Wordless Wednesday

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Gone With The Wind

I put a couple of days into an art project last year I thought would last much longer than it did. Had I known it would be gone now, I probably never would have done it. But I guess it was good for a few photos...

We had so many sleepless nights last year, it was difficult to get up to shoot the sunrise through my fenced danglies. I photographed a few sunrises before the wind began making off with my crystals.

My favorite crystals were the snowflakes, of course. But I loved the hearts, too. It was fun to watch the sparkles dance in my living room each day when the breeze kicked up.

When I first began noticing gaps in the crystals, I initially said I wouldn't gather the lost boys. I imagined some kid 20 years from now so excited to find gems scattered about, possibly even buried.

The winds have been brutal the last few years, and the last few months seem to be even worse. Eventually, only about 20 crystals remained on the fence. they fell off in my hands as I reached out to try to pull them down. One day while working on the landscaping, I decided to collect the fallen gems I could find. Halfway filled a clean, empty yogurt container. There may still be a few unfound treasures out there for someone else to find one day.

Maybe one day I'll find another place I can safely hang these danglies so I can enjoy my crystal curtain again.

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Eye Candy

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Snowflake Monday

I made two new snowflakes last week, but I've had no time to write the patterns. I also didn't have time to test one of the 35 old unpublished patterns. I guess I am still adapting to this new lifestyle of ours. There will be times when something has to give. This week, it was a new snowflake pattern.

In my own defense, I've published quite a few snowflake patterns over the years, so please feel free to check out my directory (that hasn't been updated in a year and one week now). (I have my work cut out for me.)

However, I am still thoroughly addicted to snowflakes, and I've played with a couple of my ornaments/danglies and some old 35mm camera filters I haven't used in so long, it actually felt refreshing trying to see if I could make them work with my iPhone. (They did! I taped them in place, and I think the photos turned out pretty darned awesome for the short amount of time I had for this particular photo session.)

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Snowflake Monday

Never go to the craft store to pick up jump rings during the Christmas shopping season. Trust me.

However, my little mistake resulted in a cute little snowflake for today, and a bunch more coming up!


Today's pattern works up super-fast, so you can make plenty in time for Christmas!




I also discovered yet another way to enhance store-bought danglies. I found these treasures a year or so ago, not during my most recent jump ring spending spree, and of course, had to snatch them up because they are so cool. I didn't know at the time what they would grow up to be.

Using my jewelry pliers and some extra jump rings (See, those jump rings came in handy after all!), I added snowflakes in between the danglies. You must use sturdy snowflakes for this project. The weight of the danglies will stretch out lacy, dainty snowflakes.

These newly improved creations are hanging on our bookcase with our stockings now!




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: 3.75 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, 1-inch 2-holed button, 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

December's Coming Snowflake Instructions

Round 1: 1 sc in button hole, ch 7,[1 sc in same buttonhole, ch 7] 2 times, 1 sc in next buttonhole, [ch 7, 1 sc in same buttonhole] 2 times; ch 1, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 7 space of Round.

Round 2: Ch 2, counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of tr directly below, * 9 dc in next ch 7 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 4 dc in next ch 7 sp, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
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 in same ch as sl st, * ch 3, 1 sc in next gap between 9/dc groups, ch 3, sk next 4 dc, 3 dc in next (middle) dc), ch 7, 3 dc in same 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.

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.

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Snowflake Monday

This was the final flake in my Lost Amigo snowflake collection when I finally wrote the pattern a couple of weeks ago. Now I have at least three more "lost" snowflakes for which I must write patterns.

This particular Lost Amigo, however, has more of a southwestern theme than the other two (here and here), thanks to some bulk ornamental glass beads I just couldn't resist. I had to get a little more creative with the snowflake name for this gem.

Anyone who knows me well knows I come from New Mexico, the land of spicy food. I've never lost my taste for the authentic hot dishes of legends. (Or their Tex Mex equivalents. I am, after all, Texan by birth.) I have been growing my own Anaheims, habaneros, poblanos, Santa Fe Grandes, Serannos and cayennes for five years now, and most of them grow year-round because I bring them indoors for winter. (I long to get my hands on seeds for scorpion and viper pepper varieties. They supposedly are SUPER off-the-scale hot!) Granted, my peppers all are miniatures, due no doubt to elevation, nevertheless, the flavor my peppers provide curbs some of my homesickness for the desert southwest.

Because I typically am drawn to all things southwest (chili peppers, lizards, kachinas, lizards, yucca, lizards, prickly pear, lizards, Ojos de Dios, lizards, etc.), inexpensive glass chili pepper beads from Oriental Trading caught my eye, and I couldn't resist. I bought one package, and I may have to buy more, given how much I love the way they spiced up this snowflake!

(Not all of the chili pepper beads had holes, and the ones without broke when I gently attempted to poke holes with a sharp needle, but I still think this is an adorable project, and the beads are relatively inexpensive. I just won't ruin any more hole-less beads, but use them in potpourri or some other craft...)

I love snowflakes with danglies. Snowflakes with danglies often require a bit more stiffening than plain snowflakes. My favorite stiffening agent is liquid starch (or homemade cornstarch glue). Liquid starch is not quite sturdy enough to support the weight of multiple ornamental beads. Because this snowflake is not particularly delicate, I decided to give Epsom salts a go, adding a bit of aromatic essential oil to further spice up the ornament, and then I sprinkled some undissolved salts on the snowflake before it finished hardening. Gives a bit more of an icy effect, don't you think?

Here is a list of some of the beads currently on my wishlist, in case the chili pepper beads don't suit your tastes.

acrylic Christmas ornaments
heart-shaped crystals
Christmas charms
more Christmas charms
even more Christmas charms
charms
dragon teardrops
glass pendants
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: 4 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, 6 ornamental beads or charms (5 if you prefer to hang your snowflake on point), 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

Fire and Ice Snowflake Instructions

String 6 beads or charms onto thread. Make magic ring.

Round 1: 18 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: * 1 sc in next sc, ch 10, sk next 2 sc; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 5, 1 trtr in starting sc to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of tr just worked, * ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 3, 2 dc in next ch 10 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and ch 3 of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form final ch 3 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 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc just worked, * ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 1, pull up bead and ch 1, catching bead in ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 4, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp (skipping over dc picot of Round below), ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 3 dc in same ch 3 sp; 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.

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.

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Snowflake Monday

Look what I found at a craft store! Snowflake food!!! Feed the hungry snowflakes!!! I knew exactly what to do with these lovely ornaments, thanks to inspiration earlier this year from Ane Scherrer.


Adding a dangly to a handmade snowflake might fetch a little more money at a craft fair than an unfed snowflake. (Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with starving, naked snowflakes; I love them every one!)

I used Mod Podge to stiffen this flake because a reader recently asked if that could be used, and now I have the answer. I also wanted to determine if a thicker stiffener would help a weight-bearing snowflake last longer. (Of course, I won't have the answer to that burning question for a couple of years – big grin!) Mod Podge worked just fine in my experiments. It's a little rubbery, but it doesn't hide the texture of the stitches. It also seems a little easier to pull the dried goo splatters off the Mod Podge snowflakes than snowflakes stiffened with my normal glue/water mixture. (I paint messy.)

Of course, this snowflake may be made without danglies, and you may attach danglies to any snowflake, but an extra stiff and large flake works better to support the weight of a dangly. You also don't want to overpower your snowflake with a dangly. They should compliment each other, not compete for attention.


I call this my King's Crown Snowflake because that's what the petals look like to me.

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: 7.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, store-bought crystal danglies, small suction cup hangers, size 7 or 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Kings Crown Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring, sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle 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: Sc in same sc, ch 10, * sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 10; repeat from * around 4 times; sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 4, 1 dtr into starting sc (to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.


Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over dtr post directly below, * ch 10, 3 dc in next ch 10 loop; repeat from * around 4 times, 3 dc in next ch 10 loop, ch 3, trtr into 2nd ch of starting ch 2 for form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over trtr post directly below, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 6, 1 sc in top of starting ch 2 in Round 3, 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, ch 6, * 2 dc in next ch 10 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 6, 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, ch 6; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: Ch 1, * 1 sc in same ch as sl st (or in next dc in repeats), 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, 1 tr in same sp, ch 3, 1 tr in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 1, turn;

working from back of flake, 1 sc in each of next 4 st, 5 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in each of next 4 st, ch 1, turn;

working from front of flake, 1 sc in next sc, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, 1 tr in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 2 tr in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), sk 1 sc, 1 tr in next sc, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook] 2 times (3 sc picots made), 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch (top of crown made), 1 tr in same sc as previous tr, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), sk next sc, 2 tr in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 1 tr in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, 1 hdc in next sc, to form curve to match opposite side of crown work 3 sc in next sc; working down side of crown, sl st in sc of previous row, sl st in top of 2nd dc of Round 3 below, 1 sc in next ch 6 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, ch 2, 1 dc in next ch 6 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, sl st in next dc and pull tight, ch 1; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.




1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, ch 3


1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 1, turn and work from back side




5 sc in ch 3 sp


1 sc in each of next 4 st, ch 1, turn and work from front side


1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook


2 tr, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook


1 tr, ch 5, 3 sc picots


crown picot


1 tr, 1 dc picot


2 tr, 1 dc picot




sl st


1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc


finished crown petal
You know how I love to hide Easter eggs on my blog, right? Well, redoing this snowflake inspired another smaller flake, and this one is MUCH easier...


Kings Crown Easter Egg Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring, sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle 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: Sc in same sc, ch 10, * sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 10, ; repeat from * around 4 times; sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 4, 1 dtr into starting sc (to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over dtr post directly below, * ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (sc picot made), ch 7, 3 dc in next ch 10 loop; repeat from * around 5times, 3 dc in next ch 10 loop, ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.
NOTE: This snowflake is not strong enough to hold a heavy dangly, but a lightweight charm or dangly may be added.


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.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. (I used Mod Podge for this flake in an attempt to make it strong enough to hold the wait of the dangly.) 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. (I had a bunch of dried Mod Podge bits to peel from the edges of my flake.) Remove hanger from store-bought dangly. Attach dangly to bottom spoke of snowflake with clear thread or fishing line. Attach 10-inch clear thread to top spoke of snowflake and tie to suction cup. (I sewed a sparkly opalescent ribbon to the back of the snowflake, tied a bow at the top and attached the suction cup to the bow.) Stick suction cup on any clean, smooth surface, preferably a window to allow the sun to sparkle through the dangly.

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