iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 15h

Further messing about with dogwood carving. It’s very hard and dense, so it’s not like chip carving softwood. They say that the only way you get better is repetition and practice, and it is a rather soothing activity. #woodworking #woodcarving #woodcrafts

A stick of dogwood with patterns and spiny vines incised.

070

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

An afternoon of cultural enrichment at our local community theater.

GEORGE A. ROMERO'S
MIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD LIVE!
BY CHRISTOPHER BOND.

DALE BOYER, & TREVOR MARTIN
CREATED BY
CHRISTOPHER HARRISON
& PHIL PATTISON
VIEW THE EXPANDED PLAYBILL HERE:
OCTOBER 9 - NOVEMBER 1.
IN THE CELLAR

000

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

It’s been a year for falls in our woods. The combination of drought, heat, rain and wind has brought down a number of trees both dead and alive. This red oak was a big one from a couple years back that’s still got good useful wood but is starting to show surface decay. #woodworking #woodcrafts

A large red oak that fell a couple of years back rests on a wooded hillside. The outer sapwood is decaying, but the heartwood is still mostly sound. Whatever I want from this one I should cut this winter before the decay gets too bad.

130

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

The meadow grasses are beginning to turn from green to copper and gold. Soon they should be dry enough for broom cuttings, though they’ll have better color with several more weeks. #broommaking #nativegrasses

Indiangrass in a meadow of little bluestem.

Big and little bluestem grasses in a meadow, slowly turning from green to copper and gold.

040

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Okay folks, I know it’s off the usual focus, but this one is important. More than important. Make sure you fulfill your obligation as a citizen. No skipping out on this one. (Non-U.S. readers, you vote too at the appropriate time.)

Early voting
is now underway in:

Virginia.
Minnesota.
Illinois
Maine.
Nebraska.
Indiana.
Wyoming
South Dakota
Vermont
California
Montana
New Mexico
Ohio
Ensure that your vote is counted!

Verify that you are registered on Vote.org...then Vote!

000

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

More noodling and doodling on a piece of dogwood. A few more decades and I might figure it out.

A dogwood stick with surface carving of leafy vines and geometric patterns.

070

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I have that feeling like I’m being watched…

A number of little wooden carved grotesques.

060

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Steamed mussels, coarse bread, and white wine for dinner. I figured there wasn’t anything that would fight back…

An early modern woodcut of a monstrous lobster holding a man in his crusher claw.

010

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It occurs that I haven’t touted this resource lately: The York Archaeological Trust. They have published many of their out-of-print fascicules online. An amazing resource for historical Anglo-Scandinavian material culture. #archaeology #woodworking #leatherworking #medieval #viking

collections.yorkarchaeologicaltrust.co.uk

Publications · York Archaeology Online Collections · Collections

161

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Another oldie: a pistol box out of cherry, with cranked strap hinges and a carved bone lock plate. Very simple construction, once I figured out the partitions so things wouldn’t rattle around. #woodworking

A wooden box of Cherry, with blackened steel strap hinges and a carved bone lock plate. The interior has partitions for a flintlock pistol and associated accessories.

2110

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

An old throwback: a couple of turned wooden cups of maple I did several years ago. They are inspired by some ceramic forms in the London Museum. I haven’t been doing much turning lately, but may have to get out the chisels sometime. #woodworking #woodturning

Two turned wooden cups, one of hard maple and one of spalted red maple. Both have ridged surfaces, making them easy to grip.

1120

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

My experiment in cutting Bluestem while still green is concluded; I find it heavier but not necessarily any more pliable than fully dried straw, and a less appealing greenish grey color. The Panic Grass has fully gone to seed, which I harvest for replanting. #woodcraft #broommaking #brooms

Two bundles of Big Bluestem grass: on the left, one cut while green and before going to seed. On the right, one that was cut after thoroughly drying in the field. The former is darker in color and has a gray color.

Panic grass in the meadow, fully gone to seed.

140

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Another little doodle from a scrap of dogwood. A sea dog?

A small Dogwood carving of the head of a dragon/sea monster or somesuch.

280

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

While Lulu and I were out for morning walks, we noticed some new bucks are in the neighborhood. One had a particularly impressive rack.

Two large whitetail bucks and a doe graze in a meadow of tall grass, with pine and oak trees behind them.

010

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Some more noodling on the walking stick of tedious hobbies.

A walking stick carved of Dogwood, with spiral, lattice, and fish scale patterns.

150

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

At last the humidity has dropped. Took advantage this morning to process some red oak. Despite looking quite straight outside, you can always find peculiarities inside. Still, some good workable stuff to be had. #woodworking

A closeup of where an inclusion in the log causes wavy grain.

080

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Mallet, maul, beetle, or whacker thingy, call it what you will, woodworkers need to smack things with some regularity. This one is turned from semi-green Dogwood. It will need to season for a while, but when ready it should make a nice hard, heavy persuader. #woodworking #woodturning

A turned mallet with a cylindrical head and slightly bulbous handle. Dogwood.

271

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Everyone has to start somewhere, and for the Spiny Oak Worm Moth, this is that awkward period before they get their spiff colors and wings. Sort of like the Freshman table in school. #moths #insects

Spiny Oak Worm prior to their metamorphosis into a proper moth.

061

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

An experiment. Normally I cut native grasses for brooms after the first hard frost. Big bluestem, little bluestem, Broomsedge, and whatever else had a good summer in the meadow. I’ve cut some Big Bluestem mature and green; I’ll dry it like hay and compare to a later straw cut. #broommaking #brooms

A bunch of Big Bluestem, a Virginia native grass cut in early August. It grows to 5-7 feet.

160

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

It’s 76 degrees F. With a lovely 96% relative humidity. At least we’re putting a dent in the drought.

static.klipy.com

Loony Tunes Cat Melting on Stairs

Alt: Loony Tunes Cat Melting on Stairs

000

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

The new old-knife now has a new old-sheath.

060

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

A $2 knife with a $4 handle. Cheap “trade” knives used to be very common, but I think Trump’s trade war has made the cheap ones harder to find. It originally had a small rectangular handle that I found uncomfortable, so here’s a new one of Dogwood. #woodworking #woodcarving #knifemaking

An 18th century “trade” knife reproduction, with a knob handle carved from Dogwood.

050

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I think I can call it done. The oak is ebonized with iron acetate, then boiled linseed oil. Finally a little hanger braided out of hemp twine. #woodworking #woodcarving #knifemaking

A wooden knife sheath carved out of red oak, with a fish scale pattern. It has been dyed black using iron acetate, and has a braided cord attached as a hanger.

3100

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Despite the brutal heat and extreme drought here in Virginia, it appears we will have oak and chestnut mast this year. Let’s hope so, last year we had some early acorns and then almost nothing.

Chestnut oak branch showing leaves and acorns.

020

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The little knife has a new home, at least for now. Carved from red oak, with a fish-scale decorative pattern punched with a small gouge. Will add a braided hanger. #woodworking #woodcarving #knifemaking

A small carving knife with a handle carved from dogwood. The sheath is from red oak, with a fish-scale decorative pattern punched with a small gouge. Will add a braided hanger.

280

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Despite the heat and smoke, it seems to be a good summer for moths. I think this is an Imperial Moth, probably the largest I’ve seen in the wild, a good 5 inches across.

I think this is an Imperial Moth, probably the largest I’ve seen in the wild, a good 5 inches across.

010

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Every knife needs a sheath, or 5 or 6. Playing with different for the little detailing knife. Eventually I want to carve something nice in Dogwood, but until then… #woodworking #woodcarving

170

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

A little restoration project for an oak walking stick that sat out in the weather for a couple of years. Splits filled, iron acetate, and linseed oil. #woodworking #woodcarving #walkingsticks

An oak walking stick that has sat out in the weather for a couple of years, turning gray/black and splitting in places. First: clear out the splits and glue in filets.

060

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

It continues to be a brutal summer here in Virginia, with little sign of much improvement (barring any tropical systems that come our way). At least our rain barrels are full, but where our well water level is…that’s anyone’s guess.

000

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I think what we’ve got here is a Spiny Oakworm Moth. Nothing too exciting, but kinda purdy.

140

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Too hot for outdoor work, so fiddling with some little bits. Found a stick I carved years ago, decided to see if I can revive it. Oak sapling checked badly when it dried so I’m going to try inlaying some filets where it makes a difference (on the grip etc.). #woodworking #woodcarving

Original grotesque as carved on an oak sapling.

070

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Subtle progress with shaping the curves and refining the spirals. Still debating over some checkering or like geometric patterns. #woodworking #woodcarving #praisebetowilliscarrier

Side by side picture of a dogwood walking staff as it progresses through the carving process.

050

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The Great Snoring Department of Recreational Tedium is mildly pleased to report progress on the dogwood walking stick. The spiral is coming out a bit more like a Christmas-tree nudibranch than a machine screw, which is fine by me. #woodworking #woodcarving #waitwhut

A partially completed walking stick carved out of dogwood. It has a knob on top, a tapered hand grip, a carved ball, and a spiral akin to the threads on a screw.

170

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Looks like I’m gonna try a spiral under the grip area. Not something I’ve really done before, guess we’ll FA and FO. #woodworking #woodcarving

The top of a walking stick carved out of Dogwood. A spiral has been roughed out below the hand grip.

140

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Another small detailing knife done (left), this one also carved from Dogwood. The blade was extraordinary inexpensive, but required a good bit of work to get to a usable state. #woodworking #woodcarving #knifemaking

Two woodcarving knives, both with hand-carved Dogwood handles.

030

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I decided that the balance wasn’t going to work out as originally cut, so I shaped it down a bit into what might be a serviceable walking stick. Haven’t yet found my inspiration for the rest of the carving, but I’ll figure out something. Maybe something spiraling? #woodworking #woodcarving

On the left, a rough piece of Dogwood that has bark peeled off. On the right, the same piece shaped and partially carved as a walking stick.

030

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

My unnecessarily infrequent endorsement of The Wood Database, an excellent resource for actual specs on things like hardness, weight, and strength of just about any species of wood you can think of. #woodworking www.wood-database.com

wood-database.com

The Wood Database

Explore the woods, break out of the ordinary. Identifying and using hundreds of woods worldwide.

060

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Despite our continued Extreme drought status, the big bluestem is making an effort. Not the looming monsters of last Summer, but still a good shot at some broom and brush makings this year. #broommaking #bushcraft

A clump of Big Bluestem, a native grass, in Central Virginia. 18-24” in early June.

A clump of Big Bluestem, a native grass, in Central Virginia. About 24” in early June.

322

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

While out walking Emerson, we bumped into the newest member of Great Snoring’s freshman class: a faun that could not have been more than a few days old. 20 lbs.? If that? Emerson didn’t notice and I did an immediate U-turn to leave Mom and Junior in peace. No pics, darn cute though.

000

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

The hickories are fruiting, which will make the squirrels very happy. I’d love some fresh hickory to work with, but I’m not cutting healthy trees for my foolishness.

020

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

A piece of very seasoned Serviceberry, approx 18 inches long. It gets somewhat brittle when dry and needs sharp blades to get a clean surface. I think I’m seeing some cooking/serving spoons, but as always the wood will have the final say.

A split log of seasoned Serviceberry, approximately 18 inches long and 4 inches in diameter.

040

Blood and Sawdust @bloodandsawdust.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

The very last-last grass broom (the meadow has been mowed). We’ll have to see if we get any good grass this year (bad drought), but there are always besoms (stick brooms) to be made in the winter. Okay, what’s next?

A rustic broom made in the pre-19th century fashion (pre-broomcorn). Made of native grasses (bluestem, broom sedge) and bound up with hemp cord and twisted sea grass.

020