What Are You Working On? Share a Hobby, Project, or Interest With Us! :)

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Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,926
8,172
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#21
AT2020 - Audio Technica (tm) cardioid condenser microphone. Microphone for recording a singer, not a mic for singing on stage at church.

Audio Technica does not make professional level mics, but then you don't want a pro mic for fiddling around at home. When you're ready to lay down a recording for an album you go to the professional with his recording studio and use the mic he paid thousands of dollars for. :p An AT mic is about right for what Abing is using it for.
 
A

Abing

Guest
#22
Alright, I'm not at home right now lol but I can post pics from the web. Here:

Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-620x310.jpg

This is the one I got where I can connect my mic that looks exactly like the one below:

MidAtl_PF-SS.jpg

I did get myself a pop blocker too. So I connect this mic to my interface (scarlett solo) using xlr cable and from scarlett solo, I connect a USB cord to my mac (garageband ftw - the best free music software). Also I got a midi keyboard for my music, a korg microkey that connects directly to my mac (very small, i like it cuz I can carry it around with one hand lol, pic below, not mine).

maxresdefault.jpg

So like I'm almost all set up to make a single, all i need is to write the song! Exciting actually.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,926
8,172
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#23
Writing a song is the easy part. Check your heart and see what it is trying to express.

Finding the chords that express it... not so easy sometimes. Especially in minors.
 
A

Abing

Guest
#24
Writing a song is the easy part. Check your heart and see what it is trying to express.

Finding the chords that express it... not so easy sometimes. Especially in minors.
Oh I usually do both at the same time, I like just having the melody and words come as I go into worship. I never was a good lyricist lol, I usually just go with bible verses lol.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,587
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#25
Thank you so much for posting the pictures, Abing!!! This is amazing and really helps me visualize a little better how songs are composed... I'm from the days of watching people hum something, try to play it, and then drawing out the notes on... "music graph paper"? (I have no idea what it's called.)

When I was a kid, I played piano and wrote a song with the help of my teacher. I've long forgotten how to do this, but I remember her teaching me how to write the notes out on paper printed with lines and treble and bass clefs. I was 7 years old, and at one point, my class at school sang it during church. However, I am definitely a "one-hit wonder" and that was it! :)

Pictures, info, and helpful hints on any topic anyone is interested in are most welcome in this thread!! (Yes, even pets of all kinds, and cats... as that seems to be a running forum joke!) :)
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,926
8,172
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#26
Who said cats? =^.^=

And it's called sheet music.
 

melita916

Senior Member
Aug 12, 2011
10,418
2,660
113
#27
My only project is to stay awesome.
 
L

LiJo

Guest
#28
My project is trying to keep up with my twins and keeping the house in order ;)
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,703
13,385
113
#29
I'm helping a neighbour build a hope chest for his daughter, using mahogany-faced plywood with solid mahogany and oak trim. After that, I'll be refinishing a mahogany coffee table and then an oak bookcase. Longer-term plans include building a dining hutch and table.
 
Apr 15, 2014
2,050
38
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#30
Project #2--for anyone who would like to commit to reading the Bible on a regular basis.

This is my at-home study Bible:

View attachment 134395

Here are some things that work for me--maybe it can encourage someone else, too.

* I read the Bible in small chunks of time--10 minutes to an hour, with a goal of at least 3 times a week. On days I can't commit to that much time, I read small devotionals instead.

* This is the 6th Bible I've read through over about a 20-year time frame. I started out writing all my questions and notes in stacks and stacks of paper notebooks. I later tried typing (storing my notes on several floppy disks :)), but have found that physical writing--in different colors--helps me retain more information.

* When I think of a topic that interests me (examples: "Love", "Forgiveness", and, in this picture, "God's Influence On Decisions and Outcomes"), I write the title on an index card and record any passages I come across that has to do with that subject. I then arrange them alphabetically in a large box. (I can't take credit for this--I read about this method online and tailored it to my own style.)

* As you can see, I've also put tabs on several pages with passages and footnotes of interest. I originally used flimsy paper tabs (MISTAKE!!!) so I'm now in the process of re-reading all the passages I originally marked, making new notes, and replacing the old tabs with sturdier plastic ones.

* The original project (reading through this Bible and writing out index cards with topics of interest) took me over 2 years, so don't be discouraged!!! My current project of re-reading and re-marking certain passages has already taken several months, and will probably carry me through a good chunk of next year.

* For me, starting is always the hardest part!!!

What are some of your personal challenges when starting, maintaining, and finishing something, and how do you overcome them?
Wow. I'm overwhelmed. I love this idea but I... my goodness, I just can't even imagine. It's so BEAUTIFUL plus useful! Seriously, my brain just shorted out... somewhere there is an organized person in there shouting, "THIS IS WHAT I"VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT" and the rest of my brain is all... "GIRL, knock it off. You know you'll get all the stuff to do this and just won't. Remember who you ARE!"

So seriously, goodness, awesome!
 
Aug 2, 2009
24,581
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#32
Now I don't want to tell about my new hobbies without getting pictures first. :p
 
V

VioletReigns

Guest
#33
Hey everyone,

I have to give credit where credit is due. Miss Cris posted a thread like this a long time ago, so all kudos go to her for coming up with this idea! :)

Do you have a project, hobby, or subject you're interested in? What kinds of activities are you participating in? Volunteering at a shelter? A member of a book club? Share it with us here! I love to see what interests people and what they're working on.

It can be anything--maybe you're reading a book or conquering a game you'd like to tell us about, maybe there's a subject you're researching and would like to share, or, maybe you're working on something with your own two hands and would like to share some ideas and tips. I've seen some phenomenal pictures in other threads of homemade meals, stained glass breakfasts, creative arts and remodeled furniture, and even a hand-sewn bear!!!

Seeing what other people are doing is vital to me because it helps keep me motivated, so please, share anything and everything you're involved in here. :)

For the sake of making this easier to read, I will probably start this thread with several posts, but please, feel free to jump in at any time.

I have several things I'd like to share.

As some long-time CC'ers know, one of my hobbies is sewing, and I have often talked about the pair of shorts I've been working on... Here is an update:

View attachment 134394


From left to right:

* Khaki: first attempt. WAY TOO BIG. If I attached suspenders, I'd look like a fine lumberjack. Square back pockets. The original pattern does not have back pockets so I used the pocket from a second pattern, as shown.

* Black: WAY TOO SMALL. (Am I the only one feeling like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears here...) Ok, so now I kind of know I need something "in-between" the two... Rounded the edges of the pockets this time and liked that better.

* Blue: put this pair together, made a ton of adjustments, then cut it apart to use as a pattern instead of the original.

* Red: (using different colors each time keeps me motivated.) Rounded pockets made slightly larger seem to work best for me. Still needs a lot of work--belt loops, waistband, and I plan on rolling and permanently cuffing the legs. BUT I THINK THIS WILL ACTUALLY BE A PAIR I CAN WEAR. Hmm. What color top will go best with it? I suppose if I wear white, I'll look like a candy cane... But I suppose this is fitting, with Christmas right around the corner.

WHEW!!! I have a wonderful CC sister here who could probably make all 4 pairs in a month, but as for me, it's taken A YEAR AND A HALF.

* For anyone who believes they don't have the time to work on something they love, I would like to share this tip. My personal goal is to work on my hobbies for 3 hours each week. If I don't have an hour to work on something, I break it down into smaller chunks of time, such as 20 or even 10 minutes. And I often need a break from it just to clear my head!

* This is also why I write so much about time management in my own life--Saturday I made the mistake of turning on the TV... And nearly 4 hours later, I finally got up. ARGH!!! I kick myself when I think of all the other things I could have been working on.

All of the projects I'm sharing here have been accomplished in 20-minute to 1-hour blocks blocks of time, 3 or 4 times a week.

I hope you'll all feel encouraged to work on something you love to do today, even if it's just for 10 minutes. :) I often feel like I'm getting nowhere, especially when I have to start YET AGAIN, but after a year (or 2, or 3), those accomplishments can really add up.

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else is working on!!! :)
Wow, you sure come up with threads that generate activity, that's for sure. :rolleyes: LOL
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,587
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#34
Wow. I'm overwhelmed. I love this idea but I... my goodness, I just can't even imagine. It's so BEAUTIFUL plus useful! Seriously, my brain just shorted out... somewhere there is an organized person in there shouting, "THIS IS WHAT I"VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT" and the rest of my brain is all... "GIRL, knock it off. You know you'll get all the stuff to do this and just won't. Remember who you ARE!"

So seriously, goodness, awesome!
Hey Olerica :),

Thank you so much for the positive feedback :). Most people have probably guessed this :p, but organization in and of itself is kind of a hobby for me. HOWEVER, it's mostly trial and error, and for me, that means A LOT of error!!! I like reading about different people's methods and then trying to tailor them to my own habits.

My one downfall though is that I have a strange relationship with flat surfaces. I can cover ANY flat surface (the floor, a table, counter tops, the ceiling--if things wouldn't fall off it ;)) with PILES of things and use the excuse that I am trying to be "organized". I try to limit my possessions but for example, I'll take 6 books and make 3 stacks with them on a table and the logic that I am "organizing" them--even though I've just taken up over half the table.

If you would like to see if this method works for you, I would suggest a "trial run" (that's what I do.) A pack of plastic tabs and an index card notebook should cost about $6 or less and is a great way to try this. I would also suggest looking for an index card "notebook" with rings that open and close like a binder, so that you can move the cards around and add or subtract as you please instead of committing to a box and stacks of cards right away. I would imagine larger-scale versions of this might work well for things like cooking and baking, too?

As I said, I actually read about this method and can't take credit for it. One of my downfalls for years is that I always wanted to take notes based on topics and list them alphabetically, but couldn't find a good way to arrange the topics. If I used a regular notebook, I'd run out of pages (if I designated 5 pages for "Love" and the next 5 for "Marriage", what happened if I ran out of pages for Love? I'd start another notebook... and it was just a mess.)

I knew I needed a more flexible method. So then I tried binders with loose leaf pages I could add or subtract... But huge pages of information were distracting. Typing didn't work for me either--I didn't want to have to run to my computer every time I wanted to jot something down, and scrolling down pages and pages of information was just as cumbersome as the notebooks. Sometimes I also make a draw a small diagram or stick figure picture as well, so good old-fashioned writing is best for me.

I like this method because for the most part, I can find what I'm looking for "at a glance." I'm not very good at remembering references but for some reason, my brain retains bits and pieces of information so that's why I need things arranged by topics. I'll be the first to admit that organization takes A LOT of time up front but it pays itself off many times over with the headaches and frustration that's saved in the future.

I really love reading about other people's activities, and I really hope the things people share in this thread give others some useful ideas! :)

P.S. I have to admit though that one of my own "Christian Pet Peeves" is when other Christians tell me... "Well, maybe you should start reading the Bible." AHEM. I totally understand. I have my times of wavering, believe me. But it just bothers me that people automatically assume a person DOESN'T read the Bible...
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,926
8,172
113
#35
But... but... if you just took up half the table, where do I knead the sourdough? :p
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,587
113
#36
But... but... if you just took up half the table, where do I knead the sourdough? :p
*Shoves all the books off the table and onto the floor with one arm.*

If someone other than me is going to be cooking something yummy and homemade, that definitely takes precedence!!!

Also... for anyone wanting to post in this thread, please don't feel that you HAVE to post a picture or that the picture has to be yours... You could always post something from the internet... I just like seeing what other people have going on in their lives. :)
 
M

MissCris

Guest
#37
I've got a few of these growing in my garden...which is a project/hobby that I've kind of abandoned the last several weeks. Spent some time pulling weeds in the rain this morning though, which was fun.

image.jpg
image.jpg
 
Jul 25, 2015
893
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#38
image.jpg

Infinity scarf I knitted for Mom

image.jpg

The toe of a pair of socks in process

image.jpg

body of a sweater in process but was stopped until I finish current hooded sweater

I will take a picture tonight of the current sweater and a colorful pair of socks completed to post
 

Jilly81

Senior Member
Jan 16, 2011
2,365
136
63
#39
Splendid thread, Kim :)! Here's some of the egg art pieces I've done in the past few weeks; they've been engraved/etched by using a tool to remove the outer color, showing the lighter underneath :).





 
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seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,587
113
#40
Ladies, these pictures are GORGEOUS--thank you so much for sharing them!!!!

Most people here know I CAN'T grow ANYTHING, I somehow manage to kill off even plants labeled "easy-to-grow" (I just disposed of yet another poor, defenseless cactus carcass before I wrote this post), so I find OTHER people's gardens fascinating.

Chick, you are making me wish I got cold more often. I love that scarf--a sweater in that pattern thrown over a t-shirt would be so chic! Not to mention comfy!!! The yarns you are using look so plush and cushy.

Many kudos to you, ladies!!! :)

Jilly, just saw your post... It's ASTONISHING that these are the NATURAL colors of the eggs and they aren't painted!! Did you hollow them out first? GREAT job, girlie. They're just beautiful!!! And I'm sure would sell for a high price at a boutique I used to live by that sold plain eggshells as decorations for $2 each!
 
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