The Weekend Hobby Thread

Happy Saturday Morons. It's that time where we get into our hobbies. So I was wondering how I should start today's thread and I plugged the word Hobby into the search engine and came up with the following:

What is considered as a hobby?
A hobby is considered to be a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, typically during one's leisure time. Hobbies include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, playing sports, or pursuing other amusements.

I can't disagree with that definition........

***

Regular commenter and 'ette Teresa in Fort Worth submitted the following regarding her hobby "cross stitch".

&&&

My "skill" is following cross stitch designs by much more talented artists than myself.
My "contribution" lies in my selection of fabrics to use. I also sometimes add my own personal touch, as in this one, where I switched out the names on the original design with names of family members.
This was made for our first grandchild, born in December, 2021.
I have made stockings for everyone in our family over the years. Each design takes a couple of months to complete, then I send them out to be made into actual stockings.
Most of the designs that I used are 25-30 years old. They came from a cross stitching magazine which published a new design once a year back in the 1980s-90s.
Imagine my surprise to find out that a Horde spouse had actually worked for that publishing company back in the day! You never know who you will run across at a Moron MoMe ��

I must say Teresa beautiful work!!! A couple of months to complete? It seems with that small and fine type of work it would take longer. What wonderful family heirlooms.

I've known several people in my life that cross stitched. All of them were women. No, I'm not sexist, just letting you know my observations.

So imagine my surprise when I came across the following video on YouTube. A guy with an introduction to cross stitch.

So yours truly is starting to learn about this Cross Stitch hobby. And then I hit the search engine for "Cross Stitch Kits". Holy-Moly. There is an incredible amount of kits out there. From novice/rookie beginners to the most advanced hobbyist.

***

The Fabulous Mrs. Mis. Hum's sister did this and sent to us for an anniversary present.

***

Cross stitch can be framed and here is a beginner's video for it.

***

OK, so you like the Hobby Thread but you're not into cross stitch. Maybe this will help. Why else would a grown man play with trains?

***

There are so many hobbies out there. And there are so many of you Morons. This Hobby Thread is for you folks. So if you have any ideas or any hobbies you would like to share with us, you can reach me at petmorons at gmail dot com.

The talented and gracious JJ Sefton will be here next week for your bodging fix.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian (ONT Cob Emeritus) at 05:23 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good evening hobbiest

Posted by: Skip at April 09, 2022 05:26 PM (2JoB8)

2 Present

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 09, 2022 05:26 PM (BFigT)

3 Ha!

Posted by: COMountainMarie at April 09, 2022 05:29 PM (9uqbB)

4 Been working on repairs to the doll house I made about 30 years ago.
https://tinyurl.com/mryp8y4p
This is the before I started picture, for 30 years it was in fantastic condition, most of the few missing parts were kept so only have to get a few things. Might see what to add, a kitchen mostly.

Posted by: Skip at April 09, 2022 05:30 PM (2JoB8)

5 Howdy, MisHum.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at April 09, 2022 05:31 PM (fsetr)

6 I haven't done cross stitching in years. I used to really enjoy it.

Posted by: Jordan61 at April 09, 2022 05:31 PM (dQDxm)

7 I've switched hobbies. I'm no longer picking up heavy boxes and putting them down somewhere else in the house. I have moved on to hanging curtain rods and such.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at April 09, 2022 05:32 PM (fsetr)

8 Yikes...I actually made top 10?!
Probably not...

Posted by: COMountainMarie at April 09, 2022 05:32 PM (9uqbB)

9 That window missing will be hardest thing, I remember made a jig up and built them all same with plastic sandwiched in, not sure cutting it out is possible so will have to build it in place I think.

Posted by: Skip at April 09, 2022 05:33 PM (2JoB8)

10 My sewing skills are rudimentary but sometimes I make pillow covers out of sheets that can't be used as sheets any more (stain on one side, a rip, etc). I've got some nice Shabby Chic pillow covers this way by not wasting the usable portions of fabric. I sew by hand, no sewing machine for me. I find them intimidating and besides it's relaxing to sew.

Posted by: JuJuBee at April 09, 2022 05:35 PM (mNhhD)

11 hiya

Posted by: JT at April 09, 2022 05:37 PM (arJlL)

12 Beautiful work Teresa!!! I tried my hand at cross stitch years ago. I didn't do too badly at it but it just wasn't my thing. I tried crocheting as well. Never got the hang of it especially following a pattern. At least I finally found my true passion!

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 05:37 PM (nxdel)

13 I figured there's more talented people here than just a few. Good jobs all around.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at April 09, 2022 05:38 PM (7bRMQ)

14 My mom did cross-stitch stuff.

Nowadays, people do it on computer and call it "pixel art".

Posted by: mikeski at April 09, 2022 05:40 PM (P1f+c)

15 Dang, MH!
You kick it all day long!
I hope you're here this evening.
Anyway, see y'all during this very fine tonight...gonna go eat food now...

Posted by: COMountainMarie at April 09, 2022 05:40 PM (9uqbB)

16 What beautiful cross stitch, Teresa!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 09, 2022 05:41 PM (fF2aM)

17 Nice work.

Also, thank you to whomever put up and is maintaining the "Absent Friends" list in the left sidebar.

Posted by: Sharkman at April 09, 2022 05:41 PM (RgPae)

18 Misanthropic Humanitarian

Thank you for the compilation of Addams Family train wrecks. What a close knit family, with plenty of explosives.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 05:42 PM (u82oZ)

19 Hello talented horde members. I guess my riding is a hobby. I'm trying to make a hobby out of decluttering. There is some satisfaction from burn baby burn for old papers and weeds etc and even from heaving bags of trash into the dumpster. I tend to stall with stuff that I think is still useful but will never use myself. Some things I've sold or given away and it feels good but it always seems like such a hassle to get pictures, list etc for stuff I don't think is a fit for a thrift store.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at April 09, 2022 05:42 PM (3cGpq)

20 Very Nice!

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at April 09, 2022 05:42 PM (R/m4+)

21 The detail on the Christmas stocking is outstanding

Posted by: Kamala and Joe at April 09, 2022 05:42 PM (J8ILO)

22 COMountainMarie

Its all that clean living.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 05:43 PM (u82oZ)

23 Well my craft show today was very disappointing but thank you to the two morons who ordered through my Etsy shop. I appreciate it more than I can say. The day ended up being a pretty good one.

The lady behind me had her sister with her and she was a hoot. At least I spent the afternoon laughing!

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 05:44 PM (nxdel)

24 Beautiful, Teresa!

Posted by: CN at April 09, 2022 05:47 PM (ONvIw)

25 NaCl!
Hi honey...

Posted by: COMountainMarie at April 09, 2022 05:47 PM (9uqbB)

26 Well yes...NacCly....

Posted by: COMountainMarie at April 09, 2022 05:48 PM (9uqbB)

27 Teresa in Fort Worth

That is an amazing stocking. The Renwick Gallery should display it for all Americans.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 05:49 PM (u82oZ)

28 That Addams Family train clip, I realize now I am completely allergic to laugh tracks. They ruin shows.

Posted by: Common Tater at April 09, 2022 05:49 PM (7JrpY)

29 Currently my hobby is trying to declutter my office, so I can set up my easel and resume drawing pictures of things I like.

I've also been making myself write more. Been brainstorming on how to improve a couple of old short stories I wrote for a creative writing class.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Gen X Ne'er-Do-Well at April 09, 2022 05:49 PM (x8Wzq)

30 Guitar. I'm getting more disciplined with practice, bit by bit, and working some new songs.

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 05:50 PM (II3Gr)

31 {{{Jewells45 }}}

May your heart be lifted by selling all your stuff tomorrow.

Your art help keep my wife happy, which is an achievement.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 05:50 PM (u82oZ)

32 Collecting pipes (and using them, but I have more than I want to smoke) is a kind of hobby. I began with simple drugstore pipes in the '80s, and I no longer have those. But I have 2 Lorenzo brand pipes, including the first "good" pipe I ever bought; several bent pipes I smoke rarely now; and a number of straight pipes. It's funny how my tastes have changed. Back then I thought a straight pipe was a hassle to take into a restaurant or a bar. Now, since the Nicotine Nazis have issued their edicts, I smoke at home and at my leisure.

Brands: Lorenzo, Peterson, Georg Jensen, GBD, Rigoletto, Stanwell, Jeantet, Savinelli, and two I bought at Ye Olde Pipe Shoppe in the French Quarter in the '80s before old Mr. Jensen retired. Both of these were his "house" pipes with his name on them. All are in great shape and are delightful to look at, like little carved pieces of furniture.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 09, 2022 05:51 PM (c6xtn)

33 Growing up an elderly neighbor had a HO scale train set in his basement... on a pool table. One of the train cars was labeled "TNT" and at a certain spot on the track if you timed it right and hit the detonation button it would "explode."

Basically a mouse trap like spring inside the car was triggered and the outside shell fell off in 4 or 5 parts.

Ran the shit outta' that setup. Nice guy. Taught me how to make Martinis when I got older.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 09, 2022 05:51 PM (BFigT)

34 Test.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at April 09, 2022 05:51 PM (AyiRE)

35 "Don't Let It Bring You Down"; tuning is CGCFAC Insomniac, should be depressing enough to cheer you up. Pretty easy to play

Posted by: Common Tater at April 09, 2022 05:52 PM (7JrpY)

36
I've also been making myself write more. Been brainstorming on how to improve a couple of old short stories I wrote for a creative writing class.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, Gen X Ne'er-Do-Well at April 09, 2022

***
Goo to hear that! Post on the Book Thread tomorrow, and maybe MPPPP, TJM, and other writers will be able to help or at least to inspire you.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 09, 2022 05:52 PM (c6xtn)

37 {{{COMountainMarie}}}

Ask one of your men what a Good Conduct Medal is called in the Service.

The correct answer is "Undiscovered Crime."

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 05:52 PM (u82oZ)

38 Who doesn't love a good train wreck?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 09, 2022 05:55 PM (EZebt)

39 Who doesn't love a good train wreck?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 09, 2022 05:55 PM (EZebt)

They have trains smash women at Aintree in Liverpool about this time each year....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at April 09, 2022 05:56 PM (7bRMQ)

40 "Why else would a grown man play with trains?"
/Gomez Adams

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 09, 2022 05:57 PM (EZebt)

41 My Dad's hobby was shell collection. I have a full display case of shells mostly native to Guam. He has some Cuban tree snails he traded for before Castro took over.

The display case followed the family all over the world, until I inherited it. Lots of fragile glass panes and shelves, set in a balsa wood 6' tall cabinet.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 05:57 PM (u82oZ)

42 NOT a big fan of train wrecks here.

Posted by: Casey Jones at April 09, 2022 05:58 PM (g6+Ik)

43 Guitar. I'm getting more disciplined with practice, bit by bit, and working some new songs.

Keep at it. I forgot I did try my hand at guitar because my husband plays. I never got anywhere near his talent but I was starting to get the hang of it. Damn arthritis kicked in and I had to give it up. He even bought me a beautiful Fender strat, seafoam green.. just lovely.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 05:58 PM (nxdel)

44 Most of my semi-retired life is hobby, really. Bird watching is all day, with a pair of geese on the nest I watch from this seat. And a regular blue heron walking the pond perimeter, some wood ducks, turkey vultures to lunch on the garden invaders.

Grapes are nice (just in from pruning another row), but that and most of the garden is just for the ambiance more than needing the food. (canning is too much like work, so I don't much of that)

And I am a halfway prepper ... also mostly hobby. No way I'd want all the work of really having to survive nuclear fallout or some EOTWAWKI event, but the concept of being prepared is kinda fun as a sort of role playing game/hobby.

Shooting, I look at ballistics charts now (thanks guys), long ways to go on that hobby. Nice to have hobbies that might be useful for other things I guess, but most hobbies contribute something to life, a sort of refinement of skills maybe. With "Them, They" trying to destroy our humanity ... appreciating our personal hobbies keeps us human, and sane. cheers ...

Posted by: illiniwek at April 09, 2022 05:58 PM (Cus5s)

45 Kid 1 has a "new" hobby as of today, having joined the Fellowship of The Three Circles (having "pass" circles around "Technician," "General," and "Extra" on the radio exam all at once).

No call sign assigned yet, but there are choices available and I'm expecting something zany.

Meeting lots of new friends already. C's will be Q'ed.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at April 09, 2022 06:00 PM (videA)

46 NOT a big fan of train wrecks here.
Posted by: Casey Jones at April 09, 2022 05:58 PM (g6+Ik)

Pro tip: avoid the cocaine.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Gen X Ne'er-Do-Well at April 09, 2022 06:00 PM (x8Wzq)

47 Your art help keep my wife happy, which is an achievement.

Thank you

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:01 PM (nxdel)

48 35 "Don't Let It Bring You Down"; tuning is CGCFAC Insomniac, should be depressing enough to cheer you up. Pretty easy to play
Posted by: Common Tater at April 09, 2022 05:52 PM (7JrpY)

Neil Young? Oh fuck no.

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 06:01 PM (II3Gr)

49 37 NaCly

Asked the question of my Viet guy...
He totally got it and laughed.
I won't ask beyond this...

Posted by: COMountainMarie at April 09, 2022 06:02 PM (9uqbB)

50 Nice stocking, Teresa!

I'm working on a cross stitch piece right now - a dragon coiled around a castle. The cross stitches are about 3/4 done, and this piece has a decent chunk of backstitch as well, so there's still quite a bit to do, but it's coming along pretty well. I need to send in some pictures of my stuff. My first piece was a peacock from a kit - gorgeous.

Posted by: Mrs. Peel at April 09, 2022 06:04 PM (tX+yS)

51 I love cross stitching. It is also my hobby, but my stitches are not as nice as Teresa's. Beautiful work! It would take me a year to complete that stocking.

Posted by: Quirky bookworm at April 09, 2022 06:06 PM (EbJ6H)

52 NOT a big fan of train wrecks here.

Posted by: Casey Jones

Probably should have laid off the cocaine, then.

Posted by: Sharkman at April 09, 2022 06:06 PM (RgPae)

53 Yesterday, I stopped by the glass shop we have on campus. They had an open house where they were showing off what they can do. It was pretty neat.

I'm thinking I may take the glass-working course offered by the ceramic engineering department. Could be a lot of fun.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 09, 2022 06:06 PM (K5n5d)

54 The chemists here have had several discussions on scientific glassblowing in the past.

I knew one of the greats, Mitsugi Ohno. I watched him build the lampwork White House. He donated it to the White House. His US Capital Building is in the Smithsonian American History Museum.

I have one of his Klein Bottles, and he made several solvent stills for very dry solvents for labs I was part of.

What is amazing was his patriotism to the US. The USAAF burned out the IJN glassblowing factory he worked at when they fire-bombed Tokyo. It would seem to be hard to get over that.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 06:07 PM (u82oZ)

55 Insomniac how are you teaching yourself? Videos? I have a couple of great teachers who have videos you could watch and learn from. Griff Hamlin has many youtube videos and he is excellent.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:08 PM (nxdel)

56 Keep at it. I forgot I did try my hand at guitar because my husband plays. I never got anywhere near his talent but I was starting to get the hang of it. Damn arthritis kicked in and I had to give it up. He even bought me a beautiful Fender strat, seafoam green.. just lovely.
Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 05:58 PM (nxdel)

Oof, sorry you couldn't stick with it. I bet that Strat is gorgeous!

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 06:08 PM (II3Gr)

57 Back from the soapbox derby. A fine time was had by all. A couple of good wrecks, no injuries. Most popular entry was the Trojan Rabbit, complete with King Arthur and The Black Knignet.

Posted by: fd at April 09, 2022 06:08 PM (vrz2I)

58 "Perfessor" Squirrel

Do it. The small items are easy compared with the big glass stills and vacuum pumps.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 06:09 PM (u82oZ)

59 I need to send in some pictures of my stuff. My first piece was a peacock from a kit - gorgeous.

Posted by: Mrs. Peel at April 09, 2022 06:04 PM (tX+yS)

Go ahead and do it. That's what this thread's for!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at April 09, 2022 06:09 PM (7bRMQ)

60 I started cross stitching forty years ago, when I was pregnant with twins. Counted cross stitch is the perfect hobby for people with small children and talkative spouses. The project can be put down instantly to chase down a misbehaving child and you can stitch while the spouse whines pathetically about his wretched, horrible day. I branched out into counted canvas work when overdyed fibers came onto the market.

Right now, I am totally bummed out. I just had cataracts removed from both eyes. The ophthalmologist restored my distance and medium vision, but I lost my close up vision, which means I can't stitch. I'm hoping that in a few weeks, she'll be able to give me a prescription that allows me to get back to work. Right now, I am limping along with a pair of reading glasses that aren't really doing the job.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- bitterly clinging to the deplorable life '70s style! at April 09, 2022 06:09 PM (HVZDN)

61 43 Jewells
Same. My (late) husband tried to get me to play bass to his lead guitar. He played great! Me - arthritis kept me out of the game...

Posted by: COMountainMarie at April 09, 2022 06:10 PM (9uqbB)

62 Insom.

https://tinyurl.com/5d47y3e9

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:10 PM (nxdel)

63 Do it. The small items are easy compared with the big glass stills and vacuum pumps.
Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 06:09 PM (u82oZ)
---
The student who gave me the tour yesterday said the class mainly teaches you the basics. You are only graded on two projects--a paper weight and a cup. However, once you learn the basics, you can move up to more complicated stuff during the evening open lab sessions. I watched someone make a drop vase yesterday. It's a delicate art, requiring exquisite timing and deft touch.

Also, one of the furnaces they use is called the "gloryhole," which is hilarious.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 09, 2022 06:12 PM (K5n5d)

64 COMountainMarie I got good enough to play with hubby on a few songs. I think he was pretty devastated when I had to give it up.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:12 PM (nxdel)

65 I still have my writing hobby of many years, though my writing critique group is exhibiting Cheyne-Stokes respiration. I need to find or start a new group. Now that the local public library is done with the Coof Hysteria, we could meet there. In fact we had just such a group before the Chinese Lung Rot sent everybody cowering. It was really a "Here's what I've been working on" type of group rather than one for important and useful feedback, but it was better than sitting at home and staring at a wall.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 09, 2022 06:13 PM (c6xtn)

66 That's a really beautiful cross stitch stocking and I like the framed picture, too.

I only cross stitched one stocking, that was for my son and it is sort of a sampler look, only just cross stitch.

I also used to cross stitch little Christmas ornaments. They were kits and came with little gold frames. I still have some of them.

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at April 09, 2022 06:13 PM (9qiMu)

67 Oof, sorry you couldn't stick with it. I bet that Strat is gorgeous!

It is! He plays it now along with his other 5 guitars! lol. At least it's getting used.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:13 PM (nxdel)

68 {{{Captain Josepha Sabin -- bitterly clinging to the deplorable life '70s style! }}}
* Respectful tip of the hat to your XO. *

May your eyes be fully healed soon. And you make amazing objects d'art, and so does the XO (in his own idiom).

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at April 09, 2022 06:14 PM (u82oZ)

69 I seem to be doing a lot of book binding lately. Sewn bindings are fairly simple and require only basic tools, like a sturdy sharp needle and crochet thread.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 06:14 PM (nC+QA)

70 I am working on another sweater in a lighter spring weight yarn. It's from a pattern book by a huge lib, so I bought it used to take the personal sting away.

I bought yarn for a next project, a "Night Shift" shawl that uses multiple color shifts and gives a more woven effect overall.

Also bought a pattern for a circular yoke "BlueBell sweater" from a Norwegian knit designer. I love how the circular yokes minimize seaming, and still give a complex look.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 06:15 PM (ONvIw)

71 "Right now, I am limping along with a pair of reading glasses that aren't really doing the job."

I wonder if you could set up a camera on your close work, and watch it on a screen further away? Surgeons do remote surgery, maybe it could work? (and such cameras are pretty cheap now, not hard to connect)

Posted by: illiniwek at April 09, 2022 06:15 PM (Cus5s)

72 55 Insomniac how are you teaching yourself? Videos? I have a couple of great teachers who have videos you could watch and learn from. Griff Hamlin has many youtube videos and he is excellent.
Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:08 PM (nxdel)

I took lessons as a yoot, kept at it for a while, got pretty good, then let it rust as I pursued education and a "respectable" career...so I have a base to work from but the skills deteriorated bigly. That said, I'm watching instructional videos on YouTube. There's loads of great stuff out there.

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 06:16 PM (II3Gr)

73 Thanks for the thread, MisHum.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at April 09, 2022 06:16 PM (7bRMQ)

74 62 Insom.

https://tinyurl.com/5d47y3e9
Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:10 PM (nxdel)

Thanks, I'll check it out

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 06:17 PM (II3Gr)

75 Late to the thread, b/c I was actually spinning for the first time in a long while. Ruthlessly cleaned out the sewing/knitting/fiber room last week, repeating the mantra of "Sunk cost, sunk cost- let it go" and now have more room (and head space) for the things I really want to do.

So, I've been spinning up some fiber I processed myself, to get back in the groove before working on something really nice.

Posted by: sal at April 09, 2022 06:17 PM (bJKUl)

76 My drawing class ends in May, and I'm not sure what I want to do after that. I might try my hand at some woodcarving.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at April 09, 2022 06:19 PM (wmDcS)

77 It is! He plays it now along with his other 5 guitars! lol. At least it's getting used.
Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:13 PM (nxdel)

Nice! What kind of stuff does he play?

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 06:19 PM (II3Gr)

78 My lifelong friend (another brother really) can no longer play guitar due to a couple of strokes and nerve damage in his left hand. He was such an excellent guitarist, and had a great collection of Jackson, ESP, Gibson etc. He's a metal head and is responsible for corrupting me. It breaks my heart to know he can't do the thing he loves so much.

Makes me think of that Rush song "Losing It."

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Gen X Ne'er-Do-Well at April 09, 2022 06:19 PM (x8Wzq)

79 After the shawl, I'll do an all over leaf pattern sweater with a 1970s glitzy yarn I found on ebay. I found a comparable sweater on the web for an incomprehensible cost, so I'm copying.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 06:19 PM (ONvIw)

80 Insomniac he has tons of videos. I just loved him because he was very down to earth and easy to follow. And all rock and every other genre got its start with the blues

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:20 PM (nxdel)

81 Teresa, as a former cross-stitcher, I'm in awe. Beautiful work on an heirloom. Adding the family names was an inspired touch.
Thank you for sharing.

Posted by: sal at April 09, 2022 06:21 PM (bJKUl)

82 Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 09, 2022 06:12 PM (K5n5d)

The class sounds like a great opportunity.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 06:21 PM (ONvIw)

83 Insomniac he mostly plays oldies lol! But he'll try his hand at todays rock and other genres. He loves trying new stuff.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:21 PM (nxdel)

84 >>Insomniac he has tons of videos. I just loved him because he was very down to earth and easy to follow. And all rock and every other genre got its start with the blues

I had a friend of some fame who played guitar. He played rock for money but his true love was the blues. Even sat in with Muddy Waters a few times. He just couldn't make the kind of money he wanted playing the blues.

He had a collection of class guitars that incredible.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 09, 2022 06:23 PM (ZLI7S)

85 classic not class

Sheesh

Posted by: JackStraw at April 09, 2022 06:24 PM (ZLI7S)

86 83 Insomniac he mostly plays oldies lol! But he'll try his hand at todays rock and other genres. He loves trying new stuff.
Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:21 PM (nxdel)

Cool, it's always good to challenge yourself. You'll have to define oldies, though - for me the oldies are Motley Crue and Guns N Roses LOL. You know you're getting old when the anthems of your teen years are now on the "hits of yesterday" station...

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 06:25 PM (II3Gr)

87 You'll have to define oldies, though

Oh I mean OLDIES!!! 50's and 60's stuff. He loves the Beach Boys, some Beatles, Everly Brothers, lots of one hit wonders. Too many to name.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:28 PM (nxdel)

88 Hubs is a fan of the three chord progtession obviosuly.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:29 PM (nxdel)

89 *progression.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:30 PM (nxdel)

90 87 You'll have to define oldies, though

Oh I mean OLDIES!!! 50's and 60's stuff. He loves the Beach Boys, some Beatles, Everly Brothers, lots of one hit wonders. Too many to name.
Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:28 PM (nxdel)

Ah OLDies! I play a couple of surf tunes now and then. Miserlou is great for tremolo picking exercise.

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 06:30 PM (II3Gr)

91 I can't type for shit. May be time to sit in the recliner with Moose.

Posted by: Jewells45 at April 09, 2022 06:30 PM (nxdel)

92 For my money "Shut Up And Play" is hands down the best instructor on YT.

He's nice just to listen to. Fantastic lessons for both acoustic and electric.

Be sure to explore alternate tunings as you practice, they keep it interesting. And you have a Capo I expect.

Posted by: Common Tater at April 09, 2022 06:31 PM (7JrpY)

93 Stringer Davis - congrats to the kid for passing all 3 exams in 1 shot. I got my General about 14 years ago; I have the notion to get my Extra before the end of the year. We'll see if that happens...

Posted by: PabloD at April 09, 2022 06:33 PM (n8WRa)

94 Cross stich and other fiber arts fascinate me although I don't practice any of them. (At the moment.) Like some whittling and chip carving hobbies I'm amazed at the beauty and cleverness possible with the simplest hand tools. They can be painstaking, of course, but the tools are simple.

I can't point to a specific article or survey but I've gathered the impression that these hands on hobbies are becoming ore popular.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 06:34 PM (7EjX1)

95 Be sure to explore alternate tunings as you practice, they keep it interesting. And you have a Capo I expect.
Posted by: Common Tater at April 09, 2022 06:31 PM

I'll do open E once in a blue moon. Don't like switching to drop D. I'll have to buy a whole other guitar for that LOL. I had a capo but no idea where it is now. I don't usually play things that require one. I'm more hard rock/metal focused so I guess I'll need that other guitar to keep on drop D...

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 06:34 PM (II3Gr)

96 "The ophthalmologist restored my distance and medium vision, but I lost my close up vision" Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin

Didn't find what I was looking for on cross stitch by camera, this (legally blind) has some tips she uses for knitting an d crocheting.
https://is.gd/0nl6wi

But a camera that could enlarge your work on the screen, and brighten it as needed, should work fine ... would take time to get used to it, sure. No reason to remain "totally bummed".

I use cameras all the time to see far away things, or close up things ... (or for living vicariously via travelogues, heh)

Posted by: illiniwek at April 09, 2022 06:36 PM (Cus5s)

97 I did a little cross stitch when we lived overseas. No TV, no radio, no video tape, no telephones. Reading and cards were some of the few activities we had access to. Anything new was an blessing. You can only drink so much.

Posted by: Javems at April 09, 2022 06:42 PM (AmoqO)

98 32 ... Wolfus,

I can't say I collect pipes but I have accumulated a fair number over the years. American, Nordings (among my favorites), a couple of Savinelli, several Petersons and a group of others make up the bunch. I have more Petersons than any others partly through preference and partly because they used to produce "Irish Seconds". The Seconds had minor flaws that kept them out of the usual retail lines but they smoked as well as the others for a fraction of the price.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 06:43 PM (7EjX1)

99 Drew Carey must be going "man, did I get out of comedy as my main gig at the right time or what".

Posted by: Pussy Galore at April 09, 2022 06:45 PM (aoFfE)

100 I did some film developing and print making, black and white , for a while when overseas as well. That was fun and a bit more challenging.

Posted by: Javems at April 09, 2022 06:46 PM (AmoqO)

101 I did some B&W developing as a young man, invested way more than it was worth, built a dark room and all. Still have the enlarger after 40 years

Posted by: Skip at April 09, 2022 06:48 PM (2JoB8)

102 I have more Petersons than any others partly through preference and partly because they used to produce "Irish Seconds". The Seconds had minor flaws that kept them out of the usual retail lines but they smoked as well as the others for a fraction of the price.
Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022

***
Seconds, basket pipes, and restored estate pipes all make it possible to have a collection at all. I'm not about to spend $200-400 or more for a Dunhill, for example. I'd be afraid to smoke the thing.

The oldest pipe I still use is a Peterson bent billiard, model 307, that I bought at the mall Tinder Box in about '84 or '85. I call it my Sherlock Holmes pipe. Nicknames for the others include the "lieutenant's pipe" and the "captain's pipe" (the former has 2 gold rings on the stem, the latter 4), and the "Somerset Maugham" pipe, a black sandblast that also dates from the '80s. I was probably reading Of Human Bondage at the time.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 09, 2022 06:50 PM (c6xtn)

103 Textile arts are more popular these days, I think, and some of them have (or are trying to) moving into "Art". PBS program "Quilting Arts" is pretty much heading that way. On the other end are some of the spinning/knitting/weaving moving into heritage breeds of sheep, for instance, going back toward what was. Livestock Conservancy has had a program to support heritage breeds of sheep called Shave 'em to Save 'em, putting shepherds of heritage breeds in touch with fiber users.

Posted by: Lirio100 at April 09, 2022 06:51 PM (uFOGo)

104 I'm a nasal hairstylist.

Posted by: Joe Biden at April 09, 2022 06:51 PM (sWM8x)

105 I used to buy my first husband a Peterson for Christmas, sometimes a second. He liked the curved ones. Haven't smelled pipe tobacco in years.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 06:53 PM (YynYJ)

106 As far as tobacco pipes go, I've been focusing on Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes lately. They've been producing several styles with larger bowls and better mouthpieces the last few years. My favorite is the Mark Twain version. It has a thicker and larger bowl good for a 45 minute smoke but are still light enough to clench.

The popularity of the LOTR movies and books inspired the company to come out with line of 'Cobbit' pipes. (Combination of Hobbit and Corn cob. Get it? Kind of clever in a crass marketing way.) There are four in the series the difference being the size of the bowl. They are all in a quasi-church warden style which resembles the longer stemmed pipes used in the movies. From a practical, smoking viewpoint, the longer stems make for a cooler smoke. I have the 'Elf' version, the second largest and it is a delightful smoke. I plan to get more in the future.

BTW, corn cob pipes, if taken care of, will last for years. That's a good deal for pipes that usually cost well under twenty bucks.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 06:55 PM (7EjX1)

107 I used to buy my first husband a Peterson for Christmas, sometimes a second. He liked the curved ones. Haven't smelled pipe tobacco in years.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022

***
There are sweet and chocolatey blends, and then there are the English blends that to me smell like used truck tires. For some reason a lot of pipers love them. They just don't appeal to me.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 09, 2022 06:55 PM (c6xtn)

108 I'd planned to spin a bit today. But I woke up at 2 last night and never got back to sleep. I finally got to take a nap. I'm knitting another pair of socks so that's my project right now. Maybe I'll try the wheel tomorrow.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 06:56 PM (YynYJ)

109 Thanks for the encouragement, Illiwenek. I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself. I had such high hopes for the cataract surgery. For the first time in nearly sixty-five years, I can see further than six inches in front of my face without glasses. It's that six inches that's got me bummed. OTOH, I am extremely fortunate that I can see at all. My mother had macular degeneration the last ten years of her life. And people like you who have far worse vision problems than me.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- bitterly clinging to the deplorable life '70s style! at April 09, 2022 06:57 PM (HVZDN)

110 One year I find a blend called Bjarne. It was the name of our German Shepherd. I still have some of thecans. He liked latakia, but would buy a cheap cherry scented blend too.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 06:58 PM (YynYJ)

111 I believe there are three levels.

A past time, a hobby and a passion.

I'm a collector but as a past time more than a hobby and a lot less than a passion,

Playing sports is somewhere between a hobby and a passion.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 09, 2022 06:58 PM (towrt)

112 If you saw paintings of Prussians in 1700s to Napoleonic wars they often have the very long stem clay pipes

Posted by: Skip's Phone at April 09, 2022 06:59 PM (2JoB8)

113 The other things I sort of collect and use are safety razors. I have vintage Gillettes, one each from the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s, and a German Hoffritz that probably dates to the '70s. All take modern blades, all give excellent shaves. There is a wide range too of shaving soaps and creams, some of the old classics like Williams Shave Soap and some modern. And then there's Barbasol in the can.

It's cool to imagine a guy in, say, 1955, shaving with his Gillette razor and blades and the then-new shaving foam in a can, or with a brush and soap like his father did. And here I am doing the same thing.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 09, 2022 07:00 PM (c6xtn)

114 I can do some needlework but never really took to it. One year, as a child, I was given a needlepoint kit. I wasn't interested so my mom worked it up. She did embroidery too.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:01 PM (YynYJ)

115 113 The other things I sort of collect and use are safety razors. I have vintage Gillettes, one each from the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s, and a German Hoffritz that probably dates to the '70s. All take modern blades, all give excellent shaves. There is a wide range too of shaving soaps and creams, some of the old classics like Williams Shave Soap and some modern. And then there's Barbasol in the can.

It's cool to imagine a guy in, say, 1955, shaving with his Gillette razor and blades and the then-new shaving foam in a can, or with a brush and soap like his father did. And here I am doing the same thing.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 09, 2022 07:00 PM (c6xtn)

My dad has a bunch of that stuff too. Have to say some of the old safety razors are very stylish.

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 07:02 PM (II3Gr)

116 My mother collected Elephant figurines/statues . I have about 250 Elephant items to sell.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 09, 2022 07:03 PM (towrt)

117 First husband always kept the gold colored Gillette his dad gave him. He had a beard most of his life so it got used whenever he trimmed it back. I may still have it but it would have been packed up years ago.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:03 PM (YynYJ)

118 Those who lived through the 1970s remember a lot of fads that just didn't last, maybe that's what a fad is, I suppose.

Hook rugs. Remember those? They sold the finished patterns, and these little skeins of cut and colored yarn, and a hook tool to cinch them. Was the all the rage for a while. Then ... nothing.

Another favorite in school was making these weird geometric shape things with thread. Sort of like a Spirograph. Remember those!?

Posted by: Common Tater at April 09, 2022 07:06 PM (43pmG)

119 That is a wonderful sock, Teresa! I love the detail.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:06 PM (YynYJ)

120 107 ... "There are sweet and chocolatey blends, and then there are the English blends that to me smell like used truck tires. For some reason a lot of pipers love them. They just don't appeal to me."

Wolfus, I generally prefer Virginia/perique flake blends like Escudo or any of the Navy Flake styles. And Mac Baren's Scottish Blend is my go to. But I enjoy mild to medium strength English blends as a change of pace and because they offer some complex flavors. If you prefer aromatics, check out the 'Middle Earth' house blends at The Country Squire tobacco shop online. Their 'Old Toby' and 'Rivendell' blends are mildly sweet but the casing doesn't get in the way of the excellent tobaccos they use.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 07:06 PM (7EjX1)

121 Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 09, 2022 06:58 PM (towrt)

I'm trying to decide where bookbinding falls for me. I've used it to make gifts lately as well as any time I want a notebook or journal for myself. In a lot of ways it's an extension of the embroidery and other needlework I was already doing.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:07 PM (nC+QA)

122 Pastime is one word, not two.

Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:09 PM (rqQle)

123 This channel has some sumple handsewn items. She does notebboks too.

https://youtu.be/tpC79FmXZbM

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:09 PM (YynYJ)

124 beautiful work, Teresa in Ft Worth!

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 09, 2022 07:10 PM (5pTK/)

125 And this is a good bookbinding channel.

https://youtu.be/8RfR_mgwNLs

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:10 PM (YynYJ)

126

Trump speaking in Selma, NC right now!

Rumble link:

https://is.gd/trump_in_nc_rumble

Posted by: Zettai at April 09, 2022 07:11 PM (Rt7gZ)

127 I'm trying to decide where bookbinding falls for me. I've used it to make gifts lately as well as any time I want a notebook or journal for myself. In a lot of ways it's an extension of the embroidery and other needlework I was already doing.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:07 PM (nC+QA

Another wonderful craft! Back as an undergrad, I worked in the library and I loved to visit the bindery. They did hand restorations as well as more workaday stuff like binding a year of journals into a book form.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:11 PM (ONvIw)

128 I have a couple of craft magazines from the 70s. I loved those. People tried everything, including making their own shoes. I would like to make some mocassins but probably cheaper to buy than to buy all the leatherworking tools.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:12 PM (YynYJ)

129 It's past time that people realized that pastime is one word.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 09, 2022 07:13 PM (towrt)

130 129 It's past time that people realized that pastime is one word.
Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 09, 2022 07:13 PM (towrt)

That time has passed.

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 07:13 PM (II3Gr)

131 Pastime is one word, not two.
Posted by: SMH at God's grace

It's past time for someone to point that out.

Posted by: Miklos, virtually in Selma at April 09, 2022 07:13 PM (QzkSJ)

132 Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:10 PM (YynYJ)

The channel I watched was a girl called Sea Lemon. She always did a good job of showing everything very clearly. And she was absolutely adorable, which never hurts.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:14 PM (nC+QA)

133 128 I have a couple of craft magazines from the 70s. I loved those. People tried everything, including making their own shoes. I would like to make some mocassins but probably cheaper to buy than to buy all the leatherworking tools.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:12 PM (YynYJ

Probably, unless you find a crafter who likes to teach people.

Kid2 lucked into a furniture maker/restorer who loved to teach.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:14 PM (ONvIw)

134 Teresa that cross stitched stocking is amazing!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at April 09, 2022 07:14 PM (lCui1)

135 Notsothoreau, I want to try making moccasins, also. I have some patterns, just haven't done it yet. I want to make them with shearling. I haven't decided whether to use a sewing awl, or my Singer sewing machine with a leather needle. I think either would work.

Posted by: April--dash my lace wigs! at April 09, 2022 07:14 PM (OX9vb)

136 "My mother had macular degeneration the last ten years of her life. And people like you who have far worse vision problems than me." Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin

My mom had macular degeneration, but my eyes are still good. I use cameras to enhance even more, zoom in on wildlife, and for really close things, I'll use a camera so I can read the very fine print. I use "cheaters" for close things, but am lucky to no require glasses for many things ... but it can go quickly, I know.

Cameras are great tools ... I read mostly on the screen now. ... "Use the force" ... (of technology") ha.

Posted by: illiniwek at April 09, 2022 07:14 PM (Cus5s)

137 I'm trying to decide where bookbinding falls for me. I've used it to make gifts lately as well as any time I want a notebook or journal for myself. In a lot of ways it's an extension of the embroidery and other needlework I was already doing.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:07 PM (nC+QA)
----------

I knew a gal way back when who worked for a custom book binding company out of Minneapolis. We're talking not only custom binding, but, top of line special paper for the pages, etc. Very niche, and, from what she mentioned, sounded very cool,

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 09, 2022 07:15 PM (5pTK/)

138 When people love an unusual hobby or are artisans of a rare craft, it's not necessarily difficult to get them to talk and share it.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:15 PM (ONvIw)

139 I collect Italian-made sunglasses

So far I have Predator, Balorama, Wayfarer, and Clubmaster

still need Aviator, Olympian, and Daddy-O

Posted by: DB at April 09, 2022 07:16 PM (geLO8)

140 134 Teresa that cross stitched stocking is amazing!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at April 09, 2022 07:14 PM (lCui1)

Yes! The effect is Victorian level complex and lovely.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:16 PM (ONvIw)

141 Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:11 PM (ONvIw)

I've mostly done Japanese style and without a separate cover, although lately I've started to get braver and add a thicker paper to the front and back. I've done a couple of the style that has the multiple sets of pages (choirs) that I made fabric covers for, but that takes a lot more work.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:18 PM (nC+QA)

142 That time has passed.
Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 09, 2022 07:13 PM (II3Gr)

That is significant.

Posted by: Kamala Harris at April 09, 2022 07:18 PM (OX9vb)

143 I bought some embroidery thread to play around with, because of this video. Still haven't tried it but did patch a skirt.

https://youtu.be/CPHgyubZNgw

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:18 PM (YynYJ)

144 Any quilt makers out there? Mrs. Paco and I were thinking of trying our hand at making one, and were considering using old linen calendars on the top fabric, but we're wondering if linen calendars might not hold up over time.

Posted by: Paco at April 09, 2022 07:18 PM (njExo)

145 125 ... Notsothoreau,
Thanks for that link. I've made simple repairs on a few books but nothing that would be considered book binding.

I do have Aldren Watson's "Hand Bookbinding: A Manual of Instruction", which is informative for beginners. His illustrations, like his book on hand tools, are great.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 07:18 PM (7EjX1)

146 Notsothoreau, I want to try making moccasins, also. I have some patterns, just haven't done it yet. I want to make them with shearling. I haven't decided whether to use a sewing awl, or my Singer sewing machine with a leather needle. I think either would work.
Posted by: April--dash my lace wigs! at April 09, 2022 07:14 PM (OX9vb)

Heh. I wore moccasins as a kid in South Dakota because I wanted to be an Indian and then eventually changed to boots because I wanted to be a rodeo Cowboy and participated in Lil Britches rodeos . I also grew out of that. I get bored way too easily.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 09, 2022 07:19 PM (towrt)

147 When it comes to relatively rare (these days) crafts and hobbies, the practitioners hate to see them "die out". To encourage the willing to share blesses both parties.

The restoration guy crafts a lot of carved pieces and encouraged kid2 to schedule regular visits, even let her do some of the work and color creation.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:19 PM (ONvIw)

148 I guess my hobby, of you can call it that, is sailboat racing. It's invigorating and exciting and you really meet a fun, competitive group of folks. Of course, it's a little chilly out here, but that's what good gear is made for!

STARBOARD YOU ASSHOLE!

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 09, 2022 07:20 PM (CXHLK)

149 144 Any quilt makers out there? Mrs. Paco and I were thinking of trying our hand at making one, and were considering using old linen calendars on the top fabric, but we're wondering if linen calendars might not hold up over time.
Posted by: Paco at April 09, 2022 07:18 PM (njExo)

Depends on the weave of the linen, I would think. My great grandmother's linen napkins wear like iron.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:21 PM (ONvIw)

150 There's this video on sewing moccasins.

https://youtu.be/-nORTUJiDAg

I think I'd start out handsewing. It would give you more controll than the machine.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:21 PM (YynYJ)

151 STARBOARD YOU ASSHOLE!
Posted by: nurse ratched at April 09, 2022 07:20 PM (CXHLK)

I can hear you now!

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:21 PM (ONvIw)

152 I like moccasins because they are kinda close to barefoot. And my feet are wide, so shoes kinda hurt a lot.

Posted by: April--dash my lace wigs! at April 09, 2022 07:22 PM (OX9vb)

153 Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:19 PM (ONvIw)

Finding someone like that is a major blessing.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:22 PM (nC+QA)

154 >>I guess my hobby, of you can call it that, is sailboat racing.

Fist bump.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 09, 2022 07:25 PM (ZLI7S)

155 153 Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:19 PM (ONvIw)

Finding someone like that is a major blessing.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:22 PM (nC+QA)

Absolutely. It turned into a part time apprenticeship. Great craftsmen are rare. Kid2 told me that when one lady picked up her restored dining room chairs, she burst into tears with joy (not the price). Some people have a deep attachment for family things, and restoration sometimes messes up the original look.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:25 PM (ONvIw)

156 I bought LLBean sheepskin lined moccasins. They've really helped with the arthritis in my feet. I used to like to wear wrap style moccasins with a concho button fastener. We always called them squaw boots. I think I'd like something similar, with a hard sole, for summer.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:25 PM (YynYJ)

157 I was watching the how to cross stitch video (with the sound off) in the post. I've never before seen that technique of threading the needle so it's knotted right at the eye of the needle before.

When we were kids we were taught that when using thick thread like DMC for embroidery, to just leave one end loose.
When sewing with regular thread, to knot at the end.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at April 09, 2022 07:26 PM (lCui1)

158 MisHum,

Thanks for doing the hobby thread. It's interesting to learn what appeals to our diverse community. And people enjoy taking about their interests.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 07:26 PM (7EjX1)

159 I seem to be doing a lot of book binding lately. Sewn bindings are fairly simple and require only basic tools, like a sturdy sharp needle and crochet thread.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 06:14 PM (nC+QA)

I used dental floss because it was strong, waxed, cheap, and also it was minty.
I was having trouble sourcing chipboard for my covers, though I found a furniture fabric swatchbook that I used to make fabric covers for the boards. It was fun, but I wound up having other things to do.

I used an old phone directory as a gluing pad, I could rip the gooey pages out once I got done daubing the boards and fabric

Posted by: Kindltot at April 09, 2022 07:27 PM (xhaym)

160 My hobby is preparing for the lean times, which is coming, and will catch a lot of people by surprise.

Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:28 PM (rqQle)

161 I guess my hobby, of you can call it that, is sailboat racing. It's invigorating and exciting and you really meet a fun, competitive group of folks. Of course, it's a little chilly out here, but that's what good gear is made for!

STARBOARD YOU ASSHOLE!
Posted by: nurse ratched at April 09, 2022 07:20 PM (CXHLK)
-----------

I was only ever competent to handle a 15ft sailboat with a mainsale and jib. Racing a sailboat? Yeah, no. El Toro's were the bomb for learning how to sale.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 09, 2022 07:28 PM (5pTK/)

162 I never had a collecting bug until a friend gave me a silver liquor flask.

I had carried a flask for years, but had never graduated to sterling.

Now I have about 25 of 'em.

Posted by: West at April 09, 2022 07:28 PM (QY+6a)

163 "I guess my hobby, of you can call it that, is sailboat racing."

and when there is dead calm, there is still the alcohol, and the sunset.

Posted by: illiniwek at April 09, 2022 07:28 PM (Cus5s)

164 Second husband had a sailboat, well before he met me. He always said Puget Sound is the perfect place to sail.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:29 PM (YynYJ)

165 @93 Thank you Pablo; that particular kid is a *hard* studier, and an EE whiz, so I expected success in this. I'm pleased that there is some interest in "old time radio" among the young. They're out there.

Cap'n Sabin, I'm sure you've been getting all kinds of encouragement, but let me add my faith that your vision will continue to improve. My dad had the surgery *quite late in life,* it went very well, and his vision kept getting better until he died at 98. Getting rid of trifocals really tickled him. He read a lot, used a computer, fixed stuff, enjoyed movies, even shot a little -- and drove just fine until he swore off at 96.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at April 09, 2022 07:30 PM (videA)

166 159 I seem to be doing a lot of book binding lately. Sewn bindings are fairly simple and require only basic tools, like a sturdy sharp needle and crochet thread.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 06:14 PM (nC+QA)

I used dental floss because it was strong, waxed, cheap, and also it was minty.
I was having trouble sourcing chipboard for my covers, though I found a furniture fabric swatchbook that I used to make fabric covers for the boards. It was fun, but I wound up having other things to do.

I used an old phone directory as a gluing pad, I could rip the gooey pages out once I got done daubing the boards and fabric
Posted by: Kindltot at April 09, 2022 07:27 PM

I've been sewing leather with floss for a long long time. I built a belt holder for my phone with the upper from an old boot and floss before there were belt holders for phones.

Posted by: West at April 09, 2022 07:31 PM (QY+6a)

167 I have a pewter liquor flask, crushed it, still use to carry it often but not even sure where it is right now.

Posted by: Skip's Phone at April 09, 2022 07:31 PM (2JoB8)

168 I used an old phone directory as a gluing pad, I could rip the gooey pages out once I got done daubing the boards and fabric
Posted by: Kindltot at April 09, 2022 07:27 PM (xha

Reminded me of my 'hobby' in High School. I made fake id's . The font in our phone book was the same as the driver's license. You could lift the number/letter with scotch tape and put it on the license.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 09, 2022 07:31 PM (towrt)

169 Oh, speaking of hobbies, my planer has been struggling with some of the stuff I've been feeding through it. It puzzled me, as the planer isn't that old, though I've used it a bit. I finally realized I hadn't waxed the feed tables recently. It also dawned on my the same went for the jointer and table saw.

So, got out the Carnuba spray wax, thoroughly waxed everything, and, surprise surprise, stuff is just gliding through the planer and on the table saw. (haven't tried the jointer yet)

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 09, 2022 07:32 PM (5pTK/)

170 152 ... "I like moccasins because they are kinda close to barefoot. And my feet are wide, so shoes kinda hurt a lot."

I would like to make my own moccasins but given the size of my feet I shudder to think how many animals would have to give up their pelts.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 07:33 PM (7EjX1)

171 160 My hobby is preparing for the lean times, which is coming, and will catch a lot of people by surprise.
Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:28 PM (rqQle)

This is a good one. I'm just getting started, and have saved a couple of videos you posted a while back. Hope I have a little more time to prepare properly.

Posted by: April--dash my lace wigs! at April 09, 2022 07:33 PM (OX9vb)

172 Posted by: Kindltot at April 09, 2022 07:27 PM (xhaym)

I used an old phone book for my piercing surface. No danger of getting a needle in the leg that way. Now those are gone the way of the dodo I've been using a couple of investment mailers. Those are going to digital soon so I'm going to have to find something else.

I didn't worry about chip board. The couple of times I've wanted really solid covers I used the large sides of cracker boxes and glued down the printed/designed side of large security envelopes. Of course those were the envelopes I was getting those investment mailers in, so I'm going to have to find a replacement for those as well.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:34 PM (nC+QA)

173 This is a good one. I'm just getting started, and have saved a couple of videos you posted a while back. Hope I have a little more time to prepare properly.
Posted by: April
___

Farmers in my AO are scared.
Some aren't planting due to the cost of fuel, fertilizers, etc.
They're telling us the end of this summer, it's gonna get bad, and by this winter, it's gonna be catastrophic.

Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:37 PM (rqQle)

174 160 My hobby is preparing for the lean times, which is coming, and will catch a lot of people by surprise.
Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:28 PM (rqQle)

Yes, yes, and yes! This is a hobby we can't afford not to learn. I've been buying extra food, seeds, thread and fabric. I am adding more fruit bearing plants to the yard (to the unfamiliar, red currants look possibly poisonous so that's a plus), and have taught myself to do some indoor growing.
It sounds silly but I bought some long lived candles as well.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:37 PM (ONvIw)

175 I would really like to find a use for junk mail. I am at a loss with what to do with pound upon pound of shredded paper that doesn't involve glue and water.

Posted by: Somewhere South of I-80 at April 09, 2022 07:38 PM (1DgE4)

176 They're telling us the end of this summer, it's gonna get bad, and by this winter, it's gonna be catastrophic.
Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:37 PM (rqQle)

So everything we can quietly lay aside now is going to be useful at best , and maybe lifesaving.

I've also stocked OTC medication.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:39 PM (ONvIw)

177 Is a collection a hobby? If so, my hobby is collecting all things pig, from a couple of tavern signs and an immense soup tureen to tiny old crackerjack prizes. Tiles in bathroom walls. Cookie cutters. Lots of jade. My grandchildren have contests to see who gets the most. The numbers are always different. His last visit, one of my teenage twin grandsons was trying to get pictures of them all to show his girlfriend. His father kept saying, Don't forget this one/that one. The only thing I insist on is pigs with attitude. My most recent acquisition is a copy of the bronze done to illustrate Churchill's pig quote: "I like pigs: cats look down on human beings, dogs look up to them, but pigs just treat us as their equals."

Posted by: Wenda at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (WlRzn)

178 So everything we can quietly lay aside now is going to be useful at best , and maybe lifesaving.

I've also stocked OTC medication.
Posted by: CN
___

Pretty much.

OTC meds is also a must to stock up on, especially with China being China.

Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (rqQle)

179 175 I would really like to find a use for junk mail. I am at a loss with what to do with pound upon pound of shredded paper that doesn't involve glue and water.

Posted by: Somewhere South of I-80 at April 09, 2022 07:38 PM (1DgE4)

I put mine in the compost. I tear out the plastic windows before I shred, which is a PITA, but the rest composts nicely with all the wet food garbage.

Posted by: April--dash my lace wigs! at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (OX9vb)

180 I really should try to make my own notebooks and sketch pads: basic skills and minimal tools. Best of all, I could select the quality of the paper to use and make it the size that suits me.

Leather thick enough to support writing or drawing, an awl, some appropriate thread, and the desired paper is all that would be needed.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (7EjX1)

181 Farmers in my AO are scared.
Some aren't planting due to the cost of fuel, fertilizers, etc.
They're telling us the end of this summer, it's gonna get bad, and by this winter, it's gonna be catastrophic.
Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:37 PM (rqQle)
-------------

Meanwhile, CA is telling Central Valley farmers not to expect any water deliveries due to the drought.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (5pTK/)

182 This video, from some seed farmers, shows what they are up against.

https://youtu.be/kxsatAn_9E0

I need to try out my new canner.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:42 PM (YynYJ)

183 Great cross stitching!

And fun train video. Heh.

Posted by: KT at April 09, 2022 07:42 PM (0ghg2)

184 Posted by: Wenda at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (WlRzn)

Older Piggy Banks have some good value.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 09, 2022 07:42 PM (towrt)

185 I would really like to find a use for junk mail. I am at a loss with what to do with pound upon pound of shredded paper that doesn't involve glue and water.

Posted by: Somewhere South of I-80 at April 09, 2022 07:38 PM (1DgE4)
--------------

Fuel to heat up those cans of Dinty Moore you've set aside for the lean times?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 09, 2022 07:42 PM (5pTK/)

186 OTC meds is also a must to stock up on, especially with China being China.
Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (rqQle)

A lot of products come from India too. Everyone should try to get extra of theri prescription meds, too. When I had my oral surgery the dentist gave me a prescription for something I knew I wouldn't need. Filled it anyway. You never know what you might need.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:43 PM (ONvIw)

187
I need to try out my new canner.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 07:42 PM (YynYJ)

Good plan. I bought some supplies last summer. My husband is getting sick of the " just in case" purchases, but who cares.

Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:44 PM (ONvIw)

188 > Farmers in my AO are scared.
__________

Generally speaking... where is that?

Because here in the Bluegrass it "appears" that the corn and soybeans will be planted as usual. Both non-human consumables however. Non-ethanol corn. Animal feed and oil. Same with the soybeans.

What gives?

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 09, 2022 07:45 PM (BFigT)

189 Anti,

Yes, and they make great door stops! We live on the top of a hill, lots of wind, so lots of piggies by the doors.

Posted by: Wenda at April 09, 2022 07:46 PM (WlRzn)

190 176 They're telling us the end of this summer, it's gonna get bad, and by this winter, it's gonna be catastrophic.
Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:37 PM (rqQle)

So everything we can quietly lay aside now is going to be useful at best , and maybe lifesaving.

I've also stocked OTC medication.
Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:39 PM (ONvIw)
---

I've been laying aside a LOT of supplies, but I doubt it's even nearly enough.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at April 09, 2022 07:47 PM (Dc2NZ)

191 Did I mention pigs on dishes? I wrote to a ceramicist here in MT whose work I admired and asked her if she ever did pigs. Well, she hadn't, but now she does!

Posted by: Wenda at April 09, 2022 07:48 PM (WlRzn)

192 More bad luck is on the way.

Yay us.

And exactly the wrong people are running things.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 09, 2022 07:48 PM (5pTK/)

193 >>> 174 160 My hobby is preparing for the lean times, which is coming, and will catch a lot of people by surprise.
Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:28 PM (rqQle)

Yes, yes, and yes! This is a hobby we can't afford not to learn. I've been buying extra food, seeds, thread and fabric. I am adding more fruit bearing plants to the yard (to the unfamiliar, red currants look possibly poisonous so that's a plus), and have taught myself to do some indoor growing.
It sounds silly but I bought some long lived candles as well.
Posted by: CN The First at April 09, 2022 07:37 PM (ONvIw)

Try to find "heirloom" seeds for varieties which will provide *fertile* seeds (which apparently is not what most modern veggies do). There are some interesting options online; eg I found a place selling seed peanuts.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 09, 2022 07:49 PM (llON8)

194 173 ... "Farmers in my AO are scared.
Some aren't planting due to the cost of fuel, fertilizers, etc.
They're telling us the end of this summer, it's gonna get bad, and by this winter, it's gonna be catastrophic."

I've noticed a big increase in the number of YT videos and articles about food growing and preservation, along with other basic skills. There are a lot of frightened, with good reason, people out there.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 07:49 PM (7EjX1)

195 Movie Nood

Posted by: Duke Lowell at April 09, 2022 07:50 PM (fsetr)

196 I put mine in the compost. I tear out the plastic windows before I shred, which is a PITA, but the rest composts nicely with all the wet food garbage.
Posted by: April--dash my lace wigs! at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (OX9vb)

That's not an option when living in a condo with a complete karen for a hoa prezy.

Fuel to heat up those cans of Dinty Moore you've set aside for the lean times?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 09, 2022 07:42 PM (5pTK/)

I'm one of those weirdos that just opens the can and chows down cold. Tastes better cold anyway.

I tried marking it all RTS for a week. The usps was not amused.

Posted by: Somewhere South of I-80 at April 09, 2022 07:51 PM (1DgE4)

197 Leather thick enough to support writing or drawing, an awl, some appropriate thread, and the desired paper is all that would be needed.

Posted by: JTB at April 09, 2022 07:41 PM (7EjX1)

Pretty much. I like making my own because I prefer a top binding to a side binding. Choosing the size of pages I want and any graph/dot/et. markings is a big help too. For my design notebooks I mix plain and dot graph (which I do by only printing the graph on one side and then folding to half or quarter size).

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:51 PM (nC+QA)

198 Because here in the Bluegrass it "appears" that the corn and soybeans will be planted as usual. Both non-human consumables however. Non-ethanol corn. Animal feed and oil. Same with the soybeans.

What gives?
Posted by: Martini Farmer
___

Southern IL.

Posted by: SMH at God's grace at April 09, 2022 07:51 PM (rqQle)

199 Posted by: Somewhere South of I-80 at April 09, 2022 07:51 PM (1DgE4)

You could take up making "junk" journals. That's exactly what they're made of.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at April 09, 2022 07:55 PM (nC+QA)

200 I'm convinced sous vide is the perfect hobby for weekend warriors such as myself. Let's get cooking!

Posted by: Dr. Bone at April 09, 2022 07:57 PM (Wnd0C)

201 I've been laying aside a LOT of supplies, but I doubt it's even nearly enough.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at April 09, 2022 07:47 PM (Dc2NZ)

It's scary. For a few days I wrote down everything I used. I had missed soaps, pet food, spices, sugar. I fixed that

Posted by: CN at April 09, 2022 07:59 PM (ONvIw)

202 I bought a Miro canner a few years back, as my husband wanted to start canning again. Never got used. I decided to replace it with a small All American. Gave the Miro to my stepson as he said they wanted to start canning. I can afford to upgrade right now. I may upgrade to an Excaliber dehydrater and give them the Consori I bought.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 08:00 PM (YynYJ)

203 I may upgrade to an Excaliber dehydrater and give them the Consori I bought.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 08:00 PM (YynYJ)

This is another good idea! Thanks

Posted by: CN at April 09, 2022 08:19 PM (ONvIw)

204 I also bought workbooks, paper, pencils, reading material for my grandsons.

Posted by: CN at April 09, 2022 08:20 PM (ONvIw)

205 It seems that a lot of preserving equipment is made in the US. I am hoping they use the rquipment I give them, which is new or lightly used, then came upgrade it to what they want.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at April 09, 2022 08:45 PM (YynYJ)

206 Helena Handbasket at April 09, 2022 07:49 PM

Most modern hybrid seeds are fertile. They just don't produce the same crop as the parent. If you are in an area with high disease pressure for some crop, say tomatoes, it may be worthwhile to keep enough resistant hybrid seed (cold and dry) or to look for modern open-pollinated varieties bred for disease resistance that will grow just like the heirlooms.

Some actual heirlooms are picky about their growing conditions.

Posted by: KT at April 09, 2022 09:06 PM (0ghg2)

207 Ballroom dancing.

1 private and 2 group lessons a week, 1/2 hour practice at home every off day, 1 night out a week to dance what we've learned and see how fast alcohol deteriorates our abilities. (Fast!)

Very pleasant light exercise.

I never danced a proper step until I was 65.

Posted by: Fred Z at April 10, 2022 01:48 PM (WrFy8)

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