A short bus ride away from the little town of Willowtree Gully lies an untamed coastline. From there, it is only a short trip in a little boat (for those who know the way) to… the Secret Grotto. Generations of village children have gone there to the special playhouse tucked near the waterfall. It has a magical feel there.
I have finally finished my Secret Island Playhouse Diorama. I call it the Secret Grotto. 🙂
I started with this idea because I really liked the thought of my Sylvanians having some underwater play but I just couldn’t picture it with the included “underwater” area in the Secret Island Playhouse. This ->
My grownup imagination failed me here I guess.
Anyway here are some more photos of my Grotto. It’s actually quite tricky to get a photo of all of it properly! I am planning to add a step by step of how I made it, if anyone’s interested?
Some bits did not turn out just how I imagined but overall I’m pretty happy with it for my first ever diorama. I had soooo much fun making it. I am really sad this project is finished! (not my poor hubby who has been dragged around hardware and art shops by a mad woman for the past few weeks!!)
Thanks for looking! Comments are always greatly appreciated. 🙂
x Piffle
Willowtree Gully 
I am loving your waterfall! This project came out looking just stunning. I also want to go there to play now… Oh, WHY can’t I also be this tiny! 🙂
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Hehe yes I would love to play there too!
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Absolutely amazing Piffle! Wonderful work and details, this should be exhibited at a Sylvanian toy Fair! The waterfall is fantastic, everything looks so professional!
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Aww thanks so much! Meanwhile I would LOVE to go to a Sylvanian Toy Fair!! Does such a thing exist?? Hahaha.
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I love the overall design and the details – especially the water surface and waterfall effect. Naturally I am eager to read how you did it all.
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Thanks IcePixie, not all of it turned out as slick and professional as I’d like but I am happy with it as I am only an amateur!
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Gorgeous! Please do add the step by step. I’m very impressed with this design and can’t wait to read more.
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Thanks Terra that’s good to know, I wasn’t sure if the step by step might bore people!
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I’ve already read and shared this with my husband. I hope to attempt something similar in future, so I really appreciate your detailed information.
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This is gorgeus Piffle. I love the waterfall, how did you do it? The water effect looks stunning and just so very real!
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Thanks Emily! I used some silicone, I’ve posted some more info about it. It took a lot of failed waterfalls before I was happy hehe.
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This is amazing! I am very interested in the details (even the additional details like materials and tools hunt and visiting the hardware and art shops are interesting). The water effects are great, I also like the mysterious chest and bottle on the bottom.
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Thankyou Maria!
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Thanks Maria. I forgot to mention the bottle! I found some tiny bottles in the craft section of a junk shop so I made it into a “message in a bottle” by drawing a teeny map and putting that inside. Thanks so much for looking. 🙂
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AMAZING, Piffle! You did a great job! Epoch should get in contact with you! Your diorama is worth to appear in a Sylvanian magazine, catalogue or even better, as Sylvanako pointed out, in a Sylvanian Toy exhibition. Congrats! All the time and work involved (including visits to hardware and art shop) were totally worth it!
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This playhouse is the first building I have bought in 2 years! I was hoping to create something near the water for it and a way for my Charcoal Cat to go snorkeling! I love the underwater area! All of your hard work and creativity really shows! Thanks for the inspiration!
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