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).
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).
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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 ;-)
How on earth didn't he get to the shortlist?! He's fab. :D
ReplyDeleteHe is so magnificent I just don't understand him not getting picked......What an incredible number of stabbings that must have been......
ReplyDeleteHe looks fantastic! I can't even imagine felting that little guy! (I'm still trying to learn how to make a felted ball)
ReplyDeleteHow 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!
ReplyDeleteWow, that has to be your best felted fowl yet - he's just wonderful! I'd've picked him!
ReplyDeleteHe is wonderful! You inspire me to try needlefelting!
ReplyDeleteOh 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!
ReplyDeleteNothing short of magnificent.
ReplyDeleteHe is so wonderful! You absolutely create the most amazing needlefelted treasures I've ever seen - ever!!
ReplyDelete!!! Gretel! Each creation is better than the next! I LOVE this one! I'm going to be smiling all day now.
ReplyDeleteOKay- 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.
ReplyDeleteW.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.
ReplyDeleteSomeone deserves a kick in the googlies for this oversight:¬)
ReplyDeleteWe need to stage a coup - I like your entry far better than anything picked for the shortlist! Hoo ha I say.
ReplyDeleteJust lovelovelove your cricket goose/duck!
~Holly
Two Cheese Please
He's adorable, you are so clever!
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling me about Folksy.
He's fab! How can he not reach the shortlist? Tut!
ReplyDeleteYou could do a series of sporting felties....a gorilla rugby player maybe, a seal volleyball player (on me 'ead!)...;->
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
ReplyDeleteOn 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!!!
ReplyDeleteand as well the adorable creatures in the post just below.. so cute trying out different ears... You are amazing!!! and I am amazed!!
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)
ReplyDeleteA very cool goose indeed!
ReplyDeleteI'm in England for 10 days and reveling in the lovely autumn weather - a blessing indeed.
W.G is such a great personality, PG!
ReplyDeleteI 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
He is such a cutie! I am shocked he didn't take home the grand prize. It must be a very competitive event!
ReplyDeleteBut 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!
What a fabulous character!
ReplyDeleteP.x
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.
ReplyDeleteHaving never done needle felting, I admire what you do immensely, I'm not sure I would have the patience to do it.
ReplyDeleteI adore the siamese cat by the way!
I think WG Goose is superb and I'm not at all surprised to see that he has sold.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a handsome fella! He's gorgeous, you are sooo clever Gretel :)
ReplyDeleteKim x
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'
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteEverybody 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.
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.
ReplyDeletewhoops...maintaining is the word I was trying to type.
ReplyDeleteWow!! W.G. Goose is amaaazing! His posture is brilliant, I love the way he's standing there!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant! You're so talented :o) Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely adorable creation! I can't get over how wonderful your work is!!!!! Every piece has such personality and "life".
ReplyDeleteCindy
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?
ReplyDeleteXOXO
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!!!!!!!)
ReplyDeleteHe's FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteYour 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 :)
you just get better and better!!
ReplyDeleteHe's fabulous! I hope he's very happy in his new home :)
ReplyDelete