Snowflake Monday

I designed a tiny little snowflake last week in preparation of this week's Moda Blockheads pattern, which I expected to be another 6-inch block. It's a HUGE challenge for me to come up with new snowflake ideas smaller than two inches! I'm loving this versatile little creation!


This week's pattern was inspired by my palest hand-dyed lavender thread from last year. I was making a butterfly from this gorgeous shade when the snowflake idea came to me.


When the 12-inch Ducks and Ducklings pattern was released Wednesday, I was overjoyed because it included a 6-inch square center, which would mean one of the larger snowflakes I created in the last few weeks could be incorporated.

However, I designed a larger snowflake to go around this week's tiny snowflake, and today's pattern is one that makes a cute flake no matter which round after the first you bind off, my favorite kind of design. I decided to go ahead and appliqué the full-size version.


I find myself curating a nice variety of snowflakes for upcoming Blockhead blocks. Fingers crossed accommodating blocks are forthcoming…


I didn't even try to come up with a snowflake name to correspond with this week's quilt block. Last night was the peak of the Perseids meteor shower, and how I wish I could have photographically captured one!


Perseid in 2016
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: 4.75 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

Perseid Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and replace loop on hook, pull loop through ch (popcorn stitch made), ch 3, * 5 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), ch 3; repeat from * 4 times, omitting last ch 3 of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in top of starting popcorn st to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: 1 sc over post of dc directly below, * ch 12, 1 sc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 12, 1 sc in same sp, 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.
NOTE: Binding off here makes a cute little snowflake.


Round 3: * Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), * working up next ch 12 loop, sk 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 5, sk next 2 ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch, ch 5, sk next 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, sk next 2 ch, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
NOTE: Binding off here makes a versatile snowflake.


Round 4: * Working up spoke, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, in next ch 5 sp work (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, ch 5, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc), 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 1 sc in next dc; 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.

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.






Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict and My Quilt Infatuation and Oh Scrap.

Tweet

Friday Fortius

Tweet

Another Milestone

I hadn't planned to write about cycling again this week, but I'm too excited to let it go until next week. I rescheduled today's post so I could share the joy.


I've been doing half-commutes in the morning every day I can. That's anywhere from 15 to 17 miles, depending upon the route I take. I've been trying to work up to a halfway commute home in the evenings when I get off work in time to ride in daylight, when we don't have lightning (drought year so not much of an excuse), and when it's not 85 degrees or hotter.






The first time I tried riding all the way home from the park and ride this year, I had to call The Lizard to rescue me because I couldn't pedal another inch. My right hand was completely numb, and my elbow was too sore. It also was about 95 degrees that day. I made it exactly 27 miles for the day, combined morning and evening rides.

I've been stuck at 27 miles for a couple of months now. My numb fingers and my sore elbow prevent me from going any further. I've tried to work up slowly, but 27 miles seems like a barrier. I just couldn't get past it.

One day a couple of months ago, I forced myself to keep going because I was riding with Lizard, and I didn't want him to have to cut his training ride short for me. I did 34 miles. I thought that was the only time since March of 2017 I've been above 27 miles. Turns out I did the halfway commute all the way home four times last August. Why didn't I remember that?!? Good thing I keep track!!!

I had not been able to achieve the halfway commute home this year, though.

Until now.


I did 16 miles in the morning. Wonderful miles, except for one approximately five-pound close call. When you start riding before the sun comes up, you run the risk of encountering nocturnals. This particular one was the black-with-white-stripe variety. Fortunately, the critter was as scared of me as I was of it and scooted off into the woods without a trace.

Whew!!! Literally! I can still breathe! My co-workers didn't demand I get sent home for as long as it takes to remove the scent!!! No, I did not get a picture. This time. I had nowhere near the guts to do anything that might frighten the little guy. Sometimes I think I'm more afraid of skunks than bears! Nevertheless, I have taken pictures of skunks twice in the past because I was far away enough to feel fairly save.


My friend Ann, the one whose husband died while they were riding together in 2015, offered to ride home from the park and ride in the evening with me for moral support. I, of course, would be moral support for her, too. Neither of us was sure we could ride that far.

But we did it!


And check out those hills!!!

Tweet

Wordless Wednesday

Tweet

Back in the Saddle Again

Last week I surpassed my total miles from 2017... in just seven months!!!

Last year I was off my road bike for more than five months and missed Ride the Rockies and all the other rides for which I'd registered. I've been slowly trying to work my mileage back up. This year I didn't sign up for any rides because my vacations were swallowed up by an out-of-state wedding and an out-of-state anniversary, plus, I’m up to only 27 miles (comfortably) anyway.

Now I'm aiming for my 2016 mileage!!!

Tweet

Snowflake Monday

Mount Aetna from the top of Monarch Pass
Ever since the first time I crossed Monarch Pass (which incidentally was via my 4Runner, not my bicycle, en route to solo climb my favorite 14er, Uncompahgre), I've wanted to design a snowflake I could name after Monarch Park. When I first moved to Colorado, I thought it was rather odd that just about every name here had park on the end of it... Estes Park, Allenspark, Horseshoe Park, Moraine Park, Winter Park, Bergen Park, South Park... And Park County??? There's no National Park there?!?! What the heck?!?

I had moved here from New Mexico, where the word park designated a National Park or a playground/sports venue. It took me a while to learn the local lingo... Park here means meadow or valley.


The View from Monarch Pass
Aside from the visual inspiration of a fantasy butterfly valley, Monarch Park rhymes, and I love that someone may have incorporated the name because it's such a loveable rhyme! (An amusement park named Monarch Park in Pennsylvania existed until 1926. I have not found a connection between the two Monarch Parks yet.)


Monarch Park
Monarch is a popular name in the area, thanks to Nicholas C. Creede (for whom the town of Creede is named) who discovered silver in what he called the Monarch and Little Charm claims in 1878. I may have to name a snowflake one day after his most famous strike - the Holy Moses Amethyst vein near the village that bears his name.

Actually, Nic was named Billy Harvey when he was born, but he changed his name at the age of 27 after learning his brother married the girl he planned to woo after his time in the army. Thankfully, the family did reconcile years later!


Apparently, my only photo from the Amethyst Vein
Hugh and Sam Boone joined Creede in his mining prospects, and legend has it the Boone brothers were the first to build a road over Monarch Pass in around 1880. They collected a toll from users, most likely a profitable venture for a good 30 years or so, when automobiles began to replace stage coaches as the most popular mode of transportation. Three different roads were constructed over the Pass over the years... Old Old Monarch Pass, Old Monarch Pass, and the current paved rendition, which opened for use in 1921.


unusual cloud formations over Monarch Pass
Nic Creede sold his Monarch claim long before striking it rich with his Bonanza and Holy Moses Amethyst mines. He eventually married Nancy Vandever (who had been married three times before and is said to have run brothels in between husbands) and settled in California, where Nic adopted Dorothy Walker, whose birth mother was a soap opera in the making. Nancy went on to live a soap opera that unbelievably has not been made into a blockbuster movie. She didn't divorce her previous husband before marrying Nic, but in later court battles, it was discovered her previous husband did in fact legally divorce her – for starting a brothel and carrying on with some of the clientele.

Is your head spinning yet???

Nic died of an accidental morphine overdose during divorce proceedings. Nancy unsuccessfully sued to gain control of half the fortune he left behind. Dorothy was returned to her birth mother, who by then had married. Upon reaching adulthood, Dorothy was successful in helping overthrow the inheritance laws of the time and received a portion of Nic's estate. In 1914 she married William Lloyd Ritchie, and together they had a daughter, Edith Romer Ritchie. Dorothy died a few months later. Edith never married, and the home where she spent her life is the Madrona Cottage in Sausalito.

Why did I look up all this stuff that has nothing do to with Colorado??? Dorothy Creede graduated from Tamalpais High School, named after nearby Mount Tamalpais, said to be the birthplace of mountain biking. When I read she married William Lloyd Ritchie, I thought we had a huge connection!!! One of the pioneers of mountain biking is a famous frame builder – Ritchie bikes!!! Tom Ritchie developed numerous mountain bike innovations and was inducted into the inaugural Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in Crested Butte, CO! Research ensued. Oops. It's Tom RITCHEY, not Ritchie. Oh, well, learned some new useless stuff!


Back to the undramatic story of the Monarch name in Colorado, the first reference to Monarch Park I could find was from prior to the construction of the current paved highway. Monarch Park was the site of a celebration and dedication when funding for the highway project was approved in 1915. Highway workers lived at the campground in Monarch Park in 1920 while building the highway.


This week's Moda Blockheads quilt block is another small one, 6.5 inches, and the center block is not big enough to contain butterflies. Instead, the block contains the world's easiest snowflake, which I do not claim as my own design because it's probably been around longer than the 131 years Colorado just celebrated, but it is a great center for today's pattern.

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


Finished Size: 4.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, 6 mini butterfly motifs, 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

Mini Butterfly Motif Instructions (Make 6.)

Make magic ring.

Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, * ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; turn. Pull magic ring tight.

Row 2: In next ch 3 sp work (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 1 tr, 3 dc); 1 sc between next 2 dc, in next ch 3 sp work (5 dc, ch 1, sl st in top of dc just made, 5 dc), sl st between next 2 dc, in next ch 3 sp work (5 dc, ch 1, sl st in top of dc just made, 5 dc), 1 sc between next 2 dc, in next ch 3 sp work (3 dc, 1 tr, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook,1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc); sl st to magic ring, 1 sc around middle of butterfly, between wings, to form body; bind off. Tie starting tail and ending tail in knot to for butterfly head, and trim ends as antennae.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.


Monarch Park Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), * 1 dc in ring, ch 5; repeat from * 4 times; 1 dc in ring, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: 3 sc around post of tr directly below, * 3 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 3 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 3 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 3 tip.
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: Binding off here makes the unoriginal 1.75-inch snowflake I appliqued to my quilt block.


Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 3, in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc ch 3, 1, ch 5, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc); repeat from * around 4 times; in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc, ch 2), 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 6th ch 5 tip of Round.

Round 4: 3 sc over post of tr directly below, * 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, 1 sc in bottom right picot of mini butterfly motif, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp of snowflake, ch 2, 1 sc in bottom left picot of mini butterfly motif, ch 2, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp of snowflake, 3 sc in next ch 5 tip, ch 3, 3 sc in same tip; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
NOTE: Other motifs may be used, such as owls, hearts, mini snowflakes, etc. Also, motifs are not required. The snowflake can thrive on its own without any embellishments.






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.

NOTE: I did not stiffen butterfly antennae.

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.

Tweet

Friday Fortius

Tweet

Tropical Twist

You know your quilt-a-long is a good one when you finish the block of the week, and you feel like doing another block!

I'm participating in Moda Blockheads 2, and I'm trying to use up my plethora of snowflake scraps to make my blocks.


I wasn't too happy with the tiny triangles left over from my block 5 Impact because they were too small for my existing HST project. The snowflake I designed this week for block 8 Pineapple was bigger than the official 6-inch Moda Blockhead block, so I decided to try to use up some of those tiny triangles to turn my appliqued block into a 12.5-inch block.

After playing around with the scraps for a few minutes, I came up with a plan.


The tiny little triangles finished up into just over 1.5-inch squares!!! These are some of the tiniest squares I've ever pieced! When I finished the block, Lizard told me I'm getting really good at matching up my points. I think I married the right guy!!!

I used some background Kona Royal to enlarge the finished block to 12.5 inches. I'm trying to include some Kona Royal in every block so the blocks look like they go together, even though they are constructed from scraps.


I still had enough time before bedtime to make one more block, so I used up some inch-wide strips (and a few that were slightly wider or slightly narrower) to make a traditional 6.5-inch pineapple block (one of the alternate block patterns offered last week) using the old-school method. I did not paper piece, which is really exciting because I didn't waste paper, didn't have to peel the paper from my block when it was done, and I didn't have to replace my sewing machine needle. Also, if my grandmother ever made a pineapple block, this would have been how she did it because she didn't paper piece. She taught me English paper piecing, but she never did the sew-through-paper type of piecing.

Some of the scraps I used for my second block were a tad too wide or too narrow. I decided to go ahead and use them as is because it didn't make sense to trim away the excess into unusable scraps and it made perfect sense to use the skinny scraps instead of cutting other scraps to fit. I'm in love with the scrappy look of my second pineapple block!


I haven't had the time yet to begin the quilt-as-you-go portion of my project, so I can still show off my blocks so far. This is going to be one awesome quilt!


I also worked up a scrappy flag for Alycia's Flags for Sue Quilts of Valor project. I incorporated scraps from my first Quilt of Valor last year, plus a snowflake scrap. I couldn't resist! I think at last count, Alycia has 125 flags from all over! She's still collecting flag blocks until September 1, so if you have any red, white and blue scraps, this would be a great and fast way to use them up and put them into one of the best uses available.


Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict and My Quilt Infatuation and Oh Scrap.

Tweet

Wordless Wednesday

Tweet