I didn't even notice until I looked at the photo that I had nearly a full double bow the day last week I ran outside to shoot the horizon over our back fence. The second bow is faint, but totally there!
The bright bow I could see as I shot was so intense! It's been a while... too long, I think!
I can never get enough shots of rainbows. No matter what. I have so much fun playing in Photoshop with the photos I take!
Some even become snowflake inspiration!
All become pieces of my heart!
The office that employs me is moving to a new location. My bosses have been piling me up with old CDs and DVDs they need me to... well, you know, declutter. And recyle. Because they know that's what I do. I've glued a few CDs back to back to cover with snowflakes. I decided it's about time I make a few more CD snowflake ornaments!
I love making prototype CD coverings because even if I change up the pattern a bit, I end up with more ornaments than planned, and if I donate some of the extras, recipients aren't going to know or care if their ornament isn't THE final version.
When I started the first prototype for today's pattern, I intentionally created big gaps, thinking it might be fun to glue on some of the glow rocks leftover from the vases I created a year or so ago. (No, I don't make a profit from sharing that link; I'm just sharing it to make it easier for crocheters to find what I used.)
However, after I glued glow rocks onto the CDs of the prototype snowflake, I decided I like the snowflake better without the rocks.
I decided I like the shimmer of the CDs in the sunlight better than the glowing rocks in the moonlight. But, each to their own. You might like yours better with glowing rocks. The fun part of making snowflakes is we can personalize to our hearts' content. I plan to make a whole bunch of these (because I have about 200 CDs!!!) to hang on an outdoor tree this Christmas. I also plan to donate some to Operation Christmas Ornaments from Near and Far.
I also decided the modified pattern makes a pretty awesome snowflake!
You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes and/or ornaments 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 for CD covering, 5.5 inches from point to point for modified standalone snowflake
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, 2 optional used and useless CDs, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, permanent glue for ornament, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener for snowflake, water, small container for soluble glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line
Kalte Sophie Snowflake Instructions (make 2 for CD ornament)
NOTE: If you are using this pattern to cover a CD or 2-CD stack (my ornaments are 2-CD stacks), gauge is going to be somewhat important. If your stitches are larger than mine (or if you use a larger thread size and hook), your snowflake will be bigger than the CD. If your stitches are smaller/tighter than mine (or if you use a smaller thread size and hook), you will need extra rounds to fit the CD. My dcs are .25 inches tall, and my trs are .5 inches tall. Any snowflake you've made measuring 4.5 inches across from point to point will fit a CD.
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 10 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 8), 1 sc in 7th ch from hook, ch 1, 1 dc in ring] 5 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 10, ch 3, 1 tr in top of dc just made to form 6th ch 6 loop of Round. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of tr directly below, [in next ch 6 loop work (5 dc, ch 8, 1 sc in 8th ch from hook, 5 dc)] 5 times; 5 dc in next ch 6 loop, 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2, ch 3, 1 dtr in top of hdc just made to form 6th ch 7 tip 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: I switched up the ch 8 point with ch 15 instead and bound off here for an adorable little flake.
Round 3, First Snowflake: Ch 6 (counts as 1 tr and ch 2), over post of dtr directly below work ([1 tr, ch 2] 2 times, 1 tr), [ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, in next ch 7 tip work ([1 tr, ch 2] 3 times, 1 tr, ch 3, * 1 tr, [ch 2, 1 tr] 3 times)] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 6; bind off. Weave in ends.
Round 3, Second Snowflake: Ch 6 (counts as 1 tr and ch 2), over post of dtr directly below work ([1 tr, ch 2] 2 times, 1 tr), [ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, **ch 1, 1 dc in corresponding sc picot of First Snowflake, ch 1, 1 sc in ** ch, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, in next ch 7 tip work ([1 tr, ch 2] 3 times, 1 tr, ch 1, 1 sc in corresponding ch 3 tip of First Snowflake, ch 1, * 1 tr, [ch 2, 1 tr] 3 times)] 6 times, inserting CD(s) after 4th repeat and ending * on final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 6. KEEP READING BEFORE BINDING OFF!!! If you are planning to hang your CD ornament outside, a strand of thread for hanging likely will not be strong enough to brave the elements (and may not be strong enough to hold the weight of 2 CDs). You may incorporate a ch 30 or so at the end before binding off to create a hanging loop (make the hanging loop big enough to fit over whatever you are going to hang the ornament from), or, you can glue or sew on a ribbon loop for hanging. A store-bought wire ornament hanger could be used, too. I used a six-inch piece of black acrylic worsted yarn. That should be pretty darned weatherproof! If you choose to chain a hanging loop, do so, then bind off. Weave in ends.
Round 3, Standalone Snowflake: Ch 6 (counts as 1 tr and ch 2), over post of dtr directly below work ([1 tr, ch 2] 2 times, 1 tr), [ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, in next ch 7 tip work ([1 tr, ch 2] 3 times, 1 tr, ch 10, * 1 tr, [ch 2, 1 tr] 3 times)] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 6; bind off. Weave in ends.
Finish: For CD covering, carefully dab a tiny bit of glue over the center and finishing knot of each snowflake and gently massage in, quickly cleaning up with a cotton swab, or as I did, a drop of spit on my finger, any glue you accidentally get on a CD. After making a few of these, I decided it's easier to weatherproof the flake centers (and the finishing knot of the first snowflake) prior to joining and inserting CDs, just waiting a few minutes for glue to dry a bit before finishing up the ornament. Permanently attach desired hanging device if you didn't chain a hanging loop. Hang and step back to bask in the reflections the CD scatters!
For standalone snowflake, 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. 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.
I've finished the next segment of my digital snowflake temperature quilt, and I sent it off to Spoonflower. Got the yardage in the mail yesterday, and man, oh, man, I can't wait to create!!!
I've done four segments so far this year. The colors are really changing now as we warm up. I changed the way I was creating each snowflake block after the first two segments, and I think the new method looks better up close in print on fabric.
The old way has depth thanks to snowflake shadows, but the new way has whiter flakes, which I just have not able to achieve consistently the old way, even with heavy photoshopping of my Spoonflower images.
Now I kind of want to go back and do January and February of 2023 over the new way, but I don't have time for that right now, especially if I want to start sewing and quilting again.
Another new thing I've done for the last two months was to create a smaller version of each snowflake temperature quilt segment. I think these fat quarters would be fun to assemble into a quilt of the whole year's segments when complete. Otherwise, they would make adorable doll quilts, I think.
I really had fun photographing the cheater panels with real crocheted snowflakes to demonstrate the element of size.
I've also finished the second segment of my digital temperature quilt mockup I created to sample the colors I've set aside for a charm square temperature quilt next year. I started organizing my scraps that are big enough to cut into charms and my leftover charms in December of 2022, and I was really excited to begin my first genuine fabric temperature quilt in January of this year. I decided at the very last minute, on January 1, however, to cool my heels and wait so I could audition the color scheme digitally first. I wanted to make sure I like the project enough to keep going all year.
I LOVE the first segment, with its predominantly cool hues of the rainbow, similar to what I'm using in my 2023 crochet temperature project. The second segment is okay, to me, but not nearly as attractive as the first segment.
But now, the third segment I began the first week of May is making me have second thoughts about my proposed charm square color scheme.
I have to keep reminding myself how much I love last year's digital snowflake temperature quilt.
It has a similar temperature scale, just fewer warm colors.
My original fabric temperature quilt plan was to use up scraps and charms I probably won't use in any other project, particularly the reds, yellows and oranges. I'm going to press on with my digital mockup and hopefully convince myself that working with colors I don't enjoy as much will be visually rewarding in the end, as well as finally make a significant dent in my scraps.
I've been able to get Lizard out on his bike again, now that the weather is a bit warmer and we've had yet another (successful) medication adjustment. It is so heavenly to be able to ride with him again! We can't do the miles we used to do, but even short rides are just the best way to spend time together.
One of our goals this year is to work up to riding all the way around a nearby reservoir. I think that's about 14 to 15 miles. Lizard is up to 8 miles, now, and that's just asbolutely huge for him.
During a recent ride, the meadowlarks were serenading us all along the bike path. I kept trying to get a photo of one singing with the half-moon in the background, but the birds would fly away.
I finally was able to get close enough to one and get it positioned properly, with the moon in the background, but there were branches in the way. I had to zoom in so much, the moon looked like a cloud.
So I shot the bird, then shot the moon, then photoshopped when I got home. I do a MUCH better job of creating digital art than AI!!!
Greg and Susan long for a child. Abused and abandoned five-year-old Gene needs a new family, The match of family to child seems perfect, but the past refuses to let go. Find out what it takes to rebuild a broken family and to heal damaged trust.
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The story of a serious automobile accident 24 years ago and how I finally got back behind the wheel, after battling six months of crippling fear, to continue the photographic journeys you enjoy every weekday here on Snowcatcher.
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