I just finished up a special little project.

Well. Actually. I hope it's just the beginning of a special little project!

One of my very first self-published crochet patterns was for some thread crochet flower hairclips I was making during my last days of attempting to sell at local markets.

Each one had a double layer of five petals and I added a button to the center, too. They were cute!

Every so often I revisit this pattern.

Usually, it's just to use up a little bit of leftover yarn. I've added them to gifts, shawl pins, necklaces - you know, I don't think I've ever made a pair of earrings with them!

My very favorite one has always been this SUPER tiny flower I made with sewing thread (yes, really!) and added to some wire for a little purple elephant to hold.

I gave it to my mother. I wonder if she still has it??

You can see more pictures on my Ravelry project page, which will also direct you to the elephant pattern by Dawn Toussaint.

A couple months ago, a new reason to revisit this flower pattern came up.

A painter I admire, follow, and always enjoy learning from, Flora Bowley, is hosting a series of single day creative workshops she's calling the Creative Revolution Tour. And she was looking for people "who make beautiful treasures" amongst other local and community partners for the events.

And I don't know why, exactly, but I felt compelled to reach out and offer to make crocheted flowers.

So I did!

And she said yes!

So I dug my stash of crochet thread out of a dusty bin in the basement and sat down with the pattern to rework it a tad. I needed it to be quicker to make, simpler, and flat instead of the three-dimensional version the original was.

Why flat?

Anybody remember my Impressions phase??

Way back in 2018 I experimented with images created by coating crocheted fabric in black paint.

Like this!

I used these prints to create patterns on a few products when I had a Society6 shop. Anybody still have any of THOSE treasures!? 😆 (I even had a pair of granny square leggings, y'all.)

This technique, the impressions left in paint, or even painting with the flowers, felt like a very... Flora type of thing to do. If you've ever taken one of her painting classes, you probably know what I mean!

It seemed like a wonderful way to bring a little extra color and delight to the day. And, of course, they wouldn't have to be used for painting. Someone could always stick their flower on a wire for an elephant to hold, right!?

Here's a peek at one of my playful experiments using my flowers with paint:

What do you think?

Would you paint with your crocheting??

If you'd like to give it a try, I've created a new webpage to share the story of this little flower along with the written instructions: crochetcetera.com/handmadeflower​

I might do a video tutorial as well if there's interest? Though probably with some yarn that's a little bit larger than that crochet thread!

And, of course, if you're curious about the Creative Revolution Tour, I highly recommend any experience with Flora! She's such a delight. And if you happen to go to the event she has scheduled in Hot Springs, Arkansas, later this month? You just might get one of the 100 flowers I mailed to her there!

Please do let me know if you go. (I'd like to live vicariously through you, please and thank you!) And let me know if you make any of my flowers! Or if you're not into crocheting them for yourself but would like one or two, let me know that, too. If anyone asks, I'll add a few to my Etsy shop.

For now, though, I think I have done quite enough computer work for a little while!

It's time to go sit on my front porch with a glass of wine and watch the last of the hummingbirds defending the feeder before they migrate.

Cheers!

-Connie

P.S. Speaking of hummers, I caught this one napping on the job!