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...

Finally! After an unfortunate delay (dental emergency) my book curse cross stitch is finished. I’m very happy with how well it turned out. When the fabric is pinned the words line up so neatly and it looks absolutely perfect. I can’t wait to frame it. I only wish I had a camera that could capture how well the gold sparkles in the light. Right now I'm using an ancient camera phone which is not ideal. I’ll try to take some better photos later but for now I’ve made the pattern available in my Etsy shop . Onward and forward to the next project!

I often work on multiple projects simultaneously. Such is my enthusiasm for exploring new hobbies. One of my latest endeavors involves creating a fore-edge painting book press. The design isn’t complicated so I figured it would be simple and less expensive to make one myself. However, as I quickly discovered, having the right tools is essential for woodworking projects. After struggling and unfortunately destroying some beautiful purpleheart wood, I turned to my father for help. He made the press but turned it into a collaboration project by leaving the sanding for me. The end result is a beautiful and unique press that will allow me to fan out the pages of a book at a specific angle, without causing damage to the book covers. I can then paint the fanned-out pages with a creative design. If I gild the book edges with gold, that design will be hidden from view when the book is closed. This traditional method of fore-edge painting dates back to the 15th century, and I am thrilled for a...

In the past, writing was a painstaking process that required significant time, effort, and skill. Whether inscribed on tablets or written on parchment, manuscripts were highly valued for their rarity and the knowledge they contained. To protect these precious works from theft, some monks added book curses to their manuscripts. While many of these curses were entertaining, such as those that threatened to pluck out the thief's eyes or execute them, others were far more severe. One such curse was the Anathema Maranatha. Unlike curses that aimed to inflict physical harm or punishment, the Anathema Maranatha warned of spiritual consequences. Anathema means "accursed" or "devoted to damnation," while Maranatha refers to the return of Christ and the judgment that will follow. Together, these words formed a serious warning to anyone who committed sin, suggesting that their very soul was at risk of divine judgment. Modern readers sometimes misunderstand this curse, be...

All morning I've been test-stitching these little guys and finished around noon. I thought it turned out really cute so I've uploaded the pattern to my Etsy Shop . I combined different rabbits found on various Illuminated Manuscripts so it looks like they are marching off to war. Ready to move on and test stitch my next pattern a book curse! Spooky!

I just finished test-stitching my tiniest pattern and put it up in my Etsy shop . It's a winged pig inspired by one found in a real Illuminated Manuscript. My goal was to make him as tiny and cute as possible. I think I nailed it!

Oh the adorable but somewhat problematic presence of my cat while working on my projects. Despite my best efforts, he always seems to be drawn to my materials, especially yarn, thread, and fabric. As much as I try to distract him, he just can't resist. Despite the occasional frustration, his charm and cuteness make it impossible to stay mad at him for long. In fact, I've even given him a new job as my official customer service representative for my shop . His friendly demeanor and fluffy appearance will win over many customers, even if he does cause a bit of chaos from time to time.

  Choosing a name for your business is a big decision, it's the first thing that people see when they come across your store. When I was starting my Etsy shop , I knew that I wanted a name that was both unique and meaningful to me. As an avid reader and lover of all things literary, I turned to my favorite work of Shakespeare for inspiration. I speak, of course, of Hamlet, a story that has everything - ghosts, murder, revenge, tragic heroes, and doomed love. And yet, buried in the middle of the story, Hamlet sings a merry little song that has always stuck with me. Why, let the stricken deer go weep, The hart ungalled play; For some must watch, While some must sleep: So runs the world away. Within Hamlet's miniature ballad there is the line, "the hart ungalled play." To most readers, this line may seem like a simple reference to a male deer living his best life. But it always struck me as one of Shakespeare’s gentle wordplays. You see, "hart" is also a homop...