Ellis Island Inspectors:  here's a web page on Ellis Island inspections (I'm guessing the rest of the site might be interesting, too):   http://www.ellisisland.com/inspection.htmlIt describes the inspectors as "wearing starched collars and heavy serge jackets"

Lee

Projects: While I had some time on my hands(no digests to read),I created a new page on my website. This page has several projects with How-tos. I have a tree, carpetbags, fishing creel and a wreath so far. If you're interested in taking a peek the addy is: http://minipearls.homestead.com/Weewilliewinkies.html  Click on PROJECTS. This is the first time I've done this sort of thing. I would appreciate feedback  regarding the directions. I hope that they a clear enough to be understood.

Pearl Jordan

Cute site: I found a very cute site by the author Jan Brett. It is full of too full scale printables ( which you probably can scale down) and a sweet tiny gingerbread house. There are activities for the kids too and lots more. Have a look at the cute masks. I am sure this site will inspire some of you.   http://www.janbrett.com

Marianne

How-To Books: I have an extensive library on books pertaining to dollhouses and miniatures.   I will try to give you an idea of each of these books merits.

- Beryl Armstrong's How to Make Your Dolls' House Special: Beryl is a great one for finding use in the found, everyday objects instead of bought components.   This particular edition has several pictures from her previous book (Design and Build Your Dollhouses, Chartwell Books, Inc.)  She gives step by step directions for thatch roofing, fire grates and vintage cook stoves, making your own lamps and light fixtures, cutting your own windows/door- ways along with numerous ideas for exterior finishes.   I think her castle is fabulous.   I highly recommend either of her books.

- Kath Dalmeny's Dolls' House Details:   This book reminds me a lot of Venus Dodge's book in that it has numerous patterns for projects and furniture. I like the way she has divided her ideas into chapters such as Toys and Games, In the Kitchen, Leisure Activities, Flowers and Plants, Celebrations, just to name a few.   Each of these chapters has at least four subcategories of ideas.   If you like Venus Dodge's book, you will like this one too.

- Nick Forder's Dollhouse Decor, Creating Soft Furnishings in 1/12th Scale:   Just got this one and what a beautiful book, not so much a how-to as a history of different eras in decorating.   The pictures are absolutely beautiful, great for inspiration.  I have everything he has printed on the subject of dollhouse miniatures. There is the odd pattern for needlework rugs, cushion covers, etc., also some drapery patterns.

If you liked Venus's and Jessica's books I think you won't go wrong with these three.  Hope this helps.

Susan in Texas

Display box Project: Now, a project for you all. Very simple and inexpensive. There were a bunch of gifts I got from people when I was in Japan that I wanted a special display box for. I had seen one in Michael's that I really loved, but it was expensive, $60, and even with a 40% off coupon, more than I wanted to pay. So my head began to whirl.

There are there Lucite frames, called 'box frames', a sort of shallow box made of clear plastic, with a white cardboard box inside them which is supposed to hold the picture in place. I got one on sale for about $3.00. Remove the cardboard box.

Bought a piece of foam core board, of course, you could use gator board or wood if you are so inclined. I constructed a box that was 4 inches deep, (you can make it any depth you like) and slipped the frame on the front. It came out so good I made a couple of more! Only took me about half and hour to do. In my bathroom, which is wallpapered in a sailboat motif, I had a bunch of nautical theme minis on top of a case that has miniature toys in it. They were always getting dusty. So I made THEM a box too!

Today I was in Wal-Mart, and saw some very inexpensive (less than $5 for a 16 in by 20 in) white plastic frames I'd bought a while ago for 'someday! loll Had another brainstorm! The frames have no 'glass' in them....so I picked up a cheap 16x20" frame ( $5.97) that has thin plastic, the hard kind, not the kind that covered your grandma's furniture.

With this frame, I didn't even need to cut a back for my box, as it came with a thick cardboard backing! I just made the sides, and covered the cardboard with some old wallpaper I had lying around!   Took the 'glass' out of the crappy frame, put it in the plastic frame and slid it on my new display case! So, only using about a half of a sheet of foamcore, this huge display case only cost me about $12!

You can use paint, fabric or paper to cover the outside if you like, or leave it white. One word of caution, when you cut the sides, make sure that you allow for the thickness of the overlapping side when you measure! You want the outside dimension of your box to be just less than the inside dimension of your frame!

And, before you ask, I put this all together with Tacky glue!

Also, any of you considering making the display   box project, I used 3 Xacto blades to cut the foam core for 4 boxes. We often tell you to change your blades often, as only a fresh blade cuts without shredding the edge. But we really never explain just HOW new they need to be!

Alice Zinn- Pt. St. Lucie FL

Wood Movement:   Solid wood often warps because it swells and shrinks based on moisture content.   Once warped it usually has memory and when straightened returns to its warped condition.   On the good side, if you use glue properly and figure out how to hold it in place while it sets up, using the warped molding won't hurt a thing.   Look in the archives for other comments on wood movement.

Pete Boorum

Mini angle iron: I made my own pieces of angled steel for utility shelves for a room box using manila folders and stained them with watered down ink for a nice color.  I cut the strips carefully and used a sharp edged ruler to make the fold.   Then I made pin holes on both sides to simulate the bolt holes.   You can use thin aluminum shim (found in hobby or train shops) to do the same thing.   You can see the results at: http://community.webshots.com/photo/24686980/24761850DNYfPIcefZ  Everyone who has seen them say they look like the real thing.

Jacqui in Hilo

Mini angle iron: Easy to make your own angle irons. How: Take apart a "C" or "D" battery that is dead (obviously) and save the zinc jacket. Do this on newspaper as the carbon inside the battery can be messy. Now that you have the zinc sheet. Cut a strip that will be to scale and bend it over the   edge of a steel rule. Voila an angle iron.

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL

Tacky Tourist Junk: How about sticks of colored candy in a jar on the counter? We traveled a lot when I was a kid. I also remember little outhouses with funny sayings on them...minis would be about 3/4 inch tall.

Things made out of rabbit fur. Dolls dressed as Indians and children's bows arrows and headbands with feathers. Depends on what part of the country you are driving thru and when...remember life-sized plaster geese dressed in calico? Now, there are books on tape racks you can trade in when you get to the next restaurant.

Laurie Sisson

Tacky Tourist Junk: Nail puzzles (nails twisted into shapes you MAY be able to take apart), Jackalopes (Taxidermists rabbit with antelope horns), Photoz of little kidz with BIgggggg fish, Old refrigerator posted with prices for red worms, night crawlers, crickets, dough bait, etc etc etc, Pecan Logs (Remember Stuckies?), Coloring books based on local sites, cultures, and history. Don't leave out film, sun glasses, insect ointment, car deodorizers, and "scenic" towels, pennants, and pillows. If the operator of your store is a jaded soul with little affection left for his surroundings - you may do a playful twist on a familiar sign- - -"No LOCAL checks accepted".

Petitfacades