Snowflake Monday

Well, I knew I'd been busy, distracted and overwhelmed the past couple of months, but I didn't realize how bad it was until I finally got to check my visit total again for the first time since probably October. I think I was at roughly 8,700,000 then. I didn't expect to roll the zeroes again until about February or March.

Does that mean my blog has been interesting, even though I don't feel like I contributed much? That possibility is an absolute thrill!

So, what's the best way to celebrate reaching 9 million visitors??? Why, a new flake, of course!!! And, let's use, as inspiration, a snowflake from the storm that likely was raging when I hit my milestone!

Oh, look!!! A 7-pointer for my mom!!!

I shot 135 images after I got off work the night of Winter Storm Finn. I didn't finish going through my shots for a week. I still have some editing to do, but I had to clear the deck (or patio, I guess) in time to shoot the next storm, which is leaving us with not much snow but some significant Brrr!!!

For kicks, I looked up Finn Snowflake (an interesting search, if you'd like to give it a go) because a Finn character exists in a movie franchise of which I used to be quite a fan. (I haven't seen any of the new movies, only the originals.) I didn't know if I want to name a flake after a Star Wars character (and yet, snowplow names such as Snowda, Luke Snowalker and Han Snowlo... how can I resist???). I probably won't use Finn because it looks like there are just too many non-crochet snowflake connections. However, my Finn Snowflake search led me to a blog post about a 1934 snowflake quilt. (Don't ask me why this came up in my search; it has absolutely nothing to do with Finn, as far as I can see.) I'm so glad I stumbled upon this!!! What a treat! This gem makes me want to quilt snowflakes more than ever! For now, though, digital snowflake quilting will have to do. In the meantime, a different snowplow name won this week's snowflake because it's SO, SO wonderfully cold outside my bedroom window as I type today's pattern!

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, 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

Brrr Ito Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle too tight.

Round 2: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), [sk next sc, 1 dc in next sc] 6 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 7.

Round 3: [In next ch 5 sp work (1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, ch 10, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc)] 6 times; sl st in starting sc.
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 4 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 2), in next ch 10 loop work (2 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, [ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc] 2 times, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc), ch 2, 1 dc in joint between next 2 sc] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 4.

Round 5: Ch 19 (counts as 1 trtr in joint dc and [ch 14), 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 5 ch, ch 7, 1 trtr in next joint dc] 6 times, omitting last trtr; sl st in 5th ch of starting ch 19.

Round 6: [1 sc in each of the next 7 ch, working up spoke, 3 sc in next sc, sl st in next sc, 3 hdc in next sc, sl st in next sc, 3 dc in next sc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, in tip of spoke work [(3 dc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook)] 2 times, working back down spoke, 3 dc in next sc (right across from 3 dc on opposite side of spoke), sl st in next sc, 3 hdc in next sc, sl st in next sc, 3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 7 ch] 6 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

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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Lucky Sevens

What did I learn from ten days off social media and dramatically reduced news?

1. I missed my family.

2. I didn't miss the depression and sadness that often envelopes me when I read news.

3. I missed my blog and the blog community.

4. Just like every other day of the year, when my internet connection is not adequate or the sites I wish to visit are blocked, I had plenty of other things to do instead of spending time on the internet. It's become a way of life for me over the last five years, so that part didn't really change.

5. Most of the time I spent on my phone for the last 10 days was trying to duplicate photographed 7-point snowflakes in 6-point style, reading scriptures, and taking pictures. I get a weekly report now, after the last iPhone update, on Sunday nights giving me my average screen time. It will be most interesting to see the total tomorrow night because I think I was on the phone more than before my fast because I was reading scriptures (and General Conference talks) on my phone. I love the technology and ability to do that (or even read novels I've downloaded), no matter where I am or how bad my phone signal gets!!!

6. I still didn't get any sewing or quilting done, even though that was a goal.


If I ever do another social media fast, I probably will limit my news feeds again but not cut off methods of communicating with my family. I'm hoping I don't ever have to do another fast because one of the most important lessons I learned during the last 10 days is that I don't have to spend time grieving about the condition of the world.

A journalist at heart, I've been addicted to news feeds since I was a teenager. I set a goal to become a journalist when I was covering my first presidential election for my high school newspaper because I was so disgusted by the total vacuum of unbiased reporting, even back in the '70s. My teachers and later college professors had drilled into students the need to remain neutral, but none of the reporters I saw were doing that.

I fought journalism for a good 24 years, trying to make a difference and change what I could, without much real success at all. I finally abandoned the profession because it literally felt like a sinking ship. I still have newspaper ink coursing through my blood, but I do not miss the long hours, the negativity and the sensationalism.

I stopped watching most television in my early 20s because I didn't like most of what was being offered. I do not miss television at all.

And now, after this social media fast, I feel I can continue to pull back from the negativity and drama over which I have absolutely no control. The hunger to know everything that's going on every minute throughout the world is gone, although the craving still surfaces from time to time. During such bouts, I try to find a way to do something kind for someone else, and it's turning out to be the most wonderful substitute, equally addictive!

The other day, Lizard asked if I'm going to take snowflakes to Children's Hospital this year. I didn't get to last year because I couldn't crochet as much as I wanted, due to elbow pain caused by collapsed neck discs. I've been stashing flakes for kids all year long. When I told Lizard I plan to deliver a pizza box full of snowflakes around Thanksgiving, he asked if he can go, too, because he, too, wants to see the reaction of the staff when they open the box.

We don't get to see the kids' reactions, but the staff's reaction probably will send us to the moon and back, with plenty of enthusiasm to carry us all the way through the holidays.


Thank you to all those who hung in here at my blog, waiting for me to return, and leaving comments even though I was not reciprocating. It was refreshing to read all the comments last night and catch up on some of my favorite blogs. I learned my blog does not cause me depression or sadness (although inadequate internet access can still be a source of frustration), so I don't plan to take another break until the day I retire as a blogger.

There are days when I think 10 years is enough, and this is my 9th year. Most days, though, I can't imagine not blogging, although not having the pressure to come up with a new snowflake pattern every week sometimes seems like the ultimate vacation. I have about 10 months to decide, and being a woman, I could change my mind a million or seven times between now and then.


Of course, my blog hit the 7,000,000 mark while I was on my social media fast. Of course. Of course!!!!!!!

I noticed one day while looking for a snowflake pattern. I darn near missed the counter! I noticed all the nines four days before the actual rolling of the zeroes, and I calculated the magic moment would be about 1 or 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 16.

So, yes, I cheated. I set the tally-keeper to animated display (the only time during the entire 10 days I logged into Blogger), I took a few screen shots of my visitor total whenever I checked the weather (because, you know, it was just a couple more innocent clicks, and I didn't linger), and I peeked whenever I got a chance from about 11 a.m. Tuesday until 12:43 p.m. on the 16th. I got to see the number actually roll!!! That was awesome! What an adrenaline rush!

I was at work, where my website (and most anything fun on the internet) is blocked, so I was checking on my phone. It wasn't long before all my bosses and co-workers were looking over my shoulder so they could watch the tally climb, too. So the atmosphere was a bit festive, even though we had some severe limitations!

I think the coolest part of my newest collection of zeroes is that I just finished crocheting 50 7-point snowflakes for my parents for their Golden Anniversary, and 7,000,000 visitors to my blog just 10 days later is kind of like a crown of royalty!

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One More Time...

The zeroes are going to make yet another appearance! Perhaps by about 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 15!

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Laborious

Bedtime Sunday
I can't believe I set my alarm for 12:30 a.m. on a holiday. I can't believe I gave up a sunrise trip to Mount Evans so I could see a bunch of zeroes. I can't believe I've had 5,000,000 visitors!

At 12:58 a.m. Monday, September 7, I turned 5,000,000. My eyes were still squinty. The Lizard slept right through it. The computer crashed while I attempted to power down. By 1:39 a.m., I was right back in bed. Even though it took longer than that to fall back asleep. Where I dreamed about sleeping right through the magical moment. Over and over and over...


after church on Sunday


12:57 a.m. Monday, September 7, 2015


12:58 a.m. Monday, September 7, 2015

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Getting Closer

According to my sometimes off-kilter math, I should hit yet another six-of-a-kind during this coming three-day weekend. If it weren't for the unpredictable three-day weekend, I'd guess the magic moment would hit around noon on Labor Day. But the holiday could throw the golden experience off by anywhere up to about six days.

Nevertheless, I'm a full month ahead of last year's schedule! That's so exciting for me! A million page hits in 11 months!!!

Here are a few memorable moments I've been able to capture this year:








Last year, I almost missed the turning of the zeroes, thanks to my then-awful internet service. We changed providers in February, when we discovered I would soon be loosing half my internet access.

So, now I have better internet at home, less internet altogether, and the zeroes should roll on a three-day weekend, probably while I'm off on my bike somewhere with no internet access. Darn.

So, if you happen to see five or six zeroes during your visit, please get a screenshot for me! I hate that I might miss it this year, but I'm excited it's about to happen!!!

Wowie!!!!!!

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Six of a Kind

Million Dollar Highway Gold
Wouldn't you know it? I'm 200 hits away from being able to actually watch, live, in person, as my page hit counter rolls to 4,000,000, and my internet provider says, "You need to upgrade your software!"

Like a fool, I did.

And internet was totally lost until a live, on the phone, technician finally surrendered after three attempts to get the new software working. She finally had me uninstall the new software and then reinstall the old software via my modem.

"Can I do that?" I asked. "I have no internet!"

"You shouldn't need internet if it's in your modem," she replied.

She gambled the old software would be part of the modem package, which luckily it was, and finally, after a total of six reboots, we had internet again. Unreliable and intermittent, but we did have internet again.


Thankfully, we had not missed the moment. I spent the next half hour or so, however long it took, making a new Six Zeroes Snowflake, the one I designed last year while waiting for 2,999,9somethingsomething to turn into 3,000,000.

Perhaps I should design a new version of Six Zeroes...


I'd thought the magic number would hit on Saturday while I was shooting the 2014 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Walk & Roll, during which I had no time to watch my iPhone like a hawk. When I got home, I excitedly discovered I still had a way to go.


Then I thought for sure it would happen while I was at church on Sunday and unable to monitor the progress.


The counter was moving rather slowly when I got home from church. The Lizard attributed that to the Bronco football game. I told him my readers hail from more than just Colorado, and probably very few of them give a hoot about the NFL.

Nevertheless, we thought there might be time for a quick bike ride. So that's what we did. When we returned home, the counter was still crawling very, very slowly. Slower than me on a bike!

But we were getting closer!


Instead of working on a quilt or working on my special project or even cleaning the house or taking a nap, I sat down to watch the ticker. To further amuse myself, I kept changing the tag line on the ticker to reflect the mood of the moment.

The Lizard watched a movie while I crocheted and kept one eye on the counter. When it hit 3,999,993, I called him in to watch with me, and he watched over my shoulder as the live ticker struck the magic number. The final few digits took less than ten minutes.






Just like that, it was over. But I got to see it again! I got to see it last year, but the previous two times, 1,000,000 and 2,000,000, I had to watch from my phone, signal was weak, and I missed the exact moment twice in a row.

Why do I care about something as seemingly meaningless as a bunch of zeroes? Anything that comes in sixes catches my eye; I'm a hexie holic and a snowflake spastic. Not sure why numbers grab me so, but this condition affects me on my bike and in my car, too. Oh, and how many shots I take with my cameras as well... recently celebrated the 100,000th shot on my D300, then had to turn the darned thing in for servicing when it developed an old-age owie. Darn it!

I take pictures of my odometers when they hit significant marks. Unfortunately, I slept through 333,333 in my car during our summer vacation this year. I'm hoping one day I can do one of those old Toyota jump commercials, celebrating unrealistic miles on my metallic baby.

I did capture the previous six-of-a-kind on the 4Runner... way back in 2008!!!

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Snowflake Monday

I designed this snowflake aboard a commuter train the day I realized I was less than 5,000 page views away from 3,000,000. The adrenaline rush of all those zeroes inspired this pattern.

My blog recorded its 3,000,000th visitor at 4:18 a.m. Sunday, July 14. I'd expected the milestone to occur while The Lizard was climbing Loveland Pass during the Double Triple Bypass on Sunday morning. Because I would have no signal then and miss the magic moment. That's just my luck.

Way back in February, I'd calculated the date – with a calculator – to fall on July 16, based on my average daily hits. The 3,000,000 mark two days early means I've had roughly 3,000 more visits than average for the last six months. (Yes, I still get excited about these things. I hope I never grow bored with conquering challenges.) Last week I estimated this magnificent moment would happen on Sunday morning, but I didn't use a calculator for that prediction. I didn't do any math at all. Just Murphy's Law.

At the hotel Saturday night, I kept hitting the refresh on the phone, hoping the changing of the guard would happen before I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I worked on these two snowflake rocks in an effort to keep myself awake.

Finally, it was time to go to bed, with or without a memorable screen shot. I needed 100 more page views to reach the 3,000,000 mark at about 10:30 p.m. The Lizard would have to embark upon Day 2 of the Double Triple Bypass at 5 a.m. to beat forecasted lightning on the alpine tundra, so the alarm was set for 4 a.m. I could not chance staying up any longer. I went to bed knowing and accepting I would miss the blog milestone yet again.


The alarm (my phone) went off at 4 a.m. I shut off the alarm and quickly checked the page views and was shocked to see I needed six more hits!!! I hadn't missed it!!!


I swiftly dressed, packed and then checked the page hits one more time before we checked out of our hotel room. Oh, my gosh!!! I got to see it! Exactly when it happened! The first check was 2,999,998, and the refresh was magic! I got to see it! I got to see it!!!


If you look very closely, you can see six zeroes in the snowflake.

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 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, 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

Six Zeroes Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in ring, * ch 3, 3 dc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form final ch 3 sp of round. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), 1 dc over post of dc ending Round 1, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, * 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in same sp as starting dc, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 7.
NOTE: Binding off here and weaving in ends makes an attractive little 1.5-inch snowflake.


Round 3: * 3 sc in next ch 5 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 3 sc in same sp, 2 sc in each of next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.
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 3 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), * 1 [dc] in next dc (skipping next sc and hdc), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 1 dc in same dc as [dc], ch 5, 1 dc in same dc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in same dc, ch 1, sk next hdc and next 2 sc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 3, 1 sc into triangle gap between 2 upside-down V-shaped dc in Round 2 below, ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 1; repeat from * around 5 times, skipping last dc and ch 1 of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 3; 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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