18.9.08

W.G Goose

W.G.Grace - born in Queen Victoria's England and a cricketing legend.




W.G Goose. Created on Friday the 12th of September, a five day slog of a needle felting marathon.




A sometimes undignified process...too many cricket teas have been the downfall of many a fine waistline.




Dressed in the colours of Eynsham Cricket Club ('our' team, for better or worse)





And standing a magnificent (and slightly excessive because oh boy did my shoulder hurt after five days of stabbing) 32.5 cm tall (nearly 13 inches).




He was my entry for the Folksy/Howies Design week competion - alas, despite his impressive girth and dignified demeanour, he didn't make it to the shortlist.


I am now sold!

But I'm glad I made him anyway, if only to remind myself to keep things small in future.

(What is Folksy? Folksy is a fledgling UK craft site, after the manner of Etsy - but with pounds, not dollars. At the moment my loyalty remains principally with dear old Etsy, but it is nice to work with our own currency, and to have events organised that we can participate in. So, early days, but they've got off to a good start and good luck to them).

40 comments:

Gail said...

Thanks for these progress photos Gretel - this one is really great - I love all the cricket details - well done and I hope he goes to a good home.

I can't imagine needle felting something so big - all my creations have turned out quite small and still take so much stabbing. I do find though that needle felted creatures have a way of becoming not quite you intend ;-)

Catherine Hayward said...

How on earth didn't he get to the shortlist?! He's fab. :D

d. moll, l.ac. said...

He is so magnificent I just don't understand him not getting picked......What an incredible number of stabbings that must have been......

Stephanie said...

He looks fantastic! I can't even imagine felting that little guy! (I'm still trying to learn how to make a felted ball)

Mary Beth said...

How did WG not win? I wish I was more up on my cricket so I could come up with some catchy euphanism - but I think you've been robbed!

Caroline B said...

Wow, that has to be your best felted fowl yet - he's just wonderful! I'd've picked him!

Anonymous said...

He is wonderful! You inspire me to try needlefelting!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh my soul, I do love him! You can just imagine him shouting over to his other teammates! He is perfect, and he should have won it all!

tut-tut said...

Nothing short of magnificent.

Anonymous said...

He is so wonderful! You absolutely create the most amazing needlefelted treasures I've ever seen - ever!!

Stephanie Roth Sisson said...

!!! Gretel! Each creation is better than the next! I LOVE this one! I'm going to be smiling all day now.

Stephanie Roth Sisson said...

OKay- and now I looked at the short list and I have to echo some of the other comments about Folky's GIANT oversite. I gotta tall ya, this piece is masterful. There must have been secret handshakes and backroom deals going on over there in the judging chamber....merrit based on quality, creativity, craftsmanship, originality were not part of the criterian for selection. Obviously.

Sarah Laurence said...

W.G. Goose! Now that is really funny. The legend lives on. He's a winner in my books. The Eynsham Cricket Club must be proud to have such a charming mascot.

Chris.P said...

Someone deserves a kick in the googlies for this oversight:¬)

Anonymous said...

We need to stage a coup - I like your entry far better than anything picked for the shortlist! Hoo ha I say.

Just lovelovelove your cricket goose/duck!

~Holly
Two Cheese Please

Acornmoon said...

He's adorable, you are so clever!

Thanks for telling me about Folksy.

Anonymous said...

He's fab! How can he not reach the shortlist? Tut!

You could do a series of sporting felties....a gorilla rugby player maybe, a seal volleyball player (on me 'ead!)...;->

Anonymous said...

Well you know why WG didn't make it to the SHORT list don't you? It's because he was at the top of the TALL list! He is truly perfect, a masterpiece of prodding.x

Gwen Buchanan said...

On my first quick scan down through your pictures of W.G.Goose I thought "what a sweet little guy"... then I read that he is 13" tall and my jaw dropped.. Holy Cow!! what a long and determined amount of work... But so well worth it.. He is gorgeous.. and so full of personality!!! I love him!!!

and as well the adorable creatures in the post just below.. so cute trying out different ears... You are amazing!!! and I am amazed!!

Celeste Goulding said...

He's beautiful! Absolutely stunning! How he didn't win, i don't know. Interesting to see the work in progress photos. You're a star :o)

Elizabeth said...

A very cool goose indeed!
I'm in England for 10 days and reveling in the lovely autumn weather - a blessing indeed.

Frances said...

W.G is such a great personality, PG!

I have just finished reading a book called "Netherland" that has much to do with cricket, amongst many other huge topics. Now I have much more appreciation for a sport that I still do not understand.

xo

Dana and Daisy said...

He is such a cutie! I am shocked he didn't take home the grand prize. It must be a very competitive event!

But someone has given him a place of honor in their home already I see! It must be hard to turn them loose so soon after birthing them!

natural attrill said...

What a fabulous character!
P.x

Anonymous said...

W G G - wonderful. I was thinking about an episode of 'Ever Decreasing Circles' that makes me hoot a lot when I looked at him - more a Paul than a Martin I think. I've loved catching up with your posts by the way, your workroom pics and also the post about your sewing baskets too. Packing and unpacking I've discovered some of my own treasures which I want to share some time. Ta for the inspiration.

Libbys Blog said...

Having never done needle felting, I admire what you do immensely, I'm not sure I would have the patience to do it.
I adore the siamese cat by the way!

Anonymous said...

I think WG Goose is superb and I'm not at all surprised to see that he has sold.

Kim said...

Wow, what a handsome fella! He's gorgeous, you are sooo clever Gretel :)

Kim x

Jackie said...

Maybe it was because he's clean shaven!!! No big beard like wg. Its really lovely. Am I just confused or did you change the name of your blog? I have you as 'All around us'

hen said...

Hello

Everybody I know has now met W.G Goose! I had to share him, he is absolutley fantastic Gretel!

What you do is such a complete package and of huge quality that I don't know why you're not a famous billionaire, living in your Devon farm, surrounded by felted poultry.

I agree with chris.p.

love frum,
hen
x

p.s. lordy Gretel! Your attention to detail is spot on! Not surprised he's been snapped up.

among found objects said...

Just wanted to drop a note on how lovely your WG Goose is and thank you for maintainging such a great list of other blogs. I had been looking for hours for art blogs and since I have come across W.G. Goose and you, I have been going back and forth spending time with your goose and other other bloggers. Thank you.

among found objects said...

whoops...maintaining is the word I was trying to type.

Paula Bowles said...

Wow!! W.G. Goose is amaaazing! His posture is brilliant, I love the way he's standing there!

Anonymous said...

This is brilliant! You're so talented :o) Very inspiring.

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

What an absolutely adorable creation! I can't get over how wonderful your work is!!!!! Every piece has such personality and "life".

Cindy

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

Oh how I adore your felted creations....your talent for this amazes me with each and every creation! Of course he was sold, how could anyone resist him?
XOXO

Gordon Fraser said...

GOOD GOD OUR GRETEL!!!!! You've surpassed yourself with this fella! I FLIPPIN ADORE HIM!!!!...(although I don't understand cricket at all.....sport? BLERGHHHHH!!!!!!!)

Rima Staines said...

He's FABULOUS!
Your shapes are exquisite... I marvel at how you manage that in felt.
And now for a piece of trivia... I grew up a few streets away from WG Grace's house in Mottingham... SE London :)

Karen Jinks said...

you just get better and better!!

Anonymous said...

He's fabulous! I hope he's very happy in his new home :)