06 February 2012

Snowflake Monday

2012 MS150 Fundraiser

NOTE: Formal fundraising on Snowcatcher has been paused. I haven't had time to create a new snowflake pattern booklet, and we don't know if or when we will be able to participate in organized charity rides again. If things favorably change, I will announce such in a new Snowflake Monday blog post. In the meantime, the previous eight booklets are still available, and I will do my best to respond to requests for them in a timely manner.

This year's PDF snowflake pattern booklet is ready! Featured are three amigurumi snowflakes I don't think will ever be published on my blog because I want our contributors to have something special no one else has.

In 2012 I got to ride the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis BikeMS event, affectionately and old foggily known as the MS150, as a High Roller for the first time ever, which meant I didn't have to wait in line for the porta potties at rest stops. Joy doesn't even begin to describe what this meant to me!

No more lines for me!

I raised the fifth highest amount on my team in 2011, and what made this special is most of my teammates were employees of then title sponsor Great-West, and they received corporate matching funds. The four people on the team who raised more money than me had corporate assistance. I didn’t. I had only crocheters, a couple of portrait recipients and a few ice cream eaters backing me! (Newmont Mining has stepped up as title sponsor this year, which is a huge change for my team. Team Great-West won't be first out the gate this year, but I'll bet The Lizard still pedals fast enough to beat almost all the riders into Fort Collins on Day 1!)

High Roller Rewards

The Lizard will be riding this year as a Premium Pedaler for the first time ever. He received a discount on his registration fee, and he gets a fancy number color to wear during the ride. Because he will ride the entire 75 miles each day in less time than it takes to digest his breakfast, he doesn't really care whether he gets special access to "green rooms" or not. His goal every year is to be one of the first riders to reach Fort Collins, which he happily achieves each year. Nevertheless, his Premium Pedaler status is making him as happy as my "no lines" reward is making me!

We reached these fund-raising honors thanks to generous donors all year long last year who pushed us up and over the top of our stated goals. Together, we raised more than $5,000, and we thank you for helping us help those who are afflicted with multiple sclerosis.

For those who wonder why I raise money for two people instead of just myself, I work for a large company with generous employees who enjoy contributing to charitable causes. The Lizard is second of a two-man outfit with limited client contact and no internet access during the day.

Outside his job, my husband not only maintains both of my bikes (and all of his) (and sometimes even my friends' bikes), he helps me train and prepare for big rides. The Lizard also doesn't subscribe to traditional household chore descriptions where the wife does all the upkeep and makes sure dinner's on the table when the husband gets home. Home more often than me and often earlier than me, he bears more than his fair share of all housework, and he is one fantastic cook. He makes dinner most weeknights. Then cleans up afterward.

Get this: he knows how to separate the laundry and mend! Plus, he lovingly puts up with snowflakes all over the house all year long. I still hope to get him designing snowflakes one day, but until then, I am honored to help out with his fund-raising. It's a great way to show him how much I appreciate everything he does for me.

2012 snowflake pattern booklet.

This year's PDF pattern booklet features 20 of my most popular designs on Ravelry as of January 2012 (that weren't already published in last year's booklet), plus three new patterns never before published. My Little Bear and Blanca Peak Snowflake alone are worth a tax-deductible donation, in my opinion, but the booklet contains much more. (Yes, I finally wrote a pattern for a tiny bear!) I expect there will be Little Bear knockoffs as soon as the cover of my PDF booklet makes the internet rounds, but the original idea came from right here at Snowcatcher. Because the PDF booklet includes three amigurumi snowflake patterns, I've included all my amigurumi tips in the PDF booklet. Currently, I am not planning to ever publish the amigurumi snowflake patterns on my blog or anywhere else.

my little bear

Owl Creek Pass Snowflake

Lizard Head Pass Snowflake

I Heart You Snowflakes

Because next week is a holiday beloved by many and because it takes a lot of love on both ends of a fund-raising drive such as this, I ♥ You is an appropriate name for this week’s heartflake.

This is a modification to my Candy Corn Snowflake. The idea has been bouncing around in my head since Halloween because the Candy Corn Snowflake was absolutely singing out to be made lovely in filet and/or beads.

Worked with cotton yarn and a larger crochet hook, this heartflake makes yet another great seasonal hot pad!

Cinnamon-scented I Heart You Snowflake Sachet

I also made this heartflake with size 50 thread and a size 14 crochet hook. I blocked it by lightly spraying water onto the pinned heartflake and allowing to dry. I cut two circles of leftover fabric one inch bigger than the heartflake. I attached the heartflake to one, then sewed both circles together, right sides together, leaving a small opening. I turned the sachet outside right and stuffed lightly with aromatic cinnamon potpourri (spent panty hose make a great lining for the potpourri before inserting into a sachet), then closed the opening and attached a ribbon and a decorative crocheted flower before hanging. Any snowflake may be converted into a sachet this way.

You may do whatever you'd like with heartflakes you make from these patterns, but you may not sell or republish the patterns. Thanks, and happy Valentine's Day!

Beaded I Heart You Snowflake

Finished Size: 7.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, liquid starch, glitter, small container for dipping snowflakes into starch, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line; for beaded snowflakes, 144 beads (I used 6/0 pearlescent glass beads, and I dabbed the crochet thread with fingernail polish and allowed it to dry thoroughly to make bead-stringing easier. The beads were not harmed or dulled by the liquid starch.)

I heart You Snowflake

White I Heart You Heartflake Instructions

Ch 48; taking care not to twist chain, sl st into 1st ch. 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 1: *1 sc next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, [yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (3 dc dec made), 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 3, sk 1 ch; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 4 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3 * 2 dc in next sc, 1 dc in each of next 4 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 6 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next ch, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next ch, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, , ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp] 3 times, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc] 2 times, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp] 3 times, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc] 2 times, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, [1 dc in next dc, ch 1] 6 times, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, [1 dc in next dc, ch 1] 6 times, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 8: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc and in next ch 1 sp, [ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp] 2 times, 1 dc in next dc, [1 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1] 2 times, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp and in each of next 3 dc, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc and in next ch 1 sp, [ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp] 2 times, 1 dc in next dc, [1 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1] 2 times, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp and in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 9: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 18 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 18 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 10: 1 sc in same st as sl st, * 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 trtr in each of next 2 sc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 trtr in each of next 2 sc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, 1 sc in 5th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in sc, ch 4, sl st in sc (tri picot made), ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

bead detail

Beaded Pink I Heart You Heartflake Instructions

String 144 beads onto thread. If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Ch 48; taking care not to twist chain, sl st into 1st ch.

Round 1: *1 sc next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, [yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (3 dc dec made), 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 3, sk 1 ch; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 4 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3 * 2 dc in next sc, 1 dc in each of next 4 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 6 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, pull up one bead and work into next dc so that it faces the front of snowflake (use same technique for each bead throughout snowflake so all will be positioned similarly), 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, pull up one bead and work into next dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in next dc, [work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 5 times, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, [work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 5 times, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, [work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 7 times, 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, [work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 7 times, 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 8: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc same st as sl st, [1 dc in next dc, work bead into next dc] 3 times, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, [work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, [1 dc in next dc, work bead into next dc] 3 times, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, [work bead into next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 9: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in each of next 7 dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in each of next 7 dc, work bead into next dc, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 10: 1 sc in same st as sl st, * 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 trtr in each of next 2 sc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 trtr in each of next 2 sc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 3, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, [1 dc in next ch], ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top of next [dc], 1 dc in bottom of same [dc], sl st in next ch (heart picot made, photo tutorial here; this heart picot ends with a sl st instead of a sc), ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Red I Heart You Snowflake

Red I Heart You Heartflake Instructions

Ch 48; taking care not to twist chain, sl st into 1st ch. 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 1: *1 sc next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, [yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (3 dc dec made), 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 3, sk 1 ch; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 4 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3 * 2 dc in next sc, 1 dc in each of next 4 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 6 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 7 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 7 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 11 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 11 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next ch; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 8: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 9: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in each of next 6 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 7 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 1 dc in each of next 6 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in each of next 7 st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 10: 1 sc in same st as sl st, * 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 trtr in each of next 2 sc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 tr in next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 tr in next ch 1 sp, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 trtr in each of next 2 sc, 1 dtr in next dc, 1 tr in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 12, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, ch 8, sl st in 1st ch of ch 12 (open heart picot made but must be shaped during stiffening), ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, sk ch 3, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pour liquid starch into container. Dip heartflake into starch, allowing liquid to saturate thread. Gently squeeze out excess and make sure all points have been soaked. Pin heartflake to pizza box. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash container and hands thoroughly. Allow heartflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel heartflake 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 heartflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Heartflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

size 50 thread and size 14 hook make a mix-match heartflake

29 comments :

  1. That Lizard. What a guy. I think you could raise even more donations by renting him out. :) Seriously, it is an awesome thing you guys are doing. And the CA ride? Having lived in CA, I can honestly say there is some beautiful scenery on Highway 101. Plus the Goatmother has arthritis too and thinks that would be great to eradicate it too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, your Lizard :).

    My husband is also a very good housewife :D, he even bakes all the bread we eat.

    OMG, your Heartflake is great.

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  3. Thank you and Lizard for what you do for people like me that have MS!!

    I have to say the extra patterns is what talked me into donating in Lizards name because I donate here in Michigan when I do the MSWalk here in May! Good money raising strategy! I may have to try something similar when I am actively fundraising!

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  4. The Heartflake.........
    The Lizard..........
    and mostly, you.........

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are a blessing from God! I have cancer and am taking treatments. You and your snowflakes help take my mind off sickness. I have started crocheting snowflakes while I sit in waiting rooms. Can't wait to see your next creation. Hope the ride went well for you guys. Miss Opal

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  6. Thank you, Marigold, Neferi, Brenda, Maria and Miss Opal!

    Brenda, let me know when you do your walk, and I will contribute.

    Miss Opal, your story touched my heart in ways I can't even describe. It's messages like yours that make me feel I'm not doing enough to help others. Thank you for your courage in facing something so difficult. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this battle.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi my name is Tammie I live in California and I have fell in love with your snow flakes I would like to see how to get a copy of all of them. I do crochet I make blankets and baby blankets to give to family and friends. I have sold a few that I make to truck drivers any way's I wanted to find out how much I would have to donate to get a copy of all of the patterns from you. I was born in Fort Carson CO and family all over Colorado so please let me know thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, Tammie, and thank you! You've made my day. I think the minimum donation the NMSS requires is $10. When donors contribute more than that, I ask them if they'd like last year's booklet, too. (Some of them contributed both years so they already have last year's.)

    Unfortunately, I don't have all my patterns in booklet form, but I do have them all backed up (just in case), so there may come a time when I can pull them all together into one collection. I just haven't had time to do more than that yet.

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  9. Is there a way to mail a donation? I have no way to do it electronically.

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  10. Hi, Joanne. Yes, if you will email me (email address at top right, right below my bicycle miles), I will send my snail mail address. I've had other donors do it that way, too, and it's no problem. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi. I have been enjoying crocheting your snowflakes and would like to purchase your PDF book, but can't seem to find from your site, how to buy and download it. Could you please let me know what I need to do? Susanne (Perth, Western Australia)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Susanne! It's always so exciting to hear from an Australian reader!

      If you make a tax-deductible contribution here, the NMSS will notify me, and I will send you a thank you and the pdf via separate email. I have on occasion landed in junk email folders, so please let me know if you do not hear from me within a reasonable amount of time after making a donation, and I will find a way to get it to you if it did not get through.

      Delete
  12. I adore the little bear on the snowflake! That looks awesome and so cute! A friend of mine collect bears and I think about something like that as a christmasgift for him.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a great thing to do!! I can't wait to get my pattern book, and wish you the best of luck on cycling and raising money for a super cause.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Katie! And thank you for the donation, too! I hope you enjoy the patterns!

      Delete
  14. Hi There,
    How do I go about purchasing the below booklet?
    Regards
    Karen

    CROCHETED SNOWFLAKE PATTERN BOOKLET

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Karen. My donation page is located here. When you get to that page, there is an orange "donate" button on the left. You make a tax-deductible donation there, it goes in my name, and the NMSS sends me an email to let me know a donation has been made in my name, and then I send the pdf booklet to your email. If you don't hear from me within a reasonable amount of time after you've made a donation, please contact me at the email address in the right hand column on this page, and I will try to find a way to get the pattern booklet to you. I have had to snail mail two booklets to donors this year because my emails just wouldn't go through to one particular email provider, so we will the booklet to donors one way or another!

      Delete
  15. Hi Snowcatcher,
    I am trying to make a donation to the link you have in the comment above but it isn't a cut and dry thing. I want to make sure I'm donating to the right spot. This one has a blue donate button on the right but when I push it it takes me to a page to input team or participant info. When I type in your name there are no results found. On the left I can choose another donate button but then I need to choose between 3 rides to donate to and again, it asks me for a participant name or team. I want to make sure I get to the right one! Thank you for your help!
    -Garity

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi, Garity. My heart is breaking as I type this. Actually, my heart broke last week when we received news that our team is no longer able to sponsor or co-sponsor the event. We knew the NMSS was revamping its web page, but we think last week's announcement prompted closing down the books early this year. They closed out this year's donations on Monday, and I was only $5 away from becoming a High Roller again. :(

    We are up in the air about next year, not only because we have no team, but also aren't sure yet if I am going to be able to ride great distances again (back trouble). I begin PT in two weeks and sincerely hope I can triumph.

    I apologize for this long story, but if you want to go ahead and make a donation, either in someone else's name or in no one's name and send me a copy of the receipt you get from the NMSS to the snowcatcher email address in the sidebar to the right, I will still very happily send you this year's booklet. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is so sad! I will still make a donation, absolutely! My sister-in-law suffers from MS so our family makes donations every year, I have no problem adding NMSS to the list this year as well! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Garity! I hope you enjoy both booklets. Bless you for trying to make a difference. I hope we can find a cure soon so your sister-in-law and others like her won't have to suffer.

      Delete
  18. Hello Snowcatcher,

    I was reading what Garity wrote, as well as yourself (that is heartbreaking). I also would like to make a donation - should I follow your instructions that you gave Garity on Dec. 1, 2012?

    Thank you,
    Natasha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Natasha! One of my annual supporters read that story and decided it was time to get me out of my pity party and made a generous contribution to kick start my 2013 campaign, so I had to pick myself up, dust myself off and register for this year's ride. So I have my own team now, and donations may once again be made in my name at this link. I do not have the 2013 booklet finished yet, but I expect it to be done within about a month, and I've already got one pattern done I think will knock everyone's socks off. PT seems to be helping, so right now I am hopeful I will be able to ride in June, and hopefully the entire 150 miles. Regardless of what I do, I will do my very best. I promise not to be a quitter!

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  19. That is wonderful! Sometimes pity parties work :) I clicked on the link and it worked - donation made. I cannot wait to see the 'knock everyone's socks off' pattern (i'm jumping up and down). Would I be able to get last year's booklet as well? I would really appreciate it :}
    PT is a wonderful thing - and soo beneficial in many ways - keep up the good work and I am sure you will be out there in June. I'll be keeping an eye on you :)

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    1. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Natasha!!! Yes, I'm sending you both of the last two booklets. I've been trying to send both to everyone who makes more than the standard $10 donation.

      Thanks for the positive thoughts, too. Positive thoughts and determination are what will make this thing work!

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  20. I made a donation in hopes of getting your book with the little bear on a snowflake and the lizard too. So adorable!!! Hope I did it correctly-it said it was going to Deborah. I'm hoping to have enough to donate once your 2013 booklet is available also. I am new to your blog and love it! I made the snowflake with a rose in the center because I love Irish Crochet Roses. I love it when someone can give easy to follow patterns and I had no problems following yours. Once it warms up I have to find me a smooth rock so I can try covering it. Looking forward to future blogs-still exploring your past ones. Thank you for sharing your talent.

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    1. Thank you, Natureluvr57! I did indeed receive notification of your donation, and I've sent you the 2011 and 2012 booklets. Welcome, and I hope we both find plenty of smooth river rocks to make a whole garden of covered stones this year!

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  21. Hi
    I saw your pattern book that includes a little bear on a snowflake. I would love to make a few for Christmas gifts. I couldn't tell from the page I was viewing if the fund raising is still going on. I'd gladly make a donation to the MS society in Colerado. I sponser my niece on the MS walk in London, Ontario, Canada every year. Her mother-in-law died from MS. I'd rather "buy" the book through a donation to your endeavors than to an online shopping site. Let me know if this offer is still on and if so I'll proceed with a donation. Keep up the good works!

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    1. Hi, Karen, and thank you for your support in the fight against MS. I'm so sorry to hear your niece's mother-in-law was a victim of this horrible disease but proud of your niece for battling against it.

      Yes, my fund-raising drive goes on all year, until the local MS office closes down the books in December and starts out fresh again in January. So the pattern booklet will be available until about December, and then I have a few weeks to prepare my new booklet for next year.

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