Play with room box:   I made a room box for one of my granddaughters using a "Critter Home".   It is a clear plastic container with a lid and a carrying handle.   I got mine at a pet shop where they had a better selection of color for the tops, but I have also seen them at Wal-Mart and I believe K Mart.   They come in several different sizes.

Mary Lou in Portage, IN

Log Cabin Floor:  I have done many floors including Log Cabin and have used random sizes from 1/4 inch, half inch and up to 3/4 Inch.  Follow a pattern   when laying them.   You can even cut at random lengths and fill in on the sides.   Follow the same size after so many strips. After floor is laid and glue dries, sand the top.  Stain with a Minwax stain to match your walls. For a finish, use a matte finish NOT GLOSSY. It will give it the rather rustic look you want for the cabin.

Ann Weiner

Log Cabin Floor:  An alternative for the floor. It works well for me. If you are lucky enough to have a store that sells handmade paper (paper store, stationary, art supply) see what they have. Years ago I bought a very large piece that is brown and fibrous, It can be torn or ripped and makes a great floor.

Melissa Cookman

Log Cabin Floor:   Unfortunately, there aren't many options - either dirt, stone or tile.   The latter two don't really work with log cabins, so I'd still go with wood, but not oak or anything fancy.  Use basswood strips about 1/2" x 1/16 or even thinner.  You can also use strips of different widths for a random look, but make sure they are all the same thickness. Depending on the look you want, sand them a bit with the coarsest sandpaper (going with the grain), to make them look hand hewn, or just use them as is.   Lay them like a regular wood floor, but if you leave some gaps here and there, it will look more rustic.   Since you don't want the floor to be too pretty, don't finish it with glossy polyurethane - use a matte sealer instead just to protect it.   You could even rub some dirt into the floor before sealing, so that it wont look too new.

As for other ideas, how about a chimney and fireplace faced with pebbles to simulate "river stones".     Use tartan plaids for curtains and/or upholstery, or even just as blankets.   An old-fashioned cook stove, like the one that Chrysnbon makes, would be very appropriate.  I would recommend the Realife "Country Kitchen" kit, as the furnishings would be perfect for a log cabin, and are not large: an old fashioned stove, Hoosier cabinet, sink with pump and icebox.  These kits are no longer made, but they appear on ebay all the time.  Expect to pay between $10 and $20 - which is a great price for these excellent kits.   The only problem is finding the kit on ebay.   Usually, you can do a search for "Realife" and most of their kits will come up.   But some sellers misspell it as Reallife or Real Life, while others list it only as Country Kitchen Kit or something else entirely.   So, try several searches.

Jonathan in Israel

How to save bookmarks in case your system crashes:

For Internet Explorer: Within Internet Explorer, click on "File" in the upper left corner and scroll down to "Import and Export" and click on it. A window will open up that says "Welcome to Import and Export Wizard", click on the word "Next". The next screen will ask you to choose whether to import or export etc., click on "Export Favorites" which will highlight it and then click on "Next". Another screen will open and will say "Export Favorite Source Folder". At this point you could export (save to the hard drive) any one folder or all the folders in your browser's "Favorite" file. In this case we are going to "export or save" the entire "favorites file" and you will see the directory of "Favorite" highlighted. If it is nothighlighted then click on it once and highlight it.

With the directory "Favorites" highlighted, click on "Next". The next window will say "Export Favorites Destination". There will be two little buttons to check, but only the last one should be usable. It will say "Export a file or address". It will allow you to choose where to place the favorites file. Windows will choose for you: C:\My Documents\bookmark.htm You can change it to another file but I suggest you leave it as is. Click "Next". A window will then tell you that you have "CompletedImport/Export Wizard" and all you have to do is click "Finish". A tiny will appear indicating "You Have SuccessfullyExportedFavorites". Click "OK" and your are done.

To find this file, "bookmarks.htm", go the Windows Exporer and look for the Directory "My Documents" and double click on it. You will need to look for the file "bookmarks.htm" All you need to do is double click this .htm document and a list of all your bookmarks will be brought up. Save the file to disk too in case of future system problems.

For Netscape: The process is a bit easier and faster in Netscape. Open Netscape and click on "Bookmarks". Scroll down to and click on "ManageBookmarks". A bookmarks window will open and you need to click on "File" in the upper left corner. Scroll down to "Export Bookmarks" and click on it. A "Save" window will open. Next to the "Save" button a file name has been filled in called, again, "bookmarks.htm", just like in Exporer. Click on "Save" Go to Windows Explorer. You need the directory of Netscape, it may be under the "Programs" directory. Double click on "Netscape" and look for "bookmarks.htm". Double click it to open and view bookmarks. You can save to disk or cd also for safety sack. From this point it works much the same and Explorer.

NOTE: If the file already exists in Netscape or Explorer, Windows will ask you if you want to replace the existing file with the new one and you just say yes. This will enable you on a regular basis to update this file with your latest bookmarks

Darlene/Somerset, NJ

Stucco Problems:  the slick surface of foamcore is best primed with gesso to create a grip. Your stucco is cracking and chipping because it has nothing to grab onto. Tuck this lesson in the back of your mind and remember that closed, nonporous surfaces, like glass, tile and slick posterboard need to be primed to create artificial pores that can be clogged with gunk.

Becky Holliday

Roofing Material: I am also doing a Craftsman style home, and have several books about bungalows which I use as my guide.  They picture asphalt roofs, a surprising number of shake shingle roofs, and the rare slate roof.

Jeri Moriarty

Gluing Food to a flexible plate: Silicone works better on these soft plastic liners than white glue. You don't want the cookies sliding off at the last minute.

ARGO113

Making beer:: If you don't want to buy the Environtex(liquidy stuff) to make your beer, you could use a bit of clear caulking tinted with food coloring or clear nail polish with food colorings. Add a tiny bit of Styrofoam on top to replicate foam. However, I do not think these products will last a long time.

Pearl

Faking Beer:  to use what's on hand for this, use clear nail polish or tacky glue, tinting it with a tiny bit of yellow and red food coloring or Kool-Aid; you may have to keep it in a covered container and add to the mini glass and pitcher in layers so it will dry in a reasonable amount of time.   ("Covered container" can be just a jar lid with plastic wrap snugged airtight around it.)  Then whip up some soap flakes with very little water and apply on top for foam.   It's true clear nail polish will yellow over time, but who'll know if your beer goes from lager to bock?

Loretta.Sniarowski