Magic Brik is neat stuff. I used it on the 2 story fire station and had a good time working with it. I painted the base coat with different shades of gray, that helped age the structure. It took a little while to get the hang of the corners but finally did get the cuts correct so the bricks were the proper length on two faces. A great touch is the cap row on the parapet. Careful not to put the mixture on too thick, but if you do, you can rub some off for a realistic look, even chip a corner.

Jon

Ceilings: This is my tip and my "wow" factor rolled into one. I tried spackle on the ceilings and I just didn't like the look of it. I ended up scraping it off . I read an idea using anagypta wallpaper.I went to the neighborhood paint and wall paper shop and picked a roll of anagypta wallpaper with a lovely design reminiscent of plaster design ceilings - went up to the counter and ask for a "sample". She gave me about 2 feet worth (enough to do my main living room). I'm in the midst of applying it now (thanks to Tom for the YES glue tip) and have my dentil moldings at the ready to finish it off after I do the wall paper on the walls. Looks WOW!!!

Vi in Hamilton

Frosting and Wet look for food: You can use gloss made especially for Fimo, dimensional paint or nail polish. For frosting and other effects I've collected nail polishes and used them in various ways over the years. They are made out of wonderful fast drying acrylic and none of the items have yellowed or cracked. I have bought them in so many wonderful shades. You find terrific ones for Halloween, white for your frosting, black and orange. I have also used frosted and iridescent nail polishes in various shades on Light brite pegs and beads to look like shampoos and conditioners. I painted a Chrysnbon chair with frosted maroon nail polish years ago and used part of an old tapestry tie for the seat cushion and it still looks great. I also like the fact you don't have to worry about a brush to apply it. More recently I have found blue, purple and green.

Jean Day

Soda Fountain Stools: You might also check out the diner stools that American Girl sells with their diner counter set: http://www.americangirlstore.com/icmo/plsql/minis.catpage?catid=78514

John Medeiros

Stickley/Mission furniture: If you like kits, Fernwood Miniatures makes a number of pieces in these styles. She will send you a free catalogue if you send her a large SASE. Fernwood Miniatures, 12730 Finlay Rd NE, Silverton, OR 97381-9535

Beth

Angel Project: I thought that we all needed some angels, whether for Christmas or just for happiness, so here are the directions for a project. These would be full size angels in 144th scale, 12 inch angels in 1/2 scale and 6 inch angles in 1/12 scale, measuring 1/2 inch from feet to halo. Here are the directions:

There are paper doilies available that have angels around the edge! I found them originally in a very expensive and finely cut version, but they are now available with Wilton cake making things. (Some stores carry different sizes - I like the smaller ones.) One doily makes 24 angels.

You can see the halo, wings and skirt in the design.
Using acrylic paint in skin tones, dot each halo with a head.
Let dry and then put face on with Zag Pigma markers .005.
With ultra fine glitter, do gold on halo edge and white on wings and skirt edge.
Use Bunka for hair.
Then cut angels from doily, curl around pencil tip and glue.

(I made kits once for a roundtable workshop that included doily with heads & faces done, 3 colors of Bunka, 2 glitters and exact instructions and diagrams for cutting and assembling, including angel choir project directions.)

2 new pictures in my album on Webshots show the final product. http://community.webshots.com/album/21521623PTeAVPpiBs

Callie

Cir Kit Transformers: Each transformer has a stock number on it. 1009A will light up to 16 GOW bulbs, 1009B - up to 10 bulbs, 1009C - up to 33 bulbs and 1009D up to 64 bulbs. This is according to their catalog. And even tho they are now circuit-protected, I use a lead-in with an in-line fuse just for added protection. And all of my transformers are plugged into the power bars that are also fuse protected.

Ruth

Rubber Wood: Rubber Wood is common in Asia and used in furniture making. Here is a site with info and pictures: http://www.seamlessturning.com/

Anne Gerdes

Quarter Scale: Information on Debbie Young's Town Square projects.....I haven't done them myself, but I know there are several members of the Quarter Connection who have written about them. You can subscribe at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuarterConnection

And here's another group that you might want to check out. It's not a new group, but has recently sprung to life with the addition of a new co-moderator, Bonnie Lavish. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MSATQuarterScale

Jude in ND

Town Square: I have done 9 of the 12 of these buildings. Mini supplies are not available where I live, so I just bought the kits. They are very nicely done and go together fairly quickly. Waiting for paint and glue to dry takes the longest! I think the directions tell the type of wood to use if you are going to cut them out yourself. She uses the plastic windows and doors like from Grandt Line. It was much easier for me to just get the kits and have everything at hand when I needed it. I have really enjoyed doing them. It's my first experience in 1/4 scale-but it won't be my last!

Martha Simpson