26 July 2024
25 July 2024
Tiny
Although I do have more time to myself now, I was hoping to have more than just one mini granny square for a tiny afghan done by today so I could share what I'm making. Didn't quite remember how long it takes to weave in sewing thread ends!!! I've crocheted with sewing thread in the past, but it's been too long. I don't think I had to wear close-up glasses last time I used my size 13 crochet hook!
Oops! Well, I guess I did have to wear glasses back then!!! Wow. It's been so long, I didn't even remember wearing the glasses!!!
For at least a couple of years, I've wanted to make a mini afghan for one of my friends whose husband has pulled us out of a bind more than once. He's helped with home installations including our new kitchen sink. (Did you know sinks can actually wear out?!?) They won't let me pay for his time, so I thought I could thank them in a way not just anyone can. I just hope I can finish this project before it becomes yet another motif WIP!!!
24 July 2024
23 July 2024
Back to the Garden
I'm so excited to finally have time in my garden again. I feel as if I totally neglected it last summer, and I'm getting a really late start this year.
Of course, I did get some help this year from the explosion of bunnies in our neighborhood.
I purchased several close-to-hopeless plants back in May and June from the clearance racks. I'd been able to nurse similar specimens back to health in the past. But I'd put time into the garden then.
The bunnies made quick work of my ground-level critter salad. I was so perturbed!!!
At the beginning of the summer, I had decided I wanted to devote a segment of the "upper deck" in our backyard to giant sunflowers. I always loved going east in search of miles and miles of sunflowers during August, but I've not been able to put much time into that the last couple of years. Naturally, I thought I could plant my own, not have to go anywhere other than my own backyard.
As I began leveling the first tier for a row of Mammoth sunflowers, I realized although young sunflowers follow the sun, once mature, they'd all face the fence. I wouldn't be able to snap the gorgeous photos I'd envisioned. My property faces the wrong direction!!!
I planted multiple individual seeds in yogurt containers, then transplanted the seedlings into the bricks lining our irrigation rocks. The bunnies ate them. I planted a second round. The bunnies ate them. I'm now on my third attempt, with barely enough season left for the seedlings to reach maturity. I haven't transplanted yet...
I'd strategically planted red sunflower seeds throughtout the garden back in May. Most became bunny food. But I have had one fully red sunflower so far this summer! It is located in the porch rail planter, where bunnies cannot reach!
22 July 2024
Snowflake Monday
Whenever I took my kids to the beach, they loved searching for sea shells and sand dollars. I think it quite possibly may have been one of their most favorite things to do in their youth. Well, that, and splashing in the waves...
We once rented a little cottage on the beach outside of Vancouver, and my kids lined the wooden porch railing with sea shells and sand dollars they wanted to dry and bring home. I can't remember if any of the collection actually made it home. I remember the smell, and I remember cleaning the sand off the porch before we checked out.
Little did I know way back then all the meaning behind a sand dollar! I thought one might look beautiful on a necklace. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the story potentially lurking within each sand dollar!
Some believe sand dollars are coins dropped by mermaids or residents of the City of Atlantis. Dreaming about sand dollars means you have hidden gifts and/or abilities. Some believe dreaming about sand dollars represents the ability to walk away from toxic environments/people.
Sand dollars cannot survive more than a few minutes out of water and are not white while they are alive. The sun bleaches beached sand dollars white over time. (My kids never found or collected colored sand dollars, only white ones.)
According to Catholic tradition, the top of the sand dollar features the Star of Bethlehem, representing the birth of Christ. The star is outlined by an Easter lily, representing the resurrection. The four holes along the edge of the sand dollar represent the nails in Christ's hand and feet, and the hole in the center represents the sword that pierced His side. The back side of the sand dollar displays the outline of the traditional Christmas flower, a poinsettia. If you break open a sand dollar (who would do such a thing?!?), it reveals five dove-shaped pieces. I can't attest to that last one; I've never broken a sand dollar. But it is thought when you break open a sand dollar, the five doves, representing peace and love, release goodwill into the world. (Oh, I guess that's why you would break one...)
We recently got to visit with my husband's nephew and his wife, and his wife was overwhelmed by the crochet-covered rocks in my garden. She asked if I could make one for her to take home to her mother. I got to make TWO covered rocks for this week!
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: 4.5 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, 4- to 5-inch smooth, round, flattish river rock
Sea Biscuit Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in next sc, [ch 10, 1 dc in each of next 2 sc] 5 times; ch 4, 1 trtr in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 10 petal of Round.
Round 3: Ch 11 (counts as 1 sc and ch 10), [1 sc in next petal, ch 10] 5 times; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 11.
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 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in each of next 4 ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 4 ch, 1 dc in next sc] 6 times; omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.
Sea Biscuit Snowflake Rock Covering Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in next sc, [ch 10, 1 dc in each of next 2 sc] 5 times; ch 4, 1 trtr in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 10 petal of Round.
Round 3: Ch 11 (counts as 1 sc and ch 10), [1 sc in next petal, ch 10] 5 times; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 11.
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 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in each of next 4 ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 3 dc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 4 ch, 1 dc in next sc] 6 times; omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 5:Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, [[ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp], 2 times, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp] 5 times, omitting last 3 ch and last dc of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 24th ch 5 sp of Round.
Round 6: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), 1 dc in next ch 5 loop] 22 times, omitting last dc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 24th 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] 22 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 24th ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 7 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.
19 July 2024
18 July 2024
Pins and Needles
(affiliate links to my designs)
I'm publishing this blog post at 4:30 a.m.; the winners of Spoonflower's Winter Holiday Patchwork design contest will be announced in three and a half hours. I'll update this when results are announced, but I have to say, I'm so tickled with all the support I received, even if I don't break the top ten. Back in 2017, my Ocean Hexies design was hearted 38 times. As of the end of voting on Tuesday, my (half year) 2024 all-blue digital snowflake temperature quilt had been hearted 55 times. You guys are awesome!!!
Oh, well; it was fun!
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