IN PRAISE OF DUNGAREE GIRLS

So the theme on this week's Sasha Study group on FB is Dungaree's and Ballet girl's with red hair. The Dungaree girls are one of my absolute favourites of the Sasha's especially, yes you have guessed it, the 68 girls'.

Above is sweet Paige, a dungaree's girl I saw and fell in love with on Shelly's website back in the day. I plucked up courage and asked if it was possible to do a longer than usual layaway on her ? Much to my delight , her owner, a lovely lady in the US, was happy to agree. So over several months money was gathered and passed on, a storyline built and then she arrived. 

She stayed with me for many years but then for some strange reason I put her up for adoption ! So she moved on to a new mum , I was far to fickle a doll mum back in those days.

Then it took me right up until late last year to add another to the family, Henrietta or Hettie as we call her.

Hettie came out into the garden , having been changed out of her sweater and trousers and into this lovely Ruth Hartley dress set I picked up off ebay. It came with the socks , which are a perfect match for my new Rosie Bloom shoes! 

Posing on the fish pond .

a closer look 

That bench needs painting before the garden is opened ! 

a closer view

closer still, look at that face ! 

We cannot tell the time if you stand there Hettie !

Getting some sun

Can you see the time? 

Changing sides does not help us see the time ! 

"what do you mean time for your close up Mr De Mille ? Do I look like a man ? "

" Fair enough, who can tell these days ! "

Lastly standing on the rockery near the house.

I have to say that now having spent some time with her out and about in the garden, I feel the need for another couple! A lovely set of triplets !  Only problem is I have a greater need to afford them , the money !! 

Aw well just another doll or two to add to that ever growing list . . . . .

A SUNDAY IN SPRING

 

A bright windy Sunday in April. This week seems to have galloped by partly I believe because Monday was Easter Monday, so that makes the week appear somewhat shorter. On Friday we when to West Sussex to visit with our youngest daughter , her husband and the grandchildren. Now the nights are lighter we spent longer with them. Also because Dad was required to help refit a new handle to the bathroom door with an attached lock.  The princess is growing so fast and loves of all things maths ! at which she is very good. The little prince mean while does ask during each week if school is done for the week , he goes in but he is still getting used to having to everyday ! 

He is still waiting to hear when his op will be, supposedly before summer , but with the militant doctors keep striking, who knows. 

The children are into the new Scooby Doo cartoons, so we had to play some detective games, where they were the inspectors and I played all the suspects. I have to say I could have won an academy award if it had not been a family only show ;) lol

I have to confess I fell into a few Easter sales over the weekend, nothing I didn't need, well okay I didn't need new bedding at this time, but that is only because I tend to buy quality bedding that will last twenty plus years or more. But they did have lovely bedding reduced and then with another added bonus reduction if bought over Easter. So I confess I did slip happily down that slope and bought a couple of sets.

It arrived Friday and one set washed and dried this morning, since it's a lovely windy day. Red I hear you say I thought you were doing green with pink touches. Well yes but this red has a lovely sage green edging and reverse. With the walls now in a white with green leaves, it should look fine.

Underside but due to light, it looks paler but is a lovely sage green.

Paul's eyes and feet have turned towards the garden ,now the sun is showing it's face and things are growing. We agreed last year to take part in the village garden open day this year, now we have had the paved circle done and the raised beds replaced so it's safe to walk around. But I am pleased to say he is still doing bit's and pieces in the bedroom while we wait for the wallpaper to arrive.

Paul wants to add one of these monk statues to the garden. The cowl is open and birds can use it as a nesting box. I'm in too minds. Would it give me the heebie geebies !( the empty cowl /missing face ) and therefore make the area where it stands spooky? or would it give a serene calm feel ? It stands five foot two from top to bottom and most likely place it would go is on the circle in front of the moon gate image. I am beginning to come round to the idea . . . .

I received a surprise parcel in the post, these lovely RB and mini Easter eggs, she is a very naughty but nice friend , who knows my weaknesses well ! 

Today's headliner is Cleo wearing her new mandarin collared cat dress by Ginny of A Passion for Sasha on Etsy. The raised collar is Cleo's style choice. 

On the doll/ clear out front, a couple of items have left for new homes, which is good a tiny bit more space, however I did buy from  the Rosie Bloom release of new shoes. I do find her shoes very hard to resist, it tends to be if the colours I like have already sold or if I already have them, that I manage to walk away 

I still need to get into my studio for the big clear out and put back and to find the missing outfit and also a long lost pair of VS pants . Once they say the weather is dry and warm I will be out there fighting my way through, cleaning and labelling. It will probably take me a month if I do it properly but will make a big difference to me being able to find things and use the space.

So things are happening in the house, the garden and soon the studio ! On that note I will wish you all a happy healthy week ahead, while I go see how I can pay for Paul's birds nest !!

Dee

MONDAY MONDAY EASTER MONDAY NEWS

 

So before I forget, Simples AKA Ronnie has started a new blog called Spot on Sasha , Spot On Sasha, I have tried to add it to my side bar but at present having trouble but hopefully I'll get it sorted but for now that's a link.

Well I called Ronnie, Simples due to her blog name ( and not her intelligence. . . . honest ! ) but the new blog name is Spot on Sasha , so does she now become Spotty ? Mm decisions decisions. . . . . . . . .. but I think I'll stick with Simples ;)  It covers so much more . . . .

Zak and Lucas, well maybe just Lucas, wanted to show those toddlers on, Spot on Sasha , his and his youngest brothers toy box.

Just in case they don't have any toys, them living with old Icy  like !

"What's that Lucas? You'd be happy to share if any girls want to  escape and come live here ? Don't you mean move here ? " 

Lucas shakes his head " No Escape !"

" Well it's nice that you would share your toys with them " Mum says happily " you have come a long way since you lived with old IQ.  Pardon! Oh you'd share the dolls with them ! Do you own any dolls ? No ! I see maybe you have not come quite as far as I'd hoped ! "

Well we hope to see lots of photos on the new blog over the coming weeks, I'm sure they will be Spot On. . . . Sasha ;) 

 

EASTER SUNDAY , DOLL PHOTO DAY

 Yes that correct doll photo day has fallen on Easter Sunday this year.

For once here in the village we are first up! Usually we are scrambling around last minute but Ava decided that we'd best get ahead of the game  now I'd remembered her existence ! Now the question is will I get another done before others photo's arrive. . . . . .

From Gill we have Binki looking sweet with her bunny, hoping for a visit from the Easter bunny.

From across the pond in Gregoropolis Robin and Emma are looking ready to party! Emma is wearing her coronation themed dress, because apart from it being just too lovely to leave in the wardrobe, someone somewhere is getting crowned !  It's a little early for the May Queen but she's sure she'll find someone ! 

Also over at Gregoropolis is the beautiful button called April, a new member of the family having just arrived, she's still finding her way about. She's met Holly Belle and she is helping her settle in and filling her in on the rules. . . . . some may be Holly Belle's rules but I'm sure the others will set her right over time.

From Simples, up north, we have a tiny tiny few of her toddlers waiting to get some easter eggs off of their pretty button sister. Which is an improvement on her last lot of unruly tots.

Plus this trio of brunettes, who have been a family since 1972, She keeping them together ! yes the words of old Icy!! I think she's getting soppy in her old age. . . . . . well unless one stray hair decides to fall and then it will be curtains !!!

Meanwhile here in the village it's been too windy for dolls to stand around, so Rose took her new sister Mimi for a drive round the garden. I need to have words with her about driving down the stream bed! That's not a 4x4 she's driving ! 

Over at RoRoPo Laird Rick , as he is now known, is enjoying some lovely spring sunshine but I think he will need to be careful ! His goat friend seems to be eyeing up his blanket as a tasty treat ! 

Many thanks for those sending in their photos, still time to have yours added , if you'd like to join in.

Dee

EASTER FRIDAY

 
 " Oh what a beautiful morning , oh way a beautiful day ! I've got a wonderful feeling , everything's going my way...... " 

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE

I don't know whether it's because it's Easter or because it's now April or maybe because we have had a couple of nice days with a touch of warm sunshine but it does feel there is now a little spring in the air despite everything happening around the world and in this Country. 

I saw a couple of lovely blonde Sasha's with smart bobbed / pageboy styled hair and thought, they look lovely it would be nice to have one like that, so went off searching for one I had seen for sale on eBay or the bazaar , did not find it but stopped to go look for something and spotted Ava !!!! Yes a Sasha with bobbed hair !! 

Honestly, just cos she's been starting around in her hat all winter ! Thank goodness she appeared and stopped me falling off the no doll buying wagon. . . . . . . although I do have a non Sasha layaway for a doll , so does that mean I have fallen ? or am I still falling and not quite hit the ground ?

So I will be changing some of the girls, who are wearing the most warm clothing into something more springlike.

Now the bedroom is coming along slowly. Naturally the new wallpaper is delayed ! and I have now sold the old wallpaper , which has gone off to the USA !  So if the new choice doesn't arrive for some reason , we will have to find another one!

Our new fridge freezer is coming tomorrow, so the old one is being unplugged and cleaned and put outside in the carport ready for them to take it away, once the new one's arrived . It's nice to have it sorted out.

Also my 'new' to me Roche doll will be arriving too.

I've been obsessed with using up the silk/wool yarn I bought, not wanting to put it to one side and then not get back to it until autumn / winter ! I'm pleased to say it's all been knitted up now, however I did go and buy some other 100% wool in some other colours . . . . . but at least it won't arrive until sometime after Easter, so my poor hands will get a rest !

On the doll front it's been good. I have sold another doll and also some more bears and some more Maileg items. Slowly but surely things are going off to new homes and slivers of spaces are being found.

I have to confess a few items of dolls clothing have arrived but not that many.

Now the fifth will occur this year on Easter Sunday, so that's when we have our doll photo day, and why I decided to do the Sunday catch up today. 

So please send in those wonderful doll photos for Sunday / if everyone is out and about with family, I will delay the doll photo day until mid week.

On that note have a wonderful Easter weekend and a happy healthy week ahead.

Dee

MONDAY NOT SUNDAY

 

For the catch up. 

The garden has a few bursts of beautiful colour appearing , like this magnolia called Leonard Messel , it's only been in a couple of years and this year it's come into it's own. Lots of beautiful pink flowers giving this section of the garden some sparkle.

It's so pretty, I'm wondering if I can fit one in the front garden. We had been at the garden centre last week and I had been looking at their ornamental cherry trees with a view to getting some early colour into the front garden. Being me , I started with the idea of getting one  by the time I headed home, that had increased to getting three to place around the garden.  Luckily I didn't get the one I really liked but came home, then struggled to see how we could fit three trees out the front !

So maybe it will have to be  one cherry and one magnolia, only time and re arranging the front garden will tell ! 

Indoors it's all about the bedroom. Paul's been putting in new skirting board and picture rail, filling holes etc. The wallpaper is delayed but not as issue since we are not ready for it at the moment. I'm pleased to say I have had a few offers on the Chantilly wallpaper, so hopefully that will be off to a new home , to finally get put on the wall.

Today's headliner is Erik. Who tells me it's lucky he is a Viking so is used to the very very cold conditions , so he's been fine wearing summer clothing all winter ! But some of his brothers have done nothing but moan the whole time ! 

Honestly these dolls do go on !  ( I do feel a little guilty ) So I suppose I may be spending some of this week getting the boys redressed into warmer clothing just in time for summer . . . . .

On the doll front, things are getting exciting one way and another ! 

Sales have started to pick up, with six bears and several Maileg items going off to new homes. A doll that had been on sale for a long time , finally found a new home, which was lovely. So space id appearing and quite a few items have gone but in truth there is so much here , it will take years to see any big changes.

The exciting part is that I have a doll on her way here, to join my Roche doll family, I sold a bigger Roche doll and used some of that money for this ,new to me, one. Then I was talking to another Roche collector and asked if she had considered selling another of her dolls, she has two, and she replied with some photos and a price. So now I have her on a layaway. This one is a doll I did not think I would find, so I am very happy to be able to get her in the near future.

On that happy note, I will wish you all a happy healthy week ahead and remind you that it's almost April, so get out clicking photos of what your dolls are up to and share them with us for the fifth.

Dee

SO WM STILL WINS

 

So remember how we strayed off the path of using a non William Morris paper and so a small print paper to deciding on this , a large floral print by of course WM ! 

Well did I place my order for the above wallpaper ? No

Did I continue to admire it on the chimney breast . each time I entered the room ? Yes I did, looking at it in all the different times of the day light.

However on the other side of the room, I put up a sample of another wallpaper that had at one time been almost a front runner.

Now this wallpaper is called Standen ! If you remember, that is a beautiful arts and crafts house owned by the National Trust in East Grinstead, near where by youngest daughter used to live, so we have visited it a couple of times.

Well today I finally looked again at both of the wallpapers and although I do love the big and bold Blue and white paper, I finally settled on the Standen wallpaper in the green and white. Apart from being yet another WM wallpaper , turns out it's also on sale , we will not need to replace either the curtains or bedside lampshades unless we want to, as both are green.

But also I have ordered the wallpaper , so decision made at last, no going back ! So we move forward.

A COOL BUT DRY SUNDAY IN MARCH

 

COOl almost cold at times, enough to remind us that it is barely into spring, so to stop expecting lovely warm days. However just yesterday, it was a lovely warm day !!! So we are in the month of any type of weather from snow to boil in the course of twenty four hours or even just two ! 

This week I have been sorting things and searching for things, not the big I must clear the studio completely , then slowly put it all back but the pop in search about, sure I knew what I had done with something ,  only to find as normal that it was not what I thought and so therefore nowhere in sight!

I decided to sell a chunk of my Maileg furniture items and I know that I did keep quite a few of the boxes and they were in another much bigger box! Only I could /cannot find any bigger box but did find some boxes in one of the easier to get to cupboards. So ! Did I have them in a bigger box, then move the smaller boxes into the cupboard ? Or is the bigger box of boxes still out there ?   Have I become Paul, who would always remember the decision / discussion two further back than the most recent one made? Have I now become the person who remembers only what I did/saw once and not what happened later/ after that one ! It is possible but if so , so unhelpful !!

Now I need find places for some things in the bedroom, in order that Paul can get to the walls to put up some lining paper. Then he can get the new skirting boards on and the picture rail that we removed.  Paul has started gardening but I still have that window to get the bedroom done before he heads outside for hours at a time !

All the magnolia's are starting to flower  and this one called Black Tulip is putting on a grand show.

a closer view on a nicer brighter day.

I have made two of these jackets for my Roche dolls. But having to fight against the pain in my hands to keep going, so annoying when you want to get things done.

Todays headliners are a bunch of no navel girls, Ashley, Ginny, Martha, Saffron and Cilla. All still warmly dressed , because in this family we go with that old saying " cast nar a clout until May is out "

A clout being an old word for clothing, so don't remove any clothing until after the hawthorn blooms in May. Since I have been known to still be wearing a cardigan in June , you could say I follow the old ways ;) 

On the doll front It's been a one out and one due in week. Neither of them Sasha's. I am also finally getting round to putting other 'prop' type items up for sale along with some household items. I was good and did not cave in and buy some Ruth H dolls clothes someone was selling. Which is amazing that I didn't at least buy one! So maybe I am behaving ? maybe? well alright this week on the clothing front . . .

Well I need to go and have just one more look for these boxes that I was sure were in a bigger box. . . . .

I promise to take some new photo's for the headliners, as soon as it warms up a little.

Have a great healthy fun and doll  filled week ahead 

Dee

DID I RESIST THE LURE OF WM ?

 So the bedroom is slowly coming along , we are not rushing. 

So this was the wallpaper by Colefax and Fowler called Chantilly , which I bought about twenty years ago to use in our bedroom. But for some reason we never go round to redecorating the room, although I did strip the old paper and just give the walls a couple of coats of paint as a short stop gap . . . . .

Well now we are finally going to do the job properly, but now the wallpaper bought so long ago, is no longer suitable.

Which means we have to find another wallpaper, what that's I hear you say, just repaint the walls ? Mmm not in my plans, unless no paper can be found. So I decided not to use a floral paper or a Morris & Co , it was time to step away from William Morris's influence ! 

So looking for a more modern but still with a traditional feel. So finally I settle on this wallpaper, in a green called Blue Clay  and not W M.

Give it a few days and I was still just looking, only out of interest naturally.

 I did love the blush pink of this WM paper , it is a lovely raised print and a better colour than shown here but I was not too keen on the rabbits ! Plus it was pink and I was planning on a green bedroom with a touch of pink not the other way round.

But thinking about the paper chosen, it's called Truffle, I started to wonder if one of us was feeling unwell would it make us feel worse? 

So time to look again but this time I decide that maybe it didn't need to be the green and pink decided on a few years back. I looked at the blues, an old favourite.

Plan, not William Morris and not floral , so after deciding to look in the blues , I found just the right wallpaper, that both Paul and I agreed was perfect the minute we put the large sample up on the wall in the bedroom.

Pardon ? Oh yes it is floral, it's called Honeysuckle and Tulip .

Sorry ? Mm yes well it is a Morris and Co wallpaper, but well what can I say ! It's just perfect .

It looks like we are too far gone, WM is king here on the wallpaper front and yet another room will bend to his art. 

Oh dear that means new curtains and lamp shades and other lovely items, yet more treasures but well it's got to be perfect after waiting so long ! ;)