Review: The shoe sets

Dear Readers,

when I read/heard about Eaton Blackberries (who runs the lovely blog Sugarbush Valley) gorgeous competition about reviewing (read all about it here) I fastly started taking pictures, especially because I was asked about the difference of two very identical looking item: the Village Shoe Boutique and the Village Shoe Shop. 
I got them both, because my mum thought it would be weird if a shoe shop only had one cupboard of shoes :D.

So here’s a little review on both sets. Kind Margarete Petite and 3 other villagers of Marigold Creek helped me demonstrating the sets on some pictures. So please note: In both sets are no figures included.

Here you see both sets unpacked and arranged in my non finished shoe shop (also not! included in both sets).

Both sets come with 9 pairs of shoes (3 adult shoes, 3 children shoes and 3 baby shoes), one display shelf, one bench, one carpet, one mirror (same colour), a basket, two tubes of shoe cream, two cans of shoe wax, a shoe horn and a little sponge.

At the first glance, they don’t look that different, besides the different carpet colours, shoe horns and seating cushions.

Both have a huge drawer under the display shelf, where the shoe packages can be stored.

If you look closer, you can see that the baskets have different colours and even the tubes for shoe care have slightly differences in colour (on the left: shoe boutique, on the right: shoe shop). But the prints on the tubes say the same – so no difference there.

Also the shoe packages have different designs. I placed the boxes in front of their set shelf.

You also see that the display shelfs have different colours. While the Village Shoe Boutique is white, the Village Shoe Shop has a cream colour.

The most important difference and the other cause why I’m having both shoe sets are the shoes themselves.

Here you see the shoes, which come with the Village Shoe Boutique…

…and here the one from the Village Shoe Shop.

They partial have the same design but in different colours.

And how do Sylvanians look with shoes on their feet? Here’s a picture. Margarete shows us some summer sandals, Bobby some elegant shoes, Lucky a sporty version and little Marie some cute pink ones.

Alltogether I must say that I really like both sets. And together they build a perfect shop. But and that’s the only little thing I criticize: there is no cash register. I just wonder a bit, why they’re called Shop or Boutique, when the poor villagers can’t pay at a cash register…. But maybe they don’t need one and the owner of the shop has his purse all the time with him/her :D.

I hope you liked the little review and maybe I could also help by some buying decisions.

Yours Kyra

Birthday presents

Dear readers,

it was my birthday recently and I got, besides "normal world staff" :D also some lovely Sylvanian items: both shoe shop sets, the Marmalade twins and the Country Tree School.

I'm very happy about those sets, especially about the awesome school - it was my dream to get exactly that school, because it fits to my Forest Nursery :D.

Yesterday I opened all packages and looked at them for a long time, before I started to laminate all the little tubes (from the shoe shops) and books (for the school). 

I love the shoe sets, look at this tiny baby shoes! Aren't they just adorable?

I'm planning to build a shoe shop, that's why my mother bought me both sets (She: Wouldn't it look strange if there would be just one counter?)

The Marmalade twins are two little orphans at the moment. I'm not sure if I should get a whole family for them or if the Petites should adopt them (they love little bears :D).

But now I really want to show you my beloved school. Here are some impressions of the school and how it could be arranged together with the nursery:

 In the tree is another very small classroom.

This board can be turned.


 A little bench....

 With the nursery on top from the backside.

I like the patch between the tree and the school, but I think I prefer the "closed" one.

I'm sure you divined it: I started wallpapering the school. It looked a bit empty on the walls.

What do you think? I like it that way much better. Though I think I must add more details. Maybe some curtains too. Either I buy some more school accessoires or maybe I'll take a look at my clay again :D.

I hope you enjoyed that little post. I'm already writing on the next story and on a funny tutorial. Hope I can upload both posts soon. I just have the weather problem - it's so foggy outside :/.

Many greetings,
yours Kyra

Just a short update

Dear Readers,

I just wanted to tell you, that I finally updated my families page and added new pictures and biographies. 

You can read all about the Buttercups, hawthorns, Roberts and Petite's here - or better said: about the new family members. 

I wish you all a very nice, cozy sunday,

yours Kyra

Tutorial: How to make a wooden looking bed

Dear Readers,

besides beeing very busy at my lab, I started to make another bed for my newest achievement: Bramble Cottage. Finally my Buttercup cow family will have their own house.

You see, Hornbull points out a problem: The walls are a bit low and Daisy wanted to have a country style looking bed. 

So I helped them with making the bed, which should fit perfectly in the gap :D. 

It's a very simple tutorial, you only need cardboard, glue and paint (hot glue would be the best, because it dries fast) and of course fabric for the matress and bedding.

Step 1:

As always, take you measurements. My bed should be about 8,5 x 11,5 cm.

For the side plates: 2 x 11,5 cm

For the bed-head: 3 x 8,5 cm

For the foot of the bed: 2 x 8,5 cm

Step 2:

Draw on the measurements for the side plates - do that six times. Cut them out, stack and glue them together. This stabilizes the later bed.

Step 3:

Draw your design of the bed-head. I made it a bit rounder and added those typical deco ball things^^. Draw it another time, stack and glue.

Step 4:

Cut the foot of the bed two times, stack and glue together.

Step 5: 

Glue the bed parts together :). 

Step 6:

Lay the bed on some cardboard and draw around the inner corners to get the pattern for the "duckboard". Draw it another time, cut out, stack and glue together.

Step 7:

Now put the duckboard into the frame of the bed - best would be to put it in the middle of the sides. Fix it with hot glue from the bottom side.

Step 8:

After drying cover the edges with thin paper (so you the cardboard edges are hidden).

Step 9:

Colour the bed :). 

Step 10:

Sew the bedding (you'll find the tutorial at the end of this post) and the mattress. 

I think I haven't explained my technique for the mattress yet. So here it is: 

Draw a rectangle on your fabric, with the measurements you need. It'll be here about 7,5 x 11,5 cm.

Sorry for the bad lighting, the weather is very rainy again here in Germany.

Add enough(!) seam allowences. Mine is 0,5 cm on both of the smaller sides and more than 4 cm on the longer sides of the mattress.

Turn around the edges of the longer sides and fix them. 

Fold the ends like this, so they're overlapping. 

Sew lines on the right and left side to fix the shape of the mattress.

Turn around the fabric and you're done. Oh, and don't forget the filling :D

Daisy already put on the bedding, so this how my finished result looks:

Sorry for the chaotic looking rug. I really was in a hurry^^.

Also you can see in the picture the upper floor of Bramble Cottage. Here will be the adults and the childrens sleeping room.

And here's the second floor... I love this apple wallpaper :D. I hope I can soon get the furniture... But I'm still not allowed to buy any SF things until my birthday is over^^, so I'll have to be patient.

I hope you're all feeling good. Have a nice weekend!

Many greetings,

yours Kyra

Margarete Bellefleur Part III

Dear Readers,

first of all, I have to tell you that I'm having a lab at the moment. Because I'm becoming a teacher, I, of course, have also some practical training at school. And now I'll stay for three weeks at a school. Unfortunatly all trainees have to do lots of tasks, so it could be that I won't have much time for posting in those weeks. I'm very sorry for that, but I'll be back soon ;) :D. 

You for sure all wanted to know, what's happening between Margarete and Pete... So here is the promised story! :)

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Margarete tried to behave normal, after she was directly faced with Pete Petite, the handsome postman of Marigold Creek. She just had met him a few times, but never talked to him in person.

"Hello, Mr. Petite.", she said shyly.

The postman smiled, "You're looking very pretty this day!" Than he blushed all over his face and turned around. 

"I have seen you ordered a couch and an oven?", he coughed, than he tried to sound a bit cooler, "I'll build them up for you! You shouldn't do that on your own. They're very heavy!"

Pete wanted to press the hands on his face, after such a statement. Now, Margarete for sure thought, he just wanted to hit on her.

But to his luck, the beautiful woman blushed, than nodded softly. "Tha... Thank you for both of your statements. It's very kind of you to help me. I was already a bit worried, after I read it's a cast-iron oven."

"Of course I'll help!"

Together the bears opened the packaging.

"It's a beautiful couch!", said Pete.

"Thank you. Would you like a cup of tea, or coffee?"

He glared all over his face, "That would be very nice! Yes, please!"

Happy Margarete turned and went into her house. 

While she prepared some coffee, she could hear Pete pulling in the couch.

He was very careful with the cushion and a few minutes later Margaretes first bought furniture stood in it's place. 

Excited she decorated it with the cushions she had bought earlier. 

Pete wiped over his forehead.
"Oh my... I hope it's not too exhausting?", worried Margarete handed over a cup of hot coffee.

"Oh, no, no, not at all!", Pete said, "I'm doing a workout every day!"
"That's impressive!", Margarete looked at her feet, "I... was never good at sports..." 
"Oh, me too!", added Pete fastly.
"But when you are working out every day, you must be good at sports!"

"I'm just doing weight training.", the postman drank a few drafts of the coffee, "Thank you for the coffee, it's delicious!"
"My pleasure."

Pete returned to the oven, which looked kind of innocuous to him. 

But when he started to lift him, he felt the full weight of a cast-iron oven. 

"Are you sure you can do this alone? I can help you! Or I can call Hornbull, the Buttercups are living next to me.", asked Margarete a bit worried.

"No, no!", Pete gasped, "The oven is not more like a feather to me!"

Of course the oven was much to heavy for the postman, but he wanted to impress Margarete. 
When he first saw her, walking down the street, he fell in love. She was so beautiful and gracile. Pete knew: He wanted this woman! And no one else!

Only just Pete managed to get the oven into the house, but when he lifted it to the right place a huge pain flashed through his back.

With a loud curse he collapsed on the bottom, directly in front of Margarete.

"Oh my god, Pete!", shocked she run to him, trying to help him up, "Are you hurt?"
"I...", he gasped with tears in his eyes, "I'm o... Ouch!" 
Carefully Margarete towed him to the new couch and helped him lay down.

"Miss Bellefleur?"
"Yes?"
"I must admit that I'm not doing weight training every day.", he blushed all over his face, "I... I just wanted to impress you, because you are so beautiful and... and I'm just a postman.... But now your for sure think I'm a total idiot... I'm so sorry!"

Margaretes heart started to race. He liked her! 
Softly she pet over his cheak, "I don't think you're an idiot. You're the most lovely and handsome postman I ever met."
Pete grinned, than he cringed, "Thank you Margarete, can I call you by your name? Oh dear, my back is really hurt."
"Of course you can!", she smiled and took a blanket, which she carefully laid over him, "Should I call the doctor?" 
"I hope you don't have too!", said Pete with shock in his eyes, "I wouldn't be able to do my job in the next weeks, if he would tell me, that I must stay at home... Or in the hospital."
"Yes, but it's important to get you checked!", worried Margarete looked at him.
Suddently Pete took her hand, "I'm okay with you at my side!" Than he pulled her down to himself and gave her a long kiss. 

All worries about Petes back were forgotten for a short while, Margarete felt like she was in heaven.

Satisfied the two bears nuzzled close to each other and stayed on the couch. 
"I totally fell in love with you!", murmured Pete with burning cheeks, "I... I hope I didn't say anything wrong now!"
Margarete glared all over her face and softly kissed him, "Me too, it was... it was love at first sight!" They smiled at each other.

"But... uhm... Pete... Don't you think we should go to a doctor?"
He sighted, "You're right. It still... hurts..."


Margarete called Hornbull Buttercup, who immediatly drove them into hospital. 

The doctor diagnosed a small herniated disc and Pete had to stay in bed for the next few weeks. Good for him, his best friend Bobby Roberts helped him with the post and Margarete took care of his well-being. 

After the very eventfull Saturday, Margarete visited him every day in his small flat. She helped him cleaning and cooking and to Petes huge joy, they were finally a couple. 
And it didn't took very long, until they moved together into Margaretes house. They had more space now and it was much easier with one household than two.

Every evening they sat together on the couch, reading their favourite books or talked for hours. Margarete enjoyed the evenings very much and she knew: She had found the perfect man!

"Hello, my darling!", Pete said, leaning on a crutch, while he was waiting excited for her arrival.

Margarete waved, than she kept up a bag with fresh cupcakes, "Flora created a new recipe, she absolutly wanted us to try them!"

"Oh great, I love her cupcakes!", Pete took her bag, "I cooked some noodles, I hope they taste good." He gave her a kiss, "And I used some ketchup to make a sauce... Not very professional, but it has the right colour!"
Margarete laughed about his triumphant look, "I'm sure it 'll taste wonderful!"

Together they enjoyed the noodles, than started to ate the cupcakes. 

After a few bites, Pete suddently cursed, "Damn! It was the cherry cupcake! I'm such an idiot!" 

Wondering Margarete looked at him, "What is it, honey?"
"Flora told me: Not the strawberry, the cherry one!", the postman murmured to himself, "I remember... And what did I do? Ate the wrong one!"

"What is it about the right and wrong cupcake?", skeptikal she liftet her brows.

Pete took something small and silver out of his mouth, "I... I had something prepared... But now it went all wrong! And... And..."
Margaretes eyes became huge, when she realized that her boyfriend was holding a beautiful ring in his hand.

"I've eaten the cupcake, which was determined to be yours! I gave Flora the ring and she made everything right, but I... I... it was the excitement... But..."

He kneeled infront of her, "Will you marry me, Margarete Bellefleurs? I know I destroyed a wonderful moment.... again... But, will you? I love you and I will spend the rest of my life with you!"

"I...", Margarete nodded, "I will! And I love you too, Pete Petite, from the bottom of my heart!"
"Yes?"
"Yes!"

Excited and nervous at the same time, Pete sliped the ring over her finger, "Thank you so much! I was so worried after I ate the wrong cupcake.... That's so typical for me..."
"Typical for the best fiancé in the world!", Margarete smiled. 
Laughing Pete pulled her in his arms and kissed her, "I love you!"

The End (for now... :D)

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...And? Was it too icky/cheesy (don't know what's the better word- I apologize ^^)? 
I hope not, but I thought a little bit of romance after such embarrassing situations for poor Pete won't hurt :D.

I'm really curious about your comments :D.

Many, many greetings,
yours amused Kyra