Good afternoon dear Friends
I hope that this post will find you all healthy and well on this Easter week-end.
Whether it is here in England or in France, I honestly believe that after such a long and cold winter, many of us are now aspiring to enjoy Springtime, sunshine and mild weather.
So here I am at last, after a break imposed by the so called life circumstances which forced me like many others these days to leave the security and stability of a position I occupied in Luxemburg for 4 years and pack up my belongings for a fresh new start somewhere else. Without any warning or notice, I was graciously thanked for my goood and loyal services and kindly invited to make the necessary arrangements to leave within a month, this happened on 11th February 2016, a date one does not easily forget.
My personal effects would not take more than 2 large suitcases and few boxes, really not an issue for me who lived abroad since the 90s ( New Zealand, Australia, Canada, England, Luxemburg ) but the real problem I faced at the time was exactly 3 meters long by 1.5 meters large, my Return to Regent St diorama so very patiently created created from a blank page and its little univers of happy Victorian which took shape in front of your very eyes through my detailed photographic tutorials. I could not possibly quantify the number of hours I spent to plan, develop, photograph this "labour of love" constantly looking for that special accessory which will add its realistic final touch.
I who so wished to share with you the decoration of the interior of the grand mansion after the success of my victorian kitchen which I took great pride of, it is on a Saturday afternoon that I incredibly minutiously stored with great care and love, every single figure, vehicle, furniture, plants and accessories - Playmobil and 1/12th scale Miniatures - in a humongous custom made box for a secure transport with "FRAGILE Pls Handle with Care" signs all over. Without being melodramatic, which I am not, those who know my work and creations - and you are many according to the number of views of visitors on this topic for which I thank you all - it was with a very, very heavy heart that I carefully closed that box before handling it to the shipping company towards my French home.
The following next 2 years swa me fighting my way through life like many of us in order to find a stable and secure position in which I would be able to finally enjoy enough serenity and calm to consider doing something else than just dealing with the obligations of adult life.
I was lucky to find a suitable position in England, in Marlow, a pretty upscale community on the banks of the River Thames located a few miles away from London and a little flat with a bedroom overlooking a park populated by cheeky and voracious squirrels.
My bedroom is considerably smaller than that in Luxembourg and thinking of having the whole Return to Regent St diorama shipped back to the UK was a NoNo BUT I still was able to create a smaller new project which came along with the release of the Sylvanian Families New Town Series and its pretty Victorian buildings straight out of a Mary Poppins movie.
It is now with a heart & soul filled with Joy that I invite you to discover the new collection which will host the new adventures of my little Victorians, their vehicles, furniture, accessories which I will all come back with me early June in 2 large suitcases after my first holiday in France in one year.
Quite surprisingly, you will next be greeted by the joyous "Chocolate Bunnies" family named after their chocolate dipped like ears who will introduce to the Sylvanian Families New Town range which will feature a Department Store, a Chocolate / Pastry Shop, a Restaurant and few other surprises which I will share with you along my inspiration and creations.
I will of course share my progress with you through detailed photographic tutorials and little tricks to create a miniature decor in scale with our Playmobil all in a gone by era style evocative of Springtime and childhood.
The following pictures are the first I have taken in nearly 3 years.
I also wish to inform you that I intend to resume my little escapades around the United Kingdom with Windsor - where I have lived for 8 years -, the little villages along the Thames, the famous Clipper Ship Cutty Sark in London, the HMS Victory in Portsmouth, and so in the dedicated thread.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having so patiently waited for fresh news for all these years and wish you all a Happy Springtime !
Karim
