The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

I am really sorry I haven't posted in over a month :O!! I have just begun a new school year, involving about ten times more homework and the difficult lessons mean you're exhausted by the end of the day. I promise I'll be back on a more regular basis really soon - I just need to manage my time a lot better now I have so much work! I entered a competition about a week or so on the Sylvanian Families Message Board, and I was both surprised but very happy that I gained first place:) I would like to thank the organisers for inspiring me to take more photos of my Sylvanians (and update my blog!!). All the other entries were to a very high standard, so I was really shocked when I found out. Anyway, here is my winning entry:

A couple of weeks ago, all of the residents of Chestnut Road gathered together on the green next to the woods that surrounded the village. They set up picnic benches, BBQ's, and of course, lots of food! All to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee:)

The two Grandfathers, Mr Macavity and Mr Periwinkle had very conveniently placed themselves at the table with the most food. Mr Macavity had absent-mindedly drank almost a whole bottle of wine (despite warnings from his doctor not to drink alcohol due to his heart condition), whilst discussing the pros and cons of different types of fishing hooks with Mr Periwinkle. 

The men were in a deep chatter about classical cars and how Mr Bramble's wife is desperate for the new Volkswagen camper, but they don't really have the money.

'Did you know, the woman down the road...'
'Have you seen that new eye cream in John Lewis, I...'
'The shopping cost me almost a third more last week, prices are soaring...' These were just a few of the topics of gossip the women were talking about. 

 

The Dappledawn babies played on the slides, squealing in pleasure. Mr Brighteyes in the background was walking around with his portable BBQ and tongs, offering vege-burgers and vege-hot dogs to everyone (I'm vegan :D )

Belinda Brighteyes was found entertaining all the babies, of course!

The children chatted noisily about schoolwork. 'Happy Diamond Jublilee to our wonderful Queen!' They all toasted!

As mentioned at the start, I promise I'll be back soon with exciting new instalments in 'The Dappledawn's Holiday and much more...

The Dappledawn's Holiday Chapter 1

I'm making a story :) I am going on holiday very soon, and my Sylvanians will be coming (of course), so I thought I'd make a story about it. Emily Nightingale stepped in for Mother Theodora Dappledawn who had an unfortunate run-in with my dog. That is also why Brother Radish Dappledawn is missing, and I couldn't find a substitute!

CHAPTER 1

'Pheww!' Said Herbage Dappledawn to himself. 'I haven't been up that attic in years! No wonder it is such a mess! It took ages to find my suitcase!'

'Now what clothes should I take? Let's take a look in the wardrobe,' Herbage muttered.

'Ahh yes! I do like this shirt! I must pack this,' He said, as he folded up the shirt.

* Many items of clothes later *

'And finally, these corduroy trousers! My dearest Theodora always comments on how the cut of them is very attractive!' And he added the trousers to the growing pile within the suitcase.

.

'Finally! All finished!' Herbage smiled to himself. He then attempted to close his suitcase. 'Oh no! My suitcase will not close! I thought it was only women with too many possessions that had this problem...' With one final heavy push, Herbage snapped his suitcase shut.

'Brilliant! All finished! All I've got to do now is heave this weighty suitcase downstairs and then get the camping equipment packed!' Herbage said, brightly.

Meanwhile, Tilly Dappledawn was packing her rucksack ready for the holiday.

'I'm so lucky Mother brought me a new rucksack for the holiday!' She thought, happily 'Now, what will I need?' Tilly wondered.

'I know!' She said aloud. 'My favourite thing - books!' 

Tilly hurried downstairs to the conservatory reading room to get some of her favourite books.

'Mmmn, now what books shall I take?' Tilly browsed the bookshelf.

'A nice story book would be good...Oh excellent, one of my favourites!' Tilly whispered excitedly, as she picked out Forest Evergreen's Birthday Surprise.

'And I think Wild Flowers & Trees of Sylvania might come very useful, considering the fact we will be camping!' Tilly grabbed her books and went back up to her room to continue packing.

'I'll just pack these into my rucksack,' Thought Tilly, as she placed her books inside the bag.

'I will leave my rucksack here so I don't forget it!' Tilly smiled, as she put her rucksack on her chair. In just three days the whole family would be going on holiday with Tilly's best friend Sadie Persis and her family! She was very excited!

Theodora was the only member of the family who was not quite so excited about the holiday. Yes, she knew she would have a great time gossiping with Salome Persis, and showing everyone Cornwall, the place she loved and knew so well. But Theodora was bogged down with the stress side of the holiday.

'I have so much washing! So much ironing! Why does the whole family leave it until the last minute to put their things in the washing basket?!' Theodora thought to herself crossly. She heard Herbage thumping around in the attic and tutted quietly. 'It took me almost an hour to get those twins to sleep, if he wakes them up then..' She threatened, angrily.

'I'd better take Tilly's beach towel up to her room so she can pack it into her beach bag,' Thought Theodora, as she rolled up the towel and made her way upstairs, quietly so she did not wake the babies.

'I wonder where Tilly is?' Said Theodora, as she entered Tilly's empty room. 'I imagine she's gone to Sadie's to talk about the holiday...Oh what a good girl she is! Her rucksack is all packed!' Theodora had just put the towel on Tilly's bed and gently closed the door when she heard rather a lot of clattering downstairs.

She went downstairs to find Herbage with the camping equipment all over the dining room table and floor. There were kettles, gas burners, sleeping bags, even a fishing rod! Herbage looked up and smiled.

'Hello dear! Now, I was just wondering, do you think we'll need a fishing rod?' He asked her.

'Darling, what is all this dusty, spidery mess! I was about to serve dinner!' Theodora said, frowning. Suddenly, she heard a cry from upstairs. All that clattering had woken the babies!

'Honestly, Herbage! Now you've woken the babies as well!' She snapped. Herbage's face fell.

'I'm really sorry Theodora! I just got into the spirit of things and maybe I got a little over-excited!' Herbage apologised.

'It's alright! I'm just being grumpy! You're right, we should be happy, we're going on holiday! I'm sorry too. Love you,' Theodora smiled.

'Love you too, dear,' And they exchanged a quick kiss.

'I have an idea! Let's eat dinner in the garden! It's a beautiful summer's evening, so why not?' Theodora beamed.

The whole family sat down to a delicious home-made meal and talked all about how excited they were about their holiday!

Renovating the Rose of Sylvania Canal Boat

My old Tomy Canal Boat has been looking a bit worse for wear for the last few years. Having probably been my most played-with toy ever, it was very well worn. So I decided, since I can't buy any Sylvanians because I'm saving, that I would give the canal boat a bit of a renovation. Curtains, cushions, maybe some carpet.

Last night I started making some seat cushions. I'm not particularly talented at sewing, so please excuse my rather terrible hand-sewing! I used to use sheets of foam to make Sylvanian mattresses, but I've run out, so I've used regular stuffing - that's why it is a little bit lumpy! :) I used a simple blanket stitch around the edges. I'm not sure whether I need any additional decoration . . . I really don't want to overdo it, just keep it basic: Less is more.

I really think it is quite sweet, but it needs something more. I think maybe some velvet red cushions would compliment the fabric. I'm not sure about what colour carpet either, as the boat is kinda multicoloured so I can't find a 'neutral' colour that looks nice. And here's my canal boat:

All the stickers are faded and peeling sadly, and a lot of the parts have gone missing over the years, but I love this canal boat :)

Handmade Rucksacks

These rucksacks are really simple to make! In fact, they only take less than half an hour each! I was at my friends' house the other day, helping her sort out her Sylvanians, when I found an old Tomy rucksack that was falling apart. I asked if I could borrow it so I could make my own, which she happily obliged to. I made a pattern, got out my sewing box and fabric and managed to make a bag!

To make this bag, you will need the following materials:
- Two colours of felt of your choice (the stiffer the better, I find)
- Thin elastic
- Fimo (polymer clay) to make a miniature button/a miniature button if you have one
- Cotton thread

First, print out this pattern and and pin it to the fabric. Alternatively, you could trace it on to grease-proof paper as I have. Then cut to size.

Next, fold the two sides together (the bottom two panels). Insert the elastic at the fold and pin into place. Use the dotted lines on the pattern as a guide as where to sew. Ensure you firmly sew off, as it has a tendency to come un-sewn when turning it inside out.

Turn the rucksac inside out, and then sew the middle of the elastic to the middle-top of the back of the rucksack.

Next, sew the handle to the top of the bag and sew the two 'buckles' on to the flap of the bag.

Finally, sew on the button on, and make a small snippet on the flap to create a button hole!

Above is the finished bag. The buckle on the left did not go very well, but I've used up all of today's patience so I'm not redoing it!!

Freddie Buckley & Isabella Hunter-Smyth are very happy with their new rucksacks! They even offered to model them for me! I made the pink one earlier, and I can see the blue one looks better. Considering I practically made these from scratch, with just a falling-to-pieces bag to base my design on, I think they look pretty good!

Making Fimo buttons:


Take a small piece of Fimo and roll into a very small ball. Place the ball on a flat surface, and gently apply pressure to create a button shape (should be no wider than about 4mm from one side to the other). Use a pin to make two button holes. Then place on a tray and put in the oven at 130 Celsius for 25 minutes (because they are so tiny they do not take very long). Wait for them to cool before removing them from the tray and sewing them on! It takes a little practise to make these, but as long as you have a fair amount of time and reasonable levels of patience, then anyone can do it!

Figure Count

I did a figure count today, and photographed all my Sylvanian Families together. It was quite difficult to put them all in one photo! I got the Bramble Hedgehogs and Buckley Deer for Christmas which brings my figure count up to 81!!

Mayor Bill Waddlington introduces his wife Wanda, and his three adopted ducklings: Tom, Maisy and Sammy Puddleford. He welcomes you to his village and hopes you have a nice stay.

These are all my Sylvanian Families figures, but you can't see them all because of the angle.

This is a better angle but it came out really blurry. It looks as though I have hardly any figures, you wouldn't believe there was 81 there!!

This is originally how I set them out, but you can see my Legend of Zelda and Pokemon posters! No photos really came out as well as I'd like!

Hospital for Dog Chewed Sylvanians

Following the latest Sylvanian Families mauling by my dogs, I saw a suggestion on my favourite Sylvanian Families forum (see 'Links' page) that I should make a sort of 'Hospital' exclusively for them! Unfortunately, most of the beds I have are already in houses, so I have had to use the home-made beds my dad made for me when I was little. Also, as the Sylvanian Bank (me) is empty, I have had to use a very small cottage. I would like the hospital at some stage but it will be a while before I get it as my current wishlist is quite long.

The whole hospital is situated in the Country Cottage with Balcony. The hospital was put together in a rush, so please ignore the dust, and the random bar of soap on a bookshelf on the ground floor. The Sylvania Council is sending a plea of help to any residents of Sylvania who are willing to donate some money towards a more modern, spacious Cottage Hospital! :)

The Ground floor of the Hospital for Dog Chewed Sylvanian Families. A window on the left has broken off and is awaiting a replacement (or, I am waiting for my Dad to glue it back in place). The light is from Hobbycraft, and it did work...until I tripped over the wire and it snapped (Also awaiting my Dad's services).
On the right is a cloakroom and reception area, and to the left is a empty bed, and two infant casualties being cared for by a Nurse.

Nurse Emily Nightingale checking up on Emma Dale, who has suffered several head injuries, and Blue DeBurg who is adapting to life without a wing. Ensuring infant casualties have more comfortable cots is one of the many features the Sylvania Council hopes to include in the new hospital.

A welcoming bed sits next to the medicine cabinet (it's a Maple Town one, but I really like it anyway) and a bubbling, hearty stew stands on the stove. The window has been temporarily fixed (I love blu-tac :D).

Doctor Murdoch Jr. books in a new patient with volunteer Nurse Mabel Periwinkle, who is in charge of the cleaning the hospital, doing the paperwork, and cheering up patients. When the Bramble Hedgehogs moved house, they kindly donated their old telephone to the hospital.

Radish Dappledawn has just been brought to the hospital. He waits in a wheelchair in the cloakroom whilst Dr Murdoch Jr. books him. The cloakroom has a bench beneath for waiting visitors.

Upstairs in the attic room are the Cottontail Grandparents. Although the beds are handmade, they have comfy mattresses and warm covers. The beautiful views help them re-cooperate and relax. Grandfather Cottontail has suffered injuries to his arm, whilst Grandmother Cottontail has suffered injures to both her arm and her foot, and is currently ridden to her bed :(

One of the most generous volunteers at the Hospital is Roxy Renard. She provides the Hospital with all food; bringing round pots of porridge for breakfast, soup and home-made bread for lunch and a hearty stew for dinner. She also does all the washing for the hospital, and is often seen hurrying between her house and the Hospital with baskets full of clothes and bedding! 

I got Roxy Renard from my mum. She had purchased her in a set with a darling sewing machine from an old lady's collection of Tomy Sylvanian Families. When I got her out the box I immediately started to play with her. But whilst she was in my hand, a massive spider crawled out of her skirt. Even after my Mum had stripped her clothes off and washed them, I still wasn't keen on her. I shut her away in one of my storage boxes for many years. A couple of days ago I rediscovered her, and she's really grown on me! I don't have any of the other Renard foxes, but I plan to buy her a house to herself! Actually, I would love to get her the Old Mill (on my Wishlist, a previous post) to live in, as the Old Mill is too small to house any family bigger than two!  

Wishlist

I am currently saving for a new phone, and my calculations say I will not have enough money until Christmas :(. Basically, this means, no more Sylvanians until after Christmas. I'm not sure if this is a bad thing though because I will be able to concentrate on renovating The Rose of Sylvania canal boat, and finally finishing decorating Oakwood Manor. Anyway, here's my wishlist ;)

1) The Old Mill. I will have to get it second-hand as it is no longer available. The only ones I have found on eBay have been sun-bleached yellow, so I will have to repaint it white when I get one.

2) Bramble Cottage/Ivy Cottage. These will both be small homes for my currently homeless families, and I will stack them on top of some shops to create a sort of town scene. Again, they will have to be brought second-hand as they are no longer available new.

3) Blackcurrant Cafe. I haven't decided what to stack on top of this, as I don't think either of the above cottages really 'go' with the colour schemes of the cafe. Perhaps Cedar Terrace, as it is only £20 on Amazon.co.uk

4) Vintage Bakery. This is adorable and would look lovely once it has one of the cottages stacked on top of it. Will have to get second-hand also as it is no longer available.

5) Vintage Village Store. Again, it will look adorable with a cottage stacked on top. Because it is so old it's quite difficult to find one with as many of the original accessories included.

If I ever get round to buying ALL of this I will be amazed at myself. It really isn't likely I'll have the money to buy all of it any time soon. And having seen all the Autumn 2012 new releases, I'm more likely to be buying that stuff instead as I hate eBay (I'm always so disappointed when I lose an auction...which is most of the time!) Oh well, I'll buy all the Sylvanians ever made when I win the lottery... ;)