Medical clinic printables: I have come across some very good web sites that have printables, one that I found was:

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/miniboopin

They had some medical labels, and if you go to links you may find more of what you are looking for.

Kathy

China painting. I have not done any for the past 6 or 7 years but I can answer some of the questions. First of all all china paints are fired at a low temperature. Some of the older ones have a range of ^017, 018, 019 and even 020. These are not as warm as earthernware temperatures of maturity (^04, 05 and 06). I have mixed old and new china paints and not found it a problem. I have bought some new ones from Seeley's in Oneionta, NY and they are online. There are other brands and when I bought them from my china painting instructor she bought them in large quantities and resold them in containers she packaged herself so they did not have names. But I have had recent catalogues for china blanks and all of these places stock normal fired china paint powders. I have never used the liquid china paints but I have some friends who swear by them, and I would not hesitate to try them. Try some searches on Google for outlets for china paint powder or go to the Seeley's site.

Gary the Yank in NH in the US

Gift Room box ideas: Just choose the one thing that really makes her happy, her greatest interest. I'm planning to do a box for my mom on her favorite pastime: community theater. I want to do a birds-eye view type of layout that encompasses the front stage with a curtained stage and a row of seats, and a behind the curtain area with all the stacked props and backdrops, and a door to the "stars" dressing room with all the mayhem that goes on before a performance evident (ex: costumes and a make-up mirror cluttered with scripts and make-up, theater posters, etc.)

I'm also working on a Disneyesque nursery roombox for my best friend who just found out she's expecting and being a Disney fanatic will of course be doing her baby's room in that motif. I only have 7 more months to complete it! If any one has any ideas for either of these themes, please let me know.

Diane in Holtsville, NY

Airbrush Advice: There are a number of airbrushes on the market.  Paashe is probably the veteran of the business and is favored by most professionals.  Badger has also been making them for decades (I received one of their entry level models as a kid, and that was 35 years ago - WOW!).  There are a couple of newer brands available as well.  Regardless of the brand, they all fall into one of two categories - single action (these are the very inexpensive ones) and double action.  I've had both.   You want a double action model.

With a single action your control is very limited.  You press the trigger and paint sprays out - pretty much like a can of spray paint.  You don't have any separate control over the amount of air vs. paint.  Usually, these types are also an "external" mix type, meaning the air and paint actually mix together after leaving the airbrush on the way to the object you're painting.

With a double action, you control both the amount of air flow, as well as the amount of paint that is mixed into that flow.  Typically, you press down on the trigger for air flow - the farther you press, the greater the air flow, and you rock the same trigger back to add paint to the flow - again, the farther you rock back, the greater the paint volume.  This is what provides the fine control that distinguishes air brush work. Most  double action, or dual action, brushes also mix the paint and air inside the brush ("internal" mix).  This provides a more homogenous mix and usually finer paint droplets hitting the object to be painted, resulting in a smoother finish.   Its also nice to be able to blow just air at what you're painting.A quick blast of air as you start the job can help to  remove any stray dust particles, and when you get a bit too much paint on your project, you can use the air flow to more quickly dry the newly applied paint before is can sag into a run.

There are also models that offer different tips for different jobs (e.g., a small tip for fine work, a large tip for painting large objects), and a couple of different paint reservoirs (i.e., bottles vs. "cups").   Bottles are just that; glass bottles to hold you paint.  They can be capped between uses.   Color cups are usually small, metal cups that hold a limited amount of paint.   Use what you need, and either discard the bit that's left or pour it back into the container for storage.  Many models can use both as the situation dictates.

I've used both Paashe and Badger double action brushes and been pleased with both.  I can't opine on any other brands.  Hope this helps.

Dave

Inexpensive Dollhouse: Most hardware stores carry the shelving units made of pressed wood that has been covered with laminate. These units are often used in closets or laundry rooms. You can even purchase doors, drawers and more. Most are mix and match pieces that allow you to design your own size and application. A two shelf shoe rack becomes the foundation of your first dollhouse. Buy a single shelf for the base and attach the shoe rack to it. Or start with a three-shelf bookcase and add a pair of cabinet doors to cover the front. These items are easily electrified. Add casters to the base. Check out the wonderful moldings made from Styrofoam in the wood department. Paint the exterior to look like a real house and have a ball. You can also do this with an old upper kitchen cabinet purchased from a junk shop. If you are a good garage sale person, you will find a bookcase or cabinet for less than $10 and you're in business. Such adaptations can hold as much furniture and accessories as a large, expensive designer miniature house. Our European collectors have made wonderful dolls cabinets for centuries. Their faux exteriors are magnificent.

Becky Holliday

Airbrush Advice: If you can afford the price difference, get the double acting brush.  If you get a single action brush, you are limited and will eventually wish you had the double action kind.  I currently have a single action and certainly wish I could now afford a second airbrush so I could exploit the virtues of the double action brush.

Regardless of your decision, the decision to buy an airbrush is a good one.  You will find it's a fun tool if you will spend the time and fortitude to learn to use it in your projects.

Dave Brazelton

Airbrush advice:   I bought an Aztec, as that seemed to be liked by modellers (made by Testors). The clean-up and paint bottle changes are both easy with this model, apparently, and it has a good grip.  I found good airbrush info at  http://www.io.com/~fazia/arbrshfq.html There is also, naturally, an airbrush.com

Michael's 40 percent off coupon makes it cheaper than any I found online.

Lynette in WNC

Bond GR-R-RIP" White Cement No.631:I am not an agent for this company, and sometimes it is hard to find.   Miniature stores can order and carry it.  It's tacky on contact, and works on almost everything...It is wonderful when working with foamcore.

Sets up quickly...Comes in two sizes, small, and BIG!!!    

Jan

Painting plastic and polymer clay: I'm working on a project using wood and plastic together and I found the water soluble paint Polly Scaleworks GREAT! It is put out by Floquil. But if you get it on your hands it has to wear off! AND it sticks to plastic! The pigment is so fine you don't get that gloppy buildup.

I am very excited about this paint for polymer clay too. Doesn't chip easy like other acrylics. One drawback--it is a killer on brushes. The paint almost immediately dries so you have to keep the bush rinsed often. I found another paint that looks similar at MicroMark http://www.dxmarket.com/micromark/products/81878.html

Judy K

Coloring asphalt shingles: I have "custom-colored" the asphalt shingles and it is simple. Just roll them out on a drop cloth, weighting them down at the ends, and spray on the background color you want using an inexpensive spray paint in a matte finish. After that is dry, use the "granite" or other "flecked" type spray paint and give them a light spray to add the specks of varied color. It works like a charm.

Karen Golomb