This is what “Big Boucherouite” looked like yesterday afternoon when I sat down to hook. Some of you may have seen it on Instagram. Clearly, the race was on. Actually, the race had been on since Sunday when I hooked for a good seven hours.
Okay, maybe not “just like that,” but the “Big Boucherouite” is hooked. Finally. After about three and a half months of hooking approximately three hours per day. My arthritic hands are not particularly pleased with me at the moment, and I haven’t even told them about the next part: hemming. Putting needle and thread into hooked bed sheets and t-shirts isn’t the most fun thing one can do. I’ll give the hands a week or two off before we start to sew.
“Big Boucherouite” is hooked completely from old bed sheets and t-shirts. This is recycled (fiber) art at its best. 🙂
“Big Boucherouite” all hooked up. There’s a LOT of hemming to be done there. Don’t anyone expect to see this bad boy in the Etsy shop for a while.
In the meantime I have to finish my friendship rug – the entire background which does include words (I know, I know!). At least hooking wool is more gentle on the paws than hooking cotton. The friendship rug has to be completed by Albuquerque’s Fiber Arts Fiesta just like “Big Boucherouite.” In fact, all nine of the guild‘s friendship rugs constitute a special exhibit. If you can make it, Fiesta is May 30, 31 and June 1 at Expo here in Albuquerque.
Tynan was not to be denied. He feels it’s his job to present the rugs. And pick up a treat for his troubles…
Fellow hookers, I’ve spent an incredible amount of time hooking the background of one BIG rug; the friendship rug isn’t as large, but it ain’t small either. I’ve been dreaming of other rugs I want/need to start. Ideas to get me through this next background before I can start something new?
Tynan here with a quick hello. She’s busy trying to finish the hooked monster, i.e., the “Big Boucherouite,” and prepping for her turn to host the monthly neighborhood Buncoparty tomorrow. And, oh, yeah, my sister’s here from Colorado. But then again you always like it better when I host the blog, and we like to give the customers what they want.
Weather’s beautiful here in Albuquerque this week, even hitting the 70s. Condolences to those still victim to winter’s frigid temperatures. May spring come quickly to you. And if you’re in the ABQ area, remember that the Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Spring Show is this weekend! (Not that I get to go…)
“Big Boucherouite” here. Yes, you read that right. I AM the large rug that she’s currerntly hooking. Constantly. At least it feels that way. I hardly ever get alone time. Anyway, as she’s still working on me day and night, I decided to provide a few notes regarding where she’s at in this project.
See what I mean about the dog? Oh, and that idea of strategic photography?
She’s been watching a LOT of television during the day. I tried to tell her to get some books on tape, but she goes on and on about having to get through a NOVAback-up, that she’s got to free-up space on the DVR. Fine. Her husband, of course, insists on watching them with her, though I’ve noticed that he tends to use them to catch up on his sleep.
NOVA sounds nice and erudite, sure, but that wasn’t on till midnight last night. No, that would be…Ice Castles. Yes, the Robby Benson movie from 1978, when she was 13. Apparently, she even read the book back then. It was on some TV station for lost movies. Some movies should remain lost…
She does take some breaks. It seems to be rather necessary. Hooking so much woven fabric is taking a toll on the joints. As is sitting under me. I’m rather heavy at this point. I tell her to do some yoga. Does she listen to me? Sometimes.
She’s still going on and on about not having enough orange sheets to fill my background, that she had to breakdown and use t-shirts. Who gives a damn? That they’re used textiles being recycled to a higher purpose – me! – it’s fine. That’s the Boucherouite spirit.
Her dog keeps sitting on me determined to earn a snack. Someone needs to tell him that she’s barely taking any photographs of me. I deserve a BIG REVEAL and not until I’m properly hooked and hemmed.
Lastly, regarding actually finishing me in order to enter me into Albuquerque’s Fiber Arts Fiesta by the March 1 deadline, let’s hear it for the idea of STRATEGIC PHOTOGRAPHY. And you all make sure that your submissions are in by sometime Friday too.
Look for my debut on Instagram and Facebook in the near future, and I’ll see you May 30 and 31 and June 1 at Fiber Fiesta!
I have no idea who the artist is. Maybe you know? But isn’t it beautiful? Okay, wine is beautiful too.
Rug love in the wine store?
I’ll explain. I’m having a busy week. Big surprise, I know. But I was trying to figure out something new and exciting (and quick) to write about when Tom and I headed out to the liquor store. A snowstorm was taking aim at Albuquerque, and we were running low. Before you scoff, I’m from New England and lived through the Blizzard of ’78; snow forecasts = a run to the grocery store. By the way, we got almost an inch and a half today. I know, wow.
So, we’re in Total Wine, and I remember how I’ve gotten rug ideas from wine labels. Some of them are so creative, even beautiful. Then I thought that maybe you need rug ideas right about now. Especially for those of you back east and in the midwest who will live through your own winter storm tonight and tomorrow. Enjoy!
Don’t the colorful flowers draw you in? The birds. What would it be like to share a bottle with this graceful lady? (I’m not particularly graceful.) But zoom over to the left, to the name of the wine. “Dirt Diva”! Love it! No problem drinking with this chick after all.I fear that this is more my speed, not so much the beautiful Dirt Diva. At least he looks happy. Or drunk.
This – or something similar – is one of the first wine bottle labels that jumped out at me to inspire a rug. And yet I don’t think we ever tried the wine. Bummer.
I bet I’m not the only one who’s hooked a rug with this element in it.Has no one realized that “The Fugitive” is just the Invisible Man? They are never gonna catch him. I mean…all of them. BTW, here’s how the manufacturer describes this wine: “Not just any wine – the wine that you drink when you know if may just be your last.” Alrighty.Here’s where they start getting scary. Or weird. Or both. Why name it “Juggernaut”? Okay, maybe it’s a huge and powerful force. But am I going to turn into a Robby Benson Beast, only more frightening, when I drink this stuff? I mean, look at the grass under his feet. It’s blood red. Imagine your new boyfriend ordering this stuff on a date…
Or 19 Crimes Hard Chard. Really? What’s the wine trying to say here? Maybe Jane’s husband tried to get her drunk on the Juggernaut and got more than he bargained for? For her crime she’s banished off to Botany Bay. At least she didn’t have to take him.
Two of my favorites. And I think it’s fair to say that I became distracted from my original intention. I am NOT hooking a rug of a framed French convict on Devil’s Island or a skeletal Pope. Who comes up with this stuff?
I DO know who came up this one and the next one. Albuquerque artist Sean Wells is a kick-ass Albuquerque artist whose artwork has been featured on La Catrina Vino, Cerveza de los Muertos, and New Mexico lottery tickets. She also happens to vend at many of the same events I vend at.
Another of Sean’s gorgeous and fun wine bottles.
Okay, I’ll end with a pic of the elusive jackalopegracing this bottle of whiskey. Now something like this could make it onto a rug. And don’t lecture me about the pesky copyright laws. I know all about them. Have a great week. Maybe I’ll pour myself a bottle glass of wine now…
The new year is here a week. Already it’s gotten busier than intended given that I was trying to make 2019 more a year of making and less one of busy-ness and meetings and social media. Not that I have any intention – or ability – of getting rid of those latter items. They’re necessary (often evil) parts of an involved life. I just want them minimized some.
A week in and I’ve identified a couple of new masters and commanders demanding my fealty and, more importantly, my time. One was unexpected, and I’m here to warn all of the A-type personalities present. You Bs are probably safe enough and can just enjoy a good laugh. Type A folk: Do not get a Fitbit! Oh, you think it’s going to help you, ensure that you get all those steps in, make you healthy. (If you’re like me, you were already working out each day anyway.) Instead, the damn thing is just another mark to hit AND SURPASS EVERY SINGLE DAY. Tom gave it to me for Christmas; I’ve wanted one for a couple of years, and since December 27th when I put it on, he’s regretted his generosity.
Tynan and I and the new Fitbit master out New Year’s Day morning just as the snow was starting. Oh, Tom came too. 🙂
Like I said, I work out most mornings, so that gives me a leg up on the 10,000 steps. Usually. Unfortunately, it can’t “translate” time and effort on the recumbent bike unless I thrash my Fitbit-clad arm about trying to fake the Master into thinking I’m walking (or running up Mount Everest). On those days, I know that I should just account for the exercise in my mind and not worry about making it to the magic – and completelyarbitrary – number of steps. But I can’t, so I try to…compensate. Tom’s becoming irritated. I have to hide my furtive attempts to get to 10,000. The far bathroom’s good. I can pretend-jump rope in there or jog in place while I count to 50, 75. Playing keep-away with the dog’s toys is always good for a 100 or so. Then we take another walk around the block. The neighbors behind the house have seen me dancing in the kitchen like no one’s watching. Or should watch.
Results thus far:
I have hit the magic 10,000 number every day but two.
The dog is exhausted.
I’ve walked before and during one snowstorm, my first here in Albuquerque. It was beautiful. And worth more than 17,000 steps!
My dogs (feet) are barking, one knee is ready for a sling, and I’m pretty sure that my recent RA flare-up was caused by my new obsession.
The epiphany that if I join an online Fitbit community or even share results with a friend, the “friendly competition” would probably kill me. The dog would be collateral damage.
You’d think I’d give up on the thing after all this, but NO WAY! I’m loving it. Luckily, this morning’s walk down by the river in the cold was invigorating. Plus it got me all the way to 10,000 in one shot! And – besides the dog – who do you think was with me doing all those steps? Tom! Tom who started to surreptitiously use his phone to count his own steps. Gotcha!
An exhausted Tynan presents 2019’s first “what’s on the frame.” You can see why I’ll need the steps to combat all the sitting I’ll be doing the next two months as I get the “Big Boucherouite” done.
The Fitbit master will stay, too, to combat all the sitting I’m doing for the second master of the new year. Yes, the Big Boucherouite‘s time has finally come. Pictures of a finished BB are due March 1. That’s the last day you can send entries in for Albuquerque’s big Fiber Fiesta 2019! Get the details by clicking, and think about sending something in. You don’t have to live here. Any questions, check the Fiber Council’s website or give me a yell. A fun and educational time will be had by all. I promise. (And do you know how large the Manual Lujan Jr. Expo Center is? Gonna get in a whole lotta steps.)
What or who is moving you these early days of the new year?
