Well hello there! And WOW, for some reason it feels like ages since my last post – there’s been a lot happening this past week. I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
But first, I think I promised you a new Beastie – although some of you might recognise this little guy from the post I did a couple of weeks ago about my new Beastie-sized photo studio!
Let’s take a look at how those pictures turned out, shall we?
Ooooh, look at that! Cerise and blue, side by side, with neither colour flaring or getting washed out – teeny photographic studio, I salute you!
As for the Beastie, he’s a Sweetheart Beastie… One of the mainstays of my monster crew for every market I go to. Hearts speak to everybody*, and a soft, squishy felt one stitches up nice and quickly. This particular one was made to order for a customer I met at the Dublin Christmas Flea, who wanted a friend to keep her niece company while she’s in hospital. Hopefully his big toothy smile will help keep her spirits up…
… And he’s so proud of his oversized cuddly heart!
I also couldn’t resist kitting him out with a funny little bobble hat! Very stylish.
This Beastie had quite a way to go as well – as soon as he was ready, he left Beastie Towers and headed Down Under. But he’s bringing a flavour of this side of the globe with him… Since half of the family originally hail from Huddersfield in the UK, he’s proudly sporting the local football team’s colours!
I hope he’s settling in well in his new home!
*Well, almost everybody. At a Christmas market a few years ago, a boy marched up to my stall and told me that he really liked the handsome black and red Sweetheart Beastie I’d brought along. “Apart from that,” he said, indicating the heart, and pulling the most disdainful face I’ve ever seen.
And now for my other big news – I’m in a magazine!
I first found out about Caboodle, an independent magazine from the UK that publishes twice yearly, through the blog Claireabellemakes. I ordered a copy, loved it, and when I saw an email calling for submissions a few months later, I thought why not? Then, can you imagine how excited I was when they actually accepted one of my tutorial ideas? WOWEEEEEEE!
The magazine is available now from the Caboodle website, but here’s a sneak preview to whet your appetite! I should add (although it is probably quite obvious) that those clumsy arrows in the first picture were added by me in paint.net as an expression of my joy at being a published author. Check it out!
My tutorial is a simple dip-your-toe-into-needle-felting project, inspired by my own first forays into this craft last year. If you’re interested in giving needle felting a try, this is a handy way to get used to the basic techniques by making and decorating some simple shapes!
Big thanks to Kayti Peschke from Caboodle for sharing an electronic version of the magazine, and giving us permission to use it! And also to Eirin, who took all my photos – believe me when I say that the tutorial would have been a disaster without her help! You can view her own stunning, atmospheric work on Instagram.
Phew! That’s about all I have time for this week! Swing by again next Tuesday, when I’ll have another new Beastie to share… In the meantime, have a great week!
That’s a lot for one week! Congrats on the magazine!!! It’s wonderful to see you and your felting in print (even digitally). And I love the perfection of that felted heart–you have some skillz. Funny that the little boy at the Christmas market had such a hilarious reaction, though 😉
I’m so happy for you! It is an amazing thing to have writings published by those outside of ourselves! I am not surprised, though. You are an incredible writer and artisan!
Oh wow, thanks so much! Yes, it is a great feeling… This is the first time I’ve seen myself in print, in a real physical magazine, and it’s pretty exciting! Thanks for dropping by 😀
Of course!!! It looks awesome too!!!
😄 *blush* Thank you!!
Why thank you! I was actually impressed how easy it was to get started with felting – I’m not claiming expertise yet or anything, but getting the hang of the basics was surprisingly simple, and a lot of fun too. As for the funny things that people say to me at markets, I think I could write a book at this stage! 😂
Congratulations on being featured in the magazine! That is great!
I love your Beastie, including the heart, and can imagine that they fly off the shelves when you take them to craft fairs.
Thanks Laura! I’m so excited to get my own copies in the mail, they should be landing soon! 😀 And yes, Sweetheart Beasties are always popular – although Beasties with pints have probably stolen the bestseller spot since I started making them! 🍻
Another fantastic beastie
I’m imagining that little boy in about ten years eagerly searching for a heart-holding Beastie for his someone special. Your little photo studio seems like it was custom made for Beastie models. And a big WOOHOO on your magazine article!!! Ooh, and I love the planetary themed project you’ve featured. Although with everything I have on my plate, I better avoid the temptation of getting lured into another craft :)).
Hahaha! Would it be mean of me to refuse to serve him if he ever shows up at my stall again? “Sorry mate, you’re barred!” 😂 And yes, I KNOW your plate runneth over with activities just now, but needle felting has to be one of the best stress relievers going. All the therapeutic benefits of a voodoo doll, but you actually have something to show for your efforts when you’re done!
You say that like the joy of inflicting pain on my voodoo recipient isn’t reward enough. 🤕🤕🤕
Hahaha! Remind me never to cross YOU! 😱 Now, be honest… How many Orange One dolls have you gone through in the last 6 months?
Um, well, it’s gotten so bad that I ran out of them so now I just go around stabbing anything orange. I’ve been asked not to return to the juice section of the grocery store. 😳
Hahahaaaaa! 😂😂😂
Thank you! 😀
Wonderful photos in the teeny studio, Helen! The colours are really vivid and popping. And what a splendid felt heart and bobble hat. Both are fibre perfection! Can’t wait to check out your felting work, too – I’ve been meaning to try felting, but have to get over my slight fear of… needles, lol. High fives on the tutorial! What a happy and adorable galaxy. 🙂
Thanks, Shirley! I’ve become quite addicted to needle felting since I first tried it last year… It’s especially handy for making some Beastie accessories that involve awkward shapes, like doughnuts. I still don’t know how I’d sew one of those! And there’s no need to fear the needle – setting your work on a sponge, or putting a gardening glove on your non-working hand if you want to hold the project, will help protect delicate paws from accidental jabs 😀
Thanks for sharing the felting tips, Helen. I will have to give it a try. Your blog is a fount of art and craft knowledge! 🙂
Thanks Shirley! And so is yours… I love that little top-down sweater you just finished!
Great beastie ,glad you got in to print😀
Thanks Tricia 😀 The paper copies arrived with my parents during the week, I can’t wait to see them!
Congrats,Helen!!! ❤ ❤ ❤ So well deserved!!!
Thanks Tajana! 💚 I’m so excited to see the magazines in real life 😀
Applause, applause … for Helen, the great! 😀
I came to like needle-felting a lot … of course only after I got to the point of not piercing my fingers during every project anymore. It’s amazing how painful these itty-bitty needles are.
Heehee, thank you! I’m going to write “Helen the great” at the top of my CV next time I apply for a job! 😀 And although I recommend a couple of tricks (using a sponge as your work surface, or putting a gardening glove on your project-holding hand) for protecting against jabs, I’m often guilty of completely ignoring my own advice and turning the air blue when I inevitably stab myself with the needle! They are REEEEEALLLLLY sharp!
Well, I am using a sponge but I’ve never thought of a garden glove. I’m not sure if I had a ‘feeling’ for the roving if my fingers were covered. (And also, no risk no fun! Haha)
Yep, that’s how I end up with jabbed fingers! I always prefer to “feel” what I’m working on… Even if that sometimes includes feeling a needle stabbing my hand for the 50th time! 😂
So neat! Congrats!
Why thank you! 😀
Love this. I’m currently knitting monkeys for friends who are pregnant but this beastie is really quirky
Thanks for stopping by! I’m sure your friends are super-grateful for your handmade baby gifts – those are the kinds of things that people cherish for years 😀