SUNDAY

 

So It's already the last Sunday in October!! Already !! Mind you the weather is definitely cooling down and when November comes in at the end of the week no doubt it will start to get even cooler.

Paul's been out in the garden getting those last things planted up before the earth cools down.

However I have had a great week on the non doll front which has meant some other dolls have been hastily listed.

Some of you will know I collect dolls by Lynne and Michael Roche and was slowly saving up for one of their Christmas release, although there is no guarantee of getting one, due to their popularity and the limited amount of dolls issued each year since they semi retired from full time making.

Now their dolls are very popular in America, so usually any dolls appearing on the second hand market, will appear there. Which normally involves asking if they would send to the UK and then the cost of Postage. Then if you are lucky enough that they agree to post to UK, you then are hit with a big customs bill this end.

So more often than not, we here in the UK, have to watch beautiful dolls, we'd love to add to our collection pass us by. And so it appeared would happen again when a few dolls were put on sale in the US. But just a day or so later a collector in the UK, started listing some dolls! 

I, myself, had not seen them appear but luckily for me, my friend Chris had! She had seen a doll she knew I really wanted and tried desperately to message me and get a response, when that didn't work she rang me. So I dashed off to find the doll. So there she was on at a good buy it now price, so I pressed the button and she was amazingly mine!!

Here is a photo.

So I was only able to do so because I had funds in my doll funds for once. However they were meant for the Christmas doll, so I set about replacing what I'd spent.

To that end I did actually sell one of my Roche doll collection along with a Sasha and that put me back where I had been.. . . .but . . .

I did say that this seller appeared to be selling off some of her collection. . . . so what happens is the following day she lists a few others! Now again one of these was a little doll that I had wanted for a while but missed a few times due to funds and she was on at a great price, so what can I say I hit that button again.

Here is her photo.

Well I was one content and happy bunny as they say. BUT. . . . . she was selling a few more dolls and it turned out one she was intending to put on was going to be a Bella! My favourite of the doll sculpts!

But I knew Chris would be interested , so told her about the doll and expected her to get her.

Long story short, Chris decided not to go for her ( she too is after a Christmas doll ) so I decided she was too good a doll to miss, so I again hit that button!!

Here she is.

So three dolls I really wanted in a week ! Never have I had that happen and been able to do anything about it. I an even happy bunny today ! However all this buying is meaning some dolls need to leave, some of which are Sasha's/Gregors.

I'm basically going on a last in first out almost cull of the poor dolls. Other dolls and items will also need to go, so not just the Sasha's taking a hit. Because , although it will be a big stretch , I would still like to try for the Christmas doll !! Yes I know a really long shot but worth a try !

Elizabeth, todays headliner , is heaving a sigh of relief , when I chose to sell Stevie and not her! Since she came just after our dear Queen passed and Steve well after so she's off to live with my sister.

So on the doll front, four arrived  and so far three have left, two of which were Sasha's. But more are listed and a few others will join them. Then after they have sold or not, I'm going to have a rest from selling until the spring! 

On that note I will wish you all a lovely healthy warm doll filled week ahead

Dee

PLAYING FETCH!

 

Lucas is playing fetch with Socks " Ready Socks.... go fetch ! " says Lucas 

Socks looks to where Lucas has thrown the stick !

"Go on Socks " urges Lucas " Go fetch the stick good boy "

" Woof Woof " says Socks turning and running off 

" SOCKS! " calls Lucas " Come back !"

Socks stops for a drink from the bug/bird water trough, Lucas comes rushing up 

" Oh did you need a drink first? "

Socks wonders how much water he'll need to drink before Lucas give up on getting that stupid stick !

"Come on Socks fetch !"

Give Lucas the doggy side eye, Socks sees that Lucas has gone back to the place where he threw the stick and is calling to him.

He continues drinking slowly..   very slowly 

" I'll show you how to do it " Lucas calls getting down and easing out onto the pond .

" See " calls Lucas " There's nothing to  oof !"

"What! " huffs Lucas as Socks walks along his back " are you doing ? Get off !"

"Woof woof " answers Socks enjoying himself 

"Don't you get on my head ! " Lucas commands as Socks edges higher " Get off !"

Lots of grunts and groans as Socks decided to turn round on Lucas rather than just back up !

Seeing a pesky bird watching from a tree, Socks decides to stand guard on Lucas's legs, to save him from any airborne attacks " WOOF WOOOOF WOOOF " he commands the bird   just to try it and I'll be wearing your feathers as a hat!

"SOCKS ! GET OFF NOW ! " yells Lucas, with a doggy huff Socks moves 

After some struggling and huffing and also puffing finally Lucas is sitting back on the side of the pond with the stick.

"See Socks " he says waving the stick about " there's nothing to it"

Socks not listening to Lucas, his attention is on the stick and getting ready to fetch it when it's thrown, well unless he throws it on that pond again then he's on his own ! 

ANOTHER STORMY SUNDAY

 

Yes yet another wet and windy Sunday. Although there as been rain on and off this week, the days have actually been quite mild and dare I say warm!  However when the cloud sets in the temperature drops and you know it's the middle of autumn.

When that sun is out though it fills the back of the house with heat and light, which is lovely.

Of course since it's been warm and even dry a couple of days, Paul decided now was the time to increase the house garden flower bed. We'd decided to increase the bed out to the edge of the staggered path. 

Edging moved forward and fencing around while he works on the area to stop the dogs from wandering over it and tracking mud indoors.

We also bought our two dogs their first ever rain coats. They will just help them not being soaking wet all over , when they get back from a walk in the never ending rain we seem to be having .

Casper looks very happy to have such a nice coat.

Rufus needed a slightly bigger and longer coat than Casper, so he's gone a chocolate brown coat.

On Tuesday some friends were round for lunch, so a table cloth was put on the table ready for their visit.

A couple of months back I finally got round to making the table cloth, out of some fabric I was originally going to use for either kitchen curtains for a blind.  It's nice to have a cloth that matches the wallpaper and paint.

Today's headliner is Bea, who changed into a lovely red, white and black outfit by Ruth Hartley. At the moment she is wearing white shoes but they do not look right. Alas Rosie Bloom does not make black shoes, so I will need to find something that goes better with the dress. 

I adore Rosie's shoes and am forever trying to nab the colours shades I don't have but you have to be so quick when she lists as they get snapped up in seconds!.

Now on the doll front another doll left, this time a Sasha waif, I had bought intending to repair but decided would be a good sale towards my Christmas doll, so she was listed and went nice and quick.

I have also sold a couple of outfits too.

 My Christmas doll savings would be going a lot better, if I stopped buying small odds and ends for my other dolls.! But I needed a few pieces of clothing and some shoes in order for those dolls to be set up for winter too.

I also bought a pattern to make some items, thereby saving some money... she says !

The dolls also have a kayak but although lovely and solid, so would not take on water, it's a nightmare to balance, even with this small forever friends doll in, it immediately started tipping over! So this can only be used with either a paddling pool of shallow water or a fake water image.

It's the first time I tried using it despite having owned it for a couple of years!

A friend suggested putting in some weights to help with the balance. Which I may try next year when the weather is more suitable for kayaking!

Well I'm in a selling mood, so am off to look at what can go! I'll be listing on my sales page and ebay, so hopefully will manage to clear a bit more out.

So have a lovely healthy fun filled week 

Dee

WE ARE SAILING, WE ARE SAILING

 Mum's been looking fo Lucas all morning, but no one seems to know where he's gone!

"Woof! Woof! "

" Sh you will frighten the fish! Socks!"

' woof ' Socks says without actually making a noise 

"This rowing is hard !" sighs Lucas 

"Woof " agrees Socks watching the fish

" Lets do some fishing 2 says Lucas resting in the bottom of the boat after casting his line

Socks stands guard at the stern watching for any passing fish , so he can warn his master  " WOOF WOOF " 

"SOCKS!"

' woof   woof ' he mimes 

Socks decides he's had enough watching for fish and starts jumping around the boat, making it rock about.

This makes Lucas giggle as the boat rocks quickly side to side until Socks stops on the bench.

Lucas strokes him " That was funny " he laughs rubbing Socks back just where he likes it.

Lucas sits back on the bench ready to row back to the side of the pond.

After a while he stops

He decides he'll sit and let the boat float over to the side and if that fails, he'll just start shouting for mum! Someone will turn up sooner or later! 

STORMY SEASON SUNDAY

 

Well what a week it's been. Storms everywhere , with poor Florida getting hit by a second hurricane barely three weeks after the last one that caused massive damage. We are fortunate in this country not to get many really bad storms and rarely ever hurricanes.

Mind you the weather's been totally wayward, with what seems day after day some rain falling somewhere in the area we live in. Which is not usual for this time of year. Are we heading for a bad winter ? who knows only time will tell !

I had to have a hospital appointment on Wednesday and needed to prepare for it on Tuesday, no food after midday and then of course recover Thursday, so pretty much that was the week gone! Strange how a little appointment can actually take over the week.

We also had our Covid injections on Saturday, so that's something else out the way.

I have been faffing about this week and not getting anything done but am determined to do better next week as there is plenty to be getting on with.

Todays headliner is Annie, who changed last week into a lovely tartan /check dress by Ginny. I do so love blue and green together and this dress looks so good. She's wearing her Lisa Hartley blue boots to help keep out any cold.

On the doll front one small one arrived ... a forever friend doll that I had wanted but missed out on last year, so she came second hand and cheaper than new, so a small win?  I did also spring for some clothes and shoes for my Ten-Ping, Gigi and Yu-Ping dolls, along with a pattern, so I can make them a few bits.

I need to get back into listing a few more items for sale, to make more space, if that's ever possible! 

Next years final Chat n Snap will be on the 25th of October, so put that date in your diary if you'd like to attend a fun filled happy doll event for Sasha doll lovers/collectors.

Well so far today it's been cold but sunny ,however now it's starting to look a little grey, so no doubt todays rain shower will be arriving soon.

I will wish you all a happy healthy doll filled week ahead.

Dee

CLAUDIA DOES RED !

 

Claudia is wearing a nice red knitted seater dress.

She's wearing a pair of red tights by auntie Michelle and some pixie boots by auntie Lisa.

However I think it may be too much red ! And is there just a hint of o  o  ora  orange in that dress?????

She may need to change that sweater dress once the boys are sorted ! 

ELIZABETH WEARS BLUE FLORAL

 

Well I spent the other week changing most of the girls into warmer dresses, so Elizabeth is here to show you her warmer clothing.

I owned this dress set by Ginny a few years back and then sold it to my sister, who last year sold it back to me.

I love the pattern and colours of this dress ,which suits a blonde like Elizabeth, beautifully

also having nice long sleeves , she does not need a cardigan at present.

FIRST SUNDAY IN OCTOBER

 

So the first Sunday in October is here already! It started wet but at least the sun is now out, sort of! I have spent time in the week redressing the dolls for the colder weather. There is one girl left to do and then it will be the boys turn. 

It's a good job to do with the dolls because you get to see them all again, along with all the clothing you have for them. 

Yesterday, Saturday, we had an unexpected outing to see our lovely friend Dawn. A few good friends were invited to hers for supper and we were asked as well. We had a lovely time chatting and seeing everyone. Could have gone on all night, it was so lovely.

x

Just a few of Dawn's dolls and prams. We all suffered from Pram envy while in this room.

The headliners are Liberty, Elizabeth and Angel, wearing nice warm cardigans over their dungarees.

Liberty and Elizabeth with the Fuschia cutting we gave to Dawn.

On the doll front a Sasha has left and none have arrived ! So this week heading in the right direction. Although a few items of clothing is on order for non Sasha dolls. 

I will wish you all a happy healthy week ahead 

Dee