Saturday, February 4, 2023

We've Been Busy!

 Daddy Steve: We haven't blogged for a whole month, but that doesn't mean we've been lounging about, twiddling our thumbs.  Lots of projects have been going on here at Gregoropolis!

Tyler: I can't believe Holly Belle talked you into wallpapering this room.
Didn't you paint it not long ago?
John Martin: She said that the old color didn't photograph very well.
Tyler: Good grief!
Mikko: At least the bubblegum color is gone.

In addition to some redecorating, I've worked to make the kids' bedrooms more fully realized.  Both rooms now have their own decorated backdrops.  The girls have a new chair for their room, as well as some stylish new bedding.  It's very difficult to find tasteful doll bedding.   So much of what is available on Etsy is childishly gaudy.



Daphne: Why do they always assume girls are obsessed with unicorns?
Rhoda: Yeah, what's up with that anyway?
Meghan: Of course, Daddy Steve could have made the bedding himself.

Fair point girls.  However, I did finally make cushions for the bentwood chair set.

Robin: I remember that fabric.  Didn't he buy that like five years ago?
Daisy: Well, you know, things move slowly around here.

Some of our biggest projects involved organizing.  The kids have their own room, but previously they were scattered around everywhere--mostly standing on the floor or on big people chairs.  While this haphazard arrangement was charming to begin with, as the Sasha population increased it became very impractical.

Clearly, we needed to switch to more high-density urban living.  We took a trip to IKEA and bought materials to build a large three-level shelving unit--a Sasha High-Rise!

I'm not a fan of IKEA (frankly, it's a madhouse), but it was the only place that had suitable shelving.  So much of the shelving available is not quite tall enough for Sasha dolls, having less than 17 inches between tiers.  It fit together and is quite sturdy (actually more so than it appears!).  I did make my own modification by adding guard rails around the upper shelves.  Sasha dolls are famous for their balance and stability, but nevertheless a fall from a high shelf could lead to a nasty ding or scrape.






Duncan: Eeep!  It's a long way down!
Logan: I dare you to let go of the railing.

Bowie: These 'instructions' are just pictures!
Valerie: Basically, I think you just want to avoid doing anything
that makes the little man look sad.

I have to say that I really enjoy being able to see them all together at once.

Alice: Why does he just sit there and stare at us?
Sylvia: Because we have to be seen to be believed.
Paul: That's what the Queen always said!

I also spent a lot of time organizing original outfits--sorting, wrapping in archival tissue paper, and labeling who they originally belonged to.  I love many of the original Gotz outfits, and we do use them from time to time.

However, I'm not so crazy about the original English clothes, with a few exceptions.  It's doubtful many of those outfits will ever see the light of day again, but I do feel that it's important to keep them.


In a similar vein, I have a hard time getting rid of original Sasha boxes.  We had a number of them taking up space in the basement.  I think making the case to save is even harder here.  While the early 'crayon tubes' were well-designed, the later boxes are completely unremarkable and usually not in great shape.  I still wasn't ready to pitch them out though, so I flattened them and put them all in one container.


I suspect this is just an interim step to eventually throwing them away.  That's the thing about cleaning and organizing--sometimes you're just not ready to do what needs to be done.

5 comments:

Serenata said...

Oh wow, you have been busy! This is something I need to do, reorganisation...would love to have the space to set up 'rooms' for story blogs, but strangely don't have it now. I am not ready to get rid of all the props yet though so in the meantime I am procrastinating! Good idea to wrap the original clothing in archival tissue paper. This is something I should do, then they can be packed away, and put up in the loft so they aren't taking up precious space in the house.
Their bedrooms are looking fabulous!

Sasha's Vintage Boutique said...

my goodness, you've been busy! Now that you have the system established, it would be easy for you to come to my house and execute it!! When can I look for you on my doorstep?! lol!

HB did a nice job chosing wallpaper. It is a lovely print.

So glad Gregoropolis is back to brighten my Saturdays! Now I am beginning to wonder why HB and the rest of the girls aren't petitioning for a name change on the blog. (or is that a sore subject?!)

Dee said...


Welcome back and congratulations on all the work you have been doing for your Gregor and Sasha family.
Love the bedroom additions and the change of wallpaper, it's not until you see how it photographs that you know if it's right and then it's finding another paper and getting round to 'doing' it.

Love also your new 'high rise' living for the Sasha children but it's given away just how many have wrangled their way into Gregoropolis and looks like you have plenty of room for more ;)

I know what you mean about all their boxes and whether to keep or to throw out but hey flattening them and keeping in a box for another ten years is perfect out of sight out of mind!

If you'd like to pop over for a month and sort out my doll studio you'd be most welcome, but it may just be a doll box too far ;)

Xanadu said...

Well congratulations on a job well done! Your Sasha's look beautiful and you can actually see each one.

The rooms are nicely decorated, is the blue bunk metal? I'd really like one like that for my dolls.

Boxes are the bane of my life, we keep them just in case we need to sell a doll on, but let's face it just how many do we sell?? I came to terms with this myself just recently and ditched mine to allow more room for more dolls. :)
Big hugs,
X

Gregor Daddies said...

Thanks Xanadu! Yes, both sets of bunk beds are metal, and break down flat. The boys' set is American Girl, while the Girls' is an AG knockoff, I believe.