31 January 2013

Heels Over Head

the old-fashioned way

a real-life adventure

Read Part XIV here.

Now available in ebook format!


Written in about 2006 (about ten years after the accident)

It's been nearly ten years since I've jotted anything in this notebook. I can't remember exactly why I stopped writing. My kids' adoption/bonding therapist had been working with me to help me overcome my fear of driving, and I had mentioned to him that I wanted to write a book about my experience to help others who've been in horrible accidents to learn to trust themselves behind the wheel of a car again. To feel confident having children in their cars again.

He thought it was a splendid idea and encouraged me to move forward immediately with the project. He said it would be good therapy for me.

As best I can recall, I sat down and began recording my memories that very night. I worked almost throughout the night and during every work break the following day. I picked it up again that night and formed blisters on two fingers from holding the pen so tight through another night. When I finally retired to bed, I didn't have nightmares for the first time in several months. I never returned to the story until now, even though I never forgot about it.

Perhaps the sleepless nights caught up with me. Maybe my kids became more demanding. Maybe reliving the trauma during waking hours was more than I could stomach. Or maybe I read over what I had written and deemed my project a failure, more negative, especially toward the emergency workers who tried to help me, than I intended. I don't remember making a conscious decision not to finish the book, but I didn't miss it while it was put away, either. Maybe it just needed to ferment for a while.

Now my kids are out on their own, I'm back to putting 20,000 miles or more on my vehicle every year, I've endured a few more hard knocks, and I realize some of the strength I developed through this accident and some of the everyday tragedies that followed helped me survive and thrive a whole lifetime of events, good and bad, since then. The story still needs to be told, but perhaps my vision has matured. One can only hope...

I pulled this notebook off the shelf because I was in the mood to write. I have at least seven books in progress at all times. I couldn't remember where I'd put the adventure novel I wanted to resume. This one wasn't it. But after reading what I'd written so long ago, I decided it is time. This one needs to be finished.

As I glanced through the pages a second time, I began wondering if I'd suffered a little more brain damage than the doctors realized. So much has changed in ten years! I initially didn't remember that stretch of highway EVER being two-lane. But then I found proof.

Eight months after the accident, a brief from the Rocky Mountain News caught my eye. I'd clipped it and tucked it neatly inside this notebook, where it has yellowed until now.

Douglas County officials, seeking $14.4 million, plan to meet with members of the House Transportation Committee in Washington the first week of February and return to talk to the Colorado delegation later in the month, said Commissioner Michael Cooke.

The project would add a third lane to southbound I-25 from Lincoln Avenue to Castle Pines Parkway, the deadliest strip of roadway in the county. (italics added) — Rocky Mountain News, 1/24/97, page 32A


The highway to Castle Rock really was two-lane. The Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post really were two distinct and separate entities a long time ago. And I really had been afraid to drive.


Read Part XVI here.

Table of Contents

Copyright 2013 by Deborah and Brett Atkinson
All rights reserved. No part of this book - prose, photos or graphics - may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without express prior written permission of the author.

29 January 2013

Wordless Wednesday

handful of trouble

Tiny Turtle

gathering

tickle me turtles

circle the shells

marching, marching, marching

king of the mountain

We come in peace...

Big Mama

balancing act

Where have all the daffodils gone?

Hide & Peek

Head Games

Yeehaw!

My goal was to work up to 60 miles by January so I would know whether it would be wise to risk throwing my hat in the Ride the Rockies lottery this weekend.

I didn't get to ride after December 1, and I had not been able to pedal more than 40 miles before this long break. Typically, long breaks do me in. I have to start over from scratch.

I had long planned to at least attempt 60 miles on Martin Luther King Day. I had the day off. As the day got closer, the forecast was extremely favorable. It was the very day I began my 60-mile-day-once-a-month streak back in 2011. It would be the perfect day to begin the streak all over again.

But then I got sick. Head colds and congestion were being passed around at work, and even though I tried not to stand in line for my fair share, the germ knocked me off my feet for three days leading up to my big ride.

Nevertheless, I had to try.

I left at about noon after eating a tuna fish sandwich. I equipped the bike with two water bottles so I would not have to carry my pack, thinking that would give me a better chance at success. I did not take my headlamp because I didn't realistically think I could do 60, but mostly because I have to spend this whole next four months focusing on building a little more speed and power so I don't have to do any more 12.5- or 14.5-hour days. I would have to do better than 10 mph, even if I did do 60, so I would get home before dark.

I wore two layers of everything – two pairs of socks, padded shorts beneath tights, a thermal jersey beneath my treasured Fat Cyclist jersey. I was not warm for the first six miles or so, while the temperature was still in the 40s. When I started really working, I wasn't chilled anymore.

I started out with a couple of intervals because that's how you build speed and power. I can make it about a quarter of the way up the short but steep hills on my S-curves route doing full speed, as fast as I can go, standing on the pedals, before I run out of steam. My job this spring will be to try to make it to the top of each little hill at my best speed.

I made it all the way up the first hill and halfway up the second hill. I couldn't go harder on the third hill than I normally do because my bad knee was beginning to hurt already. I knew not to even try. It's a booger just to get up that particular hill, so that's all I focused on. I made it up. But then I started having attitude challenges.

I seriously hit the wall at about 16 miles. I was coughing. I had to blow my nose about every two minutes. I did not drink enough; I have trouble remembering to drink when I'm not hot. I was tired, and my knee hurt. I was trying to remember not to arch my back. I was trying to keep my tummy tucked. I can't remember if it was still chilly then. I just wanted to go home. I was done.

I almost did go back home.

I tried to talk myself into making the effort, but I wasn't having much success. Myself was being very obstinate. I told myself I might not get another chance at 60 this month. There are no weather guaranties in January.

"I don't care about any stupid streak! I don't even know why I want to do this. It's stupid. I have better things to do. This is not fun. I just want to go home!"

I told myself I could take the shortcut home if I made it to the end of the first S-curve. That would give me close to 25 miles. Not bad for no real riding since December 1. It would be a worthwhile training ride, even if I didn't accomplish my goal.

Myself agreed to that. Mostly because myself knew home was less than a couple of miles that way, and I would avoid five big hills if I went home that way.

Then I found just the right medicine.

I asked myself what I learned from Pikes Peak and the two long, hard Ride the Rockies days. I asked myself what those lessons were for if I wasn't going to apply them.

Why did I bother to push myself beyond fatigue if I wasn't going to draw upon that strength in other times of weakness? Why did I suffer so much, particularly on the Ouray to Durango day, if success that day wasn't going to help me in the future?

The pep talk seemed to work like a charm.

When I hit the end of the S-curve, I didn't want to go home anymore. I turned around to do the next repeat. I wanted to see if I could do 60 miles.

And that's all I needed to keep going the rest of the day.

Well, plus, I knew The Lizard would be happy if I made it. He doesn't get Martin Luther King Day off, so he couldn't coach me for this ride. But he knew I was trying. He knew I would give it my best shot. He did not expect me to be a quitter.

Initially I worried a little about the repetition of four trips through the S-curves, which is what I would need to pedal in order to reach 60 miles, but by staying close to home, I wouldn't be inhaling the metro brown cloud while I was already having enough sinus problems. I would be able to bail easily if needed. The S-curves are not as busy with traffic this time of year, a definite improvement over navigating the metro bike path, which likely would be full of pedestrians, dog-walkers, rollerbladers, children, fishermen, family bike rides and ice beneath the underpasses. Not that I mind sharing the bike path, but I wouldn't be able to work on speed on the bike path. The bike path actually has a speed limit! I could work on speed on the S-curves.

The S-curves are completely surrounded by feeding grounds for winged creatures, so I entertained myself by playing Dodge the Goose Poop and then ultimately Connect the Turds. I had to check behind me each time I blew my nose to make sure I wasn't showering other riders. At one point, I imagined a certain yellow-jerseyed rider coming up behind me, and I did my best Farmer John Blow. I would never do that in real life, but it was fun to visualize for just that split second.

The wind picked up at about 29 miles, and I had trouble staying above 8 mph while battling the head wind. The wind, however, served as strong motivation to work harder.

"Wind makes us strong. Wind makes us strong. Wind makes us strong," I would chant.

Three years ago while training for the 2010 Ride the Rockies, which is the hardest ride and continuously most difficult weeklong ride I've ever done, I would cry when I woke up in the pre-dawn morning with the wind battering the side of our house because I knew I had to ride in the wind even though I didn't want to. I was so tired of riding in the wind! And then we had ridiculously strong head winds six of the seven days of Ride the Rockies. And then again on Pikes Peak a few months later, the wind battered the heck out of me.

Nevertheless, I had trained in the wind. It was discouraging, and sometimes it was downright dangerous, but I had ridden in the wind enough to build up a little bit of strength. That year I realized Colorado has wind. If you don't want to ride in the wind, you shouldn't live in Colorado.

On this day, I rode in the wind, and it didn't drag my enthusiasm down.

At mile 42, the wind changed direction. At least the ride wasn't boring. Suddenly, at mile 49ish, the wind died down! I was expecting a brutal headwind all the way home!

My back began bothering me at about 50 miles, but I knew I was a mere ten miles from home. I knew I could make it.

I hit the longest of the five hills I have to climb to get home at mile 52.80. That was pretty significant to me because Denver's altitude is 5,280. I was roughly 700 feet higher than that, and I had about 200 feet of climbing to do before I got home. Made me feel kind of high. The good kind of high, that is.

At mile 58, the sun had hidden behind the foothills, I was riding in shadows, and my toes were freezing. But I had only two miles to go. I had made it. I would finish. I had accomplished my goal.

The 60-mile-day streak is off and running again. If I can get in a 60-mile day in February, I have it made. I can do it the rest of the year. It may require a couple of trips to Moab next Thanksgiving and Christmas, but Moab's never a bad thing to need.

The Lizard was home from work when I arrived. He got to hear my phone announce in computer voice fashion, "End of ride, average speed 12.39 mph, ride time 4:52, total distance 60.45 miles" when the Cycle Meter acknowledged the end of my forward progress. The Lizard gave me the best hug!

High fives around!

Do you know what this means?

I can ride Elephant Rock, Ride the Rockies and the MS-150!

climbin' fool!

28 January 2013

Snowflake Monday

a beary sweet but 0-calorie valentine

I liked last week's heart motif so much, I couldn't resist making another snowflake with the same motif. Actually, I made seven hearts for one of last week's snowflakes, and I actually noticed my mistake before making a seven-pointed snowflake. I decided to design another snowflake so I could use up that lonely heart (the rose-colored one).

This week's pattern is symbolic of the appreciation going out to NeedsNap on Ravelry for helping me restore my lost Dahlia Snowflake pattern last week. It's backed up in three places, just like all the rest now. Thank you!

The 2013 snowflake booklet to benefit the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will be ready next week! I'll share a sneak preview of one of the patterns next Wednesday. Don't miss it!

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!

Medallion IV Snowflake

Finished Size: 5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in two colors (or 7 colors), size 8 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

Medallion IV Snowflake Instructions

TIP: This snowflake has a lot of ends to weave in. If the snowflake will be stiffened, ends may be pulled under just a couple of stitches, then clipped when snowflake is dry. Stiffened snowflake thread ends will not unravel.

Heart Medallion (make 6)

With Color A, make magic ring. Ch 3 (this will form the bottom point of the heart), 6 dc in ring, 2 hdc in ring, sl st in ring, 2 hdc in ring, 6 dc in ring; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 3; bind off. Pull magic ring tight as possible without breaking thread, but also leave enough room for hook to pull through two stitches when joining to snowflake. Weave in ends.

Snowflake

With Color B, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2, [yo and draw up loop through ring, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook (starting cluster made), * ch 8, sl st in 6th ch from hook, ch 2, [yo and draw up loop through ring, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (dc cluster made); repeat from *4 times; ch 2, 1 dc in starting cluster to form final ch 4 sp between clusters, ch 2, 1 dc around post (body) of dc just made to form final ch 6 loop. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.
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 2 [you and draw up loop through ring, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, 2 sc in 1st dc of Heart Medallion (on right side, working counter clockwise around heart), 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 1 sc in center hole of Heart Medallion (over sl st top of heart), sk next hdc,1 sc in next hdc, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in last dc of Medallion, working back down ch work 1 sl st into next ch, ch 4, 2 dc into 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 1 dc cluster into next ch 6 loop; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc cluster of final repeat; sl st in top of starting dc cluster; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: 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 the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

Sherbert Medallion IV Snowflake

25 January 2013

Friday Fun

Incredible!!!

24 January 2013

Heels Over Head

in stitches

a real-life adventure

Read Part XIII here.

Now available in ebook format!


Through the next half hour of strain and tears, I grimaced, whined and blubbered while wondering why things were so different this time around. Why were these people all so mean? Why couldn't they see I was in pain?

The pre-diagnosis of "just fine" enabled me to hobble out of the lab on my own, tightly clutching the back of my flimsy gown so as to not provide any peep shows on my way back to my room. As I entered the hallway, my eyes immediately fell upon the familiar face of my friend and co-worker Karin. Her arm was around Taz, and the two of them were across the hallway from Raz, chatting away until Karin's eyes met mine. I watched the color drain from her face and her eyes well up with tears.

My purse was slung over Taz's shoulder. He must have gone through my address book and called Karin, perhaps the first local name he could find, her surname beginning with B. I felt a degree of relief, knowing my kids were not alone.

Taz noticed Karin's expression, and his head whipped over in my direction. With bright eyes and a cheerful voice, he called out, "Mom!!!" My heart soared as he darted down the hallway toward me.

The tear-inducing, magical moment padded the impact of his miniature body as he crashed into me and threw his arms around my waist. I pulled him in closer and nearly doubled over in pain. But then I saw Raz's face.

Her smile turned to horror as she took in her first full view of me. My future football/soccer/baseball player was not fazed by my appearance. Raz, however, drank in every owie as if she could relieve my pain by taking it upon herself. She wailed once again, and Karin reached over to try to calm her. A nurse appeared out of nowhere, pried Taz from me and ushered me down the hall. I heard Karin offering to take the kids to eat as soon as Raz was done with her x-rays. I wondered if the hospital staff would allow Raz to go.

I spent the next couple of hours attempting to doze. Unfortunately, the foreign environment, hallway noise and my diminishing tolerance for pain combined to make the sleep restless and unsatisfying. The television in my room was blocked by a curtain, but I could hear the Rockies game in progress. Every once in a while I tried to pay attention, but not being there prodded remorse and regret.

The accident had occurred at almost exactly 1 p.m., straight up. It was five hours later and an hour into the game by the time I finally met the doctor.

He diagnosed several lacerations on my scalp, three cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder. In addition, he said, I likely would have "a black eye" the next morning.

He removed a number of glass shards, stitched my head without cutting a single strand of hair, placed a brace on my ribs, directed an aid to clean me up and had all but patted me on the back to send me home when he experienced a slight change of heart.

"I'm going to have our trauma surgeon take a look at your x-rays, just to be sure. But I'm sure he will allow you to go home tonight," he said. "Take a long, hot bath, relax for a couple of days, and then no running, no stairs, no heavy lifting, nothing strenuous for six weeks."

Up to that point, I didn't know staying the night had been an option tempting anyone's mind. From the beginning, I'd thought I'd be able to see at least part of the game with my children from the comfort of our living room. I thought I owed them that. That and a large pepperoni pizza. Just for waiting so patiently for so long, if indeed they were.

An hour later, I met the trauma surgeon. Upon first inspection, he removed the rib brace, which had provided the only physical comfort I'd felt since before the accident.

"That's what causes people with rib injuries to develop pneumonia," the surgeon explained, shaking his head in disbelief. "Your lungs need to expand, and braces will only limit your breathing.

"I know you'll be uncomfortable sleeping with all that dirt on you, but I'll have one of our techs help you shower in the morning. Not too hot, though. No heat and no cold for a couple of days."

With that, he handed a nurse a couple of in-hospital prescriptions and was off into the crowded caverns of other patients to see.

For the third time that day, I really cried. Who would take care of my children? Could they stay in my room with me? How would I take care of them from a hospital bed? Why couldn't I take a shower before morning? And what about all the confusion ─ brace, no brace; warm bath, no bath ─ both of these men were physicians, and yet they were dispensing contradictory instructions.

An hour or so later, well beyond visiting hours, I was wheeled into a private room equipped with a window seat and chair. A few minutes later, Karin brought my fed kids in, and a nurse brought extra blankets and pillows. The kids wasted no time launching a barrage of questions.

"Mom, did you know you can race wheelchairs in the hallway?" Raz bubbled.

"And wheely beds!" Taz added.

"Do they have ice cream here?" Raz asked.

"What's this thing for?" Taz queried as he studied a plastic breathing apparatus that would measure the inflation of my lungs.

"Mom, can we go get a movie?" Raz asked as she played with a new-found remote control.

"Oh, man! Do you think we can watch the game?" Taz pleaded as he snatched the remote out of Raz's hands. She summarily picked up a pillow and whacked him with it. He pounced on her and soon had her giggling "Uncle!" with his relentless tickle attack.

I didn't need to ask if my kids were okay.

Read Part XV here.

Table of Contents

Copyright 2013 by Deborah and Brett Atkinson
All rights reserved. No part of this book - prose, photos or graphics - may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without express prior written permission of the author.

22 January 2013

Wordless Wednesday

First, tiny buds appear.

Then they get a little color in them.

Next they get a little longer.

a little bit longer

getting closer to full bloom

dancing shoes

open, open, open

squeeeeeeeee!

another launch

torpedo ready

fire!

Quiltin' of the Green

think spring

Look out, Denver National Quilt Festival! Here I come!

I miss my hair!

Every girl should have a quilt to match her favorite dress.

I miss spring!

And her favorite skirt...

Woman Cave

Ever since emergency back surgery in 2004, I haven't spent as much time at my sewing machine as I would have liked because, well, long story short: It hurt too much to sit.

In December I began physical therapy, hoping to find out what kind of sitting position on the bike would be most comfortable for my back. For years I have been expecting to be sentenced to a recumbent. Which is SO low to the ground. And SO expensive. And SO heavy!

Turns out I've been arching my back ever since surgery. I probably needed physical therapy years ago, but I didn't know.

Turns out, walking and riding a bike aren't the only places I've been arching my back. I was arching my back at the sewing machine, too.

I've been compensating. When you compensate for something that hurts, you hurt something else.

So now the mission is to turn the jelly in my belly back into muscle. I have to learn to tuck that tummy without using my shoulders, hips or rib cage. I have to learn how to walk and sit and ride a bike and even do yoga all over again.

And it's helping!

a treasure in waiting

Last year, I wanted to finish a snowflake quilt for the Denver National Quilt Festival. I'd started the quilt long before I had the proper tools, so the corners didn't square up perfectly when I finally began assembling it. Then I wrecked my bike and broke my wrist and had my hair chopped off.

That snowflake quilt still isn't done. I do promise it will get done one day. Even if it becomes a stack of the fanciest potholders on the planet.

Spindrift

Two years ago I made a small snowflake quilt for the Denver National Quilt Festival and Quilts at the Capitol. My mini quilt didn't make it into the Quilts at the Capitol because it was two inches too short. I'd measured before I finished the crocheted edging.

Rejection stinks.

My 14er Quilt in front of 14er Mount Princeton

Four years ago, I entered my Fourteener Quilt in Quilts at the Capitol, the first time I was ever juried into that show. In 2007, it was my first ever quilt accepted into the Denver National Quilt Festival, which started the bug to which I've now become helplessly addicted.

We've been promising for four years to hang this literal masterpiece on the wall above our staircase. It's hanging there all right. Folded neatly right over the banister, safe and sound. But not on display.

Lizard, can we put that quilt up on the wall this weekend? Pretty please with gravy on top? I'll make homemade biscuits and gravy... (his favorite meal except for chicken fried steak, which I have yet to master)

Lizards for Our Bedroom

Five years ago, I entered the rainbow applique lizard quilt I'd started for The Lizard before surgery but didn't finish until many years after surgery because sitting at the sewing machine hurt so much. This quilt rests upon our bed all year long now.

getting crazy

This year, I wanted to do something different. I wanted to do something from stash and not have to buy anything except perhaps the batting. I wanted to make something totally unexpected and eye-popping. I wanted to make something I can finish and make no excuses for not finishing.

cornered

I dug out the leftovers from my skirt and dress, and I began playing around.

Addicted! All over again.

I get so excited about this quilt every night that I get to work on it, I have trouble falling asleep afterward because the adrenaline is so potent!

This project is just the kind of winter pick-me-up I needed!

here, lizard, lizard...

paired


testing 1, 2, 3

Simple Mariner's Compass

Success!  First of hopefully 5 more.

21 January 2013

Snowflake Monday

heartflakes

I'd like to get an early start on Valentine's Day this year, and yet another heartflake is a step in the right direction.

This snowflake was inspired by Christmas tree ornaments last month, by kaleidoscope snowflakes I created in Photoshop, and by a snowflake on a cuddly fleece blanket we've been making good use of the last few bitter cold days.

pink hearts

purple hearts

pink hearts

I wasn't very happy with the hearts in my prototype snowflake, but after pinning all the snowflakes out, I decided I liked the shape of the prototype better than the modifications, so I am including both patterns today.

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!

Medallion III Snowflake

Finished Size: 6.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in two colors (or seven colors, if desired), 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

Medallion III Snowflake Instructions

TIP: This snowflake has a lot of ends to weave in. If the snowflake will be stiffened, ends may be pulled under just a couple of stitches, then clipped when snowflake is dry. Stiffened snowflake thread ends will not unravel.

hearts aflutter

Heart Medallion (make 6)

With Color A, make magic ring. Ch 3 (this will form the bottom point of the heart), 6 dc in ring, 2 hdc in ring, sl st in ring, 2 hdc in ring, 6 dc in ring; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 3; bind off. Pull magic ring tight as possible without breaking thread, but also leave enough room for hook to pull through two stitches when joining to snowflake. Weave in ends.

Medallion III Snowflake

Snowflake I

With Color B, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 3, * 3 dc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 3 times; 3 dc in ring, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp. Do not pull magic ring too 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 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same sp, * ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), [3 dc] in next ch 3 sp, ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, ch 3, 2 sc in 1st dc of Heart Medallion (on right side, working counter clockwise around heart), 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 1 sc in center hole of Heart Medallion (over sl st top of heart), ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, sl st in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in center hole of Heart Medallion, 1 sc in 2nd hdc of Medallion, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in last dc of Medallion, working back down spoke work 1 sl st into each of next 3 ch, ch 6, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, working down spoke again 1 sl st in each of next 2 ch, ch 1, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp as previous [3 dc]; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Medallion III Snowflake

Snowflake II

With Color B, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 3, * 3 dc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 3 times; 3 dc in ring, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp. Do not pull magic ring too 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 9 (counts as 1 dc and ch 7), * sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 2, [1 dc] in next ch 3 sp, ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, ch 3, 2 sc in 1st dc of Heart Medallion (on right side, working counter clockwise around heart), 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 1 sc in center hole of Heart Medallion (over sl st top of heart), ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, sl st in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in center hole of Heart Medallion, 1 sc in 2nd hdc of Medallion, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in last dc of Medallion, working back down spoke work 1 sl st into each of next 3 ch, ch 6, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, working down spoke again 1 sl st in each of next 2 ch, ch 1, 1 dc in same ch 3 sp as previous [1 dc], ch 7; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc and ch 7 of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 9; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: 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. (TIP: Length of spikes on this snowflake may dictate stronger stiffener than liquid starch.) 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 the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

Medallion III Snowflake
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