Hey there everyone! Ready to join me for another Flashback Friday? This time, I’ve decided to go for a three-for-the-price-of-one deal, with one of the sets of new family Beasties I’ve created over the years.
Does anyone remember this happy trio from waaaaay back in 2016?
They were made to celebrate the arrival of a cool couple’s first baby… And although the little one took centre stage, I had some serious fun with the grown-ups’ outfits.
Mama Beastie got a checked shirt and bomber jacket combo – a Beastie first, I should add.
While Dad was harking back to the “Madchester” era in a football shirt and parka. Check out the furry hood!
I also can’t believe I managed to do all that teeny embroidery on the album cover before I got my wondrous magnifying lamp!
You can see more pics of these family Beasties in their section of the Beastie Gallery.
And if you’re looking for a little something to keep you entertained this weekend, might I recommend…
Back before we were all confined to our homes, in a time when it was still perfectly normal to sit in a room and have a chat with someone, I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Barry for his excellent podcast series “From the Maker to the Made”. We talked about all sorts of stuff – what it’s like to make a living from creativity, the pros and cons of social media and, of course, Beasties!
Aaaand the episode is now live! If you’d like to give it a listen (on Spotify), you’ll find it here. You can also check it out wherever you normally pick up your podcasts… Just search “From the Maker to the Made”, then I’m in episode 18.
And now I’ve done all my self-promotion! Have a super sunny weekend wherever you are, and I’ll see you again on Tuesday!
“Hey, let’s go and have a look at that!”
As tends to happen, there’s been a church here since 1124, but work on the incredible building you see above only began in 1352 (only!). The original design was for the cathedral to have two towers of equal height at the front, but as you might notice in the first photo, the nearer one is coming up a little… short.
There was also more street art to enjoy…
… As we made our way to our next destination – The 
Careful, Explorer Beastie! That samurai on the right looks like he’s inviting you to join the fray!
…MONSTERS!
We also took a trip to the top floor to see the city from on high!
The viewing platform is free of charge all the time, so it’s worth dropping by even if you don’t visit the galleries. And there’s plenty to see on the way back down, too!
We were surprised by how big Antwerp is. It has a full working harbour, and a lot of far-flung districts we will have to visit another time!
And look who’s here! Fancy meeting you, Garcia Beastie!
… And her miniature miniature schnauzer, Mikelet!
She also left Beastie Towers with two outfits…
… And a whole heap of accessories!
Her “survival kit” pays tribute to a few of Human Tierney’s favourite things – quilting, blogging and visiting her local library.
The match was placed here to give you an idea of just how teeny he is… Although I can’t guarantee he won’t be playing fetch with it later!
“Look, there’s still cherry blossom here!”
Hey, who’s that?
Yay! 
A little further up the hill, we wandered into the rose garden. And although there aren’t many roses in bloom yet, there was plenty of other greenery to explore!
We’ll definitely have to schedule another visit later in the year to catch it at its best!
And 
I had visited Bruges before, many years ago… But I’d forgotten how impossibly pretty it is. Here, take a look!
So, where are we off to first?
“Are we really climbing THAT?”
Explorer Beastie was supposed to stay tucked away until we got to the top, but he couldn’t resist popping out for photo ops in the Treasury…
… And the bell tower itself.
On the left is the Triumph Bell, which is the biggest of the 47 bells (47!) housed in the tower. It’s a shrimpy little thing, weighing a mere 6,000kg! On the right, Explorer Beastie is taking a closer look at the playing drum, which allows some of the lesser bells to play recognisable tunes every quarter hour. Each of those pins is actually a nut and bolt, so their positions could be changed….
Totally worth it!
“Gaaaah! Help!”
There was one very obvious reason why we were here.
“All you can eat”? Really? Is that wise?
In fact, he was still feeling chipper enough at the end to pose with these guys – does anyone else recognise the 
Cheers for travelling with us!
The last time I saw that sweet teal-coloured Beastie in the red scarf was at the Christmas on the Square market back at the end of November. He was hoping to find a home to call his own, and he really lucked out! A few weeks later, I received a lovely email from his new family. They told me he was settling in well, and they’d called him Felix because he’d brought them so much happiness. Well, that Beastie has some serious happy-making powers, because hearing that made me smile too!
… Learning to ride a bike (I’m not sure how he’s working the pedals, but that doesn’t lessen the achievement)…
… And taking the family car for a spin.
Let’s hope he’s a better driver than our good friend Paddy!
Well held!
Well, an ice cream would definitely be a good start. Hopefully he’s planning to share all that with someone… It’s nearly as big as he is!
To further his career, he asked me to share this photo of him recreating a classic pic of U2 (image not my own, I should say), taken around 2000 in Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock.
Hey, Garcia Beastie! Great, let’s go and explore!
You can also see the King’s House (NB no king has ever actually lived here!)…
…And, on the other side of the square, the Town Hall.
This served as a makeshift hospital during the First World War, and it was our first indicator that Brussels loves its monsters. Check out the statuary and gargoyles!
Wait, did we lose Explorer Beastie? No, there he is – having a staring contest with one of the locals.
Come on! We have to go and check out one of the city’s less tasteful landmarks.
We had a pretty hard time trying to decipher the appeal of the Mannekin Pis, but here we are…
OK, well… That’s done.
A building with multicoloured bikes going up the front? Yes please! And some early signs of the approaching spring, too.
You might not have to wear your woolly jacket much longer, Explorer Beastie!
Yes, they really are everywhere! Check out this winged lion on the side of the Palais de Justice.
As I later found out, the scaffolding is 
… The shelter we’d hoped to find in the galleries of the Mont des Arts and the Musical Instruments Museum was denied to us! It was a Monday, and both were closed.
I’d definitely check out the Museum of Musical Instruments on a future visit though – the building is so cool! I’d like to use it as a blueprint for the next Beastie Towers refurb.
I hope you’re planning to share that with me, Beasties!
Hey there, FrankenBeastie!
Woooooooo! SCARY!
Finally, I dressed him in a ragged-edged shirt and faded charcoal trousers.
Let me know if you bump into him when you’re out for your daily half hour of exercise!
Well, the happy monster couple was only part of the deal. I was also asked to Beastify Marge, a charming and elegant pug who came into the guys’ life disguised as a humble birthday card, and then became a member (if not the ruling matriarch) of the family. Here she is getting ready to enjoy the marriage ceremony back in January.
Unfortunately, Beastie Marge wasn’t ready in time for the wedding. She takes her appearance very seriously, and that held things up a little! But while the boys and their Beasties were honeymooning, I had time aplenty to get busy with my felting needles.
Ta-daaaah! You know, it’s actually quite strange to see her with feet!
… And her glasses really have lenses!
Finally complete, she was ready to hop in a box and travel to her new home. By all accounts, she’s settling in nicely!
… Although, Beastie antics aside, it has been nice to be at home for the last week getting on with some commissions! They’ve been stacking up a bit this past while, but with my teaching schedule completely on hold for the time being, I’ve really been enjoying getting on with some teeny sewing!
Bake Off Beastie had prepared treats…
Any chance I can use my scissors, lads?
“No, sorry. This is the bar now. Sláinte!”
Turns out my cutting mat makes a pretty nifty dancefloor… And oh great, they’re dancing on the tables now too.
What’s this? MORE BEASTIES?!
Oh, come on! Some of you are aren’t even finished yet! And hey, get down from there!
Uh-oh. This can only go one way.
“Um, we got you a present?”