Dreaming of New Mexico - My WIP

The not so neat beginning of my version of the "Sonoran Desert"

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a HUGE fan of the New Mexican desert.  Especially the central/southern New Mexico desert and mountains.  The rocks, the mountains, the colors, the striations.  The beauty of its canvas runs along the backdrop of a blue sky that never ends.
 
I was on Amazon one day doing a crochet search of some kind and ran across this book. 

Big Book of Scrap Crochet Afghans by Carol Alexander 

I fell in love with the afghan on the cover the second I saw it.  It reminded me so much of the colors you see when you're driving through the deserts and mountains of New Mexico that I just had to have it.  Unfortunately it's out of print and only available from resalers.  I was shocked to see what sellers were asking for the book, but I persevered and waiting patiently.  I finally found it at a price that I didn't have to break the bank for and ordered it.  I've had it for quite some time now, but I'm finally taking the time to make it.  

I used the colors given in the book as a guide as I went to my stash closest and found 10 colors along the same path of the pattern.  I don't have quite as much of the red/orange in the picture, but my 10 colors are above.  The top strip of dk purple is the first color of the next section of colors.  

I can't wait to finish it and have it as my "go to blankie" for the winter!  I seem to always have one afghan or blanket each winter that I covet more than others.  I don't sit in our living room without one.  Especially if there's a roaring fire in the fireplace.  It's such a 'comfort' feeling for me.  The colors are so soothing to me, because I can't help but think of my favorite places in New Mexico.  

Oh, and the name of the afghan?  Quite appropriately, it's called the Sonoran Desert.  :)