Friends are good!

Peggy Sue was delighted that her friend Mary Ellen came to visit today.  They visited Santa and then sat and discussed their Christmas wishes together.

No Will Power!

So I have absolutely no will power whatsoever...although in my defence, I did hold off for three visits before I succumbed and went back for the fourth time.  Of course by this time there was less choice...which in a way was good.  By the third time I went back to see them there were only two Ashlyn dolls left, some Kendall dolls and I think two Emerson dolls.  Of course when I decided I just HAD to have one, there was only one Ashlyn left which made my decision so much easier.

Her box.

Well protected inside the box

She has a hair net on her hair to keep it tidy.

I like the way these dolls are packaged as they are easy to remove.

Freed from the box.

She has a pretty little face and I love the smattering of freckles.

Out in the garden she watches our Sheltie try to photobomb the picture!

Waving hello.  Actually this arm was VERY stiff and almost unmovable, so hoping it will loosen up a little over time.

Wearing a little pair of white shoes I had tucked away.

I couldn't wait to knit her a Christmas dress.

All very seasonal now.  I just LOVE her little knees, they are so cute.

I have called her Noelle.  (I know very original for this time of year!)

My group of girls all in their Christmas dresses I have knitted for them.

An extra girl has sneaked into the picture...my Sasha girl Ziva, thought she should join them as well as she too has a hand knitted Christmas dress.

Yesterdays Spoils...

Or should I say 'Loot'?!

I came home with rather a large bag of goodies which I kind of smuggled into the house...after all I was breaking my own self-imposed 'cutting down' mantra.

Well it would have been rude to have attended and not bought anything wouldn't it?  Plus there were some 'bargain bins' so how could I possibly not look?

When we arrived and had a look round, I spied this pretty blue dress and thought it would be perfect for Chrissy (Chrissa) .  I don't normally buy any clothes for my American Girls (I make all their clothes), in fact this is probably the first outfit I have ever bought them, but I thought it would suit her perfectly and I was right.

She really is pretty in blue.

Sharlyn and I spent some time rummaging in the Bargain Baskets.

Shoes!  Can never have enough shoes....apparently.

Pyjamas...for that all important PJ party.

A coat - which actually fits Peggy Sue, so will fit some of the smaller girls here.

This cute dress - not sure who this is for and who it will fit yet.

An umbrella - which I am sure will be useful for the upcoming 'Summer Music Festival' to either shelter from the sun...or looking at the sky today...the rain!

Some 'sheets' which I will use as fabric to make pyjamas and maybe even a dress.

A fabulous little riding set - for those all important gymkhana events.

A couple of pairs of glasses.

What I actually went intending to buy was a new hair brush.

Which I did get :-) 

But then....something that has been on my 'wish list' for some time now...

This fabulous sewing set!  Which will be perfect for the 'Schoenhut School of the Arts' when it opens again in September and that all important sewing class.

The back of the box.

Finally the little 'goody' box that the lovely ladies at 'My Doll Boutique' had prepared for us all.

Cute box.

A hair brush, hair clip and cute little t shirt.

Now hopefully I will always be able to find a hair brush for the dolls!

Thank you for the lovely gifts - very sweet indeed.

My Doll Boutique Fun Day Meet Up.

Today was the day of the American Girl Dolls and Friends UK Facegroup meet up at 'My Doll Boutique'   Arranged by my friend Sharlyn, the group admin with Nicky and Kelly the lovely ladies behind 'My Doll Boutique' an amazing day was had by all.

Nicky and Kelly went to a lot of effort with displays, colouring in activities for the children, a tea party with sandwiches, cakes and drinks as well as some hair dressing which was done by their daughters and ear piercing (for the dolls).

I took lots of photos of the day.

One room was set up with a table for the activities and all important party food.

This is where a lot of the eating took place!

But first there were some colouring in and cut out activities for the children 

Party treats.

Great displays.

The main room where all the business takes place were also set up with some fabulous displays.

These girls are 'My Look Alike' Dolls and they are display with 'Our Generation' accessories.

A close up of the 'My Look Alike' dolls.

This girl is of course an American Girl Doll. 

Just loved this display.

All the different dolls and accessories available to browse and for some purchase!

So much fun and goodness in one room.

More fun accessories and displays.

Peggy Sue of course was delighted with the camper van which has been on her wish list for the last couple of years or so (and still is despite her protestations!)

Still she took full advantage of checking it out for size.

Henry decided he wanted to picnic with the girls.

They enjoyed chatting for quite a while.

Hmm...what do we have here?

Has Peggy Sue managed to convince Henry to drive off with the camper van in tow?

It certainly looks as if they might be up to something.

Later on Henry checks out some of the other vehicles.

Does this come in any other colour than pink?  He asks.

He stops by to say hello to the horse rider and tells her all about his horse Stratford.

People start arriving and they get chatting with each other and making introductions.

Soon it is like they have known each other for ages.

Lots of chit chat.

Cakes have started to appear at the table.

Yummy!  I made the un-iced ones, which rather paled into insignificance against the beautifully decorated cakes made by Nicky and Kelly's daughters.

The girls do some hairdressing for the younger visitors.

Looks like some purchasing may have started!  Well who could possibly resist when they come to a place such as this.

Lots of smiles.

Playing.

Oh more happy girls with their new dolls.

Nicky packaging some purchases.

Getting ready for lunch.

Gathering for the fabulous spread that was put on.

Ear piercing...

Ooh, is this for me?  Everlee asks.

Really?  

I don't thinks she quite believes it.

The gathering...

Henry has found a new friend, Everlee, who is ever so pretty with silky soft hair.

Some of the lovely children also had photos taken with the dolls.

As well as some of the adults!

The children.

(Photo courtesy of Kelly, with thanks)

The 'adults'  

(Photo above taken by Kelly of My Doll Boutique)

Some last minute shopping...?

Sharlyn's Everlee with Henry saying goodbye.

With a very special thanks to Sharlyn for organising this, and and especially big thanks to Nicky and Kelly of My Doll Boutique who put on such a wonderful day and gave us a fabulous gift box with goodies.  (To be shown in tomorrow's post)