Thursday 31 December 2020

A Year in Review: 2020

Summing up the year...

It has been a strange year in so many ways, and I have been less involved with the dolls for a number of reasons. Most of which I won't go into on here.

There have been a few 'departures' and there will be more in the New Year as I refine my collection and focus.  I have had a lot of time to think about what direction I want to go in, and have a few ideas brewing.  I will be cutting down/stopping  posting on the social media platforms I am on and just posting on my blogs, this one and my Sasha blog: Sasha Haven   

I had a couple of creative periods where I made bears and tiny rag dolls, but in between those I have not had much creative mojo happening at all.  The bears and TRDs can be seen on previous posts.


I had four new dolls this year - one of which will be leaving.  The newbies are:



December saw the arrival of Sam just before Christmas - a gift to myself after seeing her on Ebay brand new in box for less than half the usual price.  I have wanted her for a long time, I think it is the orange tights! and so couldn't pass up the chance to get her.  I was a bit worried about whether I would like her or not as I have been quite 'off' dolls this year, and didn't like the boy doll Max when he arrived earlier in the year (shown below, and I am selling him).  



I got this sweet little Kathe Kruse doll in December as well and really like him.  I used to have three of these little dolls but sold them all a few years ago.  



A boy was added to the Gregor family in July, and has settled in well.



This is Max,  I thought I would really like him as I like boy dolls, and I should have sent him straight back without opening him, but I did open him, took a few photos and then put him straight back in the box where he has remained ever since.  For some reason I just don't like him, so he is looking for a new home.


Interestingly looking back on my first post of the year:


I didn't do too bad in sticking to my thoughts...I certainly created twenty items - more in fact.
I kept pretty much to the twenty dolls I had out at the beginning of the year, which was an interesting experiment.  Although I know I could never get down to just the twenty dolls.  I definitely like my Sasha and Schoenhut dolls too much to cut down on them, although will be cutting down on a lot of the other smaller vintage type dolls.  'Lockdown' put paid to visiting a lot of places with Henry, although he did visit a few places which was fun, and I hope to continue that more in the New Year.  I haven't felt much like taking travel companions out and about with me this year, but perhaps that will change.

I never finished my Carve a Hitty nor made her twenty items of clothing.  Getting ready for a move put paid to that, and she has sat on my shelf by my computer ever since...just waiting to be finished.

So that was pretty much my year really.  

I hope everyone has a good New Year's Eve.


Saturday 19 December 2020

Peggy Sue and Lewis meet Elf on the Shelf



Lewis is intrigued with what Peggy Sue is holding.


It's my little Elf on the Shelf.  She tells him.


Cool.  Lewis says.




He keeps an eye on us to make sure we are good, and reports back to Father Christmas.  Peggy Sue explains to Lewis.


I better make sure I am extra good.  Lewis thinks to himself.

Friday 18 December 2020

Don't Wake the Baby


What have you got there Mary?


Shhh... don't wake the baby.


Aw, so sweet.

 

Thursday 17 December 2020

An Advent Afternoon Tea Party


The Rose Cottage Friends were invited to an Advent Afternoon Tea Party so new dresses had to be made - of course!  Nothing like leaving it to the last minute though.  Both Peggy Sue and Mary got a new dress.


Peggy Sue got given some new tights from her friend Poppy and couldn't wait to show them off as they matched her dress so well.


Pru, one of the hosts was given a new dress by Peggy Sue and Mary and she tried it on immediately and seemed pretty pleased with it.  Henry felt a little out of place with the Schoenhut girls...


So went to say hello to the Sasha girls before going to spend some time with FredErik.


Pru and Mary enjoyed some special time together


I think they are going to become very good friends.

 

Friday 11 December 2020

Two Sweet Girls ready for Christmas



Mary has found a Christmas dress to wear, so she is feeling pretty happy.


She has been out in the garden collecting greenery for decorations.



I received a lovely surprise gift from a dear friend of mine in the post today.


A sweet violet haired Designafriend Doll from Argos.  She has managed to squeeze herself into one of the slightly larger Christmas dresses, and is keen to meet the Rose Cottage Friends.




Wednesday 9 December 2020

Nisha dresses for Christmas


My one and only Girl for All Time, Nisha in her Christmas outfit.  I have had her over four years now which surprised me.  I didn't realise it was that long.



 

Tuesday 8 December 2020

Pretty in Christmas Pink


Space Sindy is featuring today in the run up to Christmas... of course she had to be all dressed in pink!


Not only that, but she found some pink flowers to pose next to.


 

Friday 4 December 2020

Getting Festive

 The Rose Cottage Friends are starting to feel a little festive...



Lindsey has donned a pretty knitted Christmas dress


She is joined by Everlee Rose and Sophia who are admiring some of the toys.


This shelf will gradually evolve over the next few weeks.


Peggy Sue has put on one of her favourite dresses of the season.


Hazel wants to start decorating her little tree.



Martha, Eva and Nancy have changed into Christmas clothes.



(This so called 'New UN-improved layout, means that the photos load on the opposite order to how you want them...took me several goes to get them in the right order...now I know that they load back to front it should make it a little easier....BUT WHY do they do this??)  


Tuesday 27 October 2020

Introducing Dorothy.

 I don't think I have ever really done a proper post of Dorothy my lovely 16/317 Open and Close Eyes Miss Dolly.  She has been with me over three years now.  She is wearing a nautical outfit I made a few years ago. 



Such a lovely fresh looking face.




She is in really lovely condition so she doesn't tend to feature much in my stories as I am scared of 'injuring' her!  




Tuesday 20 October 2020

New Shoes

 Some of the Schoenhut girls have some new shoes which they were very excited about.


Rebekah Grace got a lovely pair of pink shoes which she declared went perfectly with her pink dress.



Peggy Sue got a new pair of yellow shoes that go nicely with her knitted dress and beret.



Mary has a lovely pair of jade coloured shoes that match her knitted socks and dress nicely.



She wanted to shoe you them when standing up too.


While they were trying on their new shoes....


Janice was taking it easy...she already had a lovely pair of shoes made by Schoenhut Cobbler Maureen Leshko which are a perfect match for the knitted dress I made her a few years ago.


Rebekah Grace joins her on the chaise lounge.


Such sweet girls.



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

The new shoes worn by Rebekah Grace, Peggy Sue and Mary were bought from Petrana at Sasha-Doll.  

It can be difficult to get shoes to fit the Schoenhut especially in the UK, so it is nice to be able to get some shoes that work with these dolls.

The little pink pair worn by Rebekah Grace are for I believe the Pongratz dolls. She is a 14/105

Peggy Sue has on a Sasha pair of shoes, they are a little big, she has more toddler size feet, but they work with insoles and thick knitted socks as shown.  Peggy Sue is 16 inches tall.

Mary is 19 inches tall and is also wearing a Sasha pair of shoes (without an insole)  with knitted socks.  She is a 19/308