Hobby Thread - December 21, 2024 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread.

As previewed, the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM) has determined that the Hobby Thread theme of the week is Christmas and Hanukkah crafting. The Wheel is feeling festive and might be a little tipsy after getting into the spiked eggnog.

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Even though it is arguably religion, college football is fair game. Play nice. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls. Pants are optional.

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Gifts, cards, decorations, nativities, food, stockings, advent calendars, ornaments, etc. Anything you make or fashion for Christmas or Hanukkah is eligible. What are you crafting? What have you crafted in the past that was memorable? Do you make gifts for others? Are you guilty of taking on projects that involve a last minute push to complete? Do you make your own decorations? Do you have friends, neighbors or relatives that are noteworthy for their holiday crafting?

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Top photo: when the Germans say that their Nutcrackers are handmade, they mean it. Good history on Nutcrackers here from Atlas Obscura.

Nutcracker Museum Website in German. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

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Yum!

20241215-20240103-20231215-IMG_20231215_162522752_HDR.jpg

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Crafty goodies from German Christmas Markets:

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How cookie cutters are made:

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Piper sent photos of two different Buche de Noels and a box of cupcakes.

I make the meringue mushrooms and I made the little mouse. My mom had a decorative saw that I hope I can get my hands on next time I visit my stepfather. The ornaments on the cupcakes are made out of white chocolate that I hand painted with edible paint to make them look metallic. The silver hangers are marzipan with edible glitter.

Yum! Thank you!

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TRex is not wise in the ways of making cookies and is generally banned from the kitchen. However, it is great to see that the holiday theme includes those of the dinosaur persuasion. (Hat tip: Iris)

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YouTube has many 3D printing videos for Christmas. Picked this one at random based mostly on the snowmen and custom gift boxes:

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Old school 3D. More elaborate than snowflakes TRex made as a youth, but these look great:

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Looking for a White Elephant gift? The Hobby Thread has you covered. Some assembly required:

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What is a White Elephant gift and why is is called a White Elephant?

Wikipedia describes a White Elephant as a party game where amusing and impractical gifts are exchanged during festivities. The goal of a white elephant gift exchange is to entertain party goers rather than to give or acquire a genuinely valuable or highly sought item.

White Elephants are common among office parties but calibrate your gift ideas with the correct degree of irreverence in your office culture.

Where does the term White Elephant come from? Wikipedia says the phrase comes from the historic practice of the King of Siam (now Thailand) giving rare albino elephants to courtiers who had displeased him, so that they might be ruined by the upkeep costs. The story is likely more legend than fact, given that albino elephants are rare, valuable and sacred. Short answer? No idea.

Here is the part that TRex did not know until doing research for the thread: Other names for White Elephant include Dirty Santa, Yankee Swap, Shifty Santa, Bad Santa, the Grinch Game, Thieving Elves, Snatchy Christmas Rat, Cutthroat Christmas, Redneck Santa, Machiavellian Christmas, Kamikaze Gift Exchange and Bastard Secret Santa.

Snatchy Christmas Rat?? Kamikaze gift exchange? Dirty Santa? Huffington Post says so. Which means nothing, so looking to the Horde for your knowledge.

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From PA Dutchman:

Photos of my finished 1/35 Willys MB. I will be giving it to my dad for Christmas. He served in Company L, 3/34, part of the 24th Infantry Division in Korea and it is only in the last few years that he has begun to talk about his experiences. So I wanted to do something special to honor his service and sacrifice.

Outstanding. Thank you for sharing!

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Snickerdoodles from Lurker NorCal Sierra Nevada Foothills:

Yum! Thank you!

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Christmas ornaments from Lirio100:

I have made Christmas ornaments on and off for years, but I usually make them to give away, My sister sent me a picture a couple of weeks ago because she has some questions about ones I had made her (the ornaments in a row). I have no idea now why I thought it was a good idea to send Valentine hearts for Christmas ornaments!

The other picture is a cross stitch ornament I did keep, along with a hanging. The third ornament is in progress (yes, a very late start) that will be a Christmas tree in the center of a small hanging. I'm making two for my daughter and daughter in law.

Thank you!

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week with a theme of toys and games? The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

Someone mentioned Chinese Checkers last week. TRex saw a set (metal playing board and marbles) in good condition at an antique store today with a price tag of $36. It stayed at the antiques store.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If Christmas or Hanukkah crafting is not your thing and you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different hobby next time. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com All Christmas items are 60 percent off (exclusions apply).

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 05:31 PM (fwDg9)

2 This is a fairly long going tradition in the family,
tinyurl.com/2bysbp3n
Christmas grave wreaths
Sadly only 4 of us made them this year, past more family members helped but are no longer able now.
These are made for past on family

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 05:35 PM (fwDg9)

3 Back in the day my grandmother used to buy silk covered Styrofoam balls, some plastic baubles of different shapes, sizes and colors and we'd make Christmas ornaments out of them.

Glue, or pin the baubles to the ball, maybe wrap some ribbon around, and voilà... ornaments. Hand made. Mom and Dad loved them.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 21, 2024 05:36 PM (Q4IgG)

4 I am going to a White Elephant party tomorrow! I was thinking maybe a bottle of Grand Marnier. Impractical, but tasty.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 21, 2024 05:40 PM (8zz6B)

5 PA Dutchman. You did an amazing job, no doubt your Dad will be thrilled to get this gift from you. You sir, are a good man.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 21, 2024 05:41 PM (PgoHQ)

6 I had some GW Grim-ghasts that I painted.

https://x.com/BourbnChicken/status/
1868076022421463310

Right now I have Kings of War ogres.

I start a new job in January. While unemployed I have gone through teams at a rate of one figure per day. I paint them in batches of 6-10 usually.

I find that the miniature railroad and WWII people have been full of good advice for my slightly different hobby.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at December 21, 2024 05:42 PM (lhenN)

7 I mentioned before that a friend and I have exchanged hand crafted Christmas ornaments/ decorations for 50 years now. Some of my favorites to create were a Santos made from a mesquite branch, stocking hangers forged with a feather pattern and a hewn church with a bell tower.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 21, 2024 05:42 PM (XTmTf)

8 My dad's mother made Christmas tree decorations from foam covered in sequins, maybe made a thousand when I was a kid until she passed away. Every grandchildren has to have a bunch as well as any she gave away. Everyone loved them.

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 05:43 PM (fwDg9)

9 There's a Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, WA that is actually really creepy.

I'm not letting one of those things in my home.

Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at December 21, 2024 05:43 PM (UodRc)

10 Bourbon Chicken not getting anything from the link.

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 05:44 PM (fwDg9)

11 The closest thing to crafting I've known is this morning, when Miss Linda managed to get the Santa suit onto first Stirling the big black cat and then onto Dagny the little Siberian. Colorful pictures we got, for sure.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 05:45 PM (omVj0)

12 PA Dutchman. You did an amazing job, no doubt your Dad will be thrilled to get this gift from you. You sir, are a good man.

Seconded.
Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 21, 2024 05:43 PM (mH6SG)

Beautiful workmanship.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at December 21, 2024 05:45 PM (VNX3d)

13 Nice work on the MB model, Pa Dutchman! I have an M29C Weasel model in the same scale, that I built years ago. I did it during slack periods on wellsite, and used the 10X binocular microscope when I was painting the details. Turned out nice.

You have to have a model if you have the real thing. Rules, you know.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 21, 2024 05:46 PM (8zz6B)

14 Years ago Linda bought a paint-it-yourself wooden snowman plaque with an array of paints. I never got around to painting it -- it was nicer in the original wood, I thought -- and now I don't know where it is.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 05:46 PM (omVj0)

15 12 Miss Linda managed to get the Santa suit onto first Stirling the big black cat

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 05:45 PM
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How much blood did you lose from the injuries sustained in the fitting process?

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 05:46 PM (9tvFd)

16 There's a Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, WA that is actually really creepy.

I'm not letting one of those things in my home.
Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at December 21, 2024 05:43 PM (UodRc)

Leavenworth is that town in the Cascades that's all tarted up in a Bavarian, theme, isn't it?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 21, 2024 05:47 PM (8zz6B)

17 PA Dutchman, your soldier at the wheel of his jeep is outstanding work. Was that from a kit? And even if not, what scale is it?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 05:48 PM (omVj0)

18 PA Dutchman very nice present I hope.

I am working on 18mm Bavarian Chevau- Leger cavalry unit from 1812, not sure which Regiment yet. They are light cavalry.

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 05:48 PM (fwDg9)

19 My grandfather used to make Christmas ornaments out of shells and sand dollars. He'd shellack the sand dollars and drill tiny holes and thread ribbon so they could be hung. The large, cockle shells he'd spray paint different colors and sprinkle with gold or silver. Then he'd make ribbon hangers for them as well.

I will do the same for my grandchildren if I ever get some. Maybe I should start figuring out how to do it soon.

Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at December 21, 2024 05:48 PM (gU5fc)

20 My biggest project was sculpting a Native American Nativity scene complete with animals.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 21, 2024 05:49 PM (XTmTf)

21 Leavenworth is that town in the Cascades that's all tarted up in a Bavarian, theme, isn't it?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

Yes! There's a few really good sausage and beer joints on the Main Street. Cute town.

Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at December 21, 2024 05:50 PM (gU5fc)

22 Giving ornaments has been a tradition in my family. I have ones my grandmother gave me, and I always give my own children and grandchildren ornaments. Some were made, some were bought but they were always passed on. I have a very old one that was my grandmother's as a child, a blown glass one that was originally from Germany that I remember hanging on her tree as a child myself.

Posted by: Lirio100 at December 21, 2024 05:52 PM (izAv/)

23 As for my hobby, pipe smoking: An order of four sample tobaccos mailed on 12/13 and supposedly delivered into my mailbox on 12/18 has never turned up. The seller is starting an insurance claim. Also I have a new Peterson pipe coming from them, scheduled to arrive Monday. I'll be home and can keep an eye out for the mail truck. (Usually I have such things sent to my work. Now I realize all over again why I do this.)

Since I'm off Monday, too, I may trek out to the pipe shop in the suburbs in mid-morning and hang out there for a bit.

A side note: We went into the mall on this side of the river this morning. It was not crowded. One glance at even the sale prices of Ralph Lauren men's clothes, I understood why no one is buying. (I love their stuff. But I wait for sales.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 05:53 PM (omVj0)

24 PA Dutchman, I didn't read the complete description of your Jeep diorama. 1/35 scale, like most military models I know of.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 05:55 PM (omVj0)

25 Finally!!! A hobby thread I can participate!!!

I have made several Christmas decorations..

Tree ornaments: I used old wooden thread spools, ribbon and old jewelry or dead watches to make some neat ornaments. I hang my dad's old pocket watches on the tree. I made fake gingerbread ornaments, decorated with puffy paint that looks like piped on frosting. I turned a small novelty syrup can in to a gingerbread house using paint and puffy paint that looks like snow on the roof. Also used some old lace and vintage buttons to make an angel. And used an old wine cork and scrap fabric to make a gnome.
Other decorations: I used a couple of old baby food/juice jars to craft a snowman. Used a tin can and stiff felt to make a snow dusted top hat to hold candy canes.

I am now working on a carousel. An old cookie tin, a cardboard tube from aluminum foil, chopsticks, two small, old, plastic horses, plenty of air dry clay and paint. Also some antique wax to make it look really old and worn. So far, so good. Might not be done before Christmas but it will be out next year!

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at December 21, 2024 05:56 PM (4XwPj)

26 I thought a white elephant was an unwanted item, possibly cheap, like a cheesy painted porcelain elephant you find in a thrift store, or at a white elephant sale.

Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 05:57 PM (vFG9F)

27 My mother had my childhood sled professionally painted with a winter scene and Merry Christmas.

I have it now 60 years after first riding it. Rode it for one season and then we moved to Louisiana.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 21, 2024 05:58 PM (D6PGr)

28 >>>Thanks for the thread, TRex.
Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 21, 2024 05:52 PM (mH6SG)
*****
Indeed, where are my manners? Thanks for the thread TRex. I’m not a hobbiest, but I always enjoy reading this thread.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 21, 2024 05:59 PM (PgoHQ)

29 Miss Linda managed to get the Santa suit onto first Stirling the big black cat

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024
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How much blood did you lose from the injuries sustained in the fitting process?
Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024

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Amazingly, none. Both cats were fine with the suit being put on. There are two simple Velcro straps to fasten, one under the throat and one farther back, and the suits fitted fairly loosely at that. Stirling, the black cat, walked backwards, trying to brush it off, and even leaped into the air like an exuberant goat, hoping it would come loose. Dagny the little cat was not too bothered. She kept moving, so it was hard to snap pics.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 05:59 PM (omVj0)

30 4 I am going to a White Elephant party tomorrow! I was thinking maybe a bottle of Grand Marnier. Impractical, but tasty.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

Wine bottle condoms! Yes they look like condoms but one uses them to close the bottle that still has wine in it. Hilarious, impractical, and a conversation starter!

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at December 21, 2024 05:59 PM (4XwPj)

31 24 Thanks for the thread, TRex.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 21, 2024 05:52 PM
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You're welcome Dr. Deal.

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 05:59 PM (9tvFd)

32 I thought a white elephant was an unwanted item, possibly cheap, like a cheesy painted porcelain elephant you find in a thrift store, or at a white elephant sale.
Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 05:57 PM (vFG9

It's a gift that is useless. Origin story supposedly that the King of Thailand ( Siam at the time) was the only one that could ride or use the very rare White Elephant so he would gift someone he didn't like with a White elephant and they were stuck with the expense of feeding and caring for it for a lifetime.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 21, 2024 06:01 PM (D6PGr)

33 TRex, you have indeed turned the Hobby Thread into your own. Good work!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 06:02 PM (omVj0)

34 Here's the link.

https://x.com/BourbnChicken/status/1868076022421463310

I usually break it up, since people complain if I am anywhere near pushing out the margins.
The line-return sometimes gets copied as a "%20" so if you delete that you get the right address.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at December 21, 2024 06:02 PM (lhenN)

35 Merry Christamas, Happy Hanukkah.

Happy HobbyDays.

Posted by: BifBewalski at December 21, 2024 06:02 PM (MsrgL)

36 Hey TRex, I emailed you the picture of the 3D Printed Ball Vise.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 21, 2024 06:04 PM (XV/Pl)

37 Going to make a snowflake, be right back….

Posted by: Piper at December 21, 2024 06:04 PM (pZEOD)

38 I've only participated once in a true White Elephant exchange, where we exchanged the cheap, tacky stuff. All the rest have been nicer gifts.

Have lived in the South all my life and never heard it called Dirty Santa. That sounds like a euphemism for something off of South Park.

Posted by: Scarymary at December 21, 2024 06:05 PM (F2xQR)

39 Never heard of White Elephant until this month.

We've had numerous gag gift parties with family and friends in the past, but I never realized they were categorized and benchmarked as a social milestone.

All you fucking people are morons and weird.

Happy Holidays!

Posted by: Dr. Bone at December 21, 2024 06:05 PM (/MR36)

40 My wife does homemade ornaments with our grandsons. She did them years ago with our kids and every year we get them out and display them. My kids get a kick out of how my wife has saved them all these years. Life passes quickly so we make sure to make memories that we will cherish forever.

Posted by: RetsgtRN at December 21, 2024 06:05 PM (uRfvC)

41 28 Thanks for the thread TRex. I’m not a hobbiest, but I always enjoy reading this thread.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 21, 2024 05:59 PM

33 TRex, you have indeed turned the Hobby Thread into your own. Good work!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 21, 2024 06:02 PM
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Thanks much and thanks for being here!

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 06:06 PM (9tvFd)

42 Bourbon Chicken that worked

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 06:06 PM (fwDg9)

43 Have I made Christmas decorations? No. But I have recently picked up a couple of books to do so. One is for chip carving ornaments and one for a flat plane carved nativity scene. I figure if I start soon, they might be good enough and ready for Christmas 2026. (Yes, that year is correct.)

If they turn out good enough they would be gifts. If not, they will be for our house.

Posted by: JTB at December 21, 2024 06:06 PM (yTvNw)

44 38 Have lived in the South all my life and never heard it called Dirty Santa. That sounds like a euphemism for something off of South Park.
Posted by: Scarymary

Sp funny, I have only heard it as dirty Santa here in my corner of Alabama.

Posted by: Piper at December 21, 2024 06:07 PM (pZEOD)

45 Bourbon Chicken here is my work space
https://tinyurl.com/3j8bsya3

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 06:08 PM (fwDg9)

46 I can't find an article with pictures, but I went to see a nativity scene at St Boniface in Vincent KS. The priest that started it served the church for over 50 years. It has the tradtional statues, but he wanted to bring the country together, so he asked people to bring arockfrom their state. Then it went world wide, and each rock or shell is marked where it came from. He kept building up and adding on. It was a nice display and they still have hundreds that come out to see it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 21, 2024 06:09 PM (NQtI0)

47 We regularly do a yankee swap at family Christmas dinner. It’s a fun way to exchange gifts without having to buy for everyone - just one gift! More recently we started doing a theme, such as ornaments or books. It’s fun to see the variety even within a category. Of course, we don’t do prank gifts as regularly happens with Yankee swaps at work ( e.g. XXL Reindeer print boxers).

Posted by: Lizzy at December 21, 2024 06:10 PM (Hkcdp)

48 36 Hey TRex, I emailed you the picture of the 3D Printed Ball Vise.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 21, 2024 06:04 PM
***
Received. Thank you!

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 06:10 PM (9tvFd)

49 My mother had my childhood sled professionally painted with a winter scene and Merry Christmas.

I have it now 60 years after first riding it. Rode it for one season and then we moved to Louisiana.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth

It snows all the time in Louisiana! Granted, it's the unfrozen version of snow, but it shows year round down there.

Floats on a sled. I'd love to see something like that. Kid running and flopping onto their sled so float down the over full runoff ditch.

Year round sledding in Louisiana. I need to patent that.

Posted by: BifBewalski at December 21, 2024 06:10 PM (MsrgL)

50 The decorated cookies and cupcakes are great!!

Posted by: Lizzy at December 21, 2024 06:10 PM (Hkcdp)

51 Those cakes and cupcakes are so pretty. I wouldn't want to cut into it and mess it up.

Posted by: Scarymary at December 21, 2024 06:14 PM (F2xQR)

52 Someone on X mentioned they wanted to do a tree with candles. We did that one year, only it was a small tree in the front yard. We used foil for candle holders and used birthday candles. It rained of course but got good pictures. Definitely fun.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 21, 2024 06:14 PM (NQtI0)

53 Posted by: BifBewalski at December 21, 2024 06:10 PM (MsrgL

As a kid in Louisiana I used a piece of plywood to 'sled' on the frequently flooded streets. Lot of skinned knees growing up.

And they think Californians invented the skim board.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 21, 2024 06:15 PM (D6PGr)

54 lin-duh needs to be in this thread. Her Christmas cookies are amazing.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 21, 2024 06:16 PM (XTmTf)

55 My Nonno and Dad were big into collecting mushrooms of all types. There was one type that they looked for all year that were inedible but, they would dry them and then use to construct dioramas out of. Big, white, leafy mushrooms. It was nothing to have 5-6 freshly painted nativity scenes with those damned mushrooms as the sides and roof of the stable.

Oh, don't forget the glued on sparkly red and green 'snowflakes'. Wow were they hideous. Mom hated them as they shed the metallic 'snowflakes' whenever they were touched and got into everything.

These were the same two gamokes that constructed spinny windmills out of empty 2-liter pop bottles. Americana kitsch at it's worst.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 21, 2024 06:17 PM (WXNFJ)

56 ***waves to Ben Had***

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 06:18 PM (9tvFd)

57 You guys put me to shame with your lovely homemade ornaments. We always do candy canes, which the kids lives - built in snacks.

Posted by: Lizzy at December 21, 2024 06:19 PM (Hkcdp)

58 TRex, Thank you for this topic this evening. Brings smiles and heartwarming memories of Christmases past.

Bypasses waves and goes straight to a big hug for both of you.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 21, 2024 06:21 PM (XTmTf)

59 Wow, so many beautiful crafts and treats!!

Made pralines, stamped cookies, and gingerbread folk today. Fixed pralines in bags for preacher and choir staff tomorrow.

Almost done with my son's hiking staff--just one more coat of lacquer, then affix the copper cap at the base. It's high gloss because that's what he chose to put on the guitar he made from a kit twenty years ago and there is still plenty. (I am cheap.)

Cross stitched a stocking for his second Christmas that still hangs from the mantel. Memories abound, like him toddling past saying "Hi, Mama" while I stitched it...

Posted by: skywch at December 21, 2024 06:22 PM (uqhmb)

60 Not theme related. I mentioned last week (I think) that I got several Savinelli pipes on sale. Glad I did. They are superb. Especially nice are the Clark's Favorite and the Ginger's Favorite. Clark Gable was a pipe smoker and Ginger Rogers apparently enjoyed puffing a pipe between scenes. (Since you don't inhale pipe smoke she might have thought it was better for a dancer. Pure supposition.) They are semi-churchwarden styles with a slight bend. Very comfortable in the hand and to clench. These will be at the top of the rotation for reading session pipes.

I placed an order for some Mac Baren HH Burley Flake tobacco which has become one of my favorites and some Sutliff Virginia Slices. Both Mac Baren and Sutliff have been bought out by another tobacco company and there is no way to know if my favorite blends will be continued.

Posted by: JTB at December 21, 2024 06:22 PM (yTvNw)

61 I'm still trying to figure out the snowman cookies. Is that supposed to be once they've started to melt?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at December 21, 2024 06:22 PM (VNX3d)

62 "Hey TRex, I emailed you the picture of the 3D Printed Ball Vise.
Posted by: Thomas Bender"

Newsletter?

Posted by: Hillary at December 21, 2024 06:24 PM (vFG9F)

63 61 I'm still trying to figure out the snowman cookies. Is that supposed to be once they've started to melt?
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at

Yes, these are not hard to make and a lot of fun. Good ones to do with kiddos. These aren’t mine, but I have made them in the past.

Posted by: Piper at December 21, 2024 06:24 PM (pZEOD)

64 I thought the snowmen were to look melted

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 06:25 PM (fwDg9)

65 Bourbon Chicken here is my work space
https://tinyurl.com/3j8bsya3
Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 06:08 PM (fwDg9)

I caught a whiff of radon and it's making me nostalgic.

I love the Napoleon era but I dare not buy any more models until I have painted what I have.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at December 21, 2024 06:25 PM (lhenN)

66 Melty The Snowman

Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 06:25 PM (vFG9F)

67 Melty The Snowman
Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 06:25 PM (vFG9F)

At least they still have their noses - no dog stopped by to eat them.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at December 21, 2024 06:27 PM (VNX3d)

68 Cross stitched a stocking for his second Christmas that still hangs from the mantel. Memories abound, like him toddling past saying "Hi, Mama" while I stitched it...
Posted by: skywch

I have the cross-stitched stocking my grandmother made the year I was born. I still hang it, and I treasure it.

Posted by: Piper at December 21, 2024 06:27 PM (pZEOD)

69 Top pic. I think that is a disguised biolab. Probably in Wisconsin, or Santa Claus, Indiana...maybe

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 21, 2024 06:30 PM (XeU6L)

70 Military anything that rolls, flies, or floats always fascinates me. I’m just a big kid.

Posted by: Eromero at December 21, 2024 06:31 PM (jgmnb)

71 Around here a snowman is lucky to make it to the end of the day. Even before that they are the most pathetic little snow creatures you have ever seen.

I made a snowman out of 3 foam shipping coolers one year and put it down by the road. MisHum posted a pic of it a while back. The garbage men finally got the idea and picked it up.

Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 06:32 PM (vFG9F)

72 'Frosty the Snowman', Gene Autry, from a time when life made more sense

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BLPMsoGbWA

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 21, 2024 06:33 PM (XeU6L)

73 Those Ann Clark cookie cutters are very reasonably priced. Might get some!

Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at December 21, 2024 06:36 PM (XMwZJ)

74 Does anyone use one of those festive nutcrackers to crack nuts?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 21, 2024 06:38 PM (63Dwl)

75 Notable White Elephant gifts exchanged in my mother's book club: An African fertility statuette, a robe which was almost finished when one sleeve was lost (so finished without the sleeve) and an artificial leg found at a thrift store. It came with a poem - "Put your best foot forward".

At a place where I worked, the winner of one white elephant was required to display it all year. It was a small, garish aquarium (usually maintained without fish).

Posted by: KT at December 21, 2024 06:41 PM (xekrU)

76 The giant snickerdoodles recipe looks perfect.

Posted by: KT at December 21, 2024 06:42 PM (xekrU)

77 Military anything that rolls, flies, or floats always fascinates me. I’m just a big kid.
Posted by: Eromero
-----

While working at a consolidation/distribution center in the aftermath of the storm, two NG tank transporters rolled up, *loaded* with pallets of bottled water and MRE's. It was very cool/heartening to see.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 21, 2024 06:43 PM (XeU6L)

78 "Does anyone use one of those festive nutcrackers to crack nuts?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr"

The only time I ever tried it, the nutcracker broke. My jaw dropped. So did the nutcracker's.

Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 06:43 PM (vFG9F)

79 Does anyone use one of those festive nutcrackers to crack nuts?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 21, 2024 06:38 PM (63Dwl)

No. Ours protect our Christmas tree from Krampus. We bought them in Germany way back when.

I use my framing hammer to crack nuts.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I'll hang up and listen... at December 21, 2024 06:45 PM (Ad8y9)

80 For Lirio: You send Valentine hearts as Christmas ornaments so you can leave some decorations up after Christmas. I know a couple of people who change out their Christmas ornaments on their tree for Valentines ornaments. It can be dreary in January and February.

Posted by: KT at December 21, 2024 06:45 PM (xekrU)

81 Does anyone use one of those festive nutcrackers to crack nuts?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.

Was going to ask the same.
I don't think they would work.

Maybe you could jam a small peanut in there...

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 21, 2024 06:46 PM (/lPRQ)

82 It probably says on a little sticker on the nutcracker "Not For Cracking Nuts".

Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 06:48 PM (vFG9F)

83 Christmas for us is gonna be really weird. First, the temperatures will be way above normal (61 today). 2: both sons will be late next week, so festivities are delayed until the 26th or so. Thrieve: We're just not feeling the season.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I'll hang up and listen... at December 21, 2024 06:50 PM (Ad8y9)

84 At the latest forced fun office party they did the white elephant thing. Basically swapped bottles of booze around.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 21, 2024 06:51 PM (/lPRQ)

85 I've got fruitcake from the 80s somewhere that was passed around as a white elephant gift for years. Guess I broke the chain.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 21, 2024 06:51 PM (Dm8we)

86 83 Christmas for us is gonna be really weird. First, the temperatures will be way above normal (61 today). 2: both sons will be late next week, so festivities are delayed until the 26th or so. Thrieve: We're just not feeling the season.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, I'll hang up and listen... at

I get it. I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to "fake it till you make it." Lemme know if y'all figure it out.

*hugs*

Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at December 21, 2024 06:52 PM (3bWKb)

87 We have a nutcracker that is missing a foot. A true foot soldier.

Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 06:53 PM (vFG9F)

88 Among my many regrets was failing to steal Mom's antique cookie press. Le sigh....

Posted by: Joe Kidd at December 21, 2024 06:53 PM (Cbio9)

89 At the latest forced fun office party they did the white elephant thing. Basically swapped bottles of booze around.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 21, 2024 06:51 PM (/lPRQ)

Our office party was pretty good. Wife got a hundred bucks in cash. I got 20. made out like bandits, we did.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I'll hang up and listen... at December 21, 2024 06:53 PM (Ad8y9)

90 TRex,
Thanks for the thread and this theme. Not much to say about past attempts but it sure gave me ideas for the future.

Posted by: JTB at December 21, 2024 06:53 PM (yTvNw)

91 90 TRex,
Thanks for the thread and this theme. Not much to say about past attempts but it sure gave me ideas for the future.

Posted by: JTB at December 21, 2024 06:53 PM
***
Thank you and thanks for being here. I love it when the HT provides inspiration for future ideas and projects.

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 06:57 PM (9tvFd)

92 -----

While working at a consolidation/distribution center in the aftermath of the storm, two NG tank transporters rolled up, *loaded* with pallets of bottled water and MRE's. It was very cool/heartening to see.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc.,
---

Must be individual initiative. NC governor would have nixed it.

Posted by: Braenyard - some absent friends are more equal than others _ at December 21, 2024 06:59 PM (DvLTT)

93 72 'Frosty the Snowman',
---

I was too old before I discovered that Parson Brown is not a color.

Posted by: Braenyard - some absent friends are more equal than others _ at December 21, 2024 07:01 PM (DvLTT)

94 Lol braenyard

Posted by: skywch at December 21, 2024 07:03 PM (uqhmb)

95 Nothing to do with holiday decorating, but on this day in 1913, the first crossword was published by Arthur Wynne.

Crossword puzzles are kind of a hobby.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 21, 2024 07:03 PM (CHHv1)

96 "I was too old before I discovered that Parson Brown is not a color.
Posted by: Braenyard - some absent friends are more equal than others"

It's really just dark orange.

Posted by: fd at December 21, 2024 07:04 PM (vFG9F)

97 KT
I think she does keep the hearts out but the only reason I can guess at for me to choose them is that the heart patterns were new that year and I wanted to try them out!

Posted by: Lirio100 at December 21, 2024 07:04 PM (izAv/)

98 Piper - that's some amazing food art (at least to me). Fantastic.

PA Dutchman - what a great model and gift! So glad your dad is starting to open up about the topic. You might check out the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project (on their website), if you think you might want to get your father's experiences more formally recorded and saved for posterity (and if he's amenable).

About the model. I once (about 10 years) ago saw what looked to be a perfectly restored Jeep, with a trailer, and (presumably fake!) pintle-mounted M2 in the back ..... in Japan. From a distance (I was on a bridge, Jeep was in a parking lot below). Were the Allied white star-in-a-circle markings kept for Korea?

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:05 PM (1m82a)

99 >>>here is my work space
https://tinyurl.com/3j8bsya3
Posted by: Skip
---

Never realized how small your miniatures are. Amazing.

Posted by: Braenyard - some absent friends are more equal than others _ at December 21, 2024 07:05 PM (DvLTT)

100 And thanks TRex for the thread. Amazing, humbling, and inspiring (well, hopefully some of that last one ...).

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:05 PM (1m82a)

101 There's a Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, WA that is actually really creepy.

I'm not letting one of those things in my home.
Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at December 21, 2024 05:43 PM (UodRc)

I had a girl friend who's mom collected Nutcrackers. Her mom also collected Mickey Mouse things, too.

All in all it is less disturbing than my buddy's wife who collected dolls, and put them all into opaque Sterlite tubs, those were freaky to open up casually.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 21, 2024 07:06 PM (D7oie)

102 100 And thanks TRex for the thread. Amazing, humbling, and inspiring (well, hopefully some of that last one ...).

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:05 PM
***
Thank you! and thanks for being here. By the way, you win the Century Post award.

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 07:07 PM (9tvFd)

103 Oh, that Jeep in Japan was a real one, not a model. It occurred to me to look into militaria collection in Japan, how extensive it is, but never did. Time and generational change has made war topics and objects not so taboo there any more, but collecting/restoring stuff is another level.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:07 PM (1m82a)

104 Nothing to do with holiday decorating, but on this day in 1913, the first crossword was published by Arthur Wynne.

Crossword puzzles are kind of a hobby.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 21, 2024 07:03 PM (CHHv1)

Crossword puzzles are my crack..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at December 21, 2024 07:08 PM (Cbio9)

105 Century Post award! Great! Does it include some of Piper's Christmas creations? I haven't been inhaling enough Sees or other evil seasonal delights.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:09 PM (1m82a)

106 Snickerdoodles are a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Peppermint Mocha! at December 21, 2024 07:14 PM (L/fGl)

107 I never bought more models than I could paint, get a batch, paint then get more. I hear many who have piles they will never get to

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:14 PM (fwDg9)

108 JTB, I have failed to return to pipe puffing as I had intended, as a break from cigars. But I just finished a Stillwell Star Holiday 2024 by Dunbarton, which uses pipe tobacco for filler and achieves a definite holiday spice flavor profile and aroma. A collaboration between Steve Saka of Dunbarton and the owner of Cornell & Diehl.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:15 PM (1m82a)

109 Love doing crossword puzzles but have a problem. The newer ones often have clues I don't understand. References for some pop culture of the last few years are beyond, or under, my ken. Some obscure, esoteric clues from earlier times and I'm golden.

Posted by: JTB at December 21, 2024 07:17 PM (yTvNw)

110 107 I never bought more models than I could paint, get a batch, paint then get more. I hear many who have piles they will never get to

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:14 PM
***
Ummm....I've heard that too. From others....

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 07:17 PM (9tvFd)

111 Anyone else make a Christmas wreath out of IBM punch cards? Yeah, I'm old..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at December 21, 2024 07:18 PM (Cbio9)

112 105 Does it include some of Piper's Christmas creations?

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:09 PM
***
What creations? (brushes random and totally unrelated crumbs off my shirt...)

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 07:20 PM (9tvFd)

113 I never bought more models than I could paint, get a batch, paint then get more. I hear many who have piles they will never get to
Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:14 PM (fwDg9)
---
Years ago I fell into that trap, in part because people were giving me figures as gifts, etc, and so I conducted a thorough purge of everything that I could not find an immediate use for.

I do retain an extensive "bits" collection from which future creations can be completed.

The backlog om assembly and painting is now a function of less free time rather than excessive purchasing.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 21, 2024 07:20 PM (ZOv7s)

114 There are sizes small than 15mm
Going down 10mm, 6 mm then 3 mm.
One thing about conventions I get to play with 28mm very often.

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:21 PM (fwDg9)

115 I use that very same snickerdoodle recipe.
Yum!!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at December 21, 2024 07:22 PM (W/lyH)

116 I shall probably be following this thread more closely in the future as yesterday I finally convinced my father to let me clear out his N scale railroad collection, which has been in storage for about 35 years. My stepmother has lost a step, and as a result the house is becoming very disorderly.

I'm hoping to begin a gradual process of clearing out his place. He won't throw anything away, or sell it, but he will give it to me.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 21, 2024 07:23 PM (ZOv7s)

117 116 I shall probably be following this thread more closely in the future as yesterday I finally convinced my father to let me clear out his N scale railroad collection, which has been in storage for about 35 years.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 21, 2024 07:23 PM
***
Good timing. Model railroading is in the queue for a future Hobby Thread theme.

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 07:24 PM (9tvFd)

118 >>>Anyone else make a Christmas wreath out of IBM punch cards? Yeah, I'm old..

Posted by: Joe Kidd

>Dude. Can I groom your lawn? Just once.

Before we had monitors there were printers churning out AI.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at December 21, 2024 07:25 PM (/MR36)

119 108 ... "But I just finished a Stillwell Star Holiday 2024 by Dunbarton, which uses pipe tobacco for filler and achieves a definite holiday spice flavor profile and aroma. A collaboration between Steve Saka of Dunbarton and the owner of Cornell & Diehl."

rhomboid,
Interesting. I didn't know C and D got involved in cigars in any way. But from your description, I can see why a pipe tobacco company might help since they can offer flavors not typically used in cigars. I wonder if they used one of their holiday blends, suitably cut for cigars.

Posted by: JTB at December 21, 2024 07:26 PM (yTvNw)

120 Various things have interrupted/messed up the Christmas prep, so I still have to decide whether to set up the O scale Lionel train around the tree. Very small layout, either an oval or a figure-8, no extras or accessories. But all post-war Lionel cars in very good condition, which I of course remember from my yute.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:26 PM (1m82a)

121 Time to say thank you and make way for the next act on the AoS stage. As always, thanks for being here. Special thanks to those who submitted contributions for this theme. We will spin the Wheel of Hobbies and find a new theme for next time. Cheers!

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 07:26 PM (9tvFd)

122 Half of my tree decorations are from Germany and the various Christmas Markets they have. The big store is Katie Wohlfharts in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. Fantastic place!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at December 21, 2024 07:27 PM (W/lyH)

123 Good timing. Model railroading is in the queue for a future Hobby Thread theme.
Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 07:24 PM (9tvFd)
---
Excellent! It's kind of funny because I think he knows I'm going to sell them, although I (truthfully) said that the grandkids would like to see them run. He put great emphasis on saving all the packaging. "Don't throw out the boxes!"

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 21, 2024 07:27 PM (ZOv7s)

124 JTB Dunbarton is owned by Steve Saka, who's a real tobacco guru and also a pipe-smoker. The two of them blended the sticks. There's a whole Stillwell Star line of which the holiday specials are a part. Other cigars have/still do use pipe tobacco in the filler, but Saka's are the first real premium version.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:28 PM (1m82a)

125 118 ... "Anyone else make a Christmas wreath out of IBM punch cards? Yeah, I'm old.."

Not old, just experienced. I can think of few better uses for those cards that had typos in the 79th F'ing column.

Posted by: JTB at December 21, 2024 07:30 PM (yTvNw)

126 I never bought more models than I could paint, get a batch, paint then get more. I hear many who have piles they will never get to
Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:14 PM (fwDg9)
---
Your painting table is disturbing. Too orderly.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 21, 2024 07:30 PM (ZOv7s)

127 Here is the part that TRex did not know until doing research for the thread: Other names for White Elephant include Dirty Santa, [...]

Never heard of White Elephant until this month.
We've had numerous gag gift parties with family and friends in the past,
Posted by: Dr. Bone

"Gag gift exchange" is what I've always called them. My former employer did one at Christmastime.

I think I still have the South Park xmas tree ornaments I got at the last one packed away somewhere. Not the Mr Hanky one posted earlier this week; just the four main kids. They still don't go on my tree.

Posted by: mikeski at December 21, 2024 07:31 PM (DgGvY)

128 Two of the favorite ornaments that will go on the tree tonight are olive wood carvings from Bethlehem (got them there back in the 80s, right before the first "intifada") and painted eggshells from Prague. Both mementos of momentous trips.

Posted by: rhomboid at December 21, 2024 07:31 PM (1m82a)

129 Rex I should send you a picture of figures from my grandfather's train set that got handed down to me

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:31 PM (fwDg9)

130 115 I use that very same snickerdoodle recipe.
Yum!!!!
Posted by: Diogenes
---

Where's the chocolate and peanuts?

Posted by: Braenyard - some absent friends are more equal than others _ at December 21, 2024 07:32 PM (DvLTT)

131 The train figures I have might be very close to 100 years old

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:34 PM (fwDg9)

132 129 Rex I should send you a picture of figures from my grandfather's train set that got handed down to me

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:31 PM
***
The email box is always open. Operators are standing by.

Posted by: TRex at December 21, 2024 07:35 PM (9tvFd)

133 Elon Musk, is there anything he can't do?
Elon Musk Breaks Diablo 4 Dungeon Speedrun Record

https://is.gd/IQ8g1y

The 11 video games you should play, according to Elon Musk

Overwatch, Elden Ring, Warcraft, Diablo IV, Quake, Bioshock
Civilization series, Mass Effect series, Fallout series, Polytopia and Kerbal Space Progam.

https://is.gd/hzgGBu
-
The surprise here is Kerbal Space Progam, a game in which WTFs build rockets and explore the universe. It's like Mike Tyson playing Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots on his day off.

https://is.gd/XkxKbA

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Peppermint Mocha! at December 21, 2024 07:35 PM (L/fGl)

134 I've tried to "rationalize" all of my collections by building out a framework with defined parameters. That stops me from doing what did before, buying stuff I was sort of into, but not having a clear purpose.

This has worked very well in reducing clutter, and the chief cause of disorder now is that when I got out of the Guard, I placed some orders with the anticipation that I could knock things out and flesh out new armies and new units.

Alas, I'm once more a custodial parent of toddlers, who painting and assembly have been at a standstill for a year. The Soviet infantry I was finishing off this time last year are exactly where they were. Hopefully I will be able to peel some time away because the most satisfying part about miniatures is putting away a finished unit and then leaning back and saying "Next!"

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 21, 2024 07:40 PM (ZOv7s)

135 Joe's hobby is napping like a Viking!

johnny maga@_johnnymaga
HOLY SMOKES.
Biden reportedly left the families of the fallen Abbey Gate heroes waiting for 3 HOURS while he “napped” on Air Force One ahead of the dignified transfer.
I can’t imagine a more disrespectful way to treat families of the ones whose lives you took.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Peppermint Mocha! at December 21, 2024 07:40 PM (L/fGl)

136 Oh well, gotta get the little ones ready for bed.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 21, 2024 07:42 PM (ZOv7s)

137 My white Elephant gift will be a small canvas with a banana duct taped to it

Posted by: Javems at December 21, 2024 07:44 PM (8I4hW)

138 my tree decorations are from Germany and the various Christmas Markets they have. The big store is Katie Wohlfharts in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. Fantastic place!!!

I'll drive right over!
- Saudi guy

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at December 21, 2024 07:45 PM (81yHT)

139 Good G-d, Piper, those Buche de Noels and those cupcakes are FANTASTIC! Take a bow so we can give you a standing ovation!

Currently completed two calligraphed & illuminated documents for my medieval recreatnion group, which will be given away to the recipients on January 4th, after which I'll try to remember to send TRex some photos. Calligraphy is exhausting so now I'm resting on my laurels before returning to the little oil paint portrait now underway.

Posted by: tankascribe at December 21, 2024 07:45 PM (NtoJk)

140 WE HAZ A MOVIE MARQUE

Posted by: Skip at December 21, 2024 07:45 PM (fwDg9)

141 My white Elephant gift will be a small canvas with a banana duct taped to it
Posted by: Javems at December 21, 2024 07:44 PM (8I4hW)

Not a small batch of sour grapes?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at December 21, 2024 07:46 PM (VNX3d)

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