Floral Tape: Here is a site that sells floratape with many colors available http://www.floratape.com/markets_products.htm#mkt_floral

Connie

Hospital gatherings: BIOHAZARD! "Many are just dropped on the floor, however, I did raid the trash can for the mini tubing from his IV saline"

I'm retired from nursing, but when I was a nurse...boy, the only way I can put it without being vulgar...Suffice it to say...you really don't want those things. They are MAJOR biohazards. There is a large distinct group of infections (called Nosocomial infections) that simply arise out of having been in a hospital...(working there, visiting).

If you are truly intrigued by the items, find a nice nurse, AFTER she's had her coffee, and isn't charting...and ask her for what you might want...that hasn't been used. Don't be afraid to tell her why. Depending on the facility, she might be able to help you...(some facilities have charge out slips on equipment, even the smallest tubing...so they might not be allowed...) It all depends. Don't count on hypos or anything...but she might be able to help you.

Seriously, I would NOT want anything from a hospital...even if it was new...they are germy germy places! And the used stuff! Yikes! Unless you have an autoclave in your kitchen...my best advice would be to make a running start for the nearest Biohazard bin, and get rid of the stuff! Then wash your hands with Hibiclens, and rubbing alcohol. Sure, they look neat, but a bad case of pseudomonas is a high price to pay for some cool looking downspouts, hon.

Sherise

bunka substitute: Barbara Morrison asked about bunka and I assume she means the thread that unravels to such a nice curly thread and makes wonderful miniature rugs.   If you truly want to do the punch needle work that is called bunka in Japan (and here) look for punch needle and/or iglotchki (am not sure of the spelling) which is very similar and uses the same technique.   If you are not using it for a punch needle and only need it  for trim, any kind of cord that unravels by pulling a thread will work.   I have bought fancy tassels and pulled them apart just to get the thread that is then unraveled.  It is like taking out crochet chain.

Jacqui, Goddess of Chaos

MicroStitchery News:   Just letting you know that I have added 10 new needlepoint kits to my web site.  They are: a Grapes pillow, a small Unicorn wall hanging, 4 Oriental carpets and 3 new rugs of Noah's Ark, Bunnies and Sheep Pulltoys.

Also new is that you may now order silk gauze by the 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 or 1 yard from the Shopping Basket on my site.  Shipping is included in the price.   Therefore, if you are not comfortable working on 40 count or want your   finished piece to be larger or smaller than the kit designates, then order a chart for the pattern and a piece of the appropriate count silk gauze.   You can then supply your own DMC, either in the colors set forth on my chart or come up with your own.   If you need help in changing sizes, drop me a line.

FINALLY, stroll on over to my site and take a look at the wonderful "face lift" that SS's own, Anne, has given to my Go Shopping section.  This should improve loading and scrolling times.  We aim to please! http://www.micro-stitchery.com

Bobbie Schoonmaker, IGMA Fellow

Flat part of Mansard Roof: my childhood neighbors' house was mansard. The flat part was tar paper, which can be faked easily with heavy-weight black sandpaper.  Other options are metal (which would have ridges where the sheets were crimped together, and probably wasn't preferable on a flat roof) or rubber.   My current house has a flat rubber roof over the laundry room; it looks like a big heavy duty black tarp glued into place.

Loretta_Sniarowski

Mansard roof suggestions: the Foxhall Manor has a large mansard roof and I shingled the sloping edges and used Fleckstone paint in a charcoal for the flat part - looks like a flat roof that was tarred and had stones put on top which is how many flat roofs are done.   I think it looks great as it is in scale and blends well with the black modern shingles I used on the slopes.  Of course, my house is contemporary and if you are doing an older time period, I don't know if the tar and stone idea would work for that.  The paint is that granite look spray stuff and I don't know if it is available in your area.

Jo from the Poconos

Mansard roof:  In a Bluette Meloney class with mansard roof, the flat part was covered with black sandpaper, with molding strips around it, you could also use those little metal decorative strips, that look like small fences only much shorter, don't know what to call them, obviously. They give it a very ginger-bready look. Just cut four of them to butt up with each other.

Molly Cromwell

Mansard roofs:  we have a lot of mansard roofs in my area, the 4 walls meet at an angle at the top and have a slight drop to the center. the center is usually just tarred (is that right?).

Aletha

Roofing: In Home Depot I found what they call Non skid strips. These are made by 3M and are adhesive backed. What made me notice them is that they are textured. The black strips comes in rolls of varying widths. 1"or 3"   etc. The black is textured like sand. The gray color comes in same the sizes and is a more pronounced texture. Finally, the bone color (us girls know that color is) between the two as far as texture is concerned. It sells for$  0.85/ft. for the 1" size. You can purchase any length you want or buy it in complete rolls. I used the black 1" to shingle a roof. Cut it into 1" pieces and stuck it on the roof. Makes good looking roofing shingles.

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL.

Plank flooring:   we have used this and did not remove the backing paper, just glued the product down as it was.   so far after several years we have not noticed any changes and it looks as flat as when we did it.

Mary B