Foamcore is available in two grades and sizes. It can be purchased in 1/8 and 3/16 thickness and is available in Acid-free (this is better, right Kathy!) and regular grades. Sheet sizes are 32 X 40 and 40 X 60 and can be purchased from a custom frame shop or an art store.

I used to make architectural models and they were 1/4 scale. I used 1/8 acid free board for the structure and used matboard for doors interior walls, and windows, and made the furniture with foamcore and matboard. I am currently making a 1" scale using 3/16 foamcore and matboard to give me the 5/16th standard of walls and the structure is 45 X 45 X 60 high and is quite structurally sound. I use matboard for "painted" walls and if I need thinner material, I peel the top layer of matboard off and glue it to the foamcore. I have architectural models built 15 years ago and they are still fine.

Douglas, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Electric fan guards in the round:   After deciding on your scale, Find a dowel whose diameter would fit your scale for the fan guard. Use fine wire (to stay in scale). Using the end of the dowel, make a series of "crisscrosses" so you get the cage effect. glue (fix) the wires where they cross at the center of the dowel diameter. Remove from the dowel. Paint black. You have your fan guard in scale. you can make 2 and glue them back to back to have an enclosure for the fan blades. If you have any problems grasping my concept, just e mail me and I will gladly add to your confusion.  

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL

Madame Alexander Dolls: Madame Alexander dolls are different heights - from 7 1/2" to 12 1/2" tall and taller. One of the best places to get information on these dolls is from the magazine Doll Castle News - http://www.dollcastlenews.com.  Their address is:
37 Belvedere Ave.,
PO Box 247,
Washington, NJ
07882
This magazine also has a classified ad section in the back which always has ads for doll clothes patterns, which I'm sure would include some for your doll.

Paulette in IN

Basic Bed Making Instructions: You can use 1/2" ceiling tile cut into two 6 x 4 inch rectangles for a nice-sized 'box spring' on which to place a 1/2" foam mattress.  This makes the bed a size that looks 'right' in a miniature setting - it is not quite as large as a regular full size bed, and not quite as small as a twin size. Put a 6 x 4 piece of poster board under the foam to stabilize the mattress while you put on the sheet, etc., then glue to the ceiling tile box springs after putting a coat of gesso on the 'springs' and then dressing it with dust ruffle, if you're using this style.  Headboards can be made of anything basswood, Gator board (the DENSE- inside core board from art supply shops), metal, wicker, etc.   Posts are tricky you notch 1/4" into the box spring end corners to support the post and then glue and pin in place with a gold straight pin.   Use the headboard to support the head-end posts. Choose fabric that easily crushes and holds the wrinkles with as little nylon, polyesters, or other man-made fiber in it as possible.   Use a QUICK-DRYING tacky WHITE water-soluble clear- drying glue (Aileen makes one as well as a generic version) for fast fabric holding.

There have been several articles on 'bed making' over the years - but I think that Judee Williamson's book, Judee's Beds, shows the 'cream of the crop' for canopied designs.   Unfortunately, the book is a little short on 'hold-your-hand' instructions -- but with a little common sense, you can figure it out.   Many bed makers now use the 'extra-crisp' type of Magic Sizing (a type of spray starch) found in the grocery store - or a matte finish clear acrylic spray (I like Plaid's Patricia Nimoc's) to hold fabrics exactly where you want them to be.   You'll have to make some 'trial and error' samples before committing these skills to the 'real thing' - unless you have someone to help guide you 'in person'. Start with a 1/4" graph paper drawing of the actual size bed and how you want it to appear - then figure out the construction details.   Much easier on paper than once you have started gluing!    Make a balsa or illustration board mockup before you commit to really fine wood or fabric - using cotton muslin.   Use good quality fabric-like paper towel to act as pseudo-fabric in designing specifics for a bed.

Linda Gale

Christmas Punch:   Materials:
Polymer Compound Resin (2-bottle kit such as Envirotex-Lite)
Red Transparent Dye
Chrysnbon Punch Bowl Kit
Clear Baking Crystals for Ice Cubes
Candy Canes
Paper Cup, Stirring Stick, Toothpicks
Method:
Pour very accurate amounts of both resin and hardener into a paper cup. Add Red Transparent Dye, drop-by-drop until a good rich red color is obtained. Stir thoroughly. Carefully pour the resin mixture into your punch bowl.   Using a toothpick, fill cups.   Add "ice cubes".   Arrange candy canes around bowl by hooking them onto the outer rim.   Insert ladle in bowl if desired.   Allow to harden undisturbed for about 12 hours.

Mary Eccher

Cold Porcelain: This is the recipe site for cold porcelain paste. http://membe rs.tripod.com/~LuJS/coldporcelain.html

Peggy

Color Schemes: Try these sites:    http://www.colorschemer.com/online/   to find a set of colors which "go" together,  then use this one http://www.mycolour.com.au to see how they'll look in your room.   Just remember that color is NOT an exact science when using a monitor so disregard the paint names, or it might be a good idea to also have a color card and match the monitor and color card colors. Dulux have 250ml sample pots which are great for us.

Kaye from Sydney

3/4 cup of white glue
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup of water
1 teaspoon of cold cream
1 teaspoon of glycerin
Mix wet ingredients until smooth over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes and add cornstarch. Stir continually until it forms a ball, remove from pan and mix thoroughly with hands do not refrigerate. Keep in an airtight bag. Use as you would any modeling paste, can be molded and used in many ways... use chalk powder to color, or paint with any paint when dry.   Use cold cream to moisten mold and/or when you are working with it, if it becomes sticky.. Or ..dust with cornstarch...adjust ingredients for more or less.

Another one:
1/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1/4 cup of Bicarb soda
Mix all ingredients together and cook (stirring) until it forms a ball. This is used the same as above.

Copper Foil: I sell 32 gauge copper foil in a roll 12" wide by 3'. http://www.JBsDollhousesMiniatures.com

Jackie

Lamp room box: You may want to try Designs by Dann http://www.imaginationmall.com/dann/ for the lamp room box.   I know she used to carry them.

Pat K. in Minnesota