Hobby Thread - December 27, 2025 [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. This is the LAST HOBBY THREAD of 2025!!

***

I started to write some words in recognition of the year-end thread. Part way through, I began to realize that my words felt familiar. After puzzling a bit, I went back and looked at what I wrote for the same occasion last year. What do you know? I sound a lot like myself.

With apologies for the replay, I'll echo what I wrote last year. The same sentiments are applicable for 2025.

TRex treasures the people who make things happen. Hobbyists are the makers, the creators, the crafters, the builders, the designers, and the visionaries. You are those people. Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing and contributing. Thank you for encouraging others. Thank you for the notes (especially from shy lurkers who are kind enough to pop in periodically to affirm their existence).

Inspiration is a wonderful part of the Hobby Thread. It happens when someone is inspired and takes action. It might be to pick up a forgotten project, attempt a build, or learn something new. TRex respects those with a bias towards action and the bravery and humility involved in tackling something new.

Another fun part of the Hobby Thread is connections between Gray Box friends through shared memories and interests. The Horde is a collection of oddballs, but there are likely to be some among the Horde that resonate with each other. If not, at least the Horde will sympathize and empathize and offer encouragement and support.

Thank you for being among the Horde and thank you for being involved with the Hobby Thread. A special prayer for those among the Horde that are struggling with loss, health challenges, or the other weirdness that life can produce. No Hordeling is ever alone. Shoot me an email any time if you require confirmation.

A special word of thanks to the COBs and contributors. I still have no idea what I am doing. No, really. No idea at all. We are making it up as we go. Thank you for your help and support. Anyway...on with the show.

***

We're not quite done with the Christmas theme. After all, decorations stay up until Epiphany, right?

From Victor Tango Kilo:

***

We can continue talking about Christmas hobbying or... rather than a theme of a single hobby, we can speak of hobbying accomplishments and aspirations.

Looking back, what were your favorite hobby projects from the past year? What new skills did you learn? What did you boldly attempt and succeed in doing? Has anything from prior Hobby Thread themes inspired you?

Looking ahead, did Santa bring new hobbying supplies? What do you plan to tackle in the coming year? Are there hobby projects that have been on your list that you FINALLY want to address or complete? Are there new skills that you want to learn or new hobbies that you have always wanted to try?

We are looking for pure and undiluted enthusiasm, optimism and ambition. This is not about guilt for prior hobby attempts or a competition for who has accumulated the most unbuilt kits or unfinished projects. Looking for the positive parts of hobbying: pride of accomplishment and the fresh energy that a new year brings.

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.

***

As tech costs decline and knowledge spreads, more people are doing their own sophisticated home holiday light displays. It seems like more and more homes do something more than just throw a string of lights across the roofline and around nearby shrubbery. Seeing more and more, you wonder "how hard can it be?"

There are a ton of videos on YT with all kinds of advice. Some are deep into the tech details and others are geared more towards newbies. DIY home light shows qualifies as a hobby. I am not wise in the ways of such things, so I'm not knowledgeable enough to know which YT videos are good and which are not, but here are a few videos that seemed helpful and lower on the clickbait spectrum.

***

God is in the details.

Hat tip: Anna Puma

***

Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did another Christmas Ornament theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

***

Notable comments from last week:

***

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).

***

If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, contribute hobbying comments that resonate with you. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 05:30 PM (Ia/+0)

2 Oh, wise guy eh?

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 05:31 PM (Ia/+0)

3 Nothing wrong with posting older material, people may not have seen it the first time and it gives them a chance to comment on it now.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 05:33 PM (uQesX)

4 Nice lights, Clark.

Posted by: NCDave at December 27, 2025 05:34 PM (mAiNO)

5 My decorations will probably be up until the end of frigging january.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 27, 2025 05:34 PM (snZF9)

6 Well I have show and tell
As mentioned last week, Friday was the 200th anniversary of the Decembrest Revolt in St Petersburg ofvthe young guard officers
So having the full Russian Guard of ghe Napoleonic wars why shouldn't I play that?
My The Miniature Page thread
https://tinyurl.com/2mzd2kem

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 05:36 PM (Ia/+0)

7 The F-4 is one of my favorite planes. Fast movers incoming!

Posted by: NCDave at December 27, 2025 05:36 PM (mAiNO)

8 A special word of thanks to the COBs and contributors. I still have no idea what I am doing. No, really. No idea at all. We are making it up as we go. Thank you for your help and support. Anyway...on with the show.
----
It's amazing how quickly time passes when you are having fun.

And yes, we make it up as we go!

Thanks for your stewardship of the Hobby Thread!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 27, 2025 05:37 PM (ESVrU)

9 Cool F-4 vids. IIRC Japan was/is the last military to fly the Phantom. Retired this year? A very sexy plane. Would likely rip its wings off if given the chance.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 27, 2025 05:39 PM (NwnyJ)

10 5 My decorations will probably be up until the end of frigging january.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 27, 2025 05:34 PM
***
That's OK. The aliens need landing lights.

Posted by: TRex - dino phone home at December 27, 2025 05:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

11 Miss Linda finished the 500-piece "rain forest animals" puzzle she got from the library about two weeks ago. She had trouble only with two portions, the sinuous black snake -- he had no markings to distinguish his pieces -- and the black gorilla, ditto once you put his face together.

Every week or so she brings me the crossword puzzle that runs in the local free "alternative" paper. Some of the clues are tough for me, but I rarely have to look something up; I can usually work those out by filling in the intersecting words.

Is it just me, or are the "Down" clues a bit easier than the "Across" ones?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 27, 2025 05:41 PM (wzUl9)

12 Looks like I will make the attempt to learn basic electronic soldering. Seems to be a handy skill for messing around with computer hardware.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 27, 2025 05:41 PM (+mUZM)

13 8 And yes, we make it up as we go!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 27, 2025 05:37 PM
***
I'm very glad you're back doing the book thread and I'm glad that you've made it your own.

Posted by: TRex - instructions not included at December 27, 2025 05:43 PM (IQ6Gq)

14 My hobby seems to be leaving willowed comments. Sigh.

Posted by: mindful webworker - pet thread? hobby horses at December 27, 2025 05:43 PM (dESj/)

15 My mother in law is amazing and made our house a winter wonderland with her homage crochet! And all her ornaments made by hand. Hopefully we keep them up a while longer so we can enjoy it.

Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 05:44 PM (gWBY1)

16 Waiting for my next model kit to arrive. It's a 1/35 Type 1 Chi-He medium tank, first Japanese tank to be equipped with a radio. Earlier tanks required commanders to send messages with flags.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at December 27, 2025 05:45 PM (31p00)

17 6 Well I have show and tell

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 05:36 PM
***
Thanks Skip. Did you make or paint the figures?

Posted by: TRex - historical dino at December 27, 2025 05:45 PM (IQ6Gq)

18 Im trying to turn my art hobby into an actual side hustle his year. Though I hate the term side hustle, it sounds like I'm being a grifter. I'm trying to create art people will actually love and enjoy hanging in their homes! That's not a scam, that's win-win.

Anyway, trying to wrangle all my ideas for art pieces, and plan out the year so I can see progress on them while not getting overwhelmed. While also having a full time job and a family.

Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 05:47 PM (gWBY1)

19 Besides the figures, most from long ago, the buildings were all made in the last month. Having nothing for a cathedral construction site usef my dice tower as that building.

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 05:49 PM (Ia/+0)

20 I will wait till next weekend then get my house back to normal. Then hope January will be kind and not be crazy cold.

Posted by: Case at December 27, 2025 05:50 PM (G1OIb)

21 I've been tempted this season to add to my collection of tobacco pipes, but haven't as yet. There are some vintage GBDs, an extinct English make, on The Bay for reasonable amounts, but they would probably need refurbishment that I don't know how to provide. Most of my vintage models have been bought from vendors who specialize in estate pipes, as they are called, and send them to you already cleaned, polished, and with any oxidation on the stem removed. I know how to remove that last -- but I hate having to do it.

For Christmas, Miss Linda gave me a handsome estate jewelry/cigar box, mahogany it looks like, and I'm storing the pouches of burley tobacco that I've already opened in it. The non-opened ones and the still-sealed tins are in a separate cardboard box. The English blends are in another box.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 27, 2025 05:50 PM (wzUl9)

22 Thank you for a year of Hobby threads, TRex.

This year I gave myself a Lego orchid for Christmas. Legos weren't a thing when I was a kid. I may have found a new obsession.
.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at December 27, 2025 05:50 PM (rghSL)

23 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 27, 2025 05:41 PM (wzUl9)

Did you watch that vid I sent you, Wolfus?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 05:50 PM (uQesX)

24 F-4s are my favorite early jet age aircraft, they were at Bentwaters when I first got there but were leaving shortly for the A-10s we were to work on.

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 05:51 PM (Ia/+0)

25 LizLem, best of luck to you.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 05:51 PM (sDNVV)

26 Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 05:47 PM (gWBY1)

I'm trying to make my hobby pay. I need $400 more to hire an editor. Your work will see the light of day before mine will. And probably get more interest.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 05:53 PM (uQesX)

27 Thanks, Anna Puma for the F4.

Posted by: Eromero at December 27, 2025 05:54 PM (LHPAg)

28 For a movie, ( avalable on YouTube with subtle).
The Union of Salvation is very good historically.
The Union of Salvation was one of the first of many changing secret organizations to bring about changd in the Russian government.

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 05:54 PM (Ia/+0)

29 Hobby "goals" for the upcoming year include: (a) using the cold weather down-time to improve Morse code proficiency; (b) maybe dig out my soldering iron and start working on some of those kit radios and accessories that I've been hoarding for months and years; (c) keep up my self-taught trigonometry lessons; (d) get some range time.

Posted by: PabloD at December 27, 2025 05:54 PM (+7Ki/)

30
Did you watch that vid I sent you, Wolfus?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025

***
To my email? No, not yet, I haven't checked my email this afternoon. I'll go look.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 27, 2025 05:55 PM (wzUl9)

31 What can I say? It's a big airplane.

Posted by: Eromero at December 27, 2025 05:55 PM (LHPAg)

32 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 27, 2025 05:55 PM (wzUl9)

Yes, email.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 05:56 PM (uQesX)

33 The first vid, they never showed the completed project lit. They have a very large lot. I wonder if they let people come in and look at it. Seems like a lot of work that no one can see if they don't The second vid would take me too much time to do. The third vid is too expensive to do.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 05:58 PM (uQesX)

34 I broke out my big pressure canner and used it as a steaming pot to cook up a batch of Boston brown bread. Turned out pretty well for a first attempt. It's a gluten-free version, so it's even more dense than usual, but it's still pretty good.

Posted by: PabloD at December 27, 2025 05:58 PM (+7Ki/)

35 I need to find plastic models that put themselves together

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 06:01 PM (Ia/+0)

36 The Movies! Channel still has musicals and will have through the early part of Sunday. By Sunday night they have their regular film-noir fest, with Deadline at Dawn (1946) w/ Susan Hayward on at 7 pm Central.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 27, 2025 06:02 PM (wzUl9)

37 Thought I'd finished a radio this week. Buttoned it back up only to find no audio past the headphone jack and the VCO doesn't lock on the higher frequencies. So I get to tear into that again.

Just for kicks, started messing around with "Of a Lifetime" by Journey on guitar. It's from before Steve Perry joined and their music got retooled towards selling to teenage girls.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at December 27, 2025 06:02 PM (lUFok)

38
Fake trees are, like, 70% off, at Home Depot.

I suppose this is a good time to buy some Christmas scented candles. Have you seen the price of candles?!

Maybe that's a good side-hustle: Scented Candles.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 06:02 PM (ZbPLM)

39 I need to find plastic models that put themselves together
Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025

***
Lego kits snap together, don't they? And they are already molded in the right colors, at least most of the time. So no painting (though I loved doing that) or cement is required.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 27, 2025 06:03 PM (wzUl9)

40 Hello hobby thread! As always, thank you, TRex. I was excited to see the pictures of trees after the conversation on decorating them.

I wish I had a spot to make some of the yard art, but where we live, it’s not possible. In our last house, we had a much bigger yard and I made glow in the dark ghosts from chicken wire. Actually, I just made dresses out of chicken wire and put them all over so it looked like a ghost dance. At night it was very cool.

Posted by: Piper at December 27, 2025 06:05 PM (/sySz)

41 22 This year I gave myself a Lego orchid for Christmas. Legos weren't a thing when I was a kid.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at December 27, 2025 05:50 PM
***
Lego plants and flowers are very intricate. Impressive. No idea when they started production though. Never were a thing when I was a younger dino.

Posted by: TRex - some assembly required at December 27, 2025 06:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

42 My sister last night was showing me the adult Lego sets, they come a long way from when I was under 10 years old

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 06:06 PM (Ia/+0)

43 Looks like too much time and money to set up a light show. Is every Christmas music station 106.5 fm?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 06:06 PM (uQesX)

44 TRex, thank you picking up the mantle and doing such a great job with the hobby thread. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:08 PM (sDNVV)

45 This afternoon Mrs. JTB and I attended a class at the local library about learning how to paint with pastels. This class was about oil pastels. It was excellent. The teacher was well prepared and explained things well. This was the first time I got hands-on instruction on art and it was eye opening. Part of the value was learning what NOT to do. Most valuable was leaving with the information needed to keep practicing. Two hours well spent. It was encouraging.

We're already registered for the next class about soft pastels.

Posted by: JTB at December 27, 2025 06:09 PM (yTvNw)

46 Lego plants and flowers are very intricate. Impressive. No idea when they started production though. Never were a thing when I was a younger dino.
Posted by: TRex - some assembly required at December 27

The kid is currently putting together her Alpine Lodge kit. The thing that made her the happiest about it is it has an outhouse. Ha!

Posted by: Piper at December 27, 2025 06:09 PM (/sySz)

47 43 Looks like too much time and money to set up a light show. Is every Christmas music station 106.5 fm?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 06:06 PM
***
It seems intimidating, but I put it in the content after seeing more and more people putting up more and more elaborate displays. There are a lot of websites and YT channels with info.

I don't think it is "cheap," but it has gotten cheaper and people rationalize by thinking of it as an expense spread across multiple years. A very low power FM transmitter allows you to pick your own frequency.

Posted by: TRex - lite brite dino at December 27, 2025 06:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

48 You may remember some time back there was a travel themed thread. Well, today, while hiking in the Hill Country State Natural Area, I ran into a Texas State Parks passport that you can get stamped at each of the State Parks and SNAs out there.

Well, damn, I gotta go back to the 10 others I have been to in order to get the book stamped.

(You kidding. This makes my day…

: - )

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 27, 2025 06:10 PM (KNKj1)

49 44 TRex, thank you picking up the mantle and doing such a great job with the hobby thread. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:08 PM
***
It is an honor. Thank YOU and the Horde for spending screen time here.

Posted by: TRex - custom made dino at December 27, 2025 06:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

50 40 In our last house, we had a much bigger yard and I made glow in the dark ghosts from chicken wire. Actually, I just made dresses out of chicken wire and put them all over so it looked like a ghost dance. At night it was very cool.

Posted by: Piper at December 27, 2025 06:05 PM
***
I expect you would be dangerous with decorating latitude.

Posted by: TRex - chicken wire dino at December 27, 2025 06:14 PM (IQ6Gq)

51 The Grateful's suggestion about cross stitch kits at Hobby Lobby was perfect. Stopped in the local one a few days ago and they had several kits for absolute beginners and all for less than two dollars. The kits are relatively simple, as you would expect, but they are complete: the cloth with the design, instructions, thread, needle, hoop, even a needle threader. The thread is typical 6-ply. There is some humor in me trying to separate the strands in each ply using my gorilla fingers. The first stitches will be this week. And yes, bandaids are already nearby.

Posted by: JTB at December 27, 2025 06:17 PM (yTvNw)

52 I expect you would be dangerous with decorating latitude.
Posted by: TRex - chicken wire dino at December

😂 And not just for holidays!

Posted by: Piper at December 27, 2025 06:19 PM (/sySz)

53 JTB, I so admire your resolve . You are a testament to the keep at it spirit.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:20 PM (sDNVV)

54 It seems intimidating, but I put it in the content after seeing more and more people putting up more and more elaborate displays. There are a lot of websites and YT channels with info.

Posted by: TRex - lite brite dino at December 27, 2025 06:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

I do the yard and house up, but guess I don't have the energy to do that. I'd think the hardware costs are the deal breaker for me doing that. Don't have a large yard anyway, so not much room to do much. Corner lot, so I'd have to do two different displays.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 06:20 PM (uQesX)

55 The molding on that Phantom kit is beautiful. Really nicely detailed.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at December 27, 2025 06:21 PM (31p00)

56 I need to borrow a couple of pages out of Piper's inspiration book.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:23 PM (sDNVV)

57 Just seeing a video clip of an autonomous battery-powered snowblower being used for residential purposes. Very much like the autonomous robots that cut grass. It costs $5,000 but easy to see how they could get a lot cheaper with wider adoption and more production. Brave new world...

Posted by: TRex - robot snow shoveler keeps dino warm at December 27, 2025 06:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

58
$5K

That's like, what, 10 years of paying someone to move your snow?

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 06:25 PM (ZbPLM)

59 53 JTB, I so admire your resolve . You are a testament to the keep at it spirit.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:20 PM
***
Amen.

Be like JTB.

Posted by: TRex - bar is stocked with spirits at December 27, 2025 06:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

60 I want to take up welding.

I have all the protective gear and my Stepdad had a welder and is willing to teach.

Finding a project and the time to do it is the problem.

We have some ideas for cigar ashtrays that we want to try, though.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 27, 2025 06:26 PM (OWbpd)

61 1 weekend in February is the Cold Wars miniature game convention again in Lancaster.

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 06:27 PM (Ia/+0)

62 Victor Tango Kilo: those are some fabulous rooms in the photos...especially the stained glass windows. Love how you used the trees to supplement the decor instead of them being the focal point.

TRex: yes, you do sound like yourself. Frequently

Ben Had: greetings from chilly VA to shorts wearing TX

JTB: so glad the trip to HL was successful. I'm here if you have any questions...

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 06:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

63 60 I want to take up welding.

Finding a project and the time to do it is the problem.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 27, 2025 06:26 PM
***
Do it!

Are you looking for functional projects? Artistic projects? Large scale dino projects?

Posted by: TRex - sparky dino at December 27, 2025 06:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

64 Just seeing a video clip of an autonomous battery-powered snowblower being used for residential purposes. Very much like the autonomous robots that cut grass. It costs $5,000 but easy to see how they could get a lot cheaper with wider adoption and more production. Brave new world...
Posted by: TRex - robot snow shoveler keeps dino warm at December 27, 2025 06:23 PM (IQ6Gq)
----
Snoomba?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 27, 2025 06:30 PM (ESVrU)

65 Welding seems like it would be a lot of fun. Years ago I read a very good instructional book on the subject, but ultimately decided that I didn't need another hobby (especially one that potentially involved expensive equipment). Of course, I ended up getting into amateur radio which is at least as big of a money sink as welding could be.

Posted by: PabloD at December 27, 2025 06:31 PM (+7Ki/)

66 I have had an chance to play with a 3D printer at work. I'm hooked and screwed. The work ones are top of the line, 5 reel, 3 extruder works of wonder that can do carbon fiber up to 350mm x 300mm x 325mm in a heated chamber. All the ones I can afford look like little POS's compared. There has to be a happy affordable medium.

The wife has put the kabosh on one until my birthday anyway. I'll just have to get spoiled on the $5500 ones at work.
Maybe time for some extreamly high risk investing. Dollar Double Double Bonus Poker until a Royal hits or I'm broke this week. With that I think I'm off to seek my fortune.

Posted by: Reforger at December 27, 2025 06:31 PM (EjADr)

67 64 Snoomba?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 27, 2025 06:30 PM
***
Great suggestion. I was thinking Blizzard Bot.

Posted by: TRex - snow globe dino at December 27, 2025 06:32 PM (IQ6Gq)

68 53 ... "JTB, I so admire your resolve . You are a testament to the keep at it spirit."

Ben Had,
Thanks for the kind comment. And thanks to all the folks who encourage others on the thread. I may not ever be good (I'll settle for improved) but the learning and practice is just so enjoyable.

Posted by: JTB at December 27, 2025 06:32 PM (yTvNw)

69 Making time for something mentally stimulating has a wide range of benefits.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:33 PM (sDNVV)

70 Are you looking for functional projects? Artistic projects? Large scale dino projects?
Posted by: TRex - sparky dino

Basic skill building at this point. I still have trouble keeping the wire at the right distance from the metal.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 27, 2025 06:33 PM (OWbpd)

71 Great suggestion. I was thinking Blizzard Bot.
Posted by: TRex - snow globe dino at December 27, 2025 06:32 PM (IQ6Gq)
---
Also a great suggestion. Sounds like something from Futurama.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 27, 2025 06:33 PM (ESVrU)

72 AI is all over the place today...

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at December 27, 2025 06:33 PM (1yGOf)

73 Favorite hobby projects from 2025? Moving from using a cross stitch pattern to creating my own patterns. Most challenging aspect is the shading aspects so they don't look flat.
Also, picking up a paint brush to create ornaments. Haven't painted since I was a kid.

2026: Continue with cross stitch, and making intricate eggs to hang on our small Easter tree.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 06:34 PM (IQ6Gq)

74 >>> I'm trying to make my hobby pay. I need $400 more to hire an editor. Your work will see the light of day before mine will. And probably get more interest. Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 05:53 PM (uQesX)

Hugs to you!! And yes, I'm also trying to turn my writing hobby into a possible gig that pays. But my art stuff will definitely get off the ground before I get my draft finished and published.

Best of luck with hiring aneditor! The good ones are worth every penny.

Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 06:34 PM (gWBY1)

75 A guy from New England at Fall in Convention made WWI battleships, tracking pieces for game hits all printed by himself.
Its amazing what can be done with them

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 06:36 PM (Ia/+0)

76 66 I have had an chance to play with a 3D printer at work. I'm hooked and screwed.

The wife has put the kabosh on one until my birthday anyway. I'll just have to get spoiled on the $5500 ones at work.

Posted by: Reforger at December 27, 2025 06:31 PM
***
Keep us posted. Some Morons are active 3D printing people. I'm interested, but the time isn't right. A lot of YT channels seem to like Bambu Lab equipment and turn out a lot of good results. (Yes, I know - you can't believe everything you see on YT...)

Posted by: TRex - three dimensional dino at December 27, 2025 06:36 PM (IQ6Gq)

77 >>> to creating my own patterns

Congrats on making your own patterns, The Grateful! How are you building the pattern? Digital, or on paper in a gridded notebook? It sounds cool.

Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 06:36 PM (gWBY1)

78 71 Sounds like something from Futurama.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 27, 2025 06:33 PM
***
Bite my shiny metal...snowblower.

Posted by: TRex - bender dino at December 27, 2025 06:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

79 My goal is to try a hobby this year that requires me to put something together - a model kit, a knife kit or a black powder boomstick kit. Knowing my history, I anticipate…a challenge.

Posted by: NCDave at December 27, 2025 06:38 PM (mAiNO)

80 A guy from New England at Fall in Convention made WWI battleships, tracking pieces for game hits all printed by himself.
Its amazing what can be done with them
Posted by: Skip
*******
"Someday" I'd like to build my uncle's WWII Essex carrier, and then donate it to the museum at Pensacola, since they do not have that particular one.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 06:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

81 "I want to take up welding.

I have all the protective gear and my Stepdad had a welder and is willing to teach.

Finding a project and the time to do it is the problem."

Get some scraps and practice first. Thin and thick. See if you can get two pieces of rebar to stick together. You will be inspired to create something, like a reindeer made out of rebar.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:39 PM (vFG9F)

82 Congrats on making your own patterns, The Grateful! How are you building the pattern? Digital, or on paper in a gridded notebook? It sounds cool.
Posted by: LizLem
**********
Thanks...at this point it's old school: graph paper and pencil. And a very big eraser, lol

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 06:40 PM (IQ6Gq)

83 81 Get some scraps and practice first. Thin and thick. See if you can get two pieces of rebar to stick together. You will be inspired to create something, like a reindeer made out of rebar.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:39 PM
***
You will be inspired to create something, like a DINO made out of rebar.

Posted by: TRex - reindeer substitute dino at December 27, 2025 06:41 PM (IQ6Gq)

84 You could make a cool T-Rex out out of rebar. A T-Rebar, if you will.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:41 PM (vFG9F)

85
I actually dabbled in Nickel Plating last year.

Any of you ever do any metal plating? It's surprisingly easy, and a really inexpensive hobby to get into. You get carried away with it, tho, and start plating everything, the wife, the kids, ...

When I was little, Dad got some Rubber Dip stuff. He started with a set of pliers, put some nice rubber grips on the handles. Then started put rubber on everything. It got stupid.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 06:41 PM (ZbPLM)

86
electro-plating, they call it, I think

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 06:42 PM (ZbPLM)

87 'like a reindeerdino made out of rebar.
Posted by: TRex - reindeer substitute dino"

Heh. I may attempt this using an existing rebar reindeer.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:42 PM (vFG9F)

88 82 ... "at this point it's old school: graph paper and pencil. And a very big eraser, lol"

One thing I've learned about pencils and hobbies: erasers are our friends.

Posted by: JTB at December 27, 2025 06:43 PM (yTvNw)

89 84 You could make a cool T-Rex out out of rebar. A T-Rebar, if you will.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:41 PM
***
This is the way.

Posted by: TRex - rebar dino at December 27, 2025 06:43 PM (IQ6Gq)

90 Evenin’, All. Hi, TRex!

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 06:43 PM (77rzZ)

91 Hey wait a minute. What does it take to get edit capability around here?

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:43 PM (vFG9F)

92
I'll show you my Playlist for the electroplating videos I watched:

https://is.gd/tLv7je

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 06:46 PM (ZbPLM)

93 91 Hey wait a minute. What does it take to get edit capability around here?

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:43 PM
***
I tried to do a strikeout/underline but the digital spirits did not cooperate. So I resorted to modest subterfuge.

Posted by: TRex - T-bar dino at December 27, 2025 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)

94 My welds are good enough for reindeer and tractors and such but I would not stake my life on them. If I needed a roll cage welded I would seek professional help.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:46 PM (vFG9F)

95 90 Evenin’, All. Hi, TRex!

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 06:43 PM
***
Evening Bulg!! What are you hobbying these days?

Posted by: TRex - dino has questions at December 27, 2025 06:47 PM (IQ6Gq)

96 Pencils are great, but only the solid No. 2s. Mechanical pencils suck syphilitic donkey cock. Too damn brittle.

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 06:47 PM (77rzZ)

97 Hugs to you!! And yes, I'm also trying to turn my writing hobby into a possible gig that pays. But my art stuff will definitely get off the ground before I get my draft finished and published.

Best of luck with hiring aneditor! The good ones are worth every penny.
Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 06:34 PM (gWBY1)

Thanks. I'm always considering returning to painting, but Ross stuff is hard to find anymore, and I don't really want to order from the thieves. I can do more work around the house instead. I have a side yard that people seem to think is for their dogs to poop in. I'm thinking of putting stepping stone in there instead of the rocks. That's gonna take me a while.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 06:47 PM (uQesX)

98 fd, mig or arc welding?

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:48 PM (sDNVV)

99 95 TRex, the Roman/Byzantine Empire.

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 06:48 PM (77rzZ)

100 94 My welds are good enough for reindeer and tractors and such but I would not stake my life on them. If I needed a roll cage welded I would seek professional help.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:46 PM
***
Roll cages involve sorcery.

Posted by: TRex - Matter makes cages that matter at December 27, 2025 06:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

101 99 95 TRex, the Roman/Byzantine Empire.

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 06:48 PM
***
Excellent. Have you figured out what the Roman empire ever did for us?

Posted by: TRex - life of brian dino at December 27, 2025 06:51 PM (IQ6Gq)

102 Pencils are great, but only the solid No. 2s. Mechanical pencils suck syphilitic donkey cock. Too damn brittle.
Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 06:47 PM (77rzZ)

But yet, the school kids go crazy for them. Same as thir... for... uh, fifty years ago.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 06:51 PM (uQesX)

103 Maybe not exactly a hobby, but I've always enjoyed taking things apart and reassembling them in (one hopes) working condition. Back in my Jr High years, Dad gave me a reel-to-reel tape recorder (3" reels). Guess he moved up to a dictaphone or something. I took it apart and got it back together and it lasted for years.

From my oldest brother, I inherited a 1950s General Electric Alarm Clock-Radio. I just found a picture of the clock part - I am whelmed with nostalgia.
https://bit.ly/3MWo9sv

The radio part (not shown) attached on the right side. When I got it, the radio attachment didn't work. After some investigation, I realized the tab with four metal strips on the radio side, that slid into a slot on the clock, was partially broken off, and by inserting something as simple as a piece of cardboard, the strips made contact and, voila, the radio and clock-alarm worked like new.

Shortly after fixing it, I came home and my older brother (not the one from whom I got the clock) had the shell open on the radio part, and was smashing the tubes into the guts imagining rocket ships crash-landing.

Not the first or last thing of mine he would destroy like that. RIP both bros.

Posted by: mindful webworker - put jello in the cotton candy maker? um, no at December 27, 2025 06:53 PM (dESj/)

104 56 I need to borrow a couple of pages out of Piper's inspiration book.
Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:23 PM

What little I have is yours!

Posted by: Piper at December 27, 2025 06:54 PM (vzUvr)

105 I'm in knitting withdrawal currently. Second shoulder surgery the week before Christmas has me one-armed. Driving me nuts not having my fidget knitting to hand. I quit smoking 20 some odd years ago by knitting and clenching my teeth, but mostly knitting.

Knitting sweaters for DH is like knitting a tent. But with grandkid on the way, most of my projects have been much shorter duration.

At least six weeks and hopefully the surgeon got it right this time. The other guy certainly did not. Mama's gotta knit.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 27, 2025 06:54 PM (6Bc88)

106 Keep us posted. Some Morons are active 3D printing people. I'm interested, but the time isn't right. A lot of YT channels seem to like Bambu Lab equipment and turn out a lot of good results. (Yes, I know - you can't believe everything you see on YT...)

I'd be careful w/Bambu gear. They made changes earlier this year that were not very consumer or third party software friendly. Seem to be going towards vendor lock in.

Not that other vendors might not be, Bambu just happened to get my attention doing it.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at December 27, 2025 06:55 PM (lUFok)

107 I will put the finishing details onto the latest oil painting and move on to a fresh one. I'm having trouble deciding what to paint next (always a problem). I should return to a landscape but am gravitating towards another portrait (or two) as I haven't found a landscape among my photos which inspires me to paint it. My goal for 2026 is to sit my butt down and do some calligraphy with illuminated letters and/or simple illustration. There's a ton of small empty picture frames sitting around just begging to be filled.

Posted by: tankascribe at December 27, 2025 06:55 PM (NtoJk)

108 96 Pencils are great, but only the solid No. 2s. Mechanical pencils suck syphilitic donkey cock. Too damn brittle.
Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 06:47 PM (77rzZ)

Buy real drafting pencils with real leads. All different densities. Buy a real pointer for them.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 27, 2025 06:57 PM (6Bc88)

109 "fd, mig or arc welding?
Posted by: Ben Had"

That and oxyacetylene. I do pretty well with gas, which is what learned on, and wire welding sheet metal and stuff.

I've got this ancient arc welder my grandpa had. It's pretty scary so I've never turned it on. A wood case, weighs a ton, with jacks to plug the cables in depending on the amperage you need. The cables are of course shot. I don't know why I keep it I just do. He used it more than once to weld my minibike frame back together.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 06:57 PM (vFG9F)

110
Bulg,

I found a t-shirt for you.

If you're trying to scare me, I'm terrified of boobs.

Posted by: fourseasons at December 27, 2025 06:57 PM (3ek7K)

111 What does it take to get edit capability around here?
Posted by: fd

A large "donation" to Pixy Misa… and #twoweeks.😉

Posted by: mindful webworker - put jello in the cotton candy maker? um, no at December 27, 2025 06:57 PM (dESj/)

112 My last hobby is going to be a loom.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 27, 2025 06:58 PM (sDNVV)

113 105 I'm in knitting withdrawal currently.

Mama's gotta knit.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 27, 2025 06:54 PM
***
Best wishes!

Posted by: TRex - dino can't keep track of counting stitches at December 27, 2025 06:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

114 "Knitting sweaters for DH is like knitting a tent. But with grandkid on the way, most of my projects have been much shorter duration." tcn in AK at December 27, 2025 06:54 PM

Wait, did I miss this news, or did you just casually sneak it in just now. How exciting to have a grandkid on the way.

Posted by: PaleRider at December 27, 2025 07:00 PM (hhkIi)

115 For the pipe smokers. When the Scandinavian Tobacco Group (may they rot in hell) bought Mac Baren and Sutliff, most of the acquired blends were discontinued. I was able to get several pounds of the HH series before they disappeared. This week I learned that some Sutliff Burley J4 was still available and ordered some from Pipes and Cigars. Didn't need more tobacco but I've learned to acquire favorite blends when possible. Too many have been discontinued over the years.

Posted by: JTB at December 27, 2025 07:00 PM (yTvNw)

116 Wait.

tcn is gonna be a grammie?

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 27, 2025 07:01 PM (IhIKR)

117 https://tinyurl.com/yc4cf5k2 for pencil

https://tinyurl.com/39cvkhx8 for pointer

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 27, 2025 07:02 PM (6Bc88)

118 My hobbies are all in my mind. I can’t do crap with my hands, other than fondle boobs, write, turn the pages of books, and type stuff on the internet.

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 07:02 PM (77rzZ)

119
Bulg, see my #110

Posted by: fourseasons at December 27, 2025 07:03 PM (3ek7K)

120 Stopped by Hdepot today, just for giggles... Found some LED 100-ct mini-light strings for $1.49! Just what I need-- all my old minis are incandescent so can't plug more than 3 together.

Woot! Yes, they are "multi" not all white. Except for the 2 that are all red. (6 strings of multi)

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:04 PM (rdVOm)

121 110 ??????

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 07:04 PM (77rzZ)

122 Comment

Posted by: fourseasons at December 27, 2025 07:05 PM (3ek7K)

123 116 Wait.

tcn is gonna be a grammie?
Posted by: nurse ratched at December 27, 2025 07:01 PM (IhIKR)

Apparently the only thing the boy has figured out how to do is reproduce. I very well may end up providing primary care for this shit-show. But yes, baby boy due in February.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 27, 2025 07:05 PM (6Bc88)

124 It costs $5,000 but easy to see how they could get a lot cheaper with wider adoption and more production. Brave new world...
Posted by: TRex - robot snow shoveler keeps dino warm
----

Spend $20K on an Optimus. When he finishes the yard with your current machine he can come in an make you a drink and a sandwich.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:05 PM (uGpeQ)

125 Grammy TCN, how's your shoulder?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:06 PM (uGpeQ)

126 For the pipe smokers. When the Scandinavian Tobacco Group (may they rot in hell) bought Mac Baren and Sutliff, most of the acquired blends were discontinued. I was able to get several pounds of the HH series before they disappeared. This week I learned that some Sutliff Burley J4 was still available and ordered some from Pipes and Cigars. Didn't need more tobacco but I've learned to acquire favorite blends when possible. Too many have been discontinued over the years.
Posted by: JTB at December 27, 2025

***
Yeah, the perceived wisdom is "Tobacco is never going to be cheaper than it is right now." I bought several tins of favorite MacBaren blends long before the disaster and have stockpiled them along with some others STG has discontinued. A tin of HH Burley Flake, for instance, and some Burley London Blend and Golden Extra.

I buy a lot of bulk blends, though, as they are cheaper, and I am storing them as well.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 27, 2025 07:07 PM (wzUl9)

127 123 Apparently the only thing the boy has figured out how to do is reproduce. I very well may end up providing primary care for this shit-show. But yes, baby boy due in February.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 27, 2025 07:05 PM
***
That's quite a hobby. Sounds like better in your care than otherwise. Big undertaking. Best wishes and good luck!

Posted by: TRex - diaper dandy dino at December 27, 2025 07:08 PM (IQ6Gq)

128 four seasons, what are you trying to send me?

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 07:09 PM (77rzZ)

129
Comment 110 onthis thread

Posted by: fourseasons at December 27, 2025 07:09 PM (3ek7K)

130
Changing the Anode Rod in the water heater* was on The List for today. I made Christmas Cookies instead.

Magnesium anode rods last me 1 year.

*ₕₒₜ 𝓌ₐₜₑᵣ ₕₑₐₜₑᵣ, ₐₛ 𝒹ᵤₘₘᵢₑₛ 𝒸ₐₗₗ ₜₕₑₘ

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:09 PM (ZbPLM)

131
Bulg, anyone ever tell you you were "special?"

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:10 PM (ZbPLM)

132 There’s nothing but text at Comment 110.

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 07:11 PM (77rzZ)

133 Woot! Yes, they are "multi" not all white. Except for the 2 that are all red. (6 strings of multi)
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:04 PM (rdVOm)

Huh?! Usually white is the only thing left. I think the stores buy too many white light sets. Boring. Frost white for accents are ok.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 07:11 PM (uQesX)

134
/face-palm gesture

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:12 PM (ZbPLM)

135 96 ... "Pencils are great, but only the solid No. 2s. Mechanical pencils suck syphilitic donkey cock. Too damn brittle."

The Pentel GraphGear 500 or 1000 series of of mechanical pencils are excellent. People report using the same ones for decades. The Pentel Super Hi-Polymer refills are some of the best and much less prone to snapping. For under 10 bucks you can have a writing instrument that can last a lifetime and be passed down in your will.

Posted by: JTB at December 27, 2025 07:12 PM (yTvNw)

136 131 Why yes, frequently.

Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 07:13 PM (77rzZ)

137 125 Grammy TCN, how's your shoulder?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:06 PM (uGpeQ)

Technicolor and larger than life. Ice is my friend. But progressing as it should.

The absolute best thing seven days post surgery is a long hot shower. Improves both my mood and the air quality problem.

Doc said he threw everything he had into this one. Praying this time is the charm.

Posted by: tcn in AK at December 27, 2025 07:13 PM (6Bc88)

138 Well, if you want hot water you need a hot water heater. And what's up with an anode a year.
Mine lasted 10 with well water.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:13 PM (uGpeQ)

139
Anyways, the shirt is for sale at the LightInTheBox website, lol.

They sell hilarious shirts.

Posted by: fourseasons at December 27, 2025 07:14 PM (3ek7K)

140 Top pic: Christmas buttplugs? Watch out for splinters!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:15 PM (ynpvh)

141
As tech costs decline...

As long as you don't need RAM

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 27, 2025 07:15 PM (pkeXY)

142 Good show.
There are several flavors of codone for those really bad days.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:16 PM (uGpeQ)

143
Mine lasted 10 with well water.
Posted by: Braenyard

Then you're probably using an Aluminum rod, which last a lot longer than Mg. But, that means the Al rod is not as "edible" to the things living inside your Hot Water Heater.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:16 PM (ZbPLM)

144 Huh?! Usually white is the only thing left. I think the stores buy too many white light sets. Boring. Frost white for accents are ok.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
---------

Oh, there were *loads* of white lights left. Had to dig deep to find the multi. Maybe will go back tomorrow & see if the whites are marked-down even more, could use some for summer time.

Today they were 75% off...

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:17 PM (rdVOm)

145 140 Top pic: Christmas buttplugs? Watch out for splinters!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:15 PM
***
I didn't think a caption was required. Apparently, I was wrong.

Posted by: TRex - warranty voided for sure at December 27, 2025 07:17 PM (IQ6Gq)

146 >>> 76 66 I have had a chance to play with a 3D printer at work. I'm hooked and screwed.

Can you start small and expand, Reforger? I got my husband a relatively cheap 3D printer a few years ago for Christmas. It's one of his fave things.

Elegoo Mars 3 pro resin, plus the wash and cure machines. Was under $500 total with Black Friday sales. He uses it to make mini figs, items he needs for work, and presents for us. Made me some lovely transparent flowers! And a mini penis to throw at one of the kids when he's being a dick, lol.

I got him the Brandon Sanderson RPG bundle last Christmas, and added on the 3D printing digital files for the mini figs. So he can print those at whatever size and type of resin he wants.

Posted by: LizLem at December 27, 2025 07:17 PM (gWBY1)

147 >>> As long as you don't need RAM
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr
---

Did you see the vid at Pixy's of the fellow taking ram out of his laptop an adapter having it function in his PC?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:18 PM (uGpeQ)

148
It's a water heater. Not a hot water heater. No need to say to "hot."

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:19 PM (ZbPLM)

149 138 Well, if you want hot water you need a hot water heater. And what's up with an anode a year.
Mine lasted 10 with well water.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:13 PM (uGpeQ)

Hot water heater...like ATM machine, PIN number,

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:19 PM (ynpvh)

150 only thing the boy has figured out how to do is reproduce

"We have hobby, it called breeding..."

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at December 27, 2025 07:19 PM (Kt19C)

151 144 Oh, there were *loads* of white lights left. Had to dig deep to find the multi. Maybe will go back tomorrow & see if the whites are marked-down even more, could use some for summer time.

Today they were 75% off...

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:17 PM
***
If you're shopping for Club ONT, save your receipts for reimbursement later. Thank you.

Posted by: TRex - twinkle twinkle little stars at December 27, 2025 07:19 PM (IQ6Gq)

152 148
It's a water heater. Not a hot water heater. No need to say to "hot."

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:19 PM (ZbPLM)

Unless it's only for heating up hot water...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:20 PM (ynpvh)

153
Hot water heater...like ATM machine, PIN number,
Posted by: jim

You got a car?
What's your VIN number?

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:21 PM (ZbPLM)

154 tcn.

Texted you.

Blessings and courage, woman! Thank God that baby had YOU for a gramma.

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 27, 2025 07:21 PM (IhIKR)

155 145 140 Top pic: Christmas buttplugs? Watch out for splinters!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)
---

Me too but I wasn't going ... Isn't this a decadent world when first sight of a joyous thing brings that to mind?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:22 PM (uGpeQ)

156
I think I recognize that first photo. It's a still from a Twilight Zone episode about vengeful ceramic trees.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at December 27, 2025 07:23 PM (t1fZA)

157 I did not think anything nefarious about the top picture ever

Posted by: Skip at December 27, 2025 07:24 PM (Ia/+0)

158 Time to say thank you can good night before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. New year, new theme next week.

Thanks for being here. Will leave the lights on for a little bit but see y'all in Club ONT later.

Posted by: TRex - 3D dino at December 27, 2025 07:24 PM (IQ6Gq)

159 Why would one buy a machine to deliver tap water?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:24 PM (uGpeQ)

160 Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:17 PM

Ohhh, I thought you were the one who wanted all white lights on Club ONT. I hate all white for Christmas displays. Frost white fine for accents, but warm white is blah.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 07:24 PM (uQesX)

161 14 My hobby seems to be leaving willowed comments. Sigh.
Posted by: mindful webworker - pet thread? hobby horses
---

Get in line.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:28 PM (uGpeQ)

162 TRex and all the commenters,

Thanks for another wonderful year of the Hobby Thread. I look forward to it every week.

Posted by: JTB at December 27, 2025 07:28 PM (yTvNw)

163 "Why would one buy a machine to deliver tap water?
Posted by: Braenyard"

Well, why?

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 07:29 PM (vFG9F)

164 No, OrangeEnt-- it's just that only white lights were in the pictures I found. I LOVE the colored lights! White lights are okay at clean-up time though.. Doof was giving me grief, LOL!

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:30 PM (rdVOm)

165 155 145 140 Top pic: Christmas buttplugs? Watch out for splinters!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)
---

Me too but I wasn't going ... Isn't this a decadent world when first sight of a joyous thing brings that to mind?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:22 PM (uGpeQ)

We live in a world with lots of ~~strange~~ sick people...
Before the year 2000, I had no idea people made devices so shaped for sticking up their asses, much less those with tails attached to them.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:31 PM (ynpvh)

166 No, OrangeEnt-- it's just that only white lights were in the pictures I found. I LOVE the colored lights! White lights are okay at clean-up time though.. Doof was giving me grief, LOL!
Posted by: JQ
***********
Obviously it worked to some degree...sounds like payback may be in the cards....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 07:33 PM (IQ6Gq)

167 NOOD movies

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:35 PM (ynpvh)

168 Well, why?
Posted by: fd
----

That's what I'd like to know.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ asd at December 27, 2025 07:36 PM (uGpeQ)

169 No, OrangeEnt-- it's just that only white lights were in the pictures I found. I LOVE the colored lights! White lights are okay at clean-up time though.. Doof was giving me grief, LOL!
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:30 PM (rdVOm)

Always Doof causing trouble.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 07:40 PM (uQesX)

170 1

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 27, 2025 07:40 PM (uGpeQ)

171 We live in a world with lots of strange sick people...
Before the year 2000, I had no idea people made devices so shaped for sticking up their asses, much less those with tails attached to them.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:31 PM (ynpvh)

Pro tip: Don't look up "Mr. T Fist."

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 07:41 PM (uQesX)

172 This is not how I envisioned the Hobby Thread ending this week.

Posted by: TRex - dino will not look up Mr. T Fist at December 27, 2025 07:44 PM (IQ6Gq)

173 "That's what I'd like to know.

Posted by: Braenyard"

A well.

Posted by: fd at December 27, 2025 07:46 PM (vFG9F)

174 Aww, no harm no foul with the lights-- I put up *both* kinds & thought everyone was pleased.

*cheers!*

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:50 PM (rdVOm)

175
Anne Baxter (1923-1985) actress who died while starring in Hotel TV series, had a famous grandfather. Who is he?

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (ZbPLM)

176 Back in the 90s, I did actually decorate a Christmas tree with both white & colored lights-- on separate switches! Could have all white or all colored or *blazing all of them at once* at the touch of buttons.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (rdVOm)

177 This is not how I envisioned the Hobby Thread ending this week.
Posted by: TRex - dino will not look up Mr. T Fist at December 27, 2025 07:44 PM (IQ6Gq)

If there's an end, there's gotta be............

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 07:53 PM (uQesX)

178 172 This is not how I envisioned the Hobby Thread ending this week.

Posted by: TRex - dino will not look up Mr. T Fist at December 27, 2025 07:44 PM (IQ6Gq)

LOL.
Sorry for that. Kinda feel it's my fault. But at least I can now laugh without pain, so good to know!

Posted by: Disney at December 27, 2025 07:53 PM (ynpvh)

179 off sock

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at December 27, 2025 07:54 PM (ynpvh)

180 Back in the 90s, I did actually decorate a Christmas tree with both white & colored lights-- on separate switches! Could have all white or all colored or *blazing all of them at once* at the touch of buttons.
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (rdVOm)

Our tree does that with the preinstalled lights.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 07:54 PM (uQesX)

181 Anne Baxter (1923-1985) actress who died while starring in Hotel TV series, had a famous grandfather. Who is he?
Posted by: Soothsayer at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (ZbPLM)

The great newsman, Ted Baxter!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 07:55 PM (uQesX)

182 176 Back in the 90s, I did actually decorate a Christmas tree with both white & colored lights-- on separate switches! Could have all white or all colored or *blazing all of them at once* at the touch of buttons.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM
***
More lights are more better?

Posted by: TRex - tannenbaum dino at December 27, 2025 07:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

183 Back in the 90s, I did actually decorate a Christmas tree with both white & colored lights-- on separate switches! Could have all white or all colored or *blazing all of them at once* at the touch of buttons.
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 07:52 PM (rdVOm)
************
why did I never think of doing this?

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 08:01 PM (IQ6Gq)

184 Not a fan of "pre-installed" tree lights. If something goes wrong with them, bet troubleshooting is a b1tch!

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:04 PM (rdVOm)

185 The colored lights seemed faded, when the white lights were also on.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:08 PM (rdVOm)

186 Pookette and I picked out yarn for her poncho yesterday. It was kind of fun to introduce her to the world of yarn. Size, type, and color families matter! Maybe I'll try again to teach her to knit sometime... if I'm feeling masochistic.

Posted by: pookysgirl, getting out the knitting needles at December 27, 2025 08:09 PM (Wt5PA)

187 Not a fan of "pre-installed" tree lights. If something goes wrong with them, bet troubleshooting is a b1tch!
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:04 PM (rdVOm)

Never had one go out of the first artificial tree we had. Lasted ten years until we got the current one. Don't know how to fix them.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 08:10 PM (uQesX)

188 10 years is a good run! Glad it worked out for you.

My luck? Thing would short out the first season. Hah!

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:12 PM (rdVOm)

189 186 Posted by: pookysgirl, getting out the knitting needles at December 27, 2025 08:09 PM
***
Just thinking about you...

Posted by: TRex - best wishes dino at December 27, 2025 08:12 PM (IQ6Gq)

190 I'm too spastic to knit-- can't hold tension *and* the workpiece. My fingers just knot up.

I settled for crochet. Was good enough at it, until my hands started going numb sometimes. Carpal tunnel? Or whatever.. I haven't played with threads for many years. Miss it.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:17 PM (rdVOm)

191 I'm too spastic to knit-- can't hold tension *and* the workpiece. My fingers just knot up.

I settled for crochet. Was good enough at it, until my hands started going numb sometimes. Carpal tunnel? Or whatever.. I haven't played with threads for many years. Miss it.
Posted by: JQ
***********
Tried to knit - unsuccessful venture. Too much constant counting and tension. Crocheting is a far better story, at least for me. And far more versatile than people realize.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 08:21 PM (IQ6Gq)

192 Made a filet lace tablecloth for Mom. Took *months* of all-day work, and sent it to her for Christmas 1984(?) I think.

She loved it! Fit her table perfectly.

Years later, house was smoke-damaged-- thankfully did not burn down!-- cleanup contractor stole it. I know this, because my BF at the time was in the biz, and heard about the "beautiful handmade lace tablecloth" that *this* contractor gave his GF, from "a job site" where he "found" it...

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:24 PM (rdVOm)

193 192 heard about the "beautiful handmade lace tablecloth" that *this* contractor gave his GF, from "a job site" where he "found" it...

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:24 PM
***
Tar and feathers.

Posted by: TRex - karma better take care of some things at December 27, 2025 08:29 PM (IQ6Gq)

194 Tar and feathers.
Posted by: TRex
----------

Better-- he was later busted for insurance fraud. Lost his biz.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:31 PM (rdVOm)

195 Better-- he was later busted for insurance fraud. Lost his biz.
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:31 PM (rdVOm)

Mike Holmes?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 08:37 PM (uQesX)

196 Mike Holmes?
Posted by: OrangeEnt
----------

Heh, no. Holmes at least was a competent builder.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:49 PM (rdVOm)

197 Heh, no. Holmes at least was a competent builder.
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:49 PM (rdVOm)

For being do it right, he sure didn't do his due diligence on that subdivision he endorsed.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 08:55 PM (uQesX)

198 For being do it right, he sure didn't do his due diligence on that subdivision he endorsed.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
-------

Oh? Didn't know about that. Just used to watch his show, back in the early '00s. Shame, he seemed to know his stuff.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:56 PM (rdVOm)

199 Oh? Didn't know about that. Just used to watch his show, back in the early '00s. Shame, he seemed to know his stuff.
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 08:56 PM (rdVOm)

Got sued by homeowners because of crap buildings. I'll look for the story.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 08:58 PM (uQesX)

200 96 Pencils are great, but only the solid No. 2s. Mechanical pencils suck syphilitic donkey cock. Too damn brittle.
Posted by: Bulg at December 27, 2025 06:47 PM (

A pencil skirt?

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 27, 2025 08:59 PM (KNKj1)

201 Here it is:

https://tinyurl.com/9k4vj794

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 09:01 PM (uQesX)

202 Tar and feathers.
Posted by: TRex
----------

Better-- he was later busted for insurance fraud. Lost his biz.
Posted by: JQ
***********
Tar and feathers is too good for him...so is losing his biz...a filet lace tablecloth is priceless, what a fantastic gift to make and give...give me time, I'll come up with an appropriate punishment....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 09:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

203 >>Tar and feathers is too good for him...so is losing his biz...
--------

Yeah, I know. He made my Mommy cry! He deserves no less than a protracted, painful death for that, imo...

But that's not for me to dish out.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 09:13 PM (rdVOm)

204 "STERRRRRRRNNNNN!!!!"

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 09:21 PM (rdVOm)

205 --Hanover Fist

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 09:21 PM (rdVOm)

206 Hanover Fist
Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 09:21 PM (rdVOm)

Baron Von Rasche's finishing move, wasn't it?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 27, 2025 09:29 PM (uQesX)

207 203
But that's not for me to dish out.

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 09:13 PM
***
This is why you have to believe in karma or divine justice of some sort. Otherwise, evil is rewarded and unpunished.

Posted by: TRex - karmic dino at December 27, 2025 09:30 PM (IQ6Gq)

208 I could live with him having a very painful death, JQ....especially since he made your Mommy cry...that is a crime all by itself....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 09:31 PM (IQ6Gq)

209 Heh. Mom is in heaven now. No idea where a-hole contractor may be now. Perhaps he's already gotten his *just desserts*

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 09:37 PM (rdVOm)

210 Perhaps he's already gotten his *just desserts*
Posted by: JQ
**********
Well, if he has passed, I have no doubts he is now facing his "Just Desserts."
I would have loved to see your beautiful tablecloth. What a precious gift....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at December 27, 2025 09:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

211 I would have loved to see your beautiful tablecloth. What a precious gift....
Posted by: The Grateful
--------

Not sure there are any photos of it.. If I do find any, will send to hobby TRex!

I *do* still have the pattern-- it was in a ww2 vintage (1943 I believe) crochet magazine of grandma's. I made notes, to rotate the main design on 2nd half, instead of just mirroring it like the pattern indicated. Complexity for fun! (yeah, I'm a bit craycray)

Posted by: JQ at December 27, 2025 09:51 PM (rdVOm)

212 The first video is a very popular gardening channel, their property is totally 12 acres ( not all lit, they kept it to around the house this year) and no, they don't let the public in.

Their channel is outstanding if you love gardening; mainly ornamental, but she does plant vegetables and vine crops, has a small orchard.

I've been watching them since they lived in a duplex with a tiny backyard snd it's been fun watching them have such huge success! Good, down to Earth, church going couple, with a couple of cute kids, chickens and 2 cats. Her family owns a garden center and they are equally delightful.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at December 27, 2025 10:07 PM (Ezs10)

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