KENDAL'S SASHA BROOD

Anis gets to try out a slide.

2012-02-13T01:53:00.000-08:00

Early 1970s Trendon baby Anis asks if she can try one of the new little slides from Susan and chooses the pink one to match her Dollydoodle velour jacket.

Anis is a sexed baby girl who Bettina re-rooted in Mohair. She was the first baby that Bettina customised and caused quite a stir when she was listed on eBay.co.uk.

As you can see her eyes and eyebrows have slightly greened but in a lovely soft way.

I can see that Anis has even chosen to play with colour co-ordinated toys to match and enhance her softest of the softest velour jacket.

Hundreds of thanks again, Sarah.

Susan sent the Brood some delightful little hair slides.

2012-02-12T00:48:00.000-08:00

Now are you sitting nicely on the chair because I've got something special to show you. No, that's not what I call 'sitting nicely'...turn around and sit properly!

Susan Bulger-Pomeroy saw these cute hair slides and very kindly bought my kids a packet when buying some for her Sasha baby collection. Many thanks Susan for your kindness and thoughtfulness. They are just delightful and the perfect size.

Don't they look lovely? They suit your hair style perfectly. Just like little jewels nestling in the night sky. Which colour do you like the best then?

They aren't all for you though but you can keep them in for a little while until the others come through and see them.

That's a good girl just keeping the one for yourself and sharing them with the other babies. This little later 70s baby White Suit without the raised eyelids is wearing the softest of the softest peach Dollydoodle fleece and Ruthsdoll's pink machine knitted tights.

Huge thanks coming your way again Sarah.

Two more cosily Dollydoodle/Sashawardrobe dressed babies

2012-02-10T00:29:00.000-08:00

Seasonally dressed in red and white this little early 1970s sexed baby boy is wearing a Sashawardrobe fleece with red/white stripped Dollydoodle joggers and beanie hat with 1990s Gotz baby shoes.

Seen here enjoying his ride on their rocking horse.

Super close up of his little face and eye painting framed by the fleece's hood and Dollydoodle beanie hat.

Next is an early Trendon sexed baby girl who has been wigged with a Monique baby cap wig who is giving the rocking horse a great big hug as a thank you for the thrilling ride.

Would you like a sugar lump? (Love this view of her little expectant face.) This baby girl is wearing a Dollydoodle fur trimmed fleece and red/white spotted joggers and beanie hat with later Gotz shoes.

Now you know that you are not meant to be touching that alarm clock!

It is not a toy to be played with! There are too many small parts that could could hurt you.

Now stop being so silly. If that clock falls it will break and then your Auntie Shelly will be cross.

Thanks a mill. Sarah for you help again.

Two of Dollydoodle's baby fleeces without the fur trim

2012-02-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

Two of the babies are keeping warm and cosy in their new Dollydoodle little fleeces and which are protecting them well from this exceptionally cold spell of weather that we are having at the moment.

Here are the twins in Judith's pale pink and soft yellow versions over manufactured nylon tights.

I know that the bunnie's raincoat isn't quite the yellow but it's the only shade we have here.
I really love this close up photo. I always think that yellow looks so good with their tanned shin tones. (My apologies to Judith for the undone top press-stud.)

The pink bunny's raincoat is a perfect shade to go with the fleece colour this time.

I love the softness of these fleeces. Makes them look so irresistable and cuddly.

A close up of her sweet little face with two of the hair slides that Marion Fricker kindly sent them a year or so ago clipping back her long fringe.

Many thanks for your help again Sarah.

New baby Dollydoodle day wear outfit comes to Alsager

2012-02-05T00:02:00.000-08:00

When I first saw this tot for sale this old English rhyme came to mind.....

'There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead,
And when she was good,
She was very, very good,
But when she was bad,
She was horrid.'

....But I was prepared to take the risk and luckily so far we haven't seen the later part surface!!!

A dear little white cotton baby sweatshirt sporting a tiny rocking horse motif on the chest worn over white, with coloured stars (enhancing the coloured threads used in the motif) leggings and a little matching knotted beanie hat.

Seen here on a minty little early 1970s Trendon baby girl with tight 'curls' curtesy of Bettina.

The wearing of the little beanie hat has been banned on account of her 'newly done' curls but will be allowed to be worn on the next baby when it's their turn.

Thanks again Sarah. What would I do without you?

Shelly's Other Presents to the 'Brood'

2012-02-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

A little 'Me to you' bear set and an alarm clock along with the recycling bin. Many thanks
Auntie Shelly for these most useful and super gifts.

A little 1970 Baby Woolly decides to claim the delightful little grey 'Me to You' bear as he says that he has been wanting one of his own for a very long time.

You're so soft and furry.........

...and totally cuddly. Oh, we are going to have such fun together.

Just what we have been wanting as our mummy has been sleeping in rather late on account of disturbed nights and sometimes needs to be woken up at a certain time if she has an early appointment to go to.

We'll put it on our bedside chest. Now we need to find out how to start and set it to the right time.

Shall we set the alarm for 7.30am? The house should be nice and warm by then.

A million thanks Sarah for your continuing help here.

New Year lad arrives....

2012-02-01T00:49:00.000-08:00

....and gets to grips with the FIRST of Shelly's Christmas presents, their very own re-cycling bin.
A minty 1969 in tube PJ boy arrives to celebrate the start of 2012 but he soon sheds his Pyjama outfit when he sees all the other lads in their Dollydoodle's wear.

Luckily I had ordered some jeans, a hoodie and gilet plus a saggy beanie from Judith and a pair of Ruthsdoll's lace ups ready for his arrival.
A close up of his wide face and beautiful eye paint.

He soon sets to work on reading the recycling instructions as to what is allowed to be put into this most useful re-cycling bin that Shelly so thoughfully gave 'The Brood' since she is aware of how good their mother is on this task.
Every little helps.

Next the 2012 collection dates have to be looked up as the bins are only collected fortnightly in East Cheshire.

Right! We are now well underway with the sorting and collecting. Yes, paper and cardboard items, plastic bottles and containers and bubble wrap can all go in.

Many thanks Shelly for this unusual and most useful gift. We all like to do our bit to save the environment and our landfills from being overfilled.

Thanks Sarah. So sorry that I'm having to ask you again to add my photos. Now that the festival donations and hostess gifts are ordered and almost sorted I'll have another attempt at downloading them myself.

Sorry, but having to take a break from blogging this week, although I still have more of my Sasha Christmas gifts to photo and list but need the time to deal with my festival auction contributions and hostess table gifts.

2012-01-22T10:54:00.000-08:00

Fourth and final installment

2012-01-22T02:03:00.000-08:00

Ross, my 1969 Gregor enjoys the limelight here on the first page when he jetted off to Spain to visit Jackie Rhydstrom for his re-root. The first photo shows him at Alex's hairdressing salon having his new re-rooted hair professionally styled before heading off to enjoy the nearby beach on the Pacific Ocean. Dressed in Dollydoodle's board shorts and T shirt just in case there is any opportunity for a little surfing.
On the next page is a 1970 Trendon wigged waif and a 1973/4 Trendon wigged customised by Shelly in yet more of Dollydoodles girl's hoodies and leggings.

Fritz, my wide faced 1970 Trendon waif and Annaliese, another 1970s doll re-rooted by Jackie enjoying themselves on the hottest day last year on Conway Quay. I particularly like the ropes, bouys and fishing tackle which make up the naturally looking backgrounds here.

Bit closer to home here, on one of the roads leading out from Alsager three Gregor lads, Matt (1968 Frido tiny eyed Gregor Shorts) Sam (Frido 1968 Gregor Jeans) and Jac (1970 Gregor customised by Shelly) enjoy playing wearing their Dollydoodle 'active' leisure wear on a 3-D buisness advert, (whilst the Health and Safety executives aren't around) and Luke (1969 Frido Gregor Jeans) Jac and Sam (details as above)
enjoy a spot of 'Space hopping' in their Dollydoodle Summer versions of the hoodie and shorts.

Early 1970s Trendon baby girls and 1990s Gotz Toddler, Bea (customised by Raven) enjoy wearing Dollydoodle's snowsuits, coats, jackets and sleepsuits in shades of pink mixed with white.

Jac, Luke, Amy and Frido ballet NP all Dollydoodle dressed in hoodies, shorts, T-shirts, cropped leggings for a comfy, easy fitting, playful Summer.

This was the last Dollydoodle item that I had bought before this book went to press. Anis, a Bettina customised early sexed Trendon baby with her hair re-rooted in mohair wearing the softest velour little jacket over a beautifully co-ordinated jersey floral material sleepsuit.
I hate to say that my Sasha baby collection has increased three fold over the last year due to Judith's delightful little sleepsuits and baby day wear.

On the inside of the back dust cover my Gregors have written....'The Gregors would like to personally thank Judith, as her range of comfy sports and leisure wear has enabled them to pursue their very active lifestyle in a suitably boyish manner.'

The back dust cover depicting the now famous Dollydoodle logo.

The End.
My thanks to my wonderful daughter for another much appreciated and treasured Sasha book. I do hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I do.
(PS. My Birthday book due out in April is I believe going to be entitled, 'Some of Kendal's favourite Sasha Dolls over the years.')

As a little extra surprise Chon had these 24 notelets printed as well to help me with my thank you letter writing ....which is still 'work in progress.'

My ever grateful thanks go to Sarah Williams for her wonderfully large photo listings of this book.

Third installment

2012-01-21T00:58:00.000-08:00

Three of my girls, 1960s ponytailed Gotz with yellow eyes and lashes, a wigged slate eyed waif and Sally, another 1960s slate eyed Gotz, all in Dollydoodle girly T shirts over cropped leggings enjoying time on one of Alsager's children's playgrounds.

The 'Lilac Club' 1960s Gotz waif girls (Sophie, Miss Minxy, and Sally) welcoming Holly (a yellow crude eyed doll) as a new member.

Jac, a 1970 Gregor customised by Shelly enjoying some outside adventures whilst wearing his prized camoflauge T shirt and jersey shorts.

Finally we come to the 1970s Trendon sexed babies, warm and comfortable in their famous Dollydoodle best selling sleepsuits and little head caps with their distinctive knotted topknots.

Another couple of pages depicting those irressistable baby sleepsuits that keep them so warm and cosy (no midrift gaps to let the cold drafts in) throughout the long nights.

Two pages showing the cosy Dollydoodle SNOW suits which were made for the Emmy Dolls and co. the pattern of which is currently being perfected ready for the 2012 Winter Sasha baby production.

Back to night time and the Dollydoodle baby sleep wear. For those of you who haven't as yet bought one of these sleepsuits I can tell you that when holding a baby in one it is such a wonderful feeling, so soft and comforting to the hands.

Dollydoodle hoodies and joggers worn by Fritz (who by now needs no introduction as such!) and a 1967 Frido NP and 1960s Gotz waif, Miss Minxy just perfect for going 'out and about' and enjoying the environment.

Tons of thanks Sarah for these latest listings. As the song says, ...'Nobody does it better!'

Second installment of the book

2012-01-20T00:35:00.000-08:00

1969 Gotz No-navel, 1960s Gotz wigged girl, Frido 1966 NP and a 1960 pale skinned slate eyed girl who have formed and enrolled themselves into a 'Dollydoodle Purple/Lilac Club' which rules that something Dollydoodle in purple/lilac must be worn to club meetings. The new Frido NP member just enrolling and hasn't as yet got anything in the correct colourway so has been allowed to come in her pale blue/white spotted leggings (the nearest that she has to lilac) today until her mummy can buy her something lilac.

Enjoying some late September sunshine out in the garden in their Dollydoodle shorts and T shirts etc are my Trendon wide faced 1970 girl with her friends, Sophie, Gotz 1960s slate eyed waif and 1969 Trendon wigged Gregor, Amy.

Annaliese, a Trendon 1970 re-rooted by Jackie Rhydstrom and wearing one of the new Dollydoodle girly T shirts and cropped leggings and Sam, a Frido 1968 Gregor in his Dollydoodle OOAK short sleeved hoodie and shorts enjoying the shade of the tree and shrubbery from the blistering sun.

My Christmas 1966 Frido developmental Christmas doll with another Frido 1967 NP waif in Dollydoole pink/turquoise jersey Summer wear. (Both as yet un-named.)

Here come the 'hoodied/saggy beanied' lads again. Luke, a 1969 Frido Gregor, Jac, a Trendon 1970 customised by Shelly boy, Sam a Frido 1968 Gregor and last but not least, the leader of the gang, Fritz, a 1960s slate eyed, sharp nosed boy,

How I love my days out at Llandudno! Here we see Jac, my 1970 Trendon Gregor customised by Shelly in his T shirt and board shorts on the West Shore and Ross, a Frido 1969 Gregor re-rooted by Jackie Rhydstrom amongst the fishing tackle on Conway Quay wearing a Dollydoodle OOAK short sleeved hoodie and Judith's 'posh' cotton shorts.

More of the lads, Matt, a 1968 tiny eyed Gregor Shorts in a OOAK outfit given to me by Judith for my birthday, James, a 1969 Frido in board shorts and T shirt and finally Luke, a 1969 Gregor in Dollydoodle cool and comfy Summer shorts, gilets, hoodies and T shirts.

Time for the girls who belong to the 'Pink Club' and have to wear some shade of pink when meeeting up. 1960s pale skinned, slate eyed and re-rooted with mohair by Bettina waif, Gotz 1960s slate eyed Gotz waif, Miss Minxy, 1966 NP re-rooted by Lisa Hartley and the pale skinned Gotz girl again.

Magnificent work with your listing again Sarah. Grateful thanks.

The Sasha Book that my daughter had done for me for my Christmas gift.

2012-01-19T04:32:00.000-08:00

This is the first of four parts to this book but unfortunately the light from the conservatory windows shining on the pages doesn't do justice to the actual wonderful quality of the publishing.
Chon had decided that she would give me a Sasha book every birthday and Christmas and that we should choose a theme each time. This one is entitled 'Kendal's Sasha Brood, The Dollydoodles Fashion Edition' since I just ADORE Dollydoodles leisure wear.
Naturally Fritz, my 1960s, sharp nosed, slate eyed Gotz lad had to feature on the front dust cover in his now famous Dollydoodle OOAK surfing hoodie.

This is the very first prototype Dollydoodle's sleepsuit that was sent to me to try on a Sasha baby whilst Judith searched for one of her own. These are the very photos that I sent back to Judith to show her the fit. As you can see it proved to be almost perfect although some of the proportions were initially a little generous.
Trendon 1970s little black baby, Bea a 1990s customised Gotz Toddler and Irka, a 1990s Gotz 750 limited edition baby with enhanced eyes by Shelly.

Trendon baby, Little Stevie (given to me by Steve Kingaby for my 70th birthday present) wearing a limited edition outfit made especially for him by Judith.
1966 Frido NP re-rooted by Lisa Hartley and a 1960s crude eyed Gotz doll wearing Dollydoodle's hoodies.

1970 Gotz No-navel, 1967 bobbed haired Frido NP waif, another 1967 Frido NP with beautiful eye painting, and a 1970 wigged Gregor all wearing Dollydoodle hoodies and leggings.

'In the Red, Pink and White!' 1970 Trendon wigged Gregor, Fritz, a 1960s Gotz, 1960 Gotz crude eyed girl and a wide faced 1970 Trendon Gingham waif all looking very 'Trendy' wearing Dollydoodle Summer wear.

All my Gregor lads in Dollydoodle leisure wear. This is Judith's favourite photo of mine. She calls them 'The Likely Lads.'
Up until Judith's Gregor hoodies, joggers and saggy beanie hats appeared on the market I hadn't been very enthusiastic about the Gregor dolls but now I can't seem to buy enough of the 'lads' to wear the 'iconic' gear.
Ross, a Frido 1969 Gregor, with his newly rooted hair by Jackie Rhydstrom, enjoying a day out at Llandudno in his OOAK hoodie and shorts outfit. (I love the overall blue colour scheme here.)
My daughter likes these two pages the very best in the book.

My Trendon girls in blue!' A very pretty 1971 girl, Eline a 1969 re-rooted by Jackie and Belle,a 1970 Gregor customised by Shelly all looking 'cool' in shades of blue.

Tons of thanks to Sarah again for her invaluable help in listing the above photos.
The book continues tomorrow if you are interested.

Because of...........

2012-01-18T01:20:00.000-08:00

Being unable to leave comments on mine and some other some blogs these days (unless using Google Chrome) due to a fault or changes with BLOGGER my daughter set up this other blog for me on Boxing Day http://kendalssashabrood.wordpress.com to run alongside this one to allow comments to be left and for me to eventually completely move over to there.

Super shoes for Christmas from Jean Jenson

2012-01-18T00:12:00.000-08:00

These attractive black patent Mary-Jane style shoes arrived as a lovely surprise from Jean.
Many thanks Jean for thinking of us with this delightful gift.

My 1960 pale skinned Gotz girl with her mohair re-root by Bettina gets to try them on first with her Pinestreetstudio dress and Trendon Kiltie tights.

Secondly the 1970 wide faced Gingham girl in her new vintage-sasha Christmas outfit has a try on of these lovely shoes to see if they suit this outfit as well since I still can't find the boots.

My sincere thanks to Sarah for her continued listings for me.

A little Hallmark Keepsake School House gift from Auntie Dawn.

2012-01-17T00:39:00.000-08:00

This cute little school house model looks more of a toy for you girls as I know that you all love playing 'school' especially when it's your turn to play 'the teacher.'

Now take it very carefully out of the box and unwrap the surrounding tissue paper protecting it. Oh, how lovely it looks. It is a minature version of Fisher Price's Play Family School introduced in 1971 that has taught thousands of children that 'playing school' is always so much fun. Thank you SO VERY much Auntie Dawn.

Place it on top of it's box so that you can see it better.
Right, it says to first lift part of it's roof. Can you do that?

Then ease the side wall with the windows on down carefully so that you can see what is happening inside.

The tiny bell will ring if you move the lever at the top of the bell tower. This lets you know when school starts and finishes and when it's lunch and playtime.

Look there's the door at the front where the children go in and the clock to tell you when it's time to start and finish school.

What can you see inside? Is their a teacher and some children? 'Yes!' Are they sitting at their desks? 'Yes!'

No Brownie points at guessing just who has listed these photos yet again for me! Yes, our wonderful Sarah W. Once again, thanks a mill. Sarah.

A super gift from our Auntie Sarah Price

2012-01-16T02:09:00.000-08:00

What has your Auntie Sarah sent you all then? Oh, a little mechanical city track. How wonderful! You've never had anything clock work before.

Be very careful when you start to get everything out. Put the track pieces all together.

That looks a smart little wind-up car. You must be so careful when you wind it up that you don't overwind it and break the internal spring.

You have to work out now how to connect the track together rather like doing a jigsaw.

Use the photo at the back of the plastic box to help you decide which piece goes where.

Oh, well done! You are getting them linked up in the correct order.

You have to decide just where on the track you are going to put these road signs.

If I were you I'd put the parking sign close to the park or lake where people need to park their cars so that they can get out and enjoy the environment.

Now wind it up very carefully.

Put it carefully on the track now.

Right! Get ready, steady and now let it go!

Many thanks to Sarah who is STILL listing these for me.

Second part to Steve's Christmas gift to me

2012-01-14T02:43:00.000-08:00

As well as the cute little golden Steiff Teddy Bear from the 1950s(now called Little King) that can be seen being held by Holly a few posts down) there were these two pairs of extra trousers with Steve's present.
Firstly this purple pair which look great with this beautifully knitted hooded coat by 'cuddlelugs' and Ruthsdoll's laced up shoes.

Seen here on my early 1960s Gotz yellow eyed with eye lashes doll.

A quiet thoughtful moment.

Secondly some super navy cord unisex trousers seen here on Sam, my 1968 Frido Gregor Jeans lad under a Susanna Lewis Ski jumper superbly knitted by my friend Kate Smith and a Dolledoodle gilet and Ruthsdoll's lace-up shoes.

Here Sam has swopped his gilet for a 1990s Gotz ski jacket and red Dolledoodle jersey beanie hat and JJ boots.

Usual grateful thanks to Sarah for her listings.

The beginning of a two part post on Steve's Christmas gifts to me.

2012-01-13T04:06:00.002-08:00

This was another of Vintage-Sasha's fabulous outfits that I was first man too late in trying to buy. I just adore the older Laura Ashley materials used here and remember very well this particular print from the 70s when her long cotton dresses with the high necks and long sleeves were all the range. I had about six of them and in fact chose one in a similar pink to get married in the second time.

This delightful top and shirts is being worn by my 1972 Trendon Gingham, a Shelly customised doll, an attempt to replicate Belle, a customised by her 1970 Gregor who I had missed buying from Shelly's website.

Here is the smock top worn over the accompanying cream trousers that provide a useful 'mix and match' theme.
JJ sandals complete the outfit.

Two delightful outfits from Sarah for 'our' Christmas gifts.

2012-01-12T01:23:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful Father Christmas Sarah Williams makes for me. He/she gives me exactly what I have wished for. How come you ask? Well these two (and indeed Steve's outfit to me to be shown on a future blog) are outfits that I just sadly missed buying from her vintage-sasha blog sales. Didn't spot them until a sale pending sign was already installed. (Need to have eyes in the back of my head for some of these Sasha sales the way they are snapped up. A case of so near and yet so far!) A million/trillion thanks Sarah from me and my Sashas for these two beautiful outfits.

This pretty little dress is being worn by one of my favourite of my 1960s Gotz waifs (as I know Sarah, like me, LOVE the early Gotz dolls) with matching JJ sandals and manufactured socks.

This super smart outfit is a second much treasured gift from Sarah. Again another 'already sale pending' outfit narrowly missed being bought by me by only a few minutes. Just adore these tights!
(Still looking for the black laced Ruthsdoll's boots to complete the look so apologies for the lack of footwear.)

My 1970 wide faced Trendon Gingham girl looks gorgeous in this outfit...and doesn't she know it!

Sarah, I just adore this 'school girl/office style' look. Many thanks again for your kindness and generosity.

Still asking Sarah W to list these photos. Another of my New Year resolutions... 'To learn how to add my photos to my blog in this large size'...that have failed!

More of my super Christmas gifts from my wonderful Sasha Friends.

2012-01-11T01:17:00.000-08:00

This delightful unisex ear-flap hat was given to me by Cathy (Buckley-Mellor.) Many thanks indeed Cathy for such a super gift.
Here my 1969 blonde No-Navel Gotz girl is wearing it enhancing the colour of her lovely blue eyes.

Next to have a 'try-on' is Franz, my Trendon 1973/4 Gregor Dark Jeans boy with hair re-rooted by Jackie Rydstrom and kitted out in Dollydoodle clothing (apart from his gilet) and commercially made converses.

Finally my 1968 crude eyed Gregor Shorts lad had a turn. He too is attired in Dollydoodle's leisure wear.

Sarah has once again downloaded these photos for me.

Lorraine's Christmas gift to me and a decision made on my new 1968 Single Fringe's hair for the time being.

2012-01-10T00:54:00.000-08:00

I've decided to leave this girl's fringe as it is with just a single slide clipping it to one side so as not to give a too blunt look until I can get these short pieces re-rooted.

Whilst I was fiddling with and deciding the final outcome of her fringed hair style she spotted Lorraine's delightful Christmas dress on my bed waiting to be put on a doll to model it for some blog photos and asked if she could try it on. Well, as you can see it suited her perfectly so after changing her shoes she was whisked off to the conservatory again for these next three photos. Many thanks indeed Lorraine for this delightful Sasha dress. Such a lovely suprise gift for us on Christmas Day.

Still relying on Sarah for listing these photos. Such a wonderful friend.

The VERY LAST of my 2011 Christmas...

2012-01-09T00:31:00.000-08:00

...decorations and present wrapping photos!

Luckily I just remembered to take these photos of the Twig Tree with it's lights on in the daylight before being dismantled and put away for another year.

My Christmas present to my ex-husband who travelled up from Bournemouth on the south coast to spend it with us.

A few more nephew's and niece's presents.

A slight fringe adjustment and

2012-01-07T09:12:00.000-08:00

a new Boxing Day doll

I was passing by this 1970 wide faced Gingham girl standing on the bookshelves in the spare bedroom and thinking that her fringe is always rather square looking (see first photo) so I decided to grab a hair slide and clip part of it back off her face as shown in the next but one photo.

I think that it gives her a much softer overall facial look, don't you agree?

This is a new Frido wide faced waif that arrived here on Boxing Day. Her hair had been badly trimmed but Brenda Walton took her in hand and made her presentable as I loved her facial look. I have clipped her 'far too short' fringe back until I decide just what to do with it. Not the most flattering of slide colours I know but just getting an overall effect as to whether to have some re-rooting done to the fringe or just wig her.

She has dressed herself in a Phyllis G. polo necked shirt, (already here as part of another outfit) and a checked wool pinafore that came here on another doll. Manufactured socks and Lisa Hartley sandals.

Photos downloaded by Sarah Williams. Many thanks as always Sarah.

The last of the 2011 Christmas photos

2012-01-05T23:57:00.000-08:00

The dining table at Christmas time although apart from the gold bows on the candlestick this is how it looks everyday as I only have the one set of cutlery, china, place mats and napkins due firstly to constantly moving homes around the UK in my first ten years of marriage as my husband was a civil engineer. Had more in the middle years of marriage due to bigger homes and more settled but then back again to the same set over the last 15 years due to very limited kitchen space in this, my retirement bungalow.

The Twig Tree when lit although unfortunately the camera flash makes everything look orange in the photos.

My Christmas cards. Had wanted to lay them down on the living room neutral coloured carpet but can no longer get down to that level without someone having to haul me up so had to display them out on my bed instead.

Still struggling to find the time to dress some of my dolls in the Christmas present outfits that I was so kindly given but hopefully at the weekend things might be a little less busy and much quieter as I'm off for my monthly Arthritic hospital check ups tomorrow and a little food shopping before taking the decorations down on Friday from my bungalow, my parent's grave and their previous home.

2012-01-04T08:26:00.000-08:00

Holly, a crude yellow eyed 1960s Gotz waif decided that she would wear a smocked 'Frocks and Socks' dress by Jill Mackley with JJ sandals and commercially made socks.

I'm thinking that there is too much ribbon here. Needs cutting in half.

She is holding a cute little 1950s Teddy that Steve gave my Brood for Christmas. Many thanks Steve. They have called him Little King.

Close up of Jill's absolutely gorgeous smocking.

My 'Minty' large headed Gotz slate eyed girl who originally came in a Gotz box. I just love her sulky expression. It is very similar to one of Sarah William's Gotz waif dolls with cut blonde hair that I so love.

One of the slides that Jill gave me at one time.

She chose to wear a Pinestreetstudio outfit but I think that she needs to be wearing some Ruthsdolls boots instead of these commercially made shoes and definitely wants her tights hitching up.

Bits and Bobs

2012-01-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

My Frido 1967 brunette Gingham NP with her gorgeous eye painting wearing a OOAK Ruthsdoll's outfit with JJ long red boots.

1966 Frido Develpomental Dungaree doll who has chosen to wear this Betsy-May OOAK Viyella dress outfit.

1966 Frido blonde Jeans doll seen here in a Pinestreetstudio Poloo Shirt and pinafore with Kiltie tights and commercially made shoes.

Close up of my mantelpiece decorated for Christmas.

One of my annual New Year presents to my daughter, a bowl of Hyacinths so that when her decorations are taken down and everything at first seems very bare, the blooms provide an attraction and their scent delightfully fills the room.

Enlisted with Sarah W. help again.

Follow by email 'widget' & new blog

2012-01-01T20:36:00.000-08:00

Sign up to follow my new-look blog at: http://kendalssashabrood.wordpress.com/ and click on the "Follow" button to receive an email when I have updated my blog!

Wishing a very happy and healthy New Year to all my Blog Followers.

2012-01-01T02:13:00.000-08:00

This posting has taken me well over three hours to list. A case of trial and error and going back to the very beginning at least fifty times and even now I'm not sure if it will publish correctly.

This beautiful little Dollydoodle three piece outfit AND the delightful wee Steiff Penguin was given to me by Susan Bulger-Pomeroy for Christmas. Just how lucky am I? I feel that all my Christmas' had been rolled into one.

It has been put on my New Christmas Quirky eye-browed baby who has yet to be named but the choices are from baby 'J', Jay (linked to the name Jesus) Joe (after Joseph) or baby Chris (after Christmas.)

I'm trying to remember the name of the little Penguin in one of the children's books that I have here somewhere. Pingu I think it was but need to check before this name is given to THIS little Penguin.

Over FIVE hours this has now taken me and have somehow deleted a photo along the way SO my daughter is trying to put me on a new blog under 'wordpress' to see if this is easier for me.

Wish me luck....

2011-12-31T01:50:00.000-08:00

... as I'm now trying on my own for the second time to add more of the 'enlarged' photos from Photobucket.

Belle, a 1970 Gregor customised by Shelly with Mabel Lucy Attwell eye style painting and a Global Cosette wig ( unfortunately now discontinued.) Belle has chosen a simple smock styled dress in brushed cotton by Karensyarn with Ruthsdolls distressed boots and manufactured socks.

This 1970 very pretty Trendon blonde Gingham girl with two-toned beautifully soft hair has chosen to wear a dress made and given to me for my 70th birthday by Jill Mackley (Frocks and Socks) with manufactured socks and JJ sandals.

A Trendon wide faced Gingham girl with eyes enhanced a little by Shelly to cover their slight greening wearing a complete OOAK outfit by Ruthsdolls.

Another wide faced Trendo Gingham girl wearing yet another OOAK outfit by Ruthsdolls in brushed cotton.

When I missed buying Belle from Shelly's website I sent this 1972 Trendon doll and a dark brown Global Cosette wig down to her to try to replicate Belle and this was the result. She has chosen to wear a vintage-sasha outfit with Pinestreetstudio socks and manufactured shoes.

Apologies for the different sized font and the positions of the descriptions with regards to the photos but this is due to whether I wrote them actually in Photobucket or on the blog itself. Will hopefully rectify this on the next new post.

More girls who have changed themselves into dresses for Christmas.

2011-12-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

Please note that FINALLY I have hopefully mastered the technique of adding photos to my blog via Photobucket after re-sizing.

Three cheers! Hip, hip, hooray!

Harper, a 1970 Trendon Doll customised by Shelly called and wearing a Ruthsdoll's dress and manufactured shoes and socks.

My Sasha girls get changed for Christmas

2011-12-28T04:20:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned a few weeks before, my Sasha girls tried to be helpful to 'BUSY' me by changing themselves into these pretty dresses for Christmas Day.

1970 Trendon doll re-rooted by Jackie wearing a little knitted cardy by Molly over her vintage-sasha outfit.

1970 'minty' Trendon doll wearing a vintage-sasha outfit with another little Molly cardy
added for warmth.

1969 Frido wigged in a Global Cosette discontinued wig doll (one of my daughter's favourites of my dolls)
wearing a dress bought off Shelly's website and yet another of Molly's little knits and Ruthsdoll's distressed boots.

1968 Frido Single Fringe Dungaree girl who has taken the easiest way out and added yet another of Molly's cardy's over a vintage-sasha dress and manufactured shoes and socks.

I'm having a computer lesson later today...

2011-12-27T02:35:00.000-08:00

in the hope that I can master this re-sizing in Photobucket before the transfer to my bog as Sarah W has been doing for me. So watch this space. Many thanks for all the gorgeous Sasha outfits and accessories that I have been given this Christmas. I have planned to have a Sasha play/trying-on with photography day on Friday when the family have returned home.

My Christmas Doll and I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

2011-12-24T11:54:00.000-08:00

She is a special 1966 Frido Developemental girl who originally came straight from the factory in a brown cord dress instead of the usual Gingham and was up for sale at a toy fair in her box which was was officially labelled brunette/Brown Cord.
I have called her Noelle in honour of Christmas.

She is seen here in a Lama Coat designed and knitted by Rosie Shortell and given to me for my 70th birthday, Dollydoodle leggings and JJ red long boots.
Many thanks Sarah for re-sizing and downloading this photo. I'm hoping that this will be the last time that I shall have to bother you with this task as my daughter is going to try again at teaching me how to do it.

Now finished decorating the house.

2011-12-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

My daughter bought me this TWIG Tree a few years ago after I had begun to struggle with selecting, bringing home, trimming and preparing and putting it into it's stand then decorating a real Norway Conifer tree that I so like on account of their scent that delightfully fills the room. Will take some photos of it lit up when I have worked out which plug from the TV, Freeview box, DVD player and old video recorder I can do without on the too full at the moment plugs and adapter.

There are still a few more presents to put under it but they haven't been photographed as it was very wet and rather dull today in my conservatory where I take the photos just using natural light.

Close up of the twigs and baubles.

The decorated mantelpiece. (Will see if I can take a better photo tomorrow.)

The gold wreath above the nest of tables between the lounge and dining areas. (Please notice in this and in the next few photos how well the Sasha girls have dressed themselves ready for the 25th.)

Close up of the wreath that does from the looks of things needs a little adjustment to one or two of the flowers and leaves. Will hopefully get around to it later.

The wrought iron candelabra in the corner of the dining area that likes to have a little bit of decoration at Christmas.

Close up of the top half.

The Victorian Kissing Bunch by the front door. Unfortunately it looks as though it is drying out a little too quickly. Might leave it out in the rain over night to freshen up.

The weather has been so warm this year that the Geranuims in the chimney pots by the front door are still flowering.

Just need now to tie the mistletoe up in the hall and set the dining table.
My sincere thanks as usual to Sarah W for re-sizing and listing these photos.

More presents.

2011-12-20T09:33:00.000-08:00

Presents for my friend's two teenage daughters who both like to receive identical gifts.
Early Trendon baby girl dressed in Dollydoodle's wear.

One of my brothers has asked me to wrap these three gifts for his wife, the silver papered one is for Christmas, the gold and blackberry for New Year and the red for her birthday.
Early Trendon baby girl with her hair re-rooted by Lisa and wearing a Sashawardrobe fleece jacket, Ruthsdoll's tights and her ear-flap hat which is knitted by Christine Durand.

Gifts for my opposite neighbour's two boys and their pet Labrador dog, Ralph.

Another neighbour's twin girl's presents and a Christmas ball for their Weimaraner pet dog, Archie, who goes for walks with my daughter's two dogs Amber and Ellie, of the same breed, when they are up staying with me.
(I thought that this was a good bit of re-cycling as I used the packaging from some Ling Christmas cards to hold their gifts.)

Yet more thanks to Sarah W for her re-sizing and listings.

More presents, Chon's bag and a visit from Father Christmas on his sleigh.

2011-12-18T23:12:00.000-08:00

These next four photos show different views of my presents to my five grand nephews and nieces.

This is the Ted Baker bag for my daughter that I forgot to photo in the last post. Originally her presents were meant to fit into this but I got carried away with the wrappings! When my sister came over yesterday she was thrilled with the way that I have wrapped and decorated Chon's gifts that she is going to do her daughter's in a similar fashion but will be using some superb plain black boxes that she already has alternatively with the black paper with silver trees.

Have wrapped three presents like this to give to friends.

We had a delightful interruption to the present wrapping last night with the sound of sleigh bells announcing the arrival of Father Christmas to our cul-de-sac so I quickly grabbed my camera abd the nearest Sasha and went to meet him.

Bye-bye for now Santa Claus. Hopefully you'll visit us on Christmas Eve.

Some of my 2011 Christmas presents for my family and Sasha friends.

2011-12-18T07:44:00.000-08:00

After my notice in November that I'd be taking a break from 'bloggibg' to start my Christmas activities one of my blog followers emailed me this....
'I won’t whine and whinge on, but am hoping you’ll photograph all the lovely pressies, as you have in the past!'
...SO here are some of them. More to follow as they get done.

I originally choose and bought this paper purely to wrap my daughter's and Shelly's presents in (as I know that a couple of years ago Shelly bought a black Christmas tree and decorates it in silver) but I had obviously bought more sheets than I needed so continued wrapping my Sasha friend's presents in it too until it finally ran out.
First, three photos are of my Sasha friends presents.

These are my daughter's presents taken from quite a few angles to show the decorations. Hoping that she is too busy to view my blog and spoil the surprise. Forgot to take a photo of her black patent Ted Baker shopping bag but will ask Sarah to add it later.

My grateful thanks to Sarah W for her wonderful photo re-sizings again. Hoping that it won't be too long now before I can take over this job!
Now back to the card writing and present wrapping!

Not sure just what has happened to my title photo. Seems to have shrunk no end. Will hopefully get my daughter to have a look at it over Christmas.

2011-12-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

My 2011 Christmas Cards.

2011-12-17T09:43:00.000-08:00

These are the THREE cards this year that I am sending out to my Sasha friends.
This was quickly taken in November 2010 when we had an early unexpected snowfall and wasn't really intended as a card due to the shadows from the sun but I wanted to try out a different printer/publisher this year and this was readily to hand.

Had hoped to have had snow earlier again this year to snap a few Sashas posing in it for use as my 2011 card... but not to be as our Autumn weather continued until the middle of December, so instead had to get out and use the 'old white towel' again as a background for the next two cards.

This is my card to my non-Sasha friends and neighbours. It is a photo taken last year of my bungalow in the snow.

Wishing all my Sasha blog followers and their Sasha Dolls a very happy Christmas.

Hoping to add my Christmas card designs and samples of my present wrapping to my blog at the weekend. Luckily my Sasha girls, to be helpful to me, are going to get themselves changed into some dresses, pinafores and skirts ready for Christmas Day (bless them!) whilst the boys have decided (to be helpful too or so they say...though I'm not sure about their reasoning!!! More likely to be that their 'Sunday clothing' isn't 'COOL.') to stay in their Dollydoodle leisure wear.

2011-12-14T00:40:00.001-08:00

Apologies for no listings over the past two weeks as I'm still struggling to write my Christmas cards and wrap and post out my presents. Had hoped that at midnight tonight I might have nearly finished but you know what thought did? Not sure what has happened to my heading photo of Fritz seems to have gone smaller when I'm using the Internet Explorer but is ok on the Google Chrome.

2011-12-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

I'm afraid that I'll have to take a break from blogging whilst I design, photograph, order and then write my cards, continue with the present shopping, then wrapping and be-ribboning of them before posting out. Leaving the putting up of the tree and decorations to the Christmas week.

2011-11-27T06:33:00.000-08:00

A wonderful surprise gift arrives.

2011-11-23T23:48:00.000-08:00

I had absolutely NO idea of what this parcel was OR who had sent it to me until it arrived and I had opened it. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this superb portrait in pastels of Fritz from and drawn by Christine Taylor.

What had I done to be worthy of this unique portrait I asked myself? ... although this was soon to be revealed from the notelet inside. It seems that Chris has so enjoyed my blog that she wanted to say 'Thank you.'

As you can see it really captures Fritz's devilish looks and 'so full of fun' nature and his eyes are almost perfect copies.
I had to have several goes at taking these photos as the light from the conservatory (my make-shift studio) windows and their frames kept catching and reflecting in the picture's glass, so eventually the next day (as it was then getting too dark outside) I set them up in the garden in the hope of preventing this not happening. (Much better although you can just see the trees captured in the corner.)

A million thanks Chris for such a kind, thoughtful and wonderfully unique gift. As you can imagine Fritz thinks that he is, as we tend to say in the UK, 'The cat's pyjamas.'
As always...my usual much appreciated thanks go to Sarah for her excellent job of downloading my photos.

I have bought this book to give to my two year old Great Nephew for Christmas.

2011-11-22T06:15:00.000-08:00

...But when my Sashas spotted it lying there waiting to be wrapped they decided to have a sneaky preview.
The book, That's not my Santa is by Usborne and is one of their 'touchy-feely' series.
The front cover reads 'That's not my Santa.... his hat is too soft.' Here we see my early 1970s Trendon baby Sasha re-rooted by Lisa Hartley Nightdress feeling Santa's red hat.

That's not my Santa.... his sleigh is too sparkly.
The baby is wearing her favourite Winter outfit of a red fleece by Sashawardrobe, tights by the Doll Works and the Santa hat that I bought back the other week when shopping in Selfridges.

That's not my Santa....his sack is too rough.

That's not my Santa....his gloves are too fuzzy.

That's not my Santa....his boots are too squashy.

That's my Santa....his beard is so fluffy.

Firstly as an elder sister to my three brothers and sister, then as a parent and finally a primary teacher I know just how much young children enjoy repetative sayings/readings and love to join in saying them along with you... so I'm sure that Alexander, for whom this book is intended, will want do so too.
My thanks to Sarah for her brilliant listings yet again for me.

Oops sorry, the third part seems to have decided to situate itself BELOW the second part so please scroll down to view it. NOW, if I'd wanted that to happen, as I have in the past, I guess that I wouldn't have been able to do it.

2011-11-19T01:07:00.000-08:00

Amongst the Christmas Decoration displays was a corner devoted to Britain's War Advert 'Dig for Victory.' I am going to publish this WITHOUT the wording as something has changed and is not letting me add the necessary descriptions. Seeking help ONCE again!

2011-11-18T23:57:00.000-08:00

Have now successfully added in the descriptions thanks again to Sarah William's invaluable help.

We were all encouraged during the War years to dig up our lawns and flower beds and plant vegetables. Here is Luke, a 1969 Gregor, inspecting the raised cabbage plot for any caterpillars (who wouldn't be frightened off by the nearby scarcrow) that might be feasting themselves on the leaves before they were ready us to eat.

My customised by Shelly mid 70s Trendon baby Nightdress in her Cuddlyluggs knitted outfit taking refuge on the watering can as she doesn't like creepy, crawly caterpillars.

Due to the petrol rationing push bikes like this one were a standard form of transport when wanting to get from A to B or delivering food produce. Showing my age here, but I had one very similar a few years (1951) after the War had ended. It was much too large for me (no choice of sizes then, you just had to buy what was available!) even with wooden blocks on the pedals I couldn't get on or off it by myself so I learnt to prop it up against the fence, clamber on, push myself off from the fence and away I'd go.... BUT the problem was that when I needed to get off again I hadn't the skills to slow down and slide up to the fence again so had to fall off it onto the unmade-up rough Ashfelt road that was full of jagged stones, grit and dirt. (As you can imagine that first year I continually had blooded, grazed sore knees as girl's trousers or tights etc weren't made.)

My 1966 Frido brunette Gingham Sasha helping out with the gardening.

We were also encouraged to keep poultry, especially hens, in our back gardens, eggs being in short supply unless bought in a dried form.

1967 bobbed haired Blue Cord NP encouraging one of the hens to produce another egg needed for the cake baking.

My thanks again to Sarah's continuing help.

Second Part to the Winter Wonderland Visit.

2011-11-16T09:59:00.000-08:00

My 1960s pale skinned, slate eyed Gotz girl enjoying a ride on one of the Three Wise Men's camels. (I'm wondering if her ride was smoother than mine a few years ago in Cyprus.... though I'm sure that it will have been as she is neatly perched in the soft neck crevice whilst I was seated on top of the hump!)

My Trendon early re-rooted baby sitting on a little red and white spotted toadstool.

Be careful that you don't fall off as the top is quite smooth and rounded so nothing to grip onto!

A huge Christmas Tree decorated with large Teddies.(Do you remember that they were displayed on a children's slide last year?)Can you spot the Sasha baby?

Baby Sasha enjoying a bear hug.

1969 Frido boy Luke (a risk purchase off eBay!) on another of these Reindeers made from inter-twinned twigs that seem to be all the rage this season.

Luke is wearing a Dollydoodle navy/white stripped hoodie, white T shirt, navy joggers, beanie hat and commercially made converses.

From spikey twigs to soft fur. This Reindeer was featured last year pulling Sasnta's sleigh but is here now in a delightfu Winter Scene.

My 1967 Frido NP demands her turn to sit on him. (Remember dear that your stringing is a little on the lose side so be very careful NOT to fall off.) She is dressed in Dollydoodle wear, Pinestreetstudio Polo-shirt plus JJ boots.

My eternal thanks to Sarah yet again for the superb sized photo listings.

Third section to the Winter Wonderland outing.

2011-11-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

A Trendon customised by Shelly baby girl enjoying her time in a wooden lantern (that she thinks is her own personal little Summer house.) She is wearing a beautifully knitted in Alpaca wool outfit be Cuddlelugs and original Trendon baby Playsuit shoes.

My 1967 bobbed haired NP posing in her Dollydoodle outfit (Polo shirt by Pinestreetstudios) and JJ's long red boots by a Christmas wreath decorated front door. (Seeing this every Christmas I feel like I would like to paint my dull brown front door a bright and welcoming red but each December flies by without me even buying the paint!)

Love the way that this niche in the wall has been decorated so that it looks rather like a picture hanging on the wall.

Really wanted to remove the Christmas Snowman character in the background and replace it with my Sasha... but I always promise NOT to disturb the displays whilst photographing.

Another of my Frido NPs featured in the Winter Wonderland icicle corner.

She is wearing Dollydoodle warm and comfortable leisure wear, apart from another Pinestreetstudio Polo shirt, and JJ snowboots.

This little train and track was situated a little too high in my opinion to be fully appreciated by the children... but guessing the floor space was at a minimum.

Luckily I was able to stretch up and let this baby admire it a little closer.

Usual much appreciated thanks to Sarah for her brilliant large format listings.

A few of us went on our annual visit to the garden centre but we were rather disappointed in that there were very few displays this year.

2011-11-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

....that we could be photographed by. No doubt due to the recession and the fact that they are not expecting people to re-new their Christmas decorations this year... but we did our best.

Here is a Frido 1966 brunette NP Gingham girl trying out these twig Reindeer for size. She is wearing Doddlydoodle leggings and anorak over a Pinestreetstudio Polo jumper and JJ snow boots.

A 1969 Gotz No-navel wearing a Doddlydoodle purple hoodie over lilac spotted leggings and converses admiring the surrounding Winter scene.

A 1960s pale skinned slate-eyed Gotz girl with one of the new for this year LED Penguins.

She is wearing a Dollydoodle Aubergine Hoodie and lilac leggings with UGG boots.

A 1970s Trendon baby Nightdress that I sent to Lisa Hartley to have her falling hair re-rooted. She is seen here admiring the 'new for this year' baby seal balancing a ball on the tip of his nose.

...and now having a quick sit on one of the LED Reindeers in her Sashawardrobe baby fleece, little ear-flap hat knitted by Christine Durand and tights from The Doll Works.

One of the lads sporting Dollydoodle leisure wear and a gilet
(unknown seamstress) and converses. Love the side view of the Penguin.

Now he is standing by a wall mounted LED Chritmas Tree, great to have where floor space is limited.

I have divided these photos into three sections to be listed over the next week
My thanks once again to Sarah Williams for her fantastically large formatted photos.

My apologies fot the recent lack of postings. Hopefully later today or tomorrow I'll be able to list a few photos again!

2011-11-15T01:05:00.000-08:00

Focusing on a Trendon Baby for a change.

2011-11-10T01:37:00.000-08:00

This is a minty early 70s Trendon baby boy who because of his longer hair style can double up as a baby girl if required.

He/she is wearing a delightful little floral dress set (by eBay ID Maz?) that I won off eBay a couple of weeks ago.

I had seen a copy of this dress previously but had forgotten to place a bid at the time so was thrilled to see one come back up for sale again.

This is the closest coloured ribbon that I could find to tie around the hair.

Yet MORE thanks to Sarah for listing these photos. I need to get behind the camera again as I have basically run out of 'not seen before' photos stored in my pictures and I have again been sent some lovely Sasha sized gifts that certainly need to be set up, photograhed and listed asap.This week has been busy but next week looks particularly hectic with appointments as 'we' try to get myself sorted out. It's been a long hard year!

The Sashas seem to have taken it upon themselves to get changed into more Autumnal clothing since I don't seem to have the time at the moment.

2011-11-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Eline, a 1971/2 Trendon girl re-rooted by Jackie Rydstrom has chosen to wear a Pinestreetstudio dress set with Ruthsdoll's shoes and commercially made socks.

I can see that a decision is being made as to whether to tie the bow on top of or to the side of the head.

There is a navy jacket to go with this outfit but Eline is saving it for when the weather gets colder.

Love this photo of her and personally I prefer the ribbon tied to the side.

Usual thanks to Sarah for her continuing magnificent job of re-sizing and downloading the photo.

Back again to enlisting Sarah William's invaluable help to download these photos ready for Lorraines's return from getting the results from her recent tests.

2011-11-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

Lorraine, sincerely hoping that the results were good and that you can be easily helped with just medications (and no surgery) for your pain.
A 1967 Frido Brown Cord NP that came in her original full outfit and white wide trough box. These boxes, as I remember from my daughter's two, were large and quite flimsy so not many survived.

Here she is wearing a Jill Mackley beautifully smocked and piped checked dress, Ruthsdoll's shoes and commercially made socks.

I have tied a toning ribbon and left her hair slightly ruffled to give her a naturally rather untidy, 'couldn't-care-less' look.

I do hope Lorraine that these few photos have cheered you up for a minute or two.

My thanks as always to Sarah who does a brilliant job of re-sizing and listing nthese photos once again.
My daughter phoned today and has promised to go over the proceedure a few more times when she is over at Christmas in the hope that I can then manage them myself.

Talk about taking 'one step forward then two steps back' I now can't seem to download any photos onto my blog. Seeking help.

2011-11-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

Tried to do a New Post in the larger photos format BUT unfortunately to no avail. Obviously my daughter's lesson last week hasn't sunk in. Must, as I suspected, be a slow learner in the IT section and not sure if I dare impose on Sarah again!

2011-11-04T01:13:00.000-07:00

One of the latest dolls to join my Sasha Brood.

2011-11-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Full length. One of the latest dolls to arrive here. She is a 1973/4 'customised by Shelly' Trendon doll sporting a Monique Kara-Lynn light Strawberry Blonde wig.

Closer. Her outfit in brushed cotton is an early smock style dress by Karensyarn. I have added manufactured navy socks and Ruthsdolls distressed boots to give her a slightly Victorian look.

Slightly closer. I am planning to style her hair in side bunches to see what that looks like but just couldn't at the time locate some thin ribbons amongst my ribbon box. Will hopefully add one later on.

A close up facial photo to show her eye painting. As many of you know I'm very partial to the customised waifs and these are the dolls that I take 'out and about' and have the most fun with me.

Beautiful little romper suit designed, made and sent to me by Rosie Shortell.

2011-10-31T02:55:00.000-07:00

This little sexed 1970s baby I think looks just like a real little baby boy so I thought that he could claim this delightful little romper suit.

Rosie designed this outfit for one of the Sasha World pattern pages and this was her prototype.

My brothers used to wear rompers like this which my mother made and smocked though she used the same Viyella checked material for both the tops and pants.

I just love the smocking on the yoke and the tailored pleating.

My Sasha Brood seem to take after me and enjoy being out in the fresh air whenever possible.

2011-10-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

This is a 1990s modern pale skinned Gotz Doll, Stella whom Kelly Wenarsky customised.

I really adore her teeny, tiny freckles which were painted by Kelly to disguise a facial birthmark.
Checking to see if the flowers are perfumed.

She is wearing a Dollydoodle girly T-shirt over cropped daisy print leggings.

Admiring the white flowered Geraniums that like to grow rather wildly given the chance.

Here is a dark tanned skinned 1970 Trendon baby boy Woolly with rather unruly hair like Fritz. Later on the vinyl was made lighter.

I am rather partial to his cubby, cheeky little face.

He is wearing his original outfit and clutching a knitted stripped ginger cat called 'Gingernuts.'

My daughter is coming up to stay on Saturday for almost the week so I'm going to take a break during that time from my blogging to spend the time with her and to learn how to list my blog photos in this large format like Sarah Williams does for me. (Particular apologies to Lorraine as I know she likes to visit it on a daily basis and always leaves a much appreciated comment. I'll be especially thinking of you Lorraine and please take care of yourself.)

My Trendon Wide Faced girl enjoys a bit of fresh air.

2011-10-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

A special 'Goodmorning' to Lorraine. Hope that you're managing to come to terms with the worrying news of your recent health diagnosis and that you're not in as much pain today.

This 1969 doll was one of my few ebay 'risk' purchases in my first years of Sasha collecting and came in just her gingham pants and printed back gold tag.

Here she is wearing my very first pair of Dollydoodle's shorts that I chose to have made up from the material samples that Judith gave me to take to Anne-Marie's Sasha funday....

along with a later hoodie design that Judith ingeniously invented instead of the original co-ordinating blue T-shirt.

I was attracted to her on account of her wide face which I had read about and which gave these dolls a much younger look.

I really like this 'upward looking' photo.

A September Autumnal Day in the Garden.

2011-10-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

My 1960s yellow eyed with lashes, Gotz girl joying a little time in the garden.

In spite of the shadows on her face I'm rather fond of her look in this photo.

She is getting a last wear out of this Summer themed Dollydoodle outfit before venturing into the warmer, long sleeved hoodies.

This is a lovely tall, slender doll who looks great in leggings.

I love the line of this girl's pony tail.

Usual much appreciated thanks to Sarah Williams for her superb photo listings.

Adam and Eve (Fritz and Juliette) in the Garden of Eden?

2011-10-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

These photos are listed especially for Lorraine in the hope that when viewing them it takes her mind off her Friday's upsetting health news for a few minutes.

I actually took these them last month on one of my rare better health days... as I like to have a few tucked away in hand.

This 1966 Frido NP doll is one of my very favourite dolls as I think that she has a very young and innocent look about her.

I had this delightful Viyella Betsy-May dress especially made up for her as I thought that the colouring suited her pefectly. To complete the outfit she is wearing some JJ Mary-Jane studio style shoes and commercially made socks.

Eve (Juliette) suddenly spots a small ripe apple high up on the Quince Apple Tree....

....Though not quite within her reach.

Adam (Fritz) kindly offers to climb up and pick the apple for her.

BUT the question is....does he give it to her or not?

My thanks again to Sarah for her tireless task of listing these photos for me. (I'm hoping that this time next week I might have mastered this skill myself thanks to my daughter's forthcoming visit and give her a much needed break.)

'Last of the Summer Wine'...ooops sorry, I meant 'photos' instead of the TV programme 'Last of the Summer Wine!'

2011-10-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

While we here are still enjoying an Indian Summer' Fritz decided that he would enjoy a last few nights of camping out before the clocks go back and the colder weather sets in.

....So here he is erecting his smart tent (a copy of a real adult tent) and expertly adjusting the guy ropes.

'Good Morning' to you. Did you have a good night? Not cold at all?

Ready for your breakfast now?

As you can see Sarah is still listing these photos in this extra large format for me in spite of having to look after her family and design and sew her beautiful vintage-sasha clothing. Many thanks as always Sarah.

A delightful vintage-sasha outfit arrives ....

2011-10-11T00:57:00.001-07:00

....And it is immediately obvious that it is the perfect colouring for Annaliese. Annaliese is a 1969 Frido girl who, due to a bad haircut sometime in her life, has since been re-rooted by Jackie Rydstrome giving her a new lease of life.

Sarah of vintage-sasha had included both these coloured ribbons as she was undecided as to which went best with the outfit. (Not realising this I had used both of the colours together... and so they have both remained.)

I think that her red hair perfectly compliments her eye colouring and skin tones.

Carrying her hat just in case it's needed later. These three-quater socks look very stylish with this length of dress.

A sweet facial close-up.

I think that this straw hat gives a lovely finish if needed on a sunny day.

Close up of the sraw hat that came here as a part of a Pinestreetstudio outfit.

Finally after several failed attempts....!

2011-10-08T23:37:00.001-07:00

I was lucky enough (since envying Steve's one) to finally buy one of Thelma's (Molly's) attractive knitted, in sock wool, little cardigan jackets as everytime I saw one that I really liked it was either sold or sale pending.

I have put it over one of vintage-sasha's dungaree outfits and think that it looks just perfect with the peach colouring although I'm sure that it would equally suit other colours.

This model is a graphic eyed 1966 Frido NP dungaree/ballet girl.

My apologies as I have just noticed that the heart shaped button isn't straight.

The Main Shore Llandudno.

2011-09-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

Here we all are visiting the Help the Aged Wishing well on the promanade. Sitting and enjoying the shade of the canopy after having slotted our pocket money in and made our wishes.

As you can see it's still a lovely hot day even in this late afternoon/early evening.
We had hoped that The Punch and Judy Kiosk (and the donkeys giving rides on the beach!) would still be in operation during this forecasted Indian Summer week as we missed them last year but guessing that both the owners felt that it wasn't really worth continuing now that the children had all returned to school.

Ross spies two Kayaks nearby and decides to see what it is like sitting in one of them.

After having a word with one of the owners, who had previously just paddled from the West Shore round part of the Great Orme to here, the others joined him.

It is very difficult to see this whole effect of Ross sitting on this Dragon Fly on the roundabout in Llandudno's main street where last year Fritz rode on the Dolfins.

Hopefully you can just make out him sitting on the body with the metal wings spreading out either side of him.

Annaliese sitting on the neck of a butterfly.

Unfortunately when you try to take the photo from the pavements around it just blurs in with the surrounding base of flowers and you loose the effect.

It's time to head home now after an enjoyable day here again this year. Hopefully some more of us will be back again in 2012.

Activities at the top of the Great Orme.

2011-09-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

After leaving Conwy Quay we went into Llandudno to get one of the famous North Wales Cadwalader's award winning ice-creams which we then leisurely ate sitting on the West Shore. I didn't take any photos here although it is my very favourite spot as I knew that we were heading up afterwards onto the top of the Great Orme to let Ross see, go on and drive one of the Orme trams.... as Dr. Lawrence Jones has previously suggested in comments on past posts.
The trams are numbered and run in shuttles and stages on a wire pully system ...so here we are admiring the view whilst we wait for tram no 7 to arrive and let the passengers off.
Annaliese is first out as she was last into the car boot and calls to the others to come and sit with her.

It is really breezy up here and Ross is unfortunately blown over.

With him back into a sitting-up position they look out over the bay formed between the Great and Little Ormes.

The other three decide to stay there and cool off in the breeze after the scorching hot day whilst Ross heads towards the office to buy his ticket.

Loving the 'all blue' theme here in these two photos.

The time for boarding the tram is called but the steps are steep and the breeze catches Ross and causes him to take a tumble before he can get onto the second step.

Second time lucky and he finally manages to get onto the second step.

We're finally aboard and hopefully still in one piece.

Ross takes a front seat and waits while the other passengers get on.

Nearly ready for the off and the driver lets Ross have a quick practice on the steering wheels.

Drive carefully Ross and we'll meet you with the car at the next station down.

Now on to Deganwy to sit by the estuary to Conwy to have my home-made scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam followed by a bowl of fresh raspberries, strawberries and cream and a drink before returning to the main shore at Llandudno for our last stop.

My Annual Day's Outing to North Wales.

2011-09-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

My sister and her daughter took me with them to North Wales the other day in the hope that some sea air might help my 'not getting anywhere fast at the moment' recovery. It was decided that I should just sit on the benches and take deep breaths of the sea air, firstly on the Quay here at Conwy (whilst they toured the Castle) and then later on Deganwy and Llandudno shores. (A few Sashas/Gregors were tucked away in the car boot just in case I should feel up to taking one or two photos later on!)
After an hour of resting, writing a few postcards and eating my picnic lunch I decided to attempt to take some photos of the dolls who were in our car (parked directly behind where I was sitting) as my sister was in touch regularly by mobile phone and occasionally looking down from the turrets to check if I was still OK and in a standing position after last weeks fall. My own stupid fault though.

Ross was the first to jump out of the car boot and enjoyed exploring the ropes, nets and buoys (just like Fritz did last year) which were stored in a heap by my bench. (He is still wearing his new Dollydoodle leisurewear as he daren't take it off in case Fritz 'collars' it for himself!)

Next out was my little cheeky faced 1970 brunette waif who is always very helpful as she is really photogenic. I think that she looks a real poppet in this coloured Dollydoodle outfit.

As you can see the weather was gloriously hot and sunny and for once there was an unusually high tide in the estuary so all the boats and yatchs were afloat. (This was where we used to have our 28 foot yatch moored only a little further down the quay towards the sea.)

The fishing boat behind her making an interesting backdrop would normally be way below the quay wall lolling on it's side when the tide is out.

Annaliese (my first re-root by Jackie Rydstrome) decided that it was now her turn to venture out.

Luke enjoying a quick stretch-out on a bed of ropes in the sunshine after being couped up in the car boot.

My next stop, although still on the Quay, was for Annaliese to stop and visit the smallest house in Great Britain as for once it was open (I normally put Conwy on my last stop towards the evening and it is then closed.) This little, measuring 1.8 x 3.05 metres, one down, one up (no loo!) red painted house was always a fisherman's cottage (and was last owned by a 6'3'' fisherman!!) Now in the Guinness Book of Records it has become a well known tourist's attraction.

Standing on the mantlepiece amongst the brass and copper.

Sitting on the side of the fireplace though it's a good job that the fire isn't lit with it being so hot and sunny outside.

This wooden bench lid lifts off so that the firewood for the fire can be stored underneath.

There is a wooden step ladder that you climb up through the hatch into the bedroom where there is a bed and chest BUT due to safety reasons now it is railed off so you can only poke your head up for a quick glance. (Not really enough room for a camera and Sasha I'm afraid.)

Ross and Eline. Forever Friends!

2011-09-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Eline had to change out of her sundress with the weather now getting into Autumn into this slightly warmer Dollydoodles leisure set which I think suits her colouring really well.

I think that this is really a lovely close up photo of her...well apart from the usual stray hair across her face.

Ross has been treated to a new Dollydoodle outfit to wear on his return to the UK as his T-shirt and beach shorts outfit that he wore whilst in Spain is hardly suitable everyday gear to be seen in, in our Cheshire village but still too warm to don his joggers, saggy beanie hat and long sleeved hoodie.

I just can't help keep taking a quick look at his new image.

Just love this combination of 'posh' shorts and short sleeved hoodie. The blue/white stripe is so clean and fresh looking.

He certainly is a 'golden' boy. I could literally 'eat' him all up.

Ross and Eline love being together and talking about their time in Spain with Jackie.

Great photo of togetherness.

Ross with the hood up framing his golden locks!

Thanks again to Sarah Williams for listing these photos in this large format.

A US Sasha Collector got in touch with Jackie Rydstrom after viewing Annaliese and then Ross with his new re-rooted blonde hair on my blog....

2011-09-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

....To ask if she would re-root this Gotz 1960s Sasha Doll for her.

Originally she was opting for brunette locks but Jackie pointed out by wrapping samples around the doll's face that some red hair that she already had suited the doll so much better. To which the buyer (and I) agreed.

Head now shaved and re-rooting started.

Finished re-root with hair loose.

Beautiful back view.

Photo showing the hair plaited.

Plaits view from the side.

Photo showing the back full centre part.

Jackie, she looks just marvellous. I can hardly believe that this is the same doll. A re-rooted Gotz girl is now on MY future wish list ...if you are willing?

Unfortunately I shall be taking a break all next week from blogging whilst hopefully with the help of some more medical appointments 'we' try to get all these 'still-far-too-painful-for-living' Arthritic joints sorted out.

My wonderful and unique presents from Jackie and Franz.

2011-09-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Ross, with Eline and I excitingly looking on, starts to pull out the two presents for me from Jackie and Franz. Even the packaging looks just wonderful.

Ross opens the red box and carefully takes out the beautiful transparent paperweight enclosed. Can you see Eline in 3D format etched inside? Isn't it just fabulous? I've never seen anything like this for a Sasha collector.

...and read 'Kendal's Sasha Brood' on the base. Truly magnificent. I'm 'over the moon' with it and shall always have it placed by Eline so that you can see and compare them.

Next comes the smaller black box and in here is a delightful little keyring holder with again, a tiny 3D minature of Eline etched inside and the wording 'Kendal's Sasha Brood.' I had to literally pinch myself that I wasn't dreaming being given these superb gifts ...as I really haven't done anything to deserve them.

I hadn't realised until I was showing it to one of my nieces and she pointed out to me that it even lights up when you press the little button on the side to help you find the key hole. Will try to show you this in action when I have worked out how to keep it lit whilst taking the photo. (Maybe some form of tape is needed to hold it down?)

I would like to take this opportunity of again saying a million/trillion thanks to both Jackie and Franz for these delightful, thoughtful and very generous Sasha orientated gifts.

Ross arrives home with a new friend in tow.

2011-09-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

Having struggled out of the box himself he then turns to help his new friend who he met whilst out at Jackie's.

He carefully begins to remove the bubble wrap that was protecting her during the journey.

As he gently eases it away from her very pretty face we get our first real glimpse of her.

Then extends his hands to help her into a sitting position until she gets the circulation back into her legs after her long flight before attempting to stand up.

I think that this photo below shows you just what a gentle loving lad that he is.

At last we can see her in her full glory. She is a 1971/2 Trendon blonde Gingham lass that has been re-rooted by Jackie after being given an unflattering hair cut by her previous little owner.

She is wearing a OOAK sundress that I sent the material to Ruth Hartley to make up for me with commercially made Mary-Jane canvas shoes.

Her blonde hair 'with highlights' are the same as Ross'and left here to hang loosely around her face.

Clipped back with slides. (Couldn't just find my smaller sized slides.)

Hair in side bunches.

I had forgotten about telling you her name until Lorraine reminded me in her comment. I have called her Eline after Jacqueline (Jackie) using the last five letters.

Her hair is so adaptable, seen here in twisted plaits. (Unfortunately I lost the close up one of her plaits whilst adding the text and don't want to bother Sarah again especially with the pain from her bad finger.)

Watch this space as their were two delightful Sasha orientated gifts nestling at the bottom of the box which I need to photograph.
More thanks to Sarah for listing these latest photos for me in this wonderful size for easy and time saving viewing.

Ross arrives back home with his 'new look.'

2011-09-11T08:56:00.001-07:00

Box arrives and is opened and Ross peeps out of the packaging.
Great to have you back, dear.

A little more wriggling and struggling and now we can see more of his cheeky little face and new blonde locks.

Ross rolls over ready to push himself up with his arms onto his knees. You're certainly looking just like a Calafornian beach boy.

Finally out of the box and in and in an upright-up position. Gosh! You're really looking fit, tanned and 'cool!'

Hoping that Fritz isn't going to be too envious of your new hair style.

Ross getting re-united with his surf board.

I guess that I should have sent his board out to Spain with him just in case there was some surfing activity out there.

This is my favourite recent photo.

Another close-up side head view.

Looks like he isn't going to be parted with his board for the moment.

Guess you'd better go and meet the Brood and let them know that you're back.

Ross enjoying a day on the beach before heading for home.

2011-09-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

Jackie and her friend Jeni take Ross with them to spend the day on the beach to have some fun and 'top-up' their tans.

Here is a gorgeous photo of Jackie and Ross both looking very fit, well toned and tanned (gosh Jackie, wish that I looked like that!) and feeling that wonderful sand beneath my feet and between my toes.

Ross enjoying standing near the sea's edge and looking at the little rippling waves of the Mediterranian Sea ...and into which he unfortunately took a little tumble into at one point.
As Jackie explains, 'Well Ross and I had a lovely day on the beach and Jeni kindly took a photo of yours truly with your little boy!
It was so funny taking photo's amongst the holiday maker's and poor little Ross fell into the sea whilst posing for some snaps by the shore....all is ok though and I just had to rinse out his tee-shirt(sorry!).....he may come home though with some sand in his shoes!'

Jackie, no need to apologise as we here don't worry about a little sand in the shoes especially when it looks as though he has had a marvellous day. Daren't show this blog post to the other Sashas though or else they'll all be wanting to come to you for new hair.

Here Jackie is making him sit still for a little while whilst he dries off.

Back at Jackie's Ross is seen here coming down the stairs after having had his T shirt rinsed and ironed (well he doesn't want to upset Judith of Dollydoodles does he?)

Ross climbs onto a nearby chair to admire the Yukka plant which Jackie's daughter, Natalie's boyfriend, Hans found just dumped as a wooden stump as they were out walking together about half a mile away and Hans carried it all the way back here for her and where over the years it had blossomed forth (as the love between them did) into this delightful plant... though which unfortunately had to be left behind when they recently moved to Costa Rica.

Ross enjoying a little sit down on the balcony after a busy tiring day.

Like all good things everything has an end and so Ross inspects the larger box that he is now to travel home in tomorrow.

If you want to know why the larger box was necessary read the next installment tomorrow.
Many thanks to Jackie for sharing these marvellous photos and to Sarah for adding them again to my blog.

Actual re-root and then off to the hairdressers.

2011-09-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hair has arrived and the re-root in progress. Looking good.

Ross is really thrilled with his new long locks, now in need of being professionally cut and styled.

Hair freshly washed ready for the trip to the hairdresser.

Here he is sitting at the hairdresser's dressing table, hair clipped up in layers and ready to go.

The hairdresser, Alex, originally from 'Toni and Guy' making good headway into Ross' beach boy style.

Front view as he leaves for home.

Side view.

...And the back view before he heads back to Jackie's to be given the re-wetted hair and overnight sock treatment.

Jackie sent me this in an email, 'Both my girlfriends thought Ross looked like a Californian beach boy although Jeni thought he also looked a bit like Franz, my partner shown below.'

...And so do we here, rather 'cool' and very 'with-it.' Perfect for his outfit. Must go and get his surf board out ready for his return.

Many thanks Franz for allowing Ross to copy your great hair style.
Thanks too to Sarah Williams for again listing these superb photos of Jackie's in this large format.

Don't miss tomorrow's next installment as Ross enjoys a day on a Mediterranian beach with Jackie before preparing to fly home.

Ross is travelling to Spain in search of some new hair.

2011-09-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

We have decided that it is time for Ross to have some new hair so after some extensive searching and asking around Jackie Rhydstrom has very kindly offered to give him the blonde locks that he so desires after being a brunette for the first six/seven years of his life and a wigged red head (thanks to Ted's kindness) for the last several months.

After being suitably dressed in Dollydoodle's beach wear for his visit he is settling down into one of sashadolluk's sturdy, but cosy travelling boxes ready for his journey to sunny Spain. Are you lying comfortably then I'll tape up the box and head to the Post Office?

After leaving Alsager on the Monday he quickly arrived at Jackie's on the Spanish Mediterranian on the Thursday and is soon climbing out of his box non the worse for wear.

Hello Mummy! Look at where I am? Did you see the swimming pool in the photo above? I feel as though I'm on a mini holiday.

After a little nourishment and a rest Jackie prepared his head ready to start his re-root the moment his new two tone wavy blonde locks arrive in the post. (He has assured me that it didn't really hurt too much.)

He has decided that he would like to have hair like Jon Bon Jovi's when he was young... BUT we shall see!!!!

Watch this space for updates.
More thanks to Sarah Williams for again listing mine and more importantly Jackie's photos in this large format.

Another blonde 1967 Frido NP.

2011-09-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

This is a Frido 1967 Brown Cord dress girl who came in her complete original outfit and large white box.

Here she is dressed in an eseacaper duck egg blue with a dainty navy blue design outfit, which handily arrived on the same day as the doll (so didn't have the mess and upheaval that I seem to make when rumaging through my three large Sasha Doll clothing boxes trying to find something to suit her) and now teamed with navy JJ sandals and manufactured pale blue socks.

I was attracted to her as she has an unusual 'wide-open somewhat startled' look.

Her hair is unfortunately in need of a good wash as it is rather grey and dusty from storage but as I have never washed a Sasha's hair before it will have to wait until Sarah Price comes over to visit and do it for me.

This is the very first outfit (via eBay) that I have bought from Nikita (although I now have a second dress set given to me by Sarah P. for my birthday present) and was delighted with her presentation and packaging. The padded 'jiffy' bag was attractively coloured in an orange and pink all-over pattern making extremely recognisable from a distance and the actual outfit inside was hung on a little Sasha sized white coat hanger with that matching blue hair ribbon tied in a bow on the handle and all swathed in several sheets of snow white tissue paper. A real pleasure to receive and open. Thank you very much Nikita.

The next three photos show her varying different facial looks that I so love about these earlier hand-painted eyed dolls.
Looking forward and upwards.

Expectant?

A little bit sad?

Usual apologies for all the flyaway hairs straying across her face.

Starting to introduce my Sasha Brood, one by one.

2011-09-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

I was so impressed with Sarah William's photo's of my friend, Steve's Sasha Doll collection that I'm dying now to introduce you to mine.

I'm starting off with a recently new addition, a 1967 Frido NP Blue Cord girl (which I don't think that you have as yet seen.)
I think that she has a really young and innocent look to her.

She came in her full original outfit but has since been changed into this delightful four piece outfit made in a soft wool Viyella material designed and sewn by Betsy-May.

I have teamed it with some of JJ's Mary-Jane studio style shoes and manufactured cream socks.

At the moment I am completely reliant on Sarah William's very kind offer to list these photos in this wonderfully large size so that YOU don't have to keep on clicking twice to enlarge and then clicking back again to see the next photo. Hopefully in the meantime I will beable to learn these skills for myself!

Here she is holding a little Merrythought Teddy Bear given to me some years ago now by Shelly for Christmas and who is a favourite with all my Sasha Dolls.

Usual apologies for the flyaway hairs scattered across the face. Will I ever learn to check this before snapping the photos???
No good noticing them afterwards.

One of my Frido Sasha Dolls is also featured in THE Sasha Book.

2011-08-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

My 1966/7 blonde NP Frido 'Jeans' doll, Krista, had her eyes hand painted by a Manchester University art student, called Kristina, who was on hire privately to the Frido factory during the Summer vacation to help paint the doll's eyes.

Here she can be seen looking at her photo on page 58.

Do you think that I am pretty? Oh yes, you certainly are!

Can you tell that it's me?
Yes dear, we can easily tell that it's YOU because the colour and eye style are very unique. You're a very lucky girl.

Are there any other dolls like me painted by Kristina? I'm not sure but I expect that there are.

I have heard a rumour, but don't know if it is true, that your eyes were painted at Sara Doggart's home rather than at the Frido/Trendon factory. Perhaps we can email and ask Brenda Walton if this is the case.

My Studio Doll and the book Sasha Dolls-The History.

2011-08-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to see that my Dream Child Studio Doll, Hedea, had been included in this book and here we see her looking at herself on page 103. This 1969 vinyl Studio C1 was originally one of Heddy Frick's dolls and, in fact I believe was one of her favourites and has been seen at many doll fairs and shows throughout the world. so is quite famous. I named her Hedea after Heddy.
I was most interested to read that Trudie, a later 1990s Gotz serie doll had been designed using Hedea as a model. I did have Trudie, seen here in the photo to the right, in my collection and had I of known this fact I would have kept her rather than selling her on to help to pay for one of my Frido NPs. A case of 'You live and learn!

These photos below (apart from the very last one) were all taken by Shelly Baxter because any photos that you thought were suitable to be hopefully included in this book had to adhere strictly to the authors' rules and regulations and as I hadn't got access to either the correct camera, lighting or the required coloured background, Hedea had to be posted down to Shelly's studio for her photo shoot.
The photo below was the one finally chosen to be published in the book.

My thanks go to to Sarah Williams who so kindly enlarged and listed these photos for me here as in spite of her excellent and extensively tireless instructions I still haven't as yet mastered this techinque of having them in a large format on first viewing. (Normally with mine one has to click to see them in a bigger size on the left and then click again for full screen viewing.)

Sasha Morgenthaler wanted her dolls to have a neutral expression capable of change, neither sad nor happy, with a wistful and innocent look combined with a tender fragility but always with a gental hope.
As you view these photos listed here I think that you will agree with me that Hedea has just those very qualities.

She is a pale skinned doll dressed in a Victorian child's costume.

Here she is in this, and the next few photos with a lovely pondering, wistful look.

A facial close up of the book photo and one of my very favourite.
I love this somewhat sulky look.

Her Victorian style clothing consists of a white fine cotton chemise, exquisite cream laced trimmed drawers and matching undershirt/petticoat, a floral pinafore over a rust coloured long sleeved linen dress, black leather court shoes and knitted socks.
All labelled with the embroidered Studio Sasha labels.

A really close up picture (and the one below) showing her beautiful soft eye painting and her delightfully dainty freckles.

A slightly puzzled, rather expectant expression here.

Another of my favourite 'chin-up' photos here.

I'm sorry for listing so many photos in this post (although an equvalent number to these here were left out!) but I just couldn't make up my mind which to list and which not to but hopefully it being a Bank Holiday today you might have a little more spare Sasha time.

Unfortunately I have a busy week ahead.............

2011-08-21T23:35:00.000-07:00

With medical appointments and daytime visitors so I'm not sure if I'll be able to list anything new this week. Sorry to disappoint you when you pop by to have a look but I'll do my best to try not to make it too long before my camera and dolls meet up again.

A new Autumn/Winter oufit for baby Sasha.

2011-08-19T23:49:00.000-07:00

A Trendon customised baby by Shelly wearing a knitted three piece suit by Cuddylugs using a handpainted Alpaca wool.

Seen here playing with her brother's Radio Flyer wagon.

Her favourite soft toy rabbit named 'Creamy' is about to enjoy a ride in the wagon.

I think that the colouring of this wool so suits her blue eyes.

30th Anniversary, Sasha Festival 21 - 24 June 2012 to be held here in the UK.

2011-08-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

Dawn Law, the festival organiser, has asked me to publish this email and information on the 2012 UK Sasha Festival until the festival website is up and running.

30th Anniversary, Sasha Festival 21 - 24 June 2012 to be held here in the UK.

Owing to the Olympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee there will be a large number of overseas visitors next June, and hotel rooms in England are filling up fast. I have been contacted by our Hotel, The Grosvenor, about our likely demand for rooms, as some Hotels in Stratford upon Avon (one of England's top tourist towns) are already full.

I had provisionally booked 40+ rooms, at the Hotel and more could be made available if we act quickly. There are only about 70 rooms in this hotel. However, owing to demand they cannot hold them for very long.

In order to secure a room here for the Festival, it is advisable to book NOW.

I have negotiated the following prices:-

Thursday, 21 and 22 June 2012 - Double room with breakfast £99 (this is for 2 people, not per head).

Saturday, 23 June 2012 - (price is £20 lower than Best Western's fixed rate for Saturday nights) Double room £140.(for 2 people, not per head).

Sunday, 24th June 2012 - (for anyone staying over) Double room with breakfast £79 (for 2 people).

If you need accommodation at The Grosvenor, you can contact the Hotel on (tel) 01789 269213, (fax) 01789 266087, (email) res@bwgh.co.uk Website address is www.bwgh.co.uk . They will need a £50 deposit at time of booking.

If you are planning to stay at other hotels in England during your visit, I suggest you contact them now as rooms in London, particularly, are becoming scarce.

In view of the urgency to book rooms, we shall have to change our proposed registration system. Please let me know if you are planning to come to the Festival and have booked your room a.s.a.p. my email address is dawn.law@virgin.net , and I will put you on the list, and also let me know if you wish to come but will not be staying at the hotel.

I will then be able to send out registration forms which you can return to me.

The cost of our Festival will be £150 per person, and we are limited to 100 full participants (meals only may be possible, depending on numbers - cost later). The fee will include three meals, 1 x dinner, 1 x lunch and 1 x brunch., and includes 1 outing.

Confirmation and payment will be required by 1st September 2011. Paypal details later.

If you need further information, please contact me.
The website will be available very soon.

Had to visit the doctors yesterday SO....

2011-08-17T23:45:00.000-07:00

I gathered up a few of my Sashas (all naturally in their Dollydoodle's playwear) to tag along with me to enjoy time in the completely fenced-in younger children's playground (right next to my recently built Primary Care Trust surgery) whilst I was waiting and seeing the doctor.
Above. The three girls decided to first climb up the slope leading to the very inviting shiny silver slide.

There is a jutting out stand at the top where you can use a pair of binoculars to view the surrounding scenery but they were set too high for my dolls....

...so here we see one of them peering through the railings instead.

The girls all ready for the slide down. Right altogether now....Ready, steady...GO!

All four enjoying a 'bumpy' ride on this 'springed' seat. Hold on tight.

Another 'springed' movement ride on this Reindeer. I'm not sure Sally that you should be sitting there at the bottom. Please be careful as your Uncle Steve will be very cross with you if you fall and hurt yourself.

Another more adventurous way to reach the top platform before enjoying the slide down.

Taking cover from the hot sun to cool down a bit.

All four enjoying a 'wonky' spin around in the round dish.

Pleased Fritz to see you finally back home after your visit to Surrey and the Bluewater Lambretta ice cream parlour. (Although I had to send more money down for his return fare as he had used all of that plus his pocket money on ice creams.)

Glad to see that you are now sitting down if you are going to make the swing go as high as it can. Do you want a push to start you off?

Two of the girls now having a go.

It's just like climbing up a circular tower!

Three girls enjoying playing with the Spider.

Need to take some more photos as these are the last two.

2011-08-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

Trendon 1970/71 wide faced Gingham girl in Dollydoodle's long sleeve T shirt and cycling shorts with commercially made Mary-Jane styled converses.

A missed out photo from before of Annaliese.

New Viyella outfit from Betsy-May.

2011-08-15T03:55:00.000-07:00

I just love the feel of Viyella, I always dressed my daughter in this lightweight wool material from her 'hand-smocked-round-the- neck nightdresses to her daywear of Paisley patterned pinafores and smocked yoke dresses so was delighted when I saw this Sasha outfit of Mary's made in very this material.

One of my latest Frido 1966 Jeans NP has taken a shine to it, the blue of the bell shaped flower enhancing the colour of her eyes.

Teamed here with a pair of JJs Mary-Jane shoes and commercially made socks.

I also have another of Mary's dresses in Viyella in checked autumnal tones of oranges/beiges with a touch of navy and everytime I dress a Sasha in it it reminds me of my daughter's younger childhood days.

Two more of my girls enjoying being in the garden.

2011-08-12T23:28:00.001-07:00

One of my favourite Gotz slate eyed waifs, Sophie, in one of Dollydoodle's first year Summer outfits admiring the long stemmed daisies on the lawn before hopefully picking them to start to make a daisy chain.

I like the way the three daisy shadows appear on her leg.

Are these fern plants?

Sitting amongst the branches of this Acer shrub.

Just pondering if she should attempt to climb this Fir tree that is at the moment shedding it's ripe cones all around it's trunk base.

Standing in amongst the ferns growing in the top of dry stone wall.

A 1970 Trendon brunette Gingham wide faced girl in another Summer T shirt and shorts set from Dollydoodle in her first year of making clothes for Sasha in the shrubbery.

Standing in the herbaceous Geranuim plants.

Apologies for the slightly green tinge to her face from the reflection of the shrubbery. (Obviously need to find another black elastic band instead of this clear one.)

Some of my girls enjoying the garden.

2011-08-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

My new re-rooted Trendon girl, Annaleise, wearing one of Dollydoodles latest girly T-shirts and cropped denim leggings with converses.

I like the way the light here is filtering through the bushes in the background.

Again I love the tree bark background in this photo.

This is a very photogenic little girl.

One of my favourite Frido girls with her bluntly cut Monique Peggy-Sue wig.

Amy is wearing a very pretty Summery outfit by Dollydoodles consisting of a pale yellow short sleeved hoodie and white cropped leggings and raindow stripped converses.

Amy definitely shows 'attitude' in the picture.

I really like this close-up photo showing the delightful combination of pale blonde hair and brown eyes which Frido/Trendon didn't address.

My 2011 crop of Runner Beans.

2011-08-10T00:41:00.000-07:00

Not being such a lover of green vegetables, but do like Runner Beans, providing that they are picked when they are small and tender (which they aren't when produced for public sale) I therefore grow my own in containers each year. I sow them from seed at intervals so that they don't all ripen at the same time.
The plants in the beige pots shown below are my first sown.

The black pots are the last ones to be transplanted. Keeping them contained in these planters helps me to keep them well watered with rain water from the waterbutt and weekly fed with liquid plant food.

...and these here are the middle plants. The soil that they are grown in is rich with compost and well rotted farmyard manure.

Close-up photos of the growing beans.

An even closer photo.

Sally helped me pick my very first handful.

They look really small and very tender.

I have a little hand device that once the beans are topped and tailed you pull them through to thinly slice them. Boiled in water for ten minutes, drained and then served on a warmed plate with a knob of butter melting on top and fresh crispy bread they make an ideal lunchtime snack.

Incidently they were delicious. Having more today.

'The Wheels on the Big Red Bus go round and round.'

2011-08-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

My sister's husband bought this ex-PMT (Potteries Motor Traction Company) bus the other day as the family are members of POTTS, an old bus group, and are enjoying going out and about in it, tracing and photographing its original service routes and visiting vintage transport fairs and shows.

I had to go over unexpectedly to take my sister something the other day on the way back from the hospital and so saw the bus for the first time. Thinking that I must come back again as my Gregor boys might like to have a look at it.... but luckily on inspecting the car boot found Sam and Jac still rolling around in there from their last visit.
Sam standing in front of the bus.

Sam on the steep steps.

Jac turning on the electricity for the starter motor.

Jac checking the oil level. (Be very careful that you don't get any on your Dollydoodle outfit as it's very hard to get oil off clothing.)

The bus travelling through Cheadle town.

Sam doing a good job making sure that the water levels are ok.

Jac checking the tyres!

Oh dear, the camera battery has just exhausted itsef! Will have to come over another time!

Getting rather 'browned off' with the grey backcloth for inside use with it being Summer time now so....

2011-08-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

The Gregors and I went off in search of a bit of outside background greenery. Unfortunately there are shadows which sometimes fall across their faces but I'm sure that by now you are well familiar with them all and it is their new Summer Dollydoodle outfits that are on show here.

Above are four of my lads enjoying the shady coolness of this shrubbery on this very hot and sunny day.
Below Sam is admiring part of the dry stone wall boardering the driveway that my mother built herself when well into her seventies.

Sam, my 2011 New Year Doll, a Frido 1968 Gregor Dark Jeans in a OOAK Dollydoodle greeny-grey/cream set.

Like the tree bark background here.

Probably one of my favourite of todays photos.

James a 1968/69 Gregor Dark Jeans won off eBay in another of Dollydoodles short sleeved hoodie outfits. Love the blue/grey colours together.

I think that James is a very attractive lad and named after one of my very first boyfriends who was just as handsome... if not more so.

Jac, a Trendon 1970 Dark Jeans Gregor customised by Shelly in a younger looking dark duck-egg blue Dollydoodle outfit

We all love his long fringe although it does always obscure one of his fabulous Shelly eye paintings.

Wondering just how long the front of that hoodie is going to remain immaculately white!

Still looking OK up 'til now!

Luke in amongst the Michaelmas Daisies.

Matt enjoying the shade of the shruberies.

Matt looking a little sad having just been told that he won't be tree climbing today but he can come over another day instead.

Unfortunately Matt wasn't allowed to tree climb this time as he had his best 'posh' birthday shorts on, a gift from Dollydoodles and I wouldn't have been able to press them so expertly had they had to have been washed as I'm unable to iron.

Four of the boys enjoying a bit of free time tree climbing at mine and my sister's property that our mother left to us before returning back to the car to go home.

Jac and Luke.

James.

Sam.

Some of the Sashas girls are hopefully visting here against the greenery tomorrow.

Dollydoodles listed this as a daywear fun outfit with full length leggings last year....

2011-08-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

....But I thought that with these new three quarter cropped leggings it makes superb PJs for one lucky girl.

They so suit this 1960s Gotz crude eyed girl (one of my very favourite early Gotz Dolls) with her long straight hair.

Two new Dollydoodle outfits for Sasha.

2011-07-30T00:21:00.001-07:00

It's the girls turn to have a couple of Dollydoodle's Summer outfits with her new design of more feminine T shirts.

My 1967 Frido Blue or Brown Cord NP tries on this dainty white smock style top over the daisy flowered cropped leggings with JJ flip-flops completing the look.

I'm not 100% convinced that this is the best doll to suit this charming outfit so am about to try it on another doll who you can view further down.

This Sasha has obviously had a little hair trim along the way but personally I really like the length although I would have preferred the fringe to have been a little longer.

The next outfit is being worn by my 1966 Frido Jeans NP with dramatic eyes painted for the Frido factory by a Manchester Art Student. She is I believe featured in the new Sasha The History book.

This pink top is delightfully feminine and colour co-ordinates well with the pink/blue stripped cropped leggings, the blue stripe of which matches her eye colouring perfectly. Commercially made pink converses complete the outfit.

Now trying the top outfit on a 1990s Gotz Modern pale skinned doll, Stella, customised by Kelly Wenarsky as I think that her more up-to-date longer, straight hair suits this trendy look better.

I really love the way that Kelly gives some of her dolls tiny freckles. In this case I understand that she did them here to hide/camoflauge a slight shine mark to her face (on the right hand side cheek near to her nose bridge.)

Sick and tired of Ross' falling hair and increasing number of empty plugs so...........

2011-07-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

So out came the scissors late one night and cut-cut....

....And on with one of Ted's unisex wigs that he so kindly gave me last year...until I can save up enough cash to have Jackie Rydstom re-root him with some blonde locks in a trendy style.

Ross is a petite and minty-ish 1969 Frido brunette Dark Jeans lad who had languished at the bottom of Shelly's website page one for MONTHS with no interest. I watched him daily feeling very sorry for him until I succumbed and he became one of my first Gregors.

He is such a well behaved little lad and my youngest looking Gregor.

He is well liked and somewhat 'mothered' by me and all the girls.

A new re-rooted doll by Jackie Rydstom arrives.

2011-07-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

I have been admiring Sarah William's re-rooted Sasha models for some time now and so when I saw this Sasha of Jackie Rydstom's advertising a /SashaDollLtd Cora blue cord dress for sale on eBay I emailed to enquire about her doll model and was lucky enough to end up buying her.

The photos directly below are those taken by Jackie herself for me to see the re-rooted hair in detail as I was wanting a doll whose hair would easily plait/braid so that when she was out and about with me her hair wouldn't be blowing in her face as I was photographing her

As you can see her hair looks as good loose or braided.

Jackie even took photos showing her ability to wear lots of differently styled outfits.

I am thinking of calling her Annaliese.

As she arrived nudeI was wondering what sort of clothing that I already had here would suit her the best but...

....that problem was easily solved when this delightful Calico outfit designed and made by Betsy-May that I had just won off eBay arrived at exactly the same time.

I was a bit sceptical about the strawberry blonde hair going with the marroon parts of the material but I think that it really suits her colouring.

I just adore Betsy-May's little hat style on her.

The babies seem to have been neglected of late.

2011-07-22T00:27:00.000-07:00

So here is Little Stevie showing off his new nappies made by Hagnolly bought off eBay.

His beautifully knitted (in one ply) little Polo Shirt was given to me by Rosie Shortell at Dawn's Sasha funday in 2009.

His sunhat is by sasha*smiles.

I hardly think that, that is the most comfortable place to have your afternoon nap. Yes, I know that you love your Radio Flyer truck but......!

My 1970 wide faced tot choses a Jill Mackley dress for herself.

2011-07-20T03:31:00.000-07:00

Another beautifully smocked by Jill dress seen here with commercially manufactured socks and shoes.

This is such a little poppet of a doll. Very small and petite.

Jill's smocking and piping is always perfect and a delight to see.

As the result of Dr. Lawrence Jones mentioning Lambretta Scooters....

2011-07-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

After reading Dr. Lawrence Jones' comment about Fritz and his motorbike Jill Mackley mentioned that there was an ice cream parlour in the Bluewater Shopping Mall down in Kent that had a couple of these Lambretta Scooters to sit on whilst enjoying an ice cream.
Hearing this Fritz re-dressed himself into his Gregor's Angel's gear and with money for an ice cream in his pocket, hopped into a Sashadolluk Sasha Doll box said 'Goodbye' to us all and headed off down to stay with my daughter in Sussex in the hope of.....!

....and hasn't been seen here since BUT these photos were sent up so am gathering that another of his adventure boxes was ticked.

Actually I did buy him a model of a Lambretta Scooter at the time I was buying the motor bike but when it arrived it was rather on the small side, so sold it on as just a replica model.

My brothers had a real Lambetta Scooter during their early teenage years that they used to ride on on our private land. My eldest brother kept that Number plate and has had it transferred to use on all his own cars ever since.

Please let us know when you are planning to return home as your Gregor friends are missing you.

Unable to post this comment on MY own blog.

2011-07-16T06:09:00.000-07:00

Oh Sarah, that could well be it as both the Rotary Club and The Round Table do great and wonderful works for our surrounding area.
Many thanks for that piece of info. especially as I try to learn something new each day.
Whilst I am commenting here I would also like to say to Lorraine (Serenata) that although I have tried on several occasions to leave a comment on her blog I am still unable to do so. Must seek help.

A little outing for a few of the lads on my Sasha Funday afternoon.

2011-07-13T23:57:00.000-07:00

Five of my Gregors enjoy a trip, though only a kilometre down the road, to have a little 'forbidden' climb on this advertising Rhinoceros (as the firm is situated well off the road and so out of sight.)

Sam chooses to lie stretched out on the mane, Jac to sit and hold onto the mid nose bump and Matt behind the dangerous, sharp horn.

James (on the right) decides to sit behind the left ear whilst his best friend Luke takes the right.

Look, you can see so much more of the surrounding countryside from up here!

ALL five boys are wearing Dollydoodle leisure wear and commercially manufactured converses!

James and Luke (the other three weren't too bothered about getting out of the car!) decided to go and take a closer look at this floral show piece in Milton Gardens in the middle of our village. Twice a year this is planted up to represent something special that is happening or of local interest.

It reads 'The B'hoys of Alsager, 1911-2011.' Luke and James are going to do a little research asap to find out what it stands for as they first thought that it read 'The boys of Alsager'... until they spotted the apostrophe.

Still enjoying my Sasha fun day....

2011-07-12T00:05:00.000-07:00

Just discovered this part of my Sasha Funday still in draft form so I'm now publishing it in case it hasn't already been (and will try to check later.)
....with these trendy cropped stretch Denim leggings given to me by Judith of Dollydoodles to help me enjoy my day. Many thanks for thinking of me with these trendy cropped 'bottoms.'
Seen here with one of her white jersey hoodies and JJ flipflops.

Just look at how the Sea Holly that we gave Mummy for her birthday has grown. Be careful as the flowers are really spikey now.

This is a 1968 Frido Single Fringe Ballet girl.

Seen here enjoying the perfume from my latest Jasmin shrub.