Hobby Thread - March 7, 2026 [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. We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies (TM) a spin and it landed on paper cutting.

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What are you hobbying?

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. All (legal) hobbying is welcome. I understand that some people pay attention to military hardware, tactics and strategy as a hobby. Discussion of current events permitted but must be made in the form of hobby commentary. Pants are optional. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Paper cutting? Yes, paper cutting.

It takes patience and precision, but some people are wise in the ways of cutting and layering paper to make three dimensional art. Seems like a sharp knife and a working knowledge of negative space helps quite a bit.

We'll do a separate theme someday on origami and paper airplanes, so let's leave those for another time. No need to confuse paper cutting with paper folding.

Your dino host has a small brain and short arms, so cutting paper is beyond my reach. Need your contributions in the gray boxes for help.

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Thomas Witte:

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Not sure what makes this paper cutting "Japanese," but interesting to watch an artist create a piece based on a photograph:

Not sure what makes this paper cutting "Swiss," but interesting to watch this artist make her pieces from scratch. She cuts only with scissors. Worth watching to see her workspace too.

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Works by an Ohio artist from Joe Kidd (who gets credit for the theme suggestion):

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EPSON is a Japanese company that makes printers. They sponsor a wide variety of Japanese auto racing teams. Everything you see on this page on their website can be printed on paper and made in three dimensions. Race cars, transport trucks, and even pit lane crew and equipment.

Warning - the website is in Japanese, so you either need to know how to speak Japanese or know how to translate.

There are many other race car paper templates on the interweb if this intrigues you. Some are basic and targeted to children. Others are more sophisticated (like Formula One cars).

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Cutting silhouettes with a live subject seems like quite a challenge:

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If you're really fancy, making pop-up cards out of paper is impressive.

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Cutting paper snowflakes isn't exactly the same as other paper cutting here, but the content would be incomplete without it!

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Want to know more about the manufacturing of curling stones? Lots of interesting nuggets in these two videos. The heavy Scottish accent is included for no additional charge.

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NOTICE: Next week the theme will be calligraphy and the written word. Think tools and technique, process, and end results. If you have suggestions, contributions, photos of your work, or photos/links of pieces by others that would qualify, please send. Space permitting, we'll feature Horde submissions in the content. If you don't send anything, I'll just post pages from the Book of Kells.

Even if you make no submissions, have a think during the week and come prepared!

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did an wood lathe turning theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

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

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If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, contribute your own. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things but don't run with scissors.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 05:30 PM (Ia/+0)

2 I like the 3D of it

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 05:33 PM (Ia/+0)

3 Afternoon and evening, Hobby Folken!

This week Miss Linda dragged me to a watercolors class at the local library. I was reluctant. The smell of watercolor paint, at least the ones my mother used to bring home from Woolworth's, has always reminded me of river mud. But the paint they passed out here did not . . . and I discovered, using the "white space" method the teacher's video recommended and an angled brush, that it was easy to sketch out shapes. I ended up doing two tightly curled roses, a third more organic shape that looked vaguely like a pumpkin, a green leaf, and finally a shape that -- once I turned the paper 90 degrees -- came out looking like an angel fish! Not the right colors, no, but somehow I managed to give it an eye and a sort of face. They really are not bad for a first try.

TRex, I might send you pics of these and you can decide whether to include them in a future Hobby Thread.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:35 PM (wzUl9)

4 TRex, I might send you pics of these and you can decide whether to include them in a future Hobby Thread.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:35 PM
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Yes, please!

Posted by: TRex - rock scissors paper dino at March 07, 2026 05:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

5 Wolfus practice can only make you better

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 05:37 PM (Ia/+0)

6 Best I can contribute is the paper snowflakes we used to make in elementary school.

IYKYK

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026 05:38 PM (jtM2q)

7 When I was a kid, my mom did what she called Decapage ?
Anyway, cutting out pictures then glued on wood then coated with clear lacquer

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 05:39 PM (Ia/+0)

8 Wolfus practice can only make you better
Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026

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I noticed I got better as I went along. After I completed the angel fish, I said I'd better quit while I was ahead.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:40 PM (wzUl9)

9 Best I can contribute is the paper snowflakes we used to make in elementary school.

IYKYK
Posted by: Martini Farmer
************
I'm right there with you....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 07, 2026 05:40 PM (IQ6Gq)

10 When I was a kid, my mom did what she called Decapage ?
Anyway, cutting out pictures then glued on wood then coated with clear lacquer
Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026

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I've seen the word "decoupage" all my life, but didn't know what it referred to.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:41 PM (wzUl9)

11 The silhouette of the girl with the pony tail seems to be a standard. Mom had in on the cover of sketch books and I think she has it framed hanging in the house somewhere (to be fair, after 45 years in the same house, mom has filled up almost all the wall surface area with something.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 05:45 PM (zZu0s)

12 Damn! I'm going to spend a lot of time watching the videos in the post. Based on what is in the thumbnails, the activity looks fascinating.

I probably have the tools to try this: X-acto knives and such. I am sure any attempts could be 'interesting'.

Posted by: JTB at March 07, 2026 05:45 PM (yTvNw)

13 I've seen the word "decoupage" all my life, but didn't know what it referred to.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:41 PM (wzUl9)

Sounds dirty.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 05:45 PM (zZu0s)

14 > I've seen the word "decoupage" all my life, but didn't know what it referred to.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:41 PM (wzUl9)

Sounds dirty.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 05:45 PM (zZu0s)
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Sounds like it should refer to women's under garments. Sexy!

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026 05:47 PM (jtM2q)

15 I like the monochrome item with the cloaked griffin rider soaring above the locomotive. An interesting juxtaposition of elements -- magical steampunk, if you will.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:50 PM (wzUl9)

16 I've seen the word "decoupage" all my life, but didn't know what it referred to.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026
*
Sounds dirty.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026
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Sounds like it should refer to women's under garments. Sexy!
Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026

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"New at Victoria's Secret: Decoupage in leather and lace!"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:51 PM (wzUl9)

17 We did a decoupage theme a month ago.

It did not attract a large volume of comments.

Posted by: TRex - decoupage dino at March 07, 2026 05:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

18 I like the 3D of it
Posted by: Skip

Vaguely reminiscent of those old View-Master stereoscope toys.

Or Super-Nintendo/N64-era side-scrolling games, where the foreground, playfield, and background scrolled at different rates.

I like the top pic and the bicycle pic the most. The truck/reindeer one is technically amazing, but too busy.

If I spent years practicing, I might be able to make something like the barn pic.....

And it seems like you could add a bunch of testosterone to this concept, and use a water-jet or laser cutter to make similar art out of different types/colors of metal sheets.

Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 05:53 PM (VHUov)

19 The silhouette of the girl with the pony tail seems to be a standard. Mom had in on the cover of sketch books and I think she has it framed hanging in the house somewhere (to be fair, after 45 years in the same house, mom has filled up almost all the wall surface area with something.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026

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The silhouette of the seated naked girl in profile often seen on truck mudflaps might be something like this -- the white silhouette on the black rubber. Never having had those on any of my vehicles, I don't know if the human figure is raised above the rubber surface, or printed on it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:53 PM (wzUl9)

20 Don't do 3D, that said as I've mentioned before I have been making flowers out of origami paper. Roses, lavender, tulips and daffodils. This video shows the full sized roses. I also made tiny versions to glue to decorated eggs.
https://tinyurl.com/ycxxkbhk
Had to buy smaller pliers and scissors to fashion the roses for the eggs.
I'm going to try the 3D paper pictures next since I also bought cardstock for the paper flowers and it's too stiff.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at March 07, 2026 05:54 PM (2NHgQ)

21 > We did a decoupage theme a month ago.

It did not attract a large volume of comments.
Posted by: TRex - decoupage dino
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Probably because there were no pictures of women's under garments being modeled.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026 05:54 PM (jtM2q)

22 I've read accounts of artists in the 18th and 19th centuries who made a living, at least in part, offering to do silhouettes of loved ones. It was something that could be done in a city or on the frontier, the tools and materials were light and portable, and it might have taken less time than even a pencil portrait. Probably less expensive as well. I recall one where a peddler offered them along with his usual wares.

Posted by: JTB at March 07, 2026 05:55 PM (yTvNw)

23 21
Probably because there were no pictures of women's under garments being modeled.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026 05:54 PM
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My duties as a contributor to this site only go so far.

Posted by: TRex - fashion model dino at March 07, 2026 05:56 PM (IQ6Gq)

24 Probably because there were no pictures of women's under garments being modeled.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026 05:54 PM (jtM2q)

Big tits would have generated interest.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 05:57 PM (zZu0s)

25 have a think during the week and come prepared!
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[hones penknife, breaks out goose quill]

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 06:03 PM (XeU6L)

26 > 24 Probably because there were no pictures of women's under garments being modeled.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026 05:54 PM (jtM2q)

Big tits would have generated interest.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 05:57 PM (zZu0s)
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And just like that.... boobs. 24 comments, could be in the top ten for derailing a thread.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026 06:04 PM (jtM2q)

27 When I was a kid, my mom did what she called Decapage ?
Anyway, cutting out pictures then glued on wood then coated with clear lacquer
Posted by: Skip
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Was very popular in the 60's, when magazines were still commonly subscribed to.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 06:06 PM (XeU6L)

28 Never done paper cut crafts myself. Over the last, year my youngest little hobbit was all about cutting out paper boys, making whole armies of them. He also made paper planes, artillery, tanks, and ships similar to the race cars featured above. I was impressed at how much precision he exercised being just 11-12 years old.

Posted by: She Hobbit at March 07, 2026 06:06 PM (ftFVW)

29 We did the pater cutting silhouettes in elementary school for Abe Lincoln and George Washington as well as making basic snowflakes. This was in the old old days before they added MLK day and made it Presidents day, but we didn't get holiday days, school just focused on Lincoln and Washington on their birthdays.

Posted by: PaleRider at March 07, 2026 06:07 PM (CFj4+)

30 This week in pipe smoking, I've been trying a new-to-me blend called Redburn from Cornell & Diehl. It comes in a compressed cake and you shave off bits to put in your pipe. The stuff has a good cocoa aroma, but it's too strong for me by itself. I mix it with something milder with a similar or at least non-clashing aroma -- Sutliff Ready Rubbed, for instance, or a Virginia flake like Luxury Twist Flake. The Redburn's presence makes for a good wake-up smoke with your coffee.

Thinking about a road trip up to Jackson, MS, to visit the full-scale pipe shop there, the Country Squire. I bought some blends from them last year and feel like doing it again. Besides, a good road trip (three hours each way) is never a bad idea.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 06:07 PM (wzUl9)

31 When I was a kid, my mom did what she called Decapage ?
Anyway, cutting out pictures then glued on wood then coated with clear lacquer
Posted by: Skip
-----

Was very popular in the 60's, when magazines were still commonly subscribed to.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 06:06 PM (XeU6L)
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When you absolutely, positively, need to write a ransom note.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 07, 2026 06:08 PM (ESVrU)

32 Not a school thing but we also did 'paper dolls' usually cutting the pictures out of sales catalogs. Not artistry like this featured paper cutting, its just what we did in the days before cheap plastic toys and smart phones.

Posted by: PaleRider at March 07, 2026 06:10 PM (CFj4+)

33 I like the top pic and the bicycle pic the most. The truck/reindeer one is technically amazing, but too busy.

If I spent years practicing, I might be able to make something like the barn pic.....

And it seems like you could add a bunch of testosterone to this concept, and use a water-jet or laser cutter to make similar art out of different types/colors of metal sheets.
Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 05:53 PM (VHUov)

The beach scene is my favorite too. The monochrome locomotive is a close second.

The artist is a relative of someone I used to hang with. If anyone is in Ohio and finds her at a live show, hope you can let her know that her works and website were feature here. She seems like good people.

Posted by: Joe Kidd at March 07, 2026 06:10 PM (nbLIj)

34 Was very popular in the 60's, when magazines were still commonly subscribed to.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026

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And the magazines cost .50-.99 an issue, instead of $8.95 or more. I see there are lots of magazines still at the local Barnes & Noble, though not too many of interest to straight guys. True, there are car and motorcycle magazines, ones for high-end watches, some for model train enthusiasts and model car builders, and then ones for fans of Star Wars, Trek, classic horror and SF movies, etc. But they are not cheap.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 06:11 PM (wzUl9)

35 Was very popular in the 60's, when magazines were still commonly subscribed to.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 06:06 PM (XeU6L)

Even up to the 80s. Remember science projects or stuff for a science fair or other presentation? Before there was kinkos or staples even to print everything out, each kid had to be a newspaperman and block out cut out bits of type.

Remember the big trifold heavy cardboard presentation...? Thing?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:11 PM (zZu0s)

36 Its like a triptych. Now I have to look it up.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:13 PM (zZu0s)

37 Presentation Boards per the internet.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:13 PM (zZu0s)

38 TRex, your imagination is such a gift to us all. Even when I know I'll never try most of them, I love reading about them.

My own goal is to keep knitting my stash of yarn. You've heard/seen the acronym SABLE?
It stands for Stash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy.

Posted by: Wenda at March 07, 2026 06:14 PM (8eeWV)

39 Presentation Boards per the internet.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:13 PM (zZu0s)
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Still popular.

I see them all the time at the student group recruitment fairs in the spring and fall at the university where I work.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 07, 2026 06:15 PM (ESVrU)

40 Captain Kangaroo had us cutting construction paper with little stubby scissors.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at March 07, 2026 06:15 PM (Cqx++)

41 I see them all the time at the student group recruitment fairs in the spring and fall at the university where I work.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 07, 2026 06:15 PM (ESVrU)

I would assume kids could either print out big size sheets at a print shop, or still do the same thing described here.

How else are you going to explain your foam volcano?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:16 PM (zZu0s)

42 When you absolutely, positively, need to write a ransom note.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirre
-----

Oh geeze. Potential 'Gutherie!' trigger.

Heh, checked. There's an 'app' that will produce a 'pasted up' font.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 06:17 PM (XeU6L)

43 Seems very cool

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at March 07, 2026 06:18 PM (LmPA0)

44 Wenda - its a common statement to minature collectors to have way more figures than you can paint or finish in your lifetime

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:18 PM (Ia/+0)

45 Captain Kangaroo had us cutting construction paper with little stubby scissors.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at March 07, 2026 06:15 PM (Cqx++)

Safety scissors. And the teacher would have a real pair with sharp points. Cool.

I bet the kids have to fold and glue everything now. Except some kids might have a glue allergy. Tape?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:18 PM (zZu0s)

46 Some of the women's magazines Mom read had paper doll cutouts to keep the kiddies occupied so that Mom could enjoy reading the articles.

They never lasted very long, though, being that they were made out of really thin paper. Still, they were fun, and they taught us hand eye coordination.

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, AoSHQ's Plucky Wee One - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at March 07, 2026 06:18 PM (SRRAx)

47 Wenda - its a common statement to minature collectors to have way more figures than you can paint or finish in your lifetime
Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:18 PM (Ia/+0)

Also true of tabletop Warhammer 40k players.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:18 PM (zZu0s)

48 I would assume kids could either print out big size sheets at a print shop, or still do the same thing described here.
How else are you going to explain your foam volcano?
Posted by: Aetius451AD

They obviously work well. One Presentation Board with a picture of a sea turtle with a straw in his nose, and a whole plastic-straw-making industry went away.

Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 06:19 PM (VHUov)

49 Watching s new video ln YouTube of a German Propaganda film made in May 1940, for minature modlers it has to be a treasure to see whag is being used and what shape its kn in carrying baggage

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:19 PM (Ia/+0)

50 Safety scissors. And the teacher would have a real pair with sharp points.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

And us lefties had to fight over the one pair with the green handles.

IYKYK.

Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 06:21 PM (VHUov)

51 Remember map puzzles? They would have the countries cut out in a pile, then you'd have a board with the outline of continents. Then you had to recognize and fit each country. As Teresa said above taught you spatial awareness as well as geography.

Have we done a map hobby thread?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:21 PM (zZu0s)

52 I drew some machines for an upcoming (hopefully) animation.

https://tinyurl.com/mvpzzbt6

I call them "trucks" but I don't know why. I don't even know what they're supposed to do.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 07, 2026 06:21 PM (CHHv1)

53 My own goal is to keep knitting my stash of yarn. You've heard/seen the acronym SABLE?
It stands for Stash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy.
Posted by: Wenda at March 07, 2026 06:14 PM (8eeWV)

I read somewhere - years ago, now - that in some cultures they used to bury a woman with all of her unfinished projects.

I told Mr. TiFW he'd better not do that for me - the mound would be so large it would be a tourist attraction! 😂😂😂

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, AoSHQ's Plucky Wee One - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at March 07, 2026 06:22 PM (SRRAx)

54 I read somewhere - years ago, now - that in some cultures they used to bury a woman with all of her unfinished projects.

I told Mr. TiFW he'd better not do that for me - the mound would be so large it would be a tourist attraction! 😂😂😂
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth

No, tell him you're worth a pyramid!

Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 06:23 PM (VHUov)

55 Speaking of 3-D paper cutting, I am a HUGE fan of cards made by a company called love pop - I always have a stash of those sitting around waiting to be sent to loved ones 💕💕💕

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, AoSHQ's Plucky Wee One - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at March 07, 2026 06:25 PM (SRRAx)

56
https://tinyurl.com/mvpzzbt6

I call them "trucks" but I don't know why. I don't even know what they're supposed to do.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm
-------

Very well done, whatever they are!

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 06:25 PM (XeU6L)

57 Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth

No, tell him you're worth a pyramid!
Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 06:23 PM (VHUov)

This. Better than flowers for a funeral. Be surrounded by the things that were important to you.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:25 PM (zZu0s)

58 Safety scissors. And the teacher would have a real pair with sharp points.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

And us lefties had to fight over the one pair with the green handles.

IYKYK.
Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 06:21 PM (VHUov)

I had a pair those in the first grade. I could not figure out how to make them work. I've always used regular scissors. It's not hard, just a little torsion with the thumb and fingers.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, aka Agent Frank at March 07, 2026 06:26 PM (0aYVJ)

59 BeckoningChasm they look great, who knows what another civilization would have

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:26 PM (Ia/+0)

60 My own goal is to keep knitting my stash of yarn. You've heard/seen the acronym SABLE?
It stands for Stash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy.
Posted by: Wenda
-------
Ha! That describes my collection of electro/mechanical stuff. All too potentially useful to be discarded. The unenlightened would call me a hoarder.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 06:28 PM (XeU6L)

61 When I was a kid, a teacher taught us a paper cutting art from Poland. Bright colors on a black background. It really separated the kids without fine motor skillls!

Posted by: NaughtyPine at March 07, 2026 06:29 PM (0q/UL)

62 This. Better than flowers for a funeral. Be surrounded by the things that were important to you.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
-----

We're gonna need a larger funeral parlor.

Posted by: Mike Hammer's survivors at March 07, 2026 06:31 PM (XeU6L)

63 This. Better than flowers for a funeral. Be surrounded by the things that were important to you.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:25 PM (zZu0s)
---
Using that logic, I should be buried in a coffin made of books.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 07, 2026 06:32 PM (ESVrU)

64 The weather here is a nice change from last week's frog-drowning rain, so I got up early and did a SOTA hike. I got 10 quick contacts before 20 meters dropped off. Other hams reported that there's no snow on many of the local mountains, so I may have a nice long season of hiking (unless the dry weather results in an early fire season).

Posted by: PabloD at March 07, 2026 06:33 PM (+HNa2)

65 Using that logic, I should be buried in a coffin made of books.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 07, 2026 06:32 PM (ESVrU)

Hmmm, I'd say do it with the books I hate, but I'd also hate to be surrounded by Game of Thrones. Maybe under my ass?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:33 PM (zZu0s)

66 51 Have we done a map hobby thread?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:21 PM
***
No, but a map theme is high on the list for the Wheel of Hobbies. Great idea.

Posted by: TRex - geographical dino at March 07, 2026 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

67 No, but a map theme is high on the list for the Wheel of Hobbies. Great idea.
Posted by: TRex - geographical dino at March 07, 2026 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

Cool, I have stories for maps, but I'll need to find links to explain.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:36 PM (zZu0s)

68 Was looking at a website had for a long time today of arial photography of England during the war

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:37 PM (Ia/+0)

69 No, but a map theme is high on the list for the Wheel of Hobbies. Great idea.
Posted by: TRex - geographical dino at March 07, 2026 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

Cool, I have stories for maps, but I'll need to find links to explain.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:36 PM (zZu0s)
---
I've gained some interesting knowledge on modern maps courtesy of my job....

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 07, 2026 06:37 PM (ESVrU)

70 Before everyone had printers, there used to be sheets of rub-on letters one could use for reports and presentations and such. My dad had scads of these and I used them all the time. He also had books on professional lettering for windows, signage, and posters/graphics. There was a brace the letterer could rest his hand on while painting.

We've lost a lot of talents.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 06:38 PM (kpS4V)

71 "...but a map theme is high on the list for the Wheel of Hobbies. Great idea.
Posted by: TRex - geographical dino at March 07, 2026 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)"
-----

Do it! I've been drawing maps after a lull of decades.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 06:40 PM (kpS4V)

72 Wenda - its a common statement to minature collectors to have way more figures than you can paint or finish in your lifetime
Posted by: Skip

Like knitting. Your stash of yarn is always larger than you'll ever use.

Posted by: Tuna at March 07, 2026 06:40 PM (lJ0H4)

73 We've lost a lot of talents.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 06:38 PM (kpS4V)

When I went to school for drafting, it was still mostly board drafting, AutoCAD only being a portion of the training. I still have a nice Leroy lettering set stashed somewhere. I was a also good at freehand lettering on architectural drawings. Just had to be careful not to smudge, because southpaw.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, aka Agent Frank at March 07, 2026 06:43 PM (0aYVJ)

74 I was using X-acto knives at a very young age (at home). You learn to be very careful, and to store them with the guard cylinder over the pointy bits.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 06:44 PM (kpS4V)

75 Was looking at a website had for a long time today of arial photography of England during the war
Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:37 PM (Ia/+0)

Was that here? There was a very cool video of a guy flying over WWI battlefields in Belgium (iirc.) It was restored/enhanced. Even cooler because of the type of plane he was flying (more of a powered ballon.)

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:45 PM (zZu0s)

76 The crafter of high status will be buried with his or her unfinished projects along with minions to assist in the next life.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 06:46 PM (kpS4V)

77 The link to that WWI battlefield video. This is a longer one than I remember and I have not watched it yet.

https://youtu.be/2olAr_KYbuU?
si=0nToNNfV88aC2C3E

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 06:47 PM (zZu0s)

78 Some of the paper cutting reminds me of relief carving and some scroll saw techniques where separate layers of thin wood are stacked so as to create the sense of three dimensions. The shadows from undercut pieces give even more depth.

Posted by: JTB at March 07, 2026 06:49 PM (yTvNw)

79 I am destashing most of my commercial yarns. (Don't worry, they are staying in the Horde). I knit a lot slower now. And I want to spend my time spinning and working with handspun. Also purging some knitting books.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 07, 2026 06:56 PM (gQ15S)

80 I drew some machines for an upcoming (hopefully) animation.

https://tinyurl.com/mvpzzbt6

I call them "trucks" but I don't know why. I don't even know what they're supposed to do.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 07, 2026 06:21 PM (CHHv1)

Martian tripods! Aiieeeai! (runs for life)

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 07, 2026 06:56 PM (8zz6B)

81 I bet the kids have to fold and glue everything now. Except some kids might have a glue allergy. Tape?
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone
********
Mod Podge

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 07, 2026 06:58 PM (IQ6Gq)

82 I remember getting assignments to create rooms, houses, wardrobes, etc. and we would cut from magazines and present them. Not only developed fine motor skills, but also allowed one to use the imagination. Now a days the assignments are all the same, in the name of fairness!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 07, 2026 07:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

83 So once I did a diorama of "The Cat From Outer Space" but these give the feeling that there's another world inside the frame.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 07:01 PM (RIvkX)

84 I may have stumbled onto a new hobby: rockhound.

Got some co-workers who are avid rockhounds, and Idaho is a great place for such a hobby. It is a geological wonder.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, aka Agent Frank at March 07, 2026 07:02 PM (0aYVJ)

85 https://tinyurl.com/mvpzzbt6

I call them "trucks" but I don't know why. I don't even know what they're supposed to do.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 07, 2026 06:21 PM (CHHv1)
====

EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 07:03 PM (RIvkX)

86 EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!
Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 07:03 PM (RIvkX)

Only if you turn it on.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 07, 2026 07:04 PM (zZu0s)

87 TRex, I look forward to a post on maps--not because I love them but because I don't. And I need to get past that, because all fantasy books have to have maps, so I have to ejumacate myself to know what's good and what isn't.

Posted by: Wenda at March 07, 2026 07:04 PM (8eeWV)

88 There used to be a little studio on Main Street in Disneyland where they'd do paper silhouettes. My Mom had these done for us three kids and I still have mine floating around here somewhere...

And I, too, look forward to a post on maps, TRex!

Posted by: tankascribe at March 07, 2026 07:06 PM (NtoJk)

89 The hoops I had to go through to sign up for Apple TV
Signing up for accounts isn't a hobby, its s nightmare

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 07:08 PM (Ia/+0)

90 TRex, I look forward to a post on maps--not because I love them but because I don't. And I need to get past that, because all fantasy books have to have maps, so I have to ejumacate myself to know what's good and what isn't.
Posted by: Wenda at March 07, 2026 07:04 PM (8eeWV)
---
Tolkien's maps were works of art. As a nerdy teenager, I drew maps, and they had the look of Lord of the Rings, with the little trees and shaded mountains, and thick lines for rivers. And the old timey script.

I also have atlases of most of the states I have lived in.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, aka Agent Frank at March 07, 2026 07:09 PM (0aYVJ)

91 Maps are fun but graphic representations of statistical analyses are better.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 07:11 PM (RIvkX)

92 I always loved maps, military history thrives on maps

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 07:12 PM (Ia/+0)

93 TRex, I look forward to a post on maps--not because I love them but because I don't. And I need to get past that, because all fantasy books have to have maps, so I have to ejumacate myself to know what's good and what isn't.
Posted by: Wenda
------

N: ↑
S: ↓

There. E/W you're on your own.

Posted by: Mercator at March 07, 2026 07:12 PM (XeU6L)

94 Worst map ever is the one Jack Vance drew for Emphyrio. Truly back of the envelope.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 07:13 PM (RIvkX)

95 I was asked to give a demonstration of carving a ball and claw foot chair leg by one of my buddies a while back and we finally got to it this week. I hadn't done one in decades but luckily, I found my first practice one and since it still had most of the layout lines on it, it was an immense help. Buddy's leg looked pretty good all things considered. He's a retired pediatric orthopedic surgeon so his hand skills are excellent.

The only other woodworking I did this week was to attempt to dig out a nasty magnolia stump. Still working on that.

Posted by: Tonypete at March 07, 2026 07:14 PM (cYBz/)

96 When I was a kid, a teacher taught us a paper cutting art from Poland. Bright colors on a black background. It really separated the kids without fine motor skillls!
Posted by: NaughtyPine at March 07, 2026 06:29 PM (0q/UL)
----------

I have a couple, actually three, Polish paper cutting art pieces hanging in my house! They are so intricate and pretty.

I also have hand-cut silhouettes of all my kids when they were little. A lady used to come to a big craft fair and she was amazing. She really caught little details of their profiles. She used sheep shears. I don't know how on earth she did it, it only took about five minutes per kid. She just cut as she looked at them and she never messed up.

I love that paper art from the Ohio artist above. Incredible.

Posted by: bluebell at March 07, 2026 07:14 PM (79pEw)

97 Wenda! Hello! How are you doing? So nice to see you.

Posted by: bluebell at March 07, 2026 07:15 PM (79pEw)

98 When we were in Boston last autumn we visited the map room of some hotel by the seaport that showed how the contours of the city changed since colonial times as the Bostonians reclaimed more and more land.

The "North End" used to be at the end of a spit. Castle "Island" used to be an island.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 07:16 PM (RIvkX)

99 Ultimate map geek out....

I worked for the USGS Western Mapping Agency in the early 2000's. Menlo Park, CA.

They still had some of old, optical systems and manual drawing tools to do topo maps. Seriously old school stuff.

Somewhere around here I have some of that kit they were going to excess... which basically means tossing in the trash.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 07, 2026 07:17 PM (jtM2q)

100 fantasy books have to have maps, so I have to ejumacate myself to know what's good and what isn't.
Posted by: Wenda at March 07, 2026 07:04 PM (8eeWV)
---
To paraphrase Duke Ellington, if it [looks] good, it IS good. Your brain and eye know what's what.

I've checked out some library books on fantasy mapping:

Fantasy Mapmaking by Cody James King
Here Be Dragons: Exploring Fantasy Maps and Settings by Stefan Ekman
The Dictionary of Imaginary Places by two Italian dudes

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 07:18 PM (kpS4V)

101 There are very detailed line drawings you can get online of aircraft you can print, cut and make into 3D models. A lot more work than plastic models but they look nice.

Posted by: banana Dream at March 07, 2026 07:19 PM (3uBP9)

102 I love maps but I've never drawn them, I just like looking at them. Tonight at Mass we were sitting behind a family and the little boy had a children's Bible he was looking at. He was flipping through some pages with maps and I was trying to look over his shoulder. Darn kid was flipping too fast for me to get a good look though.

Posted by: bluebell at March 07, 2026 07:20 PM (79pEw)

103 Of course, no tabletop crafts like inking and beadwork are safe from feline predation, especially in the wee hours. I have to cover everything.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 07:22 PM (kpS4V)

104 Learned how to read topo maps in 8th grade Earth Science class. An invaluable skill that has served me well over the years.

Posted by: davidt at March 07, 2026 07:22 PM (Q+gd/)

105 There's a software, Campaign Cartographer by Profantasy Software that is good at making maps. They have whole line for different kinds of maps. Good for tabletop roleplay prep. But I think it would be really good for making any kind of map.

Posted by: banana Dream at March 07, 2026 07:23 PM (3uBP9)

106 Not sure if many people have the attention span anymore to do the careful, intricate cutting needed for detailed paper cutting. But there are so many benefits to the activity: patience, creativity, ability to see details, and, above all, developing fine motor skills. Even simpler examples like the snowflakes would be appropriate for kids. Yeah, they might get minor cuts using scissors or a knife and some supervision would be good. But any injuries would be minor compared to scrapes and broken bones from skate board accidents.

Posted by: JTB at March 07, 2026 07:25 PM (yTvNw)

107 I'd be fine a map making, but people expect them to be "to scale"...same as our architect!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 07, 2026 07:26 PM (IQ6Gq)

108 Maps... https://tinyurl.com/3nchcw2v

Posted by: davidt at March 07, 2026 07:26 PM (Q+gd/)

109 Time to say thank you before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. The Horde has spoken and we will do a map theme at some point, but next week is Calligraphy and the written word. Send submissions and come prepared.

Don't forget to stop by Club ONT later!

Posted by: TRex - messy handwriting dino at March 07, 2026 07:26 PM (IQ6Gq)

110 By the way, please click on the videos on the content. There is really good stuff to be seen. I think you'll enjoy.

Posted by: TRex - content reminder dino at March 07, 2026 07:27 PM (IQ6Gq)

111 Bluebell, Grammy Winger turned me on to the NKJV Study Bible, which has great maps.

I would love to see a print of the Ethiopian Bible which has great illustrations (illuminations?)., like something Indiana Jones would steal

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 07:28 PM (kpS4V)

112 Hobby today? Making pizza dough. In my world pizza is a hobby.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 07, 2026 07:28 PM (snZF9)

113 I was spinning with a spindle today. Patsy was fascinated. But there is danger for kitties! She sniffed at it while it was spinning, it grabbed a whisker and pulled it out! She was not happy, but hopefully this will convince her to leave spinning wheels alone.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 07, 2026 07:29 PM (gQ15S)

114 This should be a golden time for paper cutting with the easy availability of different weight and quality papers out there.

Posted by: JTB at March 07, 2026 07:30 PM (yTvNw)

115 Bers, it's a CALLING.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 07, 2026 07:30 PM (kpS4V)

116 One of my favorite map-as-graphic. Napoleon's troop strength on the way to Moscow vs. the trip back.
https://shorter.me/gYTeg

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 07:31 PM (XeU6L)

117 >>When we were in Boston last autumn we visited the map room of some hotel by the seaport that showed how the contours of the city changed since colonial times as the Bostonians reclaimed more and more land.

I have a map of Boston, the harbor islands and some surrounding towns from 1782. Boston has changed a bit, most notably the Back Bay neighborhood where I used to live. It didn't exist in 1782, it was part of the Charles River basin.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 07, 2026 07:31 PM (viF8m)

118 This topic made me flash back to the electric Snippy Scissors I used in the 1950s. I recall the one I had was supposed to look like a smiling fish.

Posted by: JTB at March 07, 2026 07:31 PM (yTvNw)

119 Curling stone lass has that look aboot her.

Posted by: Eromero at March 07, 2026 07:39 PM (LHPAg)

120 When we were in Boston last autumn we visited the map room of some hotel by the seaport that showed how the contours of the city changed since colonial times as the Bostonians reclaimed more and more land.

I have a map of Boston, the harbor islands and some surrounding towns from 1782. Boston has changed a bit, most notably the Back Bay neighborhood where I used to live. It didn't exist in 1782, it was part of the Charles River basin.
Posted by: JackStraw
--------

Historic maps are just that. It can be very interesting to consider the development of any area.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 07:41 PM (XeU6L)

121 Posted by: bluebell at March 07, 2026 07:20 PM (79pEw)

Have you heard from Grammie Winger re her surgery?

Posted by: Tuna at March 07, 2026 07:42 PM (lJ0H4)

122 I was thinking about getting back into coin collecting, since I haven't bought anything new in 3 years. It seems like a dumb idea moneywise since the intrinsic value is so much higher than numismatic for most things now. But I love coins, and I also collect bullion, so I'll probably do it anyway... I can sell it either way, I guess, if at a loss.

LOL, I just tell myself that, I could never sell the currency coins anyway.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at March 07, 2026 07:43 PM (BI5O2)

123 >>Historic maps are just that. It can be very interesting to consider the development of any area.

Anyone who has driven in Boston knows that most of the city is maze of twisty roads that don't always seem to make sense. Accept one area, the Back Bay. It's a very easy to understand grid of straight streets and cross streets. Because that whole area is reclaimed land and they made the land fit the function.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 07, 2026 07:44 PM (viF8m)

124 WE HAZ A MOVIE MARQUE

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 07:46 PM (Ia/+0)

125
Historic maps are just that. It can be very interesting to consider the development of any area.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.
-------

NC circa 1770, embiggen, if interested
https://shorturl.at/kiWW9

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at March 07, 2026 07:48 PM (XeU6L)

126 Hobby today? Making pizza dough. In my world pizza is a hobby.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 07, 2026 07:28 PM (snZF9

I made carnitas. Not deep fried in lard, though. Trying not to die quite yet. Slow cooked in chicken broth, orange juice, onions, & Mexican coke. Cumin, chipotle, chili powder, garlic, oregano, bay leaves - 12hrs. Broiled to finish.

F'in killer.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at March 07, 2026 07:49 PM (BI5O2)

127 I HATE MOVIES. Don't watch them.

Posted by: Ronster at March 07, 2026 07:50 PM (6J32i)

128 I often use historic maps when doing genealogy, to discover where all the ancestors lived...luckily, NYC keeps lots of old photos of the old neighborhoods. Hopefully that continues...

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 07, 2026 07:51 PM (IQ6Gq)

129 And I just looked up Polish paper cutting...the 3D stuff is absolutely fantastic. I gotta try this....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 07, 2026 07:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

130 Every place in the Roman Empire was a rational grid layout, except Rome. After the first sack of Rome, they just told everybody "rebuild immediately at your own expense and we won't ask too many questions about how it happens, so long as it happens."

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at March 07, 2026 07:52 PM (BI5O2)

131 Oh, and cloves. Don't forget cloves.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at March 07, 2026 07:53 PM (BI5O2)

132 LAST CALL FOR NOOD

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 07:54 PM (Ia/+0)

133 Screw your last call.

Posted by: Ronster at March 07, 2026 07:58 PM (6J32i)

134 Eris,
I ordered all three. Such is my trust in the Horde.
I may pass them on to my daughter, who is an extraordinary artist. Everything from watercolor to gold leaf. Hopefully between us we'll be inspired.

Thank you.

Posted by: Wenda at March 07, 2026 08:03 PM (8eeWV)

135 I am actually related to the author of the book on which the movie "The Life of Emile Zola" was based!

Another great movie from that year (1937) was "Make Way for Tomorrow" Have the tissue box ready for that one!

Posted by: Isophorone at March 07, 2026 08:58 PM (IG5iM)

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