Tag: Summer

Paddy at the Lighthouse - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

To The Lighthouse!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Knitted Beasties, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello there Beastie people! After last week’s visit with a new Beastie, we’re back on the road with Paddy and Plunkett… And it’s certainly nice and sunny wherever they are today!
Paddy and Plunkett Enjoy the Sunshine - CrawCrafts BeastiesIt seems the locals are pleasant, too. We all know about how well Beasties and cats get on, and the boys can really get on board with any place that puts up a sign like this.
Cat Crossing at the Lighthouse - CrawCrafts BeastiesThen, on the horizon… Look, a lighthouse!

The Lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
The boys have never been in a lighthouse before. And now we know where they are – they’re back in Scotland, at the Mull of Galloway! This is Scotland’s most southerly point, and between the lighthouse and the nearby nature reserve, there’s plenty of cool stuff to see. Better still…
Lighthouse Entrance - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“Look, Paddy! It’s open!”

“YESSSSSS! I can’t wait to see the view from up there…”
Paddy at the Lighthouse - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesBut alas, Paddy will have to stick to admiring the lighthouse from ground level. The Beasties’ small stature has once again been their undoing, and there’s a minimum height requirement. And they won’t even be able to stow away in a handy human pocket or backpack, either.

” ‘Little ones may not be carried’. Sounds like the humans might be on to us, Paddy… Paddy?”

He’s already gone! Never one to dwell, Paddy has switched his attentions to something new. Namely, how to get down to this foghorn. It’s been out of service since 1987, but it was restored to full working order last year… And is occasionally sounded for lucky visitors.
Foghorn - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesPaddy is planning to take it a step further. He’s pretty sure everyone wants to hear his rendition of “Ode to Joy” blasted out over the sea at 120 decibels.

Fortunately, Plunkett has the perfect distraction to get Paddy away from the foghorn, and preserve the peace of this otherwise tranquil nature reserve…
Where to Next, Paddy and Plunkett? H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesHow could any adventurous Beastie resist a signpost like this one? So many possibilities!

“Which way to Dublin, Paddy?”
“It doesn’t say… How about we head to Senegal instead?”

Do you reckon the boys will hitch a lift with a friendly gannet and send their next holiday photos from Dakar? You’ll have to join us next week to find out!

Beach Beasties Take a Weight Off - CrawCrafts Beasties

Summertiiiiiiime… And the livin’ is Beastieeeee!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Commissions, Crafting

Summertime Wedding Beasties, by CrawCrafts BeastiesHappy Tuesday, everyone! And look, I’ve some new Beasties for you to meet!

I’m delighted to introduce you to Beach Babe Beastie and her new Beastie hubby, Outdoor Adventure Beastie!
A Closeup of the Happy Couple - CrawCrafts BeastiesThe person who requested these two little monsters wanted them as a wedding gift for a couple who she described as “summer people” – when the sun starts to shine, they’re the first to dash outside to soak up some rays on the beach or seek out adventure in the countryside! So rather than dress their Beasties up in stiff, formal wedding garb, we decided to go for outfits and accessories that would reflect their love of those long, hot summer days.

Ready for the guided tour? Great – ladies first, then!
Beach Babe Beastie, by CrawCrafts BeastiesWith her sunkissed blonde hair and Beastie-sized bikini, Beach Babe Beastie is all set to spend her honeymoon basking on golden sands somewhere in the tropics. And look, someone has brought her a cocktail to sip as she sunbathes!

Then once the sun slips below the horizon, she can pop on a cute floral-print skirt and head out for a relaxed dinner with her Beastie Beloved!
Dressed for Dinner - Beach Babe Beastie, by CrawCrafts BeastiesI also gave her a little tote bag, to hold her sunscreen – she needs to preserve her lovely rose-pink complexion, after all.
Beastie Beach Tote - CrawCrafts BeastiesAnd of course, she needed a pair of film-star sunglasses to complete her look!
Beastie Sunglasses! - CrawCrafts BeastiesNow, where’s that husband of hers got to? Oh, there he is!
Outdoor Adventure Beastie, by CrawCrafts BeastiesHe’s a real outdoors enthusiast, who loves keeping fit and camping under the stars. All this activity has helped him grow a bit taller and musclier than your average Beastie!
Another Big Tall Beastie! CrawCrafts BeastiesWhile I was making these Beasties, I thought it might be a good opportunity to redesign my Beastie backpacks – the new-style ones close with Velcro instead of snaps, and I think they’re a better, more realistic shape and more sturdily constructed.
New Look Beastie Backpack, by CrawCrafts BeastiesThey still hold everything an adventurous Beastie needs for a day away, too – in this case, a big bottle of water and a tasty cheese sandwich!
Beastie Backpack Contents, handmade by CrawCrafts BeastiesAnd finally, this guy had to have a pair of sunglasses!
Ready for the Great Outdoors - CrawCrafts BeastiesAll we need now is a bright sunny day for them to enjoy! But until then, they’ve managed to find a decent substitute…
Hey! That's my Desk! Sunbathing Beasties, by CrawCrafts BeastiesHurry up, summer… I need my desk back!

Hope you’re enjoying less apocalyptic weather where you are – my must-have summer accessory this past week has been my umbrella! What do you keep in your beach bag or backpack?

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!