LisaN

I like a mixture too, though the medieval and tudor look really appeals to me. Also for some reason the grander and gaudier it is, the more I like it. I guess my taste runs to bawdy Victorian Gothic!lol! I love the shabby chic look, with the cherubs and rod iron, and antiques. My husband has held out against it--(he's a typical redneck--calls my cherubs 'those lil' winged naked people' sitting around!) In my dollhouse anything goes.

Jenny, your house is beautiful! I love the detail! I own one of Alice's Japanese dolls that measures one inch! It's a beautiful touch! Her work is certainly.....amazing!lol!

Gas prices are $2.92 here in Va. And rising daily. The worst part of all this in Va. is our governor wants to promote 'clean' air and make a law passing it mandatory ethanol use. It is starting in the Va. beach and hampton roads areas, so some people are having to burn all the gas in their cars to clean out the tanks to take this cheap junk. Ethanol is a mixture of gasoline and corn.. cheap, burns quicker, and the prices won't be gong down. Not looking forward to when this becomes mandatory in the state. Right now we're able to run the 'good' gas. I can fill up my little grand prix and go --it has the best gas mileage. On the other hand, our pickup and dodge we can't really get rid of, you need an suv and a pickup out in the country--can't haul wood in a car! :lol: Tracey, our camping trips have been cut short too...gas is just too high to go anywhere in the RV, which we enjoy too! I take stuff along and build on the road--it's how I relax! That is so cool! Does your hubby like to fish too? Sorry folks, will get off my soapbox now. Like dragonfly stated, the gas prices are higher in Europe because of imports. Crude oil is $70+ a barrel right now.

This is a fun topic. What am I working on? Shelby Cottage is in the stumped stage as I call it. Am collecting a few bits and pieces for it. So much depends on the electrical part, and I'm at that point now with Queen's Row, bought wire to wire up the chandliers, so may do both wiring projects at the same time. To put even more craziness into the mix, I started a 'pirates' cave' on a challenge from my husband--who likes the theme. We had a roombox that was started but was sitting poor abused and neglected. So Chris challenged me to make it really creepy with a pirates cove. It's coming along, and today I was going to get a little ahead. Made some miniature cookies, cakes, pies, bananas, yum! and bought more minis a week ago --

B) I had to laugh here... because the same thing happens to me.... My house is set up for the displays...most of the items to be shipped are in the studio. People from church or just dropping in are amazed and are always asking, how long does it take? Such patience! ;) One of the ladies from church stopped by to cut some flowers for the service, and had never really visited, but when I took her on a tour, (I was painting windows and doors for the Queen's Row that day --) she was really amazed at 'the windows really open and close!' She was like a little kid in the house, going from the sugarplum to the arthur to the Primrose. Funny thing was, she didn't cut any flowers but said she would be back and brought her daughter! I guess she was more fascinated than the daughter (her daughter is about 11 or 12) and was looking for another excuse to come in and look. She was even more amazed that Chris helped build and like to design his own. I think men are really more appreciative sometimes then the ladies who are not into this hobby--since more men do woodworking and such. I've had men who you can tell are just fascinated by the detail of the houses, but their wives keep pulling them along, thinking it is a toy....well, it is... but for us grownups who haven't grown up! Sounds like you really made that service tech find a new hobby..

I hope you feel better soon Nutti. Take care of yourself, I know what it is like to suffer from ill health. Had to go to the doctor this morning with a migraine, fixed me right up. Now no more 18 hour headaches. Get well soon. You are really missed.

I recommend all three. If you're nervous about the price on American Miniaturist, why not order one copy? I now sell American Miniaturist on my website, and the convenience of the size is why I love it, also they have wonderful shop reviews and how tos. Miniature Collector is one close to my heart simply because of the fantastic quality miniatures --I'm not so much interested in the how tos, which I get from my other magazines, as much as seeing the articles and pics, and the show and shop info. I hate to play the devils' advocate here, but no one hobby magazine is going to have everything--it's not possible. For instance, American Miniaturist as previously pointed out is a very convenient size, and holds up to traveling, etc. I usually carry one in my purse all the time. Dollhouse Miniature Magazine is great for how tos, and inside info on the new products coming out. It all depends on budget, and preference and what you want in a hobby magazine. I sometimes wish myself that DHM would go back to the old format, and several people or old timers I have spoken with did not like it when they changed the name and the size. You can check out my website for the issues of American Miniaturist and Miniature Collector I spoke of. http://www.kingwilliamminiatures.us I'm sure you won't be disappointed, whichever one you decide upon subscribing to. They are all wonderful magazines.

Another item you could use that might be sturdier than a carpet tube is those tubes at the hardware store that contractors use. I bought the largest one I could find and cut it down with the intentions of doing a tower, a fairy grotto, you name it. The carton stuff it's made of is perfect for a tower, etc. I still have the sections have just never gotten around to creating it. My idea was to create a tower with a round winding staircase. Also, wood finals for bedposts might work for your dome. That's really neat, I haven't done a Laurel yet, I look forward to your pics.

Happy Easter everyone!

Sally, Diane Almeyda who does stained glass and ironwork put some useful tips on Small Stuff this morning about soldering the iron, or metal. One thing that she specifically stated was that you shouldn't get the solder too hot, or it will 'eat' the metal you are using. I would have to experiment with it before seeing what she totally means, I think she was referring to the silver.

Sally on of my favorite B&B here in Va. on the way to Williamsburg, is Edgecroft --built just before the civil war. Beautiful staircase, but not as dramatic as the one you have pictured. Watch the movie Gone with the Wind. The staircase in the Atlanta mansion that Scarlett & Rhett build is actually a hotel staircase, the Jefferson, that was copied by Hollywood for that one scene. Brides still have their receptions at the Jefferson, and their pictures taken on this staircase. In the turn of the century, this hotel was famous for its pet 'alligators' that resided in the marble pools, while folks dined. They now have statues of those alligators, in rod iron, where the alligators used to swim. It too has all of the majestic marble, etc. The b&b that is my favorite, has been featured in Country Inns magazine, and is run by a wonderful little lady named Dot. She upgraded the rooms to have a small lavatory, and some you share the bathroom, but most of her rooms now have a sink. The carriage house and the other 'cabins' that have been converted also have their own baths. I love the name Wisteria Inn, it is quite old south. Another option on names if you're still toying with it is alot of old southern plantations about here where I live have a woman's name. Examples of this are Shirley, Evelynton( owned by the Ruffin family--supposedly the man who fired the first shot of the Civil war in south Carolina, I believe it was. Evelynton was burned during the war and rebuilt by its descendants, and that's the mansion you see now.) Another one that is right down the road from me is Queenfield plantation, named for the charter the family received from Queen Anne, I believe. Look forward to more plans! Why not check out Lawbre for the staircase railings or even a staircase that is spiral? that would be fantastic looking! http://www.lawbre.com

In this case, even though the bashing is remarkable, I don't know if I would mess with the BH's design. Though I understand her plans as she explains them, it's supposed to be a huge Victorian w/ a courtyard, it kind of takes away from the features of the kit. I'm quite sure it is going to look wonderful, but why not just scratch build? But that's what bashing is all about, making the house your own.

Gas is high here in Va. too just for the low grade. $2.69 a gallon sounds about right, hubby said diesel is running about $3 a gallon. Gas had gone down quite a bit two months ago, but our fine governor of Va. decided that the gasoline was too low, so up it goes.

Lucky! A large package you say??? I love getting packages in the mail too--and hate it when a delivery is expected and it doesn't show up when I expect it to! Especially when the minis arrive!

Nutti, looked at your pics and it looks like you & hubby had fun! What a great project to do together! I love the way it looks like it just went together so well! And your paperclay stones & bricks look --wow!

You're welcome Jamie. NAME is a great source for not only the 'crafty' type of collector, but everyone. Especially if you are looking for past articles in Nutshell News, Dollhouse Miniature magazine, or other miniature magazines. They have an archived index. But don't underestimate the possibilities with NAME, you can even start your own club (NAME will supply you a packet on how to apply for a charter, which is easy) if there is no one near you in your area.

May I suggest you all try the NAME website? The link is: http://www.miniatures.org Go to their button and click on 'find a club' (or shop if you are looking for one in that are too!) and there are many NAME chartered clubs probably near you. By joining NAME you will find many active and non active members, and have access to NAME'S media library, events such as state days, houseparties, and regional events sponsored by NAME and the miniature clubs. These are fun and you meet many miniaturists, beginners, collectors, and dealers. Usually these events sponsor a project or workshops, and a sales area. You also receive the Miniature Gazette 6 times with your membership, and a NAME pin. When you go to the 'finda club link' it will direct you to a map. Click on the state in which you live, this will also give you the region in which your state is in, and make it easier to find your Regional events, and State and regional coordinators. Just thought I'd help.

Sandra, I don't know when the show was, or is, but one way would be to go to http://www.miniatures.org the NAME website, and click on the link to find a show, in the event calendar. It might be there. Another place to look would be one of the mini magazines, Miniature Collector, Dollhouse Magazine, or American Miniaturist.

We are growing a garden this year and hubby Chris is the canner. His nana taught him how to can all sorts of things, fruit, veggies, meat, you name it. When he first moved to Richmond he canned alot and hunted alot, another old lady nearby taught him how to salt meat. So he wants to begin canning in earnest--he loves canning tomatoes. My mother & grandmothers used to can quite alot, my mom used to make her own chow-chow. But as for canning, no, seen it done---that's hubby's job this year. I just clear out the kitchen for the cook!lol!

Actually, it is a strip of thing cardboard, like the stuff the dry cleaners puts in your shirts to hold them stiff. It is quite thin. A sturdy piece of cardstock would do. We used tacky glue, mixed with water to thin it a little, and applied sand to it for a walkway. The little border flowers are that woodland scenics stuff from the train store. The vine is actually small pieces of grapevine, and more landscaping 'grass' that stretches, applied on the teacup top. I used duco cement (dollar store) to adhere the trees, little birdhouse, stones, shrubs, etc. I used the tacky glue thinned with water to adhere the grass. Basically this project you can do no wrong or right, whatever your imagination and ingeniuity take you! For instance, some of my friends in club applied a rose trellis to the back of the teacup, with roses on it. I would like to do this project again because the little cardstock printie house just doesn't do it for me, it isn't dimensional enough. I am currently working on a jar scene in a Yankee candle jar and I used a little resin house not more than an inch high(you can sometimes buy these in gift shops, Hallmark, or even on HBS) and that turned out a lot better, so I might redo this project again with one of those. Susanne, I know what you mean. I have three webshots albums, and since they are free albums(I switch the pics around to suit my current pictures, and make sure I have copies on disk in my files) I look at it the same way. I love looking at folks' pictures, and most of the time they are in webshots. I guess I have learned to be alot more tolerant as I grow older. The thing I did not like about the way webshots has changed their format is the pictures appear smaller on the homepage, but most of these photo sites over advertise anyway. I just like them for a quick link to my photos.

It really must depend on the state & district where your child is, in my opinion. I am passionate about education, because the No child left behind would not have been necessary, had it not been for mandatory SOL tests. I have looked at alot of Amanda's homework and find that though they stress math, geometry, english, etc. they really gloss over the basics. For example, Amanda called counting on her fingers (in the 1st & 2nd grade) 'punch' math. I asked her what is that, and she quickly 'counted' on her fingers in five tables. Long division was given another kooky name. She basically learned her multiplication tables on her own, simply because they did not make her write them out, and recite them as we had to in the fourth grade. It took all of us working with her in the fourth grade, and quizzing her for her to get it, and I'm glad to say she did, and now helps a younger child with her tables. I feel they really should start kids with a foreign language in grade school, like Spanish, French, German, or even Japanese. This should be a major requirement. I'm very thankful that Amanda has a teacher that stresses good writing skills and grammar, which I've noticed that few of her teachers have done in the past. Call me old fashioned, but kids should be prepared for the working world, not just this or next year's SOL tests.

I agree with Holly here. Amanda gets enough homework, and now has a great teacher. But with the inept SAT tests, it's a wonder the kids ever learn anything, they spend so much time having to pass these tests. Whatever happened to the good old fashioned way, if you flunked you flunked? Nowadays the ways the tests are arranged, a student doing well can do lousy on the test, and not pass. This is a soapbox for me, I apologize. Chris & I spend alot of time with Amanda's mom & stepdad making sure her grades come first, and Holly is right--it's work for those concerned with getting an education.

They are fun and easy to do. On our teacup, one of the things that our project coordinator insisted on was finding a white teacup. This is harder than you might imagine--I looked in dollar stores, you name it. Some of our club members in Fredericksburg, Va found some neat ones in a junk shop--where mine was found, but it had little aqua flowers on it. A teacup with a deep saucer to hold the grass works especially well. If you want figures, go to a train shop for N scale accessories and trees. Another thing you will need is 'clumpy' grass from the train store, this is to put behind the cottage picture, which is actually a picture of an english cottage on cardstock, outlined with thin coffee stick wood that is stained. I landscaped mine with flower boxes and a small vine growing up the cottage. Glue your teacup onto the saucer with Duco cement, and let that completely dry first. Another option in my opinion that would be easier than the cardstock picture is one of those tiny resin houses, it would look more realistic.

I would shop around for a new oil tank, if that is needed. Unless the guy wants you to buy an oil tank from his company. My dad has found one and installed them in his house, and gave an extra one to Chris for a job he was doing. You probably need an outside tank, don't quite know if that would solve your problem though. I really feel for you, I felt the same way when the two little guys were dragging stuff from under the house, and needed more parts!! All I could think of too was how much! Chinese sounds good right about now too.