tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57712901747614362762024-03-13T02:43:26.939-07:00margaret_lovesA blog about the things I love.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-76011816118652662552012-04-07T05:35:00.000-07:002012-04-07T05:35:52.625-07:00margaret_loves springtime!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...and Easter, and chocolate eggs, and bunny rabbits!</div>
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Happy Easter, everyone!</div>
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-42249599938817094502012-04-06T08:03:00.000-07:002012-04-06T08:03:25.055-07:00margaret_loves aqua again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While I still had my blue polka-dot place mat up as an accent wall, I made a quick boy's bedroom. The matching headboard is from a notebook cover that happened to match. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcBFT0env4LQFco5p1SDOTjNU72yFv4M3T_aCzsFXMJKK_wE_tBGDgUFfHoKL3ODA0Yc0AiEsCkjQ3Xc3Mhp368ayV0wQkYC9aOFUD43bg7F-7uaaAtCSEQUUxBztV0NwXYloMPjPLU1H/s1600/DSCF4433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcBFT0env4LQFco5p1SDOTjNU72yFv4M3T_aCzsFXMJKK_wE_tBGDgUFfHoKL3ODA0Yc0AiEsCkjQ3Xc3Mhp368ayV0wQkYC9aOFUD43bg7F-7uaaAtCSEQUUxBztV0NwXYloMPjPLU1H/s320/DSCF4433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-79002412005703324082012-04-06T07:15:00.000-07:002012-04-06T07:15:01.858-07:00margaret_loves aqua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I spotted a place mat today at Wal-Mart for $1, and I purchased it solely for its mini potential. It is translucent, and I thought it could make a cool wall or modern screen with the light coming through it. I taped it up on the window side of our Ikea Expedit room divider/cube shelving. Initially, I thought the pattern suited a children's room or maybe a toy store, or perhaps a colorful kitchen, and someday I might do just that. But I finally decided on a bathroom, and I was able to incorporate many of my own creations and re-purposed items along with some swap items from studioseven (Mini*Aesthetics). I don't actually own any miniature bathroom fixtures, but I have made some of my own. The shower is made from a plastic box, part of a plastic notebook cover, and stainless steel contact paper on Lego tile. The tub is a soap dish with earring backs for taps and clip-on earring backs for feet. The sink is a cardboard box with thumbtack and beads for handles and knobs. The towels and rug are cut from a washcloth.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-14956143477511937592012-04-01T17:23:00.002-07:002012-04-01T17:23:24.235-07:00margaret_loves a finished challenge<br />
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I am so glad to have a great group of followers and miniature blogger to join in on my first <a href="http://margaretloves-blog.blogspot.com/2012/03/margaretloves-challenge.html">mini-challenge</a>! With such a new blog, it is amazing to already have found a supportive community to share ideas and inspiration! </div>
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The challenge was based on taking a patterned paper to use as jumping off point for a room or miniature scene. The paper itself should be bold, and possibly chosen at random/out of your comfort zone. It was meant to be a creative challenge, and a challenge it was. I honestly found myself wondering what the heck I was thinking bright pink and animal print? :) It took at least three different setups before I decided to just call it quits, and pick some photos. Here it is, loud and wild...</div>
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Frankly, I am relieved to slink back into my comfort zone now that this is over...</div>
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Please go and check out the creative and bold designs by my fellow bloggers who also love a challenge!</div>
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<a href="http://miniaesthetics.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenge-reveal-whats-for-dinner.html">Mini*Aesthetics </a>created a colorful, modern kitchen</div>
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<a href="http://jazziminis.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenge-complete.html">Jazzi Minis</a> designed an eclectic and lovely scene for a faux magazine cover</div>
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<a href="http://minimodpod.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge.html">Mad for Mod</a> is ambitiously building a modern loft bed for an adorable owl themed children's bedroom (with paper selected by her son) </div>
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I am so impressed everyone! Now it is time for one of you to come up with another challenge for us! That's right, I just challenged you to come up with an idea for another challenge!</div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-66174851732979919792012-03-18T11:37:00.000-07:002012-03-18T11:37:05.364-07:00Bluebird Antiques and Home Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was working on a living room scene with some of the items from my swap with studioseven. The room never seemed to look right, as much as I changed around the furniture and added/subtracted accessories. I had so many items I thought that I could really create a home decor shop, so I took off. I modeled it after small town antique shops with one of a kind items everywhere you look and a homey feel. I also used a bird motif thanks to the cute felt birds Alisa sent me in the swap, so the Bluebird was born. It is pretty cluttered and crazy, but I spent so much time working on it that I wanted it to count for something. Thank you to studioseven for many of the accessories including the felt birds, many handmade pillows, potted plants on the mantle, birds in the fireplace, blue "M" on wall, clothespins in basket, pinecone and crystal ball charms, artwork, and felt rugs. If you are curious where anything else came from, leave a comment. </div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-22008285398688828702012-03-11T05:17:00.000-07:002012-03-11T05:17:27.476-07:00margaret_loves A Challenge!So, I've had a idea rolling around in my head for a while now, originally inspired by a post by <a href="http://minimodern.blogspot.com/2012/01/plaid-floor-looks-little-dicey.html">Mini Modern</a>. It is a simple miniature challenge inspired by a sheet of scrapbook/patterned paper chosen either at random, by someone else, or something with a pattern/style out of your personal taste/comfort zone. I have already designed a room around a piece of scrapbook paper once that my husband picked out for me (<a href="http://margaretloves-blog.blogspot.com/2012/02/time-travels.html">Time Travels</a> ) The paper itself should become a major feature in the final room, such as wallpaper or flooring. This time I selected some paper myself that was far out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to design a room around it.<br />
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Hello loud animal prints with pink/orange/purple/brown color scheme! It is pretty wild, and the patterns are on a giant scale compared to 1:12. I have to make it look like an intentional choice that belongs in the room :)<br />
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So here are my ideas so far. I am pairing it with black and white modern furniture, along with some clear acrylic pieces. I may use some animal print items to pick up on the pattern, and I will be using pink and yellow as accent colors. I am thinking it may turn into an L.A. fashion editor's office, or maybe a musician's loft. Something about it says girly punk rock :) Anyway, I will post what I finally come up with.</div>
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So now I invite you to try this challenge yourself. Buy a sheet of scrapbook paper, or choose one at random from your stash, and design a room around it. Post a picture of your paper and your mood board and then show us where it all ended up. What do you think? Does anybody want to play along?</div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-17653020262842841162012-03-03T13:05:00.002-08:002012-03-03T13:10:24.608-08:00Studio7 Boutique Hotel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a lot of playing around and fiddling, I completed my first scene using<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio7gallery/"> studioseven</a> of <a href="http://miniaesthetics.blogspot.com/">Mini*Aesthetics</a> items from our miniature swap! I was excited to create a bedroom featuring the gorgeous and luxurious bedding she made by hand. As I tried to put things with it, I got the idea that it could be a luxury/boutique hotel room. The lighting and the aqua color made me think it could be somewhere tropical, perhaps? Either way, it would be a great relaxing getaway :)</div>
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This room is in one of the units of my cube shelves (Ikea Expedit) unit, with one side covered in tracing paper. The lighting sometimes cooperates, and sometimes it doesn't. This one came out pretty dark, but you can see the layout of the whole room.</div>
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I just happened to have a blue stationary box that fit perfectly as a bed for the duvet and pillows Alisa made. The headboard is a wood flooring sample with mirrors from the swap. I made a small desk from another wood sample and my acrylic coffee table turned on its side. Desk accessories and plant are also from Alisa. Chair is Reac, and the side table is made by me. Bed tray is from my Re-Ment and eraser collection.</div>
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On the other side of the room I have the television/magnet that was another swap goodie, along with a cool pillbox cabinet she created using stainless steel contact paper and clear beads as knobs. I thought maybe it could be a cool hotel minibar/minifridge in this case. Inside there are tiny cork board squares on each door! The tv stand is from DHE minis, and the blue containers came in the swap as well as the bookbag, pillow, and upholstered bench/ottoman.<br />
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Again with the lighting issues! But here you can see this couple is enjoying the room (they were also part of the swap). It was fun to put this together. All in all, I believe I counted 24 items from our swap in this scene! (And there are still plenty of items that I didn't use). I still have another room in the works using more swap accessories, so stay tuned. It really is a gift that keeps on giving :)</div>
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-35791548374053190732012-03-03T04:15:00.004-08:002012-03-03T04:15:59.083-08:00margaret_loves Swaps! (The Sequel)<div style="text-align: center;">
I was SO excited to receive my package from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio7gallery/">Alisa (studioseven)</a> from our Miniature swap. I opened the box to find this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBYaLnwMhj47_kkNJ2DS7-g5AQfhJkkKjqXam53hfQ2AvAv9x7ICIP9h0UByywWOhppvVR78EyxWybIlygYsSc6iQanI9npScvf9sHkOz5xQP7vCOhSazMRQnBgR5emegu8rYlRRuQErS/s1600/DSCF4073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBYaLnwMhj47_kkNJ2DS7-g5AQfhJkkKjqXam53hfQ2AvAv9x7ICIP9h0UByywWOhppvVR78EyxWybIlygYsSc6iQanI9npScvf9sHkOz5xQP7vCOhSazMRQnBgR5emegu8rYlRRuQErS/s320/DSCF4073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and these...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcREyXLRAchJLsSqNLLlhRpt_3-CaIuV_tivEicHrF9yOhvMIrCDLrUMscN-bsdSOE8pPLna5cAYVrhS5MOyNYzJ1iyBn8-ZcM3Dh4Gonwp5yuNd3OCsVV2GO1bJvCVX-kk6kVXPRqP5i/s1600/DSCF4074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcREyXLRAchJLsSqNLLlhRpt_3-CaIuV_tivEicHrF9yOhvMIrCDLrUMscN-bsdSOE8pPLna5cAYVrhS5MOyNYzJ1iyBn8-ZcM3Dh4Gonwp5yuNd3OCsVV2GO1bJvCVX-kk6kVXPRqP5i/s320/DSCF4074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So many packages! I didn't know where to start! It took me about 30 minutes just to open all of them! It was just like Christmas morning :)</div>
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There was a little bit of everything, really. Bedding, artwork, accessories, rugs, paper, beads, books, electronics, dolls, so much Miniature goodness! I am so grateful to studioseven for her generosity with such thoughtful, creative, and handmade gifts! I really feel unworthy now based on what I sent her now seems too little! Anyway, I will be posting pictures of some rooms I decorated using swap items soon :) Thanks, Alisa! Please go check out her new blog, <a href="http://miniaesthetics.blogspot.com/">Mini*Aesthetics</a>! </div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-15124731783814827482012-02-25T05:47:00.000-08:002012-02-25T05:47:07.885-08:00margaret_loves all-natural<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I put together another scene in my Ikea Lekman box, this time a bedroom with a Zen/nature kind of theme. I mainly just wanted to design a room around one of the new lamps I made :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU_nfysJDUKPaOtooo6M6LDB8g2QuhW590x7KCcPxwrzcbgM78pyUFcrDKG_8NHy33BZ43vUMYzO0_mbQ9hvav8G6LxSOymzYFloJsnz6_bxZTeaAUmVAPahMwzHQrbJetTDRWCCqRkP8/s1600/DSCF4011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU_nfysJDUKPaOtooo6M6LDB8g2QuhW590x7KCcPxwrzcbgM78pyUFcrDKG_8NHy33BZ43vUMYzO0_mbQ9hvav8G6LxSOymzYFloJsnz6_bxZTeaAUmVAPahMwzHQrbJetTDRWCCqRkP8/s320/DSCF4011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here is the long description of credits since I seem to have used items from every corner of the earth and then some for this scene, with some unusual re-purposing as well :)<br />
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Credits: The bed is made by me using lots of foam, glue, and fabric raised up on a cardboard box with a flooring sample as a headboard. The lamp and most of the books are also made by me. The nightstand is Re-Ment and the chairs are from CB2. The television and white shelves are from DHE Minis. The trunk/chest that the television is standing was once a bright purple plastic accessory for my childhood Littlest Pet Shop toy :) I gave it a makeover.The flooring is real cork scrapbook paper from Michael's and the wallpaper is also scrapbook paper. The floor lamp is from a Call of the Small giveaway. The ottoman is a plastic bale of hay that goes with the horse trough serving as a bookshelf over the bed. These came in a big bag of plastic toys I bought at a thrift store. The wooden turtle I bought at a craft fair. The wooden tree is from a scrapbook store. I also used wooden toy blocks for end tables. The painting is from a card from a local art gallery by an artist named Ford Smith. The rest of the accessories are Re-Ment or commonly found miniature items from craft stores.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-48372824135426287542012-02-23T15:15:00.001-08:002012-02-23T15:15:48.389-08:00margaret_loves Black and white<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As much as I love color, I also like to use a more sophisticated gray scale palette in a room sometimes. Of course I managed to fit in a few turquoise/teal pieces, I couldn't help myself :) This room definitely has some masculine and feminine elements, and it reminds me of an apartment for a hip young couple with plenty of income and an eye for design :) I used one of the cubes in my white Ikea Expedit shelving unit to create this room, and I taped tracing paper to the back wall for a translucent lighting effect. It was a dark and cloudy day, so the picture didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, but I got a few decent ones. </div>
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In this photo you can see my handmade sectional along with the Barcelona day bed and black shell chairs made by Reac. The acrylic risers are easy to find on ebay. I made the rug out of felt, and the lamp is also made by me. The flower pillow is a plastic button and the "laptop" is actually a pretend book from a children's toy set that I found at a thrift store. Coffee cup is Re-Ment, vase is DHE minis, and the books are made by me. </div>
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In this photo you can see the other lamp I made on a mirrored table/cube from DHE minis. The purse is from a children's toy grab bag I bought at a thrift store. The shoes are Re-Ment. The textured wallpaper is from Michael's.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA2rJj0sSg_ekNwROAx36MSCdICUc3O5BfK83iTStdLrda2lv5KWdz_MZgpccbjW7v3wNM1hJzSAk6EoJ8blu5d8ktcucxF5S1K9I4cWr7MA7AWfLS7GiqZ0rZohYnCHzkKJvf7MyZSQY/s1600/DSCF3972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA2rJj0sSg_ekNwROAx36MSCdICUc3O5BfK83iTStdLrda2lv5KWdz_MZgpccbjW7v3wNM1hJzSAk6EoJ8blu5d8ktcucxF5S1K9I4cWr7MA7AWfLS7GiqZ0rZohYnCHzkKJvf7MyZSQY/s320/DSCF3972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The television, black cube shelving unit and white vase are all from DHE minis. The accessories are Re-Ment, handmade, toys, or beads. Fireplace is painted wood from a craft store. Side table is made from a gift box and a wooden drawer. Espresso maker is Re-Ment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QKSEZpm1RXq11KscyOlfx0fipnY-l5-HQPir4PeokZjAgWKYJevJodIrzbGesKVbQYsPXfMtVL0JiRa5lvY6AYrlUtE88LtvsrWA6d1EcYcnH8EVVSz9zZ2QDTz2XKe7-SPc18lMCWqz/s1600/DSCF3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QKSEZpm1RXq11KscyOlfx0fipnY-l5-HQPir4PeokZjAgWKYJevJodIrzbGesKVbQYsPXfMtVL0JiRa5lvY6AYrlUtE88LtvsrWA6d1EcYcnH8EVVSz9zZ2QDTz2XKe7-SPc18lMCWqz/s320/DSCF3967.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This photo is my favorite. I love my lucky finds in my plastic toy grab bag from the Goodwill store. The "laptop" and "pillow" are very convincing. And the lamp I made looks pretty good in this photo, and the blue color of the lamp base looks most true-to-life :)</div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-21903872486307764472012-02-22T14:26:00.003-08:002012-02-22T14:26:35.901-08:00margaret_loves Modern Art<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlbtvg5wOEz1qQ78Upn14-D-XkNSwaxeVhiFk-1x6kzMUCWWtOBafHyD-PC9bgfGaKymMKXCGa3Rs2f_Dm1E-NmnCB7EAnB3DE__Y5MAWzmGIkuMJv4cw2EWQu98mMo-_9-Fl1ynIcXCy/s1600/DSCF3986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlbtvg5wOEz1qQ78Upn14-D-XkNSwaxeVhiFk-1x6kzMUCWWtOBafHyD-PC9bgfGaKymMKXCGa3Rs2f_Dm1E-NmnCB7EAnB3DE__Y5MAWzmGIkuMJv4cw2EWQu98mMo-_9-Fl1ynIcXCy/s320/DSCF3986.JPG" width="240" /></a> I love modern art. I was an art major in college, and now I am an elementary school art teacher, so this scene is a long-time coming. It was inspired by some large plastic nuts and bolts I found in a big bag of children's toys I bought at a thrift store. It had all kinds of random tiny goodness bits in the bag, and I played around with these in particular to see how I might use them. I thought that just simply laying them down could look like a large iron sculpture, modern and industrial looking.<br />
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I also wanted to use my new Barcelona day bed. It is the most detailed and beautiful Reac piece I have purchased thus far. It was pricey, ($32 with shipping) but it is so large and well designed that I think it is worth every penny. Especially since most upholstered miniature sofas cost about the same, and are nowhere near as realistic-looking. Anyway, it is a work of art on its own, but it also looked just like a lot of the leather benches in modern art museums. I added a few postcards from my collection and textured paper from Michael's to the walls and floor. I had previously put together some miniamalist wall art from Lego that I thought I could use, and to fill up some additional space I stacked some mirror cubes and building blocks, and created a stand from an acrylic table turned sideways and tops with an abstract sculpture I made from a couple of old hoop earrings I never wear. Its funny how easy it is to create "modern art" with a few simple objects. I just played around with them and bent them into a shape I liked. The whole scene only took about 15-20 minutes.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM7QFsPfVTTJtCYARU9_ySMCEoVlXfcuGdEA-BV1blyhrLIzfG5Y9YW4YHDq9qy3dMumg49AxCEOy1Q_bSBPsIEoj7vjBXmlCgaktFTFJAUd6O_ZeZiDhT78kGG3cF5hVX4G6G6dxoSC5/s1600/DSCF3990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM7QFsPfVTTJtCYARU9_ySMCEoVlXfcuGdEA-BV1blyhrLIzfG5Y9YW4YHDq9qy3dMumg49AxCEOy1Q_bSBPsIEoj7vjBXmlCgaktFTFJAUd6O_ZeZiDhT78kGG3cF5hVX4G6G6dxoSC5/s320/DSCF3990.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-6610478180023424382012-02-21T14:03:00.000-08:002012-02-21T14:03:26.633-08:00margaret_loves making lamps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Now that I have made a couple miniature lamps, I can't seem to stop :). I had saved a few items I thought would make good lamp bases, and now I have finally put them to use.</span></div>
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<b>Left:</b> Lampshade made from a wallpaper sample, base is a green ceramic drawer knob glued on a white button. <b> Center:</b> Shade is made from ribbon, base is painted wood. <b>Right:</b> Shade is white cardstock, base is made from a metal pushpin, blue plastic bead, and clear button. The lampshades are attached using the wire harp method I mentioned in a previous post, though this time I used hot glue to secure them in place. </div>
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-69181686393801699252012-02-21T07:34:00.000-08:002012-02-21T13:04:11.037-08:00margaret_loves does not love making lamps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Somehow, when I start to make something tiny and delicate my normal-sized hands transform themselves into huge, clumsy, ape-hands that I have little control over. This is why I have avoided making miniature lamps. But, after a long struggle, I think I was moderately successful in today's attempt. So here's my not-very helpful tutorial if you are anything like me, if not you can whip up a pair of these no problem :). </div>
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My lamp bases are made from wooden pegs I found at a craft store. My husband helped cut off the bottom studs with his Dremel tool, and left on the top studs. </div>
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I painted the wooden lamp bases and coated them in clear gloss medium, (I still need to do some touch ups) and then I fashioned a lampshade harp from some wire. I basically created a loop that wraps around the top stud of each lamp base, with arms reaching up to hold the shade. For the shades, I used two types of ribbon I had on hand. The white one is wired and had satin edges and a sheer center, I wanted to use it but I needed it to be opaque, so I taped a strip of gray ribbon behind it. I was afraid to use glue, since it might soak through the ribbon and create spots, so I used clear tape to hold it in a cylinder shape. The hardest part was taping the shades in place while reaching inside the lamp and taping it to the wire harp. I kept pulling it and putting it on too high or too low, and messing up the shape of my fragile lampshade in the process. Anyway, I think it worked out okay in the end, and I'll keep thinking about an easier method. For now I am happy to have some new lamps! Here is a preview in a scene I am working on with my new lamps:<br />
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-85105193435312554322012-02-19T15:16:00.002-08:002012-02-19T15:17:36.220-08:00Cheering up a Gloomy Sunday: Charlotte's Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4r1mqvQNyeqgYomOsXSbU8T4XlqnaSdM8bb6yIXkeBU4PHXWJx6jC3hruCLIR3UvUOfh6sM_y6vKQMCBlxAvQOaZJdrpn-fl4puYctFuNF2JbDni1eix8X5cYdGOP_fC391YaKIq-7Nm/s1600/DSCF3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4r1mqvQNyeqgYomOsXSbU8T4XlqnaSdM8bb6yIXkeBU4PHXWJx6jC3hruCLIR3UvUOfh6sM_y6vKQMCBlxAvQOaZJdrpn-fl4puYctFuNF2JbDni1eix8X5cYdGOP_fC391YaKIq-7Nm/s320/DSCF3929.JPG" width="240" /></a> The weather today is dark and rainy, it is one of those gloomy Sunday afternoons. Since I don't have to work on Monday or Tuesday, I haven't given in to the gloom. Instead I am inspired to make some use of my free time to work on a room I came up with on Valentine's Day. Too bad the weather didn't want to cooperate. Anyway, I started by collecting anything I could find that was pink, red, or heart-shaped to put together a V-Day inspired theme. But it wasn't really coming together, and I couldn't seem to pull off the romantic vibe. The only remaining V-Day inspired items that made the cut is a pink candy heart on the dresser (as a jewelry box) and my favorite little heart mug from my childhood. I started putting things together that looked very kid-friendly, so I decided to make a girl's bedroom. I am imagining her as an 8 year old girl named Charlotte. She is quiet and organized, and she loves horses and reading chapter books. Her room is kind of in transition between a nursery and tween bedroom. </div>
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The dresser is a Re-Ment nightstand with the lamp removed. The numbers wall art is made using scrapbook stickers. I bought the horses yesterday in a mixed bag of plastic toys from a thrift store. The bed is also from a thrift store, it is from a common miniature nursery furniture set. I used a cocktail umbrella for a parasol, it would be cool to put a light behind it and make it into a lamp. The tree is laser cut wood I found it at a scrapbooking store. The bookcase is commonly found generic furniture as well, I just painted it white and temporarily put paper on the back of each shelf. All the decorative papers (rug, floor, walls, etc) are from Michael's. The chair is Reac Japan. The origami elephant is from a Jonathan Adler origami kit. All accessories are Re-Ment, Dollhouse Emporium, handmade, children's toys, or hobby store finds.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-77095688131135284552012-02-18T15:02:00.000-08:002012-02-18T15:04:39.069-08:00margaret_loves Miniature Swaps!I just wrapped up my first miniature swap parcel for Alisa (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio7gallery/">studioseven</a>) whom I met on the<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modern_miniatures/"> Modern Miniatures</a> group on Flickr! We set a budget of $10 for the swap, and I suggested the color blue for the theme. She uses Playscale and 1:12 items, so I included a mixture of both. Since she already received her package from me, I think it is safe to post pictures of some of the items I sent her :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewcJTsUbK6zzY5pjAJM6eVumGasn4GBKLExmfNpumxFD-WTVhQRvVPG21OFZPB_ZVQuYj4ySzV24ABWGXKjmWcpKWi7vZqP6p72IzRYjK3So5pyYyMSfXdDRvGO_TvZvu2snK2OTOSm2b/s1600/DSCF3856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewcJTsUbK6zzY5pjAJM6eVumGasn4GBKLExmfNpumxFD-WTVhQRvVPG21OFZPB_ZVQuYj4ySzV24ABWGXKjmWcpKWi7vZqP6p72IzRYjK3So5pyYyMSfXdDRvGO_TvZvu2snK2OTOSm2b/s320/DSCF3856.JPG" width="240" /></a>On the left is a photo of a few mostly handmade items I included in her package. I've seen the hanging Bubble chair idea a lot of places, like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63570849@N06/6127655223/in/faves-51582446@N03/">Mad for Mod</a> and <a href="http://minimodernistas.com/">Minimodernistas</a>, and I have been wanting to make my own version. I made cushions from my thrift store blue velvet shirt fabric, filled them with dry long-grain rice and stitched the openings together. I used a jewelry chain to hang it, and I think it came out pretty nice. The chair is half of a plastic Christmas ornament globe from Michael's. I am going to make another one for myself with the other half.<br />
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The two cubes are wooden craft cubes from Michael's with squares of felt and mirror board glued on to create cube tables/ottomans. I also cut the grey textured rug and zebra print rug from felt sheets. The acrylic table is one of the display risers I purchased on ebay.<br />
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The round rug (on right) I made was inspired by <a href="http://amazingminiatures.com/blog/simple-dollhouse-rug-tutorial/">Amazing Miniatures</a>. She has posted a super quick and easy rug making tutorial using simple materials most crafters already have on hand. I liked using multicolored twine and the spiral pattern it makes. The other "rug" is origami paper by Jonathan Adler. I found the blue Barbie chair at a thrift store. Below it is a side table made from wooden bits that I glued and painted, and below it in the photo is a Playscale cake stand by Re-Ment. The knitted pouffe is a hacky sack/footbag from Party City. The picture frame is a Scrapbook sticker from Michael's. The lion (or faux "Foo" dog) is a painted bead coated in gloss medium. The hand is an eraser from Target. I also filled a blue toothpick case with beads and other small bits and miniatures. </div>
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It was a lot of fun working on the swap, and I enjoyed the challenge of working with a budget and theme. I hope to do it again soon. Let me know if you are interested in a miniatures swap! When I receive my package from Alisa, I will post more photos.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-2411734868370770452012-02-12T04:56:00.000-08:002012-02-12T05:33:24.014-08:00margaret_loves Navy Blue Velvet<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: left;">I've been obsessed with the idea of having a navy blue velvet couch in my formal living room. I've pinned some pretty fabulous blue velvet sofas and other furniture to my Wish List board on <a href="http://pinterest.com/margaret_loves/wish-list/">Pinterest</a>. Not sure my husband is as in love with the style as I am, and it will be a long time before I can afford one (and by then I may have moved on to another trend, knowing me). So, to satisfy my craving for a glamorous navy velvet Carrie Bradshaw-esque couch, of course it is time to turn to miniature!</span></div>
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A while back I won this couch from a <a href="http://call-small.blogspot.com/">Call of the Small</a> giveaway. I used it in one scene that I thought was pretty cute, but the color and pattern isn't very appealing to me. It has pretty clean lines and a simple design though, so the time has come for a makeover. Have I ever reupholstered miniature furniture before? No, this will be a first :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I wanted to remove the bottom part of the sofa and replace it with some wooden or chrome legs. This step was easier said than done. I used a kitchen knife to wedge, slice, crack, and pry the bugger off. Finally, it was done, with a mess of tiny nails sticking out. They snapped off easily enough with a wire cutter.</span></div>
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Next I starting playing with fabric. I looked for navy velvet fabric at a craft store, but before buying it I thought about looking instead at used clothing from a thrift store. I found a long-sleeved buttoned down blue velvet women's shirt. It was more than enough fabric, plus it cost a lot less. After deconstructing the shirt, I cut off a piece and started contemplating how to cover my sofa. I used straight pins to hold it in place. Now I am kind of stuck. I don't know what to do next. Should I use glue or staples to attach the fabric directly? Sew some kind of slip cover? Sew or pin the fabric directly? Or just figure out some temporary way to keep it on.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I am also considering using pins or thread with tiny beads to create a tufted detail on the back of the sofa, but I am not sure it would look right with the overall style. Anyway, that's a little too much information/over thinking for this project. Any advice would be great, and I'll let you see how it turns out. </span></div>
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Once I finish it, I have some lots of 1:1 scale inspiration photos I can attempt to recreate in 1:12 scale. Oh, and apparently nothing goes better with a navy velvet couch than a zebra skin rug and acrylic coffee table :)</div>
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Images from Pinterest.</div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-34912767301884085702012-02-11T05:18:00.001-08:002012-02-11T08:09:43.818-08:00margaret_loves Roomboxes<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82b2JZMTKxdlR08Z69rrzeX-OvkpWqdl2QJJmqigEHylUHLqo9I-I33IGbDcrAHcNJsbDId92SyI6yuE7rgFeaD6ouLMTVYfQvzNNeuNO52eiDCDBCP8nkunyIpGNpa7aNMzhYGVOKWqy/s320/Marginal-Notes-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707864130104207074" />I saw these storage cubes on <a href="http://design-milk.com/marginal-notes-2012-by-note-design-studio/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+design-milk+%28Design+Milk%29">Design Milk</a>. I am drooling over the sliding cut-out walls in different colors and designs. I want them all to make into dollhouse rooms! Too bad they are just prototypes for now from <a href="http://notedesignstudio.se/">Note Design Studio</a> in Sweden.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-61435871530226182312012-02-04T16:28:00.000-08:002012-02-04T17:28:08.851-08:00Time Travels<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBMcCYcxQHMkudowWwY8OWB8tUvyQn-HzkDWXECfF4EylmpLstHUCu199BNifaKP3DEelEw2JmzA_sY7yK3uRBAf-F3Fdp7DjfAhWdw6Ndqzrj3IKLtiKeGoHSd6cD-1zZffh8tSkKXOY/s1600/clock4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBMcCYcxQHMkudowWwY8OWB8tUvyQn-HzkDWXECfF4EylmpLstHUCu199BNifaKP3DEelEw2JmzA_sY7yK3uRBAf-F3Fdp7DjfAhWdw6Ndqzrj3IKLtiKeGoHSd6cD-1zZffh8tSkKXOY/s320/clock4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705455638262083442" /></a>It's been a busy weekend of miniature-making and scene setting! I have been putting together my very first swap parcel for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio7gallery/">studioseven</a> and I picked up a few papers and laser cut wood decorations from a scrapbook store. <div><div><br /></div><div>This scene is a step outside of my comfort zone in many ways. A while back I asked my husband to pick out a sheet of scrapbook paper that he liked, and I told him I would create a room around it. Kind of like a self-imposed challenge. He picked out an historical looking old map design. I had some ideas for it, but nothing I owned would really work with it. Then for our anniversary, he bought me a set of Mission-style living room furniture. I wanted to use it, but it was a bit over sized for most of what I owned, and a completely different style. Today, when I saw this laser-cut clock face, I was inspired to try everything together. I wanted to create a well-traveled collector's living room with a modern design. I used the Ikea Lekman room box (again) mainly because of the open space, and I like the look of the clock with a translucent background. Of course I wasn't able to photograph it before it got dark, so I only got a few decent photos. I am happy with how it turned out, and it really reflects my husband's style. Challenge complete :)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeE4oQUAfAFKivW2JTUXnMNHDJrPeJd57vb9T7ZFiuBeC5CV9X11Z1zRpzYyCwX5BrFYghkcEWGNdXp9YWqXyHwhaWk9EhXN_I8yaMoR_cBHGRVTJ64IdKdzfxip5juHZNVNyMz2LZJzc/s1600/clock1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeE4oQUAfAFKivW2JTUXnMNHDJrPeJd57vb9T7ZFiuBeC5CV9X11Z1zRpzYyCwX5BrFYghkcEWGNdXp9YWqXyHwhaWk9EhXN_I8yaMoR_cBHGRVTJ64IdKdzfxip5juHZNVNyMz2LZJzc/s320/clock1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705456778956400530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7iseM6-o3OgHqEkSS6lReruVucukwjZhksS4GUA5akTU5ghKABp7XRIW03SpowNr9okxC7nuFat9n0_b5_A5H8wArCn9130I6rwkfGfIErFaiJLF7N85yRdZqQyAAeuH9tr0jt3pfwG5/s1600/clock2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7iseM6-o3OgHqEkSS6lReruVucukwjZhksS4GUA5akTU5ghKABp7XRIW03SpowNr9okxC7nuFat9n0_b5_A5H8wArCn9130I6rwkfGfIErFaiJLF7N85yRdZqQyAAeuH9tr0jt3pfwG5/s320/clock2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705456381049060162" /></a><br /></div><div>Mission style furniture set from <a href="http://www.minishop.com/motts/shopexd.asp?id=74689">minishop.com</a>. Bookcase from The Dollhouse Emporium. Side table is an upside-down votive holder from Pier 1. Lamp from <a href="http://call-small.blogspot.com/">Call of the Smal</a>l giveaway. Re-Ment accessories from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/playscaleminis.com">PlayScale Minis</a>. Clock face by<a href="http://store.scrapbook.com/kai-fl352.html"> Kaisercraft</a>.</div></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-33505414332996250732012-01-30T14:36:00.000-08:002012-01-30T18:12:53.443-08:00Found: A knitted pouffe look for less<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s3RAtmJc2YOrWJASfwCA0yP_MFY6lBi8ZAyxT4mqILO1Y9MdmoTSee2gWQnSPFYBn2x-qjk19t4BQWlpcO2PH7uKU1e7ZPEbxG0xDETroNVfOPfmNyUUjZ9W9KO3sZDac2v1gcG4J6q_/s1600/KnittedPoufsF11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s3RAtmJc2YOrWJASfwCA0yP_MFY6lBi8ZAyxT4mqILO1Y9MdmoTSee2gWQnSPFYBn2x-qjk19t4BQWlpcO2PH7uKU1e7ZPEbxG0xDETroNVfOPfmNyUUjZ9W9KO3sZDac2v1gcG4J6q_/s320/KnittedPoufsF11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703613306819885506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZovBHS2r-lAkL-hmxCLWoX1SIYKpJHyHNnscZa4k-GqrxA0q2OD_jMeOqrB5Yrpy7Z2QrEhSjCdofo3E8h4lfTGSeejngZ2_dKnA0soZi3l0ox_TgwxGh4BiVeBrCWKwIk3oKZuf-u6Tq/s1600/pouffes1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZovBHS2r-lAkL-hmxCLWoX1SIYKpJHyHNnscZa4k-GqrxA0q2OD_jMeOqrB5Yrpy7Z2QrEhSjCdofo3E8h4lfTGSeejngZ2_dKnA0soZi3l0ox_TgwxGh4BiVeBrCWKwIk3oKZuf-u6Tq/s320/pouffes1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703566130116558194" /></a>I've been seeing knitted pouffe ottomans/bean bags for a while now in <a href="http://www.cb2.com/pillows/rugs-and-pillows/knitted-pool-pouf/f6776">CB2</a> catalogs and interior design blogs. Then I saw this beautiful handmade miniature version made by <a href="http://theshoppingsherpa.blogspot.com/2010/11/making-scene.html">The Shopping Sherpa</a> and featured by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41648637@N07/6563947287/in/faves-51582446@N03/">Pinch of Pepper</a> on Flickr. I don't know how to knit, much less on a miniature scale, though a project like that may motivate me to learn when I have free time this summer. I also saw a great selection of assorted colored miniature knitted pouffes on <a href="http://www.prdminiatures.com/">PRD Miniatures</a> for $12 plus shipping. While I'd love to have one, my budget is small so I started looking for a cheaper option in the form of...hacky sacks! Colorful knitted bean bags that are small enough to look convincing? I hoped it would work, but after browsing around to find one it was more difficult than I thought. Most of them had wild patterns, and it was difficult to judge if they would be the right size. By chance, I was wandering around a <a href="http://www.partycity.com/product/sunny+day+kick+sack+24ct.do?from=Search">Party City</a> store where they sell small, individual toys for goody bags to give away a children's parties/fill pinatas, etc. and I found some mostly solid colored bean bags for $0.97 that I could display upside-down and get the basic effect. Now I have 2 knitted pouffes for around 2 bucks. My secret is out (just don't look on the bottoms!)<div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing much new here except the hacky sack/bean bag pouffes from Party City. Couch made by me. Coffee table from ebay. Television and stand from Dollhouse Emporium. Accessories are Re-Ment or handmade.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPOaHSrbyZn-FwUrO1uC1yFXGYDLgxkx3IB-LcqlYeBt0KGUZeeewajI5iPVAO5a7K65xqV4kn2JyrqFfNjrxot11RAHT06Hn5ZmsIqkbJo1tKNWI_LglmKNQrNuis9gybTcB_k9GAlHg/s320/pouffe3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703567472311751698" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXymzJiK8_KBu6poSJzmIIns0CkLu3U3-CTan7MCKgVybsFNBxwl-eh0lye-3kGMZAnbXkolUx_xwsGjiYug8ytnjVI6Nf_o7b_4Hw1XNj2P2iVqQ1XzqcXZsRxHbuOTzz6FFF2ED_UkC/s1600/pouffe4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXymzJiK8_KBu6poSJzmIIns0CkLu3U3-CTan7MCKgVybsFNBxwl-eh0lye-3kGMZAnbXkolUx_xwsGjiYug8ytnjVI6Nf_o7b_4Hw1XNj2P2iVqQ1XzqcXZsRxHbuOTzz6FFF2ED_UkC/s320/pouffe4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703568843782180562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-27609340794923828762012-01-29T16:20:00.000-08:002012-01-29T16:48:12.755-08:00Picture Postcards<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSffQA2MlFkKTyUJ2W3OLlAst7ZAc_f_GIS4jCQQEcBZ3OTJDeNqwmgvGFF1NMmTyY6RVl_pa5dEwMu8QaDS1gZdy460iNd_FoYdZoZ8WDpkLhhsfWqlTHzhpjMVi0f5JY-iNFkPHcw4F/s1600/DSCF3831.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSffQA2MlFkKTyUJ2W3OLlAst7ZAc_f_GIS4jCQQEcBZ3OTJDeNqwmgvGFF1NMmTyY6RVl_pa5dEwMu8QaDS1gZdy460iNd_FoYdZoZ8WDpkLhhsfWqlTHzhpjMVi0f5JY-iNFkPHcw4F/s320/DSCF3831.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703214122981977938" /></a><div style="text-align: left; ">I wanted to play around with my new acrylic risers today and make a office scene in my Ikea Lekman roombox. I bought some Jonathan Adler origami paper at Barnes and Noble that I wanted to use as a rug. I found a postcard of an abstract painting in my collection that inspired the rest of the colors. This room is a mixture of miniatures and re-purposed items. I used my red CB2 Christmas ornament chair plus 2 from my REAC collection. The tables are acrylic risers found on ebay. The red table is a cap from a spray can. The white cube storage unit is Dollhouse Emporium. The accessories are mostly Re-Ment or made by me. The red thumbs-up sculpture is an eraser I bought at Target. I found a pack of them in different colors and poses that I thought would look interesting in a miniature scene. I only spent about 15 minutes putting it together. I like to imagine it as an office for a young, modern creative type.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The second room is in my thrifted dollhouse. I haven't really refurbished it yet, but I temporarily tacked some scrapbook paper to the walls and floors. I used a postcard image to inspire this room as well. The sofa and cushions are made by me (don't look at them too closely or you'll see how bad I am at sewing). The small bookcase is from Dollhouse Emporium. I found the other bookcase at an antique shop and painted it white. I am thinking of putting some paper or a contrasting color in the back of each shelf later on. The chair is REAC and the cubes are Garanamals building blocks. On the shelves are two tiny glass birds that were a Christmas gift. You can find them along with dozens of other glass animals at Toys R Us. They are really</div><div>cool little collectibles. It looks to me like an urban bachelor's living room.</div></div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZAjgiRkM1cMB86wDHkcHNM1Xt9VadHxJaYkqNvdsQEEc0ltb6D3mnFTgPN3j5GXJ3wAp1lWg-vIcw8_P4MCTnh7ZTrI42d0w8tNUsU6qwhfs6tG94u3H6MNYONOhNE7otxzNhuU4P2B2/s320/DSCF3822.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703216726134675842" style="text-align: right; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-12702335945211453002012-01-07T17:08:00.000-08:002012-01-07T17:25:22.815-08:00margaret_loves dollhouse DIY<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki84OJXYpZNPTN4wNyD_Ri-UnqRwmO7ixOik-c0HwEtbK3gsl5SEOVzdTkxePy_maNFg_hkRNCnDvgd3oynwKAokdML1BJk-QTDlCCMs9W_dgOfSF2TU9H7phHMvZNUy_9De968vsfUrI/s1600/DIYlivingroom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki84OJXYpZNPTN4wNyD_Ri-UnqRwmO7ixOik-c0HwEtbK3gsl5SEOVzdTkxePy_maNFg_hkRNCnDvgd3oynwKAokdML1BJk-QTDlCCMs9W_dgOfSF2TU9H7phHMvZNUy_9De968vsfUrI/s320/DIYlivingroom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695065825509318626" /></a><br />In the search for modern dollhouse furniture and accessories, the choices are few and expensive. Most are highly sought after or out of production (only available on ebay) or painstakingly handcrafted by a few artisans on etsy and a handful of other sites ($$$). I don't have the budget to pay 1:1 prices for a 1:12 item (unfortunately) so I happily resort to a satisfying, though many times frustrating and time-consuming process of creating my own miniatures. A lot of mishaps, glue-gun burns, and not always picture perfect results, but I am proud of some of my creations. I wish I had taken some photos during the process of making my sectional sofa, but it isn't too difficult to figure out. Basically, I cut out rectangles for the base, back and each cushion, wrapped them as neatly as I could with fabric and used hot glue to put it together. The mirrored tables are inspired by ones sold by the Dollhouse Emporium. They are wooden blocks, and I glued some mirror board squares to each face. Finally, I found a tutorial to make an Arco-style lamp using a melon baller and some wire. I can't remember whose blog I found it on, please comment if you know so I can credit them. Of these I am most proud of the sofa, and I have used it the most, almost too much. I really need more variety in my collection. It is based on one sold by Room and Board, one I'd love to own in real life :) I am struggling to create another couch, though. I think I must have blocked out how difficult it was. I bought a secondhand leather skirt and a blue velvet shirt from Goodwill (cheaper than buying raw fabric) and I am in the process of taking them apart and using the material to make some more pieces. This time I will try to blog my process.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-1195092261727987712012-01-07T16:39:00.000-08:002012-01-07T17:02:11.543-08:00margaret_loves Lucite<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Wok1up289MV5i7Sv-Rhbuo0ItOdXYUWZJFHx4okXzUeTA4N_-r4tPz3Jkw5X6iPXO1W7jj8JPEJmxBMMrNrdffov7eDDqQofsnTkxoJFLc0j0Gztworkr9boFn2Da8OJzutJVS_8nMhG/s1600/DSCF3825.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Wok1up289MV5i7Sv-Rhbuo0ItOdXYUWZJFHx4okXzUeTA4N_-r4tPz3Jkw5X6iPXO1W7jj8JPEJmxBMMrNrdffov7eDDqQofsnTkxoJFLc0j0Gztworkr9boFn2Da8OJzutJVS_8nMhG/s320/DSCF3825.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695055397438192642" /></a>I love the Lucite trend-from Ghost chairs to CB2 tables-and I knew they should be fairly easy to create in miniature, but it took me several months to find just what I was looking for. I looked at some clear acrylic risers from <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10019504&N=&Ntt=acrylic+risers">The Container Store</a>, which come in a variety of sizes, but with shipping I would have been paying way to much for a small bit of plastic. I knew there had to be more options out there. On <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=small+acrylic+risers&_sacat=See-All-Categories">ebay</a> I found a set of three small risers for less than $5. Perfect. Here is a picture to give you a better idea of their scale-<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXx9Dk2ZWwTWkFdifvnpLjHHb8om_qpDQJz6RqhKZQojj7F6oZn5AGXETYae-Q43R5nPTxujgzCklSCIjMYhPhnDQy59GaCzsdumhWup8Fl6-yGucO5zL4rfNpmoWK5HePVcXVSEwuw5c/s1600/DSCF3824.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXx9Dk2ZWwTWkFdifvnpLjHHb8om_qpDQJz6RqhKZQojj7F6oZn5AGXETYae-Q43R5nPTxujgzCklSCIjMYhPhnDQy59GaCzsdumhWup8Fl6-yGucO5zL4rfNpmoWK5HePVcXVSEwuw5c/s320/DSCF3824.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695054977389718002" /></a>The tallest makes a excellent desk (it would look great with nothing but an miniature Mac book on top!) and the shortest makes a nice low coffee table. The medium height table could also be a coffee table or end table, or perhaps a stand for a television. I am so excited to use these, it was small purchase that I can get a lot of mileage out of, as long as they don't go out of fashion any time soon :)<div><br /></div><div>Chair: REAC Japan miniature Panton, rug is cut out from felt from Michael's, square ottomans are building blocks.</div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-70059145279362810202012-01-07T16:31:00.001-08:002012-01-07T16:39:27.137-08:00margaret_loves thrifting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseTiK8aXBdToEReFKcZjuKjcDjU6tcSTMe-MRejpAR_TdKG_NIaUg78AUB_KjUasFEPLcZ7MS_JbqRjBNr-z_A7qdLTv-VHLWf-PmHsMiWhT8bufFXE7L1XMKBnOgn9ZFePHAIqqVgfEw/s1600/DSCF3821.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseTiK8aXBdToEReFKcZjuKjcDjU6tcSTMe-MRejpAR_TdKG_NIaUg78AUB_KjUasFEPLcZ7MS_JbqRjBNr-z_A7qdLTv-VHLWf-PmHsMiWhT8bufFXE7L1XMKBnOgn9ZFePHAIqqVgfEw/s320/DSCF3821.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695052619324201906" /></a>I checked out a newly opened thrift store in town not expecting to find anything in particular, and was pleasantly surprised to find this set, though incomplete. The shop owner said there was supposed to be a china cabinet with it (hence the loose drawer) but it was nowhere around. She charged me only $1 which I thought was a great deal, and told me she would put any other miniatures she found under the counter to save for me! They look like they were a furniture kit that someone put together, but are pretty well-built and have nice details. I am thinking of ways to possibly paint or refinish the pieces, and creative uses for the drawer as wall art or perhaps a tray or small table top. I hope to post a scene using them soon :)Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-31825993707182958312011-11-21T14:40:00.000-08:002012-01-07T16:54:41.543-08:00margaret_loves miniatures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAuo0U-SbqM_VxPffEHWl9KU2mJNJZHGdXzgmXngl-iFoxAsDUZCvZkJknBt4bn0UzOZfC-sE-d0LRK_32jo57keQEVZbF7AvcjKoFi31rDGDHg3OggePowi06KRQFoZSMzhyphenhyphenopaLKmfo/s1600/mugs.jpg"><img style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAuo0U-SbqM_VxPffEHWl9KU2mJNJZHGdXzgmXngl-iFoxAsDUZCvZkJknBt4bn0UzOZfC-sE-d0LRK_32jo57keQEVZbF7AvcjKoFi31rDGDHg3OggePowi06KRQFoZSMzhyphenhyphenopaLKmfo/s320/mugs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695050679721389202" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span>My love of all things cute and tiny has become a full-fledged hobby. I loved dollhouses as a girl, though I never really had much of one. My aunt gave me a dollhouse kit for a birthday, but it was too daunting a task for me to build on my own, my parents weren't really interested in helping. I never got past the foundation and selecting wallpaper, and we ended up getting rid of it. I had lots of Barbies, like most girls did, but I spent my time arranging their furniture and the tiny food in their tiny kitchen. I never cared much for dolls or fashion, but I loved interiors and styling rooms. I even thought about pursuing a career in interior design, but I decided to be an art teacher instead. I still love reading design blogs and decorating my own apartment, and I am an HGTV junkie. Only a few miniature items survived from my childhood, but one day we visited the Birmingham Museum of Art and in the gift shop they had some REAC chairs. I picked one up on a whim, and I began my collection of more grown-up, modern miniatures. The Modern Miniatures group on Flickr really inspired me, seeing the rooms and houses decorated to look like real life designer spaces. I especially love creative DIY methods for creating furniture and accessories and appropriating 1:1 objects as miniature items. I still don't have my dream dollhouse, instead I mostly set my scenes using bookshelves and boxes. Lately, I've started collecting interior design images from the web or a magazine and tried to recreate them in miniature scale. I hope to use this blog to connect with others who enjoy this hobby and share ideas. </span><div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771290174761436276.post-66084253053330819892010-06-29T19:20:00.001-07:002011-11-21T05:43:32.773-08:00Confessions of a LurkerConfession: I am a lurker. A blog-follower. A Pinterest-pinner. A Facebook-liker. A flickr-favoriter. I love perusing images of beautiful art, interior design, DIY projects, befores and afters, crafts galore. But what I really want is to be one of the artists or bloggers I admire. I don't want to spend my life just appreciating the projects of others while surfing on the couch. I want to be a maker.<br /><br />I could be a maker, but all my lurking has given me a kind of disease. The wonderful internet has opened my world to a whole group of people I aspire to be like, and constantly compare myself to. And so I rattle off the excuses to myself, "I can't start a blog because I don't have enough light in my apartment to take photos, my camera isn't good enough, my ideas aren't original enough, no one will read my blog anyway, everyone else started doing it long before me, I don't have time to put in to it, I am not good enough, I am too afraid."<br /><br />But it's time for me to stop comparing myself to others, and do what I enjoy doing. No excuses for putting it off any longer. Take my inspiration I've been given and what little talent and resources I have and maybe inspire others in the process. It's time to stop lurking. It's time to participate, get off the couch, and be a maker.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751263153591223299noreply@blogger.com0