29 December 2022

Topper Stopper

The second-to-last table topper was finished Friday after I got off work. I fussy cut six swirly feathers for the insets because I'd cut designs from coordinating fabric for a couple of the previous table toppers. I don't have a Cricut or other cutter, so I have to cut the old fashioned way. Scissors in hand.

In retrospect, I wish I had cut diamonds as I did for the final table topper and a couple of the previous finishes. However, my peacock-themed table topper did not turn out bad, in my opinion. It could have been better. But it's good enough for now.

I wanted to finish the final table topper last Saturday, but I ended up re-organizing my scrap boxes instead. Two had completely overflowed. I actually decided to take on this project because I had gone through the purple scraps in search of something to appliqué onto the above table topper. The purple was one of the boxes that had become too full. And I didn't find anything in the box that might have been six harmonious appliqués.

I also wanted to include the stack of scrappy leftovers I'd built before I began organizing my clippings by color. While looking for something to put on the above table topper, I came across these old, very old scraps, and I wish I'd found the leaves from Leaf Me Alone when I was doing the autumn table toppers. These would have been perfect for the inset appliqué! Guess I'll just have to make another autumn table topper one day...

I also got all my selvedges attached to the crochet/knit selvedge ball that is becoming quite large and heavy. I wonder if it is big enough now to perhaps attempt a crocheted cat cave. I don't have a cat, but we keep talking about adopting, even though we are a bit worried a new little four-footer might get tangled beneath Lizard's feet.

I wanted to finish the final table topper on Monday because I had the day off. I thought that might also be a very good time to get as much done on a WIP before the end of the quarter this weekend. My goal for the quarter was six finishes, two per month, but I knew I might only be able to finish three, or one per month. Or, more likely, one in November (because it was a birthday present), and two in December (because they would be Christmas presents). To date, I've finished the November birthday present and one of the December Christmas presents. The second is being pushed to Mother's Day or next November's birthday. I just didn't have enough time. As usual.

I can't believe I forgot to take a photo of the pin quilt with the dowel inserted. Thank heavens the recipient's wife (my mother-in-law) snapped one for us!

The final table topper didn't get finished until last night. Because I decided I needed to finish updating my snowflake pattern directory, which I had not touched since May of 2022. I manually write all the code for the web page myself. It takes hours. And hours. And hours. I've been designing and writing a pattern for a new snowflake almost every Monday since 2009, and the directory was sorely lacking updates. But, not anymore! It currently is 100% up to date!

Of course, I also took down the Christmas tree and put away all the snowflakes I'd hung upon it. That was no fast task.

Last night, I finally tackled the appliqués and binding on the final table topper. I really enjoy making table toppers because I can do something different every day, and still finish something because they don't take as long as quilts. But, they are not quite big enough to warm a body in cold weather, and we're currently in the middle of another winter storm (which I sincerely hope will dump a bunch of snowflakes I can photograph and then get behind again on editing!).

I also dug out all the batik fat quarter bundles I've bought over the years with which I planned to (someday) make a real temperature quilt. (I've done several digital temperature quilts now.) I have until Sunday to decide if another WIP may be added to my official list, and I can treat myself to plenty of warm fuzzy imaginary journeys through time with these luscious colors. (Except I think I'll ditch the yellows and see if I can find some pinks!)

Of course, I could do a crocheted temperature motif project with my hand-dyed thread... Hmmm... That wouldn't be an addition to my quilt WIP list! I may have to seriously think about this!!!

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

27 December 2022

Gone with the Wind

Back in November, I estimated overnight sustained wind speed at 70 mph with 100 mph gusts. I had absolutely nothing to base my numbers on other than the winds I've experienced over the years, particularly December 2021's Marshal Fire. I lost shingles during that storm, and I was forced to replace my roof in 2022. But I still have a roof. Connected to a home. Our horrific winds just a couple of months ago brought back painful and depressing memories of last year's tragic fire and also took trampolines, tables, chairs, porch cushions, windows, fences and trash bins places they'd never been. A couple of days later, I learned our official sustained wind speed in our village was 69 mph and that 120 mph gusts had been clocked.

We'd been having some work done on the foundation of our home, and the tarps the company used to cover up the holes took a real beating. Neighbors a couple of doors down lost scores of shingles. Boy, does my heart go out to them! Another neighbor's soccer goal net blew more than three houses down. Otherwise I think we and our immediate neighborhood fared well. We'd battened down the hatches, so to speak.

A tree skeleton behind our house I've often used while photographing sunrises and sunsets, particularly when we can't go anywhere for more exquisite scenery, has now seen its better days. This tree has had quite the modeling workout the past three years! I am really going to miss this tree!!!

Most memorable, of course, was the rainbow that fell exactly in the right place in 2014.

That one shot provided me with literally hours and hours of Photoshop entertainment.

While looking for photos of THE tree, I found this totally forgotten shot, one of my first panoramic photographs. That little skeleton tree is on the far right.

There undoubtedly will be more silhouettes of the Leaning Tree of Snowcatcher until it finally hits the ground completely. It's just a little more difficult to shoot now through the chainlink fence...

26 December 2022

Snowflake Monday

Did you know tomorrow is National Make a Paper Snowflake Day??? Or that our very own Make a Snowflake Day actually falls on Monday in 2023???

I've made my first six-pointed paper snowflake. My technique needs a bit of practice makes perfect, but for a first attempt, it's not THAT bad, in my opinion.

My second attempt is a bit more respectable, don't you think? It inspired this week's snowflake(s).

Now I'm trying to come up with something special for February 6. Hope I can come up with something that will knock your snowflake socks off, and I hope you will join me for the next official Make a Snowflake Day! (No, I don't have a clue yet what it will be, but with the wild temperature spreads we've had the last month or so, boy, am I really hankering for another temperature quilt!!! Maybe even a crochet-embellished fabric one this time, instead of just digital...)

I did not have time over the weekend to make the smaller versions (fewer rounds) of this gigantic snowflake, but, boy, did I ever want to! I'm hoping I can squeeze in at least a couple of them this week! I took photos of my progress as I went because I think this pattern makes so many great flakes, especially if you need a bunch of really big ones!

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: 9.5 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

Ka Manao Ana Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 18, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, ch 5, sk next 5 ch, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, ch 1, 3 dc in ring] 6 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: [1 sc in next dc, sk next dc, next ch and, working up spoke, next 2 sc, 1 dc in bottom of each of next 2 sc, 1 hdc in next sc and in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 dc in each of next 3 sc, in ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), working back down spoke, 1 dc in each of next 3 sc, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 sc, sk next 2 dc, next ch and next dc, 1 sc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc. Bind off; weave in ends.

Round 3: [3 dc in ch 3 tip of any spoke (or same ch 3 tip in repeats), 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 12, 1 dc in each of top right 3 dc on next spoke, 3 dc in ch 3 tip, ch 3] 6 times, omitting last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in top of starting dc 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 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, [1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, [[yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook]] 2 times, sk next 2 ch, [[yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook]] 2 times, yo and draw through all five loops on hook (dc dec made), 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, in next ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] 6 times, omitting last 3 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 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, [1 dc in each of next 6 dc, ch 12, 1 dc in each of top right 6 dc on next spoke, in next ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] 6 times, omitting last 3 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, [1 dc in each of next 9 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, [[yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook]] 2 times, sk next 2 ch, [[yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook]] 2 times, yo and draw through all five loops on hook (dc dec made), 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, in next ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 4, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc)] 6 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; 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 snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

Related Posts with Thumbnails