
I recently finished putting together a PDF booklet of the most popular snowflake patterns on this website, and after a couple of weeks, I finally received the correct link to join my team for this year's MS-150 (now called BikeMS). Then I decided to hold off on releasing the PDF booklet until The Lizard registered, hoping to help his fundraising efforts as well my own.

I began riding the MS-150 about ten years ago because a very close friend of mine invited me. I had no idea her sister was battling MS. By the time that first ride was over, I'd learned I work with two people who have MS, two people I work with have relatives with MS, and three more friends have relatives with MS. That was nearly a decade ago. Since then, I've found out about even more people in my circle who are afflicted with this disease, and now I'm married to someone who has two relatives with MS. Colorado has the highest incidence of MS in the country, and that's why I ride.

That's why I ride.
The MS-150 is open to the first 2,500 people who sign up. The only requirement is to raise $400 by the first day of the ride. Because the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society depends primarily on donations to be able to serve the vast number of people affected by MS, there are numerous incentives to encourage people like me to raise more than just the basic $400. Businesses donate merchandise, bike tune-ups and other services that are then given as prizes to top donation collectors.

Humor aside, the MS-150 is where a big chunk of my heart lives. And sometimes where my heart breaks the most. To see a volunteer in a wheelchair who wasn't in one the year before...

All of our charitable fundraising efforts are now directed toward the battle against Parkinson's Disease.
To obtain a pdf copy of my most recent pdf booklet, please make a charitable contribution of at least $10 to your choice of The Davis Phinney Foundation (which has a goal of making life better for people who have Parkinson's), or The Michael J. Fox Foundation (which has a goal of finding a cure).
Each time a donation is made, I receive an email notifying me of the donation, and I email the pdf booklet as a token of my gratitude. I try to respond to each donation on the day they are made. However, please bear in mind I am not always able to check email 24 hours a day, especially during the work week. If you make a donation and don't hear from me within three days, it's possible I did not receive notification. In that case, please notify me at flake at snowcatcherphotos dot com.

My previous pdf booklets are available also. I will send all eight of the old booklets to anyone who makes a donation of $40 or more, which is the equivalent of $5 per booklet. If you would like fewer than the whole set, please make sure I know which pdf booklets you want.
All donations to the Davis Phinney Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation are tax deductible.
Thank you for your interest in making life better for those who have multiple sclerosis!

Wow, that is awesome. I know what you mean about the porto-potties... I never had to use one in a race but the idea is just... ICK. (Frankly, I've never even raced, just "volunteered" in a few.)
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, when is the race?
Hi, Yulian! It's just a ride, not a race... I can't race; I'm too slow! And it will be the end of June.
ReplyDeleteI am so in ... made a donation. We must get you to that $2,000 High Roller status for the potty access!!!
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of tearing up, because for some reason this cause so near and dear to me tends to elicit that reaction, I will very happily donate to your husband to help him meet his goal. Please please make sure to include another please a little later one as funds are tight due to a brand new house right now :D
ReplyDeleteOh, and as for the top fundraising team, someone I've never met but consider to be a friend is actually on that team :D
great project. I have friends who do it here in PA. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful! I cannot remember if I told you but my cousin was diagnosed with MS before he was 20, he's 33 now and in a wheelchair and unable to do the computer work he thought he was choosing as a wise career. :( It's tough, he got divorced and moved back in the his parents.
ReplyDeleteI am in Kuwait, working with displaced domestic workers (women). There is one woman there that can knit and crochet most anything. Thought the snowflakes would be good fundraiser items for the women to sell. Your cause is also wonderful so I made a donation. Would love the pdf of the snowflake patterns. best wishes, maryanne
ReplyDeleteHi is it too late to donate? Can you raise funds for next time? Please let me know.
ReplyDeleteHi, Hooks. What a great name! No, it is not too late. My fundraising page will be live until about the middle of December, and when I register for next year's ride, the NMSS will set up a new page for each of the riders so they can start all over again.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people have asked if I'm going to do this again next year. Response has been so awesome, I am planning a repeat next year, and I'm working on a whole new booklet with new patterns and more already published favorites.
Hi! I know the race already happened, but since your donation pages are still live I donated to your husband's account. I included my email in the donation page but not in the note, please let me know if you need me to send it separately. Seeing your pictures makes me want to start training again! My husband and I were up to 10k running (ahem...jogging :-) ) races just before we got married, but life and injury got in the way and then two gorgeous kids came along and...well, you know how it goes :) I'm looking forward to using your snowflake patterns to make gifts for my family for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteis it possible to donate via paypal?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria!
ReplyDeleteHi, Meg. So far, I have been unable to get any answer from the NMSS if they will accept Paypal, and I don't see that as an option anywhere. I'm going to send you an email.
I just donated to your husband's account, since he seemed to be lagging behind because, as you said, he has no snowflake PDF to offer :). I enjoy your blog (though I mostly view through a reader, so visiting today was the first time I noticed the PDF - what a great way to raise money for your charity of choice!
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for your kind words on my blog today!
Are you still raising money for your ride?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marie! I'll have you know you made my husband smile! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSarah, yes, we both are still trying to raise money for MS until about the middle of December or so, when they will want to close out their books. And then I will have a new book with new patterns for next year as soon as they open up our new donor pages.
My name is Ashley Rose Johnson and I am a beginner to Making snow flakes and I was wondering how I can get an example book for snowflakes I really like the ones you have made and I am a low income person and I am making snowflakes for a bazaar this weekend and was wondering how you could help with getting an example practice book free!
ReplyDeletethanks!
Ashley Rose Johnson crafter!
Hi, Ashley. If you can, get on YouTube and search for a crocheted snowflake tutorial. A guy named Mike filmed the process of making one of my snowflakes, and he goes through it step by step. I hope that helps. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou are without a doubt a wonderful, generous person for having displayed your beautiful snowflake patterns free of charge. I really enjoyed your blog entry related to the Torrey's Peak Snowflake of 9/26/11. I will keep looking out for your new snowflake book in January or Februrary.
ReplyDeleteOK, so I just discovered your snowflakes about a month ago (I emailed you about the magic circle.) I'd really like to get the PDF of your patterns, but the fundraiser is over. Is there anyway to send you a donation to put toward next year's fundraiser and still get this PDF?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Sarah
I have the same question as sarahsanford above me. I'm perfectly willing to donate 2x. Maybe one for you and one for Lizard in 2012. I'm just so bummed that i didn't find this until after the 2011 fundraising had closed!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sarah and Charlie Ann, and I apologize for being so tardy in responding. Our 2012 donation pages are up and working now; current links are in the sidebar. I am still sending out the 2011 booklet to those who didn't receive it last year, and the new booklet will be ready soon. I'm aiming for February 6. I'll announce it in that day's Snowflake Monday if it's done. I'm very hopeful right now because I just finished writing up the Little Bear Peak Snowflake, which, yes, does indeed feature a tiny bear!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for another year of fantastic snowflakes and inspiring photography. I don't know how you find the time to do all that you do. Would you be able to accept a Paypal donation to save me using my husband's credit card? No problem if you can't he's very generous but I'd rather do it myself if possible.
Regards,
Marlene (UK)
Ok. NOW you made me cry! Keep up the great work,both for MS and for crocheters everwhere! Look for me to be donating to your work!RIDE ON FOR MS!!!
ReplyDeleteIf I want both booklets, can I get them? I would be happy to make a donation to each or two donations to one.
ReplyDeleteHi, Deanne
ReplyDeleteOne donation is sufficient. I've been sending both booklets to everyone who donates if they didn't receive last year's. Thanks!
I was linked here through your directory and was looking for the Baker's Dozen snowflake. Is this a miss-link or is it supposed to be in the book advertised?
ReplyDeleteHi, Tegan. Yes, Baker's Dozen is in the first booklet, and it will not ever be published on my blog. I want my donors to have something special no one else has.
ReplyDeleteI went to the donation link, but I saw no mention of the PDFs. I'd love to know more about what's in them, as I'm a new visitor to your blog and your patterns. I hope it's not rude to ask for details. I don't mind donating, but I would much rather purchase them on Ravelry if I could. :)
ReplyDeleteStunning work from the ones I've seen so far!
Anne.
Thank you, Anne! I have not sold any patterns yet for profit; all I've done is for charity. So I apologize that the only way the booklets are available are via donation. The donation link doesn't say anything because technically you're not supposed to get anything in return for donating. This is just my way of thanking my donors. I just had another relative of a friend recently diagnosed, so I'm very bent on trying to help stop multiple sclerosis.
DeleteHere are the links to each of the booklets:
2015 booklet
2014 booklet
2013 booklet
2012 booklet
This is the best link showing the snowflakes in the 2011 booklet.
Thank you for giving me a reason to put this list together. I've never thought to have one list of all the booklets all in one place! I'm going to add this list to each of the booklet posts.