28 February 2017

Almost Spring Snow


We had a few stormy, cold days in January, but I spent most of them down with a relentless head cold. Toward the end of the second of three germ repeats, I braved the chill and took pictures of tiny, icy snowflakes as they landed on a skein of yarn.


Once I finally cleared my head, perhaps in more ways than one, we experienced some of the warmest Denver metro days ever recorded in February. Of course. Because I wanted snowflake photos! And snowy wildlife photos.

11 Feb 2017 record high in Denver

We even managed to escape civilization for about 36 hours when my husband unexpectedly got two consecutive days off, the second one coinciding with my regular day off. We headed for the hills for cross-country skiing, seasonal romance and the promise of more falling snow.

Snowflake photos!!!


You'll never hear me complain about a bluebird day of cross-country skiing.

Although there were no fresh snowflakes and the impending storm didn't arrive until an hour after we left, I did get some fun photos of ice in the trailhead parking lot.


So I had no trouble ditching my planned quilting the evening we got four inches of big, fat flakes out of the storm forecasters said would leave maybe an inch to make time for macro snowflake photos. Typically, we get a fraction of forecast, so this particular storm was a pretty big thrill for me.


I started out trying to encourage the snowflakes to pose on a garden rock around which I'd crocheted a snowflake covering, but it had been stored inside our comfortable and warm abode, and said snowflakes wasted no time shedding tears immediately upon landing.

Many snowflakes were happily landing and sticking around, literally, on the overturned construction bucket I was using as a photo prop. The black bucket surface was reflective, so I had to watch for strobe glare yet wound up with many new wondrous additions to my macro snowflake gallery, as well as inspiration for future fiber snowflake creations.


Before I was ready to end my photo session, it was time to retire for the night. My beloved husband had the early shift the next morning. Typically, I accompany him to his place of employment, then crochet in the nearby coffee (and hot tea/chocolate) shop for an hour to an hour and a half before walking nearly two miles to the park and ride, Charity Miles enabled, before starting my own workday.

Snow was still falling. I couldn't haul my studio equipment around, but I could take a nice walk along the snow-covered bike path, Charity Miles enabled, before boarding the commuter train. So I ditched the coffee shop and crochet to take a hike!


Only two photos were captured along the way; the sun didn't come up until my turnaround point. Well, it didn't really make an appearance even then... snow continued to fall. I may not have taken many photos along the way, but I could certainly play with them on the train once I was done!






I didn't see much out-of-the ordinary wildlife, but I saw tracks, and sometimes proof of life outside of civilization is all I need to lift my spirits and conquer another work day.

Two skinny tire cyclists had braved the bike path before I added my footprints to the accumulated snow. Runners were unphased by the cold or the alternately crunchy/fluffy walkway. Geese huddled along the edge of the island in the middle of the waterway and flapped their wings and honked as I disturbed them with my crunchy footsteps.

Paw prints decorated the otherwise untouched blanket covering the landscape. Most were bunnies, some scurrying back and forth multiple times before I came on the scene. Some were coyote or fox; one particular set caught my attention because there were two different sizes of prints side by side in the snow. A mating couple? Or has the unusually warm February brought out early young??? My imagination danced.

As the still snowy sky brightened slightly, I could hear the hooting of an owl. Birdsong began to fill the air. Magpies chattered incesstantly. Mallards and common goldeneyes launched, not as comfortable with my presence as the geese. Cormorants hastily yet silently made their way to the other side of the pond without leaving the water. Geese put up a loud protest but remained content to hold their ground. Or their water, I guess I should say.

Just the day before, one of my bosses and I had talked about a rookery near his home, where he and his wife enjoy getting outdoors and watching winged wonders. He had seen many herons, both in the water and in the trees, as well as other species of birds and raptors. The difference between a rookery and a heronry is the variety of species (or lack thereof).

I didn't get to see any herons on this particular walk, but I noticed for the first time five close neighbor large nests in the tops of the trees on the opposite side of the South Platte River. I chuckled as I remembered my rookery research seven or eight years ago after seeing a heronry for the first time. The Lizard and I had been camping in the Cimarron area and spied about 15 nests similarly close together high atop tall trees.


It seems the male herons rob sticks and twigs from their neighbors' nests as they attempt to woo the females. (Herons do not mate for life.) It appears the males build their homes close together so they can easily borrow each other's construction materials, sometimes back and forth many times before eggs are actually laid. We had witnessed such behavior and couldn't believe this odd nest bartering was really happening!


Now I have a closer venue in which to enjoy the heron mating season. I do plan many photographic outings along the river, as it is one of my favorite segments of my 60-mile round trip cycling work commute, when I am able to ride. My husband and I recently came up with an improvised plan for me to begin training for Ride the Rockies (assuming we are drawn this Friday) even though a segment of my route is still plagued by nailed and screwed construction. I won't have to skip the greenway! I may even get a few extra miles in the process.

The newly discovered rookery/heronry is very exciting for me because I've already captured some magnificent shots in this very area. It's not as easy to see the nests when the trees are in full leaf!














These photos hold some great memories of warmer times, but they also inspire hope that my next South Platte outing might be a little more photographically rewarding. I'm not complaining at all. It was a very joyful way to spend an early morning when I can't be with the one I love. And hey, I logged some Charity Miles to boot!

27 February 2017

Delphinium Monday


I started this pattern about two years ago and then got distracted, probably by Ride the Rockies or my garden or whatever dominated all my non-working, non-sleeping hours during the summer of 2015. Then I made only one flower flake last year. Busy year, I guess.

I have many favorite flowers in my garden, but I think my blue delphiniums might top all. So I have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to dig out my prototype crocheted delphinium to write the pattern.






Unfortunately, I made the first flower before I HAD to wear glasses while crocheting with thread. I couldn't remember what I'd done for the first one, and even with glasses, I couldn't make out everything I'd done on the first Round.






So it was back to the drawing board, or back to the commuter train, I guess, and attempting to visually duplicate what I'd created before.






It took a while!

But now I'm very proud to present the next in my series of flower flakes!


Previous flower flakes may be found here:

Amaryllis
Blue Flax
Chamomile
Clematis
Daisy
Daffodil
Dahlia
Forget-Me-Not
Iris
Hoya
Lobelia
Love in a Mist
Mother's Day Snowflake (rose-like)
Picotee
Sixifrage
Spiderwort
Spring Star Flower
Windflower

And I'm happy to report I haven't given up on the vest project yet!


I'm using one of my favorite vests as a guide to shape my flower flake vest.


Right after I started the pink version of my crocheted delphinium, one of my co-workers who has always helped with every charity project I've done since she joined the company 14 years ago told me her best friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer. So I created a new pink delphinium snowflake in her honor and am sharing the bonus pattern below.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes and flowers you make from these patterns, but you may not sell or republish the patterns. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: flower, 1.75 inches across; snowflake,5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in 2 or 3 colors, 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


Delphinium Snowflake Instructions

With white, ch 8.

Round 1: 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2. sl st in same ch, * ch 2, 2 dc in next ch, ch 2, sl st in same ch; repeat from * 4 times for a total of 6 stamen of flower center, omitting last sl st and instead sl st in same ch as starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 2: With purple or petal color and working from under side of flower center, * 1 sc in any stamen sl st (or next stamen sl st in repeats), ch 5, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch (petal made); repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 6 petals, 1 sc in next sc.

Round 3: * 1 sc in bottom of next sc, 1 hdc in bottom of next hdc, 3 dc in bottom of next dc, 3 dc in 1st ch of ch 2 tip, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 3 dc in next ch of ch 2 tip, 3 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next hdc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc (between petals); repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 6 complete petals.
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 5, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch (inner petal made), 1 sc in same sc as final sc of Round 3 (or same between petals sc on repeats), working underneath/backside of next petal, 1 sc in next sc between petals; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 6 petals.

Round 5: * 1 sc in bottom of next sc, 1 hdc in bottom of next hdc, 3 dc in bottom of next dc, 3 dc in 1st ch of ch 2 tip, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 3 dc in next ch of ch 2 tip, 3 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next hdc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc between next 2 sc (between petals); repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 6 complete petals; sl st in next sc; bind off, weave in ends. End here if making flower only. If making snowflake, keep going.

Round 6: With green if making leaves and working from back of motif, 1 dc catching 2 threads at the base of any Round 5 petal, * ch 5, 1 dc catching 2 threads at base of next white petal; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 2, 1 tr in starting dc to form 6th ch 5 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 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of tr directly below, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, * 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, 2 hdc in same sp; 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. (If making leaves, bind off green here and work remainder of Rounds in white.)

Round 8: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 3, 1 dc in gap between next 2 sc, ch 3, 2 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 2 dc in same tip; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 3, 1 dc in gap between next 2 sc, ch 3, 2 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 9: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 3 dc in same tip; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 10: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 3, [1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5] 2 times, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 4 dc in same tip; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 3, [1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5] 2 times, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 11: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 3, [1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5] 3 times, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 5 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 5 dc in same tip; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 3, [1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5] 3 times, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 5 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.


Pink Delphinium Snowflake Instructions

Work Rounds 1 through 7 same as above.

Round 8: With white or pink, * 2 dc in any green leaf ch 3 point (or next green leaf point on repeats), ch 5, 1 dc in gap between next 2 sc, ch 5, 2 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 3 of final repeat, ch 1, 1 dc in starting dc to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 9: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 7, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next dc, ch 7, 3 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 3 tip; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 3 and last 3 dc of final repeat, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 10: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 3, ch 14, 4 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 5, 4 dc in same ch 3 tip; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 5 and last 4 dc of final repeat, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 5 tip of Round.

Round 11: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 7, sk next 6 ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch, ch 7, 5 dc in next ch 5 point; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 5 dc of final repeat, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

White Delphinium Snowflake
White Delphinium Snowflake with ch 5 instead of ch 7 on Round 9.

To shape and stiffen flowers only or not? The decision is yours.


Unblocked Delphiniums


Blocked Delphiniums

My crochet flowers and flower flake vest are pinned and sprayed lightly with a fine plain water mist, then dried with my hair blow dryer (or air-dried overnight if I'm not in a hurry).


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.

23 February 2017

Orphan Gemtones


I tried my hand, or, more appropriately, my machine, at paper piecing back in January. I'll continue to paper piece by hand, but I don't think I'll be jumping in the machine paper piecing craze again any time soon.


My first quarter block turned out all right. But the process was so icky for me, I dreaded going back to that block. Granted, a head cold prevented motivation and enthusiasm for anything creative off and on for three consecutive weeks, but I realized during that time that I found the process of paper piecing so unpleasant, I really didn't want to finish what I'd started.

I've learned over the past couple of years during the quarterly Ravelry WIP challenges that if I am not in love with a project, I have great difficultly finishing it. The whole purpose of the challenge is to finish WIPs. I knew I would need to get back to the gemtone Penny Lane block soon, or I'd never finish it. I even considered putting it in another project as a quarter square instead of finishing the entire square.


One day on the commuter train while finishing a snowflake frame, I realized I didn't have to paper piece the other three sections of the gemtone block. I could cut all the individual pieces and just piece it like I would any block. That's when I finally started getting serious about finishing this project for once and for all.

I started my gemtone project back in the summer of 2014 after scoring a clearance fat quarter packet of Stonehenge Bejeweled. I was SO in love with the colors and texture of that gorgeous fabric!


I had many ideas to craft blocks with gemtone fabrics from different lines and then combine them all into one quilt.

Perhaps I will still follow that dream one day. (After all, most of the Ravelry WIP finish rewards I earned during the last two years are gemtone fat quarters I requested!) But for now, it was time to finish a WIP. I decided to combine all my bright, rainbow orphan blocks into one project to finish this baby, I needed a bright color fix.

Some of the blocks came from a Block a Day project I started last year but lost interest in when I got a little more serious about finishing WIPs and not creating any more new WIPs.


I think I also lost interest in this particular one after I accidentally put a couple of blocks together wrong and had to redo them.


I needed craft only one more block for each row after assembling all my rainbow and gemtone orphan blocks.


I decided to try paper piecing for the final block. I was disenchanted with the waste of time spent frogging, the waste of sewing machine needles, the waste of fabric, the waste of paper and the waste of time in pulling the paper away from the finished quarter block. Many of the stitches pulled loose as I tried as gently as I could to remove the paper. I was tempted to leave the paper in place.

I know paper piecing is supposed to get easier once you've done it a few times. I knew I could piece the block traditionally in less time and with far less frogging.

The first quarter block took me two nights using the paper piecing method. The three remaining quarters were pieced in about two hours after about an hour of cutting the pieces, which probably was the most difficult part because I had to remember to mirror three different pieces.


In retrospect, I wish I had used three yellows in the center instead of two, and the traditionally pieced points don't all match up perfectly, but I'm thrilled with the ones that do match up perfectly. Especially since I'm trying to finish two WIPs every month, and I'm running out of February. I'm also thrilled to be done with the dreaded block!

I hadn't initially planned to put a border around the blocks, but one block was just a tad off 12 inches square, and a border could clear that right up. Once I started sewing the border on, the quilt top began to take on a new life, in my opinion. I didn't have enough black or white for a border, and I wasn't even sure I had enough of the deep maroon. But I'm sure glad I picked it. It makes a unique statement, I think.

I completed all the inner borders first because I wasn't sure there would be enough fabric for the outer borders.


I debated for a couple of days whether I should put on an outer border or use what was left of the maroon as binding. I finally decided there wasn't quite enough fabric for a binding, and I took a chance I could finish the outer border. This is all that remains.


I just love the new quilt top. It's the first of 15 I plan to make this year before Christmas. I don't know the young recipients, all age ten and under, well enough yet to fit their quilts to their individual personalities, but I'm pretty sure whoever gets this one is going to like it.


Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts, Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.
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