I would just use them as is. I would definitely not cut them up.I crochet and i would be extremely be upset if someone cut up one I crocheted. Enjoy your Mom's blankets. It's a lot work and you should treasure them. Come up with a creative idea to display them. Like i would love to find a old ladder from the past and lean it against the wall and display my afghans and quilts. Put it over a chair or the back of your sofa. Fold long ways at the end of a bed. There's tons of ideas Im sure.