White House Presidential Home Replicas: The White House link does have pictures of all the replicas.   The URL is http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/presidential-homes

Emily in MD

Electrifying a Chrysnbon Sewing Machine: Last night, I was just so clever…   I was about to install two light fixtures in my needlework shop roombox, and was taking everything out.  When I looked at the sewing machine, I remembered talk on the digest about sewing machines with electric lights.   Well, mine is just a cheapo - but very realistic looking - Chrysnbon sewing machine (without the treadle), which I mounted on a board, so it would appear electric.  I remembered that when I put it together, it was hollow inside.  I started to think about putting a grain of wheat bulb inside, and cutting out a hole just above the presser foot.   Fortunately, I had another sewing machine kit, unassembled, so I decided to give it a try.  Well, although the inside is hollow, there wasn’t quite enough room for the light bulb.  However, armed with an X-Acto and a file, I was able to gouge out enough room in both halves to fit the bulb.  After I hooked up the overhead lights, I connected everything temporarily, and WOW – it all looked great, especially the sewing machine…  

Jonathan in Israel

12 V lamp and 9 v batt:  If you use a 12 v lamp with a 9 v batt you will get a dimmer glow to the bulb. it will glow about only 3/4 of its intended luminosity. On the up side the bulb will last much longer. If you use a momentary switch the light will only stay on as long as you hold down the "plunger". It is a boon to those of us that forget to shut off lights.

Drbob...Delray Beach FL

Short in your new installation:   Replace the fuse in your fuse holder & test the system again, maybe you hooked the light up wrong or you left an xacto knife (or something else like jewelry) touching the bare wires & creating a short.  Remember that if you used any single tape in your system, that you have used insulation material to cross over another tape.   If you are still blowing fuses than you need to figure out which floor the short is on.   Cut your tape between the 1st & 2nd floors & test the 1st floor.  If the lighting works than that floor is fine.  Next cut between the 2nd & 3rd floors & test the 2nd.  If the fuse blows, than you know the short is on the 2nd floor. Look carefully & if you are lucky, the booboo will be looking you right in the face.  If you are not so lucky, than you must cut between each room until you find out which room the short is in.  Once you find it, retape & than reconnect all your cuts.  Remember to reconnect using brass brads.

Sari

Beaded tree: My friend made one and I made the ornaments for her. The green beads are strung on fine wire and each branch is a straight piece with a loop of beads at the end. Make 4 the same length and attach to your post like 4 spokes (wood, tree branch whatever).   Then continue making 4 pieces, each set slightly smaller, till you get to the top. Top with a star or angel or loop.   Hard to describe but they are gorgeous and the more you make, the fuller it is. This method can also be used with chenille. cutting each set of 4 smaller and smaller (without the loop) and wrapping and gluing to the post.

Gail

Magic Bric: I have done many complete building with it, both red brick and white brick.  One (enormous) tip;  when mixing the brick powder, include a tablespoon full of white glue with the water.   This will give you a brick that is about as strong as ceramic.  Without this glue, the brick tends to crumble when touched.  I don't know why the instructions don't include this information.   I've told the manufacturer about it enough times!

Tom Berkner

Gingerbread House Ideas: I have a real gingerbread house project, including photos and recipes, online. Maybe it will give you decorating ideas. Or maybe, you'll be inspired to make a real one too!   http://gerdesdesign.com/gingerbread.htm

Anne

How I painted my brick.  First I decided what color I wanted the grout to be and I painted the whole sheet bricks included this color.  Since the brick stuck up a little above the grout line I was able to take a sponge and sponge on several different colors to make a realistic looking brick. The technique is you don't paint the brick but lightly put the sponge with color  on the top of the brick. You repeat this with several different brick looking colors to give you a realistic  multi-grained look. then spray on  some type of sealer.

Kathryn from Virginia

White House web site : To see a spectacular virtual tour of the White House rooms decorated for Christmas 15 mini replicas of Presidential homes, go to http://www:whitehouse.gov/holiday    Enjoy - its a real treat.

Ellie Hughes

Bricks from wood strips. Find the strip that is the width of the brick you want, then measure the length of the brick and score the strip with an exacto saw blade being careful not to saw through the strip. If you make a jig you can score several pieces at a time. I use the miter box that comes with the saw and mark the length of the brick on the miter box, as you score several strips you slide the group matching the score line with the mark on the box and score again. When you have a proper number of scored strips you glue them onto the structure staggering the score lines. When completed you give it a base coat of the brick color of choice. When that is dry you can sponge the different shades onto the brick in a random pattern. When dry use a sealer and seal the bricks. To grout the bricks you can use Elmers wood filler, fill in the score lines and before the grout sets wipe with a damp sponge to clean of the bricks. When it is completely dry mix a dirty wash and brush on, this will color the grout and give depth to the bricks when you gently wipe over the bricks with a dry paper towel to bring out the high lights. You can also use pastels to do the shading to antique the bricks.

Ellen P