Magic Brik: For those who've had the problem of trying to remove the little bits from between the grid on the Magic Brik--you really don't have to worry about it!   Just leave it there if it doesn't come off when you pull the grid off the backing sheet.   It is sticky and just provides some added adhesion when you put the mixture over it.   Do, however, seal the whole thing with a coat of fixative of some sort (polyurethane spray works well) after it dries as that increases the strength so the bricks aren't so likely to peel off when bumped in the future.   That has generally caused more problems than anything else with this material.

Dottie in Tucson

Which technique to use, quilling or tape and wire:  depends on the plant variety you're trying to make.  Some look better in one style than the other.   Sometimes mixing both techniques works best (daffodil:  tape leaves, quill flowers, or tape and wire vines for quill morning glories). Experiment and have fun.  You don't have to invest a huge amount in supplies to get started.  If you already have various shades of green acrylic paint (or one shade of green and some yellow and white to mix your own), masking tape works just as well, and if there's a computer network at your day job, you can probably talk the techs into donating their scrap wire.  Similarly, scrap paper can be cut into quilling widths if you're patient and can cut a straight line.

Loretta Sniarowski

Floral tape: ...may be tinted with Design Master Floral Spray Paint a translucent material thus yellow could become orange.

Becky Holliday

Cake Texture: I have kneaded cornmeal into polymer clay to give more texture to cakes.   This was included in a recipe in Dollhouse Miniatures a few months ago. The recipe was for a bundt cake.   I don't think flour, being so finely ground, would add much texture to the clay.

Mary in MS

Cotton/rayon grass: For grass, I have found that hand woven cotton or rayon chenille works wonderfully for grass.  It's very drapable & can be over flat or rolling hill areas.  Besides that, chenille is so "touchabIe".  I have several shades of green...or, how about a straw color for the barn area ??

Lili

Food Texture: I think the "flour" you are thinking of is Semolina, this is a fantastic additive for texturizing mini food.     

Miki (U.K)

Moss for side of Pond:   I assume you want to add moss to the side of your pond. The quickest way is to grind USED floral Oasis. I grate it on my cheese grater. It must be floral Oasis to tolerate the liquid. I paint diluted white glue on the surface, sprinkle oasis on the glue and  allow to dry. The resin will absorbed and move up the oasis, changing the color and making some of it appear wet. I also sprinkle some of this around the edge of my pond before I pour the water. When I apply this to rocks or other surfaces above the water line, I antique the item I have mossed with dirty paint water then seal it with a matt varnish.Becky Holliday

Working fountains: You can safely run distilled water mixed with a drop or two of Clorox (to one quart of water) bleach through the plumbing.  More bleach could cause damage. This will keep the water mildew free for quite a while. but you will have to change the water now and then. There is a product used for the popular desktop fountains that could also be used in place of water.  Maybe someone on the list has a desktop fountain and uses this?

You can also use a mixture of water and a bit of distilled WHITE vinegar.  Never use water that is not distilled.

Tracey A Meeker

Wiring over wallpaper: You may wire over existing wallpaper but it may pose a few potential problems.  I would suggest removing the old paper if you can.  Hopefully, you used Yes glue to hang the original paper.  If so, hold a steaming cloth over the old paper & it will pee; off easily.  The problems that may arise if you do not remove the wallpaper are these:  When you wallpaper over the paper already there, the new paste may cause the old paper to buckle & the pattern of the old paper may show through the new paper. 

Sari, The Doll House, Scottsdale, AZ

Contemporary furniture: I've found that some contemporary furniture is not very hard to make, if you're into making your own.   You could use inspiration like the IKEA (http://www.ikea.com ) catalogue or Lundby furniture (http://www.lundby.com  ) for ideas.

As for places to buy contemporary furniture (I have yet found any place besides eBay and Earth and Tree Miniatures that sells contemporary houses), you might have a few options.   One is using furniture designed for the Kaleidoscope House by Bozart (http://www.bozart.com ).   Another is to try some of the furniture from AGMinis (http://www.americangirl.com ).   I believe that some of it is in true 1" scale while some is not—   And you probably already know that you can buy contemporary kitchen furniture from just about any miniature supplier or retailer you can find (e.g. http://www.miniatures.com, but there are plenty of others).

Erin