30 September 2019

Snowflake Monday


I have been anxious to use the term the Farmer's Almanac used as a snowflake name, and today is the perfect opportunity!

Today's pattern is inspired by the purple snowflake rock I made for my sister-in-law last spring. I liked her rock so much, I immediately made a matching one for my own garden. Somehow, I didn't get a picture of a tanager on either of the purple rocks. But I did get a daddy longlegs on mine!


I had sort of planned to call today's pattern Spider Rock, which is cute and fitting, but the day I heard Colorado might be expecting a Polar Coaster winter, I decided to pull out the good old Spangle (which my mom bought for me while I was visiting in California so many years ago, they don't even make the colors I have anymore) and make another coaster just so I can catch the awesome name and run with it!

Score!!!


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: coaster=6 inches from point to point; snowflake=4 inches from point to point
Materials: Light (size 3) yarn and size G/6 crochet hook for coaster, or size 10 crochet thread and size 7 crochet hook for snowflake; 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

Polar Coaster

Polar Coaster Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), [sk next dc, 1 tr in next dc, ch 5, 1 tr in same dc] 5 times; sk next dc, 1 tr in same ch as sl st, ch 2, 1 tr in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 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 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of tr directly below, [ch 3, in next ch 5 sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] 5 times, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 4: Ch 2, (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, [ch 5, sk next ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] 5 times; ch 5, sk next ch 3 sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 5: Ch 2, (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, [ch 5, 1 sc over ch 3 and ch 5 of previous 2 Rounds, ch 5, in next ch 3 sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc)] 5 times; ch 5, 1 sc over ch c and ch 5 of previous 2 Rounds, ch 5, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; 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.





26 September 2019

My Dyeing Days


The kids' avocado pit-dyed T-shirts came out awesome, and the kids LOVE them and couldn't wait to try them on!

My avocado-dyed dress is a little lighter than I hoped, but I still like it, and I will get a lot of use out of it this winter.

I got it ready to wear Sunday... I was asked to speak at church. Yikes!!!


My dress was a hit. I was a little uncomfortable with the size of the neck opening, so I used my avocado-pit dyed crochet thread to extend coverage. Then I wore the dress to work on Wednesday. Once again, it was a hit. My co-workers thought I'd bought the collar! Lizard thinks it looks Egyptian!


I decided I need a scrunchie to match. So I made one with the avocado pit-dyed cotton yarn and a piece of elastic while I was on the train Wednesday.




Then I decided I need avocado pit-dyed socks to match. I can't wear heals anymore at all. So I try to dress up my dresses with cycling socks and supportive athletic shoes.


I checked out the dyeables at Dharma Trading and discovered they also have men's ties... I asked Lizard if he would like a tie to match my dress.

"Can you do that?" he asked.

So I ordered socks, a tie and a package of bandanas. And shoe laces. I could have ordered a bag, too, but I decided I'd rather make one!

Then I thought perhaps I need a floppy hat...

Is there any such thing as too much avocado pit-dye???


My current plan is to bring in the glass avocado pit dye jars prior to the first freeze (which is now forecast for next week) and leave them near my living room window through the winter. I'm hoping the dye will develop a nice, rich tone that I can use on another dress next summer, which I plan to let solar cook all summer long. I want that deep cinnamon color!


The onion skin-dyed T-shirt turned out much better than I anticipated. I sort of expected more rust- or orange-tone than I got. I am so pleased with the rose tone I got instead!




One more fat quarter turned out awesome, too. I couldn't resist sticking one more fat quarter in the dye. But now I'm officially ready to get some piecing done...


Linking up with Alycia Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

24 September 2019

Calendared


I always try to have my next year's calendar ready by August. I don't always meet that goal, but that's what I've always shot for, until this year.

Back in the days before personal computers, July or August were the do-or-die deadline for submissions to calendar publishers. The publishers wanted new calendars on bookstore and grocery shelves by September 1.

I've noticed 2020 calendars already on the shelves this year. But I'm taking it a little easier on myself this year.

For about 20 years, I've wanted to shoot the Raptor Education Foundation autumn raptor safari, but I was never able to sign up because the limited-space session was always sold out by the time I found out the date.

Until this year.

I was about the third photographer to secure a spot on the safari this year. The shoot is in late October. I am on pins and needles! I likely will be up all night the day of the shoot putting together my 2020 calendar, which will be available in my Zazzle shop as quickly as I can upload the photos.

Get ready to soar!!!

23 September 2019

Snowflake Monday


Today's snowflake pattern is inspired by the final snowflake rock covering I made for my sister-in-law last spring. (There's still a purple snowflake rock, but I've already written the pattern, and the purple rock was the first colored snowflake rock I put in my garden.)


The blue snowflake rock completes the rainbow circle of rocks I've been crafting to replace hail-damaged snowflake rocks in my garden. (Although there is space for one more, and Pinktober is just around the corner…) Right now, the rainbow is wrapped around one of my spent day lilies. We plan to redo the garden this fall, after all the holdout sunflowers are gone, because the entire garden has become a jungle over the last seven years. I'm hoping to scale it back to a beautifully manicured garden again for next spring.

The only things I know for sure I'm going to keep are the rocks, covered in crochet or not, the dark blue delphiniums, the spiderwort, the grape hyacinths and the hyacinths. I may get brave and pull the rainbow of rocks out closer the sidewalk as I redesign, but for now, they are tucked comfortably close to the house where sticky fingers hopefully don't attempt to reach.


2016


2019

I worked up the pattern for today's snowflake aboard the commuter train, from a photo on my phone, while holding my bike, after riding to the park and ride for the first time since September 21 last year. Life has taken some huge unexpected detours in the last year, but Lizard and I are sort of considering that first bicycle commute as the first day of the rest of our lives. We're hoping recent developments and experiences will help us soon return back to life as we knew it a couple of years ago.

So even though I gave this snowflake another Tanager number (because how could I resist after that cute shot above?!?), its completion and the rainbow rocks in my garden symbolize rebirth, new beginnings and enough hope to carry us to the moon and back.


You might also enjoy knowing we started putting orange slices out for the tanagers again last month, hoping they would stop by on their way south, but I read a couple of weeks ago that the tanagers had already made their way to Bosque del Apache and were stopping there to refuel before the next leg of their long journey away from winter. Neighborhood squirrels didn't mind.

You can darn sure bet we'll have plenty more oranges next year, and that I'll have my camera ready, and perhaps even a few more colorful snowflake rocks strategically placed in time for the spring return of colorful birds to my garden.


Also, I just received notification over the weekend that Pedaling 4 Parkinson's reached its 2019 goal of $100,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. I feel like we crocheters contributed to the final push because one of you donated generously on Saturday!!! We raised a total of $1,423 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and $467 for the Davis Phinney Foundation (so far) this year toward the battle against Parkinson's!!! Thank you to all of you for helping in this very important cause!

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: 8 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


Tanager IV Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), [sk next sc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 3] 5 times, omitting last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, [in next ch 3 sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] 5 times; 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip 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 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, [in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, ch 3) 3 times, 1 dc in same tip] 5 times; in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc, ch 1), 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 6th ch 3 tip (and 18th ch 3 sp) of Round.
NOTE: Binding off here makes a cute little snowflake. Just make sure to count your stitches better than I did. I guess I need to give my parents another 7-pointed snowflake for their 51st anniversary next month...


Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, [3 dc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] 5 times; 3 dc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 12th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [in next ch 3 sp work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc), ch 5, sk next 6 dc, 1 sc in gap between 3/dc groups, ch 5, 1 sc in same gap, ch 5, in next ch 3 sp work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc)] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 7: Sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in same ch 3 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, in next ch 5 sp work (2 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc), in next ch 5 sp work (2 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc), in next ch 3 sp work (2 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc), ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch (ch 5 branch made), ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch (ch 4 branch made), ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch (ch 3 branch made), ch 10, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, sl st in each of next 3 ch (spoke tip made), ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, sl st in joint between ch 3 branch and ch 4 branch on opposite side of spoke, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, sl st in joint between ch 4 branch and ch 5 branch on opposite side of spoke, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, sl st in next ch (at base of spoke), in next ch 3 sp work 1 dc] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; 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.









20 September 2019

Friday Funny


I once lived in a neighborhood in which one particular dog barked day and night, non-stop. If I opened my windows at night in summer, I couldn't sleep. I was so happy when I was finally able to move.

Now there's a viral news report of an Aussie vegan who sued her neighbors for barbecuing in their backyard, which she claims is "deliberate", as well as adults smoking and kids playing basketball in their backyard. Twice! Her 600-page brief (um, 600 pages is NOT brief...) was thrown out, and the neighbors have voluntarily removed the barbecue grill and asked the children not to play in the backyard anymore, but the woman is continuing to pursue vengeance and control.

News story comments were priceless. And for the record, I have vegetarian tendencies, I abhor cigarette smoke, and I never considered suing the dog owners in my barkhood.

"Well, yeah I would think one would 'deliberately' cook their food... it's not by accident, it's not by chance." - BatBat

"Yep, it IS deliberate. They wish to eat cooked food." - Mischa

"I invite my vegan nieces and neighbors over when we BBQ. No meat touches one section of my grill, that's where I BBQ their veggies. They never complain about meat smells or anything, and they never try to force their choices on us." - D

"I'll give up my barbecue when they pry my cold dead hands from it." - Cobra

"Put a 'For Sale' sign in your front yard. Your problem will be solved shortly." - Brian S

"Interesting article. The vegan seems quite unhappy. Perhaps if she were to enjoy a tasty cheeseburger and a cold beer, she'd be much more at peace with the world." - Mouthbreather

"When people do not like living with nearby neighbors, for whatever reason, they should consider moving to the Outback." - Curmudgeon

"Neighbors BBQing can be distressing because it smells so good and makes me hungry." - Dee

"Is there a Go-Fund-Me page to buy the neighbor one of those oil drum-size smokers for ribs and pork?" - Mongoose on the Loose

"Sounds like she needs more magnesium in her diet." - Jay

"What if they are grilling that new 'I Can't Believe It's Not Beef' stuff? It smells exactly like real beef when being grilled. Is that a problem too, given it's totally vegan fake beef? " - The Rational Libertarian

"Instead of giving all her money to lawyers, sell the darned house and move!" - Berr

"Wow. Sounds like veganism might lead to mental health problems." - AS

"And we thought the US was a litigious society." - Rogus

"I don't like it when my co-workers warm up fish in the microwave, so I take break and eat lunch outside." - Beckie

"Show 'em, girl!! Noisily slurp a kale smoothie and grill some tofu!" - B

"She would be a perfect candidate for the Mars mission." - Alfred G

"Some people are not happy until everyone else is as miserable as they are." - Lea

"Invite her over for a veggie burger, a game of basketball and one of those veggie Aussie beers and become good friends." - D and K

"Maybe her neighbors could put on a black bean or veggie burger and invite this friendless soul over." - Laurie

19 September 2019

My Dyeing Days


My favorite color is blue, but avocado pits and skins have to be some of my favorite hand-dyed colors. I've dyed so many gorgeous shades this summer!

Temptation won, and I stuck the onion skin-dyed T-shirt and the hollyhock-dyed T-shirt into the avocado pit dye. I don't know yet exactly what I will get, but neither overdyed shirt will embarrassingly change colors under my arms on hot summer days. Or hot fall days... Plus, the shades of red rock are much more complimentary to my skin and hair color. Ha ha!


I also stuck my wood shavings-tinted cotton yarn into the avocado pit dye. I dyed but never wound this mess all summer long at least two or three years ago. Although the off-white shades were nice, well, temptation swept me off my feet once again.


Wood is a mordant, and avocado doesn't necessarily need a mordant, so I didn't have to do anything to the yarn but stick it in the avocado dye, which is about a fifth dip now. The colors will be pastel, but there will be more color than the wood gave. The following photos will show the difference in wet colors and dry colors. Dry colors will always be two to three shades lighter than the wet color. I dry the yarn (not in direct sunlight) after dyeing to help set the color.


dry cotton yarn after one week in avocado pit dye, fifth dip


wet prior to wash


wet after wash


dry and wound

I have some really nice shades of cotton and wool yarn and cotton thread to use up this winter. I think it takes almost as long to wind an overdyed tangled mess as it does to solar dye it!!! Four hours to wind those last two hanks!


I stuck one more fat quarter in a jar of avocado pit dye, too.


Finally, it was time to take my cotton dress out of the avocado pit dye. I allowed the dress to solar soak in the dye for nearly four weeks. I then wrung it out, poured the (cooled) dye into the flower garden, and hung the dress (not in direct sunlight) to dry until it would no longer drip (because the avocado dye can stain concrete)(and rock paths, for that matter, but we don't mind if the stepping stones get dark spots), then moved it into the garage to finish drying. The dress was a little stiff when I stuck it in the washer (that's normal), but our lavender Meyer's Clean Day detergent and dryer sheets will take care of that. The final product will be a softer color than this, and that breaks my heart, but I've decided I'm going to do this again next summer, and a new dress (maybe even short-sleeved...) will go in the dye first, and I won't take it out until I get this rich, delicious cinnamon color!






My little neighbors saw me stirring my long-sleeved cotton dress and excitedly joined me, wanting to help. I decided to pick up a couple of little white T-shirts the next day at Michael's, scour them (washing them with Borax and not drying them), then make the kids a dye jar of their own.

They were SO excited!


They came over every afternoon to stir their jar after school. I had planned for today's blog post to be the final installment of my online summer natural dye workshop because we could get an overnight freeze at any point now, and it could come without warning. I want to give the newly dipped T-shirts a chance to absorb some good color, plus, one of my little neighbors has been under the weather and unable to wring out one of the shirts. So we are waiting until good health returns so the siblings can work together. If we do get a forecast for an overnight freeze, I will pull all the jars indoors and park them near the living room window, which gets pretty good sun in the mornings.


I will show off my newest dress, the overdyed shirts and the kid's shirts in one week when I wrap up this year's natural dye adventure! See you then!



Linking up with Alycia Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.
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