HOLIDAY VEST FOR GREGOR

In 2008 I offered this free vest pattern. Here it is again in case you missed it the first time or have recently joined one of the Sasha groups. In the days ahead I will show you all various ways to use the pattern to make delightful vests for Gregor.

While this is not a challenge I'm sure everyone will want to see your designs so I will happily post any photographs sent in.

This is a simple "almost no-sew" design that works really well with plaids and prints because it does not involve pattern matching.

Send an e-mail to SashaStreetUSA@aol.com with the word VEST in the subject line.

MITTENS TIME

There is a chill in the air and that means it will soon be mittens time for Sasha and Gregor. Here is Gregor wearing a pair of Tommy Hilfiger hot pink mittens and also wearing a pair of bright yellow mittens made from my free mittens pattern.

If you would like to make some mittens for your Sasha dolls just send an e-mail to SashaStreetUSA@aol.com and put the word MITTENS in the subject line. ENJOY

BORROWING FASHIONS - MORE TOLLY FUN

Gregor is delighted with this TOLLY GIRL snowboarder outfit. Everything fits him except the original boots so he is wearing a pair of the Ugg style boots from The Shop on Sasha Street. Gregor really likes the oversize sunglasses that I had to reshape (with a hair dryer) to fit his head. A nip and tuck quickly fixed the slightly oversize waist band.

Now all we have to do is wait for the first snowfall and then we can hit the slopes.

SAY HELLO TO FIONA

I recently taught an online bear-making class at EbearZ University. The class was based on one of my earlier bears named TOOTS who has lots of attitude and posed with her paws on her hips. The class offered alternate arm designs and FIONA is the straight arm version. She is named for the heroine of the musical BRIGADOON.

She is currently being offered for adoption on eBay -- item number 120641529112

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Sasha and Gregor go pumpkin hunting and then gather their friends to celebrate Halloween.

Trick or Treat and things that go bump in the night. And a big BOO.

BORROWING FASHIONS - TOLLY GIRL

Gregor was delighted to find this TOLLY GIRL outfit that looks like it was made for a boy rather than a girl. In fact, several of the TOLLY GIRL outfits look more masculine than feminine. These dolls are an American Girl size and shape but fit Sasha or Gregor with only minor alterations. This outfit had rather baggy cargo style pants so I narrowed the legs to look more like military issue.

The jacket has a metallic finish and interesting detailing on the shoulders. The sleeveless T-shirt is an interesting style change from the usual version.

AUTUMN LEAVES

Last year at this time there was a riot of colored leaves and the air was brisk and crisp. This year we are still having very warm weather and the leaves have simply turned brown and dropped off the trees.

Here are images of Sasha and Teddy walking through the leaves last year. The day was bright and chilly but the colors were bright and warm.

MIX & MATCH FUN

Sasha is having a purple and lavender mix & match day. She just got this winter TOLLY GIRL skating outfit from eBay and, of course, not everything fit perfectly because those dolls are 18 inches tall. But, the white fur hat, jacket, and muff all fit like a glove. Oh, speaking of gloves, the outfit has mittens but they will need to be altered to fit. The lavender tights are a bit oversize but are easy to adjust to fit -- we added garters. The ice skating skirt needed to have the waist altered a bit.

Now the fun began as we went through Sasha's wardrobe to find matching pieces. The shirt and fur boots are from a BEST FRIENDS CLUB outfit and match perfectly.

Now Sasha is ready for some winter fun -- just as soon as the snow starts to fall.

HALLOWEEN SKULLS

Doll models are almost as difficult to work with as the human version. Probably there is nothing more difficult or frustrating than to try photographing three models interacting. I wanted to show these three delightful skull design sweaters created for me by Dianne Lam -- but, Sasha just couldn't make up her mind which boy to interact with. The sweaters are a great success even if this photo session is a bit of a disaster.

TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE

Big Greg thought it might be fun to borrow the bee costume from Baby Greg's friend, SNEAKABOO. Everything fit except the hat so I had to create one for him.

So, now the big question is -- TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE.

HALLOWEEN IS COMING

Here is Baby Greg with his friend "SNEAKABOO" from the MADI doll collection created by The Itty Bitty Toy Company. You might remember that Baby Greg borrowed a "Mister Fish" costume from "SNEAKABOO." They are discussing plans for Halloween and trying to decide what costumes to wear. The Bee outfit that "SNEAKABOO" is wearing is his basic outfit and he is thinking about wearing something else to go on a TRICK OR TREAT adventure.

BOY STYLE - SPORT GEAR

Gregor thinks this multiple garment ensemble is terrific. The gray and maroon color scheme is carried throughout. The pants convert from long track style pants to shorts with a zipper all around each leg. There is a T-shirt with a logo and a sweatshirt with a different logo. Finally there is a zippered hoodie with an adjustable waistband. All garments are beautifully made and stylishly designed. A winning sport ensemble.

BOY STYLE - BOYS LOVE CAMO

Gregor is delighted with this new outfit that features a camo print long sleeve T-shirt and camo print hoodie. These are paired with forest green corduroy trousers and tan suede high-top shoes.

TED'S TOYS - LEGGY

Following the success of WORLD OF LOVE, the marketing team at HASBRO took inspiration again from the YARDLEY gift wrap and developed a concept called LEGGY. Basically, LEGGY was a doll with fashion illustration proportions -- normal torso with extremely long legs. The idea was originally supposed to be a line similar to WORLD OF LOVE with boxed dolls. But, midway into design concepts the plans changed to a plastic blister card to hang on a rack. This style of merchandise is generally lower priced and the LEGGY line ended up being marketed at a much lower price point than LOVE. While the original packaging and fashions were more extensive, the final version was a hit with little girls. It even developed a sort of cult following among adult collectors.