Momma's Rug!

I wanted to share some pictures of the Shirret rug my mom just completed.  She is the original hooker!

Isn't it gorgeous!  I was seriously coveting it!  My mom is who taught me how to do these rugs.  I love her rugs.  She has her tension down pat, and they lay so nice and flat.  

I had to get my poor leg in the last shot.  I am still home healing up.  My cast is finally off and in a boot, I go back in a couple weeks to see my progress and hopefully to start some physical therapy!  

I have finished up a fun project that I am jonesing to share once I can get some good photographs!  

For those interested in the Shirret rugs you can search the posts of my blog for "Shirret" and you will find all kinds of information and links on how to make these rugs.  If you can do a double crochet and a chain you have the skills to make a rug.  It's great fun!

I will leave you with a sweet picture of Phoebe, my little nurse!  She has stayed right by my side these past four weeks!

Bye for now!

Log Cabin Love

Well...I have been a busy girl.  Look what I started while in the mountains this past week!  I have been wanting to do a log cabin afghan for quite some time.  Only thing I knew I had to have was red center squares.  So, while relaxing in this absolutely gorgeous log cabin that was sitting on Nantahala Lake, I began making squares.  Problem is...I can't decide what exactly I want to do!

You can see what I am talking about.  This one has more contrast.  Then there is the question on how to arrange them. 

Then, I tried other colors.  You see where I am going?  At this point I am seeking opinions.  My mom tells me to use them all.  She may have something there!

There is something about these colors that I like.  They are so subdued and peaceful.  Serene.  They remind me of a photograph I took off the back deck of the cabin we stayed in....

See what I mean???  I think I am close to these colors...but not quite.  I took this one morning right before a rain shower hit.  It was gorgeous there!

 Decisions ~ Decisions!  I would love any comments that can help me make my mind up!!

Before I go, I want to share just a couple more things with everyone!!  My flickr buddy used my Chicken Ornaments pattern and put the cutest spin on it ever!!!!!  She is such a talented gal...love her patterns!

Adorable or what!!!!!  Check out Ellen's blog!  It is so full of inspiration!  You can find the rooster pattern here in my shop. 

Lastly, I want to leave you with a picture of the ultimate shirret rugmaker at her best!

Look at that rug she is making!!!!  I promise to bring you more pictures of it!

I signing out...got some hooking to do!

Shirret Rug ~ DONE!

It is so imperfect, and "homemade" that I LOVE it!!  The red corners and the multi-striped borders really make the whole thing for me.

And Phoebe gives it her seal of approval, too!  Would I make another one of these?  You bettcha, I would!  I learned so much in working this rug.  Techniques on counting rows, and joining squares.  Being a complete "granny square" addict...I can easily see the same possibilities of shirret-ing up squares and joining them together!!!

Don't get me wrong...I love the oval rugs, but I really love "making" the square ones.  The wool is so full of color.  I actually gravitate towards the wool skirts and jackets now every visit I make to the Goodwill or thrift stores!  I am on a mission for some orange.  I think I would like to begin another in the fall colors.

More Pics!

I thought y'all would like a little history surrounding these rugs.  They are actually a handed down tradition in my family, starting with my great great grandfather.

My Great Great Grandfather Percy Johnson

holding my aunt, next to him his mother,

Nellie Parent Johnson (b. 1869),

next to her my grand father

Raymond Johnson

My great great grandfather had turboculosis and was in a turboculosis sanitorium.  There they gave the patients crafts to occupy their time while they recuperated.  This is where he learned making rugs.  He handed the craft down to his wife, Jessie Green Johnson, who would be by Great Grandmother.

My father on left, next to him Jessie Green Johnson, 

my grand father Raymond Johnson

In the chair is my Great Great Great Grandfather Frank Green

who is holding me!

My mom tells me that Grandma Jessie had a rug partially finished when she died, which my grandma had saved.  It was in a box along with her hook and instructions, she gave it to my mom and told her, "this needs to be finished".  And the rest is history!  My mom, the master shirret rug maker, taught me!

I only hope I can hand it down to one of my nieces or nephews along with this story!

Family Traditions are so important!

Voila! Red & Black Hexi-gan Finished!

Can you believe it!  I finished...and I LOVE it!!  I put a simple reverse crochet around the edging.  It was all it needed.  Would I do another Hexagon Afghan?  You bet your boots I would!  In fact, I am thinking come this fall I will begin another in the warm fall colors that I so love!

Right now, the blanket has a temporary home on the little whicker love seat with my favorite rooster pillow resting on it.  But this is just a temporary home, because this blanket will be gifted!!  I can say no more, only that I will elaborate on this later.  I will however say, I will miss it!!!  But I can always make another afghan!!

NOW...after almost a year in hibernation, my rug has come out of hiding!!!  And oh boy...I can't put the darn thing down.  I have given it a name..."Buckster's Scrap-Happy Stripe-ity Shirret Rug". 

So...what do you think?  I am really feeling the striped border.  I plan on doing this on all four sides, which a solid square of color at each corner, followed by a couple rows of black bordering the entire rug.  As obsessed as I am about it, it shouldn't be too long before it is completed.  I am on a mission for more red wook and some yellow, too.  Looks like I will be combing the racks at the Goodwill and the Thrift store!

Working with the squares versus the oval rugs I have done, has really been a learning experience.  And it has opened up a whole new world for rug designs.  I think it really has a "folk-artsy" look to it. 

Have any of y'all heard of "roku"?  Well, it's about the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.  This little box lets us stream Netflix, facebook, and flicker (to name a few) through our high definition television!  I was blown away when I got to see my flickr photos in high definition!!! 

Well, I'm off.  Going to work on my rug and mentally prepare myself for a busy week!

Unfinished Business

Yay....Last night I finished my Red & White Hexi-blanket!  Pictures will be forth coming for the final reveal!! 

Now with that done, I have plenty of unfinished business I can concentrate on.

Making the unfinished list is my shirret rug.  I had forgotten how much I have actually done on this!  It is just needing a border, and I am still trying to decide exactly how I want that to look.  I think it needs some black in it for some contrast.  More to come on this little project!

Next:

This little puppy has been sitting on the back burner for quite some time, why?...I have no idea!  It is going to be a totally 70s retro looking scarf.  Working it up in some Palette wool.  This photo doesn't lie either...it is this bright!

Want to do list:

Red Heart Log Cabin Throw

I am totally jonesing to start this afghan.  My nephew has asked for an afghan, and I think it would be perfect for him.  I have been studying all the different log cabins out there, knit and crochet, and there is not a one of them that I don't like.  Do not be surprised if you see a square popping up here on my blog soon!

I am out for now.  I will be back in a couple days with some pictures of the Red & Black for all to see!