Commissions – Page 8

Getting Around to Knit!

Posted on March 7, 2017June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Crafting, Knitted Beasties

Well lookee here! It’s Tuesday again, and in keeping with BeastieBlog tradition, I’ve some new Beasties for you to meet today – although I think a few of you might already have caught these two little lady monsters on social media over the weekend…
… But this is your chance to get a proper, close-up look at them! As you can see, they are both keen knitters – and even though they’re working on quite different projects, they like nothing better than meeting up and comparing knit notes!
This pair have gone to live with a pair of fellow enthusiasts of all things yarny – Deirdre and Lora, from Irish craft magazine Olann And!

Lora and Deirdre - Image borrowed from www.olannand.ie — (Image borrowed from http://www.olannand.ie)

Deirdre thought it might be fun to have a pair of Beastie counterparts to share the work of writing and editing this quarterly magazine… So let’s meet her new monster friend first!
Her favourite colour is pink, so of course Deirdre Beastie had to be pink too… and she’s working away on a rather lovely bubblegum-coloured chunky knit there as well! Also, her cosy cowl is modelled on one of Deirdre’s own recent projects…
… And a quick scan of some of Olann And’s recent podcasts helped me to design her sweet little polka-dot dress!
As for Lora… Well, she’s more into her blue. As you can probably tell!
Her new Beastie friend is also sporting miniature versions of her trademark tortoiseshell glasses and Madonna piercing!
And Deirdre Beastie isn’t the only one to be wearing one of her latest knitted masterpieces! Check out Lora Beastie’s glorious cherry-red cardigan, inspired by one of human Lora’s recent makes…
But the best part of this project was watching Deirdre and Lora meet their Beasties for the first time… And fortunately, they caught it on camera! Here’s the link to Episode 10 of the Olann And Podcast, in case you missed it!

(For the sake of my non-crafty readers, I’ve set the video to start from the beginning of the Beastie segment. But I’d recommend my fellow knitters, sewists and crocheters to ping it back and watch the whole thing – you’ll find lots to enjoy and inspire you here!)

I can’t wait to see what yarny adventures await these two Beasties in their new homes! And be sure to tune back in next week to meet another new monster friend… In the meantime, why not check out Olann And’s latest issue? This time around, they’re featuring some awesome (and FREE!) patterns, sharing some locally-made goodies and dipping a toe into the world of embroidery – all on their spiffy new-look website!

Have a great week, everybody!

A Monster Family, by CrawCrafts Beasties

It’s a Family Thing

Posted on February 21, 2017June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Knitted Beasties

Isn’t this year flying in already? I can’t believe it’s been nearly two months since I was putting the finishing touches on the new Beasties I’ll be introducing to you today!

So before another month zips by, let’s catch up with the last Beasties of 2016 – a happy little monster family!
These Beastie parents are justifiably proud of their sweet new arrival, who I made sure to wrap up in a toasty merino wool blanket, to keep those December chills at bay!
And just look at Mama Beastie… She’s so stylish in her checked shirt and satin bomber jacket!
Of course, Beastie Dad is no slouch in the style stakes either! He’s a bit of a Manchester United fan (or maybe that’s Monschester United?) so he pretty much lives in his favourite football shirt…
… Although since it was the middle of winter when he left Beastie Towers, it would have been irresponsible of me to let him out without a jacket. So I made him a classic felt parka, complete with a fur-lined hood!
This look might have been a little inspired by his favourite band… So I kitted him out with a copy of Oasis’s breakthrough album “Definitely Maybe” to keep him and his new family entertained. If you look closely, you’ll see that this is a super-rare Beastie-fied special edition!
The album cover is as close a replica of the real thing as I could recreate in felt and teeny embroidery. Yikes! Remind me to start this kind of work in the summer, and not leave it until the very darkest days of December like I did last year!

OK Beasties, I think that’s everything you need. Time to head off and meet your new family!
The best bit is that they arrived just as their human counterparts dashed to the hospital to welcome their own little person into the world – what are the chances? I couldn’t have planned that better if I’d tried!

Phew! Now that we’re almost up to date with new Beasties, next week I’ll be sharing some of the latest news from Beastie Towers… including my new photography toy and why it’s nice to be incommunicado every once in a while. See you then!

(Mer)Made Just for You!

Posted on February 14, 2017June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Commissions, Knitted Beasties

After Explorer Beastie’s trip to the northwest coast last week, it seems like a good idea to carry on with this maritime theme for a little longer! How do you all feel about meeting a real, live Mermaid Beastie?Look, there she is… elegantly running her paws through her tresses, as mermaids are wont to do. Now, at the risk of running aground on some treacherous rocks, let’s take a closer look at this elusive Beastie… You may never see her like again!

First, you’ve probably noticed that she’s wearing a rather fetching seashell bikini top… A girl has to keep up with fashion, even if she does live underwater.
She also has a friendly starfish in her hair, to keep her lustrous locks out of her eyes.
But of course, you probably want proof that this isn’t just a regular girl Beastie in a costume. So, here you are – check out her beautiful, scaly, sparkly tail!
Sharp-eyed Beastie spotters will also notice that her tail is stitched in such a way that she can lounge coyly on rocky outcrops, rather than sitting bolt upright…
… Although this shot captured her just as she got tired of posing for the camera, and she prepared to swim off to new and exotic shores! Since she left just before Christmas, I’m sure she found the waters around Ireland pretty chilly, but fortunately it wasn’t long before I received confirmation that she had arrived safely in her new home!
Heehee! It looks like she’s settling in well – and possibly challenging the Christmas fairy bear for her spot at the top of the tree!

Thanks for joining me for another New Beastie day – I’ll have the last of my Christmas commissions to share with you next week, so be sure to drop back in for that! And join us again on Friday for part 2 of Explorer Beastie’s trip to the very top of Ireland. See you then!

A Beastie-Size Tardis! CrawCrafts Beasties

Knock knock! Who’s There?

Posted on January 31, 2017June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Crafting, Knitted Beasties

– Doctor.
– Doctor who?
– Exactly!
Aaah, they say the old jokes are the best… but perhaps that one might be the exception to the rule!

That said, the new Beastie I’d like to introduce to you today ties in quite well with the retelling of a corny old joke. The character he’s based on is known for his ability to regenerate and reappear as essentially the same person… albeit in a different body, with different personality traits. And even the tales of his adventures have made a comeback and evolved in recent years, creating a whole new army of fans!
Yes, you’ve guessed it – it’s Doctor Who Beastie!

Some of you might remember that I already made a Doctor Who Beastie, back in December 2015… But given the original Time Lord’s continuing popularity, I figured it was only a matter of time before I was asked to “regenerate” Doctor Who Beastie!

Of course, in keeping with the tradition of Doctor Who’s various distinct regenerations, and the fact that all Beasties are unique, there have been some subtle changes between this Beastie and his previous incarnation…
As you can see, his complexion has changed to a bright sunny yellow, and he’s clearly visiting a different dentist! But his tailor and hairdresser did such a good job last time around that he’s decided to stick with them…… And underneath his practical tweed jacket, he’s still rocking the same bright red braces and matching bow tie!Finally, I kitted him out with a Beastie-sized Sonic Screwdriver – essential for getting a teeny Time Lord out of all sorts of intergalactic scrapes!But surely you’re not going to walk to the furthest reaches of the galaxy, Doctor Who Beastie?Aha! I thought not! A cosy felt TARDIS will work much better.Perfect!Well, almost… Even though I gave him strictest instructions to head directly to his new home, and to be sure to get there in time for Christmas, he took it into his woolly head to go adventuring instead!

Days passed, then weeks… And still no Beastie! I didn’t know what to do – contact NASA and see if they’d noticed anything whizzing past the Hubble space telescope? Ring the BBC and ask for Professor Brian Cox? But then…
He popped out of whatever black hole he’d vanished into, and arrived on his new doorstep apparently none the worse for wear after his longer-than-anticipated journey!

Even better, although he wasn’t home for Christmas, with uncanny Time Lord timing he did manage to pick the next best date for this grand entrance – his new buddy’s birthday!

Here’s a taster of what he discovered when he started exploring his new home planet…… And don’t forget to stop by Tatie’s World to see more of this Beastie’s antics!

Thanks to Tajana for sharing her Beastie pics with me… And for being so patient while we waited for the Beastie Tardis to find her house!

Next week, we’ll be finding out what Paddy and Plunkett have been up to in their first adventure of 2017… See you then!

Get Along, Lil’ Beastie!

Posted on January 24, 2017June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Commissions, Knitted Beasties

Yeeeeee haaaaaa!

It’s been a while, but at last… It’s New Beastie Day again! I’m so happy that I’m FINALLY able to share my pre-Christmas commissions with you all. And we’re going to kick off 2017 in style, with Cowgirl Beastie!
She’s got everything she needs for a long day out on the ranch – first, a classic blue and white checked shirt…
… A toasty jacket…
… With real leather fringes on the front and back…
… And of course, a lariat tied with an authentic lasso knot!
This miniature cattle wrangler was requested for a real-life rancher, and she was already looking forward to helping her new friend out on her huge farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. She’s expecting to work hard, so I put her hair into a nice chunky braid to make sure it doesn’t get in her way!
Then I added one last finishing touch…
…A felt cowboy hat, complete with a star on the brim in tribute to sharp-shooting queen of the cowgirls Annie Oakley!
Ta-daaaaah! Ready to go!

With a long journey to her new home ahead, I sent Cowgirl Beastie on her way good and early – and luckily, she arrived well in time for Christmas! Here she is – looks like she’s settling in nicely, don’t you think?
The new Beastie bonanza continues next week, so be sure to join us for the intriguing tale of a little woolly monster who got lost in space… See you then!

Rugby Girl Beastie Closeup - CrawCrafts Beasties

A Very Beastie Birthday Surprise!

Posted on November 8, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Knitted Beasties

Well, THIS has been a while coming! Today’s new Beastie actually left Beastie Towers back at the end of September… But since I devoted all of last month to Hallowe’en-themed monsters, this is really the first chance I’ve had to introduce you to this little lady! However, now that the days have suddenly got much colder, and tickets for the Six Nations have gone on sale, it seems like a good time for you all to meet Rugby Girl Beastie!
Rugby Girl Beastie was commissioned as a very special birthday gift for a devoted Munster Rugby fan! So of course she’s proudly wearing her team’s jersey…
… Featuring a hand-embroidered crest and a personalised number, to mark the occasion!

Rugby Girl Beastie’s new human friend also LIVES in her Converse trainers, so I made her a pair of her own to match!
And so that she can join in on the pitch if needs be, she got a hand-embroidered rugby ball too!
This Beastie girl’s new human buddy is a busy lady! When she’s not following her favourite rugby team’s exploits, she loves going to gigs and festivals… and so that Rugby Girl Beastie can tag along, I included a special VIP wristband to help her sneak backstage.
Then, as a final finishing touch, an accessory to celebrate her love of travel!
The hand-embroidered felt “stickers” are from some of Rugby Girl Beastie’s new friend’s favourite holiday destinations… and since she often travels to see Dublin band The Coronas play overseas, I’ve included a nod to them on there too!

Now I think we’re ready to hit the road!
Thanks so much to Katie for requesting this commission!

Oh, and thanks to all of you as well! Last week the BeastieBlog hit the 400 followers mark… And we literally couldn’t have done it without you. So… CHEERS!
Join us again on Friday for more overseas antics with Paddy and Plunkett… And don’t forget that this weekend we’ll be at the Creative Collective Ireland Craft Fair in Ranelagh, Dublin 6!

At The Bridge - L&P Döring/CrawCrafts Beasties

Guest Post – Fairy Princess Beastie’s Adventure!

Posted on October 25, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Commissions

We’re turning the BeastieBlog on its head this week! Last Wednesday, I got another update from a Beastie abroad – like buses, these things tend to come along in threes – and I just couldn’t wait to share it with you! On a sunny autumn day last month, Fairy Princess Beastie’s human family took her on a special day trip, and they were good enough to send me both pictures AND tales of her antics. So, without further ado, I’m going to hand you over to Louise – your guide for this monster day out! Enjoy!

Fairy Princess Beastie spent a lovely autumnal day out visiting Germany’s longest suspension bridge in Geierlay, Hunsrück (that’s in Rhineland-Palatinate if you know your German states!)

Before she set off on her big walk, she needed to build up her strength with a hearty lunch at a local beer garden. As there was no Beastie Menu, she settled for the Kids’ menu… schnitzel and chips (yum) and also some colouring pencils to keep her busy while she waited.
The 1.8km (that’s about 1.2 miles) walk to the bridge crosses over wide open fields and the views are dominated by various wind farms. Fairy Princess was intrigued and took a few minutes to check out the information panels on wind power…
Not only did they explain the link between the wind turbines and the bridge (this is fully financed by the income produced by the local wind farms), they also described some of the archaeological discoveries made in digs preceding their development. Apparently, the Romans traded with local precious ores.
Now there’s something a princess can relate to – sparkly precious stones!

After plenty of walking it was time for a well-earned break for Fairy Princess Beastie and her companion Isabel. This must have given her back plenty of energy because next thing you know she was off climbing trees – check out this cool oak tree forest!
And then, finally, they found the bridge! But would they be brave enough to cross? It hangs 100m above a deep valley, is 85cm wide and 360m long!
Quite an adventure – even for a big Beastie like this one! And as if that wasn’t enough – check out this hawk circling above for some tasty Beastie-sized treats, eek!
Fairy Princess Beastie summoned all her courage (and maybe cast a few anti-vertigo and protection spells for good measure) and was soon walking, jumping and even climbing on the bridge to get a good look down at the valley below! On the other side Isabel and Fairy Princess Beastie were amazed to see that the bridge has only been around since 2015.
(Careful now, Fairy Princess Beastie! It’s lucky your people are there to hold onto you!)

After some more relaxing (and more tree and rock climbing)…
… It was time to head back over the bridge for the journey home. As her fairy wings had been left at home, the Beastie was very glad of a piggyback and a big drink after a successful adventure. The beer garden even had a traditional German beach chair for her and Isabel to relax in.
To keep everyone entertained, Fairy Princess Beastie waved her wand to perform a spontaneous fashion show before it was time for the long drive home – this girl loves her accessories!
What a great day! Thanks again to Louise, Peter and Isabel for bringing Fairy Princess Beastie along, and for sharing your adventure with us!

And to keep with the topsy-turvy theme of the week, I’ll have new Beasties to share on Friday… Join us then to meet them before they head off to Smithfield Market Fair (Gothic Edition!) on Sunday 30th!

Beer Drinkin' Barcelona Beastie, by CrawCrafts Beasties

Bon Voyage, Beastie!

Posted on October 18, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Commissions, Knitted Beasties

Hooray! It’s new Beastie time again… Although today I will be taking a surprise break from the Famous Monsters theme of the last couple of weeks. I’ve been struck down by one of the delightful plagues that’s been doing the rounds lately, so I’ve spent the last few days binge-watching “The Killing” on Netflix and… um… precious little else. Fortunately I got this little monster completed before I buried myself under a heap of blankets on the sofa! He also headed off to his new home in sunny Barcelona this morning (lucky thing!) so what better time to introduce him to you all?
Why hello there!

A friend of mine, who has been living in Dublin these last couple of years, decided recently that it was time to head back home to Spain… Well, who can blame him? I’m sure most of us would choose sipping Sangria by the beach over battling through the wind and rain on a dark November morning! But he did want to take home a reminder of his time in Ireland, and so he requested a special little monster Mini-Me!

So, this guy is made from 100% Irish wool… and of course, he had to be green!
His lustrous locks are made from a different yarn, though… a wool and alpaca blend, so they’re super-soft!

My friend also discovered the joys of a good IPA while he was living here, so his Beastie buddy was obviously going to get one of those, too!
YUM!

Then to complete his look, I kitted this little woolly monster out in the style of his new human friend – a sharp-looking shirt, hoodie and jacket combo!
Look, he can even wear his hood up… Although I’m sure he won’t need that so much where he’s going!

I can’t wait to see how he gets on in his new home in Barcelona! Good luck, Beastie!
“Cheers!”

And it’s a surprisingly good time for Beastie travel at the moment – drop back in on Friday, when we’ll have an update from a Beastie abroad! See you then!

Christmas Explorer Beastie - CrawCrafts Beasties

Where Does The Time Go?

Posted on September 30, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Crafting, Life at Beastie Towers

Wow, even with Grim Reaper Beastie keeping an eye on his hourglass, this year seems to have flown in! And although some people (or monsters) are still taking it easy…
…Others among us are already thinking ahead to -gulp- the so-called festive season.

Yes, fellow Scrooges all over the world, I am fully aware that it’s not yet October, and that the trees haven’t even started shedding their leaves. I know that we still have Al-Hijra, Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving (both Canadian and American), Diwali and Hallowe’en to celebrate before December even begins. But the fact is – and I’m sure many of my fellow crafters will crack a wry smile here – handmade items take time to make, and whether you’re creating a few gifts for friends and family or a whole stall’s worth of goodies, it pays to get cracking on them early. Believe me, the last-minute Holiday Craft Panic is on a par with last-minute shopping, and I have high hopes of avoiding both this year!

So, today I’m going to ask any of you who might be toying with the idea of welcoming a special little monster into your home to get your orders in now, before the madness kicks off! I’ve even managed to persuade Explorer Beastie to pose for a delightful motivational graphic…
Please bear in mind that Bespoke Beastie spots will be limited, and it will be a case of first come, first served. So, if you already have an idea, let’s get started! Drop me a line and I’ll begin sketching up your design ASAP.

And if this is all too much, too soon, don’t worry! You’ll still be able to grab yourself a monster friend from our Etsy store, or at one of the many markets I plan to squeeze in between now and the end of the year.

Alrighty, I’d better get back to my knitting! I’m hoping to have the first of my Famous Monsters Beasties ready to share with you next Tuesday…

In the meantime, have a monster weekend!

Baker Girl Beastie in the Kitchen- CrawCrafts Beasties

Flashback Friday – Baker Girl Beastie

Posted on September 23, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Flashback Friday, Knitted Beasties

It’s time for another browse through the BeastieBlog archives… and since we’ve been talking a lot about treats already this week, it only seemed fair to have another treat-y Beastie to see us into the weekend! Hands up who remembers…
…Baker Girl Beastie!

I made this Beastie at the start of 2015, and she was one of my first “real” commissions. It was exciting to be making a monster for someone who I didn’t previously know… and a little nerve-racking, too!

Fortunately, the lady who requested this little monster girl had a good idea of what she wanted. First up – red hair, to match her own…
… And a cute little printed cotton dress, protected by a hand-embroidered apron!
But the most important accessory was her big pink cupcake!
In fact, I recently revisited this idea, and made some larger stand-alone felt cupcakes!
They’re really fun to make, and right now I’ll take any opportunity to flex my newfound felting muscles!

One thing I noticed while putting this post together was how much my Beastie photography has improved in the past year and a half, even if I do say so myself! It just goes to show that practice makes… um… maybe not perfect, but definitely better!

It’s been a while since I heard from Baker Girl Beastie… hopefully either she or her human will see this and drop us a line! Then again, perhaps she’s training hard for the next season of “The Great British Bake Off”! Are any of you planning to spend some time in the kitchen this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

	tierneycreates: a fu… on We Wish You A Merry Beast…
	crawcraftsbeasties on We Wish You A Merry Beast…
	quietwatercraft on We Wish You A Merry Beast…
	crawcraftsbeasties on We Wish You A Merry Beast…
	The Hidden Spain on (Mer)Made Just for You!