Showing posts with label winners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winners. Show all posts

17 July 2017

Snowflake Monday

cotton swab snowflake ornaments

Creativity abounds! Just look what Jo made with lids and what I think might be vitamins! Isn't this adorable?

Jo's #reflake2017july

A post shared by Snowcatcher (@thesnowcatcher) on


Jo wins her choice of hand-dyed yarn or Spoonflower fabric.

Not entered in the contest but worthy of mention is Lizard's bicycle parts and tools flake from a few years back. He reminded me of his sporty creation while I was composing this post.


Making snowflakes from non-traditional items has been a ton of fun for me. I hope you enjoyed the challenges, too, and I hope the creativity keeps surging and inspiring.

I'm contemplating starting a snowflake quiltalong next Monday, so dig out your snowflake fabric! Time to put the stash to good use!

07 June 2016

Winners, all!


I promised to give away three copies of my latest book "Heart Strings" today, but I had four contestants two weeks ago, so I decided to go ahead and throw in a fourth book. Easier than conducting a random drawing, and hopefully everyone walks away happy.

Winners of our little unfinished rhyming story two weeks ago are Pat Hatt, Mary at Fleur de Lis Quilts, Kim Laird and Truedessa. Thank you for playing! If I haven't already contacted you for mailing instructions, it's because I couldn't find a way to contact you, so please email me at snowcatcher at att dot net, and I'll get your book to you in the mail! Well, except Pat, the Canadian who gets an electronic copy because postage across the border is expensive.

I now return you to our regularly scheduled program; no more book reviews for a while. But never stop reading!

21 April 2014

Snowflake Monday

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Music Mountain is the 333rd tallest peak in Colorado. Lucky threes!

At 13,380 feet tall, it sits between neighbors Tijeras and Milwaukee Peaks. It is named after Music Pass, which reportedly gained its name from the sound of the jet stream crossing the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The wind caressing the high peaks of the Sangres formed tall sand dunes west of the north-south mountain range, recently designated as Great Sand Dunes National Park. Music Mountain is one of only a few 13ers found within the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.

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!

Music Mountain Snowflake

Finished Size: 2 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

Music Mountain Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

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

Round 2: * 1 sc in next ch 1 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), * 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc between next 2 sc, ch 3; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc and last ch 3 of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5.
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: 1 sc in same ch as sl st, * ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 10 loop, ch 3, 1 dc in same loop, ch 5, 1 dc in same loop, ch 3, 1 dc in same loop, ch 5, sk next dc picot, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; 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.

Music Mountain Snowflake Rock

14 April 2014

Snowflake Monday

Garden Snowflake Rocks

Because everything in my garden is once again popping up, I've been busy making more garden rocks. I've been writing each pattern as a snowflake if I like the way a specific rock turns out. Meanwhile, I still get a lot of questions about how to cover a rock with crochet. So I thought I should write another snowflake rock pattern to assist those who are having difficulty.

Garden Snowflake Rocks

The hard thing about following a snowflake rock pattern is you have to find a rock the same size as the one used in the pattern, and that's not always easy. You also have to match the gauge of the pattern writer, which in this case would be me. Thread crochet is different for many people; it is much more difficult, in my opinion, to match someone's stitch gauge in thread crochet than in yarn crochet.

Nevertheless, some people prefer written instructions rather than trying to improvise, so below is the pattern for the entire rock, as well as the snowflake.

In my opinion, the most difficult part of covering a rock with a crocheted snowflake is the final round, closing up the hole on the back of the rock. If the rock is big and/or heavy, all of the rounds encasing the rock are a bit more difficult due to the weight of the rock. In my opinion, the most important thing is to take care not to scrape the hook against the rock. Sometimes it can't be helped; just keep in mind the rock can be stronger than the hook. Scissors cut paper, rock crushes hook...

Brenda's Snowflake
Brenda's Snowflake

Johanna's Snowflake
Johanna's Snowflake

The winners of our Pineapple Sorbet Snowflake embellishing challenge are Brenda and Johanna. Johann selected a greeting card set as her prize, and Brenda has not selected a prize yet. Thank you for participating, and keep up the excellent embellishing work!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this week's snowflake pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Garden Snowflakes

Finished Size: 1.5 to 2 inches from point to point, depending upon snowflake made
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, 2-inch round, flat rock if making Garden 11 Snowflake, 2-inch round, flat rock if making Garden 12 Snowflake, 2.5-inch round, flat rock if making Garden 13 Snowflake

Garden 11 Snowflake

Garden 11 Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, *ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. Don’t pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: 2 sc over post of dc just worked, * 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 2 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc 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: 1 sc around post of tr just worked, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 tr in same sp, * 1 tr in next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, ch 5, 1 sc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 tr in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 tr in next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, then:

FOR SNOWFLAKE: Ch 5, sl st in starting sc, bind off, weave in ends. You are done.

Garden 11 Snowflake Rock

FOR ROCK: Ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round. Keep on going with the following Rounds.

Round 4: 1 sc around post of tr just worked, * ch 5, 1 sc in gap between next 2 tr, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 5, 1 sc in gap between next 2 tr, ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 12th ch 5 sp of Round. Gently squeeze rock into snowflake. 4th Round chains may be tight, and that’s okay. If they are too tight and you can’t get the rock in, unravel the last round and add one ch to each ch 5 sp. Or get a smaller rock. If the snowflake is too loose on the rock, that should be okay, too. It should tighten up in the next Round.

Round 5: 1 sc around post of tr just worked, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 10 times; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 6: 1 sc around post of dc just worked; * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 10 time; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 3 sp around; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Garden 12 Snowflake

Garden 12 Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc); 1 dc in ring, * ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. Don’t pull magic ring too tight.

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

NOTE: This pattern makes a cute little snowflake if you bind off at the end of Round 3.

Garden 12 Snowflake

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

FOR SNOWFLAKE Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 5, 1 dc in next sc, ch 5, 2 dc in middle (5th) dc of next 9/dc group, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (picot made), ch 1, 2 dc in same dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, weave in ends. You are done.

Garden 12 Snowflake Rock

FOR ROCK Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 5, 1 dc in next sc, ch 5, 2 dc in middle (5th) dc of next 9/dc group, ch 5, 2 dc in same dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Keep on going with the following Rounds.

Round 5: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, * ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 tip; repeat from * around 5 times, gently squeezing rock into snowflake before the opening becomes too small; ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round. 4th Round chains may be tight, and that’s okay. If they are too tight and you can’t get the rock in, unravel the last round and add one ch to each ch 5 sp. Or get a smaller rock. If the snowflake is too loose on the rock, that should be okay, too. It should tighten up in the next Round.

Round 6: 1 sc around post of tr just worked, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 3 sp around; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Garden 13 Snowflake

Garden 13 Snowflake Instructions

NOTE: 13 is my lucky number!

Make magic ring.

Round 1: * 2 sc in ring, ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook; repeat from * 4 times; 2 sc in ring, sl st in starting sc, ch 1, 1 dc in sl st to form 6th ch 3 loop of round. Don't pull magic circle too tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in same loop, take loop off hook, insert hook into top of 2nd ch of starting ch 2, put loop back on hook and pull through ch (popcorn st made), * ch 1, 5 dc in next ch 3 loop, take loop off hook, insert hook into top of 1st dc of same 5 dc group, put loop back on hook, pull through top of 1st dc (popcorn st made), ch 5, work another popcorn st in same loop; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 1, work popcorn st in next ch 3 loop, ch 2, 1 tr in top of starting popcorn st to form 6th ch 5 sp of round.

Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, * 1 dc in next ch 5 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 next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 6th ch 5 sp of round.

Round 4: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 dc in next ch 5 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; ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, and then...

FOR SNOWFLAKE: Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5; bind off, weave in ends. You are done.

My Lucky Number

FOR ROCK: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 5 sp of round. Keep on going with the following Rounds.

Round 5: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, * ch 7, 1 sc in next ch 5 tip; repeat from * around 5 times; ch 3, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 7 sp of round. Gently insert rock before closing round.

Round 6: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, * ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 7 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of round.

Round 7: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th 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 8: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 5 ch 3 sp; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish For Snowflakes: 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.

Garden 13 Snowflake

28 March 2011

Winners!

I love Wordle!
No losers on this site, nosiree! Good thing I didn't have hundreds of contestants!!! Ten people commented on my husband's blog post about his new bike, and two left more comments elsewhere. That's the most comments he's ever had. More than four times the most comments he's ever had!

Mission: Accomplished!

The Lizard had been feeling his blog is a waste of time because (a) he doesn't have access to a computer during the day, (b) we have only one working computer at home, (c) our dial-connection prevents him from visiting blogs to comment and make friends, and (d) he thinks his blog is boring because he gets so few visits.

I kept trying to tell him once we have a faster internet connection and he gets to spend a little more time being social on the internet, he'll see people actually do enjoy his sense of humor and photography. I also frequently remind him we bloggers do what we do because it brings us joy.

Bringing others joy is a huge bonus, but we do what we do because it fulfills an inner need. He wasn't seeing his own joy, though. Not until he got an inbox full of comment presents!

So thank you, those of you who took the time to rally around The Lizard and pass on warm fuzzies! You've brightened the month and outlook of The Lizard. I guess it really does take a village to raise a blogger!

Now, for prizes. I kind of expected maybe four comments, and I have four fiber lizards, so I thought I was covered. (Yes, there is a fifth lizard, Cortez, whom I crafted to sell on Etsy but have become extremely emotionally attached to and probably can never part with now.) I won't have time to multiply and replenish our Lizard Earth with more little amigurumi reptiles until I finish my snowflake quilt, so I went on a makeshift scavenger hunt to see what other offerings I have to give, and this is what I came up with:

Snodgrass
Snodgrass, of course.

Lizard Peeps
Family members, from left, St. Elmo, Schofield and Jefferson. St. Elmo was born 13 months ago at the foot of Mount Princeton, one of my favorite 14ers, following a successful cross-country skiing trip. Schofield was born the same time as Snodgrass, although I put him together right away, so the pair are not true twins. Schofield is the mountain pass we frequent on cross-country ski trips and mountain biking wildflower excursions. Schofield Pass, by the way, is considered one of the most dangerous four-wheel drive roads in Colorado. Which is why we use alternative methods to travel it. Jefferson was born last summer (the baby of the family!) near the trailhead at Jefferson Lake, where we hiked up Glacier Peak (because it has such a cool name) and where I shot a video of the biggest elk heard I'd ever seen to date. (I'll post the movie one day so you can see my shaky movie camerawork.) And that's saying a lot, having lived in Estes Park, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, for nearly eight years once in another life.

inuksuk, tribble, snowflake and sock
Assorted handmades, clockwise from left, Iluak, Tribble, El Diente and a mini sock key chain. Iluak is an inuksuk made prior to last year's winter Olympics because I love the logo. Iluak is Inuit for "person who does good things." The Tribble was made for a Starfleet Fiber Arts challenge in March to win points - successfully, I might add! This Tribble has been sterilized and will NOT reproduce. El Diente is my second favorite snowflake ever. And the knitted sock... well, I'm addicted to socks all over again, and the cuff on this baby was knitted with toothpicks. But I don't have to use toothpicks anymore after today!!! KnackfulKnitter sent a set of real knitting needles tinier in circumference than toothpicks!!! Who knew such a thing existed!!!

polar babies
A set of polar babies. They don't have names or a story behind them, unfortunately. I was just playing with yarn when I made them.

Quilted Skies
A greeting card set. Using PhotoShop, I "quilted" a month's worth of sunrises and sunsets into traditional quilt square shapes for a photography competition. I liked the result so much, I blew the competition shot up, framed it and have it hanging in my living room. I call this my "Quilted Skies" series.

tiny flower basket
And finally, a tiny flower basket I made last year while waiting for spring.

Hopefully there is something in there each of you will love and cherish.

Titanium, I think The Lizard laughed the hardest at your "Wheel in the Sky." And he was singing it all weekend after that! So you get first choice.

Delena, yours comes a close second because The Lizard and his brother raced motocross when they were young, and he said that's why his mom's hair is white. Second choice goes to you.

N. Maria, you had us both going with bike bones! Third choice.

The rest of you, Stratoz, Neferi, Susan Rasmussen Eyring Jones, Laurelei, Patty, Rose Lefebrve and Kristin, please send me your top three choices, and I will divy up as best I can and let you know if your choices are already taken.

I need snail mail addresses for most of you (snowcatcher at att dot net), and the packages will be off in the mail tomorrow (or as soon as all picks are made). My little critters are so happy to be getting new families!

The big winner is me. I got to see My Lizard smile. MANY times!!! And that's the best gift in the world you could have given me.

18 October 2010

Snowflake Challenge

Two crafty and creative souls vied for a mile and a half of white crochet thread in my first Snowflake Challenge, and I actually have two jumbo balls, so each of them will receive one!

I had planned to ask three of my non-crocheting co-workers to judge this competition because I've been a judge in photography contests, and photographers can be... well, let's say, a little envious, of good work by others. I've also competed in quilt exhibitions and even though this may blacklist me in any future shows, quilt judges can be extremely... let's just say, harsh. I wanted everyone to walk away from this event with a smile. So I picked women who admire everyone with imagination and gush over all things handmade. I asked them if they would like to pass on any comments to Susan and Shantelle.

"Beautiful!" - Shelly

"I enjoyed looking at both of them, but I am no crochet expert. If had to make a choice, I would choose #2 because it immediately reminded me of that saying that no two snowflakes are alike. I appreciate that #1 actually integrated beads into her flakes; I'm sure that required advanced skill. They are both very good efforts." - Mary


Susan Rasmussen Eyring Jones

Susan's entry


Shantelle Cox

Shantelle's entry


Congratulations, and thank you for participating! I enjoyed seeing your work! If you will email your snailmail address to me at snowcatcher at att dot net, I will get your prizes off to you in the mail, and I'll bet you won't be running out of snowflake makin's any time soon!

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