So Saturday morning seemed to come round very quickly...
While I was at breakfast with the rest of the weekend attendees...it seemed Henry and Edward went out exploring.
They found a fun tree to climb.
Come on Edward this way!
Edward follows Henry
See I told you it would be good fun coming with me. Henry says to Edward.
I didn't realise there would be trees to climb! Edward replies.
The boys continue their conversation
as only boys do...
Come on, let's go and sit by the lake. Henry suggests.
They sit down and wonder if they will see any birds.
Edward looks down towards the lake.
He looks up...
I can't see any birds, he says.
I wonder where they have gone?
Perhaps it is too early for them? Henry comments.
Meanwhile back in the hotel we have gathered ready for the morning activities.
We wait for all to arrive.
Kendal tells us a little about her display of dolls and her life with Sasha dolls.
Janet announces the mornings activities and tells us to form an orderly queue.
What delights await us in the rooms.
One room is dedicated to Kendal's amazing collection.
These were just amazing.
Simply delightful.
The light was optimal for photographing the dolls but I did my best to do them justice.
Some close ups:
Gorgeous Studio girl
Course girl.
Love this girl!
Studio baby.
The rest of the brood:
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The morning workshops were fantastic! They really were superb fun and the workshop leaders and put a lot of work and thought into them.
Emma led a shoe making workshop
There were some very industrious cobblers busy making shoes...
A shoe almost completed.
One finished boot.
Doll Mum taught us how to make marionettes.
Ginger waits for the glue to dry...
Some very busy hands at work...required deep concentration.
Ginger proudly shows her finished ostrich.
Some more!
Edward holds his - these really were great fun to make.
Theresa had a mask making workshop which was also extremely good fun.
Mask makers hard at work.
This mask was very impressive and perfect for one of the Sherwood Forest babies.
Jane W had made some lovely little crochet bags for us to decorate
This was also a lot of fun and I am sure there are some very happy Sasha girls out there now with their new shoulder bags.
Judith lead a play mat workshop.
A sample of what we could aim for!
Lots of hard crafting going on here.
Making good progress...
Meanwhile it seems the word had got out...
...the gathering was growing in size...
...food was being prepared...
Others gathered to chat
...some were rather tired it seemed.
Soon it was time for lunch.
After lunch we all gathered for the drawing of the raffle.
Theresa's lovely grand daughter drew out the first ticket.
Liss was the lucky winner of the main prize.
She was absolutely delighted as earlier in the day she said she was going to win the first prize - and sure enough she did! What a fantastic surprise!
There were lots of happy winners.
Annette was thrilled to choose a doll from the prizes.
Doll Mum and her daughter go up to choose their prize
Someone looks absolutely delighted!
Doll Mum's daughter has a new baby.
There were a lot of raffle prizes so it went on for quite a while...as the clock shows!
Finally it is time to call out the last prize winner...you cans see the Sasha waiting patiently on the table....
The number is called out...Janet is looking in my direction....but it is not me...
but Jonny!
To say he was thrilled is probably an understatement!
Happy?
I think so!
Just look at that smile!
But still the day isn't over....
Now is the time for the sales tables!
Judith sets up her table.
Janet sets up hers.
Sarah helps Marilyn set up.
Lots of wonderful tables with a variety of items available to purchase.
Liss and Janet deep in discussion.
Emma's gorgeous sets.
I am quite sure lots of money exchanged hands as lots of spending was done by many of the weekend attendees...
But still the day wasn't over!
It was time for our evening dinner.
Janet M waits with her girl wearing her mask and holding her new marionette.
We had a private dining area for the Saturday night dinner. Unfortunately it had 'mood lighting' so was very dim and dark and not really favourable to photo taking.
The tables were nicely laid.
They start to fill...
Dolls are set up on the table.
A small gathering...
Quite a few came in their masks
all looked delightful in their imaginative creations.
After dinner the lights were turned on so a few more photographs were able to be taken.
Janet receives a lovely bunch of flowers for all her hard work.
Kendal has a surprise..
...as she is presented with a wonderful trophy and card.
She was delighted.
Alice was very happy to receive a prize for her mask.
Sitting at our table was Jonny, the creator of the wonderful 'Nini Dolls' . His website can be found
here. As such we were privileged to have a special doll at our table as well...
This girl 'Lost at the Fair' is completely handmade by Jonny right down to all her clothes and footwear. He uses a mixture of vintage and natural fabrics and fibres and attention to detail is amazing.
I have admired Jonny's amazing creativity since he first started making these dolls and so it was a real treat to see one up close and personal... this girl really is special indeed! No doubt more will be seen of her in the future ;-)
Maddison and her masked friend are starting to feel tired as the evening drew to a close....
Part Three to come....
