Sunday 28 February 2016

Slydale Hollow: in colour

Sometimes I think we adults forget how much fun & relaxation can be had from drawing, doodling, painting or similar. Over the last 2 weeks I've been working on my landscape of Slydale Hollow & tonight I think I've finished it. I've found the whole process both thought provoking & calming. Here is the finished product.  


I hope you enjoy it. 

Saturday 27 February 2016

The Butler-Bearburys


Introducing the Bearbury family. 



A very new addition to Slydale Hollow, they bring with them a necessary service to the valley, a bus! Now when the residents want to travel to the larger towns & city they don't need to hire a car or organise a ride with someone else. Also Mayor Timbertop has high hopes that the new bus service will bring visitors to appreciate the quiet of the Hollow. 

The members of the Bearbury family are
Stan, father & bus driver
Olive, mother & conductor/ticket sales
Owen, son & cheeky, active boy who thinks travel around Sylvania on a bus is the best life! 
Baby Olivia, who loves sitting up front between her Dad & Mum, & watching the world go by. 

(The original last name for the bus driver & conductor was Butler, but I prefer the "Bear bury" name given to the original figures released in this grey) 

Friday 26 February 2016

Slydale Hollow in black & white

I've been working on this sketch for a little while now, & I think I've mostly finished it. Just trying to decide if it needs colour or not...



Tuesday 16 February 2016

The Old Mill


I'm going to start writing some small pieces about the houses & shops we have here in Slydale Hollow. First up we have "The Old Mill", a windmill converted into a lovely home. 
It has three rooms kitchen, lounge & bedroom. 




I've just recently finished furnishing this building, & I think the residents will be very pleased! 

Emma & Kenneth Furbanks live in the mill with their 2 adopted sons Ambrose & Alfie. 

Sometimes Emma wonders if living in windmill is such a good idea with two young adventurous boys, especially when they love to climb so much!

I remember her telling me about the day she came outside to find them both playing with the winch that is attached to the top of the mill... 



Poor Emma was so beside herself she didn't know what to do. Luckily Kenneth had the ladder handy! 

First he caught cheeky Ambrose,


Then up another ladder to get Alfie! 


Then into the mill to comfort poor Emma, with the boys promising never to do that again! 











Sunday 14 February 2016

A sneak peak...

Here a tiny glance at something I'm working on at the moment... 


My drawing skills are only rudimentary, but it will be interesting to see how it turns out.  

Saturday 13 February 2016

Happy Valentines Day

 I know that not everyone celebrates Valentines Day, for some it can feel like a lonely day if you don't have a spouse or partner to share it with. For me Valentines Day is a day to let those you love & appreciate know how you feel about them. It is a day to celebrate that there is love in this world, & that nothing can take away our love. This Valentines Day I wish you a day full of Love, both given & received. 



Tuesday 9 February 2016

An exciting parcel.

Several times in the past I've bought Sylvanian Families figures that didn't come with clothes. When that happens I order replacements from "Grandma's Originals" (http://grandmasoriginals.co.uk)

Recently I had an extra Timbertop adult that I decided to dress as Nanny Timbertop. 

Nanny is a rare vintage figure from the mid 1990s. 

Anyway I ordered Nanny's outfit & it arrived today! 
I know it's not exactly the same, that is intentional as this isn't a genuine Nanny figure. I've decided to call her Nanny Faux Timbertop, she will be the carer for any little orphans in Slydale Hollow. 

In the same parcel I ordered several other spare dresses, including a new dress for Mrs. Murdoch. I love the hat (which I ordered specially). 



Here is what else I ordered: 
A spare dress for a bear, 3 baby dresses, 2 baby jumpsuits. So cute!