Friday Fascination

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Piece of Mind

I made three major mistakes (requiring the services of Jack the Seam Ripper) in this block before I finished it. Before pressing, I noticed I'd made yet another mistake.

I was tempted to leave it as is because I'd already had to correct so many mistakes. Who would notice one goose flying in the wrong direction on the skirt of my dress? I stepped away for a few hours, then returned. The fixed booboo made ripping out four seams totally worth it. What a pretty block!

Now I just need to sew the three blocks together in a strip and then sew them into the front skirt panel. Maybe I can wear this dress to church on Sunday!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Barbed

I was shocked to see healthy rhubarb in my raised-bed garden last year, and I knew I'd probably get another crop this year. I had no idea I'd be able to delight Lizard in early April!

I made a full quart jar of strawberry rhubarb (with grocery store strawberries) Lizard enjoys with his plain, unsweetened yogurt each morning.

I was checking out the rhubarb plant again over the weekend; I'd cut the stalks I used, not knowing I was supposed to twist them off. The plant seems to still be going strong, but I also had six giant seed heads! And, there are three mature plants now, not just one. Plus a very young plant. I think there will be plenty of rhubarb to even freeze a bit later on!

One of my friends told me the stalks would mature faster and the plants would produce more leaves if I remove the seed heads. So I did. There were several baby stalks, about 7 inches long, on the seed stalks. I was going to run to the grocery store and buy some more strawberries, but I paused long enough to look up other rhubarb recipes. I found one for sweet and sour rhurbarb, which I adapted for our tastes. I added in one of my own (frozen) serrano peppers from last summer, and we tried the new concoction on wild rice. Oh, my heavens!!! We can't wait to drizzle this on our burritos!!! This stuff is AWESOME!!!

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Snowflake Monday

This is the final pattern from my forgotten collection of 2013 smiling snowflakes. Somehow, I'm not sure four is enough. I might have to craft a couple more. Maybe even three more. I need a whole week of smiling faces, right?!?

I made a mistake (or, as they say in quilting, design element) in the white snowflake. Can you see it?

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: 5.25 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

Happy Flake Instructions

Special Stitches: fdc (foundation double crochet)

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 4 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr in same ch as sl st, ch 2, sk next dc, 2 tr in next dc, ch 2, sk next dc, 3 tr in next dc, 1 fdc in bottom of tr just worked, 1 dc in same fdc ch, [1 fdc, 1 dc in same fdc ch] 10 times, working last dc of final repeat by drawing up loop through 3rd and 4th chains of starting ch 4 for first 2 dc yo (creating a linked tr/dc as well as completing Round 2).

Round 3: 1 sc in each st around, increasing 2 sc in each eye space and 2 more times evenly spaced around, for a total of 42 sc; sl st in starting sc.
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 8 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 7), sk next 6 sc, 1 sc in next sc] 5 times; ch 3, 1 trtr in 1st ch of starting ch 8 to form 6th ch 7 sp of Round.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of trtr directly below, [(ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, in next ch 7 sp work (5 dc, ch 3, 5 dc)] 6 times, omitting last 5 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 6: Ch 13 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 12), in next ch 3 tip work (1 sc, ch 5, 1 sc)] 6 times; omitting last sc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 1st ch of starting ch 13 to form 6th ch 5 tip of Round.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of tr directly below, [in next ch 12 sp work (6 dc, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 6 dc), in next ch 5 tip work (5 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 5 dc)] 6 times, omitting last 5 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.

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Love One Another

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Sunday's Coming

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Good Friday

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He Reigns

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Wordless Wednesday

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Haunted

I hadn't organized my digital photos in more than a year. On restless nights these days, it's a great project to catch up on because it's quiet and peaceful, even though staring at the computer screen can cause me sleep-deprivation. (Parkinson's often causes sleep-deprivation, and this is one of Lizard's daily Mount Everests.) There's always hope Lizard will be able to continue sleeping or be able to fall asleep if he's not already when I'm the sleepless one.

I used to be pretty good about downloading my camera(s) and my phone at least once a month to back up everything. When life went ballistic last year, all my organizational habits sought refuge. Or ran for cover. For years, I'd been organizing my downloaded photos by year, then month. Makes it easier to find something I need down the road. Almost exactly one year ago, all my organizational skills evaporated. They are just now beginning to take root again.

With all the trauma of last year, it's rather satisfying to scroll through old photos and remember the before. Before life became unhinged. Before every door seemed to slap me on the behind. Before sanity seemed to vanish into thin air.

I've been going through last year's photos chronologically, beginning with when things began to trickle into the unsurvivable category. Last weekend, I reached the most traumatic period of 2024. It's not a time I go back to willingly. It's not a memory I cherish.

Understandably, there aren't many photos of that particular time. Thank goodness. It's already painful enough. I don't need to wallow in it.

And yet, there is a sense of survival. Not then, but now. There are traces of comfort. I made it through. We made it through. A tiny nugget of hope deep down inside, sometimes forgotten, sometimes shunned. The fire of knowing we didn't give up. The summitted emotional mountain and accompanying view of the dark, bottomless chasm at the edge of the traumatic cliff we traversed seems like a very bad dream. Yet, a bad dream from which I eventually awoke.

I am whole again. There is still pain. And Parkinson's marches relentlessly on. But I am whole.

Lizard is not whole. The Parkinson's likely will continue to get worse with time. But he has reclaimed tiny nuggets of his life. His personality. His will to survive.

The one thing that kept me going most of last year when all seemed lost was knowing one day, Lizard will be whole again. Knowing that when we meet again on the other side, it will be the sweetest and most joyous reunion ever. There are so many painful memories. But the experiences that carved those canyons have created bonds we will cherish throughout time. One day, Lizard will remember everything he's been through, and he will rejoice that we hung on so tightly and never gave up. How awesome that the healing I am experiencing these last few weeks is surrounding me during Holy Week, with all the hope and promise of Easter knocking on our door.

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Snowflake Monday

Today's pattern is the third smiling snowflake from 2013. The name comes from praying each day Lizard will not have horrific nightmares. Parkinson's can come with some pretty heavy symptoms, and it appears we've been spared none. It is not uncommon for blood-curdling screams to interrupt his sleep. I immediately run to his side and try to wake and comfort him, assuring him it is only a dream. I then massage his legs while I try to inspire sweet dreams, often encouraging him think about pedaling in Moab. Sometimes, it works.

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: 5.25 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

Sweet Dreams Snowflake Instructions

Special Stitches: fdc (foundation double crochet)

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 4 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr in same ch as sl st, 2 tr in next dc, ch 2, sk next dc, 2 tr in next dc, ch 2, sk next dc, 2 tr in next 2 dc, 1 fdc in bottom of tr just worked, 1 dc in same fdc ch, [1 fdc, 1 dc in same fdc ch] 9 times, working last dc of final repeat by drawing up loop through 2nd and 3rd chains of starting ch 4 for first 2 dc yo (creating a linked tr/dc); sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4.

Round 3: 1 sc in each st around, working 4 sc in each eye opening, for a total of 36 sc; sl st in starting sc.
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 5 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 3), sk next 2 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 3, sk next 2 sc, in next sc work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc)] 6 times, omitting last dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 6th ch 3 point of Round.

Round 5: Ch 6 (counts as 1 tr and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, [ch 6, sk next 2 ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 point work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 tr, ch 5, 1 tr, ch 3, 1 dc) 5 times; ch 6, sk next 2 ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 point work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 tr, ch 5), sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 6.

Round 6: [3 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc over next Round 4 sc, ch 3, 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, in next ch 5 tip work (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 3 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc), ch 3] 6 times; sl st in starting sc; 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.

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Friday Fortius

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Too Many Choices

I looked it up. I cut this dress out on February 9. I thought it had been a month or so earlier. I'm pleased to discover it didn't take quite as long as I'd thought!

Six and a half weeks later, I wore this dress for the first time. I absolutely love it. And I've got a sort of companion dress to go with it, to hopefully prevent this one from becoming too worn out too quickly and to provide a tiny bit of variety for my Sunday school class so they aren't left wondering if I own only one dress. :)

I bought four yards of Kaffe Fassett Collective Blue Tropical Water Lillies back in September of 2023. I didn't even wait for it to go on sale. I loved it so much, I wanted a dress, a whole dress, I could wear to work. (choke, choke, but that's a blog post for another day) And that was my original intention. When I cut out the dress parts (mistakenly believing I could wear the finished dress to church that very day), I cut all six major pieces from my Kaffe yardage. I cut pockets and linings from solid leftovers that sort of harmonize.

Caregiver duties ensued, and no sewing got done that day. Or the next 14-15 days, for that matter. Good thing, too. By the time I finally did sit down to the sewing machine, I'd decided to split the pattern pieces into two different dresses. I'd use one stash solid for the bodice of the first dress, and another stash solid for the skirt for the second.

If I'd had more than one yard of my hyacinth Grunge, I'd have used it for both dresses. The two fabrics go together so beautifully! Perhaps it's good I didn't have enough of any stash solid to cut a matching skirt and a bodice. The two dresses would have been so similar, it might look like I was wearing the same dress every Sunday.

When I finally sat down to sew the last full week of March, I'd decided to cut out one of the leftover flowers to create an appliqué for the Grunge front bodice. I remember thinking at the time the flowers were dahlias. That was meaningful for me because I'd decided I'm not going to invest in dahlias for my garden this year. They are too disappointing at my altitude and in my climate. Having a dahlia dress sort of makes up for the garden sacrifice. Now I find out the "dahlias" are instead water lilies...

I wished I'd had enough hyacinth Grunge for the sleeves. But flowery sleeves will do.

Actual combined sewing time for the first dress was less than three hours, with the appliqué taking up the lion's share of that time. The rest of the dress was so darned fast, I feel ashamed it took me so long to finish it. This pattern is easily a one-sitting project. Unless the seamstress is loaded up with a plethora of duties that take priority...

When I first cut the dress fabric, I modified the bodice from empire to princess cut, adding about four inches in length. I forgot to adjust the skirt and wound up slicing off three inches along the bottom once the dress was assembled.

When I first decided to make two dresses instead of one, I wanted them to be different enough that they didn't look like twins. Ultimately, I didn't have enough of any of my Grunge stash for a skirt, much less sleeves, and I didn't want to do floral sleeves on both dresses. I had plenty of denim-look fabrics, and plenty of yardage to boot. I decided to go sleeveless on the second dress.

While cutting out the skirt for the second dress, I suddenly became bored with way too much solid. I wondered what the dress might look like if I stuck a vertical stripe in the front of the skirt...

And then I got REALLY crazy. What if I did some quilt blocks in a stripe down the front of the skirt using leftovers of both fabrics... If I don't like the stripe, I can always make a quilt...

So maybe this second dress will get finished in the next two months, or maybe a bunch of quilt blocks will be crafted... Or both... :)

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