USA Jigsaw Nationals
My husband, David Spratte, sending me off to my first Nationals in DC. I love the train and was able to do a puzzle on the way!
I have been fortunate enough to attend Nationals two years in a row since starting my speed puzzling journey in 2024. The USA Jigsaw Puzzle Nationals has three main competitions where avid speed puzzlers compete in individual, pair, and team preliminaries. If the puzzlers are fast enough, they get to go to the Finals and duke it out. I have not made it to the finals rounds—yet :).
Before speed puzzling, I loved doing jigsaw puzzles of all kinds. It wasn’t until I taught a Nia playshop on the value of play that I allowed myself to do them all the time. Before the playshop, I thought I could only do them on vacation or when I was retired and older. Now I puzzle every night for speed or just plain fun. My husband and I have dinner, watch a show, and then go on to play. He plays games online with friends. Now my brain is addicted to being active at night rather than just continuing to watch TV until bed.
I enjoy the way my brain and body have to figure out new choreography in Nia, just like I enjoy figuring out a complex puzzle or how to complete them faster. My students and clients exchange puzzles in class and at my office. One avid puzzler student of mine, Doreen Clark, even joined me at Puzzle Camp and competed for the first time!
One of my favorite things about my puzzle exchanges is learning what kinds of puzzles students and clients like so I can share puzzles with them. I always have puzzles in my car just in case I meet someone that likes to puzzle. I can usually hook them up with just the right one. It’s also pretty great receiving puzzles non-stop. It’s like Christmas all year long!
Since my massage clients know about my hobby, I made sure to have a place for puzzles in my office. They are hidden, but always available to loan or just pass on. Next time you are in need of a new puzzle, let me know and I will show you my stash and find one for you!
Here are pictures from my adventures in speed puzzling at the last two Nationals in 2025 and 2026. My puzzle pal, Doreen, even spotted me on the livestream in the individuals and team preliminaries in 2026. I will share links to those below.
I made it!
My first individual Nationals competition. It was a tough one. 121 pieces left. 90-minute time limit.
We finished within the 75-minute time limit and missed going to finals by a few spots. I met my pairs partner, Susan, at my very first puzzle competition in Fayetteville in September 2024.
I met my team through FB. We practiced the night before. We had 3 hours to complete two 1000-piece puzzles. We had around 60 pieces left. I was very happy with our accomplishment. The Hawaiian shirts were my idea to get us noticed. Our team name was The FTC (First Timers Club).
This is what it looks like when my team travels to Atlanta for Nationals 2026.
This was the first Nationals for two of my teammates. I was so happy we were all from NC! It made practicing much easier.
Our team name is our initials combined. We are the Silver Locks Jigsaw Gurus (Susan, Laura, Jessica, and Gwen). We did great as a team! Finished our first 500-piece puzzle in a record time for us of 27 minutes and then the 1000-piece for a total of 2:07. Missed going to finals by a handful of spots.
We first show up at 2:13 but keep watching. They caught us finishing on the livestream!
Jessica finishes her 100-piecer on the way!
Here is the puzzle I was given for individuals. Had 78 pieces left after 90 minutes. Did it at home in 1:27:17. They filmed me in the beginning of the round at 26:55 minutes.
Tougher puzzle this year. We had a bunch of pieces left that all seemed black. Still fun.
This is our team puzzle haul. Every time we were in a competition we got to keep the puzzles. I bought one from an artist I liked. We ended up with around 60!