Wordless Wednesday

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Hurry, Spring

I think this probably is my final amaryllis of the year. I've had wide-open flowers now since the second week of January. My best amaryllis season ever, I think.

I snipped each stalk and put it in a vase on my kitchen counter because the flowers are so top heavy, they can tip the pots over if I don't cut them. The flowers seem to last fewer days that way, but I don't have to replace broken pots. And who doesn't love a vase of fresh flowers in the kitchen while cooking???

My favorite bulb of all never bloomed this year. The picotee was my first amaryllis ever, and I bought it nine years ago.

I tried germinating my flowers the first couple of years and growing bulbs from seeds (which supposedly won't be true to the parent), and I even tried mixing a couple of different flowers after I began collecting different varieties. None of my own baby bulbs have ever bloomed, and none of the natural offsets (literally scores of them over the years) have ever bloomed.

None of my older bulbs bloomed this year. Some have bloomed while out on the porch during the summer, but typically producing only one or two flowers instead of four or eight. Amaryllis bulbs apparently do have a shelf life, and most of mine may be done bearing. It might be time to discard some of the older bulbs. I might give them all another chance this summer because it's hard to let go. These are like children to me! I've raised them so long, I'm too attached!!!

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Snowflake Monday

I did NOT want to write the pattern for this one! I know it's going to be challenging, and heaven only knows if I can write it in a manner in which it's understood. But it's March, it's rainbow season, I love my hand-dyed threads, and I've always wondered if I could achieve a 3D look just from color changes. I'm still not sure how 3D it actually looks, but I do love the final flake.

This one was inspired by my thread colors and my desire to create a 3D appearance, as well as by another of my own snowflake photos. I wasn't able to achieve the hexagon shape in the rainbow to match the inside of the snowflake, but I still love the snowflake.

The snowflake name, of course, comes from the little rainbow bear I crocheted back in 2009 and used for all my birthday greetings for a full year a decade later. I still just love this little bear!!!

Okay, I began writing this pattern at 7 a.m., and it's now 10:33 p.m. I think this is the longest it's taken me to write a single snowflake pattern. (There were lots of other daytime chores embedded in the day, but it still doesn't typically take me so many hours to write one snowflake pattern.) I hope you can understand the instructions; in retrospect, this flake is worth all the brainache. It is really growing on me! You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes (or mandalas) you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in 2, 7 or 13 colors, 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

' Special stitches:

fp = front post

septr = septuple treble

Snowbow Snowflake Instructions

NOTE: I created the mandala background (which can stand alone as a mandala if desired) with 12 hues of hand-dyed thread in pastel rainbow colors, two colors for each of the first six Rounds, beginning with pink and ending with purple. I alternated dark and light shades of the same color every stitch on the first Round and after every increase on the next five Rounds. I alternated the colors on each Round six times, carrying the unused color across the back of my work as I went. The mandala background may also be done in 6 colors or in just one color.

With color 1, make magic ring. (I used pink.)

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight. If using a new color for each Round, bind off and weave in ends on each of first 6 Rounds.

Round 2: (I used orange.) Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, 2 dc in each dc around for a total of 24 dc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: (I used yellow.) Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in next dc, [1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc] 11 times for a total of 36 dc; 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 4: (I used green.) Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, [1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc] 11 times for a total of 48 dc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: (I used blue.) Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc, [1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc] 11 times for a total of 60 dc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 6: (I used purple.) Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc, [1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc] 11 times for a total of 72 dc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 7: (I used white for this Round and each of the next 2 Rounds.) Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc, [1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc] 11 times for a total of 84 dc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 8: 1 sc in each of next 7 dc, 1 fpseptr (septr means yo 8 times) around Round 1 ch 2 that counts as dc, [1 sc in each of next 14 dc, sk next Round 1 dc, 1 fpseptr around next Round 1 dc] 11 times; 1 sc in each of next 7 dc; sl st in starting sc.

Round 9: [1 sc in next sc, 1 fp dc around Round 7 dc just to the left of Round 7 dc below next Round 8 sc, 1 sc in next sc, sk next Round 7 dc, 1 fp tr around next Round 7 dc, 1 dc in next sc, 1 tr in next sc, 1 dtr in next sc, ch 3, 1 fptr around next fpseptr, ch 3, 1 dtr in next sc, 1 tr in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, 1 fptr around Round 7 dc just to the right of Round 7 dc directly below current Round 8 sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 fpdc around Round 7 dc just to the right of Round 7 dc directly below current Round 8 sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 fptr in gap between middle 2 Round 4 dc directly below] 12 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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Friday Fantastic

I cannot wait to see the eclipse video!!!

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More Cards

(affiliate links to my designs)

Hard to believe none of the grands have birthdays in January or February. But that gave me some time to chill and try to think of new card ideas for the coming year. This week hit hard with the first of the birthdays, and nothing in the mail yet! Fortunately, I was able to text this older grand and let him know I was late but had not forgotten him.

All the kids got a real kick out of last year's AI birthday cards. I had created 28 cards with crocheted animals enjoying adventures my grands love. I decided to do the same thing this year. This week's birthday belongs to a computer geek and rising mini scientist. I kind of wish now I'd tried to create an AI image with an aminal running a computer! I did do one with a camera. One of the grands has taken up photography, and she says I inspired her. She shares her weekly school assignments with me. What a joy!

Some of the kids thought I'd crocheted and photographed the scenes. That made me feel really awesome; they think I have that kind of crochet talent! Some of them picked up a bit of interest in art when they learned how I'd come up with these images. I'm hoping they all feel loved, inspired and tickled when they receive their cards.

Coming up with 28 fresh ideas in just a couple of days is a challenge, but I did it! I think I might try to think of new ideas as I go this year so it won't be so deadline difficult next March!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Gotcha

Last year, I reported (both here and on Farcebook) scam ads with fabric, yarn and sewing machine "sales" just too good to be true. You'd think I'd have been wise to Round 2 this year.

I donated quite a bit of stash yarn to a senior center that crafts winter items for veterans years ago. Much of what was left was ruined in one of my frequent basement floods. (Finally fixed for once and for all last year.) Ever since then, I've sort of been hoping for a yarn sale which would allow me to replenish at least a bit of my stash. You know, just in case I ever decide to do a real temperature afghan...

So when I saw the JoAnn Los Angeles ad (NOT on Farcebook) with awesome savings on fabric precuts and yarn, I assume my common sense got trampled by my wishful thinking. I'm not sure there was any kind of logical thinking going on in my brain at that moment. I can't believe now I fell for it. I can't believe I was that stupid.

The very next day, I was alerted by my bank of a foreign transaction. I didn't have to look it up. I knew which expense was being questioned.

I was able to get a refund. Hopefully the "merchant" is being blacklisted by financial institutions now. (Unfortunately, the scammers expect this and change names and websites frequently to keep the scam alive and kicking.) I will have to settle for a regular sale one day to replenish my yarn stash. All I can do is try to warn people not to make the same mistake. And perhaps keep warning. I don't think it's going to slow down or stop. It's probably going to get worse.

In my post-scam research, I discovered anyone can learn how to set up fake delivery schedules and notices. Unbelievable. I will never understand why anyone would put so much trouble and effort into hurting fellow human beings, but I guess that's the world we live in. All we can do is try to be smarter, and keep trying to make the world a better place. In spite of the trials and tributations.

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Snowflake Monday

I wasn't sure if this would work, but I had to try. Today's snowflake is inspired by one of the tiny distraction flakes in one of my 21 February 2025 snowflake photos. If the glow glue center didn't turn out, the flake could always be used as a photo frame, or for just a snowflake with a hole in the middle.

When I was in elementary school, my classmates and I delighted in creating our version of window clings (before window clings became a thing) by drawing flowers, smilies, hearts, stars, peace signs, etc., with glue on the plastic cases our crayons came in. We'd color our wet creations with colored pencils, then let them dry overnight and peel them off the next morning. Sometimes we'd even lick the backs of our creations and stick them on our cheeks or on our arms. Early tattoos, I guess, just removable and changeable on a whim.

I photographed so many clear-center hexagons during our unnamed winter storm, and they were all very tiny. But great crochet inspiration, too! The name for today's snowflake is the Finnish word for sticky snow, the kind of snow that makes great snowpeople. Sticky Snowflake might have been a cool name for today's gluey flake, too, but I'll go with the exotic name instead.

I'm almost finished with a frame-only version (no glue in the center) with gold metalic embellishment, and I hope to create one more with pale blue embellishment with crochet thread I dyed myself many years ago. But the week got away from me; that happens a lot these days. I'll try to add new photos later this week after I finish crocheting, embellishing and stiffening them. MONDAY NIGHT UPDATE: One done!!! WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Favorite one done!

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: 4.25 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, contrasting crochet thread OR embroidery floss OR metalic thread, 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

Nuoska Snowflake Instructions

Ch 41. Taking care not to twist work, sl st tightly into starting ch.

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

Round 2: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), 2 sc in next ch 1 sp, [1 sc in each of next 7 sc, 3 sc in next ch 1 sp] 5 times; 1 sc in each of next 7 st (7th sc will be in Round 1 ending sl st); sl st in starting ch.

Round 3: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), [3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 9 sc] 6 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch.
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 1 (counts as 1 sc), 1 sc in next sc, [3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 11 sc] 6 times, omitting last 2 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch.

Round 5: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, [in next sc work (1 sc, [ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook] 2 times (heart picot made), 1 sc), 1 sc in each of next 13 sc] 6 times, omitting last 3 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: With desired contrast crochet thread, metallic thread or embroidery floss, work lazy daisy stitch into each side of flake, as shown. Weave in ends.

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. (I used clear packing tape to cover snowflake template to stiffen these snowflakes to create a smooth surface for glue center.) 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. If desired, fill snowflake center with glue, making sure to catch all inner edges. Use toothpick or pin to pop any bubbles, and try to smooth out glue without leaving more air bubbles. Place in dust-free and bug-free environment for drying.

Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 48 hours if you put glue in the center of flake. If you live in a cool or moist environment, a hair blow dryer might come in handy to speed the drying process. 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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