Last Sunday, Sallie came over for a sewing day and we had a tea party in the 90-degree heat with our new crop of small dolls, which we call "Muñequitas." Sallie set up the dolls in the "garden" with a tiny tea set from the Farmer's Market, which matches the tea set made by my sister, Kath at MUDDSLINGER POTS, (aka "Veronica").

After "La Fete dans le Jardin," which was Sallie's delightful French translation of our "tea party," we retired to our sewing table under the breeze of a fan and had ice cold lemonade and cookies while we worked. Sophie's job was to draw two more doll faces to embroider and Sallie's was to draw and embroider the face for her Raggedy Ann, who is to be a buddy to the Raggedy Andy we made last fall. Peering out of Sophie's basket where Sallie had scooped them up, a jumble of Muñequitas watched us and chattered amongst themselves.

As you can see, Las Muñequitas are in various stages of completion. Sophie had some fun this week taking group photos and some solo shots of Mirabel, who is back from her extended visit to Marina Del Rey. Our one boy doll, Eduardo, is looking forward to getting a new suit of clothes and a haircut in the next few days. We will post updated photos of the dolls as they are completed.

Other sewing news: Sophie got a new sewing machine and we are learning how to use it. Also, I finally finished Sophie's summer sundress, which has a black bodice and a vintage, yellow and black, Parisienne-imaged full skirt with pockets. It is the first dress for my new project of making patterns from vintage dresses, which I call "Pale Pink Patterns for a Perfect Fit!"

Well, it's Friday at 6:00 p.m. and I type this from my day job, so it's high time to go home. We've asked Sallie to be our guest blogger this month, so look for her byline soon!

In the meantime, have a great week!

Sasha

On Wednesday, we had a tea party with all the dolls, the L.A. contingent and Las Tiradas, whom Sophie brought with her from Costa Rica. We invited our friend and fellow doll-maker, Erika, to come and bring some of her dolls. After a round of mimosas, we assembled the dolls in the backyard. Among the usual suspects on the red settee, Delphine, Delfina, shy Andre, Carmelita, and Mariel, etc., are some of Erika's dolls, including the mysterious Jazzette, who lounges across the top of the group in her mardi gras mask.

The dolls had tea from Vera's handmade tea set while we snapped photos of dolls and roses. Afterwards, while the dolls rested inside, we had cookies and coffee. The plan had been to do some sewing, but between the mimosas, the photo shoot and the heat, we decided to have a think tank instead, discussing dolls we want to make and plans for the next meeting. We finished by inviting Erika to be our first guest contributor to the dollsbysasha doll blog, which you can read below.

More soon. Have a great week!

Sasha

                            TEA TIME WITH SOPHIE AND SASHA

I have been honored to write about my invitation to Sophie and Sasha’s house for tea. I was so excited to be invited and it was such a gorgeous day, and such a lovely time. Then, I was even more honored to write on Sophie and Sasha’s blog. Sophie was correct in saying yesterday, that Sasha, Sophie and I, (Evette) have been working and creating since 2007! Our precious little dolls, or little girls and boys, are almost like our children.  When we give a doll as a gift, we make sure all the details are in place, then we make sure the petticoats and crinolines are perfect because after all this is our work, and we want our work to show. 

We notice as we are finishing our dolls, that each one has their own personality. They may have a tilted head, or sometimes the legs don’t go completely straight. This is a “flaw” to some eyes, but in our eyes it is part of who he/she becomes. No one is perfect and each one of our little creations is hand-made and individual as you and me. 

Now, I need to talk about the tea party.  Thank you so much for the invitation. Upon my arrival all of Sasha’s dolls had been strategically placed with a small teacups and saucers on the dolls laps, and the dolls sat on their beautiful red, wicker chaise lounge. The dolls were outside in the garden, under the cypress trees.  By the way, I need to give a “Shout-out” to the maker of the adorable, floral tea sets, “Muddslinger Pots” on Etsy. 

When I arrived with my very first doll, Momoko, she observed all the details. My second doll, Lisette has orange hair, and Coquette has blond hair. I cannot forget to mention, Jazzette, (She likes attention, and she is sprawled on top of all of the dolls.) Momoko was not at all too pleased with Jazzette’s attention getting, because Momoko thought we are all created equally!  With equal parts muslin, recycled materials, and equal parts love. Oh well, Momoko does get a little jealous because she was my first one, and sometimes Jazzette feels a little left out because she was my middle doll.

All the bigger dolls tenderly held some of the smaller, but equally important dolls in their laps, and they wrapped their arms around them.  Everyone needs the protection of arms wrapped around them sometimes, or the feeling of having arms wrapped around you.

Each doll was dressed in his or her best frock or pants, and they all smiled for the camera.  Sophie took amazing pictures, which you will see on this blog. Sophie took side views, she stood far away, and did some close ups, we moved the chairs; dolls took a sip of tea, because after-all it is exhausting being a model!  Then we moved the little lovelies into the living room. They all thanked us for getting out of the sun.  By this time, it looked as if they had all had some margaritas!

The tea was smashing and lovely!  And Sasha and Sophie’s friend Nelson came over and he even had a little sip of tea to share with the lovelies. 

Everyone had a wonderful time. Momoko was willing to forgive Jazzette with her antics, and all of Sasha’s dolls were so sweet and generous with their time and offering of tea.  Thank you for my first blog, and thank you Sasha and Sophie for the lovely afternoon.  The dolls were surrounded by resplendent roses in full bloom, who could ask for more?  

Evette
“All About Evette” Etsy