Thursday, July 17, 2014

Raindrops on Roses ... or Look up, look down, look all around!

Raindrops on Roses

Last night it Rained! I absolutely love it when it rains in the summer and everything smells so clean! I love that it cools the temperature off and the Earth is refreshed!
The colors of the flowers, grass and leaves are so vibrant like someone painted them anew!

There's a word for that smell, it's called Petrichor and it's just a phenomenal smell like no other!

That smell is what woke me up this morning extremely early (before 6 am) and made me decide to get up and grab my camera to do a little photo exploration around our house.
I haven't done that in so long, but after today's adventure, I definitely need to do it some more. It's the best therapy I know of next to playing with my yarn and beads. ;)

So come with me on my little backyard adventure and I'll share with you some of the beautiful things I found on my little journey.

 As I started off on my adventure, I spotted the beautiful miniature roses that my neighbor has growing in her yard along the wall that is shared with our driveways.

They are so delicate and tiny and just perfectly shaped. The velvety petals made for an amazing canvas to cradle the raindrops on each of the flowers.
The flowers were very dry in parts of the bush, so I know they must have been very grateful for this little drink early in the morning.

 The colors of the flowers are so beautiful! The most delicate Antique Ivory, Peach and Soft White. And then there was my favorite in the vibrant Red and White of the miniature Peppermint Rose! I knew that one needed to have a special spotlight with it's two lovely about to open baby buds right next to it. :)


I could have stayed right there for hours and shot every single little tiny flower on each little bush. They were all so gorgeous!
















Roses are my second favorite flower next to Sunflowers and I love the variety of colors and scents they have! God truly knew how to make them just perfect enough. (Thorns and all.)


Next on my adventure, I had a few little birdie friends stop by to say hello!

First was this lovely little green Finch that decided to sit on the wire above my head and sing me a pretty tune.

He didn't stay very long though as he was in a hurry to catch his breakfast.







Next I met a little sleeping blue bird that was nestled between the seed pods of the pretty tree that lives in our front yard. I decided it best not to wake her up and let her get her beauty sleep as I continued on my way.









 I then met another blue bird who was quite the curious little fellow. He watched me for quite a while until he decided I wasn't going to bother him, but only wanted to take his picture.
 He stared me down for a couple of seconds while sizing me up. I can hear the thoughts running through his head "Are you a friend or a foe? What is that big black thing you're carrying? What are you going to do with it?" LOL

He decided I wasn't an enemy and that he would give me his best profile pose before snagging the little yellow leaf in front of him and taking off with it somewhere to parts unknown.
He was a friendly little fellow and I hope he found something good for his breakfast besides the leaf. ;)





My last little friend was a very LOUD squawking Jay Robber or Blue Jay as they are called out here.
He sat on the back fence next to the neighbor's shed and decided he would squawk me his story. He strutted around on the fence line and made himself known to everyone in the neighborhood.
He did decide to pose for me long enough to get his portrait though and for that I am grateful! Fun, noisy little guy!


After my conversation with the Jay Robber, I decided to go check out the black berry bushes that randomly grow in our yard. Seems like they can pop up just about anywhere!
I love the shape of their leaves and the wonderful sweet berries they produce.
The raindrops were so perfectly placed on these leaves it almost looked like someone took an eye dropper and just left perfect little wet spots on the leaves.

I found another little sprig of the bush growing out from between the rocks near our fence line. This one even has a few berries on it! In a few days, maybe I can pick a few when they are ripe and have myself a great little fresh snack. :)

Where we live there are mountains and trees everywhere! (And not much else. LOL)
I decided I would admire the storm clouds rolling in over the trees on the mountain side.
They were so dark and I wondered when the next bit of rain would come. Would it bring thunder and lightning as well, or just a few sprinkles? Only time would tell.


Ahhhhh, yes, there's always an out-take when it comes to a photo story isn't there? LOL
In my case, I had to take the shot of the storm clouds more than once because one of my little feathered friends decided he needed to photo-bomb me!
And not just once, TWICE! The little stinker! LOL









Anyway, after being photo-bombed by the bird...

I did manage to spot a little patch of blue sky trying to peek through the clouds, so there was some hope that it might still clear up.
Aren't those trees all just the most perfect shades of green? Like I said, they all look freshly painted. So beautiful and clean!



 As I continued my adventure around the yard, I spotted a vacated spider's web that had been soaked from the rain.
The raindrops were held in this amazing silken hammock that the spider had made for his home. (Not to worry, I'm sure he can make another one some place drier. ;) )
As I ended my journey in the backyard because it was starting to rain and thunder again, I found one more vacated spider's canopy that had held suspended little bits of our cedar tree as well as hundreds of little raindrops all trapped between the ground an the side of our house.

It looked like little diamonds trapped within the water droplets. I thought it was such an interesting place for all of them to come to rest. So beautiful!

So that last picture concludes my little photo exploration around my yard because as I mentioned it was starting to storm again and I did not want to risk soaking me or my camera. It was a fun little trip and I'll have to make another one very soon! Maybe next time I will walk around my neighborhood or find another little place to see what is about. :)

I enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells on my little adventure this morning! Thank you for coming with me and seeing my world through my little cock-eyed view.

Thanks for stopping by The Perfect Knot Crochet and More!

Have a great day!

Michelle K.

Friday, July 11, 2014

New Beach Accessories for The My First Babies!

My First Babies Beach Boy Accessories

It's summer here in the Northern Hemisphere and for many that means sun, fun, beaches, pool parties and swimming!
I know that's how I enjoy spending my summers. :)

I just wanted to take a moment to introduce you to the latest accessories set for the My First Babies Collection!

This is the My First Babies Beach Boy Accessories. He's ready to hit the beach, have some fun, surf a few waves and catch some rays!

Pattern includes Surfboard, Surf Shorts, Beach Towel, Beach Ball, Bucket and Shovel, and a cool pair of Shades!









You can purchase the pattern here in my Ravelry Shop. (PLEASE NOTE THIS PATTERN IS FOR THE ACCESSORIES ONLY. If you wish to create the dolls that the accessories fit you will need to purchase The My First Babies Dolls Pattern separately.)

While you're checking out the pattern in my Ravelry shop, be sure to take a look at all the other My First Babies accessories!

I'm having so much fun with these patterns and I hope you will enjoy making them as much as I have. Not to worry, more accessories for both babies are coming soon!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by The Perfect Knot Crochet and More!

Michelle K
The Perfect Knot



Saturday, July 5, 2014

Independence Day Weekend Sale!

Independence Day Weekend Sale

Just wanted to let all of my Tangled friends know that all patterns are 50% off in my Ravelry Shop until 7-7-14!

There are currently 156 designs available for you to create with!


Hope you all enjoy your Independence Day Weekend!

Michelle K
The Perfect Knot Crochet and More

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Paisley Rose Headband Pattern

Paisley Rose Headband

Introducing the Paisley Rose Headband!

This is a pretty little accessory that can easily be adapted to fit any head size.

Something simple that you can easily dress up by adding the Rose to it or keep it simple by leaving the flower off.

So, without any further ado... The Paisley Rose Headband!

Paisley Rose Headband

This is an Intermediate level pattern written in US Crochet terms.

Materials Needed:

Size 4.0mm Crochet Hook
Tapestry Needle
Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Red Heart Soft Rose Blush & Caron Simply Soft Off White & Sage in my example.)

Stitch Legend:
Ch – Chain                                        Sl St – Slip Stitch
HDC – Half Double Crochet              DC – Double Crochet
St – Stitch                                          Sts – Stitches
FO – Fasten Off

Finished Measurements: 14” around
Gauge: 5 Stitches in 1”































HEADBAND – Pattern is written for a baby size but you can easily adjust the length of this headband to fit any head just by repeating Shell 3 until you reach your desired length.
Row 1: Ch 4, 5 HDC in 4th Ch from hook, Ch 30 (this will be the back of the headband), Sl St into 2nd Ch & into each Ch back to Shell, Sl St into the center of the Shell

Shell 2: Ch 2, working around the beginning Ch 4, 5 HDC, Ch 3, Sl St back into center of Shell

Shell 3: Ch 2 & turn, working around Ch 3, 5 HDC, Ch 3, Sl St back into center of Shell

Repeat Shell 3 until you have 13 Shells or until you desired length

Last Shell: Ch 2 & turn, working around Ch 3, 6 HDC, bring Ch with Sl Sts up without twisting it & Sl St into 1st St at end of Ch to join, Ch 1 & FO.
Using the tapestry needle, weave in your ends & cut excess yarn.

ROSE
Row 1: Begin with Off White yarn Ch 16, SC in 2nd Ch from hook & to each St across (15 SC)

Row 2: Ch 1 & turn, 5 HDC in same St, *Sl St into next St, 5 HDC in next St, Repeat across & Sl St into last St as same petal, (40 HDC) FO leaving a long tail for sewing. (18 – 24”)

Using the tapestry needle weave in your beginning yarn tail. Starting at the end where you last FO, twist your petals into a spiral & stitch rose together.

LEAF – Make 2

Round 1: Begin with Sage colored yarn & a longer tail on one leaf for sewing (12 – 15”), Ch 6, SC in 2nd Ch from hook, HDC in next Ch, DC in next Ch, HDC in next Ch, 3 SC in last Ch, working into bottom of Ch, HDC in next Ch, DC in next Ch, HDC in next Ch, SC in last Ch, Ch 2, Invisible join to 1st SC to join, FO (11 Sts)
Using the tapestry needle weave in your ending yarn tail, Stitch each leaf to bottom of rose so that leaves show out the sides of the Rose. Stitch the Rose onto the 4th Shell of one side of the headband. Weave in remaining ends & cut excess yarn.























© Copyright Michelle R. Kovach/The Perfect Knot 2012 - 2014. All rights reserved. All content & images in this pattern are protected under federal & international copyright laws. This is my original pattern. Do Not Copy, Modify, Reproduce, Redistribute, Sell or Claim as your own. You may sell items made from this pattern, but please Do NOT claim it as your own unique design. Please refer back to me as the original designer for any items you may sell. http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectKnotCrochet