Rug kits: I have made some really nice rugs without kits--using the patternsin a book entitled "Oriental Carpets in Miniature" by Frank M. Cooper (1994). Good luck!

Barbara in DE

needlepoint rug kits: all our kits are well within your budget, so why not have a look? There are several oriental ones, as well as other popular styles, and many other ideas for needlepoint items, too. Web site: http://www.janetgranger.co.uk

chris

Needlework rugs: You might try contacting Bunny Papke of Distincitve Needlework for needlepoint rug kits. You can get just the pattern for about $10.00 or the whole kit for $15.00, up to $50, depending on the pattern.. Her snail mail address is:
6516 Pine Park Place NE
Albuquerque, NM
87109

Pat

Needlepoint Rugs: Regarding needlepoint rugs, have you considered using a small count linen or aida cloth and getting a design you like from a counted cross stitch book. You can use a piece of the pattern and make an edge then put a pattern in the middle. Instead of doing cross stitch, do your needlepoint stitch. Fringe the ends of the cloth and seal the sides with that stuff that stops fraying or fringe all four sides. If you do a round rug, make a tiny fringe by fraying some cloth leaving a couple rows in tact to glue or stitch on. I was always going to do this, but never did. I crocheted some oval rugs for my dollhouse and was going to stitch or paint a design on them and haven't done that either, but I think these are inexpensive ways to make some rugs.

Linda

Rugs: Dolls & Miniatures magazine (Fall 98 issue) has instructions for a beautiful 7" x 12" rug. Please e-mail me for more info about purchasing. To learn more, go to my web page and click on the picture of the magazine: www.dollsminiatures.bigstep.com

viola

Needlepoint Kits and Charts: I have needlepoint kits and charts on MY web site too:) Not only for darling children's rugs and others but pillows, purses, doorstops and a bunch of other stuff! http://www.micro-stitchery.com

Bobbie Schoonmaker

Transformer: Cir-kit has a very good web site which has a lot of useful information.The information on transformers is on this page: http://cir-kitconcepts.com/eshop/index.cgiID=BZXLLT&task=show&cat=Transformers

This information is also in Dee's catalog. Keep in mind that the numbers given are for bulbs,not lights,so if a lamp has 3 bulbs count that as 3.

Carol

Tiles and other crafts: I have only SEEN this, not actually done it yet, but I am sure that one can make exotic tiles by combining rubber stamping crafts with mini ingenuity. There is a product called Clearsnap Molding Tiles (and also Stylus.) These are little black foam shapes...squares, etc.....that can be snapped onto a stylus and heated (with a light bulb) to accept a design from a dimensional object, like a button, and then used to stamp out the design. Actually, the foam tiles themselves can be used plain, to stamp out a color, so a square would make square tiles, diamond shape would make diamond shape tiles, etc. They also make rubber mats with tons of designs that can be copied onto the black foam shapes, but it is a lot of fun to use 'found' objects to do this. Once you find a design/shape you like, you can use acid free paper and acid free waterproof inks to print out a whole floor of tiles. Then, use something called DIAMOND GLAZE to emboss them, give them some texture/shine. I am sure this process has lots of mini applications and I am anxious to try experimenting when I get a chance.

Rose

Perfic Panels:While rummaging through my local model train shop I came upon a product named Perfic Panels.It is a polystyrene clad panel with a polystyrene foam core that is water proof, weather proof, etc. In other words,it behaves exactly as Gatorboard. It comes in 1/8 inch thick 16 inch squares.

Here is their home site: http://www.appliedimaginationinc.com

The material canbe cut with a knife, bent into round shapes,and is reasonably priced.

Pooh

Gatorboard: Go to http://www.gatorfoam.com/main.htm Click on Find a distributor.This will give you a list of stores in your area that carry the product.

Kay / Ottawa,Canada