The Ungalled Hart

Finding throws or lap blankets in the color schemes I like can be difficult. I’ve found it much easier to just make the blankets myself because it gives me the ability to handpick fabrics that match my style. While looking for good quality fabrics with unique designs, I stumbled across Oscha Slings, a company that sells beautiful fabrics in 1-meter (roughly 40-inch) pieces. As they only seem to sell the surplus pieces that didn’t get used in their own products the fabric options available change regularly. I periodically visit their website and if I come across a style I like, I purchase two pieces. Combining these fabric pieces by sewing them together creates the perfect size for my lap blankets. For the blankets I also purchase batting and Kona Cotton Solids fabric for the backing. To keep all the layers securely in place, I use straight line quilting, paying close attention to the recommended quilting distance of the batting. For a seamless look, I always choose a sewing thread that...

  I love sewing fabric covers for my books. This time, I decided to try something a little different by choosing a beautiful turquoise velvet for the material. I opted to create a simple flower and leaf design to embroider across the spine. Working with velvet proved to be quite difficult as it cannot be ironed. Unfortunately, the velvet I purchased came with wrinkles and creases from the seller. Removing them without damaging the fabric was a very time-consuming process. It was also quite difficult to embroider on the fabric without creating additional creases. Despite these problems, I am happy with the final result, considering it was my first time embroidering on velvet. I think the book cover turned out really well, and I learned a lot while making it. One day I would love to sew book covers out of brocade fabric, if only it wasn’t so expensive.

Recently, my cousin asked if I could crochet a dissected frog for him, from a pattern by Cottontail and Whiskers. I don’t recall having to dissect frogs in high school but I know it’s a common experience in many science classes. Perhaps my cousin just wanted a little something sciencey for his office walls. The pattern seemed interesting and I hadn’t crocheted anything in years, so I gladly accepted the challenge. I found some hand-dyed yarn online and used our grandmother's old crochet needles for the project. The pattern was very detailed and relatively straightforward to follow. However, I did attach all the organs before closing up the frog's center and opted for a different approach when attaching the legs. I also referred to an online photo to ensure all the little organs were in their proper place. Overall, I think it turned out great and I appreciated the chance to crochet this unconventional take on a dissected frog. The finished piece is a curious blend of whimsy and ...

I am excited to share that I have completed my first hidden fore-edge book painting. The chosen book, Tolkien's Beowulf, needed a bit of work since it originally came with a damaged dust jacket. After sewing a new fabric cover for it some time ago, I couldn't resist the urge to paint and gild it. Fore-edge painting requires careful planning, as there's little room for error. While I may create a step-by-step guide with pictures in the future, for now, I’ll just share some helpful tips. Painting Tips: First, ensure the edges of your book are sanded smooth and free of any dust. Using a book press or clamps , you can gently fan out the pages and secure them firmly in place. Then you can lightly pencil out your design. Keep in mind that erasing pencil marks on a book's fore-edge can be difficult, so it's crucial to have your design already planned out and measured. When it comes to painting the fore-edge, pens and markers that won't bleed into the paper are great ch...