A Prize Arrives

On one of the Hitty groups I belong to we had a 'Keep your face to the sunshine' photo challenge.

I made a yellow bee dress for Hitty Madge.

This was the photo we submitted as we didn't have any sunflowers, but these were still a lovely bright yellow.

We were surprised to hear we had won  a prize!

Today a little parcel arrived.

Hitty Madge was very excited as it was addressed to her.

Look at this wonderful bag!

Before long she was spotted walking down the garden with her new little bag on her back.

Oh look there a sweet little ladybird on it as well.

Madge enjoys the roses here at Rose Cottage.  It is getting close to the end of the season now, but there are still some beautiful roses to be seen.

Thank you so much Jane, the bag is absolutely wonderful and we couldn't be more delighted with it.  I think Hitty Madge will be keeping this on for a while yet!

Rose Gardens

Hitty Madge had a lovely afternoon at the Rose Gardens today...

She found this little tree and thought it would be ideal for the Japanese garden we are wanting to plant...of course we will have to find our own version.

She wandered around enjoying all the flowers

and taking in the delicious scent.

She did see some butterflies, but they were too shy for photographs today.

Everything was looking glorious...what a shame the gardens are only open for another couple of weeks.

Some more ideas for 'small' gardens.

A lovely break in the day.  

A Dozen Roses - Set Two & A New Necklace

While in New Zealand I made another couple of roses dresses and thus A Dozen Roses Set Two was started....  The first two made when I returned are posted here.

The complete set...

Admittedly this one was made earlier this year, but not included in Set One, so I included it here.

This rose dress was also made earlier this year.

The rose dress made in NZ

This one was also made in NZ.

Made on my return - a 'very best' special occasion rose dress.

The next five were finished recently.

Really love this one.

It was a lovely day today and Hitty Madge enjoyed some time in the garden...she insisted on wearing her new necklace that was made for her today.  She has been wanting one for ages, and although it isn't red coral (we have a dearth of red coral around - or even red beads for that matter!), but silver and blue.

Gardens of the Rose

Hitty Madge was delighted the sun came out this afternoon so she could visit the Gardens of the Rose that opened for the season today.

So many beautiful flowers to look at.

Peonies.

The scent of the garden was just wonderful.

Beautiful rose

Relaxing by the pond.

Roses are blue?

Inspired by the lovely handkerchief dresses on both Quimper Hittys blog and also on The Hitty Girls, Hitty Madge wanted one...naturally, it had to feature roses.  Sadly we didn't really have any suitable handkerchiefs - just the one with a pretty embroidered flower.  So we improvised, made a roses dress with lace over skirt which also features roses and used a tiny corner of the handkerchief to make a collar.

We have made a note to see if we can find any vintage handkerchiefs at any charity shops we may visit.

Beginning...A Dozen Roses for Hitty Madge - Set 2

Hitty Madge was so pleased with 'A Dozen Roses for Hitty Madge' that she has decided she would like another set.  

Spring Blue

Lilac Rose

A Dozen Roses for Hitty Madge for Valentines Day

Hitty Madge was very happy with her two birthday dresses which are also part of the 'A Dozen Roses' series.

Some vintage tatting/lace bought at the antiques fair in the weekend was added to both dress as trim.

This one is especially nice we think.

We were also delighted to receive some wonderful fabric in the post from Jenny and Evie and very quickly three more dresses were made (at the expense of any housework!)

This one is lovely with its soft pink roses.

This one Hitty Madge soon rejected as she said it made her feel like one of those 'toilet roll holder dolls'!  

Off with the ruffle was the verdict!

The ruffle came off and she is much happier.

Lastly is this pretty one in blues...

There are some other really delightful pieces of fabric which we are thrilled with, but have had to put the sewing machine away for now and get down to some actual housework and chores! 

A Dozen Roses for Hitty Madge - finished just in time for Valentines Day.

Sadly the graphics card has gone caput in my computer...I've only had the machine a couple of years - it is an apple...so basically the machine has had it.  It is currently running on a basic one and all the pictures are distorted due to incorrect aspect ratio...but it least it works for now.  Not impressed, I thought Apples were supposed to be good for graphics.  Won't be getting another one!

Not sure how long it will work for, so won't be posting for a while now.  Will hopefully get in one more before we leave.

A busy Saturday

During the week Hitty Madge's wardrobe has been expanding.  This little cardigan that our person knitted also goes well with jeans...

and floral leggings, so great for casual wear.

A dress made from a recycled child's dress - this was very difficult to sew as the fabric frayed quite badly.  So although this dress does have roses on it, it won't be counted in the 'A Dozen Roses for Hitty Madge' series.

There was enough for the green fabric for a bodice, and then it was discovered not enough for a skirt, so our person improvised and used the sleeve of a recycled dress.  It is a little bit different.

A little tote bag was made, to carry those necessary items that a lady carries around with her.

A knitted shawl for cooler weather.

Another knitted shawl in multi-coloured yarn.

Today our person had quilting group.  Hitty Madge went along with her and oversaw the sewing...so it is not a surprise to any of us that she came home armed with some more dresses!  Fortunately for Hitty Madge our person was able to find enough small pieces of rose fabric to make three more dresses in the 'A Dozen Roses' series.

A Dozen Roses - Four

A Dozen Roses - Five

A Dozen Roses - Six

Last night a simple shawl was knitted and this will go nicely with both the blue and green dress in this pattern.

To make sure she actually did some 'quilting' at Quilting group a little 'I Spy' quilt was made.

Representing the months of the year.