February Design Challenge Round-Up

Seven short days ago, I laid down a quick & dirty challenge for modern miniature enthusiasts everywhere to create a scene honoring their favorite holiday (or observance) in the month of February. You've all responded so enthusiastically and I'm so feeling all the love! (cause who wants to be talking to themselves, right?) As of today, we have quite a nice round-up and while Valentine's Day was by far the most represented holiday, a few others had a moment in the spotlight even a few (gasp) that don't fall in the month of February.  We also had recurring themes like decadence and indulgence, as well as a few repeating icons. Any guess as to which ReacJapan designer chair made the most appearances in scenes?

The journey began with color and glitz of carnival over at Minis-B-Happenin' with a mini-sized float for one of the many Mardi Gras parades that was large on talent, creativity, and diva personalities. We were then asked to consider what makes Valentine's Day different from (college) spring break over at the Hard Way. Remember all the excess of young love? Apparently, there's a reason why the young guys want to make sure a girl's glass is never empty. Then we had three scenes that turn up the romance quotient.  There's a chic, mid-century scene set for a pair of "LOVE"birds over at Mini Mod Pod while Modernist Molly prepared a cozy custom made bed in a lodged decked out with all the modern trappings.  It's all hearts and rose petals at Mini Modern Mind. Wouldn't we all loved to be so spoiled (grins from ear to ear)? We're  then hit by a cold dose of heartbreak with Jazzi Mini's ode to the single woman. It's a macabre Valentine's scene that takes a turn towards the horror of Halloween. Finally, I created my own take on Valentine's Day that I called, A Love Supreme. It's full of love but  not solely the romantic kind (wink). It overflows with references to many other holidays and observances as well.

A Love Supreme, a room bursting with references to love.

Thanks once again to everyone for such a wonderful trip.  Haven't pulled together a scene? There's still time, just let me know the link and I'll add it in an update to this post throughout the rest of this month. Happy (holiday of your choice) Day to everyone!

Update 2/28/2013:

Mary's scene is at http://msminiandmore.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-valentines-day.html

Mini Dork's scene is at http://modernminihouses.blogspot.com/2013/02/loss-for-words.html

  

Swaps, Giveaways & A Challenge

Parcels have been crossing the globe and two special one's have found their way to my mailbox. Each quite literally coming from opposite sides of the world.  I just had to share them. First during Inauguration week(end),  I received a hefty package from Mini Dork in California.

This is just my second swap. (Here's more on my first swap.) I'm still a newbie and get very, very excited. Thanks again M!

Quite honestly, I only discovered earlier this week while perusing the archives over at The Shopping Sherpa (TSS) that part of the etiquitte of a swap is to open only one package in the parcel per day until there are no more left. TSS explained it all but I didn't know this until after opening up all this "green goodness" (that was our theme) to discover exactly what I'd received. Now that I'm more informed, I think I just might try to exercise some restraint on the next go 'round. But I'm curious to know just how many of you all open just one package a day upon receiving your swaps? Please do tell!

Next, I was quite surprised to learn that TSS decided to make it rain goodies from one of her favorite stationary shops called Typo. (At least, for everyone who commented on her blog post that day). Woohoo! I like receiving international packages. It's so fun thinking how far it traveled just to reach me.

I received this package of cool laser cut wood icons and one of TSS's postcards showcasing her mad photography skills. It read, "I can't wait to seeing what you make with these."

So I've decided to put out a quick and dirty small challenge. Design a scene around some holiday or observance in February (Valentine's Day, Wear Red for Women, Chinese New Year) you see where I'm going with this, right? I'll be publishing my reveal post next week on Valentine's Day (February 14th). Please try to post your own challenge reveal on (or as close to) February 14 as possible, then link back to this post. I'll add links for everyone who participates, as well. Everyone is a winner here as we add to our blog conversations for this month. Tell me, are you in?

Sharing is Caring! " Welcome to the Tribe" Give-Away

Off an on for the bulk of this summer, I'd been working on a swap for Megan a.k.a. Mini Dork of the oh-so-comprehensive blog Modern Mini Houses.  I was so happy to learn all items arrived to the  left west coast safe and sound and they have been greeted with great delight. Here's a sample of several of the items Mini Dork received.  I think this coffee table is my favorite but tell me what item(s) you like the best. I designed a few bathroom items to include in the swap as well. I scored a bag of gold champagne flutes* wedding favors.  They add such life and personality to miniature scenes.  You could win set of your very own. (Keep reading...)

Time for A Give-Away. Continuing along in the spirit of sharing, I am giving away the following items to celebrate the fifty followers who joined in the first six months of this lil' blog (and of course, attract a few more).  Thanks again for all your kind comments and support.  I am both honored and flattered to welcome you to my community tribe of aesthetic snobs (because only the best will do for our mini-spaces, right? Best style, best design, best value...)

How to qualify? Nothing new here:  to enter, you must (1) be a follower of this blog and (2) leave a comment to let me know you'd like your name to be included in the drawing for either give-away A (a retro TV + 6 champagne flutes*) or give-away B (the collection of toys).  Optional: Finally, if you feel inspired to post this picture with a link back to this blog announcing the give-away in the sidebar of you own blog, I would be oh so grateful!  Please follow and post your comments no later than 11:59 pm EDT (US) on September 20. Now closed for comments.

In the Game Room Someone's Always Got Next-

This is a game room in a typical American home. Don't be fooled by the Union Jack pillow (handmade by yours truly), we're just caught up in the Diamond Jubilee celebration.  Here, the family gets together for movie night or the kids hang out to play video games both vintage and XBox connect (smile).  And yes, there is always a fight over who gets to sit in the bubble chair. So we thank Margaret of margaret_loves for the added piece of swank. I apologize for the less than stellar read that as crappy pictures.  This is a very busy week for me.  If you'd like to see what I'm up to in the 1:1 world head over to my blog on all things health at http://enbloommedia.com. 

Details: furniture is Kaleidoscope House and Doll's House Emporium; vintage arcade games and TV are Hallmark ornaments; rug is PRDminiatures; coffee table accessories, disco ball, mirrored side table and sculpture on top of books are margaret_loves swap items; and oversize lava lamp (keychain) is random find from "As Seen On TV" store in the mall. This room was staged in my Ikea cabinet also known as the Hampton Brownstone (see gallery in the sidebar).

Rustic in Blue

I remixed this Modern Rustic room with even more pieces from my swap with margaret_loves. 

I like the lift all the blue accessories sprinkled around brings to the room.  The Foo Dog statues atop the cabinet just may be my favorites.  The zebra print rug lies under a bowl full of all sorts of blue treasures (semi-precious stones and mirrored tiles).  They add to the bling of the disco ball. And, a blue etched-glass plate (a la Rement) brings even more bling.

The dandelion photograph (a postcard) brings real interest to the left side of the room.  A cb2 igloo chair receives an upgrade with the velvet cushion from Margaret's retro hanging chair.  Very comfy, I bet.  Mirror on the cube side table brings more bling while the pouf (a hacky sac) makes cushy alternative seating.

In the corner, a work area features a small, blue framed mirror, a British-themed mood board and an oversize hand (it's really an eraser in 1:1 scale).  Now the sculptures on the table send the message: one love.

A Miniatures Swap

Something old, something new, something created, something with blue...paraphrasing this famous saying provides an accurate description of my first swap experience.  It's been said before, but you gotta marvel at the power of the internet to bring strangers together.  The Flickr Modern Miniatures group begun by talented the Anna-Maria a.k.a. The Shopping Sherpa is very, very popular.  It has more than 9,000 members worldwide.  On the discussion board for this group, I answered an open-call from margaret_loves, to do a swap.  I must say to you veterans---pinchofpepper that includes you---who swap your talented mini-creations and post the spoils on your blogs,  please know that you've truly started something.  Margaret and I were both newbies, but we wanted in on the fun. So, we

1. set a theme = blue
2. set a budget = $10.00 

Even with this information, I still wasn't really quite sure what to do.  I went to Michael's and spent up my budget on a combination of finished items and a few raw materials read unfinished wood.  Truth be told, this really wasn't a lot of loot (and I guess I didn't expect it to be).  I knew I'd be undertaking more miniature DIY projects than I'd actually bothered to complete in quite a while.  So here's a look at some of what I sent in my package.

There is certainly an awesome feeling that comes after managing to get my large clumsy fingers to execute a tiny creation.  (Why is it so hard to turn the pillows right-side-out after stitching them up???)  I had some fabric remnants from a project. (I recovered an ice cream parlor style chair for my bedroom).  Such a small amount of fabric in 1:1 scale really goes a long way in the 1:12 world.
Thank Goodness!  The two pillows in the back were made from fabric samples, so the cost of that material really fit my budget--he he. I also learned that with one sheet of 9" x 12" felt you can create at least 4 rugs.  I created 1 round, 1runner, 1 square (see the photo below), and a set of carpet tiles (in the style of FLOR).  The carpet tile set was 3 by 3 tiles with each tile a 1.5" square.  Sorry I didn't bother to measure the other rugs.  I just eyballed them, my favorite technique, ha ha.

This scene took about 10 minutes to stage, if that.  I grabbed surface materials to set the floor and back wall.  This wall is siding from Miniatures.com.  The paintings are images clipped from the Paper Source catalog and mounted onto cardboard (recycled from doll packaging).  The wall cabinet is a pillbox resurfaced with contact paper.  I used seed beads for the door knobs.  The trash can is a popular eraser from a set sold at Michael's.  The television is a magnet that I picked up from who know's where.  Sorry, just one of those random finds.  The dried willow sits inside a very interesting bead also found at Michael's.  The TV and plant both sit atop the plastic box top in which moo.com mini-cards are shipped. The knapsack is a Barbie So In Style (little sister) accessory.  I made all of the books from scrapbook papers and fasteners.  I made the pillow on the floor from another fabric sample then stuffed it with more seed beads.  The bench was constructed from stock unfinished wood shapes also available from craft stores. I will try to do a detailed tutorial for this piece later.


The overall aesthetic of these pieces is contemporary but by the time Margaret gets them inside her Ikea Lekman box with her cube side tables and Reac Japan chairs, all will take on a more modern feel.  This swap was a certainly a challenge but it was also a great deal of fun. (Think Christmas in February).  So now I'm ready for the next one. Who's game to do a swap with me?