Swallows Rest Diary: Part Six - Grandma Returns from her Travels.

Gladys hears a knocking at the door and wonders who can be there.

To her delight and surprise (despite the look on her face) it was Gerald's Mum Grace.

She was so pleased to see her and ushered her in.

She took her straight to the lounge....

...where Grandpa George was reclining on the settee, foot on table in what looked like a state of inebriation...

With a jump he got up

and tried to hide the bottle behind his back whilst Gerald tried to explain...

but Grandma wasn't fooled in the slightest!  

What is going on here?

Oh nothing dear...I wasn't drinking honest...I was just nursing it as I was missing you so much.

He gives her a big hug.

Grandma looks very pleased to see him, and returns the hug, realizing that he hadn't been drinking which was a relief.  She hated to think that he may have turned to drink in her absence.  

Timothy and Thomas rush downstairs to see her.

Both talking at once telling her all about how Grandpa had helped decorated the main bedroom, and move in some furniture.  

Thomas tells her about his castle and soldiers and Timothy about his Beatles records and the fact they now have a record player!  They ask her about her travels, although they were both talking so much that she really didn't get a chance to get a word in edgeways.

Gladys watches on with a bemused expression on her face.  

(and secretly relieved that Grandpa will be going home with Grandma)

 

Swallows Rest Diary: Part Five - A Vintage Triang Dolls House No. 55 from 1963

It seems Gerald has joined his Dad in the lounge which has had a bit of a change around with the arrival of a radiogram record player. I hope he doesn't partake of the whiskey that Grandpa is clutching firmly in his hands.

I hope Gladys doesn't come in and see him with his foot on the table!  She will not be happy.

I think Timothy has been playing his Beatles albums

He clearly forgot to put them away!

(New made items - records)

Looks like Timothy is playing air drums, whilst Thomas is still enjoying his castle.

No change in the bathroom.

A few extra jars of jam, some crocks and tins have been made for the kitchen.

A new table and chairs for the dining room which fits the family much better.

Nice home baked pie.

(Newly made pie.  Still don't have any crockery and cutlery!)

 

Swallows Rest Diary: Part Four - A Vintage Triang Dolls House No. 55 from 1963

Swallows Rest is coming along nicely and all the rooms have been wallpapered now.

Gladys and Gerald's bedroom even has a new carpet and they are very pleased.  

Homemade: bed, mattress sheets and covers, carpet.

Extras needed are: a quilt for the bed, items for the dressing table and drawers and a picture or two on the walls.

Timothy and Thomas are pleased with their room and Timothy can't wait to be allowed to stick his posters back on the wall.  Thomas loves his fort and toy soldiers.

Homemade:  Bedding, fort and soldiers

Items needed:  Toys! Apparently ;)  Oh and a record player Timothy insists...although that will go in the lounge.

The bathroom has had a bit of a change with a new blue bathroom suite installed.  

Homemade:  Towel rail and towels and floor mats, toilet roll & holder.

Items needed:  Bathroom accessories.

Oops, looks like Gerald's Dad has been at the ol' whiskey!

Homemade: Bookcase, books, coffee table, fireplace surround and mantel, lamp, pictures.

Items needed:  Books and ornaments and a record player.

Gerald is ready to carve the roast for dinner.  They have just taken possession of a new dining table and chairs since this photo was taken.

Items needed:  Telephone and phone book for telephone table.

Place settings - crockery and cutlery etc.

The kitchen is looking good.  

Homemade: baskets, bread, wall shelving, plate rack, towel rail, dresser, window, clock, jam jars on dresser.

Items needed:  Crockery and food!

Gladys has been busy baking and cooking all day!

 

Swallows Rest Diary: Part Three - A Vintage Triang Dolls House No. 55 from 1963

There is now house name sign above the front door which Gladys is very proud of.

It feels like a real home with a sign above the door.

I'm really pleased with how the sign turned out.

In the bedroom the boys have decided who is going to sleep where.  I've made the matching bedding for them. 

Posters are being stuck on the walls, although their Mum (Gladys) has told them that once it is decorated they won't be allowed to stick pictures on the wall....I wonder if they will take any notice?

Gerald has just come home from work and is having a rest in the lounge. 

Two baskets have been made for vegetable produce.

These will go in the kitchen.

This one will hold the potatoes from the garden that Gerald works so hard on.

I've made a new dresser as I wanted something a little narrower than the existing one, but taller.  I'm really pleased with this.

I think Gladys is too.  It fits in nicely by the sink which is now centered under the window.

She doesn't have many groceries for the shelves yet...

 

Swallows Rest Diary: Part Two - A Vintage Triang Dolls House No. 55 from 1963

This is one of the shelving units that came with the dolls house. 

I liked it but wanted to make a plate rack.  I considered altering this, but as it is an original piece I decided to make my own.

This is how it turned out.

It fits some plates in nicely.

I put it on the wall.

I also made another shelve unit and put it on the other wall.

Gladys likes it very much indeed.

She has already started to use the shelves.

I also made the back 'window' with the fabulous view up the garden. 

It is big, but it lets in lots of light. 

At the back you can see I also made a little shelf which holds a tea towel.

All the items I have made so far have been made predominantly using cereal boxes, tooth picks and lollipop sticks.