Dear Readers, "It´s too hot" is the theme for this challenge.The aim is to make something refreshing to help you beat the heat in the hottest of hot weather days. It is actually very hot where I live at the moment and the beginning of summer is just around the corner so it´s time to think of some ways to cool off. One of the first things that comes to mind to keep you cool in the heat is a hand fan. Fans are very popular in Spain. They´re part of Spanish culture so ,when the heat wave strikes, you can see women of all ages fanning themshelves. This tradition has also arrived at Sweet Berry Valley. Hazel, Theodora, Tilly and Rhianna Dappledawn are glad to find a solution to cool themselves down. Creating a breeze when non exists can be an absolute saving grace on days of scorching heat. As you can see, I just folded small pieces of paper. For two of them I used scrappbook paper and I painted the other two myself. My second project is about the beach. A day at the beach is also a good way to cool off. The gentle breeze blowing, a swim in the sea letting the waves wash over you, a cold drink at the beach bar... I chose some of my sylvanians, those more related to the beach,to set up some beach scenes. Actually, before setting the scenes and this is what my project is about, I made some swimming outfits for: Narrisa, Shelly and Sandy Neptune Penny, Wren and Rally Farthing. Jane and Captain Horatio Seadog. You have probably noticed that these swimming clothes, except Captain Horatio´s swimming trunks,aren´t made out of fabric. They are made out of balloons! Some time ago I saw a You Tube tutorial on how to make clothes for a Barbie doll and I remembered the bikinis were made out of balloons. I tried to make some for my sylvanians and here they are wearing the perfect oufit for a day at he seaside. Making swimming costumes using ballons is quick and very simple. You just have to find the right size ballons. Regular size are perfect for barbie dolls but for sylvanians you need a smaller size of ballons. I took some pictures of these happy families enjoying a beach day. The Sea Otter Family is looking for the perfect spot to put up their beach umbrella. Narrisa is making sure her family doesn´t get sunburned. Shelly and Sandy are picking up sea shells. "Look, there are lots here" The Farthings love the beach and they come very often. They are well equipped to enjoy their day off at the seaside. Penny likes lying back and relax on her deck chair. Harley and his son Vespa love swimming in the sea and playing ball. Wren always helps her little brother Ralley make sandcastles. I have always wanted to take a picture of the Farthings at the seaside. Shortly after buying the "Cycling with mother " set I bought "A day at he seaside" set. I wanted to have the whole family . I was happy to add Wren later on. At last, I have a picture of this family posing at the beach. Captain Horatio and his wife Jane enjoy long walks by the sea shore. After their walk Captain Horatio feels like having a short nap and Jane keeps herself entertained doing crosswords. A bucket of ice cold drinks will help them stay hydrated and quench their thirst. You can buy ice cold drinks and delicious and refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails at the beach bar. Peter Bablebrook is the owner of the beach bar. He runs his small business during the summer months. This summer he will have nice company and some help to run his bar on busy summer days. Peace, a girl he met on his last trip,was looking for a job during the summer and Peter offered her a job at his beach bar. The truth is that Peter has a crush on her. I have the feeling Peace has a crush on Peter too. I wonder if their relationship will just be a summer romance or the beginning of a long lasting love. Time will tell... Peter is an expert at making coktails. Water melon heart and clear blue sky cocktails are very popular and Peter´s and Peace´s favourites. If you prefer to buy some cold drinks for all the family, ice buckets are also available. Do you know how to make some ice cubes to chill your Sylvanian´s drinks and keep them cool? You just have to cut small squares of hot glue stick with a cutter. Do you know how I made Peter´s beach bar? I used a small medicine carton box and covered it cutting sticks of bamboo table mats. For the roof I used a piece of cardboard. The material that covers the roof comes from a witch´s broom my daughter got a Halloween birthday party. I made the cocktails out of small beads and the drinking straws out of paper clips. I made the table at the bar using the top part of a mikado fragance and that round piece of wood. If you have questions about my projects I´ll be happy to answer them. To finish this post, I´ll show you some pictures I took at the seaside ice cream shop. As you can see my Sylvanians know how to beat the heat and stay cool in summer. Hope you have a wonderful summer or winter, if live in the Southern Hemisphere. A big hug! Illustration by Racey Helps