Our newest boy is Ben and he is a dear boy. He has been in his well-made, red overall outfit for many years. I was fortunate to be able to order several Sasha Studio outfits from Thu Cuc Faes in Switzerland and it includes the well-made farm boy outfit shown here today. Ben looks very happy to wear this new shirt, jeans, and hand knitted socks.  The leather boots are fabulous!

Adding this vest and putting on his boots really looks smart on sweet Ben.

Now we add his matching cap.

He matching jacket fits perfectly too. I left the jacket unbuttoned in this photo to show the vest and the wonderful lining. The vest and cap are lined too. 🙂

A close view of the dear Ben’s face. Please excuse the straying hairs.

A buttoned jacket on Ben. So nice to have pockets.

A close view of Ben with his cap set aside. 🙂

Well, well, look who’s here! Little Gracie could no longer resist the strong arms of her brother, Ben.  Gracie was the first sibling to welcome the sweet natured Ben.  She lovingly calls Ben “Bennie” because she is “Gracie” coming from Grace. She took note of her Bennie and his extraordinary physical strength but gentle nature. 🙂

Gracie affectionately asks Bennie to give her a big hug! 🙂

Dear Bennie gives Gracie a brotherly hug. Gracie has unknowingly captured Bennie’s heart and he feels very protective and loving towards his baby sister.

A very happy Gracie with her big brother, Bennie 🙂

Gracie asks Bennie if she can play with him. You can find a wheelbarrow on most farms. 😉

Bennie loves to play and is charmed by Gracie’s invitation.

Bennie asks Gracie to go outdoors and she is happy to do so. 🙂

A photo of Ben outdoors. I am using doll stands to make it as safe as possible for Ben and Gracie.

A close view of Ben.

Gracie with her brother, Bennie.  It feels so good to be outdoors!

Oh happy day! 🙂

Bennie finds two pumpkins for Gracie to enjoy. He suggests to Gracie that it looks like Fall is coming!

Bennie and Gracie with their Fall pumpkins. They love being outdoors though it was very hot with the summer temperatures still holding on….

Gracie wearing her big brother’s cap and feeling very loved. Isn’t it wonderful to have a big brother? 🙂

Gracie is waving to you!  She and her Bennie are sending you all big hugs and well wishes for the remaining week! 🙂

Please meet a wonderful Studio boy named Benjamin or Ben. :). Ben has joined us here at Sasha Shangri-La. It is nice to find a boy Studio doll and I think Ben is a very handsome lad.

Ben is a BII studio with a “B” type body which is a five piece jointed body. In the great reference book, “Sasha Dolls – The History” by Anne Votaw with Ann Chandler and Susanna Lewis, it explains the B-Body was made from 1944-1968. Ben’s handsome face is made of gypsum. It is facemask type II so Ben is a BII Studio doll.

This photo is a bit out of focus so please excuse.  Sweet Ben came wearing this outfit made from Sasha patterns by the original Swiss owner. The red overalls are very well made with attractive top stitching. His gray shirt has a nice ricrac trimming and he has woolen socks and black felt shoes.  Don’t miss his handy hankerchief in his left pocket 🙂

You can see his nice legs in this photo. 🙂

Ben has a two piece, hand knitted under pants and shirt set.

A closer view of Ben’s face. He has a few, small chips in his gypsum. I love his eye painting by Sasha Morgenthaler and his inquisitive expression. 🙂

Another close view of Ben’s face. He has a very nice and full human hair wig.  It is a challenge to photograph Ben because the light reflects off of the surface. I hope you can see him clearly and I will be taking more photos of Ben outdoors very soon.

Ben is sitting down and holding a new pair of leather boots that are part of his new outfit made by Thu Cuc Faes. The next post will be Ben wearing his new outfit and Gracie will be joining him. 🙂

A last photo that is enhanced to look like an etching or drawing. I think Ben looks so very sweet. Thank you for visiting Sasha Shangri-La 🙂 xxx

This lovely girl was repainted by Shelly Baxter. Her name is Nancy.

Nancy is wearing a beautiful outfit made by Nancy Collins. It was gifted to me at the Festival in Phoenix. Its previous life was a tea towel with different bottles of spices and pretty colors. So very nice to recycle lovely fabrics.  The bolero is a perfect accessory to the sleeveless dress.

One bottle is the spice “Ginger”. 🙂

I love these knickers which can be a pair of shorts too.

Nancy’s leather shoes were purchased from Cassie of Sashapotamus at the Festival.

Lastly, a close view of Shelly’s eye painting. I think Nancy is a lovely girl. 🙂

I have been an admirer for some time now of the wonderful designs by the very talented Sharon Humphreys and especially her Sasha creations like her now famous Ra-Ra outfits! I asked Sharon to place me on her waiting list and she kindly added me and I was happy to wait my turn. Not long afterwards, I received an email from Sharon that it was my turn to order a Sasha design. Ra-Ra!! 🙂

I asked for two outfits and gave Sharon some favorite color and favorite fabric ideas. Then, I asked her if she would make an outfit for Finn.  She said yes and I was very happy! :).  As you can see, they are fantastic outfits!

Here we have Lucy in a cheery yellow outfit, Finn in the middle in his new shirt and shorts, and Kim in a pretty pink outfit.  Sharon ran ideas by me during her creative time and I liked that very much.

I wanted to take these photos outdoors but it has been rainy just about every day and, when not rainy, it has been extremely hot and humid. I just couldn’t wait any longer so it is time to share these thoughtful and colorful creations.  Sharon’s Ra-Ra designs covered them from their heads to their toes.  The three pairs of leather shoes are made by Jean Jensen.

A close view of Kim, a petite Gregor that left the factory with eyelashes and so is now a sweet little girl, Kim. You can see up close the happy applique on Kim’s pink top. I love the layering of pretty fabric and the house with a gingerbread roof made of hearts.  The bow with two flower buttons is a perfect touch. 🙂

I just love this outfit with the pretty dotted fabric on the headband, top, and skirt. The ricrac trim is a favorite of mine!  Her stripy socks are a pale pink and white.

Another view of this super Ra-Ra outfit on sweet Kim.

Back view.

A closer view of the applique and fabrics.

Next is Lucy wearing a Ra-Ra outfit in a vivid yellow with wonderful netting and ricrac trimming too! 🙂

I love this headband on Lucy. Can you see the five buttons on her top? 🙂

Another full view for you to see. Lucy is a repainted and rerooted Gregor.  She is a great model 🙂

Back view.

A close view of the sunny floral print on a very fine corduroy fabric. The applique is so lovely with the layered fabric and large blue flower.  The Ra-Ra outfit is very soft and has great, unexpected textures.  It is easy to put on the Sashas too.  What a treat! 🙂

Last, we have Finn wearing his custom outfit by Sharon. It is a great look and Sharon’s signature stripy socks are perfect!

Finn on the move! 🙂

Back view.

Another view of Finn.  He is a 1967 NP boy with platinum hair.

A close view of Finn’s cargo style shorts with pockets and tag with a metal ring for his house key! 🙂

A very happy Finn!

A black and white print of Finn in his black and white outfit.

Finn. 🙂

Lucy and Kim together in their Ra-Ra outfits.

Sisters having fun! 🙂

Lastly, Lucy and Kim waving and sending hugs to everyone visiting Sasha Shangri-La!  They are happy that you stopped by for a visit.  Thank you!  Ra-Ra!! 🙂 xxx

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