Hey there everybody! You know, after Friday’s post on Beastie work accessories, and reading about Tierney’s recent studio update (seriously, take a look! I have such storage envy) I thought I’d do something a little different this week. So, let’s have a rare behind-the-scenes post… How about I introduce you to the hard-working tools, equipment and knick-knacks that help me perform the alchemic transformation of wool into monsters?
And because the internet loves a top 5, I’ve picked the 5 tools that make my crafting life so much easier. Let’s go!
1. Swiss Army Knife
Not even one of the biggest, fanciest ones either! I think this is the most basic model out there, but I use it ALL THE TIME. The scissors are super-sharp, and they’re great for getting into awkward corners. I also use the tweezers to unpick threads, tie knots, handle small pattern pieces and push stuffing into narrow or hard-to-reach places. The toothpick works for that too, and the nail file is great for smoothing off the wooden dowels that go inside some Beastie accessories. All that, and it folds up to the size of a pencil eraser! Genius!
And while we’re on the subject of cutting…
2. Rotary Cutter
Pictured here with its lovely assistants Cutting Mat and Metal Ruler. I’m still a fan of scissors for cutting out, but for the many, many pattern pieces that call for crisp, straight lines, you can’t beat this handy trio. They’re especially good for dealing with thick, unstretchy fabrics like wool felt (my craft material of choice), so any new project will probably see me wielding my yellow cutting wheel at some point!
3. Magic Magnifying Lamp
Otherwise known as “the reason I’m not blind”. After enviously looking at the supersize versions in the labs of technicians on “Forensic Files”, imagine my delight when one of my very own appeared in my Christmas stocking a couple of years ago. This thing is brilliant! The magnifying lens shows up every stitch in glorious detail, and the circular daylight bulb means that I’m not working around the shadows cast by my hands. It’s also probably cut my electricity bill in half while I’ve been working from home during quarantine!
4. Circular Knitting Needles
These are the reason I became hopelessly hooked on knitting again. Circular needles allow you to knit tubes, rather than flat bits that will eventually need to be sewn together. Now, I don’t mind sewing. But if I can knit and have something that is already almost finished when I cast it off, that’s definitely a bonus! What you see above are my most-used sizes, but I have… um… a few more that aren’t pictured.
Anyway, moving swiftly on… I’ll distract you from my knitting needle hoard with magic disappearing pens!
5. Air-Erase Markers
Well, full disclosure – it’s the ink that disappears, not the pen. There are lots of options out there for marking your pattern pieces onto fabric before cutting them out, but these are far and away my favourite. They’re thinner than tailor’s chalk, don’t rip up felt like chalk pens do, and the marks fade away all by themselves. Or, if you’re in a hurry, you can help them along with a spritz of water. The lines are also easy to see on most colours, apart from the very darkest ones. I’m still looking for something that draws well on black felt!
Did I miss anything out?
Oh yeah, Beastie assistants!
Hmm, then again… Perhaps not, if you actually want to get anything done.
What makes your creative life easier? Be sure to share the tools of your trade with us in the comments! And we’ll be back on Friday with another look at Beasties past – see you then!
… Got a Covid-19-era update!
The face mask is made from cotton, pleated and lined with felt for some good woolly air filtration. Then, a pretty ribbon strap with a little elastic helps to hold it in place.
Two needle-felted wool sponge cakes, sandwiched between layers of felt jam and icing? That would put a smile on any Beastie’s face!
She’s also dressed to impress, in a sweet floral print sundress with ribbon ties on the shoulders.
And finally, check out those lustrous alpaca tresses! I really should get the Beasties to share their hairdressing secrets.
Now all we need to figure out is how she’s going to blow out the candle without removing her face mask!
Big thanks to Annemarie for suggesting this fun and timely project! And speaking of fun…
As such, I have been avidly following the daily patrollings of Big Ginger Cat and Little Tortoiseshell Cat, who swing by several times a day to sunbathe, hunt bluebottles and wage war on the magpies in the big tree. It’s nice to see them continuing about their usual business!
“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 
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!
“Um, we got you a present?”
Cheers, and see you then!
In 2019, I took a big leap and had a go at organising my own craft fair! I rounded up a group of my favourite local craftspeople, and met some awesome new makers as well.
“Oh yeah! Look at that!”
Then…
Alright, time to get back to the studio! We’re heading to the 
I can’t imagine why that might be.
Poor Explorer Beastie!
… But Explorer Beastie really enjoyed his therapeutic bubble bath!
“Aaaaah! We should do this every week!”
Whiter teeth and a nice clean beanie hat were just an added bonus!
And now he’s ready for action again!
Beastie Hospital services are available to all Beasties, too! You only need to reach into your pocket to pay postage back to Beastie Towers – we’ll take care of the rest. Contact me 
No, I haven’t been hiding out in the daffodil patch with Paddy and Plunkett for the last month… Although I bet that would be a party!
Since we last spoke, I’ve been gradually moving more of my crafting kit out of Beastie Towers and into the studio… One blue IKEA bag at a time! Honestly, what did craftspeople use to transport their gear around before?! I’ve also picked up a few things to make my little workspace a bit more “Beastie”, and I’ll be sure to give you the new and improved photo tour in a future post.
…Plus a couple to finish up and add to my online store (AT LAST)!
And what about you? What have you been up to since we last saw each other? Be sure to tell us all your latest news in the comments!