Sasha Shangri-La

“Oh my, where am I? It seems I have been in the dark for a while but now, I am in a well lit place. Where am I?”

“Hello there, my name is Ryder. You are most welcome to Sasha Shangri-La and I am your new brother!”

“Hi and welcome dear Sis. My name is Little Dawn. I am overjoyed to see you in person. Mommy has showed us photos of you in happy anticipation of your arrival. We loved you even before your arrival!” said the sweet, little Dawn.

“Hi, I am your sister Peg.   Ryder, Little Dawn and I are so happy to see you!”

“Hello and thank you kindly for your warm welcome wishes. I feel a bit out of place and must wonder where I am. Ryder, you said Sasha Shangri-La, is that in the UK or perhaps Germany?”

Ryder said, “No dear sister, you are in the USA. I remember when I traveled in a box like yours just last year when I came home from a visit with Auntie Lorraine and my close friend Henry in the UK.” Then Ryder climbed into the box showing his fond memory of the trip. This helped his new sister to feel much better so she sat down too.  She said, Well, I have made the same trip too. How nice that we have shared similar experiences.”

Little Dawn and Peg go to their new sister to comfort her and to show their sisterly affection.  Peg told her new sister that they were all from Germany originally.

Little Dawn explained that Mommy was so looking forward to her arrival. They showed her the outfit Mommy brought home from the Festival in Phoenix.  It was made by Norvell Jones and was just for for the new sister. “Oh, my what a lovely short set! I just love it! It will be fun to change clothes and be ready to begin my new life.”

The girls are very happy to be together and are becoming close.

Norvell’s lovely label inside the pretty blouse.

“Look, I am ready to play! How do I look?” Ryder told her that she looked perfect and ready to play!

Ryder suggested that they all climb into Mommy’s bag and they would surely be able to go outdoors to play. So, they all climbed inside and waited for Mommy to return.

Well, Mommy did return and outdoors everyone went to enjoy the day.

This is my Ryder, a 1960’s straight nose Gotz boy. He is wearing a Sashapotamas t-shirt, colorful shorts made by Auntie Lorraine and later Trendon sandals. I think he is a handsome boy.

Ryder is joined by Little Dawn, a 1960’s Gotz waif. She is particularly affectionate and kind and is the comforter of the group. I was fortunate to buy her from Dawn Law at the Sasha Festival in 2013. She is quite petite and well loved by all.

They are joined by their new sister and her name is Sarah.

Next, Peg lines up with the group. They liked playing on Daddy’s cart.

Peg is a 1960’s Gotz no nose that belonged to Jackie Hyatt. She is wearing a pretty outfit that was made by Jackie and I felt fortunate to find it at the Festival this year on Gayle Rotheim’s sales table. Peg was so happy to wear a new dress. Her shoes are made by Monica Jarpey and the socks are made by Jackie Hyatt.

This lovely girl is a 1970 Gotz no navel and it is true, she does not have a navel :). I have named her “Sarah” and she is the first no navel doll to join us here at Sasha Shangri-La. Her outfit is by Novell Jones and her red leather sandals are by Jean Jensen.

Another photo of Little Dawn. Her outfit was on Shelly’s site and I do not know the maker. Her leather shoes are by Ruth’s dolls.

Little Dawn and sweet Sarah sharing a sisterly moment.

Ryder, my only Gotz boy.

Sarah, Ryder and Little Dawn enjoying the pretty day!

Having great fun acting silly!

Close up of Sarah, Ryder and Little Dawn.

A final photo with Peg joining the group. We had a great, Gotz time today and we wish you a very happy weekend and week ahead too!  Great Gotz hugs are coming from us to you! XXXX

I love the studio dresses made by Carol Mitchell. The first time that I saw an outfit made by Carol was in 2013 at the Sasha Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. I purchased one that was very colorful and I featured it here on the blog recently with Chloe as the model. Later I saw a photo of a studio outfit made by Carol using materials from antique christening gowns. It was so beautiful but so sold! So later on, I was able to ask Carol to make two studio dresses from antique christening gown fabrics. She finished them before the Festival this year and kindly brought them with her to Phoenix. I am happy to show them here with Ellen and Sylvia as models. We are having a full, rain soaking day here in West Virginia so the photos in this post are taken indoors.

Pantaloons from the first studio outfit. I love the detailing.

The full slip and the pantaloons. This beautiful slip is a fabulous summer dress by itself and it is hard to cover such a pretty frock but…..

…when you see this gorgeous dress, it makes it much easier to cover the slip.

Each of the three pieces has Carol’s tag.

Now we see Ellen wearing the slip and pantaloons with her gold leather studio shoes by Jean Jensen.

Ellen was made in England in late 1966 to early 1967 and is an NP girl.

A different view.

A close-up photo of her pantaloons and slip.

Beautiful Ellen in her beautiful outfit.

Ellen with her favorite stuffed animal, a bunny!

Ellen up close. I love her soulful eyes.

Next we see the slip and pantaloons of the second studio outfit. This slip has dainty ribbons as straps. So pretty!

All three pieces showing their tags, labels, or maker’s ribbons.

The lovely Sylvia wearing the slip and pantaloons. Her studio shoes are made of black leather and by Jean Jensen.

Sylvia is an English NP girl made in early 1966 with amazing brown eyes and red hair.

This is such a pretty dress for a summer day.

Sylvia looks lovely in her new outfit.

The back of her gown is beautiful too.

A bit closer view of Sylvia.

Sylvia loves her teddy bear!

Sylvia

I thought you would like to see Ellen and Sylvia together. Their outfits are similar but are different too.

A last photo of Ellen and Sylvia. I hope you enjoyed this post and all of us here at Sasha Shangri-La send you hugs and happy wishes for a beautiful week ahead!

This wonderful book was given to the Festival attendees and its cover art is by Phyllis Goedeke.  It is full of great articles, tributes, patterns, tabletop clinic information, a directory, a crossword puzzle, and a fun word search. I haven’t read it yet but I will soon. The paddle was for the auction. There were 91 auction items–all very nice!  I did photograph some of them with my camera phone and the room was not brightly lit so please keep that in mind when you view these photos. I am certain you will be able to see better photography in other blogs. 🙂

The next three photos are the fabulous raffles that were drawn on Sunday morning and presented to three lucky winners 🙂

A very special delight was a Sasha studio doll brought to the Festival by a very lovely lady. It was her childhood doll and the beautiful wig was her hair that was cut at that time. I thought the doll looked like her Mommy even today. What a treasure!

A couple photos to show some helpers. There were so many helpers that they split them in half and gave them to the winners over two days.

A very nice Sasha image gifted by Cathy Himmel to everyone. 🙂

A photo of Finn in awe of Sashas owned by Heidi and Sheila 🙂

A  photo of Lorraine’s beautiful Stevie with Finn. Stevie has incredible streaking in her hair–just a beautiful girl 🙂

A view from the balcony of the amazing Arizona landscape plus the great hotel pool.  A golf course and driving range were next to the hotel.

A nice photo of Cassandra Roger’s handsome NP boy, Felix with Finn.

I love the boys, don’t you?   Have a great week everyone and we are sending hugs to you! xx

Hi everyone, this is me, Gracie :). Please don’t tell my Mummy that I am on her blog but I just had to tell everyone how much I want to go to the Sasha Festival with her. I love her oh so very much and just can’t bear the thought of being away from her for a week.  Everyone here at Sasha Shangri-La wants to go with her but I want to go much more than anyone, I am sure  🙂

Here I am trying to show Mummy that I fit in a zippered pouch on her suitcase.

Well, I have to agree with Mummy that it may be a bit too tight. My head won’t fit in there 😦

So, I found another bigger pouch that would fit me nicely, see? 🙂

Look Mummy, it was made for me, sweet Gracie :). But Mummy said no, that is on the outside of her suitcase and that I might get hurt in the airports. Well, I guess so but it did look like a perfect fit from here at Sasha Shangri-La!

Next, I found a big, open part of the suitcase but Mummy still said no. 😦

Look Mummy, it even has a seat belt just for me, Gracie!! I am sure to be safe in here! But Mummy still said no…

At last I found the deepest and largest part of Mummy’s inner suitcase. I showed her how much room there is and all of Mummy’s things would protect me in the airports too! Take me Mummy, please, pretty please take me, your sweet, little Gracie. 🙂

Well, Mummy lifted me from the suitcase and gave me hugs and kisses and told me how much she loved me. I must say that it was so sweet to hear this that it brought tears of joy to my eyes. Isn’t it wonderful to be loved? 🙂   But Mummy still said no 😦

Mummy then dressed me in a new outfit she bought on Shelly’s site. It was made by Passion for Sasha. I love this outfit because it has two front pockets and kitty cats all over. I also like it because it matches my original studio shoes. Mummy says that red is a good color for me :). But this red dress gave me an idea when Mummy left the room….

Hi again, Mummy is away and I have an idea that I can go to the Festival after all. Do you see how well my new dress blends with Mummy’s suitcase? I think I can stowaway and she will never notice until we get to Phoenix!

So, up I go and I am very excited now!

I will swing my leg over and then will be in the deep, inner part of the suitcase.

Yeah, a perfect landing !

I am really, really excited now! No one knows I am going to hide away.  🙂

One last look and the coast is clear!!!

So, I sit quietly down and make my move.

Look! An absolutely perfect fit for me! I am in a protected zippered pouch but it is in the inner most part of Mummy’s suitcase. Also, in my red dress, she will not see me when she moves her clothes into the suitcase. Yeah, I finally made it! Phoenix, here I come!!!  🙂

Well, Mummy returned and found me in her suitcase. She must be a super detective to know that I was hidden inside. She plucked me up gently, gave me a hug, and put me with my sisters nearby. They had all been watching my antics and they said Mummy would be mad at me for sneaking around while she was away. Also, I confessed to Mummy that I wrote on her blog too. She was not mad at me but gave me a wink and a big hug. She said that I, little Gracie, reminded her of a little girl that was always getting into mischief a long time ago. I think I am a lucky little girl, don’t you?   🙂 xxxxx

Sasha hugs to everyone!!! xxxxx

A quick post this week because I am taking time to pack for the Sasha Festival. This is the lovely Anna, a 1966-67 NP that has very beautiful eyes and full blonde hair.

Anna is wearing a lovely dungarees outfit made by Nikita. It has a fabulous matching jacket with a hood but it was too hot to wear it today.   Her nice brown leather sandals are made by “4 Angels”.

I may have gotten carried away with her hair ribbon.  Her hair is so nice and thick and it has been constrained by braids for a while so I just had to liberate her locks and made a big bow to accentuate her big hair 🙂

A close up of Anna.

I love her graphic eyes!

I took a photo indoors with Anna holding the bunny. Her blouse has a beautiful print with bunnies 🙂

Anna and I wish everyone a beautiful week! Hugs to all 🙂 xxxx