Bargain Bulbs

Back in about January, I treated myself to four new amaryllis bulbs. They were on clearance, and I was in desperate need of flowery cheer.

I ordered three different species and found out I could get free shipping if I ordered one more. I picked a fourth bulb that was similar to what I already have. Might as well spend what would have been shipping on another flower, right?

They seemed to take a really long time to bloom, and when they did, there was a degree of excitement as well as a hint of disappointment.

All four bulbs have produced blossoms nearly identical. All are very similar to a bulb I already have. I wanted variety. And yet, how can I complain when I get such beautiful blossoms? One bulb consistently produces more than four blooms on each stalk. That is absolutely incredible! And I have beautiful amaryllis flowers in late April. Who could ask for more?!?

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Snowflake Monday

Rock on!

For quite a while now, I've needed to re-cover some of my snowflake rocks in the garden. Well, actually, now it's MOST of my snowflake rocks. Hail and time have done a number on my garden decor.

So I'm thinking perhaps a snowflake rock crochet-a-long might be in order. Are you game?

My goal, for now, will be one new snowflake (or decorative, not necessarily snowflake-themed) rock per week. I'd like to do one per day, but given how my last two years have gone, I'll start slow and try to work myself up to higher levels as I adjust to my new crochet schedule. I would be so happy to have you join me!

I never wanted to name my snowflakes with Star Wars flare, but today's flake is such a cute little guy. I named it after a snowplow named after another cute little guy. A few months ago, I tried to get AI (Artificial Intelligence) to craft a snowflake snowplow, without much success. Yet perhaps this image will leave you with a cute little smirk...

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: 3.5 inches from point to point
Materials: For snowflake: 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. For rock: size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, 4- to 5-inch flatish river rock.

Snowda 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 sp as sl st, [ch 3, sk 1 dc) 2 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [2 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 2, sk next ch, 1 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
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: Sk next dc and sl st into next dc, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, [ch 3, sk ch 2 sp, 1 fpdc around post of next dc, ch 3, sk next ch 2 sp and next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 3, 2 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last 2 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 5, Snowflake: 3 sc over post of dc directly below, [3 sc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 tip work (3 sc, ch 7, 3 sc)] 6 times, omitting last 3 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 5, Rock Covering: 3 sc over post of dc directly below, [3 sc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 tip work (3 sc, ch 7, 3 sc)] 6 times, omitting last 3 sc and last 4 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 7 picot of Round.

Round 6: Ch 11 (count as 1 dc and [[ch 9), sl st in 6th ch from hook] 2 times, ch 3, in next ch 3 tip 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 11 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 7: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [[ch 5), 1 dc in next ch 5 loop] 2 times; ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 3 tip] 6 times, omitting last dc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 18th ch 5 sp of Round.

Rounds 8-?: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 16 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 18th 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!

Snowflake 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 Fascination

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Thursday Thrift

Another wedding in just two weeks, bridal shower last weekend, and no time for sewing. Good thing I have a stash of finished quilts. This beautiful young woman whom I taught a decade ago (and whose younger sister I taught six years ago and who now teaches with me) is the hopefully proud recipient of the quilt I crafted with my own Spoonflower rainbow lightning hexies panels and January 2021 digital temperature quilt panel.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Tulip Tuesday

As we were packing to go to my mother-in-law's for a couple of days, the deer were hanging out across the street, munching on my neighbor's flowers and trees. I just knew they were waiting for us to get out of the way so they could devour my tulips. Tulips are like candy to deer.

All my tulips came with the house, with the exception of a pot of very deep maroon flowers Lizard gave me before we knew tulips are like candy to deer. I transplanted the bulbs into the garden after they spent their initial blossoms because I didn't know the deer would eat them. Every. Single. Year.

As I began building our miniature lavender farm in 2020, I dug up the tulips that came with the house and moved them to areas closer to the house, knowing they might still get eaten, but hoping I'd get to enjoy one or two every once in a while.

Every once in a while, I do get a photo of a tulip or two before the Deer Cafe opens. But I haven't seen many. I hoped the deer across the street would stay there and leave my tulips alone while we were gone last week until I could get back and shoot them. The tulips, not the deer. With a camera. Not a gun.

Imagine my surprise when I got to see a whole bunch of tulips when we returned! Now, if one of the deep maroon ones will just bloom!

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