Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Rug Of The Day - Grow

Grow
Adapted from the artwork of Johanna Parker
Hooked by Kris Miller

There's quite a story to this rug!  I am part of Deanne Fitzpatrick's "10-minute a day for 50 days" rug hooking challenge.  I was certainly happy to participate in this challenge and pulled out a continuing project that I started last year at rug camp with Anita White as my teacher.  I had drawn out a very large antique reproduction and chose colors that were similarly used in the original rug.  I wanted it to look as much like the antique as possible.  The only material I added was some antique paisley.  I really needed to get back to hooking on this giant beauty and this seemed like the right time to get it finished.

However sometimes God has other plans for us.  Just about the time that the challenge started, a little grandson came into our life.  He was 10 weeks premature and quite a surprise to everyone.  He faced all the challenges that a little preemie baby has when starting out their life.  We went through some exhausting, anxious times and I realized that hooking dark antique colors just added to my depression...I had to get away from those dark, drab colors for a while!
So I grabbed the Grow pattern and pulled the brightest colors I could find in my wool stash (maybe not the brightest to some folks but pretty bright for me).  I wanted to make this rug super-duper fun so I added yarn, sari ribbon, beads, and felted baubles.  I used quillies and the beading stitch.  I started hooking the letters first because I knew they would be fun and moved on to the flowers.  Soon I began to look forward to another day of sitting at my frame and hooking on my Grow rug.  It made me happy to figure out another flower and it became my daily prayer affirmation.  Grow, little baby, grow!  
I used all sorts of cuts from #9 all the way down to #5....whatever fit in that spot, I used it!  
Well, all that prayer and hooking brought great results!  Our little grandson came home last week after spending 68 days in the NICU.  He still has to make some progress as he is on oxygen at home but he is eating well and GROWING every day.  I finished my rug just a day or two after he came home.  Perfect timing.
And you know what?  I don't think I'm done with "bright" yet!  

You can find the pattern here:

Check out the other floral designs on Johanna's pattern page too!




5 comments:

kcmrugs@gmail.com said...

How sweetly inspiring! May his health continue to incline!!

NMK said...

Congratulations on your very special little Grandson ! The NICU is just such an amazing place. I have twin Grand daughters who were micro preemies, they worn born at 37 weeks. They were in the NICU for months and came home on oxygen for just a few days. They are now 20 months old ,healthy , walking & running & the happiest little girls . I have been helping Mommy 5 days a week . We are lucky to have these little miracle babies and so very thankful for every person in the NICU .
This is a beautiful , cheery rug , you will cherish , like your beautiful little Grand Son !

Rugs and Pugs said...

Congrats on the new grandbaby. Wonderful to hear he is finally home.
That rug will always have a special place in your heart.
xoxo
Lauren

Babs said...

Our granddaughter was born at 29 weeks. She is 7 now and still growing! You would never know she was a premie. Congratulations!

Katie & Laura said...

So happy for you, Kris! Will continue prayers for your grandson and all of you! ❤️