Tag: Monsters

Pint Beastie - Barróg Beasties, by CrawCrafts Beasties

A Lazy Summer Afternoon with Pint Beastie!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Knitted Beasties

Summer Barróg Beasties, by CrawCrafts Beasties
Some of you may remember these little woolly faces from my summer colours post a couple of weeks ago! In between all the markets, days out and blogging challenges set by the nice folks at Blogging 101, I’ve been kitting these monsters out with some extra-special accessories!

I wanted to give all of them an Irish flavour, because these are Barróg Beasties – a local subspecies of Beastie grown from yarn that is harvested, spun and dyed right here in Ireland. Let’s meet one of them, shall we?
May I introduce… Pint Beastie!
Pint Beastie - Barróg Beasties, by CrawCrafts Beasties
Let’s face it, Ireland has a bit of a reputation when it comes to the old “demon drink”. Personally, I’m not so sure we deserve our worldwide notoriety as a nation of boozers – there are certainly plenty of other contenders for the crown – but it is fair to say that a lot of our social life here centres around the humble pub. I’m inclined to blame this on our weather… in a country where it can be rainy and cold at any time of the year, the pub will provide shelter from the elements, companionship, news and the possibility of consuming a little something to help you feel warmer.

Of course, during our brief, fleeting summer, everything changes. A balmy evening in Dublin sees pub patrons flooding outside to catch some sun, and any establishment with a beer garden, yard or quiet stretch of pavement outside will be absolutely packed. And on those days, even us hardened stout and ale drinkers might be tempted to switch things up and order a cold, crisp pint of lager instead.

With this in mind, I just had to take Pint Beastie out to the garden today!
Pint Beastie in the Garden - CrawCrafts Beasties
He really enjoyed having a quiet tipple and watching the world go by!

Cheers to that, I say!
Cheers! Pint Beastie, by CrawCrafts Beasties
While he was there, he bumped into another Summer Barróg Beastie – what’s he got in his paw?
Pint Beastie makes a friend! Barróg Beasties, by CrawCrafts BeastiesAll will be revealed next time!

What’s your favourite summertime drinkable? Let me know in the comments!

Summer in the Countryside

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Explorer Beastie

Explorer Beastie Goes For A Walk! CrawCrafts Beasties

It’s been a while since we last caught up with Explorer Beastie… with so many of his Beastie brothers and sisters sending reports of their travels to us, he hasn’t really got a look-in! So a trip out west to my boyfriend’s family farm was a perfect opportunity for him to take a wander, and for me to take some long-overdue photos.

First up – check in with the cows!
Explorer Beastie on the Fence! CrawCrafts BeastiesCows in Roscommon - CrawCrafts BeastiesThen a quick stop to smell the flowers…Explorer Beastie Stops to Smell the Flowers - CrawCrafts Beasties…And then off up the road!
On The Road With Explorer Beastie - CrawCrafts Beasties
I think this is the first chance I’ve had to share photos of the farm in high summer, and even I was surprised at how green everything was! Look at this… no filters, no fiddling, just nature doing its thing.
Explorer Beastie in the Greenery - CrawCrafts Beasties
Next, we decided to head up onto the bog. The path was a bit overgrown… but that’s no problem for an adventurous little Beastie!
Explorer Beastie in the Long Grass - CrawCrafts Beasties
Even in summertime, the bog is noticeably less lush than the surrounding meadows – definitely easier terrain for those with slightly shorter legs!
Explorer Beastie with the Bog Plants - CrawCrafts Beasties
It’s also the perfect place to stop for a snooze in the sun! Explorer Beastie found himself a comfy place to rest for a minute in a patch of springy heather. I bet he’s glad he packed his sunscreen!
Explorer Beastie Relaxes in the Heather - CrawCrafts Beasties
After a refreshing nap, there was more exploring to be done!
Explorer Beastie Makes a Botanical Discovery - CrawCrafts Beasties
But eventually Explorer Beastie decided he’d had enough of my paparazzi-ing, and made a break for it in the long grass!
Explorer Beastie Escapes the Paparazzi - CrawCrafts Beasties
Don’t worry, he made it home in time for dinner!

More Beastie adventures next week, wishing you all a monster weekend!

Submarines and Seascapes… Paddy and Plunkett in Portsmouth, Part 3

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family

Paddy at Victory, Portsmouth - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
Last week, we left adventurous Irish Beasties Paddy and Plunkett in something of a sticky situation… captured by an irate security guard who objected strenuously to Paddy’s attempts to take HMS Warrior for a test drive!

However, this week I’ve received another round of photos in which the pair of them appear to have eluded their captor… How can this be?
“A good escape artist never reveals his secrets,” says Plunkett. “And anyway, we had to go and have a look around the Alliance submarine.”
Plunkett with the Alliance Submarine - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
Fair enough.

Although it seems like Plunkett was really only interested in hanging out in the bar…
Plunkett in the Torpedo Tube Saloon - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
Apparently when Alliance was in use, food was stored just about anywhere they could find space. So yes, those beers are indeed being stashed in a torpedo tube! Fortunately, it’s a long time since any torpedoes were launched from this submarine – Alliance has been a museum since 1981, so Plunkett can enjoy his tinnies in peace.

Suitably refreshed, the two lads set off for the Figurehead Museum…
Paddy at the Figurehead Museum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
…Where they met some pretty unusual ladies!
Figurehead Museum, Portsmouth - H Crawford/Crawcrafts BeastiesScary Lady at the Figurehead Museum, Portsmouth - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesYikes! Imagine if you saw those faces leering at you from the front of a battleship! But look what was waiting for the boys around the corner…
The Knitted Sea at Portsmouth's Figurehead Museum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesKnitted Fishies at the Figurehead Museum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesKnitted Mermaid and Friends at the Figurehead Museum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesMore Knitted Undersea Creatures at the Figurehead Museum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
…A whole knitted underwater scene! Look closely and you’ll see turtles, starfish and mermaids as well as hundreds of multicoloured fish! Paddy and Plunkett could have stayed here for hours, but then they saw this…
Plunkett with the Giant's Causeway Poster - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
“Is that the Giant’s Causeway? We really have been away for quite a while… maybe it’s time to head home. Hope you’ve enjoyed following us around Portsmouth, see you soon for more monster adventures!”

Paddy and Plunkett’s Portsmouth – Part 2

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family

Paddy and Plunkett Continue Their Portsmouth Adventures - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
The last time we checked in with Paddy and Plunkett, they’d got carried away exploring the Isle of Wight and missed the last boat back to the mainland! Fortunately, it seems they eventually managed to make their return journey by stowing away on a passing ship … the cable pattern on Paddy’s jumper is perfect camouflage in among the rigging ropes!
Paddy in the Rigging - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
Even though they’re now back on dry land, they couldn’t resist going to visit one of the city’s most famous attractions – the Mary Rose!At the Mary Rose - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
The Mary Rose sank in 1545 just north of the Isle of Wight, after 33 years of service in Henry VIII’s navy. Her wreckage was rediscovered in 1971 (although Wikipedia mentions an earlier rediscovery in 1863, after which some enterprising gentlemen tried to meet market demand for salvaged artefacts by blowing up parts of the ship with condemned bomb shells filled with gunpowder) and so began a decade of intense underwater archaelogy, legal wranglings and preparations to extract what remained of the ship’s hull from the sticky clay on the seabed. Finally, on the 11th of October 1982, the Mary Rose saw daylight for the first time in more than 4 centuries! Conservation work has been ongoing ever since… the ship is now in the process of drying out after 25 years of being sprayed with preserving wax.

Unfortunately, photo opportunities were few and far between in the museum itself – with so many visitors around, a Beastie could easily get trampled underfoot! The lads were happy to soak up the sights, and leave the happy snaps until they stopped for coffee at the end of the tour. Hey look – Paddy’s got his own personalised mug!
Paddy Stops for Coffee - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
Then there was just time to pose with this scurvy sea dog outside…
Paddy, Plunkett and the Pirate - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
…Before going to seek more nautical adventures on board HMS Warrior. Warrior was Britain’s first iron-clad battleship, built in 1860. Her wrought-iron armour was a huge technological leap forward, and this development made the ship faster, stronger and harder to hit than anything else afloat at the time. Apparently, most rivals didn’t even bother to engage her – one look and they just slunk off into the sunset! She didn’t scare Paddy and Plunkett though – they were too busy hanging out in the rigging!
Paddy and Plunkett on HMS Warrior - H Crawford/Crawcrafts Beasties
They also had a look around below decks…
Paddy and Plunkett Below Decks on HMS Warrior - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
And then… oh no! Who let Paddy drive?
Paddy Takes the Helm - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
These mischievous monsters have gone too far this time – they’d better leave before someone calls security…
Captured! Security Catches Up with Paddy and Plunkett! H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
Too late! Still, it’s not every day that you get forcibly ejected from a vintage battleship by a former film star… Super-observant readers may have seen this monster from the deep before, in the Bond film “For Your Eyes Only”!

Now it only remains to be seen if Paddy and Plunkett can wriggle free of the iron grip of the law! Stay tuned…

Fighting Fire With… Fibres! Woolly Fibres!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Knitted Beasties

Fireman Beastie, by CrawCrafts Beasties

Hooray! It’s time to introduce you to another new Beastie! Fireman Beastie may be a little smaller than your average firefighter, but he’s exactly the kind of monster you want to have around in an emergency.

All he has to do is put on his special Beastie-sized firefighting kit – felt wellies, a jacket with reflective stripes and of course a bright yellow felt helmet…
Fireman Beastie's Firefighting Wardrobe, by CrawCrafts Beasties

Fireman Beastie's Boots, by CrawCrafts BeastiesFireman Beastie's Helmet, by CrawCrafts Beasties…And he’s ready for action!
Fireman Beastie Dressed for Action! (CrawCrafts Beasties)
Obviously, he doesn’t sit around the fire station waiting for a callout with all this stuff on. Between rescue missions, he can relax in his uniform trousers and a t-shirt – this picture is for all his lady Beastie admirers!
Fireman Beastie's Loungwear! (CrawCrafts Beasties)
Finally, I made sure to provide him with some essential tools of the trade – a hose and a fire axe!
Fireman Beastie's Axe and Hose - CrawCrafts Beasties
The hosepipe even has a special magnetic attachment, so that it can clip onto any metal fire hydrant or fire engine! Now Fireman Beastie is truly ready for his first firefighting adventure…
Fireman Beastie in Full Uniform! (CrawCrafts Beasties)
…But how is he going to get there?

Luckily, his new BeastieBuddy Mason has been able to provide transport!
Fireman Beastie With Fire Engine - T Rafter/CrawCrafts Beasties
Look out for Fireman Beastie next time you hear those sirens!

Another Dog Lovin’ Beastie!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Knitted Beasties

Tracy Beastie with her Dog - CrawCrafts Beasties
Well, I couldn’t say before, but I actually made TWO Beasties with canine pals last month! And now that this one has arrived in her new home and no birthday surprises will be spoiled, I reckon it’s high time she made an appearance on the BeastieBlog. Please say a big hello to Tracy Beastie!
Tracy Beastie and her Beastiedog, by CrawCrafts Beasties

Tracy Beastie should fit right in with her new family – not only do they have their own merry pack of pooches to keep her Beastiedog happy, her new mum also works as a dog trainer. So they should have plenty to talk about!

Because these two are off to sunny Texas, Tracy Beastie had to dress for the weather – we settled on her mum’s usual dogwalking outfit of yoga pants and a brightly coloured vest top. Oh, and sunglasses are a must-have!
Tracy Beastie's Outfit, by CrawCrafts BeastiesTracy Beastie's Sunglasses, by CrawCrafts BeastiesTracy Beastie in Sunglasses, by CrawCrafts Beasties
Meanwhile, the Beastiedog looks a little like her new kennelmate Evy – a black lab cross with a white blaze on her front. If you look closely, you’ll see she’s sporting a special running harness for walkies, with a removable clip-on lead too!
Black Lab Beastiedog, by CrawCrafts BeastiesBlack Lab Beastiedog Closeup - CrawCrafts BeastiesTracy Beastie Plays With Beastiedog - CrawCrafts BeastiesAnd finally… I sent them off with a snack for the journey!
Tracy Beastie, Beastiedog and Treats by CrawCrafts Beasties
That one little bag must have lasted them well, because here they are in their new home!
Tracy Beastie in her new home! T Donaldson/CrawCrafts Beasties

Looks like they’re settling in well!

Taking Care of Beastie Business!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Info, Knitted Beasties

Winter Beastie by CrawCrafts Beasties

Ah, January! Cold, dark days, nights that begin at 4.30 in the afternoon and the Christmas lights in the streets haven’t been taken down yet, but they aren’t being switched on any more either… Well, that’s what’s happening in Dublin, anyway. So, what better time for me to tackle one of my New Year’s resolutions head-on, and get the Beasties’ Etsy shop going again?

Etsy Shop Window

Ta-daaaaaah! My first three listings went live this morning, and I’ll be adding more over the next few days. If you have a spare second, please pop over and visit the Beasties in their new online home… Etsy’s such a massive place these days, I’m worried they’ll get lost in there! I’d also love to hear any feedback you might have about the shop, or your own experiences of buying or selling online… tell me all about it in the comments!

Happy Friday everybody, hope you all have a monster weekend!

My Beloved Monsters

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Ideas

I have to admit, I have a long-held fascination with weird little creatures. Since I’m currently a little short of new Beasties to post, I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to some of my favourite monsters…

1. The Muppets
Muppets

… And by extension, all the characters created by Jim Henson’s Creature Workshop – from Fraggle Rock to Mopatop’s Shop. One of my earliest TV-related memories is of watching “The Muppet Show” with my family, and I’ve been a fan ever since. And while Miss Piggy and Kermit always steal the show, it’s the antics of the monsters in the supporting cast which have kept me watching all these years.

2. Stoppit and Tidyup
Stoppit Tidyup

Does anyone else remember this? If not, here’s what you missed… Stoppit and Tidyup was a series of short cartoons, which aired in the mid-to-late 80s. Each episode told a story about cheeky red fuzzball Stoppit, his better-behaved friend Tidyup and another of the characters who lived with them in the Land of Do-As-You’re-Told. You can meet them all by watching the show’s intro… and yes, that is TV legend Terry Wogan narrating.

3. The wonderful creations of Dr Seuss
green-eggs-ham

I love the illustrations in Dr Seuss books – try as they might, film adaptations just don’t do them justice. They’re so simple, but they capture everything perfectly. He’s especially good at showing furriness, and his not-quite-human, not-quite-animal creatures always have incredibly luxuriant fuzzy hands and feet. My brother and I got a hand-me-down copy of The Dr Seuss Storybook from our older cousins, and from the first story (“McElligot’s Pool”, featuring pages of fantastic imaginary fish) I was totally hooked.

4. Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland”
momeraths-2

Or, more correctly, the part of the 1951 animated film where Alice finds herself in Tulgey Wood. The multicoloured mome raths in the picture are joined by a forest-full of other nonsense creatures, including some pretty imaginative birds.

5. The Creatures of Studio Ghibli
Totoro

And not just the Totoros, either… although they are a great introduction to the universe of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. Most of the films feature a charming animal sidekick, a backing cast of beasties drawn from Japanese mythology or (best of all) both. Add in some beautifully-painted backgrounds and stories which manage to be heartwarming without descending into saccharine sweetness, and you’ve got a winner. Want to see more? This article handily introduces some of Ghibli’s best incidental characters.