A Different Kind of Swap

A while back a Flickr and Blogging friend of mine Beth who has a lovely blog,  'By Hook By Hand'  decided to do a doll swap - I had been admiring her crochet dolls very much and wondered if she would like a Hitty doll.  I was delighted when she said she would like to do a swap.

Hitty '9' aka Hitty Serenata was finished and sent on her journey to a new home in the USA.  I really enjoyed this project and had fun making up her wardrobe.

First up we have the poor girl bravely posing in her 'birthday suit' 

She is wearing her red 'coral' necklace.

Profile views.

Next she gratefully puts on a pair of pantaloons.

Some dresses are made for her - to suit the different seasons.

A classic 'Rose dress' as she was 'born' at Rose Cottage and a  pretty spring/summer dress

Something for the cold winter months...and of course a Christmas dress.

A patchwork quilt to keep her warm.

A shawl to ward of the chills.

Her trunk is packed...

She hops in...

Lies down and prepares for her long journey.

She has now arrived safely in her new home and I look forward to reading about her adventures.

Undergarments Swap Sent

You may remember we showed the vintage handkerchief we were going to use for the undergarments swap.  

These are the three items we made.  We weren't entirely happy with the pattern of the camisole top, found the instructions a little hard to follow for some reason...

Hitty Moana models it before we send it off to Rochelle in USA.

Undergarments Swap Received

We have just received our Hitty Undergarment Swap and several girls tried it on, but it seems it fits Hitty Madge best which we were surprised about, although of course Madge was thrilled to bits.

Pretty silky pantaloons and camisole top

Hitty Madge sits down on the bed to try the petticoat on...

It is a lovely fit.

Thank you so much for our lovely swap Rochelle,  we hope yours arrives soon!

A most perfect day.

What a glorious day it was today.

Hitty Madge enjoyed the sunshine very much indeed.

The flowers at Audley End looked splendid.

As did the various displays.  

It really was a most perfect day.

Sewing on Saturday

Hitty Ethel has been kept busy today doing even more sewing, but then as it has been a rainy day, sometimes that is the best use of time.  A Christmas dress has been made for Hitty Serenata plus she made a dress for Hitty Madge for the KnittyHittys 'Keep your face to the Sunshine' Challenge.

We don't have any sun flowers, but we do have some pretty yellow marigolds and the yellow 'bee' dress is just perfect to represent the busy bees pollinating at this time of year.

Hitty Serenata was also pleased to have her necklace made.

Finishing Hitty 8 and 9

So the two new Hitty girls are finished - well almost.

Rather chunky girls, but the stand and balance well.

Side profiles

Hitty 9 and Hitty 8 side by side

Hitty 8

Hitty 9

Drying after their first coat of sealer - they were then sanded and coated again.

In all their 'glory'

Dressed - in 'Rose' dresses.

Hitty 9 is for a friend I am doing a swap with so I am making her a little wardrobe to go with her.

This is her second dress with long sleeves for the cooler weather.

Still to make:

Necklace

Christmas Dress

Shawl.

Spring Dress.

Her pantaloons are made, she is wearing those.

Hitty Ethel checks the dress for size, making sure it fits properlyl.

Also finished today are my items for the Hitty Girls Anniversary Challenge 'Undergarments' swap...but I can't show you those yet...but this is what I made them from:

A pretty vintage cotton handkerchief with delicate lace edging.

Carving Hitty 8 and 9

I first posted about Hitty 8 here.  I put her away for a while to 'think' about.

I started Hitty 9 a few days ago and have been working on her a little at a time to save my arm and hand from getting too much pain.  This is working out much better for me, although it does take longer.  But I am enjoying this process to see a little more emerge each time.

Hitty 9 blanks.

Starting work

A profile forming.

Limbs...

Hitty 9 and Hitty 8 side by side

I have done a little more work on Hitty 8 as well - trying to round out her face a little more and adding her features.

They are getting there.  More work was done on Hitty 9's limbs today.

They are starting to show their characters.