Hello all, remember me? I’m Gracie and I live at Sasha Shangri-La with my Mummy and Daddy and brothers and sisters too! Mummy is downstairs and really busy now. The postman came to the door and rang the bell. So Mommy was off in a flash and she was very excited too! I wonder what is happening??
So much is going on here today that Mummy left her blog wide open and I know she will not mind if I post a photo or two. Don’t you agree? I really, really want you to meet, and I cannot wait on Mummy, my biggest sister, Abigail Lynn. She is Abby to me and I love her so much!
Look, here we are, me and Abby. Mummy said that Abby is a very special girl and I do have to agree. Dear, sweet Abby is a Studio doll made long ago in the 1950’s in Switzerland where I was born. Mummy taught me that Abby has an “A” body (like a Course Doll) and a I face mask and her head does not move. Mummy explained that Abby is a “AI” studio doll and one of the earliest true Sashas. I told Mummy that I know that to be true because Abby is an “A #1” sister to me! 🙂
Abby loves to hold me and she reads stories to me all the time. Mummy reads to me too. She read to me that Abby was probably made from a kit. This means Abby’s head, wig, and face painting were done by Sasha, and the rest of Abby was made by a person using patterns and materials supplied in the kit. Don’t you think it is wonderful that Sasha looked for so manys ways to put her dolls into the arms of children? Abby’s wool yarn wig and the cork shavings in her arms and legs helped to identify that she is from Sasha’s early years in dollmaking.
This photo of Abby shows her wearing a beautiful studio dress. It is not original to her and Mummy bought it for her. Mummy told me that Abby’s outfit was used in at least one Sasha exhibit. It is made from used linen fabric and decorated with braids, ric-rac, and ribbon. I like it because it is so soft and pretty. 🙂
A Sasha label is nice to see!
Mummy is talking to someone downstairs and she sounds so happy! :). I love her so very much and she always has hugs and kisses just for me, Gracie. :). So, while Mummy is still away, Abby and I are going to play dress-up. Abby has a new dress to try on that Mummy found on Shelly’s site and I do too. Are you ready? Off with my red shoes and here we go!
My white dress is off and I have put on my leather shoes made by Jean Jensen. Mummy brought them to me as a present from Phoenix. How special they are–I love Mummy gifts! 🙂
They are a bit snug but I don’t mind! The label tickles my foot and that makes me laugh! 😉
Hi Abby, you look so pretty in those bloomers! Mummy said that one reason Abby is so special is that she was so very, very loved before she came to Sasha Shangri-La. So much so that her arms and legs just gave out over the years of hugging and giving so much love to others. 🙂
The good news is that Abby has been beautifully restored and now has brand-new arms and legs. Mummy read to me that Abby’s new arms and legs were made in Switzerland by Sasha’s assistant Trudi Lőffler. Trudi used the original patterns and fabric that are used for all of Sasha’s cloth-body dolls. Abby’s new arms and legs are stuffed with the original stuffing from her old arms and legs. How very special to have limbs that Trudi made. So, she is good as new now! Mummy advised that Abby is better than new because she has been loved for a very long time and has a big heart. And Mummy is right because when Abby holds me close, I can hear her big heart beating! 🙂
Abby likes to show her new, well made arms and legs and she is happy to have them. Her face, hair, and torso were cleaned and are original. I love her yarn braids. Mummy promised that she will braid my hair when I get older! 🙂
Here we are wearing our new outfits! Abby is hugging me tight. Gee, this feels so nice. 🙂
This flannel outfit was made by Christina Meatyard and Abby’s shoes and socks are by Ruth’s dolls.
I think this outfit fits Abby perfectly. Do you see the little tuft of hair on Abby’s neck? I tug on it often when I give her my big Gracie hugs!
Another tag that is nice to see!
I am so happy that Abby is my big Sister. Her arms and legs are just right now and we can play for a long time! My pretty dress is by Passion for Sasha and fits very well if I don’t get bigger. 😉
Look, I am taller than Abby in this photo! Well…..
…maybe not really taller. Abby with her new legs is a whopping 21 inches tall, slightly taller than the Course Dolls, and I am 13 inches tall–but still growing! 🙂
Abby up close. I love her beautiful, brown eyes.
I think I hear Mummy coming but one last thing for you before I go. I want to share this photo. I am not certain that Mummy would want you to know about this story but I think it is special and worth telling. Mummy kept this photo as a reminder of an ebay auction she lost years ago and she was very sad to lose out on. She said she fell in love with the face but did not know that she was a studio doll. Mummy thought it was a Course Doll with incredible eye painting and an unconventional yarn wig. Mummy’s first doll was a much loved Raggedy Ann doll that had yarn hair too and that childhood memory warms Mummy’s heart even now. So…..
….years later, Mummy was so surprised and so happy to find this beautiful girl again on Susanna Lewis’ site last year and so lovingly restored too! Susanna really helps Mummy to learn more about Sasha dolls and especially more about dear Abby.
Lastly, Mummy told me that things generally turn out for the best and I do agree because I now have the “very bestest” sister in the world, my precious, A#1 Abby. I love happy endings, don’t you? I am sending big hugs and many kisses to everyone! Have a beautiful weekend and week to come! I, little Gracie, am so happy to be alive and to love, and be loved, by Sashas :). xxxooo
Sasha Shangri-La 
What a lovely interesting tale you have to tell, Gracie. How nice to have such a special big sister who is happy to give you hugs and tell you stories.
You both look so very lovely in your new clothes although I must say that Abby’s white dress set is very special and extra nice on her.
I really must get round to reading more of the Sasha history and finding out more about these early dolls.
I have been looking at the course dolls and nearly bought one earlier this year but then had to let it pass but now at last we have one that will be arriving at the beginning of next month, so we’ll be able to enjoy one of these lovely doll here.
Say hello to your lovely Mum for us and we wish you all a lovely happy playful weekend
Love Hattie and the Sasha Village crew xxx
Hi Auntie Dee, Hattie and to everyone in the Village crew!!! I am so happy you liked my story and glad you like Abby too. I can’t wait to see your Course Doll next month! Hattie and the crew are sure to make for a warm Village welcome! Gracie hugs for you all. 🙂 xxxxx
These are two darling sisters. Aren’t you so lucky to have them.
Thank you Janet! Yes, I am very lucky! 🙂 xxx
Thank you Ginger…what a lovely story about Abby and Gracie…beautiful dolls and I love their clothes.
Thank you Leslie! I am happy you liked the post. Gracie is extremely resourceful when Mummy leaves the room! 😉 xxx
Hello Little Gracie, what a lovely post you have written about your sister A#1 Abby. It was super interesting to read about her history and the journey she made before she came to live with you. What good luck your Mummy had left her computer and blog open for you to write this. You both look lovely in your new outfits, but your other ones were also very special indeed.
Oh thank you Auntie Lorraine! I just had to tell everyone about dear Abby. Mummy did catch me though while I was clicking the mouse to sign off. She gave me a “talking to” about posting to the blog without her permission. I apologized and she hugged me. All is forgiven but it is just so hard to resist and I hope I can hold out and be good. ;). Thank you for the lovely comments about our new outfits and old ones too. I am one lucky little girl 🙂 xxx
Oh wow, what a lot of lovely information you’ve given us Gracie! You have such a wonderful new sister in Abby, no wonder you’re so full of excitement! I think the two of you are going to become inseperable over the years!!!! I’m really pleased to meet her and look forward to seeing more photos of the two of you in the future!
Thank you so much Auntie Sharon! Abby and I are such close sisters and I hope we will be together for a very long time! I think I will have to wait awhile before I post on the blog again but maybe Mummy will write next time! 🙂 xxx
How wonderful that you were finally able to buy Abby after all those years of first catching a glimpse of her. Guessing that it could be classed as one of those little Sasha miracles that happen from time to time!
I first met and held one of these dolls at my very first Sasha funday in 2004 and immediately fell in love with her and asking for a first refusal should she ever need to be sold on…..although guessing that there will never be any chance of that happening in my lifetime!
I try to learn something new everyday to do with my Sasha collecting hobby so was especially delighted to read this post and all it’s information.
Both your’s and your sister Abby’s new outfits are really lovely. You’re both very lucky but well deserving girls.
I hope that you and your family have a super weekend.
Thank you Kendal and I do agree that Abby is a little Sasha miracle and I love thinking of her in that way! So many caring and talented hands have brought her forward in time, from her Sasha studio beginnings, to where she is today.
I am also a child from the 1950’s and can only imagine how wonderful it would have been to have had Abby as a childhood doll. Just really happy to have her now! 🙂 xxx
Hi Gracie lovely to see you with your big Sis and learning all about her. You both look wonderful in your outfits xxx
Thank you Auntie Theresa! Abby and I are having such fun together. She is the best big sister ever! 🙂 xxx
Ginger, this post was fascinating, I had no idea Sasha made heads with the tricot material for kit dolls. I have loved reading all about Abby and her journey to finally be with you! How wonderful that you found her, she has had an incredible journey. What I love most about her is that her face is that of a grown up Gracie!
Hi Janet! Having Abby here has really helped to increase my understanding and appreciation of all things Sasha related. I am happy you enjoyed the post and I agree that Abby has a more grown up expression and little Gracie would love to grow up and look just like her! 😉 xxx
…so this is were that girl lives now, I have seen her on ebay (yes had placed a to small bid) and also later on Susanna’s sales page. A very early and special doll you have with her. Congratulations Ginger.
Thank you Brigitte! I am most fortunate to have Abby here at Sasha Shangri-La. She is much loved by all of us here and it’s nice to see that sometimes we do get a second chance to buy that special doll. 🙂 xxx