Frosted glass: I would like to say that the glass to put in the hutches can be made by using the vellum paper. The kind used in scrap booking. It works well.

Shirley Wheeler

General Protection Fault Error: I believe you were the one that asked what a “General Protection Fault” error meant. This error usually happens when a program has corrupted your RAM (Random Access Memory) resources. The key word here is “resources”, not the actual RAM. When this happens close everything down (programs), then shut your computer down the normal way. After you shut down wait a few seconds and then reboot. This should take care of your problem. It’s irritating, but at least can be fixed, which is not true of all MS Windows 98 problems.

Lynn (Arkansas)

Dressing Dolls: It's not often that 1" scale dolls are dressed using the same kind of patterns that we use for real people. For example, it would be impossible to make those tiny facings without way too much bulk. Also, I think the facings would eventually just rip away because the seams need to be sewn so close to the end of the pattern. There are lots of different tricks to dressing small dolls, each one making the job much easier than trying to do it the way you'd sew for yourself. You might want to visit http://www.lollyinc.bigstep.com/ - Lolly's Lilliputians - because she sells pattern booklets for 1" scale dolls. Or visit my web page http://www.dollsminiatures.bigstep.com and check out "Dolls and Miniatures" because that also contains lots of patterns for mostly 1" scale dolls (some smaller scales also). If you click on the various issues listed, it will tell you what issues are still available for sale, and what patterns they include.

Viola Williams

Re-sizing Patterns: You should be able to just shrink the Barbie patterns by 50% to make them fit a regular dollhouse doll. You may need to make some minor adjustments for the length from the neck to the waist, as Barbie's head is large in proportion to her body. (You can only expect a swelled head from somebody who puts her name on everything, including her dishes, right?) Probably have to fiddle with the bust line, too. I'd shrink them on an office copier, then cut from paper towels before I went into my good fabric.

Dani

Victorian Clothes Patterns: In regards to Victorian patterns. Gina also carries Stacy Hofman's patterns for a Victorian Ball gown, A Mid Victorian dinner dress, An Edwardian dress, and a Southern Belle. Also, House of Caron carries some nice patterns too, by Janelle Kuhl of Kuhl Creations, and Emmanjay!

www.houseofcaron.com

Laurie Sisson

Separating Embroidery Floss: Cut a length of floss and lay it on a flat surface. On the end you DID NOT cut separate one thread (in other words the beginning of the skein), place your fingers of the other hand gently on all the threads and then pull gently on the thread you are removing. It will slide out and the others will bunch up, but not tangle. You can then lay the remaining floss flat and repeat. It is important as to which end you pull the thread, the floss is twisted together and it works better if you have the right end. I have never used floss for anything besides granny squares and they require only a small amount. It is great for that because you can get so many colors and since I do counted cross-stitch I have a lot of it around. I'm not sure that you can separate more than a couple feet of floss at a time, it might tangle. When I do a blanket or afghan in one or two colors I use tatting thread, fine crochet thread, sewing thread or very fine yarn. Some of the yarn they make for home knitting machines is very fine and easy to work with. I've made some very nice afghans out it. You can also separate regular hand knitting yarn, but again it is best to separate as with the floss.

Marsha in WI

Separating Embroidery Floss: To separate embroidery thread (yarn, etc.) make some bobbins out of cardboard in a design (somewhat) as shown below.

1. I took a hole punch to nibble out the 'x' areas in center and at bottom...

2. By making a simple straight cut from top edge ( between the [] 's) into area cut out ( 'x' ed area ) .... you can gently slip thread, yarn etc. between cardboard and it will hang without unrolling.

3. Anchor thread when you begin to wind by making a cut mark up a half inch or so from the bottom indented area......or you could tape the end to cardboard.

           [           []           ]    < between  [] just make a

simple cut that opens

            [           []           ]           into the 'x' area that

you cut out

            [    [xxxxxxxx]    ]    < cut out 'x' area

            [    [xxxxxxxx]    ]

            [                         ]

            [                         ]

            [                         ]

            [  --------------  ]

            [___[xxxxxxx]___]

                     /\ ....cut out 'x' area

I use this type of bobbin to wind yarn on when I am braiding my mini rugs no fuss, no tangle....... Hope someone can find useful....... Of course, one could go out and buy something like this at a store, but I don't get out much, and don't have to feel guilty spending $$$$$ on something I can make.

Bobbie

Separating Embroidery Floss: Many are not aware of this, but thread has a straight of the grain in it also. To find it out hold each end of the thread in your hands tightly, and run it over your chin. One way, then back again. You will more than likely feel a smooth direction and a nubby one.

Make sure you use the thread with the smooth direction going into your project first. This little hint will help your project from knotting up on you so much, and prevents you from saying THOSE WORDS accidentally! Same goes for sewing thread when you are hand sewing.

Lisa Lynn

Crochet Thread: try tatting thread for miniature crochet, it's easier to use than embroidery thread.

Kari in Sacramento, CA

Crochet Patterns: Did you know that Dolls & Miniatures had several 1" scale crochet patterns? If you want to find out about them, go to www.dollsminiatures.bigstep.com and click on Dolls and Miniatures and then check out the various issues to see which have crochet projects. Also, Joy sells pattern for mini crochet an I think, also mini knitting. She can be reached at: joy@swallowhilldolls.com also http://swallowhilldolls.com

Viola Williams