The Ungalled Hart

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...