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 ! ;) 

 

A SUNNY SUNDAY WELL AT LEAST TO START.

  Happy Mothers Day 

Finally we are getting some dry sunny days, although this one will only last the morning ! It is still very cold though but then it's only just spring.

I need to find something I put away for safe keeping ! An original Sasha outfit ! Despite checking likely looking boxes on and off for months, until it got to cold, it remains hidden in it's safe place ! I'm beginning to hate the words Safe place ! It should be renamed ' Never to be seen again or not for years ' place !

So once April arrives along with a couple of nice dry clear, slightly warm days, I intend to empty out my doll studio, onto the patio table and search everywhere and through every box , bag and drawer . While doing so I will give the studio a good clean and put back things where they are meant to be and have a rearrange at the same time. It will get a proper 'spring' clean.  If the missing item doesn't appear , it will mean I will move on to the overflow space and empty out and clean and go through that. If does appear in the studio, I can delay the overflow sort out until a while later but I've decided while I'm doing all this I will set to one side everything I do not need and start getting them sold off or donated.

I'm going to label both the boxes and cupboard doors, so I can go to any box or cupboard without first opening half a dozen others. Trying to find this missing outfit , as given me the push to get it done. If the end of March brighten and dries up, I'll probably start earlier but since I may need , well probably will need to leave things on the patio table overnight or longer, i need to know it would get any damage or rained on.

I think I could do with a stall at a toy or doll fair so I could get rid of loads at once ( she says ) but no doubt it will be the usual slow process.

We, please remember that is the royal we ( Paul working , me putting my oar in ) are continuing working on the bedroom, the doors are now on the wardrobes and yesterday we went out and bought some handles. They didn't have the ones I was after ( it has been many years since I saw them ) but we found some to suit and cheap enough that if I see something beautiful we could change them , in the future.

I think we have settled on a wallpaper, I have to say think because I am still looking, so am I sure ? if I am still looking ? 

Today's headliner is Arabella , from her visit outside in the garden earlier in the week. I had intended to take some photo's of Ginny, wearing the Navy waxed coat and then the five of them together but then we were hit with gale force winds for a couple of days ! Sasha's can be hard enough to stand up at the best of times but in gale force winds I'd be asking for trouble. So those photos will have to wait for later this coming week, if the weather improves.

Then if it starts to brighten up I will be able to change them out of their coats into some spring/summer wear. 

On the doll front no dolls have arrived, I am holding to my no doll buying, even though I saw a brunette no navel !!!! However luckily her eyes looked a little uneven, so I was able to walk away. . . . . quickly !

I did sell a baby , which was good , along with a Charlie bear, which was also good. So a small amount of space recovered. At least it is going in the right direction as long as we don't count in clothes and shoes arriving? 

I do find it very hard to resist Rosie Bloom shoes, so when she emails to say she's got new stock available , if it's not already gone, well I just have to have a pair or two. . . . . .

So with that confession I will wish you all a happy healthy week ahead 

Dee

2ND SERIES GOTZ HAVE GOT TO ME !

 

The first doll I ever bid on , on Ebay, was a Sasha Kira , as shown above. That was back before I knew anything about Sasha and did not own any. I bid because I liked her and her outfit, a big white shaggy coat and hat. Much to my amazement she went for over £100 !! Cannot all these many years later remember exactly how much, only that I was amazed !  I was also annoyed that I'd not won her lol.

So then set off to find and buy a Sasha, which turned out to be a Sasha Pintuck limited edition , on the US eBay site. I knew nothing about these dolls, was somewhat unsure when I read , after winning her, that she had REAL hair and apart from having seen an add in the sixties, some dolls in a store in the early eighties and a child holding a naked one in a Tesco store in the late eighties ( which I confess to considering thinking, I needed to save that doll but could hardly snatch it off a three year old ) was the start of my Sasha obsession 

The first 2nd series Gotz I owned was an Angela, who I had for a good few years. I also owned a David, who I adored, I loved his hair and his wonderful tweed school boy out fit, I sold him and a few years later bought him back again, but again landed up selling him on again. I also had Michal and the Scout over the years.

I had a Yvette , who barely got in the door before she was off out again ! But an Anika.

So a year or so back, an Angela arrived , then left after a while.

Then last year my friend Gill, told me of a Kira up for sale in the UK. I went to look and well just had to finally have her !  Unfortunately she did not have her coat and hat but I am so pleased to finally have her. I may get a coat and hat sorted for her at some stage.

Redressed.

However then I saw Annette.

There was a big burst of the 2nd series dolls appearing up for sale everywhere. Which naturally gave me an itchy finger to add one to my collection. I did resist a good while until I saw the lovely Annette with her brown hair and blue eyes.

So Annette arrived , along with her tube and full outfit.

Annette redressed 

 

Well I did think that would be it with regard to the Gotz 2nd series dolls until I saw Anika ! Yes I know I had Anika back in the day but in all truth I cannot even remember her leaving !  Well I was allowed a layaway on her, so of course had to take up that offer.

Anika is one of the pale vinyl dolls . I love her brunette plaits. 

Her eyes look almost Violet , if her hair was darker and short she could have been Liz Taylor ;) Mind you then she wouldn't be Anika, so maybe a doll they missed out on making ! 

Anika redressed

So that was me done. . . . . or so I believed but the Gill , my enabler lol, told me that there was someone selling a Gotz I had wanted for years but rarely come up and when she did it was usually in the US, so always looked but never bought. 

I loved Gill's girl , which she has had for years, as the doll looks very like Gill's daughter. I quickly contacted the UK seller and did the deed ! 

Gotz Luisa, She arrived with conditioner in her hair, hence the wet look. I was a little worried it could be an issue but pleased to say after giving it a good wash, her hair improved.

She's a typical later Gotz with the fine hair which means it can look a bit sparse on the top.

redressed.

So now three brunette's ! Strange how one's doll collection suddenly takes a turn south ! But now I am being good and not buying any dolls for a while. 

I do have Baby Ira, who is 2nd series Gotz baby.

Plus last but never least 

The tike Lucas, who is a Claudius toddler. I always forget the toddlers are Gotz 

So at present that's them all and staying that way for a good while. . . . . .

SPRING FIGHTING TO ARRIVE BUT A COLD WIND CHASING

 

Arabella agreed to a quick trip outdoors despite the cold wind, mind you not that she didn't keep reminding me how cold it was !

Complaints about having to stand in a wind tunnel !

Comments about her now wearing any blue ! 

Giving a shiver and saying she feels like there is someone behind her ! 

x

Where as Nancy was happy to just go with the flow, which is just as well since I then realised she is still wearing her Christmas dress under her coat !

More than happy to sit on a branch near the Black Tulip Magnolia flowers that are starting to open.

Arabella would have informed me , she'd be contacting her lawyer should I ask her to do something so dangerous !

Well it getting quite chilly, since I left it so late to start taking the photos, so back inside for some hot chocolate to warm them up and save me a lawyers letter . 

HAS SPRING SPRUNG YET ?

 

Ava seems to be the one getting to go out and about in the garden , I think it's because she is wearing such a lovely bright yellow coat that reminds me of spring. Plus she is also closest to the backdoor ! I may have to get her to swap places with one of her other sisters who are also wearing coats !.

Although the sun is shinning there is still a chill in the shadows, the weather is due to drop in temperature in the coming days.

 Ava also took time to visit with the famous Japanese cherry tree, now at least thirty plus years old having been purchased as a tiny stick in a plastic bag from Woolworth, that old magnificent store no longer with us. Someone needs to bring Woolworths back , in all it's old style glory. Old wooden counters, jars of pic n mix, queuing at each counter to get some cheese or ham etc. We need to bring back making shopping a lovely calm experience. 

What's not to love about this little flowering cherry tree ? 

Magda managed to get outside later, when the sun was behind the clouds and the day drawing in and have her photo taken with the Camelia's by the gazebo.

Naturally there is always someone who thinks they need to amend the pose ! Or he is checking about elf n safety !!

I decided while writing the post to just pop back out and take a few with Magda in a slightly different position to be surrounded by the Camelias but look at the difference in colour in just twenty minutes or so of the light changing.! 

Hopefully the weather will be nice again tomorrow, even if cold and some of the other girls can have a walk about outside.

SUNDAY SO SOON

 

Well the days are trundling past at a steady pace. I would love to say that I have achieved incredible feats of daring do in the last week, however it would be an untruth ! What I have achieved is my usual life of many plans and much faffing about! 

I do actually , in truth , get some things done but they are usually the basics and not the nice extra's involving the dolls. They are the things I have plans for but never actually seem to achieve at present. All though I do seem to have achieved adding enough new adoptees ,that they no longer fit onto the shelf in the display cupboard I bought for them and are now standing in several places about the downstairs.

This led me to thinking about maybe needing to have a change around of what's in what display cabinet , maybe moving the china to the doll cabinet and the dolls to the china cabinet or maybe an actual move around of the cabinets from one place to another ! But the two cabinets I could use for the dolls are in the exact place they need to be ! So I cannot really change the dolls into them ! Now of course I think I should have been sensible and bought a smaller sofa for the backroom, but no I wanted a big one to fill the whole wall ! But this means that also cannot be moved anywhere else ! Plus the big sofa was ordered so that the dogs could lay by their beloved master 

However what I didn't realise is that Casper, the one laying on Paul's legs, would start demanding that Paul move back to the sofa during the day , if he comes and sits by me to watch the midday news !! If once the news is over Paul does not immediately get up and go back to the big sofa, he makes little grumbling noises with the odd bark until such time as he achieves his aim !!  Honestly ! there is not another woman in this marriage but a six stone male dog ! 

What I really need is another six foot on the depth of the back room along with a side extension doll room! But since that is not going to happen, I will need to resolve my dolls issue another way ! 

Finally the person who bought one of our chest of drawers arrived and took it away. So one down and one to go. But naturally the new wardrobes have caused a bigger knock on effect and now I also need to find space for a small antique display cabinet , that was standing on top of the chest of drawers, or sell that on or somehow fit it into the doll studio !! If it goes into the doll studio, that will mean getting rid of another piece of furniture ! Honesty who knew putting in new wardrobes would cause so much other problems / issues ! 

Added to that I also need to sell on some of my China/ pottery again to gain some room. Sometimes I feel like I need a second hand shop for a month, just to try and off load it all in one swoop!.

Today's headliner is Cleo, looking lovely in a dress by Anita in Australia, which I have had for a good few years.

On the doll front no dolls have arrived ! I know a minor miracle ! One week down many to go ! A bear as sold. So little by little in both cases.

I'm hoping to get some doll knitting and maybe even some dress making done over the coming week. and try and stay off eBay , so I am not tempted by any dolls or clothing etc, I'll let you know how I got on next Sunday.

So I will wish you all a happy healthy week ahead.

Dee

IT'S THE FIFTH SO DOLL PHOTO DAY

 Yes it's already time for March's doll photo's 

From Gill we have her later Gotz's dolls starting with her two blonde girls, looking gorgeous in purple.

We also have her two Angela's looking very summery with their dolls house. I hope they have their coats and socks nearby ! 

Gotz Luisa is not removing her coat or hat any time soon ! It's only March after all !!

From Gregoropolis we have Wyatt and Rhoda and looking lovely and warm ,since it's nowhere near time to start removing any warm clothing.

Meanwhile Holly Belle and Meghan are loving their new dresses from Ginny at a Passion for Sasha , the sleeves keep them lovely and warm while they play indoors or sit reading. I can see the other girls asking where their new dresses are. . . . .

From up near the Scottish border we have these two, Betty Boo and Malcolm , I just so love the 68 Sasha's and Gregor's , but especially Betty Boo who is a red haired single fringe a girl that has always alluded me.

"So "says Malcom " have only a teeny tiny bit of fringe makes you some kind of rock star ? "

"You'd better believe it stud " 

NB I have just been informed that her name is Darcy and his is Naughty Boy because 'she' paid too much for him, so I don't think he is the naughty one . . . . . .

Here in the village the Gotz girl's have been meeting up to get to know each other, Annette, Luisa and Anika are looking forward to warmer weather arriving, so they can get outside more.

 

Meanwhile Cleo has changed out of her Valentine's day ballet outfit ,into this high necked dress which is says is her preference in dresses !

I have to say that this style does suit her. Luckily we have a few such dresses in the house but no doubt she'll be wanting others !

Over in Germany at RoRoPo,  Rick is surveying his considerable lands ! I think he's been reading stories of Scottish lairds and their estates!

"Sorry Rick what did you say ? Oh you think you need a few Highland Coos ! No sure what mum's going to feel about that ! "  I don't think he's listening , he's away with his coos ! 

Many thanks to everyone whose sent in some photos. still time to join in

Dee