Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper, too?

As part of the January Cure (Assignment 6: Choose a piece of artwork to frame & get the process started for framing it), I made a trip to IKEA to get the needed picture frames for two pieces of artwork we're framing. I saw the Lekman box is now available in solid white, and at only $12.99 I couldn't resist picking one up. It makes a great mini studio space.

The de-cluttering and cleaning process is coming along. I tackled the kids art table and the backyard, and figured I deserved a break. I set up the Lekman box and cut a piece of wood grain contact paper (shelf liner) for flooring. I had done a swap with Pepper but one of the items and a lamp broke at the time, but her swap was better than mine so I figured we were even. Pepper completely surprised me with a wonderful Christmas package stuffed with mini presents (and chocolates that I gobbled up right away). The Lekman Box seemed the perfect place to showcase her incredible work.

Deets: Pepper, MitchyMooMiniatures - red chaise, floor lamp, wood framed mirror, rug, coffee table, credenza, table lamp, and luggage (I will find the artisan that made these, I know she's mentioned her on her blog, I just couldn't find at time of posting). minimodernistas - sofa, pillows. PRD miniatures - books. Accessories - craft store, show finds and Kaleidoscope House accessories.

Disappearing Act

So besides the recent uptick, this year has proven to be filled with much less mini time. My full-time job of toting kids to school and activities has increased with volunteering at my oldest's school. And my part-time "pay the bills" night job used to be a manageable 15-20 hours a week, but since the summer has turned into 30-40 hours a week with no sign of slowing down. Needless to say, posting took a back burner, and the time I could carve out slowly went to working on my swaps. I'd start to make progress, but then couldn't stand the sight of the kids art supply table, so I'd get distracted organizing around the real house.

I am 95% finished with my long overdue swaps, but this rainy weather has made it impossible to finish painting the final pieces I'm working on. There are some pretty cool spray paint booths, but I cut up some boxes and taped them together, then strung an unbent wire hanger between the two. Voila, my own spray paint booth for free. I also made a makeshift drying booth, cutting notches out of another box and shoving a hanger in it. All of the chairs are hanging from dental floss on a hook for easy transferring between boxes.

Of course I proceeded to leave these out in the rain (not the chairs just the boxes) and now have a soggy cardboard mess. As soon as I get a break in the weather I'll be finishing painting and ready to FINALLY mail out my swaps. Sorry ladies, thanks for your patience!!!

Refreshing swap from studio7

Several months ago I commented on Alisa's blog (Mini*Aesthetics) that I'd love to do a swap with her. We'd agreed on mid-June with a "green" theme. With everything going in my life, it was so refreshing to open her swap and be welcomed back to miniland. While trying to hone in my style, she noticed I have more houses than bathrooms and so she made this modern bathroom suite for me. It will be perfect in my KHouse. How cool is that pedestal sink? More pictures to come when I set the ensemble. I was quite jealous of her vintage Eames fabric find and was thrilled to see it in the box. Plus, Alisa made really cool pillows to fit my PRD Miniatures M.U.T.T. bench. Along with a bunch of fun accessories and a clever coffee table, I'm really inspired to start decorating with these. THANK YOU ALISA!!!

Pinch of Pepper + dash of TinyFixation = Ultimate Dream Bedroom

Seriously pinch me, I must be dreaming. Hands down the best part of this ride is the friends I've made along the way. You all are the kindest lot I've ever met. My heart still skips a beat seeing all of this talent in one room. I've admired Pepper/Carol/pinchofpepper's work (mitchymoominiatures) and great tutorials for years now. When she was game for a swap I almost lost it. I mentioned I loved this table she made shown on flickr and that one thing there aren't enough of are modern wardrobes. What she sent was a package full of items I couldn't have dreamed up any better, all carefully crafted and meticulously packaged.

All of the dresser drawers slide open and fit perfectly snug.
The plastic/laminent fronts are all my favoite colors and I love the patterns. The design on the standing wardrobe couldn't be more me. The asymmetric circles are just the coolest. I finally have a closet!

And in this corner... On top of all of the other amazing goodies Meagan (TinyFixation) made and gave me, she was reading through my old posts and decided to make me these chairs I coveted as a surprise. I was shocked. Back in 2007, I bought these West Elm ornament chairs that would have been a perfect match to my dream headboard. Alas, I didn't check the size and they ended up being closer to 1:6 in scale. Over the years I've kept my eyes out for something similar, but had given up, thinking it wasn't meant to be. Meagan knocked me out with these two gorgeous chairs in 1:12 scale and I'm still seeing stars. The chairs look so delicate, but the construction is reinforced invisibly and they are suprisingly sturdy. Meagan has some serious mini skills. Now I have to make the headboard and bed to match. For now they work well with my favorite PRD Miniatures platform bed. I think they are the perfect accent to this Peppered room.

Pepper also made this incredible bookshelf that works vertically as well as horizontally. I love the light wood and how she balanced the boxes. The desk is even dreamier than I imagined. These pictures aren't the greatest, so I'll take more detailed pics and post later, but I love the floral print she created on the surface with stickers and spay paint (check out her post here). Now the lamp, oooohh the lamp. I love floor lamps. Working floor lamps, ooo la la, dream come true. I adore the detailing in this lamp and Pepper even sent batteries to light it up. Her lamps truly are art.

Here's a shot of the whole room, as I always like to see the big picture. And here is a detailed shot of the Mimobe linens from PRD Miniatures.

Deets: Dresser, wardrobe, poufs, working floor lamp, desk and shelf by Peppper. West Elm chairs by Meagan. Painting, platform bed, mattress, pillows, linens, duvet and throw by PRD Miniatures. Shell art and silver pharmacy desk lamp by minimodernistas. Tripod lamp and blue chair by Paul MacAlister. Luggage and white end tables by HBS Miniatures. Accessories by PRD Miniatures, ModPodMiniatures, Lilushop, CW Lubin Wood Turning, CB2, Tap Plastics, Kaleidoscope House Accessories, Re-ment, hobby shop and miniature show finds.

Margaret Loves a Wallpaper Challenge

Margaret Loves threw down a challenge to create a scene inspired by a random (or not your style) scrapbook paper. Here goes. My kids picked out these papers, and I tried to find a way to bring both together. I split the room into thirds; hers, his and shared in the middle. I was able to add a lot of gifts and items I haven't quite found a home for yet.
Deets: Pile of pillows, bunk bed and linens - minimodernistas. Ms. Pac Man arcade game - Retro Heart. Bicycle is swap gift from TinyFixation. Bubble Chair gift from ModPodMiniatures. Purple and green poufs are swap from Pepper. Shelves, dresser, chair - ebay seller Mini dream world. Books - ELF Miniatures. Clock - LiluShop. Lamps, side table, desk, stool, waste basket, plates - AG Minis, Lil' Bratz, Re-Ment and Might World. Mini video DS and PSP video games - Miss Flynn. Lego car on desk built by my 5 yr old. 1, 2, 3 art are bookmarks from CB2 with ends cut off, put in magnetic frame from CB2 by me. Red dog card holder from CB2 (copied from Modern MC), red robot is key cover from CB2 as well. Cardboard playhouse made by me from TinyFixation swap supplies. Can't remember the brand name of the animals and eraser heads, I picked them up from a local mom and pop shop before it went out business :( Mini table and chairs in playhouse are Paul MacAlister (I finally found a use for!)


After seeing StudioSeven's post, I remembered I had the same Reac set, so I took some new pictures with the elephants. And added AG Minis diner benches (gift from Modern MC) and table base from IKEA table to make another seating section/play area. I'll probably remember something else I have buried for a kids room, so more photos might surface.

Jazzi has been been keeping tabs and posting great wrap ups on the wallpaper challenge and the magazine challenge. If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a total hoarder. I hoard as many challenge photos as I can find, as I like to have your blogs at my fingertips to easily spy on be inspired by. :P But seriously, I built a page to showcase the mini challenges. If you'd like to join one, take a look and join the fun. modernminihouses.blogspot.com/p/mini-challenges.html
Please send me entries I've missed. modernminifan (at) gmail.com

Christmas in April

A few months ago I threatened to steal TinyFixation's ModFire (made from Pepper's plans) and I had no idea what I was in for. Meagan offered to make me one, and didn't stop there. She surprised me with these chairs from an old post of a dream lost. Modern MC blogged about these West Elm ornaments, but after buying several at full price, they were sadly not 1:12. Megan completely blew my mind with these gorgeous 1:12 scale versions of the West Elm chairs I never thought I'd own.


The party didn't stop there. Meagan was in the process of cleaning house and she sent me a TON of extras she didn't need. 3 boxes filled with toolbox, tools, leather, metal, fabric, foam, sanding blocks, and so many hilarious yellow sticky notes, I peed my pants a few times. How does a girl get this lucky!?!?


The promised ModFire came safely packaged in this cute box easily used to create a scene. But again the surprises were the cord wood, cozy throw and ModFire FIRE! Check out these flames! So cool!!

Meagan also made these really cute little hangers. I'm impressed at the level of detail in everything. I am really going to have to step up my game up to make her something half as cool and impressive. Game on.

Swap from TinyFixation by Me again without the i.