Final Seams

The pillow to go with Lizard's final quilt took only two or three hours to finish, but it took me a lot longer than that to just sit down and do the project. The donors have been so patient, for which I am so appreciative.

I finally got the squares lined up in a layout I thought Lizard might have liked. and then sewed them. I was then utterly amazed at the size difference before and after stitching. I had thought this was going to be a giant pillow! I used scrap leftovers to stuff it, so it has a heavy feel. Kind of cool, in my opinion. But it does make it take longer to dry after washing. Ugh!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Rolling Through Spring

I received many meals for a month following Lizard's passing. The best one, of course, was the gift basket with soup, rolls and cookies.

But there were other memorable offerings, too. I received a loaf of homemade cherry bread, similiar to raisin bread, but with cherries. I'm sorry for not photographing it. (Above is the last loaf of homemade bread I made for Lizard.)

One of my cycling friends brought me a tray of spring rolls from a nearby restaurant to which I'd never been. I'm not even sure I'd ever had a spring roll before. The peanut sauce that came with the meal was addictive.

I wished I had discovered this restaurant while Lizard could enjoy it, too. I'm not sure he would have liked it as much as I did, but I do wish we'd been able to try the menu together.

As a result of this new sensation, I decided I need to learn to make spring rolls. I could not find most of the ingredients at my local little grocery store. I found rice paper, ginger and sprouts in a neighboring town. (I grow my own sprouts, but I don't have quite enough yet.)

My first attempt was a total bust. I followed the directions on the back of the package of rice paper, which said to use hot water to soften the wrappers. My first spring rolls were more like spring salad or spring mess. The wrappers did not wrap; they just tore and left little goodies all over the counter and kitchen floor. I should have taken a photo.

I looked up "how to make spring rolls easier". I found a suggestion to use cold water and begin before the paper fully softens. My second batch worked much better. I think it's going to take some practice, but I was able to enjoy my second set of spring rolls at the table without making such a mess. Next, I'm going to try making my own homemade peanut sauce, but with almond butter instead of peanut butter.

UPDATE: I tried again over the weekend, and one of my spring rolls actually looks like a spring roll!!! I'm getting the hang of this!

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Snowflake Monday

When I did a search for snowflake photos I've shot and hope to one day crochet, this was the first one to pop up. I shot it on March 15, a month and four days before my life changed.

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: 7 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, 3/4-inch 2-hole button, 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

Ides II Snowflake Instructions

Round 1: [1 dc in 1st hole of button, ch 5] 3 times, [1 dc in 2nd hold of button, ch 5] 3 times; sl st in starting dc. Pull magic circle 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 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 4, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch (long picot made), ch 11, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (short picot made), [ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch] 2 times, sk over all 3 short picots, 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch (long picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 4, sk over next ch 5 sp, sl st in next dc] 6 times; bind off. Weave in ends.

NOTE: To make a snowflake without a button, make your favorite center, then begin with Round 1 and your second Round. I used my popcorn center for the purple version of the 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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Endurance

This was one of Lizard's favorite videos. He dreamed of doing the CTR and the Tour Divide. I've recently been realizing he accomplished something much more difficult. He battled Parkinson's every single day for eight years, and he kept fighting even when he felt like crap. He is my hero.

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Back to Handmade

(affiliate links to my designs)

I've been putting motivational quotes on some of my favorite sunrises and sunsets since a few days after Lizard's Celebration of Life because I didn't have a creative molecule in my body for weeks. Everything was such a struggle.

Some of the quotes had the power to get me through the next day. Or the next hour...

I finally worked up the energy to finish up an idea inspired by one of the gifts I received while Lizard was still in the hospital.

The crochet basket had been around for a while, but all the handmade stuff inside was completed this week. The commercial stuff was curated in the last two weeks, based on what I thought would be an awesome gift to myself.

I'm very pleased with how my first gift basket turned out. I hope to make a few more, and I'd really love to do one with an Americana theme because of this year's national anniversary. I'd best get going! There isn't much time left!

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Wordless Wednesday

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