My First Rag Rug in Progress

I started crocheting my first rag rug over Thanksgiving break, and I got an opportunity to make some more progress yesterday when we had our first snow day of the school year. This rug contains pieces of old sheets, Rand's shirts and pajama pants, and some old curtains. I know I'm going to need some more fabric very soon, so it might be a good time to get Rand to clean out his t-shirt drawer. I'm trying my best to stick to cool colors and whites.

As you can see above, I snapped my crochet hook in two. This is the second hook I've broken on this project. I've bought a third hook now, and this time I bought an aluminum one instead of acrylic. Hopefully this one can take the heat. It's size N, if you're curious.

The curling edges have been a big challenge. Every tutorial I've read says to add stitches if it seems to be curling up. I've done that, and all I got was lumpy + curling. However, every row has stopped curling up after I've added more rows after it, so maybe it will get over it eventually and lay down flat. This thing is thick and warm, though. I think it will go in the bedroom, if I ever finish it.

What do you think? Have you ever made a rag rug, and maybe you have tips for the curling issue? Or maybe just words of encouragement? If you are interested in making one of your own, there are tutorials all over the place for these. I used my Better Homes and Gardens Rug Making book, but there are great tutorials here, here, here, and here. I'll share the results when I'm done!

I'm Guest Posting!

Hello, Roomies!

Today I'm getting crafty over at Melinda's Musings with a super easy holiday DIY. Hop on over and take a look!

Have a lovely week!

{Etsy Love} Linda Tillman's Gallery

If, like me, you are easily distracted by shiny pretty things, you might understand how difficult Christmas shopping can be for people like us. Just when I have a clear idea of the gift I'm looking for-Oh! Shiny! What's that?! And then I realize it's an hour later.

I was digging around for a little gift for my mom the other day and I stumbled across a new favorite. Since it's not time to shop for myself, all I can do is share Linda Tillman's Gallery with everyone who will listen. She has a beautiful collection of prints that feature mid-century modern awesomeness. Tillman's pieces include touches of Southern California scenery, iconic furniture, cute cats and dogs, and hints of atomic space-age glamour, and they are really reasonably priced. As in, I might talk myself into getting more than one. Wouldn't these look great as a pair on the wall?

And of course, you know which ones are at the top of my wish list:

Cats and fabulous furniture? Perfection, in my book.

Visit Linda Tillman's Gallery to see the rest of her collection.