Long Time, No See...

Obviously, creating rag rugs and blogging about them hasn't been top priority this last year! 
However, I HAVE made at least THREE; and, although they are quite similar, they are each unique and were a joy to make for three, lovely ladies.

I have two more "in the works" for two very special friends...no telling how long it will take me to complete them, at the rate I'm going. :-)

Arthritis in my hands is partly responsible for the slow-down; but, I enjoy this craft so much, I'm not willing to give in, yet. I have many colorful fabrics just "itching" to be woven into a rug! I keep them where I see them daily; and they call to me, "pick me, pick me".  Or, so it seems. ;-)

Spring Has Sprung and Gone

A gift for my dear, lifelong friend in NM

Custom order for the Postmistress' granddaughter

Humble beginnings 

 It was just the right time of year to work with these bright and happy colors!

Before I knew it, I had another order:
More pinks and greens, but, in old-fashioned tones this time. I was especially pleased to finally have just the right rug for a favorite print that I had saved for years.  :-)  The following photos chronicle the rug's progress from choice of fabrics to the 20" x 44" finished rug. And, today it's off to Canada!  
My second "international" rug. :-)

What a pleasure to work with these rose garden colors!

May it tickle and comfort the feet of Sandra for many years!

P.S. A Plug for a Fellow Rugger

As they say, "There's more than one way to skin a cat!"
~there's also more than one way to crochet a rag rug. 

Check out this dear friends' blog for details on her method, 
and enjoy viewing the beautiful workmanship!

http://momentswithmama.blogspot.com/2010/04/crocheting-rag-rugs.html?spref=fb























This way is much less time consuming, as the strips are not connected by stitching them together, but by pulling through a slit cut in each end. Also, the narrower strips are not folded to hide the raw edges. This gives a more rustic look.

Slowing down...

I had forgotten to chronicle this custom order, which was finished in November (if I remember correctly), and sent to it's recipient before Christmas. (2012)
These earth-tones were a pleasure to work with...very "grounding", pun intended. ;-)

Choosing the colors...

Getting started

But, I haven't done another rug since then. I have done a number of "raggy" quilts, however for sons and grandchildren. And, lots of other sewing.

So, it was time to get back to rag-rugging! I have a LIST of rugs to do! Begone arthritis!! :-D

The finished rug

This next project is in the very beginning stages and is for a life-long friend of mine.

Jewel colors

Very, very different from the last rug.     
And, just in time to welcome Spring! :-)

From Beginning to End

 

First, choose the color scheme...

and, no, this wasn't "Christmas".

 

 Stitch the strips together,

and begin crocheting.

 It's coming right along...

faster than I thought it would!

 The finished rug...

a neat and tidy 2' by 3' oval. 

Closer view of colors,

but, the camera

just doesn't do it justice.

 

Finished...Begun

  
I actually forgot to post this very peaceful, "misty" rug that has now found its home along the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.  It's soft colors reflect the gentle nature of its owner.

And, already I've begun another, quite different rug as a belated wedding gift for Ethan's "ex" - physical therapist.

I told her that at the rate I was going, she might have it for her first anniversary, instead. She didn't mind.

Seriously, though...I am thinking up new rugs faster than I can create them...there's the one I want to do for Lina, and Joel, and Amber's friend, and Theresa, and Regina, and...

Etsy. ;-)

Custom Order x3

A  coordinating set of kitchen rugs with Spring and celery greens and light blue and dark teal. Each one has some of the same fabrics, and each one has its own unique selection of fabrics.  You should have seen my bed and bedroom as I gathered the strips into piles (and piles and piles and piles!)  There was fabric and fabric dust everywhere!  I'm amazed when it all comes together in a neat and tidy, useful rug.