Well hello there! And despite the best efforts of the mean ol’ flu bug that temporarily disrupted my blogging last week, I’m now back in the land of the living. Hurrah! So, shall we celebrate by meeting a new Beastie? I think so!
Those of you who keep up with Laura at A Pict in PA might see some eerily familiar features in this Beastie face…
I’ve been reading and enjoying Laura’s blog for a good while now… I love hearing about what she and her family have been up to (their summertime road trip posts are a particular favourite), and having a nosey through the latest additions to her art journals! I also try to keep up with her sister blog, Pict Ink, which is dedicated completely to her art and illustration projects.
So, as you can probably imagine, I was super-excited when Laura got in touch with me to request a Beastie friend of her very own… Well, excited with just a sprinkling of terror. Because doing a preliminary sketch for anyone is always a shot in the dark, but drawing for someone who I know has mad monster-drawing skills? Eeeeek! Fortunately, Laura’s blog was a veritable goldmine of ideas, and I was able to pick out some Beastie accessories that I thought might appeal to her wide-ranging interests!
First, we had to pay woolly tribute to her go-to hairstyle of choice – the messy bun!
Then, one of the things I really wanted to include in this Beastie’s kit was a camera. Like me, Laura still has a soft spot for “real” cameras, and I’d say she doesn’t go far without her trusty DSLR! Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I was able to find photos of the make and model she uses, and then Beastify it for her little monster friend.
I couldn’t resist taking a few extra shots to show you the camera’s key features – viewfinder, screen, prestigious “Kniton” branding…
…But my favourite bit is taking it apart! The lens and strap are both removable.
Linking in neatly with Human Laura’s enthusiasm for photography is her love of film and musicals – and having read about the Dorothy-style red spangly slippers she picked up to wear on Oscars night, I thought a Beastie-sized pair might be a fun way to reflect her movie-buff side!
Like the originals, they’re cosy and sparkly… and these ones close with snaps so they’re easy to take off! They’ll also help Laura Beastie to stand up on her own two feet.
Then there’s another clue to her fondness for the silver screen tucked away safely in here…
You can always be sure that when a Beastie gets a bag, there’s going to be stuff in there! In this case…
… It’s a hand-embroidered cinema ticket and book! There’s a little bit of Dublin history in here as well – the Screen was a small cinema in the city centre which closed in 2016. Now its name lives on in felt and teeny sewing! As for the book, Poe is one of Human Laura’s favourite authors… And how could I resist a name that lends itself so well to a yarn-based pun?
Wow – this is an epic one, isn’t it? But the final element of this Beastie’s outfit was – taaaa daaaah – a pair of felt-framed glasses. And they’re removable, too!
Now she’s all ready for her first adventure!
All she has to do is to click her heels together three times and…
… She’s away!
Thanks so much to Laura for commissioning this fun and challenging project! Hopefully we’ll see this Beastie popping up again the next time the Picts hit the road!
And speaking of hitting the road… I’d better get going myself! I’ve just realised I owe you all a March calendar page, so look out for that landing on the BeastieBlog shop in the next day or so.
Enjoy the rest of the week… And we’ll see you again on Tuesday with another new Beastie friend!
I can’t stop saying that you have golden hands, dear Helen! I’m simply amazed!
*Blush* Thank you, Tajana! But remember it takes one to know one! 🤗 By the way, I’m super-grateful for my lovely toasty socks today, because it is SNOWING and due to be very, very cold for the rest of the week! 💚
❤❤❤👍👍👍🤗🤗🤗
Your skills amaze me Helen, is there any limit to them?
Hahaha! Thanks, Simon… I suppose I’ll just have to keep making stuff until someone says “ah no, that’s rubbish!” 😂 Cheers for stopping by! 😀
I can’t imagine anyone will ever say that! 🙂
Well, I really hope not! I don’t know what I’d say back… Maybe I’d just set the Beasties on them! 😂
Wow, I love this Beastie! The details on the camera are amazing, especially being able to remove the lens. Amazing work, as always! 🙂
Thanks, Rachel! That removable lens is one of my favourite bits, even if I do say so myself 😁 Cheers for your lovely comment!
I love the specs & camera, this beastie is amazing.
Thanks, LucyAnn! I’m actually surprised that I’ve never made a Beastie with a camera before… This innovation really was long overdue. Glad you like her, and thanks for dropping by! 😀
Thank you for introducing Beastie me to the world! I absolutely adore my Beastie. Having followed your blog for a good while now, I had high expectations of what you would create but I am happy to declare that you far exceeded my expectations. I was so impressed with how you picked up on the little details that really spoke to my interests and I love all of the nifty details. You are so incredibly clever and skilful and witty. Thank you!
Oh woweeeeeeee! That’s high praise indeed! I’m so glad you love your new Beastie “mini-me”, and thanks for providing me with such a rich vein of inspiration! Here’s wishing you both a whole year of exciting monster adventures, Laura! 😀
Thank you!
I think your level of talent is illegal in some countries, ha! Another absolutely amazing Beastie! Wearing glasses myself I was totally enamored with the glasses – oh and that camera!
Heeheehee! It’s funny, I seem to have been making a whole lot of bespectacled Beasties lately… Clearly glasses are so hot right now! Cheers for stopping in, Tierney… I know I say it all the time, but praise from other crafters ROCKS! Thank you!
🙂
Okay when I ooh-ed and ahh-ed at those shoes on Twitter I didn’t even realize they were sparkly! Now I’m double ooh-ing and ahh-ing (which I better stop before someone thinks I’ve started a phone sex business). It seems like it’s been a while since there’s been a good Beastie pun and this post delivered two for one..yay!! That camera is amazing, by the way.
Hahaha! Careful now! I’m so glad the camera captured the sparkles on the shoes eventually… It’s times like these that I’m grateful for the wondrous innovation of digital photography. That would have eaten a whole lot of film back in the day 😆 Hopefully Beastie Laura will get equal joy from using her teeny felt camera! Cheers for your comment, Tammie, and good luck with your new telephonical business venture! 😉
Hey, that sort of business would require some creative writing work for my “scripts” so I guess it all ties in under my “Writer” job description. Wait? Ties? Ropes? Chains? Eek!!
Hahaha! Look at you… You’re a natural! 😂
Yay! I’ve finally found my niche!
She looked good on Twitter, but all those details are amazing.
Thanks, Jan… Plenty to keep me entertained with this project, that’s for sure! Cheers for stopping in! 😀
Your creativity is truly amazing! I would say inspirational, except I know better than to think I could even attempt to make something remotely similar. I love all the details and PA Pict clearly has great taste in camera equipment. Congratulations on the “birth” of another wonderful Beastie.
Thanks, Maggie! And “meeting” Laura through her blog was the real inspiration behind those accessories… I don’t know how one lady manages to do so much! 😵 Thanks for stopping in!
Another splendid Beastie, Helen! It’s always such a joy to see the Beastie’s delightful pre-sketches, too. They are like little story-worlds in and of themselves! The little lens- and strap-detachable camera is pure genius, and the side-bag of goodies is adorable. I officially want to those Ruby slippers and their snazzy snaps! Bravo! 🙂
Awww, thanks Shirley! I’m actually doubly flattered that you liked the sketches… I’m a huge admirer of your artwork, so that means a lot! As for the ruby slippers, they’ve been getting a lot of interest… Maybe I need to learn how to make human-sized shoes! 🤔 Cheers for your comment!
Shut the front door!!! The camera is amazinggggggg. How does the lens attach? Is it Velcro? I also love the mismatched teeth, messy bun, and fantastic shoes. And once again, I find myself coveting a Beastie wardrobe and wishing I could have a human-sized satchel!!!! Sigh, how do you always manage to outdo yourself?! Congrats!
Aaaah, Weekes! A Beastie-maker never reveals her secrets! 😉 Velcro was certainly a contender for the lens attachment, but recently I’ve been a bit obsessed with the fun things you can do with magnets. They are also waaaaay less hideous to attach… And the lens makes a satisfying muffled “click” as it snaps into place. I could have played with it all day! As it was, I settled for some very thorough testing instead. 😀
As for everything else… Why thank you! 😊 After all the feedback on this little monster, I’m even considering a human clothes sideline. I reckon I can dress anybody, as long as they have short stumpy legs and no neck. Form an orderly queue, people! 😂
Ahhhhh but of course! Yes, that sounds way better than Velcro! Heehee, I used to have a bag that provided that satisfying magnetic click and I’d open and close it over and over – maybe someone should develop that as some kind of soothing therapy?
Hahaha it’s certainly a niche body type – but one that should not be ignored. I’ll certainly be there for your first runway show! 🙂
Yeah, it’s up there with popping bubble wrap! 😀 And I’ll be sure to book you a front row seat for that fashion show… I hope you’re ready to be all over the front page of Vogue! 😉
Hahahaha I will be there… in my sweatpants and glasses (maybe I’ll add a belt?)! 🙂
Now don’t go overboard… You’ll make everyone else feel underdressed!
This is so amazing. (as always.) Maybe you should think about getting a spot in an art gallery to show your marvelous work to the world.
My favorite thing about Laura-Beastie is the shoes. I have a thing for red shoes and own several pairs of them so I’m in love with those sparkly, tiny thingies. ❤
Heeheehee! Thanks Ivonne… Gosh, those shoes really have been the surprise hit of this project! Perhaps I need to be sending more shod Beasties out into the world? Red shoes do rock though… I used to have a great pair myself, but had to give them away when I finally admitted I could no longer walk in them! At least you’re still flying the flag for scarlet footwear 😀
As for putting the Beasties in a gallery… Wow, I’d love that! Could I trust them to behave themselves, though? Perhaps if I distracted them with elaborate scenic backdrops… 🤔 Someday! Watch this space! 😀
Yeah, you probably would have to chain them down … or glue them to the case … or bribe them with cookies (or ale??) 😀
Hahaha! Bribery is usually a good way to go… Let’s leave the chains and glue until they’re really needed! 😂
Oh, I know all about bribery … I have kids. The way you deal with them is just like the way you deal with monsters. 🤣😂
Good advice… That’ll come in handy when I (hopefully) teach my kids’ knitting workshop in a couple of weeks! 😀 Thanks, Ivonne!
Oh, good luck with that class!!! (Keep a non-sticky candy close… and a whip :-D)
Duly noted! Thanks! 😁
(As long as I don’t eat all the candy myself…)
Bon Appetit! 😀
I love this guy! You are so clever, and so thoughtful and talented with everything about this. I really love your proper camera!
Thanks, Catherine! This was certainly an epic project, but totally worth it! Glad you liked the camera – I can definitely see more photographer Beasties in my future 😀 Cheers for dropping in!
Wow, gorgeous Nikon!! 😆
Lots of greetings from Lu
Heehee! Thanks, Lu! Although if you look super closely, you’ll see the camera is in fact a “Kniton”… A very prestigious Beastie camera brand! 😂😂
*hahahaha* you made my day! 😆
This is incredible! I love all the little details.
Thank you, Ali! And thanks for stopping in! 😀
She’s so cool! And so beautifully made too. But the camera is beyond brilliant!
Thanks, Ann! 😀 Let me know if Barbie needs a vintage film camera for her travels this year!
Oh I like the sound of that!!
Okay, I laughed a little bit too long at ‘kniton’! You’re a beastie genius, and she’s perfect 🙂
Hahaha! Yeah, I’m a sucker for a pun! 😂 Thanks for dropping in, Hannah!
Thanks great bblog
Thank you!