A Little Outing.

Hitty Morag and Hitty Madge enjoyed a day out yesterday.

They found an old birds nest on the ground which was really interesting.

They were intrigued with its construction and wondered which bird would have made the nest.

Although it was cold, they still enjoyed a brief rest sitting by the fountain and listening to the water.

It is still a mystery...

Hitty Madge and Hitty Morag have been explaining to Hitty Mildred that she really does have to take some responsibility for the little one and were expecting some explanation as to what has been happening while she was away.  They are not sure she is listening to them properly and are concerned she is just giving them lip service.  They have tried to suggest that perhaps the little one (who Mildred still hasn't told them her name!) might need a seeing eye dog and some tiny glasses... but Mildred must decide.  They leave her to think about things....

Some time later it seems that she is still very reticent to give them any explanation as to the little one or make any decisions... she hasn't as yet spoken at all about her last few years away, so it is still a mystery. It has been suggested that perhaps she just wants to move forward and leave it all behind.

A New Shawl for Hitty Mildred

Hitty Mildred was thrilled to get a new shawl yesterday.

 It is her first and she is very proud of it, especially as it is made with special NZ wool from the rare breed Arapawa Sheep.  

She shows off the back.  It covers her shoulders and back nicely and will keep her snug on chilly days.

A Christmas Star Quilt.

Hitty Madge and Hitty Morag have been busy working on a Christmas Star quilt. using the Christmas/Festive fabric squares from the Winter is Coming Charm Swap.

They were inspired by the love Hitty Constance's work (which can be seen here)

Good progress is being made apart from misplacing one of the diamonds which has been rather frustrating!  Fortunately that was found lurking underneath the settee.

Still a fair bit of sewing to do, all these pieces are hand sewn together.  The outer shapes have been laid out into position.  

This is a lovely project to sit and stitch when there are a few minutes to spare.

Out in the garden

Hitty Madge and Hitty Morag took their sister Hitty Mildred into the garden for some fresh air as it has been a lovely day today.  Cold but nice.  Fortunately they were able to find her a winter dress to wear which she was very pleased about as she had been in a summer dress for quite some time. She is secretly hoping she might get a nice cardigan or shawl made...

Morag found a lovely purple rose about to bloom.

Madge some yellow rose buds.

Mildred a bright red rose

and an orange bud that matches the orange in her dress.

A nice afternoon strolling around the garden discovering that the roses were still bravely blooming despite the colder and often very wet weather.

Welcome Home....

Hitty Madge and Hitty Morag on behalf of the Rose Cottage Hittys welcome home another Hitty who left in early 2015 to live elsewhere.  She has decided to return home and we are thrilled to have her back.  She was number five to be carved here at Rose Cottage back in October 2014 - a very good month for carving Hittys!  They were so excited this morning when the travel carriage arrived...

Ooh look do you think this could be her?

They quickly open the box carriage...

...and help her out.

Welcome Home!

Hitty Morag is the first to greet her sister.

Hitty Madge also gives her a welcome home hug.

Three sisters...  but wait...

...someone else has appeared on the scene.

Startled, Hitty Morag and Hitty Madge glance down...

Seems their sister has been busy while she has been away!

But to bring the poor mite home without any clothes on, this really will not do.  They must see to it that some clothes are made immediately and hope to get Hitty Ethel Raikes the Rose Cottage resident dressmaker on to it immediately

Hitty Morag's Sunday Afternoon.

Hitty Morag enjoyed a lovely walk yesterday afternoon.

She discovered a lovely old church.

Said hello to a soldier 

Sat and remembered amongst the poppies.

Enjoyed nature and some fungi.

A Very Useful Cupboard

Hitty Morag and Hitty Madge were intrigued to discover a cupboard had appeared...

They thought it looked interesting being the right size and all.

Opened it up to see what was inside.

Now this looks like a mighty useful bucket.   Hitty Madge says.

A cupboard full of useful items.

Perfectly Hitty sized.

Now this is just what we needed. Hitty Morag agrees as she tries the broom out for size.

A very useful cupboard indeed.

A Photo A Day in November 1 - 7

Hitty Morag is featuring in a photo a day for the month of November

1/30: Choosing fabrics to match her shawl.

2/30:  New outfit just perfect for taking an Autumn stroll.

3/30:  A mouse in the house, no please!

4/30:  A little chicken is not so bad.

5/30:  A winter quilt

6/30:  An apple a day...

7/30:  Pretty Fuchsias.  

Winter Is Coming Quilt Made.

I sorted out all the different package of squares today.

This was one lot. 

Another 

and another.

As it was supposed to be a 'Winter Charm Swap' with "no Christmas or Holiday fabrics", I was surprised to see so many of those sorts of fabrics included, but no problem as there is more than enough to make a least two, possibly three quilts, so all good fun.  I am quite sure the Rose Cottage Hittys will be absolutely delighted to get a Christmas Quilt in due course!

I decided to go with a blue theme, as I wanted to make Hitty Morag a quilt, and she seems to really suit the blues.

Deciding how to edge it was tricky, as I wanted to utilise the fabrics I was sent, and the fit was not easy... as I had included some reds in the layout I picked the red fabric strips from one of the packages to border the blues.

Hitty Morag seems pleased with the result

I used to quilt a lot but haven't done any in a long time, so lost my confidence a bit and was a bit stuck at just what to do so went for simple.  

These swaps a such fun to take part in.  To think this little quilt is made by me, with fabrics from across the world kindly given by lots of lovely Hitty friends is a real treat.

A Mouse!

A mouse in the house, this really will not do,

especially the size of one that looks like it should be in a zoo!

This rather large mouse appeared today

Hitty Morag really does wish it would go away!

Winter is Coming Charm Swap

Hitty Morag and Hitty Madge were delighted to receive a package in the mail yesterday.

They noted it came from the USA.

Winter Fabric Swap fabrics!  They are very excited at the wonderful collection of fabrics and squares they have received and are looking forward to a couple of lovely quilts to snuggle under this winter.