You know, those big plastic "bags" that mattresses come in can cover a smaller hoophouse or row cover. Just call your local mattress shop and ask if they have any, or could save a couple that you could come and pick up. You'll never need to buy drop cloths or mini hoophouse covers again! Also works great because it's heavier than saran wrap for those yogurt containers that you cut out the center of the lids to winter-sow in, and of course they're clear, so plenty of light penetrates. Another way to keep them toasty after you've planted out is to put the shoplight in under the cover and leave it on all night--the heat from the lightbulb will help keep the air inside warmer (keep away from touching anything--that's why you use a shop light). I also read that you can put a bucket with steamy water in under the cover, but if you're like me, there's VERY little room for another bucket under there, and besides, it's gonna cool off faster anyway. Not to mention it might cause damping off to add extra air moisture. Good luck with those seedlings, and check how hard a frost it is supposed to be--believe it or not, planted-out lettuce is sturdier than you think! They can usually withstand light frosts but not freezes.

Thanks for the feedback shark, I am using the heavy duty cups because I will be using gravel in them. I will be growing pepper plants that will be pretty top heavy. The holes in the styrofoam top were cut a bit tight and the final fit was acheived by rotating the cups in the hole until they sit flush to the cover and remain tight in the hole. But, yes, the drain pipe strainers are about $3.50 each. I plan to use styrofoam cups as a liner in the strainers with the bottoms cut out and the walls of the cup perforated with 1/4" holes. I chose gravel because it drains very fast and plan to flood the unit at 2 hour intervals for 15 minnutes. My pump is a 400 GPH unit, but with a 5 foot head, it is derated to about 150 GPH. With a 20 gallon nutrient tank, the nutrients should cycle completly through the systems about 2X. I am close to getting the empty system (no plants) up and running to check out the actual operation. I found my pump at HARBOR TOOLS and the cost was about $30 dollars. (www.harborfreigt.com). My timer is an OMRON HSL-A. It has 2 independent 15 amp programable timers. I will be adding more pictures soon. chuck

Cece- those were two good shows today, weren't they! I especially likes the cloisonne book cover. I printed that project out. The pasta maker I have is an Atlas. You can get them in a store that sell kitchen stuff- maybe a chain like Lechter's or a local culinary shop. It was funny when I got mine cause my Dad got it as a xmas present for me. He thought he was doing good by getting a big schmancy electric model with all types of controls on it. When I saw it, my face fell, and I had to tell him I wanted the old hand-cranker for crafting, not cooking! He had to take it back & order a new one, lol! I am not sure what the going price is- maybe $50? Check on Ebay to get an idea- I know they have them all the time. HTH, Karen

This message was sent to me by Barbie: Stamps that do not stamp clearly by barbieboop Why? Could be for a few reasons.. Try pressing harder Large stamps work best if you stand up and press them Stamp large images over a mouse pad or fun foam sheet Stamp lg stamps image side up and use a brayer to press the image onto the card. Some stamps get warped. The foam between the wood and the image gets smooshed. So, you can use a mouse pad to stamp on or remount them. Change the foam. New stamps and bold images sometimes need to be stamped a few times to get a good image. Allowing the ink to stain the rubber. Some images need to be lightly roughed up with fine sand paper. Some images have Âedges that stamp along with the image. Trim this portion off with an exacto knife or with sharp scissors.. If you can. Or. You may have to pull some images off the wood and trim the Âedges off then remount that image. Hand carved images stamp best the more times they are used. Or heavily inked. hugs, barbie