More 70th Birthday Presents.

A lovely fresh and pretty looking eseascaper dress and pants set by Nikita from Sarah Price seen here on my 1969 Frido wide faced Gingham girl teamed with manufactured socks and JJ sandals. Many, many thanks Sarah for such a delightful present and as it suits so many of my Sasha girls I feel that it will have to be shared.



Rosie Shortell gave me this delighful and exquisitly smocked by her Sasha dress which was recently featured in the 'Double Take article' in the Sasha World magazine as being a copy of the dress she once made for her young daughter. Rosie's favourite of all my dolls, a 1969 Frido Gingham girl, is wearing it here as it brings out the blue/grey colour of her eyes. I feel very honoured to now be the proud owner of such an heirloom so many, many thanks Rosie for giving me such a wonderful Shortell family item. I can assure you that it will be treasured forever.



A much needed waterbutt from my brothers so that I can water my Runner Beans this summer with pure rain water. I shall be expecting a 'bumper' crop this year then. Many thanks.

My Daughter's birthday presents to me.

As always Chon's presents are so beautifully wrapped. The writing on the paper amongst the stamps says 'Have a first class birthday' and which became true as I certainly did!

My 70th Birthday Book which is 70 pages full of my Sasha Dolls and their outings and special memories.
My 70th birthday doll, a Blue Cord, graphic eyed Developmental 1966 Frido NP is featured on the front dust cover but now dressed in a Pinestreetstudio outfit.
(Unfortuately not all my dolls could be featured here but hopefully they will make it into the planned future editions.)

The Introduction.

Two of my Studio Dolls in their original clothing.

Anis, my little minx of a Trendon baby with a mohair re-root by Bettina.

Bea, a 1990s Gotz Toddler, customised by Raven and Anis' partner in crime.

Some special outings with the Gregors (and Holly.)

Four of my active, sporty and 'Dollydoodle-leisure-suited' Gregors, Fritz, Sam, James and Jac.

Some of my many babies at play.

Another most enjoyable visit to Llandudno, North Wales where I went to boarding school from the age of 11 to 18 years.

Three of my Sashas playing 'mothers' with my minature Red French prams.

Belle, a Shelly customised 1970 Trendon Gregor wearing Robbin Atwell's winning pinafore entry in Ted's 'Pinafore Challenge' and then so generosly given to me by Ted as a recovery from surgery present.

On the right are my Sasha Brood welcoming Tilily, Melody's US travelling doll, seen here arriving in her box.
Left is a Developmental OOAK 1966 Frido NP with her eyes painted by a Manchester Art Student.

My thrill at having two of my photos chosen as front covers for the Sasha World magazine.

A fun visit with ALL my babies to one of our local children's playgrounds.

On the right was an article entitled 'Ten Sasha babies sitting on a wall' that I did for the Sasha World magazine.It is an enactment of an old UK counting rhyme, 'Ten Green Bottles standing on a wall.'

My Sashas love the chance to dress up whilst Fritz enjoys riding on his motorbike over rough terraine. (All these photos were used in the Sasha World magazine.)

I have been increasingly worried about a back-up for my Sasha photos etc. so Chon gave me this superb surprise in the form of a 'State of the Art' portable 500 Gigabyte “FreeAgent Go” hard-drive by Seagate which automatically backs up your files & then stores extra data. (I know that both Ted and SusanLK will be pleased that I now have this as they have been encouraging me for quite some time to get some form of computer back-up.... BUT I was trying to first delete a good few thousand of my poorer earlier photos, but didn't seem to be getting anywhere fast.)

A birthday baby boy from Steve Kingaby.

Meet 'Little Stevie.' A magnificent present from Steve who said that he wanted to mark this milestone of a birthday with something special... and he certainly IS!
Thanks will be heading your way for many months to come.

He was rather shy at first, tending to hide behind objects but as we see from the photos he is gaining in confidence by the minute.

He seems much more secure and confident when he has his favourite 'Blankie' (which he bought with him) and his new soft toy, Nico, the Giraffe which he found waiting for him in the toychest.






I have dressed him in a OOAK Ruthsdolls outfit. (I had sent this Laura Ashley material that was left over from my sewing days before the Athritis set in to Ruth to make up this dear little romper set.)

Some of my birthday gifts.

Sarah Williams of vintage-sasha gave me this sweet little denim set (as well as the trouser/smock outfit below) which I think looks really cute on my ponytailed full centre part, minty, Trendon girl.


This very trendy trouser three piece certainly suits my 1966 developmental blonde girl accentuating her grey eyes and silver brows. I just love the way that Sarah has used these three materials together.


A million/trillion thanks Sarah. You're outfits are just to die for!


Another rare treat...Jill Mackley (of frocks and socks) made me this delightfully OOAK smocked dress seen here on my 1960s pale skinned Gotz doll with her mohair re-root by Bettina.
I think that Jill's smocking is just out of this world!



One of my sister-in-laws gave me this gorgeous bunch of white roses as well as the chocolate plaque below with her husband, one of my brothers) whilst her mother and nephew sent me the box or Thorntons chocolates as they are all aware of just how much I love chocolate.

Afternoon Tea at Crewe Hall on 7th April.

Crewe Hall in Cheshire is a listed Grade I building that has been attracting fine quests since the 17th Century, including our reigning monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The buildings show a mix of Jacobean and sharp 21st century architecture including exquisite marble fireplaces, ornate plasterwork, carved wood and stained glass windows.









Afternoon tea is taken in the Sheridan Room, once Lord Crewe's dining room where he entertained King George V and Queen Mary in 1913 amongst other notable quests.

Each of the three tired cake stands caters for three guests. Unfortunately we had already started eating the sandwiches on our selection before I remembered to take a photo (and I didn't want to stand up and photograh our other set for the other three members of the family, that hadn't as yet been started upon, as it would have drawn attention to what I was doing.)
There was a vaste choice of Tea which was individually poured through a silver tea strainer by our party's personal waiter dressed in black tie.

We each had five sandwiches, smoked salmon and cream cheese, ham and wholegrain mustard, chicken, egg and cress and roast beef and horseradish sauce. (My favourite was the smocked salmon and cream cheese.)


Next came the scones, clotted cream and mini pots of jam.

Finally the rhubard eton mess, tiny banoffee pie and mini black forest gateau. All three were absolutely scrumptuous.