Merry Sylvanian Christmas!

Well we here at Slydale Hollow were totally spoiled this Christmas! Not only did several new families join us we now have a Grand Hotel building too. So we decided to do a "Street Scape" with the 2 hotel/manor buildings together. 

I think they look fantastic! 

I've decided the Regency will house my (new-to-me) Timbertop family. 

The Grand was a present for my children, so that any of their Sylvanians without a home will have somewhere to stay, no homelessness in Slydale Hollow! 

We hope you all have had a Merry Christmas, and a Happy & Safe New Year. 

Sylvanian on a shelf

I decided to put the majority of "villagers" together on a display shelf. This is what it looks like. 😉 

This doesn't include the Slydales, Evergreens, Babblebrooks, or Wildwoods, who are living in their houses. 

Or my kids personal figures (Chocolate-Tips, Marlowes, Simpkins, Springers, Fentons, Outbacks). 

I'm also in the process of setting up a new work/play space

And lastly our newest building... The Regency Hotel! 

It won't technically be part of Slydale Hollow, but it might be used as part of "The Big City". 

Ingrid's New Life

Today was the day! 

Ingrid Blackberry was all packed & her things ready to go, she was moving to Slydale Hollow to live with her mum. 

Her mum's cousin "Aunty" Kristabel Corntop was here to pick her up with a guy named Rocky Babblebrook & his daughter Breezy who was the same age as Ingrid. Rocky packed the car while Aunty Kristabel introduced the girls. 

Breezy was lots of fun to talk to, & Ingrid hoped they would become great friends! It was really good to meet someone from her new school (and the same class), before she actually went there. 

All too soon it was time to leave. Ingrid's dad Bob had said goodbye earlier that morning & had left for work well before the car arrived to pick Ingrid up. So now all Ingrid had to do was wave goodbye to her old life...

The journey seemed to take such a long time, & Ingrid wasn't used to the wide open spaces & seeming "nothingness" of the countryside, but at least Breezy was good company, she asked a few questions but mostly waited for Ingrid to start the conversations. They spent most of the journey talking about Slydale Hollow, what is was like & who lived there. Ingrid was starting to get excited to see if the town was as good as Breezy said. 

Soon Rocky pointed out some building coming up. There were coming into Slydale Hollow! Ingrid could see the small Main Street with its few shops, & all of a sudden a familiar figure stood into the doorway of the largest shop. It was Ingrid's mum Betty! As soon as the car stopped Ingrid jumped out & ran to her mum. 

They shared the biggest hug, & cried while Betty told her daughter just how happy she was to see her. 

Ingrid couldn't wait to cuddle her baby brother Eaton either, he had grown so much & was crawling all over the place! 

Just then a couple of hedgehogs peeked out from the shop next door, it was Eleanor & Abigail Bramble. The Bramble family were tailors & owned the dress shop next to Betty's general store/supermarket. Eleanor & Abigail were thrilled to meet Ingrid & told her just how much her mum had been raving about her beautiful daughter. 

Rocky & Kristabel came over & Betty could not stop thanking Rocky for all he had done. 

Meanwhile Breezy, Ingrid & Abigail were talking about how they could all get together for play dates & what are each other's favourite things to do. 

As it had already been a long day, Rocky asked Betty where she wanted all Ingrid's bags & Betty & Kristabel then arranged to have him drop the bags at the house while Ingrid checked out her mums shop, then Kristabel would walk the girls down to the cottage. 

Ingrid couldn't believe just how cool her mums new shop was. 

Breezy poked her head in the door & asked if Ingrid was ready to go to the cottage? 

So Ingrid gave her mum another hug & walked outside to where Kristabel & Breezy were waiting. 

The Blackberry's new house was on a small street called "Cottage Row". As the name suggested the street was full of quaint cottages huddled together in a row. Ingrid thought it looked gorgeous & asked which one her mum lived in. Kristabel pointed to the red roofed one in the middle & said "It's called Rose Cottage."

"I love roses, maybe Mum will let me grow some new ones here" replied Ingrid

"You know your mum, she loves growing things, so you might get your wish" said Kristabel

Suddenly the door on the cottage next to them flew open & a tiny ball of fur came tumbling out. 

"Amber! Come back here!" Called a voice inside the cottage. 

The ball of fur ran up to Ingrid & excitedly said " My names Amber, what's your name? You look like Mrs. Blackberry, but your smaller. Hello Ms Corntop what are doing here?" 

Amber's father came out & said,

"I'm really sorry, please excuse our Amber she gets a bit excited when new people come. I'm Mr. Mortimer Bramble & this my son Max." 

"I'm Ingrid Blackberry, I think I met some of your family near my mum's shop." replied Ingrid, 

"Aww, that means Abi got to meet you before me!" Said Max

Breezy laughed a little & said "Don't worry Max she's going to be in our class at school, you'll get plenty time to hang out with us all!"

While Ingrid had been meeting the neighbors, Rocky had been busy at Rose Cottage unloading all her bags & now he needed help to take them inside. Kristabel, Ingrid & Breezy all grabbed a bag & headed inside. 

They quickly had things unpacked & Rocky was ready to head to his own home. "Can Breezy stay for a little while?" Ingrid asked. 

"Sure, I'll be back later to pick her up." Rock said. 

The two girls headed up to Ingrid's new bedroom to talk about what life was like here in Slydale Hollow. 

Although this new bedroom wasn't as big as her old room - & she had to share it with her mum & baby brother - Ingrid was excited about this new life & the possible adventures she might have here with her new friends! 

The Blackberry's Supermarket

Betty Blackberry & her young baby have just moved to Slydale Hollow. 

She had been there previously to visit her cousin Kristabel Corntop, & noticed that everyone either had to grow their own food or transport it in from a long distance away. Having a owned a market stall previously with her (now estranged) husband, she knew just what was needed here! And as she was already starting again from scratch why not move away from the big city? Cousin Kristabel had begged her to stay, had said "you need a new start."

So here she was, moved away from the bustling city life & now the proud owner of the Hollows first market! Although the sign said "supermarket" it really was only a very small shop, not much more than a deli or corner shop, certainly smaller than the large market stall herself & Bob used to run...

Now that it was all set up there was only one thing missing, her daughter Ingrid. Betty & Bob had decided that Ingrid should stay with her father until Betty had everything ready. And here it was! Now just to wait for the school holidays to finish & Ingrid would be here too! Betty hoped that Ingrid would like it at Slydale Hollow. 

Tembo family

The Tembo Family is made up of father Timothy (known as Tem to his friends), mother Eleanor (Nellie), brother Edward (Eddie) & sister Elizabeth (Ellie) 

The Tembos come from the deepest part of the Sylvanian Forest, their village is so far away & so small it doesn't even have a post office! Tem & Nellie decided that although they love their tiny village they wanted Eddie & Ellie to be able to go to school. So Eddie & Ellie moved to Slydale Hollow (the closest village with a school). 

They stayed with the Babblebrooks & enjoyed getting to meet Breezy, Bubba & their many cousins. 

Tem & Nellie missed their cheeky children so much that after a lot of deliberations they decided to move to Slydale Hollow! At least while the children are at school. 

And though Tem & Nellie haven't been at Slydale hollow long they are making lots of friends & plan to find a way to contribute significantly to the Hollow. 

*please note I have re-named these Elephants. You can find their original names & clothing on www.sylvanianstorekeepers.com 

The Beginning:an Origin story

The Slydales were tired of being constantly in the big city, and decided it was time for a change!

Slick was a school teacher and had to deal with a lot of stress that came from working in a big city school. The next school holidays were coming soon, Slick and his wife Velvet had a brilliant idea! They would go camping and get away from the city! Their good friends the Underwood family lived in a caravan and wrote to them often about the joys of travelling the countryside.

Velvet had been born in the country and had missed it for years, and now they had saved enough money to buy their own little wagon and go for a trip! When they told their kids, Buster & Scarlett, they also were greatly excited and could barely wait! 

Today was the day! They left early in the morning, and the kids slept for a large part of the travelling. Finally after hours of travelling they reached a quiet, green valley surrounded by lush hills, that theUnderwoods had told them about.  

Slick unhitched Bramble the grey gypsy pony they had bought with the cart & Velvet set about making dinner & sent the children out to find a good picnic spot. 

"Velvet" said Slick, as he walk back inside 

"Yes dear?" She replied

"I'm glad we decided to come here, it's so quiet & peaceful. I can feel myself relaxing already."

Then Slick took the plates out the spot where Buster & Scarlett had set up the picnic blanket. 

Velvet then came over with the food and they all had a lovely dinner surrounded by the peaceful countryside, with Bramble the pony occasionally coming over to see what they were doing. 

"What are we going to do with Bramble while we are sleeping tonight?" Asked Scarlett (the thought of losing the pony she had longed for was unbearable to her). 

Velvet smiled, " I asked his owner if he was campsite trained, & they assured me he won't wander very far from where his oats & apples are kept! So as long as we keep those in the cart he will stay nearby."

Slick & Velvet then headed back to clean the dishes and discuss how long they could stay in the quiet Hollow. 

Soon it was getting dark and time to set up the camp beds. 

They decided since it was such lovely clear, mild evening that they would sleep under the stars for their first night camping.

 The kids were so excited, there were so many more stars visible than in the city, even before the sun had fully set! Before long it was dark and they all drifted into a deep, relaxing sleep. Including Brambles the pony. 

Families

The Families

 

Here are a few of the families who live in Slydale Hollow

 

 

The Slydale Family
Slick (father), Velvet (mother), Scarlett (daughter), Buster (son)
This was the first family to move here, & though they have been here for a long time rather than build a permanent house they prefer the freedom of their horse draw vintage caravan. they also love their cheeky pony Bramble (not pictured here)

Evergreen Family
Forrest (father), Honeysuckle (mother), Logan (eldest son), Summer (eldest daughter), Preston (younger brother), Ashley (younger sister) Baby Dusty, Baby Poppy Ernest (grandpa), Primrose (grandma)
One of the early families to settle in Slydale Hollow.  Being one of the larger families they have been quite influential in the community.
 
 
  Babblebrook Family

Rocky (father), Crystal (mother), Bubba (son), Breezy (daughter), Baby Coral, Baby Sandy
 
Another of the earliest settlers, the Babblebrook family is constantly growing, Rocky & Crystal have taken in several of their nieces to live in their home so the girls could have the benefit of family & go to the local school. They currently own the largest house in Slydale Hollow & have plans to build even larger to accommodate a possible Bed & Breakfast opportunity, which would allow Crystal to stay at home & take care of the babies while still earning an income & doing her favourite hobby, cooking!!
 
 

Wildwood family
Herb (father), Ginger (mother), Hollie (daughter), Rusty (son)
Cousins of the Babblebrooks, the Wildwoods have only moved to Slydale Hollow in the last few years, they love being surrounded by family & have made a lot of close friends here. 

Simpkins Family
Suzette (mother), Glen (son), Gwendolyn (daughter)
The Simpkins are another new family to 
Slydale Hollow. Suzette although new to the
town has already found work at the local bakery & 
Glenn & Gwen have made many friends at
the school. 

Chocolate-Tip Family
Frasier (father), Teri (mother), Freya (daughter), 
Coco (son), Baby Crème (daughter), Baby Kabe (son),
Baby Breeze (daughter)
The Chocolate-Tips only moved here this year, but are already
loving their new town.

 

Furbanks Family
Kenneth (father), Emma (mother), Baby Ambrose, Baby Alfie
 
Kenneth & Emma recently moved into "the Old Mill"
a lovely old windmill. They are raising their nephews Ambrose & Alfie, and they are enjoying
the antics only babies get up to. (especially squirrel babies who live in a windmill)
Kenneth's cousin Christopher owns the local "Water Mill Bakery" so they like to joke
that "owning mills must run in the family!"

Henry-Lloyd Family
Ben (father), Pippa (mother), Zac (son),
Sarah (daughter), Baby Wendy, Baby Tom
 
Ben is the fisherman of the village,
& loves to talk about his trade with any one
who will listen. Zac & Sarah love going on 
weekend fishing trips with their dad.
 


(I've updated a few things in this post so it's a little more accurate). 
* All names in this post are original names