Two weeks ago I was mourning the loss, not realizing at the time the exact day was the 22nd anniversary of our first date. There really is something to anniversary triggers.
The next day, once I realized what caused such intense grief, I was grateful for 22 adventurous years. I wish it had been more. But I know more is to come. Gratitude makes such a huge difference. I am sleeping better. When I can sleep with thankfulness in my heart.
I had every intention of finishing and sharing another snowflake today. But time continues to get away from me. There have been many required steps to take and many decisions to make.
However, I was able two weeks ago to finish a digital snowflake collage I'd been working on for months. Mostly during sleepless nights. Of which there have been many. Far too many.
I also finished a new digital snowflake flag while awaiting return phone calls a couple of weeks ago. I had created a similar piece of art using dingbats (remember those?!?) many, many years ago. The new one features MY snowflakes.
I've since used the images to create T-shirts, fabric, posters, bags and even a mug. And I tried shooting snowflakes during our nine-inch pile up last week. (The flakes were graupel.) I haven't downloaded the images yet (I just barely downloaded snowflake images from early March!), but I don't expect to see anything inspirational.
The nine inches of snow brought down many branches from my maple, which required a bit of clean-up and further complicated my scrambled schedule.
My plan going forward is to continue publishing here Monday through Friday. I'm also trying to learn how to take care of me. I'm trying to discover who I am. All the while intensely missing my husband.
When cracks appear, rest assured everything is okay. Or as okay as can be expected. This is a new path for me, and I'm sure there will be plenty of diversions along the way. I'll keep trying to be the curious photographer longing to get back on her bike. The grief is acute because the love is fierce. I'm not ashamed of that.
I'm rediscovering me.
In some ways, it's difficult to go back to "normal". I used to tell my kids normal is a setting on a washing machine, not something we should try to emulate in real life.
"Normal" doesn't seem to be attainable anymore in my life right now. I know I will heal in time, but the pain is always going to be there.
So I'm trying to find ways to create that help me heal. I hope what I create can help others who are in pain heal, too.
So many people have done so much to try to help me get through the past few weeks.
I thought I'd let some photos tell a tiny portion of the story.
I miss my Lizard.
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: 6 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
A Snowflake for Lizard Instructions
Special Stitches
Popcorn Stitch: Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.
Make magic ring.
Round 1: [1 pc in ring, ch 5] 6 times, omitting last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in top of starting pc to create 6th ch 5 sp of Round. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, [in next ch 5 sp work ([2 dc, ch 3] 2 times, 2 dc)] 5 times; in next ch 5 sp work (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.
Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, [ch 2, sl st in gap between next 2 2/dc groups, ch 2, [in next ch 3 sp work (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) 2 times] 6 times, omitting last 2 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.
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 4 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 3), yo and bring up loop in ch 3 sp in front of next Round 1 pc, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop in ch 5 sp after same Round 1 pc, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook, yo and bring through all 3 loops on hook (dc dec made), ch 3, in next ch 3 sp work (1 sc, ch 3, 2 dc), in next gap between 2 2/dc groups work (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc), in next ch 3 sp work (2 dc, ch 3, 1 sc)] 6 times, omitting last sc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in starting ch of starting ch 4 to form ch 3 sp.
Round 5: Ch 4 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 3, 1 fpsc around next dc dec, ch 3, sk next ch 3, in next ch 3 sp work (1 sc, ch 3, 2 dc), in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc, ch 7, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc), in next ch 3 sp work (2 dc, ch 3, 1 sc)] 6 times, omitting last sc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 1st ch of starting ch 4 for rock covering. Continue with Round 6 in rock covering instructions below. For snowflake, omit last sc and sl st into 1st ch of starting ch 4.
Round 6: [2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 fp sc around next fp sc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, in next ch 7 tip work (2 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc), 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, 3 sc in next ch 3 sp] 6 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Round 6, Rock Covering: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), sk next 2 ch 3, [1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5] 2 times, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 7 tip, [ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp] 2 times], 6 times, omitting last dc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 30th ch 5 sp of Round.
Rounds 7-?, Rock Covering: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp] 17 times; 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!
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.
Greg and Susan long for a child. Abused and abandoned five-year-old Gene needs a new family, The match of family to child seems perfect, but the past refuses to let go. Find out what it takes to rebuild a broken family and to heal damaged trust.
It's here! It's here! Now available in ebook format at:
The story of a serious automobile accident 24 years ago and how I finally got back behind the wheel, after battling six months of crippling fear, to continue the photographic journeys you enjoy every weekday here on Snowcatcher.
Available in ebook format at:
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