As you look at this picture above, what do you see? Do you see a picture of love? A picture of hands that aren't quite a mirror image? Do you see strength and a disability? A picture that focuses on the heart?
What I hope you will gain through this photo journey is the amazing talent for creation that Shane has.
To my brother, Thank you for my beautiful blanket. You are amazing and talented. It is a gift that I will love and cherish always. I value our friendship and the many laughs and tears we have shared together.
This is for you....
Shane has been crocheting since he was a young boy sitting at the feet of his mom, aunts & grandmother. He learned the art of knitting, crocheting, sewing, and quilting through patience and love from the women in his early years.
But, just because he enjoys this delicate hobby don't think him a frilly fufu tart! Although he sat at the feet of the women in his life, he learned the ethic of working hard on the farm too. Shane learned from grandpa Wills, a master of many talents, he carved in him the strength of a farmer and the will of a cowboy.
I find it fascinating that anything can be made from a ball of fibers, and isn't it amazing that such strong abrasive hands can create such dainty designs?
Shane, displaying my blanket right before he boxed it up to be sent from Idaho to New Mexico. This pattern is currently his favorite so there are more than one of its kind, however; mine is the only one filled with the love of which it was made for me! Can you believe this only took him 6 days from start to finish? Each flower is part of a square which is independent from one another. Each square is individually placed in a pattern of color and stitched together then bound around the outer edges to complete it.
I was so excited to receive one of Shane's masterpieces. It was an unexpected gift that came at precisely the perfect moment when I needed it most. I was having a needy, missing my family, kind of day when it came in the mail. The card that came with it was also what I needed to hear. It said, "To my sweet sister, you are special." OK, so if the blanket didn't make me cry, the card did. That is what is great about our relationship. We have a friendship that will last forever!
Caiden was so proud to tell everyone that his uncle Shane 'knitted' it. Caiden is always trying to snuggle in it. I love daisies. Shane, the design couldn't have fit my personality better. 
While Shane and Kindra were dating, they both worked on matching afghans together. The idea was that when they married they were going to crochet them together, making them one. AHHHH...how tender! Of course Shane's came out perfectly and Kindra's was the shape of a very oblong-kind of square blob. Needless to say she was too embarrassed to ever put hers beside his, the comparison was just too painful...poor girl! So, for her wedding gift from Shane she received two perfect snuggle buddies, Shane & her blankie, AHHHH!
Shane had his right index finger traumatically amputated in an industrial accident. He never had a difficult time with the loss of this digit, and went back to work without hesitation. Days after the incident he was water-skiing for heavens sake! But the fear of having lost the ability to crochet, hindered him from picking it back up until recently. Shane has been fighting "the beast" named cancer for the past year and a half. In September he was no longer physically able to work in the cabinet industry and found himself spending a lot of free time on his hands, literally. Shane chose a pattern to work on and has been completing an afghan at least once a month. Each blanket made has been given to the closest people in his life. Each one holds special meaning, purpose, and story. Shane's goal is to of course live a long life but, he wants to complete one for each of his children and for their first born babies as well. Shane has been working like a mad-man to complete as many as possible to share with ALL of his brothers and sisters too.
This is the first afghan that Shane had made for Kindra. This was her 17th birthday present, given to her in 1997, a year before they married. Kindra had no idea that this was even one of his talents before this and was in total shock when he presented it to her in front of her family. Shane has always been a sucker for the Ahhhh moments!
This is Shane and his dad Roy Bronson. His dad was the first to receive an afghan from Shane this past December. This pattern took him about three weeks. Each block is an individual square or rectangle that is stitched together to complete the woven look. Dad was surprised when he opened this gift at Christmas, from his boy.
Shane and his mom Gaye Stagge. Her eyes were full of gratitude, surprise, and pride to receive this beautiful blanket from her son. Each of these squares has a white rose in the center, green leaves and petals, and the surrounding edge. Shane worked on this blanket during his cancer treatments in Mexico this past November. Women in the clinic ooohed and aaawhed at the amazing work he was doing (while being hooked up to an I.V.). Every time she relaxes after work she is snuggled in her sons love.
Shane's Mom Gaye
Shane has been experimenting with several different patterns and did this blanket on an oval loom. His daughter Calliese received this one for Christmas and was unavailable when this picture was taken. Calliese is the only girl in a house full of brothers, of course she came first!
A benefit concert is being held in the honor of Shane and his son Morgan. Morgan is 13 years old and has a seizure disorder that has altered his and his families lives dramatically. This blanket shows the sacrifice that Shane is willing to give to support his family. It will be one of the two afghans made by Shane that will be up for bid on the 6th of March, along with another similar to mine.
Momma Jo (Shane's other mother) received the only blanket made during "the odd years". Shane retaught his hands to hold the hook and yarn differently and went with the instinct to crochet. Shane won first place in the Utah State Fair with this one. Remember he hadn't crocheted for years and he took first place, WOW...that's amazing! This blanket is displayed as a piece of art draped over a display made by Shane as well. "Snuggling with this blanket reminds me of the wonderful hugs that my son gives me whenever he visits me. I'm feel so special to have received the first of many afagans. " I have displayed this on my bed for over 11 years. Thanks son, I love your talent.
Momma Jo under the delicate, gentle piece of love made specifically for her. Wrapped in popcorn & cross stitch she reminisces over thoughts of her son.
The Hardest part is always getting it up in the air the first time.
Up up and away!
Us with the Mitchell Family
