos, reminds me of rainy day or camping activities as a kid. They always make me think about my favorite puzzle, Jigazo. It used digitized and shaded pieces and needed a computer program, Using it you could make mapping directions to create any picture you wanted on the puzzle... ANYTHING!
Keep up the great work, you've done a good job sharing your passion with puzzles so they seem exciting.
Get and review a Jigazo puzzle, maybe another viewer of your reads this and has a working copy to donate... Interwebs seems to work out cool like that!

I did this puzzle -- including all the stripes -- with my wife maybe 25 years ago. I remember looking at the four bags and deciding that we WOULD NOT mix them together. Even with 4x750 puzzles, however, I could only work on it in the evenings and I think it still took several weeks to finish. Ended up gluing the four sections separately but never did figure out a way to mount it. Still love the puzzle and felt quite happy when it was finished.

Amazing puzzle & awesome job finishing it 👏👏👏

I do not remember which vid it was but you mentioned putting puzzle pieces picture side up as we are putting them up after looking for edge pieces. I am on my first 1000 piece puzzle & wanted to say thank you as your tip has been highly productive & helpful. Thanks a ton. May your puzzles always have all their pieces.

This is one of a fav puzzles you've done, design wise. Old but Classic!
like four classic Stripes... 😁

I truly love all the original puzzles you do on your channel!

It's one of my favourite Escher pieces, so in that sense, yes I would love it, but seeing how much you struggled, I don't think I have the required amount of patience! Also, initially I was quite upset about the four separate stripes, but then I realized it looks much nicer this way when the four pieces are separated, in case you want to hang them on your wall like they are displayed on the box. So it sort of makes sense this way. Not everyone has a wall long enough!

That was a very cool puzzle. The stripes looked very tricky. Great video.

OMG! The stripes! Awesome puzzle and awesome puzzler!

Stripes! Whew that would definitely have given me a headache to work on, but once again you tackled an amazing puzzle with the greatest of ease.

Hello guys, i'm Italian. Trying to give some info about stuff! Ask if you got any question and i can search around...
"selegiochi" is a "pun" on "Sale giochi", meaning game rooms.
Karen said that SO wrong but it's understandable hahaha
"Giochi" = jo + ki
4:34 the puzzle is NOT made in 1983, that was the LAW made in 1983 and the puzzle is "compliant" to that one law.
Translation: "compliant to that one law made in 18th Feb. 1983 number 46, not suited to children under 36 months"
Selegiochi (italian) only made "M.S.Escher" puzzles back in the days, commission was given to a Holland company for production (not italian). They stopped making jigsaw puzzles long ago, and there is not much info around anywhere.
p.s. Codeword translation "stripes" = "strisce" ... s + tri (like trinket) + she (like, her, she)

Oho! I've been going around your videos for a while, and just came across this! I had this puzzle as a kid, and it took me several months of putting in a few hours after work every day. Seeing it nearly triple your estimate time makes me feel better about taking so long, ha ha.
I've been trying to figure out how to present the puzzle, and had too much anxiety about glue that it's still in the box in sections. That back-tape method looks interesting though, I'll have to go research that! I'll have to also find a unique solution to framing it, but if I can figure it out, there's a great place in my house to hang it up!
I also mixed the bags :-). Definitely made the stripes at the two ends way harder that way, ha ha.

I loved that puzzle...did it in the 80's

I was just *hoping* that you'd post soon! Thanks for another video

I like when puzzle pieces have the same shape pieces. To me it looks so much nicer. And, there were a lot of stripes in this puzzle.

I liked the puzzle, I am thrilled you mixed everything together. One of my favorite episodes in a while. Stripes

I love Escher's art. This was a cool and stripe filled experience!

just to imagine that 5 whole days went into this video is unbelievable. You make it seem so easy, but i started puzzling as well after finding your channel and it is definitely not :D