After Lunch and before The Children’s Fund Auction, we had The Experts Tables which were very informative.

There were four experts tables.

Number 1 as I went around them started with a display on how to re-string your doll by Anne Santucci.

here she is hard at work

 

The next table I visited was Anne Votaw’s wonderful display of studio dolls. I was very honoured that my studio Inge  was on display and that Anne told her story. Anne also advised us how to look after our studio dolls and how to identify them.

Anne Votaw is sitting by the table in a lovely green outfit.

Below is Inge looking very proud at sharing the platform with her American cousins.

Marti Murphy made this girls dress and it suits her so well.

Love this girl

Diane’s new bebe, Anni, in the pink gingham.

A glunk doll whose eyes were painted by Sasha Morgenthaler

I could have stayed looking at those beauties forever, but before long it was time to visit my next table.

 

 

Ann Chandler’s table was my next visit and Ann was advising us on how to use different types of fabric. How to check if a vintage fabric would stand the test of time or would fall apart and be no good to spend a lot of time and effort on. It was fascinating to listen to especially if you enjoy sewing as I do.

Ann Chandler demonstrating which fabrics are suitable for Sasha or Gregor.

The suit that this Gregor is wearing was completely hand sewn by Ann Chandler and I just love it.

In this photo Ann is a young child and the dress she is wearing in the photo is the dress on the table, which at some point will be made into an outfit for Sasha.

The next photo is of an older Ann, she is on the right in this photo and I believe the beautiful dress she is wearing has since been made into an outfit for Sasha.

 

 

All too soon it was time to move onto the next table and this time it was Dawn Law showing how to curl your dolls hair in a permanent tight curl.

Dawn sets to work measuring the pipe cleaner which is used as the curler.

Combing a small piece of hair out and dampening it with water.

Rolling the hair under onto the pipe cleaner.

Until the whole head is covered in pipe cleaner curlers.  Then hold the baby over the sink and pour boiling water over the curlers, being careful not to burn yourself, then leave until the hair is dry and remove the curlers.

Hey Presto a head of bouncing curls.

 

 

 

Now the last table I visited was a re-rooting demonstration by the lovey Sheila Foery.

 

Sheila uses a medium sized doll needle

A pair of clamps

 

Sheila cuts the tip off of the doll needle so that it resembles a mini tuning fork

Now early Gotz doll heads are a lot softer than Trendon doll heads, if you need to heat the dolls heard first, Sheila has come up with a brilliant idea, by using a microwavable heat pad like the ones you can get to heat your neck ect. If you heat your pad or neck warmer in the microwave then apply it to your dolls head to heat it up in order to put the needle through. You will need to do this a few times but it is a lot less messy than hot water or  a hairdryer.

Select the strands of hair you are going to use and bend them in half over the top of you needle end, then wrap the rest of the hair around your needle twice holding firmly in you hand. Place the needle on the clamp and push into the hole on the dolls head tuning fork end first. Push in so that the needle goes in a good way, release you hand so that the hair is released and pull the needle out. The hair is now in place and will not come out.

 

I hope you have enjoyed The Expert Tables as much as I did. A big thank you to all our experts. .

Tomorrow will be The Sales Tables.

Thanks for looking…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

I managed to take a photo of each of the Children’s Fund Auction items along with the amount each item made for charity. Starting with number 1 here goes.

1

Dress sunbonnet, pinafore,pantalets and walnut bundle baby. Socks and shoes not included, donated by Margaret pichard – raised $35

 

2.

 

Beret, cape, a 1900s inspired dress, jump rope, cup and saucer. Shoes and socks not included. Donated by Barb Steinberg raised -$35

 

3. 

Boy and girl Seminole Indian outfit, donated by Susan Stern – raised $40

 

4. 

Cora in mismarked box. Donated by Susan Buchau raised $110

 

5. 

Cotton dress with lace trimmed collar, donated by Judith Easthorpe  raised $40

6. 

Pink dropped waist dress with a matching hat, pendant necklace and shoes. Fun day souvenir from 1999. Donated by Anne Votaw raised $45

7. 

Coat,hat dropped waist dress, a bag and legging with zippers at the ankles. Donated by Gail Hathaway raised $55

 

8. 

Tent and sleeping bags for Sasha. Donated by Janell Haddock raised $55

 

9. 

100% cotton smocked dress with matching pants and hair ribbon. Donated by Julie Ruleman raised $160

 

10. 

Original art work by Phyllis Goedeke based on pictures in the Sasha Puppen book, raised$45

 

11. 

Baby Cara complete with outfit and box, donated by Willa Pettygrove, raised $100

 

12. 

Authentic African outfit donated by Jeanna Bauer, raised $70

 

13. 

Faux-fur trimmed poncho made from printed fleece, grey pants and lace up boots. Donated by Phyllis Goedeke, raised $55

 

14. 

Vintage light pink embroidered Swiss organdie with a full slip, half slip, silk sash, a choker necklace and hair bow. Donated by Sara Hart, raised $50

 

 

15. 

Tunic, leggings,knit cap,leather belt and sandals donated by Monica Jarpey, raised $80

 

 

16.  

Summer dress with embroidered skirt and matching pants and a matching crochet shawl. Donate by Cindy Calabria,raised $40

 

17. 

Dolly Doodles outfits for Gregor, vest and jogging pants, for Sasha,jeans and a top. Donated by Ellen Church and Betsy Roberts, raised $70

 

18. 

Wobbler and wardrobe created by the Minnesota Sasha friends, raised $230

 

19. 

Flowered jumper, Jeans and shoes, donated by Diane Duke,. Noreen Walters and Judith Easthorpe, raised $600

 

 

20. 

Vintage cream wool coat and liberty of London dress, shoes and socks. Donated by Gerry Brodt, raised $90

21.

Moni Doll with wardrobe and carry case. Donated by Phyllis Goedeke, raised $130

 

22. 

Princess Charlotte style sweater, gingham dress, handmade bunny, Trendon socks and Boneka shoes.Donated by Anne and Izzy Santucci, raised $300

 

23. 

Studio style dress with a crocheted collar. Donated by Heidi Wheeler, raised $40

 

24. 

Souvenirs from Florida Festival 2004. Boy and girl’s swim suits with tote bag and towel. Donated by Gail Hathaway, raised $45

 

25. 

A special all hand sewn dress, chemise and panties  by Ann Chandler. Donated by Jackie Kraemer, raised $105

 

26.  

A Binder full of vintage sewing and knitting patterns, Donated by Gail Hathaway, raised $70

 

27. 

A sexed Sasha baby wearing an original outfit by Janet Myhill-Dabbs. Donated by Janet Myhill-Dabbs and Peggy Livingstone, raised $170

 

28.  

Green dress, apron, underwear, hat, boots, socks, necklace and book. Donated by Mary Sampson aka (Betsymay) and the Santucci ladies, raised $150

 

29. 

Cotton PJs for Sasha and Gregor, a onsie for baby, a quilt, 2 bath robes,cotton diapers and dolly with PJs. Donated by Pamela Jo Tagashira, raised $60

 

30. 

Doll sized quilt made from hand dyed batik fabrics. Donated by Linda Hord, raised $110

 

31. 

Sailing outfit with sweater and linen pants. Donated by Maureen Hallenbeck, raised $60

 

32. 

Aqua sundress and pants,denim skirt and pink hoody set made by Dolly Doodles. Donated by Betsy Roberts, raised $70

 

33. 

Rare full centre part, red haired dungarees girl. Donated by Jackie Kraemer, raised $1050

 

34. 

Complete set of Friends of Sasha newsletters. Donated by Dorisanne Osbourne, raised $205

 

35. 

sleeveless embroidered dress with detachable tulle overlay, shoes socks and hair ribbon. Donated by Norvell Jones, raised $110

 

36. 

Baby in an outfit by Christine Durand, mittens by Ellen Church, skis, poles socks and shoes. Donated by Ellen Church raised $350

 

37. 

Studio doll portrait donated by Phyllis Goedeke, raised$ 40

 

38. 

Liberty of London dress, pantalets, slip,socks and shoes donated by Sheila  Foery, raised $105

 

39.

Llama sweater donated by Rosie Shortell and Kendal Hackney, raised $150

 

40. 

2 wonderful existentialist outfits in the style of Sasha’s Chicago Black Studio dolls, by Susana Lewis, raised $410

 

41. 

Henry’s adventure book. Donated by Henry Holiday and Lorraine Tyler, raised $60

 

42.

Curly baby with romper, Peter rabbit blankie, pillow and all accessories. Donated by Dawn Law, raised $200

 

43.  

Sweater and skirt made form hand stamped fabric. Donated by Rosie laird, raised $200

 

44. 

Florida Festival souvenirs donated by Susan Steirn, raised $35

 

45. 

Complete set of 5 pairs of ankle strap shoes with Sasha symbol box. Donated by Carol Sluys, raised $145

 

46. 

Outfit by Francis Trickett. Donated by Betsy Roberts raised $90

 

47. 

1969 re-root by Jackie Rydstrom, wearing a dress by Sharon Humphries and shoes by Lisa Hartley. Donated by Betsy Roberts raised $385

 

48. 

Studio doll outfit donated by Pat Pellerito, raised $125

 

49. 

Outfit including smocked dress, shoes and socks by Boneka. Donated by Jackie Kraemer, raised $100

 

50. 

Janet Myhill-Dabbs repaint little tike with outfit, with basket and quilt. Donated by Janet, raised $160

 

51. 

Matching baby and Sasha outfits with wagon, hats and flags. Donated by Lynne Field, raised $100

 

52. 

Elegant evening outfits for Sasha and Gregor. Donated by JoAnn Staricha, raised $100

 

53. 

Studio portrait by Phyllis Goedeke, raised $60

 

54.

9 patch design quilt. Donated by Linda Hord, raised $40

 

55. 

Halloween outfits for Sasha and Gregor and baby. Donated by Phyllis Goedeke, raised $110

 

56. 

Smocked dress and wool jacket, donated by Ellen Church and Betsy Roberts, Raised $130

 

57. 

Wooden toys by Doll Mum, with special rocking horse, raised $95

 

58. 

White dress baby mint in box. Donated by Susanne Buchau, raised $95

 

59. 

4-piece Malawian dress set with original Sasha sandals included. Donated by Jeanna Bauer, raised $130

 

60. 

Yellow smocked dress and hat donated by Tricia Jackson, raised $95

 

61. 

Cardigan made by Theresa O’Neill, dress by Vicky Chapman and shoes by Rosie Bloom. Donated by Theresa O’Neill, raised $110

 

62. 

Cora in outfit by Marti Murphy, donated by Marti Murphy, Cora donated by Elizabeth Miserek, raised $230

 

63. 

coat set including wool coat, scarf, hat and mittens. Donated by Ellen Church and Karen Warnaka, raised $150

 

64. and 65

Lined poncho, pants, red sneakers and T-shirt, donated by Phyllis Goedeke, raised $40

Queens Treasures china for Sasha donated by Mary Righos, raised $30

 

66.

Sasha Doll Through The Years, donated by Gail Rotheim, raised $55

 

 

67. 

Baby Ginger complete with box, donated by Willa Pettygrove,raised $100

 

68. 

Studio portrait by Phyllis Goedeke, raised $120

 

69.

Outfit from 2004 Sasha Festival. Donated by Susan Steirn, raised $55

 

70. 

Baby suit made by Rosie Shortell, including shoes. Donated by Rosie Shortell and Kendal Hackney, raised $110

 

71. 

Babt White bird with original clothes. Donated by Jan Jillson, raised $75

 

72. 

Two 1005 cotton Halloween dresses with pants. Donated by Maureen Hallenbeck, raised $100

 

73. 

sweet dress with embroidery to the front, matching pants and crocheted shawl. Donated by Cindy Calabria, raised $50

 

74. 

Thanksgiving outfits. Donated by Phyllis Goedeke, raised $ 150

 

75. 

Limited edition Harlequin donated by Jan Jillson, raised $195

 

76.  and 77.

76. Dress made by Petrana, donated by Betsy Roberts, raised $100

77. Toddler outfit made and donated by Judith easthorpe, raised $75

 

78. 

Vintage style dress in peach donated by Heidi Wheeler, raised, $80

 

79. 

Cora with flower dress and sandals, donated by Ginger Mullins, raised $170

 

80. 

Christmas outfit, donated by Maureen Hallenbeck, raised $65

 

81. 

Vinyl cape and coordinating skirt, donated by Phyllis Goedeke, raised $35

 

82. 

Cotton dress and pinafore donated by Shirley Bennett, raised $70

 

83. 

A baby dress made form a vintage tea towel form the 2014 Festival. Donated by Linda Hord, raised $40

 

84.

2016 Festival souvenir, raised $110

 

85. 

Sasha Studio portrait by Mary Krump, raised $125

 

86. 

Outfit by Lorraine Tyler, raised $45

 

87. 

Halloween dress, raised $ 50

 

88. 

 

 

Baby waif raised $75

Creative Playthings catalogue raised $40

89. And 90.

 

 

Poster raised $75

91. 

 

 

Sasha Studio Portrait, raised $55

92. 

Last but by no means least, a beautiful smoked dress donated by  Julie Ruleman, raised $160

93.

Wow, what an auction that was and lets not forget our auctioneer Sheila who reminded us when bidding “It’s For The Children”

Total for the Auction according to my calculator was.$11,175

Here’s a little reminder.

Tomorrows post will be the experts tables, thanks for looking….

 

 

Today is the 2nd day of the Sasha Festival, we had our breakfast buffet and Welcome.

The breakfast was  a choice of hot or cold breakfast with fruit, Danish’s and hot or cold drinks.

At Breakfast we were given our Sasha Festival Annual and a lovely welcome by Charla followed by the  gift exchange, which was a little different this year. We all had our Festival number and were called up table by table and which ever number you drew, was the person you gave your gift to.

I received a wonderful gift for a baby from Monica Jarpey and Heidi Wheeler received my gift. All the items I received by gift, raffle or purchase will be shown together in my last blog.

 

 

 

At luncheon Elisabeth Mizerek  was our host and after breakfast she presented us with our first Festival souvenir, which was a Spa for Sasha with a lovely white robe.

 

Elizabeth then gave us a Hostess gift from herself,  a lovely dress and pants made by Vicky Chapman. Also a miniature friend of Thomas the tank engine

Below are lots of photos of the other tables at lunch time.

(Above) I love these two photos of Jinny lee Myers and Ann Chandler chatting away and they have done this every year since the First Sasha Festival.

 

There was a lot going on with setting up the Children’s fund auction, setting up for Dress a Sasha and setting up for the Helpers. I purchased some helper and raffle tickets. Some of the younger members were enjoying playing around, whilst others were writing out their raffle tickets.

 

 

 

I had started to photograph the Helper prizes and then realised that I had not yet voted on the Dress A Sasha. Here are the Helper prizes that I did mange to photograph.

So happy then Jinny Lee Myers won the $100 note.

There were many more Helper prizes than this but I did not get to photograph them all. I did win a lovely little outfit and will post a photo in my last blog.

 

There were 3 main raffle prizes. First this lovely little lady donated by Ellen Church

 

2nd main raffle prize was this lovely baby brunette, a real cutie.

The 3rd main raffle prize was Raffie a customised Toddler.

Now I have photograph every Children’s Fund Auction item and I will post them on a separate blog along with the amount each item made for charity.

 

Here are the photos from the Dress a Sasha Competition

Pin the tail on the donkey

Sewing and playing with dolls

 

 

Studio painting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow will be the Children’s Fund Auction, thank you for looking…

 

 

 

Wednesday night and Ida, Pierot and their bunny were settling down for the night.

 

Ida confides in Pierot that she is a bit nervous about meeting her American cousins, so Pierot reassures her with a cuddle and leaves her to read Bunny a bed time story.

Lights out I say and Ida asks, “Do I really have to wear this hairnet”, of course dear you need to look your best for tomorrow.

Goodnight see you in the morning.

 

Up bright and early Thursday morning, but as registration wasn’t until the afternoon, Dawn, Gayle, myself and a bunch of lovely ladies took off to Washington Dulles town centre.

We found this great train inside the shopping mall

Joni thought it was great fun.

Next it was off to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch and of course the famous cheesecake, which we all enjoyed.

Then it was back to the hotel for registration and meet and greet.

Cathy Himmel set up a table with some of her dolls on them and she had asked me to bring along my JerryBerry dolls, which are small ball jointed dolls so they could meet her  jerryBerry doll .

They all got along well, Cathy’s girl is the one in the blue wool wig.

little softie came along too

I made a new friend

Other people started to gather in the hall

Ida met her first American cousin a beautiful fringe girl belonging to Heidi Wheeler.

 

We signed cards for the people that unfortunately could not make it this year.

Tomorrow the Festival post will continue, thanks for looking…

 

By Wednesday Dawn Law and Lee Moore had arrived. Joni and I met up with them to do some sightseeing. It was an extremely hot day at 95 degrees.

Dawn, Joni and I had arranged to meet Lee in town, and waited at the bus stop for our bus to DC.

We had a nice walk down to the monuments

Here are some more photos taken along our walk.

I think we were having too much fun as the secret service Police were keeping an eye on us.

The White House

 

Another beautiful building

The George Washington memorial

The World War Memorial and lake

On to the Wonderful Abraham Lincoln memorial, which was my favourite.

Quite a few steps to climb, but it was worth it.

 

Dawn gives a wave

Joni takes a break

A Sasha softie got to meet Abraham Lincoln

The ceiling was pretty impressive too.

 

As was the view from the top.

 

 

On our walk back we came across an impressive bridge.

These ducks knew where they were going

Thanks for looking Day 3 tomorrow ….

 

 

After landing late Sunday night due to circling the airport for 50 mins and spending an hour and a half in the passport queue, I finally arrived at the Marriott hotel and fell into bed. Feeling refreshed after a good nights sleep it was time to explore DC.

Joni Jacobs had very kindly flown from Utah to keep me company and show me around Washington DC, as I had travelled on my own and had never been to the USA before.

We waited outside the hotel for our Uber taxi to take us to Tyson’s corner.

(Joni)

(Me)

 

When we arrived at Tyson’s corner we started to explore the Mall. I thought I would take this photo as the shop name is very fitting for one of our Sasha friends.

Another shop I could not resist had beautiful children’s clothes in and the dress and shoes  in the window would look wonderful in Sasha size

 

 

One of the main reasons for visiting Tyson’s corner was to visit the American Girl store, which was great. I took lots of photos in the shop and I apologise for the glare on some of them, but it could not be avoided.

Joni found a great prop for Mary Righos.

 

 

( Loved these Sasha sized Russian dolls, but I couldn’t find them in the shop)

 

(Above) The Wellie Wishers which are a smaller sized doll and a friend of the American Girl doll. I found their accessories to be more Sasha sized than the American Girl dolls.

(Above Bitty babies, I had always imagined then to be quite bigger than they are in real life)

After visiting Tyson’s corner, we went onto Fairfax and visited Target and then had lunch at a restaurant called True Food. The food was excellent and can definitely recommend it.

The next post will be visiting Washington DC , thanks for looking.

 

My hubby and I bought our home 5 years ago and it had not been touched since 1953, so we had an immense task on our hands. For 2 years everything remained in boxes and we literally went to work and came home, having nothing in the kitchen but, a chair and a table and in one bedroom the bed and a working TV. Everywhere else was room to room packing boxes. Try living in a house whilst it is rewired, it is an experience I can tell you.

Anyway hubby had always promised me that when the house was finished I could have a creation room, which would my own space to carry out my craft projects, sewing an painting and anything else that took my fancy.

At last I have it and I have set about decorating it with cards and photos of Sasha dolls that I have received from friends and that have special meaning to me. It is small but it is my space to do what I like with and hubby even bought me a radio to listen to whilst I create.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still a bit more decorating and sorting to do, but I can’t tell you how happy I am to have my own space.