Friday Fantastic

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Two Months and Counting

My goal was to have two-month-old Melody's quilt in the mail by Monday. Last Monday. Actually, July 8. But life happens. I guess my revised goal is next Tuesday...

When I made the initial dozen blocks, I nixed using the blacks and grays in the Sweet and Plenty colorway. I didn't think they looked girly or babyish.

The quilt needed to be bigger, and I didn't like the options I had with the remainders of my jelly roll. I didn't have enough of any stash pink solid I could use as sashing. And I didn't want to buy more fabric. After playing with the blacks, I decided they actually add a little punch to an already cute quilt.

I'd planned to use the pinks, limes, aquas and whites of the remaining jelly roll strips to make the plain Jane back big enough. I didn't have two of anything but the grays. So I played around with the sashing, and I decided the gray in the colorway looks just as good as the black. Funny how different fabrics can twist and turn in your design when you're trying to use what you have instead of acquiring more!

Quilting has begun! Plain and simple with the domestic machine because Ringo hasn't been touched in a couple of years and probably needs routine maintenance. When the quilting is done, I get to repeat this whole color adventure all over again as I try to decide what fabric color/pattern I should use for binding...

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Wordless Wednesday

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Instead of Ornaments

The sister missionaries from my church joined me again, this time to write love letters to Hawaii. The sisters will return tomorrow to help me string, label and package snowflakes that also will be sent for this year's Operation Ornaments. (And I hope to remember to take photos of us packaging this time around!) But for now, we wrote a bunch of love letters for Maui fire survivors. We are so excited to be able to help with this show of love and support!

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Snowflake Monday

I like today's snowflake so much, I wanted to give it a 14er name. The only unused 14ers left on my list, though, have names that inspire specific crochet creations. I scrolled through to my 13er name list and didn't see anything that jumped out at me, then began reading the list of 12er names I thought might make good snowflake names. My eyes riveted on Avalanche Peak in the Holy Cross Wilderness. I read through the rest of the list, but nothing grabbed me quite like Avalanche.

I have never seen Avalanche Peak in person but have now read a few trip reports. I have no photos of the 12,815-foot mountain, but I hope to be able to see it one day. It looks photogenic. I do have photos of our Avalanche hockey team, Stanley Cup celebrations and various mementos I've collected and/or made over the years. Today's snowflake doesn't really hit me like a hockey puck, but I can definitely picture an avalanche of these flakes because I love the pattern so much. And I do have avalanche photos!

I suspect today's pattern eventually will add to my avalanche of unfinished motif projects!

I must confess; I like the unstiffened version of today's pattern better than the stiffened version, but even pinned and shaped, it's still a pretty awesome flake, in my opinion.

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 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, optional 7- to 8-inch smooth river rock

Avalanche Peak Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, [2 dc in next dc, in next dc work (2 dc, ch 8, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch)] 5 times; 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to begin forming 6th spoke of Round; 4 fsc, using top half of dc just made as 1st fsc and bottom half of dc just made as foundation for 2nd sc; ch 1, 1 dc in foundation of 4th sc to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 3 dc over post of dc directly below, [working down spoke, 1 dc in top of each of next 3 fsc (or sc in repeats), sk next 2 sc and next 2 dc, 1 dc in next gap between 2 2/dc groups, sk next 2 dc, sk next 2 sc, working up spoke, 1 dc in bottom of each of next 3 sc, in next ch 3 tip work ([3 dc, ch 3] 2 times *, 3 dc)] 6 times, ending * on final repeat and omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5.
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 4: Sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 5 dc in same ch 3 sp, [working down spoke, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next 2 dc, 1 fpdc around post of next dc, sk next 2 dc, working up spoke, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 6 dc in post of next ch 3 sp, ch 4, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook, 6 dc in next ch 3 sp] 6 times, omitting last 6 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

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.

Avalanche Peak Snowflake Rock Covering Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, [2 dc in next dc, in next dc work (2 dc, ch 8, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch)] 5 times; 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to begin forming 6th spoke of Round; 4 fsc, using top half of dc just made as 1st fsc and bottom half of dc just made as foundation for 2nd sc; ch 1, 1 dc in foundation of 4th sc to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 3 dc over post of dc directly below, [working down spoke, 1 dc in top of each of next 3 fsc (or sc in repeats), sk next 2 sc and next 2 dc, 1 dc in next gap between 2 2/dc groups, sk next 2 dc, sk next 2 sc, working up spoke, 1 dc in bottom of each of next 3 sc, in next ch 3 tip work ([3 dc, ch 3] 2 times *, 3 dc)] 6 times, ending * on final repeat and omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5.
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 4: Sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 5 dc in same ch 3 sp, [working down spoke, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next 2 dc, 1 fpdc around post of next dc, sk next 2 dc, working up spoke, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 6 dc in post of next ch 3 sp *, ch 4, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook, 6 dc in next ch 3 sp] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to begin forming 6th picot tip of Round, ch 1, 1 dc in middle of hdc just worked to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 5: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3, 1 tr over post of dc directly below, ch 3, 1 dtr in same sp, [ch 5, sk next 9 dc, 1 fptrtr around post of next dc, ch 5, sk next 9 dc, in next ch 3 tip work (1 dtr, ch 3, 1 tr, * ch 3, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 tr, ch 3, 1 dtr] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 24th ch 3 sp of Round and 36th ch sp of Round.

Round 6: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), 1 dc in next ch sp] 34 times; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 36th ch 5 sp of Round.

Rounds 7-?: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 34 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 36th ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 8 until snowflake fits snugly around rock, leaving about a 2- to 3-inch opening on the back or bottom side.

Final Round, Rock Covering:Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 5 sp around, inserting rock after about 2/3rds of Round, gently stitching while finishing Round and closing up hole so as not to damage crochet hook; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, leaving 4- to 5-inch tail. Weave end through final Round of dc and pull tight. Bind off again, weave in end. Place in garden!

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Friday Fantastic

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My Old Friend

What a joyous reunion! My sewing machine didn't go anywhere; it's actually been front and center in my dining room for years. I see it every day. However, it has seemed a bit like an obligation rather than a cherished hobby.

My giant digital snowflake temperature quilt segments seemed like such a fun idea when I first decided to make a puff quilt. When I began actually puffing two 2022 quilt segments (which still remain unfinished), I realized what a time hog a puff quilt might be. I began seriously dreading my 2023 project. I didn't want to go back to it. I wanted to pretend it didn't exist.

Of course, life priorities didn't help much. For more than a year, I couldn't dedicate a block of time to sewing. Last week, I decided I might be able to work back into a sewing/quilting schedule if I started with a different project before tackling the behemoth temperature quilt.

I began with a few quick mending projects, which had been piled on a chair next to the sewing machine for way too many years. One by one, I patched ripped shorts, inserted pockets into a dress that didn't have any, and hemmed a dress that was too long. These easy projects provided the inspiration I needed to finish piecing the 2023 digital temperature quilt segments. And, YAY!!!!! The piecing portion is DONE!!!!!

This monster measures 89x119. I think it's big enough for a king bed if I don't puff it. I don't know yet what I want to do with it. But finishing the segment piecing enabled me to get started on Baby Melody's quilt. She's two months old now! So I'm super motivated to get it in the mail!

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Wordless Wednesday

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New Attitude

I joined this Facebook group because I want to believe Parkinson's does have a silver lining. There are many days when it sure doesn’t feel like anything good could ever come from Parkinson’s. Thank goodness for people like the author of this post, who help me put things in proper perspective! (shared with permission)

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Snowflake Monday

Sometimes it's challenging to come up with a good snowflake name in summer, especially when you are in or too close to triple digits. Again. Today's snowflake was crafted while it was 97 outside and is named for the Antarctic word for sunburn. I got to use my metallic thread again for the first time since I don't remember when!

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 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, optional 4- to 5-inch smooth river rock

Bronzy Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, [ch 7, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, sk next dc, 3 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and pull tight.

Round 3: Ch 6 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 5), in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, ch 5, 1 dc), ch 5, 1 sc in middle dc of next 3/dc group] 6 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 6.
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 4: Ch 7 (counts as 1 fpdc and [ch 5), in next ch 5 tip work ([1 dc, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook] 5 times, 1 dc), ch 5, 1 fpdc around next sc] 6 times, omitting last fpdc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 7; bind off. Weave in ends.

Bronzy Snowflake Rock Covering Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, [ch 7, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, sk next dc, 3 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and pull tight.

Round 3: Ch 6 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 5), in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, ch 5, 1 dc), ch 5, 1 sc in middle dc of next 3/dc group] 6 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 6.
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 4: Ch 7 (counts as 1 fpdc and [ch 5), 11 dc in next ch 5 tip, ch 5, 1 fpdc around next sc] 5 times, ch 5, 11 dc in next ch 5 tip, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 12th ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 5: [Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, [ch 5, sk next 3 sc, 1 sc in next sc] 2 times, * ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 30th ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 6-?: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 28 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 30th ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 8 until snowflake fits snugly around rock, leaving about a 1- to 2-inch opening on the back or bottom side.

Final Round, Rock Covering:Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 5 sp around, inserting rock after about 2/3rds of Round, gently stitching while finishing Round and closing up hole so as not to damage crochet hook; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, leaving 4- to 5-inch tail. Weave end through final Round of dc and pull tight. Bind off again, weave in end. Place in garden!

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

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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Friday Fortius

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Highs, Lows and Aurora Borealis

I think I'm going to have to crochet a new color Northern Lights Snowflake! I bet we get northern lights here in Colorado at least one more time this year! Meanwhile, I sure had fun making blocks for my 2024 digital temperature quilts after actually seeing and successfully photographing northern lights dark and early Monday morning!

The Aurora app on my phone notified me twice very late Sunday night/extremely early Monday morning (and again Monday afternoon, during full daylight) that we had reached K7, which meant low latitude northern lights!!!

The first time, Lizard was still pacing the floor, unable to sleep. I asked if he'd like to go east with me so we could get away from the light polution of the Denver metro north of us, the same direction we'd have to look to see the northern lights. Anxiety is a huge part of Parkinson's, and he was too nervous about going out in the dark, so we went to a nearby hill and crossed our fingers. I could see the northern lights movement with my naked eye, but we didn't get great shots. The cell phone, which actually does a good job with northern lights because it sees more of the light spectrum than we can, just doesn't have a powerful enough zoom. The point and shoot doesn't see everything we see, and even enhanced via Photoshop, it's difficult to see the full color scale we saw with our eyes and thoroughly enjoyed watching for a few minutes.

The second time the notification alarm went off, I woke, but Lizard didn't. I didn't feel like I could leave him home alone long enough to drive and shoot, and there was no way I was going to wake him from a good slumber. So I stepped out onto our front porch with my phone, and my eyes about popped out of my head!!! I could see pink and green, and pretty high in the sky to boot! I was in heaven!

I moved down to the driveway and shot about four frames, uploaded the best one to my community group on Facebook, then went back to bed. The next morning, I downloaded the point and shoot, then tried enhancing both the cell phone and 35mm photos with Photoshop and AI. I created a collage illustrating of the difference between the two cameras and the two different northern lights occurences in my neck of the plains meet foothills. I'm still overjoyed I finally got to see northern lights in person!!! I'll never turn down an opportunity to see them live in person further north (or south, as in Antarctica), but I feel so blessed I got to see them this time around!

I think I dreamed the rest of the night (or, I guess, very early morning) about how I could interpret this celestial event in my digital quilts.

I dug out the old snowflakes made back in... oh, my gosh! 14 years ago!!! Photographed them on the appropriate colors, and I digitally quilted the newest blocks.

Sometimes it feels a bit like pressure to have to keep going with all this year's digital temperature quilts. But after another day of something special, man, I can't wait to see these printed on fabric at the end of the year! The blue is going to make the most awesome dress, I think!

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