Mysterious Cassandra Maces

Dear Readers,

you all wondered about mysterious Cassandra Maces... So today you will find out a bit more about her :). Enjoy!

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Worried Akane Bamboo looked at her youngest son. Little Chiko was coughing since a few days and now his temperature had rised.

"We should bring him to a doctor, he needs medicine!", she said to her husband, who laid down a cold washcloth on his son's forehead.

Shinichi nodded, "Of course, but we don't have a car and the bus won't drive while it's raining that hard!"
Akane followed his sight through the window. The sky was grey, it was stormy and it rained since hours.
"But he needs medicine!", she said desperatly, "He's getting worse!"
"Wait!", Shinichi suddenly got an idea, "Didn't Mortimer said something about a pharmacy in the forest?"

His wife turned pale, "You mean the witch house?"
Shinichi waved aside, "Cassandra Maces is not a witch, my darling! She's the mother of Cecil Maces - and he's totally normal!"
"But haven't you heard the rumours? She has cursed the hedge of Pete Petite. For sure because she didn't get her post in the right time! And what about the incident last week at the Snow-Warrens house? One window cracked! And Lettuce told me, that she couldn't gave some strawberries to Cassandra,  because they weren't fresh anymore. Don't you think that Cassandra wants to take revenge?"

For a second Shinichi was quiet, then he burst out into laughing, "Are you sure? That's just superstition!"
Akane sighed, "Maybe..." 
At this moment Chiko coughed again loudly.

Shinichi carefully took his son in his arms, "I don't mind those rumours. I will take Chiko and walk to the pharmacy now! I'm sure Cassandra will help us!"
His wife wasn't very enthusiastic, but she knew that Chiko needed help and Cassandra was the only opportunity.

Together the pair walked to their neighbours and asked Mortimer von Stachel, where they could find Cassandra Maces.
The hedgehog man described it very well and promised to take care on the other Bamboo children, who were looking forward to play with Franz and Greta.

It was very cold outside and the wind made Chiko shiver. "I'm cold, daddy." 
"Soon it will be better, I promise.", caring he pulled the blanket closer around Chiko's neck.

With soaking clothes (the umbrellas were useless after the wind came from the side), the Bamboos finally arrived at a little hidden house in the forest. 

Mysterious plants and mushrooms were growing beside the building. 

"It's scary!", Akane said and looked distrustful to the front door, "What if she really is..."

She suddenly got interrupted by a warm voice, "...a witch?" The door opened with a loud squeal. For a moment the Bamboos couldn't see anything in the dark behind the door, then a friendly looking mouse lady showed her face.

"Of course I'm a witch!", she nodded seriously, "But not one of those who enjoys eating little children."
Akane flashed Shinichi a glance. Could they really trust this woman?

Cassandra Maces looked at little Chiko, "You should come in, I have the right medicine for him. Also it's warmer inside." She walked in the house, "I've just made some tea. May I offer you a cup?"

The Bamboos took a deep breath, then they followed Cassandra into the house.
It smelled of herbs and fire, but it was a nice and cozy smell.

Cassandra walked to Chiko and carefully laid her hand on his forehead, "My poor thing! You really got a bad flu." 

She smiled at the little panda, who watched her with big eyes. "I will make you feel better in a few seconds." 
"Will you perform some magic?", Akane asked worried, "I don't know if some magic spell can cure a flu..."
"Darling.", Shinichi said, "I'm sure Mrs. Maces knows what to do."
The mouse laughed silently, "I won't cast a spell on him. I will give him some medicine." 

She walked to the huge cupboard, which was filled with all kinds of herbs and little potion bottles. She took two bottles, one's was marked with "Against fever" the other with "Against cold".
"You can trust me, Akane.", she spoke with a soft voice, "I'm really no weird old witch, who curses everybody."
"Didn't I told you so?", Shinichi said triumphant, "She just wants to help. We're in a pharmacy and not in the hell." 
Cassandra giggled, "Right!" 

She carefully took Chiko in her arms and gave him one of the potions, "Here, my dear, drink!"
Chiko grimaced, "It's bitter!"
"I know, it's because of the herbs. But I promise that they will make you healthy again!"
Brave Chiko took a few mouthful of the first potion, then some of the second potion.
"This is better! It's sweet!", he smiled, "It tastes like strawberries!"

"You have a good taste!", complimented Cassandra, "There are strawberries in the potion." She run her hand over the soft fur on his cheek, "Do you feel a bit better?"
The boy nodded fastly, "Much better."

"How is that possible?", Akane asked surprised. Her son looked a lot better than before. His eyes weren't glancing of the fever anymore and the temperature was falling slowly.
"He isn't completely cured, you need to give him the medicine twice a day. But in two days he will be running around again.", Cassandra said, "The herbes I'm using are very effective, that's all."

"That's... amazing!", Akane suddenly walked over to the mouse and hugged her tightly, "Thank you so much! I feel so bad that I didn't trust you first!"

"Don't worry, dear. All people are used to think bad about witches. But I'm a healing witch. I have no evil intents.", with those words she handed Chiko over to his mum and took some tea cups, "I'm sure you will all drink some fresh lavender tea." 
Shinichi nodded, "Thank you very much. We really appreciate that."

(Sorry for the horrible quality of that photo)

Fastly she filled the cups and gave them to the Bamboos
"Lavender always refreshes the senses.", Cassandra explained, "You will feel great after it."
The Bamboos took a sip and immediately agreed, "It's fantastic! And so delicious!"
"Really, I'm so sorry, Mrs. Maces.", Akane had a bad conscience.

Cassandra waved aside, "Everything is okay. I know that some of the villagers think I'm cursing spells, but I promise that I don't do such things. Maybe I should tell them again. Cecil told me that poor Pete thinks, I cursed his hedge!"
"Yes... We have heard that too.", Shinichi scratched his head.
The mouse lady started to laugh again, "I will visit him these days and tell him that it wasn't me."
"Oh... Then you maybe should visit Lettuce Snow-Warren too...", Akane spoke quietly, "She thinks you cursed her window, after she couldn't give you the strawberries..."

"Really?", wondering Cassandra looked to the pandas, "Oh my... That was my fault. After I heard about the strawberries I was running away..."
"Why that?"
"I suddenly remembered that I had let my cauldron unattended over the fire.", the mouse blushed, "I'm a bit scatty sometimes."
"Oh that was the cause!", Akane couldn't suppress her grin.
"Yes...", Cassandra scratched her head, "Well, I will visit her these days and clarify my behaviour."

After the tea the Bamboos got up and walked home. Cassandra had given them more of the medicine for Chiko and some instructions, but she also promised to come by the other day. 

Shinichi was still amused about Cassandra. She wasn't scary at all, she was a nice old lady, who cared about the people. And her medicine was phenomenal.

"Do you think Cassanda is a real witch?", his wife softly pulled the blanket over Chiko.
"I don't know. Maybe... Maybe not... The main thing is she helped our son!"

"You're right.", Akane walked into the dining room and took place, "I'm so glad she helped."

"Me too...", he smiled, "And you know... There's magic in the world of Sylvania, so why shouldn't Cassandra be a witch?"

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:D I hope you liked the story. I'm sure Cassandra will appear in more stories, I really like her character.

Again I'm so sorry that it took so long to show you this story, I had a long fight with the daylight here -.-''. 

Read and write you hopefully soon,

yours Kyra

Tutorial: How to make a kitchenette

Dear Readers,

because I love trying out any crafting stuff I found out that balsa wood is fantastic to make furniture for Sylvanians. 
It's not that expensive and can be easily cut with a scissor. I started making beds and a lounge, which you will see in future posts.
But for today I have a brandnew tutorial for you: 

How to make a kitchenette.

You for sure had that problem too: You want to furnish a house for your Sylvanians, but you don't have enough space for an oven and a fridge/or cupboard, because they're too big. 
If you know that problem, get yourself some balsa wood, a scissor or cutter, acrylic paint, glue and FIMO (you can also use beeds and carboard instead of FIMO).

Step 1: Take your measurements. My kitchenette is 12 x 10,5 x 3 cm.

You'll need those parts for the basic construction:

- the backwall (12 x 10,5 cm)
- two side parts (10,5 x 3 cm)
- one middle wall (10,5 x 3 cm)
- a top and a bottom part (12 x 3 cm)
- two little shelves (3,5 x ca. 2,5-2,8 cm)
- one bigger shelf (8 x 2,5-2,8 cm)

And those parts for the oven and basin part:

- one "frame"-part (8 x 2,5-2,8 cm)
- 4 sideparts for the basin (2 smaller ones: 2 x 1 cm, 2 bigger ones: 3 x 1cm)
- 1 bottom part for the basin (3 x 2 cm)
- 1 oven/basin front part (3,5 x 8 cm)
- 3 different size rectangles for the decoration of the front

Step 2: Let's start with the basic construction!

You need: the backwall, the two side parts and the middle part.

Cut them out. You see, I've drawn some lines on my backwall to show where the other parts should be located. It's easier to orientate yourself while gluing the parts together.

Carefully glue the side and middle parts on there place.

While drying you can easily secure them with some pins.

Cut out the top and bottom part.

And glue them in place.

Step 3: Cut out the frame for the basin

Turn it around and add the side parts of the basin.

Add the bottom of the basin and let it dry

Meanwhile you can cut out the oven front and add some rectangles. They should look like a door and drawers.

Step 4: Glue in the shelves.

Add the basin unit and glue on the oven front part.

Wait until it's completely dried.

Step 5: Now you can colour your kitchenette.

Step 6: With FIMO create some handles, cooking plates and a water tap... And you're done :)

Mrs. Fisher was so kind to show us the kitchenette "in action" ^.^

I'm sure you can also use cardboard for the kitchenette, but than better use a thicker one.

I hope you enjoyed that tutorial.

Read you soon,
yours Kyra

A day with the Brightfields

Dear Readers,

finally it's time for a new story. Enjoy!

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It was a hot summer night in Marigold Creek. The crickets were singing and a soft wind blew through the open windows of the Brightfield's home.
Petunia couldn't sleep anymore. It was too hot for her, so she decided to get up very early.

Silently she left the house and walked into the families garden.

Outside it was a little bit more comfortable. While the wind blow through Petunias soft fur, she grabbed the novel, she was reading at the moment. It was a very exciting adventure book and she enjoyed it a lot.

Petunia had just read for about an hour, when suddenly Lavender, the eldest daughter of the Brightfield's appeared.
"Hi, mommy.", she said.
"Hello, my dear. Can't you sleep?"
"No, it was too hot inside....", Lavender laughed, "And dad is snorring sooo loud, that he could be heard in whole Marigold Creek!"

Her mother grinned, "Your dad really isn't a quiet sleeper."
Lavender took a seat near her mum, "He is! I wonder how Maple can sleep."
"She's a little child and has a deeper sleep.", explained Petunia softly, "When you were 2 years old, you also slept like a stone."
"Really? I can't remember...", Lavender pondered, "But maybe it's just too long ago."

Lavender and Petunia talked together until it was time for the other family members to get up. 
While Lavender started to prepare breakfast together with her mother...

... little Maple, who was awake soon, tried to wake up her daddy.
She jumped on the bed and tickled his nose, "Wake up, daddy! It's morning! And mommy has cookies!"
Drowsy Cypruss opened his eyes, "Hello, my little flower!"
"The cookies are waiting for us! You must get up!", Maple was really excited.
The little goat loved cookies very much, but she also knew that the family always ate together... So it was clear, that her dad had to get up, that Maple could get a cookie.

Cypruss crawled out of the bed and yawned loudly, before he started to shake the cushions.
"I will help you!", decided Maple and took a big pink cushion.

Finally the bed was done and Maple could enjoy her cookies.

After the breakfast Cypruss got himself his guitar and played a few songs. His family sang with him - it was part of their morning routine. After singing together everyone was good mooded and ready for the day.

Because it was already time to go into school and nursery, Lavender and Maple said goodbye to her father.

Cypruss hugged the two girls tightly.

"See you later, my little flowers!", he waved after his "three ladies", how he called his wife and daughters.

While Petunia accompanied her girls into school, Cypruss wondered where to start the day. He had two appoinments today - one at the Tuxedo's house and one at the Petite's. But until those appoinments he still had two hours time.

Cypruss decided to cut the grass. He began in the garden.

Then moved towards to the front of the house.

After cutting the grass, he raked under the flowers.

Meanwhile Petunia, Lavender and Maple arrived at the school and nursery.

Lots of pupils were already there and got watched by Mrs. Hunter-Smith.
"Lavender!", two girls yelled loudly, "Good that you're here, we MUST tell you something!"

Excited Lavender run to her two best friends Greta von Stachel and Sayuri Bamboo. Immediatly they started to chat.

Petunia said goodbye to her oldest daughter, before she and Maple walked into the nursery.

"Good morning, Maple!", greeted Katie Hawthorne with a bright smile on her face.
"Morning, Katie!", Maple answered.
"Morning, Maple!", the other children yelled loudly. 

Fastly Maple said goodbye to her mum and run to Melanie, a close friend of her. Immediately the two girls started to giggle.

"What are you up to this morning?", Katie asked Petunia.
The goat ladie smiled, "I wanted to bring some sunflowers to the Löffel's bakery. Hopefully my husband have adjusted the pot."
"Oh good that you said that, I wanted to ask, if I can get some sunflowers for our house."
Petunia nodded, "Of course. I can bring them to you tomorrow, if that is okay?"
"Thank you so much, that would be perfect. You know, I love sunflowers so much and they're missing in the garden."
Delighted Petunia said: "They are. And I'm sure they will fit perfectly into your garden."

At the same time in the Brightfield's garden Cypruss just
weeded under the flowers. The birds were singing, while the shadow of the tree provided Cypruss from the strong sun.

After weeding, Cypruss moved on.
At that moment Petunia returned.
"I'm back, darling!", she said.

"Everything went fine?", Cypruss asked.

"Of course.", she smiled, then flattened her skirt, "Do you have the flower pot for the Löffels?"

"Yep - one moment, I get it for you."
Crooning something to himself Cypruss walked behind the house...

...and returned with the flower pot.
"Aw, thank you, my dear!", Petunia said, "Flora will be so happy to get the flowers. They're very pretty."
"I hope so.", Cypruss laughed, "Will you accompany me a little bit to the village?"
"Of course."

Together the pair walked down in the village center; Cypruss carried all his tools on the wheelbarrow.

There were already a few villagers outside, but all in all it was a quiet morning.

Cypruss and Petunia said goodbye infront of the village bakery.

Immediately Petunia walked to Flora Löffel, "Good morning, Flora. I have the flowers you've ordered."

Pleased the rabbit cheered, "They look fantastic! Thank you!"
She took the sunflowers and placed them near the counter window.

"Don't they fit perfectly? I'm so glad we got them from you. It makes the bakery much more inviting!", Flora said, "We should get more flowers."
"Of course, just tell me, which you need.", Petunia agreed.

At this moment a duck lady came out of the bakery's door and looked around.

"Did I just hear something about flowers?", she asked.
"Yes, we talked about the great sunflowers, Mrs. Brightfield brought us. She and her husband own a garden and flower shop."
"Fantastic! Then you are the person I'm searching for!", excited the dug flapped her wings, "May I talk to you?"
"Of course.", Petunia laughed, "I wanted to buy some prezels for the children. If you don't mind, we can talk in the bakery?"

While Hans Löffel served the prezels, the duck started to chat.
"I'm Jemima Puddleford - me and my family just moved to Marigold Creek and we are planning to open a daycare center. Because we own a little garden I thought it would be nice to have some pretty flowers. But then my husband Ernest - that's his name - said "Jemima, what about toxic flowers? We have to take care of children!" And I realized he is right. We don't know anything about toxic or non- toxic flowers, beside fly agarics. But they are mushrooms, so no flowers...", she paused, "I'm talking to much, I'm so sorry. It's just that I'm so excited to meet a real gardener!"

Jemima Puddleford blushed, "I hope you don't mind my twitter. Sometimes I behave like my mother - she was talking without taking a break. I fear my children will be the same... Beside Quiek, she's more silent." The red on her face turned darker, "Oh my, I'm talking again to much! What I wanted to ask you... Can you help us with the right plants for our garden? We don't want to poison the children."

Petunia started to giggle. She liked the lively duck lady immediately.
"Don't worry at all. Of course we will help you! My husband is an expert in toxic plants and we also have two children, so you will be in good hands."
Assuaged Jemima breathed out, "I'm so glad! You will help us a lot!"

While Jemima and Petunia talked about an appoinment, Cypruss arrived at the Tuxedos house.

Natalie opened the door, "Good morning, Cypruss!"

"Morning, Natalie. I'm a bit early, I hope you don't mind?"

"Not at all, I'm glad you're here.. The flower bed looks horrible, some of the plants seem to be ill. And I just don't know what I've done wrong..."

"I'm sure we can rescue the flowers.", Cypruss said with a calming voice.
Natalie nodded, "If someone can rescue them, then it's you!"

The goat man stepped into the garden and inspired the plants. Soon it was clear: Dung was missing and lots of the weeds ad stolen the water from the flowers.
Cypruss raked the ground.

Then he weeded.

At this moment a little kitten appeared. "Hello.", she said with a clear voice, "Are you helping our flowers?"
"Oh, hello little lady! Yes, I am. The bad weed must be removed."
Appreciative Angelica Tuxedo nodded, "May I help you?"
"Of course, but we must be careful not to harm the flowers."

Angelica had much fun weeding with Cypruss. He made lots of jokes and told her the story of the flower queen.

But suddenly Natalie detected her daughter.
"Angelica! What are you doing here? I told you not to disturb Mr. Brightfield!"
Cypruss softly shook his head, "She wasn't disturbing me. The young lady is helping me. With her help I'm almost finished!"

"Oh my!  I feared that she might imposed on you."
"No, not at all.", he laughed, "She behaved very well!"
Angelica looked in the pond, "I always behave well, mommy. I'm not like Moony..."
"Yes...", Natalie blushed, "Sorry, my dear."

Cypruss soon was finished and fertilized the flowers with an healthy and non toxic dung.
He needed to say goodbye to the Tuxedos, because his next customer was already waiting for him.

Petunia Brightfield meanwhile returned to their house, inspired the new tullips...

... and then started to cook.

Pete Petite fastly opened the house door, "Cypruss! I'm so glad you're here. You must look at this monster!"

"Monster?", irritated Cypruss followed the bear into the house.

"This monster of hedge!", Pete pointed at a huge green hedge infront of their terrace, "It grew so fast! We could almost watch it!"

"Wow! That's a huge hedge!", Cypruss was a bit shocked, "We must cut it, otherwise it will grow into your house!"

Cypruss took a closer look at the "monster".
"My oh my...", he murmured, "I've never seen such a fast growing hedge! It looks like it would have been watered with super fertilizer!"

"I swear that neither me nor my wife watered or fertilized this thing!", Pete scratched his head.
Cypruss laughed, "I know, it's just so... so mysterious!"

Pete and his daughter Victoria walked outside and watched Cypruss, who prepared his saw.
"Maybe it's a special fast growing plant...", the bear thought loudly.
"It must be something like that!", the gardener wondered, "I've never seen this before!"

Cypruss began his work with a motivated attitude... Which didn't last too long.
Soon he cursed that silly monster hedge... "Maybe it was such a magic hedge like in fairy tale of the sleeping beauty?", he thought. 

Only after hours he could see an end.

Finally finished and totally exhausted, Cypruss let all his tools fall on the bottom. "It's done!", he jubilated.

Grateful Pete served Cypruss some coffee.
"I'm so sorry, that it was so much hard work. But I didn't know what to do..."
Cypruss waved aside, "Please, you don't have to excuse. It's my job to take care of such problems. But I've taken some parts of the hedge with me - I want to find out what it is."
Pete grinned, "Maybe it was Cassandra Maces, who cursed the hedge!" 
Cypruss laughed, "Is that the witch everyone is talking about?"
"Yes...", Pete answered, "Well, she's no real witch I think. She owns a nice pharmacy in the forest. But someone said she has also some love or mysterious potions. That's why we are joking around."
"I see. That's really interesting. I need to visit her one day!"

Cypruss enjoyed the talk with Pete. The postman was a nice person.

After the coffee Cypruss said goodbye and walked home.
When he arrived all his family was already gathered outside. Lavender made some homework, while she and Maple enjoyed some lemonade.

"Welcome back!", Petunia gave her husband a big kiss, "We've missed you."
"I missed you too."
Petunia hugged him, "You look so exhausted. Was it hard?"

"Oh yes! It was incredible hard!", Cypruss laughed, "No, but something weird has happened at the Petites house. A huuuuuge monster hedge has grown there."
"A monster hedge?",  asked Lavender, while Maple pulled her father into the kitchen.
"Yes, it was suddenly....", Cypruss began telling his family about his day, while he followed them inside.

Although it was tough day, Cypruss was totally pleased.

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Phew that was longer then I planned :D. 
During the picture taking phase I had huge problems with the weather. One day it was too dark - on this day I took the night photos, the other day it rained (no photos) and on the last day it was too sunny, so some of the pictures are a bit too bright... Hope you don't mind!

Read you soon,
yours Kyra