Tag: Winter

View From Beastie Towers in the Snow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

New Year? Snow Way!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Life at Beastie Towers, Paddy and Plunkett

It’s the first BeastieBlog of 2021… Happy new year, everybody! And although this first week of January didn’t bring a whole lot of good news on the pandemic front, in some parts of the island of Ireland it did bring something a little unusual – SNOW!

And some of it fell in the back garden of a pair of familiar Beastie friends.
Paddy Spots the Snow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesPaddy was up nice and early, so he spotted it first. And of course, the very next thing he did was…

Paddy Wakes Plunkett - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

… To go and wake up Plunkett.

Poor Plunkett. He was having a lovely dream about igneous rock formations.
Plunkett Wakes Up - Snow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“What IS it, Paddy?”
“SNOW! It’s been snowing, Plunkett! Get up get up get up!”

View From Beastie Towers in the Snow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“Look at that!”

It really is rather lovely. And every window revealed a fresh, snow-dusted view.
Snow at Beastie Towers - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesBut just looking at the snow was never going to be enough for Paddy. I think it’s time to head outside and play in it, don’t you?

Paddy Builds a Snow Beastie - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesIt looks like he already has a project in mind, too. Look at him go!

“Ta-daaaaah!”
Paddy's Snow Beastie - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“It’s a SnowBeastie, Plunkett! What do you think?”
“I think it’s not quite finished yet… Hang on a sec!”

And with a few finishing touches from Plunkett…
The Finished Snow Beastie - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesMuch better! It’s almost as cute as you are, boys.
“Almost!”

But even little woolly monsters start to feel the cold eventually. With their SnowBeastie finished, the lads decided it was time to head back indoors…
Warming up by the Stove - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties… And get toasty again by the stove!

So, how have you all been spending the first few days of 2021? Did you get any snow? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments!

Also…

Don’t forget that a new year means a new Beastie Calendar! This link will take you to the listing in our store… Download once, print off as many copies as you like, and be monstrously organised all year!
Beastie Calendar 2021 - Cover - CrawCrafts Beasties

Paddy, Plunkett and a Random Marigold - CrawCrafts Beasties

Winter Garden Wandering with Paddy and Plunkett!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Life at Beastie Towers, Paddy and Plunkett

Hello everybody! Well, we may be in the very depths of winter here in the northern hemisphere, but since we all made it through Blue Monday yesterday, it’s onwards and upwards from here! And after introducing a few new Beasties recently (catch up here and here) I thought it might be nice to get out for some fresh air, and take my new camera for a spin.

Of course, Paddy and Plunkett were more than happy to put themselves forward as models! So, we headed out into the garden to see what’s growing… Care to join us?

I caught up with Plunkett while he was tending to his hyacinths. He’s very proud of them, as you can see.
Plunkett with Hyacinths - CrawCrafts BeastiesBut then Paddy popped up, and suggested that it might be nice to take a wander outside.
Paddy pops in with an idea - CrawCrafts BeastiesTurns out he’s pretty persuasive.

And look! You can still find colour in the garden if you search in the right places…
Paddy, Plunkett and a Random Marigold - CrawCrafts Beasties… Although some of these places are easier to get to than others.
Climbing Beasties! CrawCrafts BeastiesStill, if it’s winter colour you’re after, this cheerful display of berries certainly fits the bill!
Paddy, Plunkett and some berries - CrawCrafts BeastiesThe view’s not bad either. Look how green everything is!
Enjoying the View - CrawCrafts BeastiesAnd when the boys spotted some long grass on the other side of the hedge, they knew exactly what to do next…
Hide and Beast - CrawCrafts BeastiesThere’s always time for a quick game of hide and seek!

But wait a sec… Where are they off to now? Wait for meeeeeeee!
Through the Archway - CrawCrafts BeastiesUh-oh! Looks like they’ve momentarily given me the slip. Hopefully I’ll be able to track them down before next week’s post!

How about you? Are you eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring before you venture back outdoors, or have you been enjoying walking in your own winter wonderland? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

We’ll be back next week with more from Paddy and Plunkett. I’m sure I’ll catch up with them eventually…

Plunkett Admires the View - CrawCrafts Beasties

Chillin’ With Paddy and Plunkett!

Posted on by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Knitted Beasties, Paddy and Plunkett

There’s been some pretty chilly weather in Ireland and the UK this past week or so… And much as I love snow, I’m glad we just got a brief flurry here in Dublin last Tuesday, rather than the full-blown blizzard that hit Scotland and the north of England! But the plummeting temperatures reminded Paddy and Plunkett of a frosty walk they took at the very end of last year, and prompted them to send me a few choice happy snappies!

As far as I can tell, they were first lured outside by the idea of being able to skate on the frozen bird bath…
Beasties on Ice! CrawCrafts Beasties
As usual, Paddy was showing off his moves, while Plunkett played it safe at the edge of the rink.

But wait a sec… Is that a rock poking up above the surface of the ice there?
Trip Hazard on the Ice Rink - Paddy and Plunkett - CrawCrafts Beasties
SPLAT!
Paddy Faceplants on the Ice -CrawCrafts Beasties
Apparently so, yes. Yeowch!
“Here, Paddy… I’ll help you u – WOOOOOAAAAAOOOOW!”
Uh-oh. There goes Plunkett as well.
Wipeout on the Ice - Paddy and Plunkett - CrawCrafts Beasties
“Maybe that’s enough skating for one day…
The End of the Icescapades for Paddy and Plunkett - CrawCrafts Beasties
…C’mon Plunkett, let’s go for a walk instead.”
Walking in a Winter Wonderland - Paddy and Plunkett, by CrawCrafts BeastiesI think this is much more Plunkett’s scene, don’t you? And on the way, they found some beautiful frosted leaves…
Frosty Leaves - Paddy and Plunkett, by CrawCrafts Beasties
… And some pebbles that almost looked furry thanks to their icy coating!
Plunkett and the Pebbles - CrawCrafts Beasties
Later, Paddy was even able to talk Plunkett into attempting a little climbing.
A Wintry Climb, with Paddy and Plunkett - CrawCrafts Beasties
Mind you, the view from up there made it totally worthwhile!
Plunkett Admires the View - CrawCrafts Beasties
But even little woolly monsters start feeling the cold in their paws eventually. Time to head back indoors! Although the winter sunlight was playing some strange tricks as they strolled home…
The Walk Back Home - Paddy and Plunkett - CrawCrafts Beasties“Check out our shadows, Plunkett! We’re giants!”
“Whatever you say, Paddy…”

Thanks for the photos, lads! Hopefully the days are going to start getting a little warmer again soon… And with that in mind, I thought it was high time February’s calendar page made an appearance!
February Featured Image - 2018 Calendar - CrawCrafts Beasties
It’s in the store now, it’s ready to download, and it’s FREEEEEE! Cheers to everybody who welcomed Paddy and Plunkett onto their walls, noticeboards and fridges for January – I loved seeing the pictures some of you posted on your blogs and social media of the calendars in action!

As you can see, Explorer Beastie has stepped up to the plate this month. I chose one of my favourite shots from our trip to Donegal last February, which captures some of the best bits of late winter in Ireland – yes, the weather can be a bit wild, but the gentle light and the fact that there’s still plenty of green about make it a quietly beautiful time of year. I hope you’ll like this one as much as I do!

That’s it for this week, folks – we’ll be back next Tuesday with another new Beastie for you to meet! See you then!

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!