If you said, "Why, I do believe that is water resistant exterior rigid foam insulation, that Greta is about to turn into a Knitter's Blocking Board", well then, RIGHT you are!
If, on the other hand, you said "WHHHAAAAAT"? I still love you. Always will. I'll make you one, too.
Here's the deal. I've been reading about these homemade blocking boards and I wanted something LIGHTWEIGHT (I can lift this 4foot by 8foot sheet with two fingers and an opposable thumb...) CHEAP (under nine bucks) EASY TO STORE (under the bed) and Original (I'm going to make a fitted sheet type cover for mine out of Painters Canvas with a grid I draw myself....to match my Own Personal Preferences).
The reason it looks like the beginnings of a Science Fair Project is because I *hinged* it in the Parking Lot of ManLand (thanks go out to ryan for THAT moniker) to the amusement of the small crowd of onlookers. (It was before 8am you understand...) Imagine if you will, a blonde knitter, striding out of the Home Improvement Wharehouse with said sheet of Insulation. I approach my rather smallish (oh YEAH, wanna compare GAS mileage? I thought not.) vehicle, holding her own in a virtual SEA of Contractors Tonka Toys.
Insulation is larger than the interior space of the vehicle. I know this, but can't resist playing with their minds. Cat toys. Anyhooo...I pretend to look perplexed. I look at the Insulation, at the Cr-V, back at the Insulation. Half a dozen pairs of eyes are now watching me. pause for dramatic effect. Okay, full house.
I put the sheet on the ground, balanced on the skinny edge and reach into my pocket for my Leather(WO)man tool. Quickly cut two notches, a third of the way from each edge. Put the tool away and SNAP the lines across my knee, thereby creating a LOVELY (if I do say so myself) folded blocking board which fits PRECISELY in back of the driver's seat. I jump into the truck and adjust my rearview mirror to see the jaws hanging open. *hee* I push the button to lower the driver's side window, turn UP the Indigo Girls, and WAVE....buh bye boys!
Go Greta!!! (You know, it doesn't take much to mistype your name as Great... which is highly appropriate!)
Posted by: Melissa | March 29, 2004 at 04:37 PM
Woo-hoo! You go girl!
Posted by: annie | March 29, 2004 at 05:10 PM
Y'know, there are just SOME women who NEED to be blonde, for the reasons you have just outlined, namely to wreak havoc on the assumptions of the guys driving TRUCKS that get 12 miles per gallon.
And yeah, I'll take the gas mileage challenge... ;)
Posted by: Ann | March 29, 2004 at 05:10 PM
Way to go Greta!! Wow Melissa is right it is really easy to speal Great instead of Greta. I want one of those jobbies, what do I need to do? Talk to you soon, enjoy this spring day.
Posted by: Cathy | March 29, 2004 at 06:14 PM
UGh! woohoo - I can't wait to see how it turns out! I'm *so* close to forking over 80 friggin bucks for one of those "official" ones... someone stop me!
Posted by: Alysia | March 29, 2004 at 11:09 PM
OK, so I instantly thought "blocking board," and a nice one at that, and seeing how I'm still using recycled cardboard for mine, your idea is very tempting. And you're covering it with fabric to boot--how excellent!
Posted by: Em | March 30, 2004 at 08:13 AM
You need to move closer to me. You have all the skills my father never taught me.
I get the same thrill when I go to a yarn shop and mess with the minds of the staff.
Posted by: Larry | March 30, 2004 at 10:09 AM
Want some five dollar sheets?
I still can't believe I found those...... And now I know what to put them on! Insulation! First comes garden, though..... :)
Posted by: Rachael | March 30, 2004 at 11:59 AM
You rock!
Posted by: Christy | March 30, 2004 at 12:19 PM
Although I am ashamed to admit that I never block (at that point all I want to do is try on), your genius board makes me want to. I wanna go mess with the men in Manland's heads. You definitely rock!
Posted by: Bethany | March 30, 2004 at 12:31 PM
I love it when you do that, Danger Girl!
Posted by: Maggi | March 30, 2004 at 01:07 PM
Yahooo! Take that, he-mens!
Posted by: Carrie | March 30, 2004 at 03:03 PM
What a great story! I love it. Anytime you can get a denizen of Manland's expression to change from smug to surprised is such a fun moment. (And glad to hear the plumbing prayers were of some benefit, too!:))
Posted by: Mary | March 30, 2004 at 06:53 PM
All I can say to that is "Woooo-HOO!" -- but I think that's enough. :)
Posted by: alison | March 31, 2004 at 12:31 AM
That is fantastic! I use this stuff as a design wall for my quilt art. click on "design wall" and you will see it. http://www.melanietesta.com/mtype/archives/2004_03.html
I covered mine in felt and wedged it between the floor and ceiling. it glows pink, through the flannel.
Posted by: Melly | April 22, 2004 at 07:50 AM