20 January 2015
In Search Of...
New year, new list of wacky ways people find my blog, as well as some comforting true blue, old standards.
Favorite ways people find me, compiled from ever since I began blogging in 2009:
1. snowcatcher
2. snowcatcher monday
3. crochet snowflake patterns
4. the snowcatcher
5. free snowflake patterns
6. century snowflake
7. snowcatcher directory
8. how to make awesome snowflakes
9. what to do with crochet snowflakes
10. deb atkinson snowflakes
11. snowflakes and cycling
12. snowflake mondays group
13. snowflake blocking template
14. 10.11.12.13.14
15. best snowflake patterns
Interesting ways people find me:
1. get rid of mealy bug
2. white stuff on my plants
3. crochet mitered square pattern
4. enchanted forest snowfkake pattern (Yes, that's the spelling used!)
5. crazy snowflakes
6. crochet snowflake pattern for star
7. cactus quilt rack
8. ugly butterflies
9. how to make a snowflake out of frosting
10. white house plant bug (Boy, is that a loaded search or what?!?)
11. smokejumpers in action
12. sock tree
13. totally love it snowflake
14. how many sides has a snowflake
15. noteflake
And a few of the most unusual searches people used to find my blog:
1. snow lizards
2. "the lizard didn't know"
3. dog paper snowflake pattern
4. dallas cowbow afghan
5. a few rows to make dishcloth with book in middle
6. how many snowflakes to put in washing machine
7. a lizard is like a snowflake because
8. snowflake bug remedy
9. 3d beaded bug patterns
10. snowcaycher
11. showcatcher
12. snow cat her
13. bloody monday
14. ravelry banned members (Musical or not allowed?!?)
15. wreck my boss
The day after I finished writing this post, one of my most popular posts (for that day only), was this one. I suspect the recent news story detailing the invention and marketing of a butt-selfie phone attachment and subsequent news this miracle of modern technology sold out in just a few days may have had something do to with my Pierce the Bunny post's jump in popularity, being as many of the commenters referenced the bunny's behind.
19 January 2015
Snowflake Monday
I designed this snowflake back in 2011, inspired by the pansy-hued hand-dyed thread shown above. It was an okay snowflake, but in my mind, it needed something more. The Lizard said it looks anorexic...
I've been dipping into some of my unpublished old snowflake patterns for the last few weeks in an attempt to revive them and breathe second life into them. I really like the modifications to the white one!
You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!
Finished Size: 6 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, school glue (make sure it is water soluble), water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line
Revived Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: 1 sc in ring, *ch 6, 1 sc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; ch 3, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th petal of Round. Pull magic ring tight.
Round 2: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, *ch 10, 1 dc in 7th ch from hook, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 6 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; 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 3: *4 sc in next ch 3sp, 5 sc in next tip, ch 22, sl st in 11th ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, ch 3, 5 sc in same tip, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Round 3, White Snowflake: *4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 2 hdc in next tip, 3 dc in same tip, ch 20, 1 dc in 11th ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, ch 5, sk next 5 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 3 dc in same tip, 2 hdc in same tip, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; 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.
Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I try to help crocheters having difficulty with my patterns when possible, but I do not have (and do not want) 24-hour internet access.
If you need immediate assistance, please consider asking for assistance on Ravelry (either the Snowflake group or the Techniques group), Crochetville or Sisters of the Snowflake. All three are totally free and wonderful resources loaded with friendly, experienced and helpful crafters. Thank you for being patient and considerate.
16 January 2015
15 January 2015
January Blossoms
When I walked into the grocery store after Christmas, I was pleasantly overcome by the most beautiful hyacinth aroma. I couldn't resist. I had to bring one home. Or five... (The Lizard said the pot full of bulbs was a better deal than one bulb in a glass vase, even though those glass vases of heavenly aroma are so incredibly beautiful!)
I didn't invest, but the grocery store had the most beautiful blue orchids, too.
It will be a while, quite a while, before my outside garden bulbs dig out...
Inside flowers in winter are such a great source of beauty, inspiration and happiness.
My five-year-old neighbor gave me this for Christmas. Although I don't know yet what they will be, I suspect daffodils or tulips...
Indoor flowers in winter also are another fantastic way to demonstrate the difference between an iPhone, a point-and-shoot and a professional-grade DSLR camera.
iPhone
Point-and-Shoot
super macro of the D300
iPhone
Point-and-Shoot
D300 with super macro
13 January 2015
Simply the Best
Favorite Grizzly Photo and Caption of 2014
Blue Gumpster recently asked if I might share my favorite Yellowstone grizzly photo. That got me thinking. I have a lot of favorite 2014 photos, and why not share?!? Better than printing them on a 2014 calendar... Bwha ha ha ha hah!
A Favorite Snowflake Photo, Third Time Using Macro Extension Tube
Favorite Rainbow Shot of the Year
Second Favorite Rainbow Shot
Third
Okay, So I Like Rainbows
Favorite Sunrise Before D300 Went Kaput
Favorite Sunrise Before D300 Went in the Shop for the Second Time
Favorite Sunrise After D300 Spends 4 Months Total in the Shop
Self-Explanatory
Favorite Garden Shot of the Year
Favorite Dead Horse Point Photo
Too Many Wave Favorites to Pick Just One, So Here's One No One Else Shot
Favorite Wave Wildlife (another shot no one else got)
Favorite Person at The Wave
Too Many White Pocket Favorites to Pick Just One
Favorite Quilt Shot of the Year
Favorite Cycling Shot of the Year
Favorite iPhone Shot of the Year
Favorite Bighorn Shot of the Year
Favorite Wildlife Head Shot of the Year
12 January 2015
Snowflake Monday
Just before Christmas, I noticed the commute bag of another passenger while waiting in line for our train. It was too dark to take a picture, and my hands were full anyway, so I just stared at the snowflake on the bag and tried to memorize it. As soon as my hands were free, I attempted to duplicate it in thread. I finished my prototype as winter storm Eris gifted us with a beautiful white Christmas.
This is my interpretation of the snowflake on that bag.
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: 6 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
Eris Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr in ring, ch 3, * 3 tr in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 3rd 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 same ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 tr, * 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook] 2 times ( coxcomb picot made), ch 7, 1 dc in same ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in each of next 3 tr; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 sc of final repeat; 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 3: Sl st in next sc, * sk next st, 1 sc in each of next 3 st, 3 sc in next ch loop, 3 hdc in same loop, 3 dc in same loop, 2 tr in same loop, ch 3, sl st in top of tr just worked, ch 3, sl st in same ch loop, ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, [yo 2 times and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook 2 times] 3 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (tr dec made), ch 10, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, [1 sc dec across next 2 ch] 2 times (1st curly branch made), ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot made), ch 6, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, draw up loop in last sc of picot, draw up loop in last sc of 1st curly branch, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook (2nd curly branch made), working back down branch 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 3 tr in next ch, sk next coxcomb picot, sl st in same ch loop, ch 6, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 2 tr in same ch lp, 3 dc in same loop, 3 hdc in same loop, 3 sc in same loop, 1 sc in each of next 3 st, sk next st, sl st in next st; repeat from * around 5 times; 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I try to help crocheters having difficulty with my patterns when possible, but I do not have (and do not want) 24-hour internet access.
If you need immediate assistance, please consider asking for assistance on Ravelry (either the Snowflake group or the Techniques group), Crochetville or Sisters of the Snowflake. All three are totally free and wonderful resources loaded with friendly, experienced and helpful crafters. Thank you for being patient and considerate.
This is my interpretation of the snowflake on that bag.
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: 6 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
Eris Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr in ring, ch 3, * 3 tr in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 3rd 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 same ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 tr, * 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook] 2 times ( coxcomb picot made), ch 7, 1 dc in same ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in each of next 3 tr; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 sc of final repeat; 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 3: Sl st in next sc, * sk next st, 1 sc in each of next 3 st, 3 sc in next ch loop, 3 hdc in same loop, 3 dc in same loop, 2 tr in same loop, ch 3, sl st in top of tr just worked, ch 3, sl st in same ch loop, ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, [yo 2 times and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook 2 times] 3 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (tr dec made), ch 10, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, [1 sc dec across next 2 ch] 2 times (1st curly branch made), ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot made), ch 6, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, draw up loop in last sc of picot, draw up loop in last sc of 1st curly branch, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook (2nd curly branch made), working back down branch 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 3 tr in next ch, sk next coxcomb picot, sl st in same ch loop, ch 6, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 2 tr in same ch lp, 3 dc in same loop, 3 hdc in same loop, 3 sc in same loop, 1 sc in each of next 3 st, sk next st, sl st in next st; repeat from * around 5 times; 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I try to help crocheters having difficulty with my patterns when possible, but I do not have (and do not want) 24-hour internet access.
If you need immediate assistance, please consider asking for assistance on Ravelry (either the Snowflake group or the Techniques group), Crochetville or Sisters of the Snowflake. All three are totally free and wonderful resources loaded with friendly, experienced and helpful crafters. Thank you for being patient and considerate.
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