A couple of book titles: I wanted to share a couple of book titles that I thought might go along with some of the discussion threads that have been in SS. I just picked up Beryl Armstrong's book "How to Make Your Dollhouse Special". She has some of the most innovative ideas on fixing up your house using VERY inexpensive items (shingles from tags for example) as well as such things as what to do with one of those tab and slot houses you may want to stomp. Wonderful book for getting the creative juices flowing. Also there was some talk about the terms "dollhouse", "scale-model house" and "miniature house". I am really interested in the architectural aspects so maybe I would choose miniature house rather than scale-model since most of what I do is only part of a house. But I really like to do authentic colors and try to get the elements to look "right" at least to the viewer. It's not too bad with more modern homes but Victorian homes were usually photographed in Black and white so the full effect could not be seen. While I was at Barnes and Noble I spotted this one on their "special" displays - "Victorian Home" by Ellen Plante. It is in full color - plate after plate - felt like I was having a feast. Mostly it is about authenticating modern rooms to be just like the originals (I for one will only dust my dollhouse). I'm working on a Second Empire house right now (therapy for my soul after smashing my index finger in the car door and breaking the tip bone) so it is really a help to get the right feel along with choice of color. I decided to be more authentic on the outside too so dragged out another book called Victorian Exterior Decoration by Winkler...I had forgotten how fantastic this book is with color charts from the time along with advertising pictures which help out the, yes, black and white photos taken in the different time periods. These 2 are about full size houses and rooms but definitely relate to our "houses" whatever you want to call them.

Ana

Thin Flexible Mirror: I'm sure that you will find something closer to you, but you can get the thin plastic mirror that you are looking for from Jojays on line, the actual page link is http://www.jojays.com/acatalog/Jojays_On_line__Page_6_85.html and they have online ordering. FLAT MIRROR SHEET (DH114) Flexible plastic sheet - 1mm thick 10 x 7.5cms, it costs one English pound & 10p. I have used it myself & IMHO it's good.

Paulette Cullarn in Christchurch, New Zealand

Thin Flexible Mirror Sheets: I'm sure that you will find something closer to you, but you can get the mirror sheets: From the catalogue of The American School of Needlework They have those sheets you can order them from their catalogue. Their toll free # 1-800-379-9627 They are called flexible Mirrors item #6324 they come in 6 "X 9" sheets. Two sheets per package.

SUSAN AT THE WHITE RABBIT'SHOUSE

Thin Mirrors: I found my thin mirror in the AUTOMOTIVE SECTION at Wal-Mart!! Easy to cut to the size I wanted, and worked quite well. Used it to display the "other side" of a dress form in the corner of my sewing room.

Scott & Susie Haugen, Venice, Florida

Special Fabrics: If you contact rwk@rt66.com she will silk screen a piece of fabric (your choice of fabric, and your design) for a very reasonable price.

Viola

Fuzzy paper. I recently received a package of 'Micro format fuzzy paper' from The Imagination Gallery. This paper can go through your printer without leaving any little 'fuzzies' to gum it up.

I used Paint Shop Pro to print out some small scale rugs on it, and it worked wonderfully. (They also have something called 'Fabric Carrier' which I thought at first was some kind of tote bag...but no, it's a paper that you can back your thin fabric with, put it through the printer, print on the fabric, and then peel off the backing. Sounds very interesting to me, and I think I'll order a package this week.) They have a lot of other papers and decal makers that might be of use to us miniaturists too. http://www.paper-paper.com/fuzzy-paper.html

Kaye in L.A.

Sites that sell minis: A couple of people asked for recommendations of sites that make and sell miniatures. May I suggest you start with Small Stuff's own link pages at http://smallstuff-digest.com? Other than the "Personal Collections" and "Online Groups" links pages, all the rest are miniatures for sale sites. That should keep you busy for a few weeks *grin* Then, hop on over to these miniature links/directory sites: http://www.miniature.net http://www.miniature.net/minilink.html http://www.myminiatures.com http://www.imaginationmall.com http://www.jayesminilinks.com And don't forget the miniature rings! http://rings.miniature.net and http://miniatures.about.com/hobbies/miniatures/library/webring/blminiartists.htm

Anne Gerdes

1/4 inch scale ruler: A few weeks ago there were several postings about scale rulers--I just discovered another source for quarter inch scale rulers. Model Railroad shops have a General brand 12 inch metal ruler with 1/4 inch scale markings, catalog number 1251 at about $6.00. There are no calculations needed, no trying to interpret the markings, just a very simple direct reading in 1/4. The scale is labeled O Gauge: 1/4 : 1 ft.

Dean Jenson

1/2 scale houses: You can find 1/2" scale houses and furniture and kits at SCALE DESIGNS http://www.scaledesigns.com

Fannye in TX

1/4" scale furniture: Mel asked where to find 1/4" scale furniture and I have a list of websites as long as my arm :o}. For now I'll just recommend a few that I've actually ordered from & have been more than pleased with their items: http://members.aol.com/markstromj/index.html I am the happy owner of a set of Jane's 1/4" scale wicker furniture & it is absolutely exquisite. She is a dear to work with and very conscientious and meticulous. Seeing her Hindeloopen painting on quarter scale furniture is what got me started in that direction.....the detail she achieves is extraordinary. I have one of her hutches in my 1/2" scale gourd teapot. Bonnie Soucek has some wonderful items, too (and in all scales). I have a darling 1/4" scale garden table and chair that she decorated.

Jude in ND