Sunday 31 December 2017

New Year's Eve Pyjama Party

How better to spend New Year's Eve than with friends.


A fairly simple event this year, they have already gobbled up all the food and are chatting before settling down to watch a movie.


Everlee and Nisha are deep in conversation


Someone has fallen asleep already!  Dorothy is resting up on Chrissy's lap.


Perhaps she is going to wake just before midnight?


Some lively discussion about what to watch.


Sienna Saige chats to Peggy Sue


Looks like I caught Anne-Marie's eye when I sneaked up to take these photos of them.


Will they all make it to midnight or will more fall asleep like Dorothy?

2017 - The Year that was...

Summing up the year...

Changing to just the one blog has certainly made things easier for me, although I have probably lost some followers along the way.  I had 35 on my 'How Many Dolls' blog and 79 on 'Sewing for Sasha' so well short on this new one.  But who knows how many of those followers read the other blogs?  Perhaps they had stopped reading, or perhaps they are 'following' some other way that I am not aware of?  

Some highlights of my year were getting some new Schoenhuts, with Lewis becoming a firm favourite.  I love them all for differing reasons though.



Rebekah Grace, is so petite and sweet.

Lewis of course has been a lot of fun.

Dorothy, is a dear.  

Archie (Archibald) is simply handsome and he sits on a chair in my bedroom and I see him every morning when I wake up.



Sweet Madeline featured quite a bit earlier in the year, and I enjoyed taking her to New Zealand with me, but she has taken a back seat the last few months as I had to 'pack away' her house and lodgings and as such she is not so easily accessible for play.  The Rose Cottage Hittys have also been packed away and I do miss seeing them all and their house set up, so perhaps that will be something I resurrect in the new year.


I was gifted two wonderful Bleuettes during the year - well actually a Bleuette doll and a head, for which I eventually purchased a body and these two girls will always be very special to me.  They are good friends for Hazel.  I enjoyed making their matching dresses.


I bought two Suki dolls, one that was already painted and one to paint, and I really like these dolls.  Similar in design to  Sasha, Sebino Bettina and Crissy dolls.  


The girl I painted.

I was very good this year, with only one new Sasha, or rather Gregor doll joining us here at Rose Cottage.


'Jesse' a lovely red-headed boy arrived to take up the role of the Sailor Boy in my nautical group, thus freeing up Rory for interacting with the other lads in my stories.





Although I have been attempting to 'downsize' throughout the year, by selling and gifting some of the miscellaneous dolls that weren't getting the attention they should, sadly towards the end of this year it became apparent that I would need to take more drastic measures and sell some of my more special dolls in order to raise funds for continuing medical treatment for the pain issues that have escalated this year.  My American Girl collection has dramatically reduced and I am left with just two, Chrissy (Chrissa) who does the modelling for me and Saige whom my son bought me as a surprise birthday present a few years ago now, plus one that is still looking for a new home. Sadly I have also had to sell some of my precious Sasha dolls, and I still have some looking for new homes, and they can be found on my 'For Sale' page.  This has been the hardest thing to do, as it wasn't something I wanted to do, but rather something I have had to do.  I have also been selling off some of the props - albeit slowly and they are listed on the 'Props For Sale' page.

What is in store for 2018?  I have made no plans for the next year, what will be will be.  











Saturday 30 December 2017

A Day at the Circus

It is wild and windy out today and those lazy days in between Christmas and the New Year.  

Peggy Sue and Lewis decided to play circus games today.


They had fun setting it all up


Lewis wanted to work with the ponies.


Peggy Sue acted as the lion tamer...


The elephant was already well trained


and knew just what to do.


The acrobat showed off her skipping talents.


They had a lot of fun and it kept them busy for hours.

Wednesday 27 December 2017

Puzzles on a Wet Day

It is pretty bleak outside today.  This morning it was very windy with snow flurries and now it is just plain wet and grey!  The perfect way to spend such a day is inside in the warm with a puzzle.


Lewis and Peggy Sue decide to do one of the Wentworth Christmas puzzles.


I think we need a board to do it on.  Peggy Sue suggests.

Good idea, agrees Lewis.


A few minutes later they have made a good start.


Little Owen helps them, whilst Duffy the bear looks on.


It doesn't take them long...


Almost finished, just the novelty character pieces to put in.


Let's give Little Owen a clap for helping us.  Peggy Sue suggests.


Thank you for your help Owen.  Lewis says as he gives him a clap.


What a fun little puzzle that was.

Tuesday 26 December 2017

Gifts!

There are some amazingly thoughtful people out there and I am very grateful to them.  

Christmas was very frugal for us this year so imagine my delight when at the end of November I received a surprise package in the post from some dear friends in the USA.


Lots of wonderful packages.


A delightful card.

I had such fun opening them up.


An acrobat and accessories to go with one of my Schoenhut ponies.


A gorgeous vintage teddy bear who will fit right at home here with my other bears.


Some super clothes and a pair of shoes.


The pony meets his new mistress.  We are going to have fun for sure with these.


Janice tries on her new shoes which go perfectly with her knitted dress I made last year.

Thank you to some very special friends for your generosity and for bringing a smile to my face.  You are all amazing!  A very good lift indeed.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was in for another surprise a few days before Christmas when another unexpected parcel arrived at my doorstep.


This beautiful Christmas dress arrived from another super caring person.  Emily was thrilled to be the one chosen to wear it.  I felt she deserved it as after her 'surgery' to repair her arms, she had been languishing somewhat.  I think she looks much happier now.  

Thank you so much Robin B for your delightful gift and your thoughtfulness and encouragement the last couple of months, it really has been appreciated.


Sunday 24 December 2017

Advent 2017 - Day Twenty Four: Christmas Eve.


I think you should open the Calendar today Peggy Sue.  Henry tells her.

Oh are you sure?  Peggy Sue asks.

Absolutely.  Henry replies.


Peggy Sue looks for the final door.


It is in this top corner. She says.


Peggy Sue opens the door.


Goodness, I wonder what this is?  Peggy Sue says.


Oh open it please Peggy Sue.  I can't stand the suspense!  Henry tells her.


Oh my goodness!  Peggy Sue gasps.


Look, it is a ghost pirate!


I think he must go down here.  Peggy Sue says as she puts him on the rocks in front of the cave.


The scene is complete!  The pirate actually glows....IF we had known we needed to triple A batteries.  So we will have to show that after Christmas now!


The gang wish you a very Merry Christmas!