Snowflake Monday

I had a snowflake project I have been planning to share today since about February, but... well, it's still waiting to be constructed. So now my goal for the special project is next week. I'm trying! Time just isn't always on my side!

In the meantime, a reader has asked a few questions about stiffening, framing and displaying a metallic thread creation in a humid climate. I believe she's planning to give this as a Christmas gift, so any suggestions you may have would be most helpful. She purchased a bottle of Aleene's, which I have not used in many years, so I feel entirely unqualified to offer any advice on this particular product. She has asked:

1) Should I use Aleene's Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid, and if so, should I paint it on or soak it?

2) Should I frame it under glass or not?

3) To keep the project from drooping after a while, should I glue it to a backing after I stiffen it? (The backing would fit inside the picture frame). Or should I not block and instead just lightly steam-press it (under a cloth) and then glue it to the backing? (The [flat] project is mainly shells with some lacy chains.)

4) In #3 above, what kind of backing should I use (if that's appropriate) and what kind of glue?

5) The project will include a small gold metallic bow glued to it. If I used the Aleene's, what kind of glue should I use to glue on the bow? (I would use a fabric glue if I only steam-press it).

As long-time readers know, I created a snowflake lamp that hangs from my ceiling. I stiffened the flakes with Elmer's school glue, full strenth. I live in an extremely dry climate but often use a humidifier. I'm not sure the humidifier is affecting the snowflakes because most of the moisture appears to fall to the floor from more than five feet below the lamp. However, some of the flakes have yellowed, and two are now drooping.

My only experience I can recall framing a snowflake project was a quilled snowflake my mother-in-law still has hanging in her spare bedroom 15 years later (also in a very dry climate). The snowflake (held in place with non-glare glass) is in a shadow box frame atop quilting cotton and has not yellowed or come loose or changed shape. I used a jar of paste, which may have been Elmer's, to attach the flake to the fabric, but I'm not sure I've seen that paste in at least a decade, probably because I haven't needed it for anything... I allowed the paste to dry for at least a couple of days before I framed the project, and I don't think I used any kind of adhesive when I put the fabric on the cardboard backing (which probably was photo mounting board). I think I folded the edges of the fabric over to the back and taped them in place, then used another piece of cardboard for the back of the frame.

Readers, do you have any helpful advice?

And now, on with today's pattern. I visualized this modification of last week's pattern while creating last week's snowflake. I really like this version because it can be shaped in so many different ways. You'll have to read this post to find out how I came up with that name, and then you'll have to forgive me because I've yet to update the directory to correct the reason for the name of both last week's and this week's pattern! I'm honestly going to try to get it updated this week!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Popcorn Stitch (pc)

Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.

Plus 2 Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: [Pc in ring, ch 11, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, ch 1] 6 times; sl st in top of starting pc. Don't pull magic circle too tight.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: Ch 9 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 7), in next ch 2 tip work (1 sc, ch 7, 1 sc, ch 11, 1 sc, ch 7, 1 sc), ch 7, 1 dc in top of next pc] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 9; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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