HO HO HO

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE

from TED and the SASHA GANG

A SIMPLE SOLUTION

If you are looking for a great background material to photograph your Sasha dolls against here is a simple and inexpensive solution. It is a sturdy vinyl sheet with a graduated color background going from dark to light. You can use it either way -- dark to light or light to dark. Each sheet is 31 x 43 inches and costs about $40.00. I got this version from an eBay store that specializes in photography equipment. The sheets come in a variety of color schemes. This one is brown to white.
It is sturdy and has a soft matte finish that doesn't reflect or bounce light that might create hot spots in your photograph. And it simply rolls up for storage.

Available here: http://shop.ebay.com/2sistersphotosales/m.html

SNOWBOUND SASHAS

The Sashas woke up to discover that we are snowbound under more than twenty inches of snow. They were up at first light and tried to look over the snow piled up against their window sill but it was too high.
"Let's go into the studio." they shouted.

Teddy Bear joined them as they peered into the white blanket of snow that covered everything.
"I can't see." cried Teddy Bear who was too small to see over the snow piled against the window sill.
"Look how pretty our favorite evergreen tree looks. Hooray -- we will have a white Christmas!"

WINTER BIRDS

Here are the kids looking out the window at a flock of birds that have landed in the tree just outside their window. Ever since the snow began these birds, and many others, have been perched in the branches nibbling at the remaining leaves untouched by autumn's winds. The branches sway back and forth from their weight and the wind that is gusting and sending snow flurries through the branches. It is quite a sight and the Sashas are loving it.

A SLED FOR SASHA

Here is Gregor showing off two new sleds that are perfect for a Sasha to go wooshing down a hill.

On the left is a classic RADIO FLYER sled available on eBay for about $5 if you get lucky. On the right is an AMERICAN GIRL sled also available on eBay for about $35 if you get lucky.
Both sleds are made a wood with metal runners. And both are a good scale for a Sasha doll. Personally I think the RADIO FLYER version is more interesting looking and is more delicately crafted. They are just a bit more difficult to find.
RADIO FLYER makes several sizes so it is important to make sure you are bidding on the 16-inch version.
RADIO FLYER also makes delightful bikes and wagons in a Sasha size. When searching on eBay use the search term "Radio Flyer" or "doll sled" to get the best results.

HAPPY SLEDDING

BRING ON THE SNOW

Here is one of my blonde Sasha "sisters" getting ready for the next snowfall. She is from the early 70s and has lovely eyes with an iris outline. Today she is dressed completely in a RUTH'S DOLLS outfit. She loves her matching pink ankle boot shoes and the fact that her mittens are connected by a thin cord so they won't get lost.
She has her RADIO FLYER sled that was discovered on eBay. Now all she needs is SNOW.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A HAT MAKES

Some little girls crave an endless variety of shoes. This Sasha delights in an extensive collection of knitted hats -- one for every mood or occasion. She has found them in a variety of colors and patterns. There is a simple knitted "watch cap" knitted in a mixture of light and dark "oatmeal" colors. There is the chocolate one with a simple pattern around the edge. The oversize shaggy one looks like it was made from a carpet remnant. There is a dark taupe long "Santa" cap with an oversize pom-pom and matching scarf. The ivory Irish knit "watch cap" also has an oversize pom-pom that gives it a jaunty look.
Each cap seems to change her "look" completely and to suit her various moods which are too numerous to name.

SASHA SNOW DAY

We had a bit of snow last night and the girls decided to dress for the event.

STUBBORN SASHA HAS A ZIT

Poor Stubborn Sasha has a boo-boo on her cheek and has to use OXY-10 to remove it. I had not noticed it until the other day while photographing her. At first I thought it was a spec of dirt but alas it is a bit more and needs deep cleaning. Luckily, I had ordered some OXY-10 to remove a fabric stain on the belly of one of my Gregor triplets. So now we must all wait to see if this stuff really works.

CALEB'S NEW LITTLE SISTER

Caleb is delighted to have a new baby sister and she is making friends quickly. The Sasha babies are so delightful and are wonderful models to photograph. While the older kids keep encouraging me to adopt more friends, the babies have not been so aggressive in their demands except they do seem to acquire more stuffed critter companions

STUBBORN SASHA

Here is STUBBORN SASHA who is also known as MY FAVORITE SASHA. Our story appears in the current issue of SASHA WORLD.
I call her "Stubborn Sasha" for a couple of reasons. First, she has that persistent stray strand of hair that always falls in front of her face no matter what I do. I think it was actually intended to be part of her fringe since it falls between two sections of her fringe. However, it does give her a distinct attitude and contributes to her personality. The more obvious reason she is called "Stubborn Sasha" is that no matter how hard I try, she refuses to pose in any other position unless I strap her to a doll stand -- which she hates.
She is also known around here as the "innocent twin" since she is almost an exact duplicate of my "naughty twin" who has a somewhat arch expression and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
There are pictures of them together on earlier postings of this blog.

RUPUNZEL LET DOWN YOUR LONG HAIR

"Rupunzel, Rupunzel -- let down your long hair."

My Sashas love fairy tales and this little girl has found a way to be one of her favorite characters -- RUPUNZEL. This is a beautiful wig that I purchased several years ago for one of my BJD dolls. At the time it was pretty expensive -- as almost everything was that came from the Asian BJD companies. It is a beautifully crafted wig and the curls are in perfect doll-size scale.

Rupunzel is hoping that a Prince will climb up the tower and save her. Perhaps my Prince Gregor will accept the challenge.

THE TRIPLETS MODEL NEW SWEATERS

My blonde Gregor triplets are always on the lookout for fabulous new sweaters. They already have an impressive collection. Recently they added these three sweaters and matching hats. The turquoise sweater, hat, and trousers were created by Nikki at SASHA DOLL STYLE. The other two sweaters were created by Patricia at KNITS BY TRISH and were discovered on eBay. Nikki is in the UK and Trish is in Australia.
The three boys are delighted with their new autumn sweaters and will certainly enjoy them well into the winter months.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

The kids gather around the pumpkin that they just carved into a Jack-O-Lantern in celebration of Halloween. Now is the time for Trick or Treat and saying BOO to all their friends.

MY FIRST SASHA HALLOWEEN

A few months after I adopted my first Sasha and Gregor dolls I created a Halloween window for "dollsandreams" -- the shop where I first discovered Sasha. I dressed several dolls in various costumes including a Sasha witch and a Gregor scarecrow. One of the most popular costumes among the young collectors was a simple white ghost sheet with patches made of small print fabric. For whatever reason, these Halloween sheets were a big hit and there was a lot of noise as the kids played with their sheet clad dolls on the shop floor.
"BOO"
"BOO"
"BOO" they all cried out as they menaced one another.
Children never cease to amaze and bewilder me because their joy with simple things often eludes our adult understanding.
My beautifully crafted costumes just appealed to the adults. The ghost sheets were made magical by the imaginations of the children.

BRINGING HOME THE PUMPKIN

Gregor and Sasha are bringing home the pumpkin that will soon become a Jack-O-Lantern to celebrate Halloween.

GATHERING AUTUMN LEAVES

Sasha and Gregor go autumn leaf gathering and return home to share their discoveries with Teddy and Baby.

AUTUMN DAYS

The kids love to look out the window at the autumn leaves. Life in the country suits them -- and me. Later today we will go leaf hunting.

FREE "TRICK OR TREAT" TOTE BAG

Sasha and Gregor are all set to go TRICK OR TREAT Halloween goodie collecting with this cut-and-assemble printable tote bag.

If you would like your kids to join them just send an e-mail with the word "HALLOWEEN" in the SUBJECT line and I will send you the printable art. Just use the e-mail link below.

SashaStreetNYC@aol.com

SASHA & TEDDY TAKE A STROLL

Sasha and Teddy love the lawns and gardens around my new apartment building. Today they are playing among the autumn leaves on a sunny afternoon.

MY TWO TREE HUGGERS

After living most of my 77 years in New York City I recently moved to Chestnut Hill Village -- a suburb of Philadelphia, PA. While there was some culture shock involved, the Sashas and I have adjusted nicely.
Now we wake up to clean, fresh air and look out the windows at beautiful trees and lush green lawns. This little community is beautifully maintained and the apartment is all brand new.
Now the Sashas and Gregors can play outside and, as you can see, even climb a small tree. Life in the country has many advantages and I am learning to take advantage of all of them.
The great thing about this complex is that there is a mini shopping center directly across the street that includes a Post Office and a UPS store. And the train station is there as well and in Philadelphia all public transportation is only one dollar for senior citizens. You can buy a ten-trip ticket for $8.50 so every ride is just 85 cents.
So I don't need a car and can just hop on the train and be in the city of Philadelphia in 30 minutes. The train station there is right under The Gallery -- a huge shopping mall. And a charming doll shop, Happily Ever After, is just a few blocks away.
I'm still unpacking and organizing but I wanted to start posting on this blog again plus all the kids are anxiously waiting to be photographed enjoying their latest adventures

SAY HELLO TO GREGOR

Say hello to my newest blonde GREGOR. He was "born" in 1974 and arrived MIB from a very nice eBay seller. His box is a bit worn but still had the punch-outs inside along with his booklet. He was still secured with the original white rubber bands which had not rotted or melted. His only "flaw" is a tiny green spot on one ankle from the snap on his sandal.
Sometimes destiny takes a hand in our adoptions. I was outbid for a similar doll the previous week. I found this charming chap early one morning just minutes after he was listed with a great BIN price. I adopted him on the spot.

GREGOR AS "ROCKY"

Here is GREGOR all dressed up as "ROCKY" and ready to rumble. The boxing gloves were purchased from Shelly in England. The trunks were a birthday gift from Andrea at THE DOLL WORKS.

DOES SIZE MATTER?

My first Sasha dolls were all adopted from "dollsandreams" back in the early 1970s. They all came in tubes and were all the same size.
My second Sasha family was created a few years ago when I decided to replace my first family that was lost in a move to California.
This new family spans several years of Trendon production and so my kids are all different sizes.
On the far left is my new MARINA who is the tallest. On the far right is CALEB who is the shortest. He appears to be as tall as my blonde SASHA but he is just slightly smaller. This range of production sizes has been a favorite topic among collectors and a bit of a problem when attempting to date the "birth" year of a particular doll.
My blonde SASHA is from 1970 and her brother, GREGOR, is from about the same time. The two brunettes are obviously from very different production periods. The PINAFORE has lighter brunette hair and softer coloring. MARINA has very dark hair and brighter coloring as well as a lighter complexion.
I like this new group because they actually resemble the variations that occur with children in real life.
Like MARINA, I was the tallest kid who was "big for my age" and always put in the back row or last in line.

SAY HELLO TO MARINA

Say hello to my newest brunette Sasha -- Marina. She was a very lucky find on eBay. I discovered her only minutes after she was listed with a very low BIN adoption fee. Her photos in the auction showed that she still had her original hair net and was still held in her box with the original white rubber bands. I had no idea if her hair was falling but didn't want to risk losing her so my finger hit the BUY NOW.
She arrived yesterday and still has a factory new fragrance. Her hair is perfect and her fringe is even and not too thick. Of course her box shows some wear and damage from being stored away for years. It amazes me that no one ever took her out to play. As a result, she is rather shy around strangers.