Fred & Ginger: A Giveaway to Enter!

I haven’t had a giveaway here on my blog for quite a while so I think it’s time to put that right!  But before I tell you what it’s all about, I really must show you a picture…  In my last post I mentioned the problems of effective time management when living with two furry friends who feel that my life should be spent giving them everything they want.   In Daisy’s case this means playing and lots of walks.  She has developed a habit of sitting next to the table as I work and if I ignore her then she begins to stare – very hard indeed!

DaisyIt’s very hard to concentrate when she’s doing this, which of course is the whole point!  “Work not going too well Mum?  Let’s go for a walk instead, or perhaps a nice game of tug-o-war will help refresh your brain.”  Little monster!

Fred & Ginger

But back to my giveaway….. I’m a bit of a Strictly Come Dancing fan (how dare they eliminate Ben?!?), and my Saturday evenings are filled with tinsel and twirling – on the TV that is – not me!  So I thought it would be nice to include a Strictly-inspired pattern in the next issue of the Bustle & Sew e-Magazine.  And here are Fred and Ginger, the two little ballroom dancing rats, seen above in profile, and below in all their glory ….

Fred & Ginger

 The giveaway is your chance to win a Fred or Ginger kit (your choice) that contains everything you need to make your very own little dancing ratty!  They’re quite large – about 12″ from ears to toes with moveable joints – buttons and strong threads and lovely button noses.  

Caption Competition

 To enter all you need to do is leave a comment on this post and, just for fun (not essential), suggest a fun caption for the picture of Fred and Ginger above.  The winner will be chosen by random selection.  The giveaway will close on Thursday 12 December and winner will be announced the following week.  I will post your Fred (or Ginger) kit anywhere in the world – and hopefully it will be with you before Christmas!  

Good luck everyone!

234 Comments

Beverly Carroll

“Pull yourself together, Ginger! We’re on in 2 minutes!
These are really cute! I love rat toys, but hate the real thing.
Our rats here in Utah aren’t that skinny! Love your site!
Say hi to Ben and Daisy!

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Judith anderson

Loving the ratties. “Fred relished the opportunity to customise his dancing partner.”

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“It’ll be fine!….No need to go to pieces, Ginger!!!!”

Love Fred’s ‘Topper’!
X Linda

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carol stevenson

you are making a bit of a song and dance of this, now pull your self together.

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Rebecca Garrett

“Don’t fall to pieces Ginger! We can do it!”

I would love a Ginger pattern!!! So cute!!

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‘squeesh over a bit Ginger or i won’t be able to fit!’ Hiding from Mum and jumping out to scare her is such fun…….

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Caroline Smyth

Fred was worried about Ginger’s state of mind… “She always falls to pieces at this time of year”.

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There can only be one caption, and its an old favorite of mine, BUT, it has to sung in mouse tone and pitch ( that’s pretty hard to do !!!) my caption would be sung rather that said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlP7l8vkNOk

We will find it, we will bind it, we will stick it with glue glue glue, we will stickle it , every little bit of it , we will fix it like new new new new !

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How lovely, Tamsin! I’ve never heard that before, even here in “New” England in the States; thanks for sharing it with us.

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Paige Still

“A good partner is hard to find—so, just make you one”

I love these. They are just precious!

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“Edith Head, Ginger is in need, she is having a costume melt down!!”

Fred is so sweet and looks like the real Fred tooo!! I like Fred, and I love to watch him dance!

Daisy give your Mum a break!! Go hang with Big Brother Ben for a bit!! lol too cute!!

Hugs, Jan

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I know your armless when you’re legless but this really has to sop!

I think these are adorable xx

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“House Mouse is waiting for his date for the Christmas Party”
They are soooo cute.

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Brenda J.Moore

“Don’t fold on me now Ginger…just one more dance around the room!”

Daisy looks so adorable by the way.
Cheers,
Brenda from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

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What a cute pair!
‘Sew will you join me for a bustle around the dance floor my dear?’

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I know the judges said you really need to loosen up, but I don’t think they wanted you going this far!!!! Love the rats

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Julie Whittaker

I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing Just prayin’ to a God that I don’t believe in ‘Cause  I’m falling to pieces, yeah,

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“The Six Million Dollar Rat – we can rebuild her!” 🙂

Love them! Fred and Ginger sound much better than the R** word, which makes me shudder!

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Ginger, get up and get yourself together, we must dance!!!!!!
smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

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Sally Clifton

No Ginger, I`ve had a really good look and there are definitely no boobs in the tin.

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Ginger preparing for her YouTube video debut…singing to Fred her favorite Patsy Cline song…”I Fall To Pieces”

These are just absolutely the CUTEST EVER!!!!

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Claire Curtis

‘Oh you know I am all arms and legs when it comes to dancing Fred!!!’

Very lovely are these two and keeping everything crossed!!

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Our middle son used to do that when he was little, if he wanted attention and I was doing something he would sit and stare hopefully…….. it always worked I stopped and played!

Caption:: Now I told you what would happen if I threw you up in the air……….

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“Step out of the box Ginger it’s time to boogey on down to the sewing room”

These are just so adorable….love them <3

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Helen Porter

Together we’ll stand
Divided we’ll fall
Come on now Ginger
Let’s get on the ball
And work together

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I love the look iof these, and long to make one! So much nicer than the real thing.. They steal my chicken food;Brazenly!!

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Strictly Rat-a-Two-ie Come Dancing is all the rage my dear! Those humans just don’t stand a chance against us!

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Strictly Rat-a-Two-ie Come Dancing is all the rage my dear! These humans don’t stand a chance against us!!!

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Come on Ginger, it’s time to go Rat a tat tat!

My lying daughter would love this, she is now wanting to learn how to sew just like her mum.

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“Wake up Ginger! You stayed up too late last night stitching and now we will be late for the dance contest.”

Love your blog and newsletters! What a generous give-away also! Thanks for being who you are.

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Marcy Mahle

“Oh my but we did trip the light fantastic a wee bit too hard Ginger. Let me help you up my dear.”

I loved the real Fred and Ginger and I love their two namesakes. Really cute.

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” Oh dear! I think we’ve had too much dancing , Ginger is falling apart !”

These are lovely ! I would love any of them !!!

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You promised we would be “together” forever.

Ginger, you really danced your bum off.

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Deborah steel

“Oh no “said Fred ” where are the mice from bagpuss when you need them”.X

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My daughter would love these, and I am old enough to remember Fred & Ginger black and white films on a Sunday afternoon.

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Would love to make either one. My caption is “Ginger, Darling, Who did this to you!”

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For goodness sakes, Ginger; would you please get yourself together so we can go dancing!

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Come on my Ginger snap, let’s go outside and dance under that shining ball of cheese.

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I am so excited – I’ll never be lonely again – thank goodness for “Build a Bride”!

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Don’t worry Ginger! We’ll have you dancing backwards and in high heels in not time!

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Whew, Fred that last swirl sent me flying apart! What a cute couple they are. Thank you for such an awesome giveaway. I love getting the newsletter and keeping up with all the great inspiration.

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Joyce Budke

I am so glad I have found your Blog. Reading it has brought back great memories of living in England in the 70’s. I love the pictures of your “puppies” , I have an Aussie that has staring down to a fine art, so I can relate. Thank you

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‘ It’s a disaster…dahling .’
Ginger where’s that thread??? If you were mine I’d soon fix you up!!!w

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I love mice
I love fred and ginger in their old pictures
I think you made some of the best of BOTH
SO SO CUTE

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“Come on Ginger … we could be sew good together!” These are great they have such characters.

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Reggie Geier

Come on Ginger, up and at it, we’ve got dancin to do.

Would love to have Ginger. Both are so cute.

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After a perfect score of 10, ginger celebrated with champagne ad became leg less… She needs to get now pull it together. Beautiful little mouses!

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Lorraine Campbell

A special pair, can you see the love in their eyes? Meet Jesse and Jane..

Merry Christmas

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Oh goodness… All the best lines have gone!! Glad it’s not essential and hope the lack of wit doesn’t put me at a disadvantage! X

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Eww Ginger! That twirl was a doozey!

What a cute pair. My daughter is getting the fox head for her front porch for Christmas and my son is getting the moose head for his office. Thanks for your creativity.

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Sheila Caris

Fred sings, “I don’t sew – don’t ask me”!

(Love Gingers outfit.)

Merry Xmas to all.

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Take sprinkle of dainty little arms, add a jumble of fairy legs add sparkle and glitter net and the most handsome partner you could ever wish.
You have the most gorgeous Fred and Ginger.

Happy Christmas to everyone who enjoys Bustle and Sew, and a special Christmas ((((hug)))) to Helen

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Colette Scorey

“Please Ginger……..we could be SEW good together !”

“Stop going to pieces , Ginger !”

Couldn’t resist a few more attempts !

Colette xxx

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“Fred and Ginger were clearly thinking outside the box in their effort to win the competition.”
They are both very cute, but the top hat and bowtie make Fred my favourite!

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Barbara Draper

Ginger, my dear ratty, please don’t fall to pieces. It’s Christmas and
we need to dance, dance, dance.

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Lawana whaley

“Ginger just because we came in second in the dance completion doesn’t mean you should go to pieces”

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Michele Lowry

Before the ballet show everyone said “break a leg” but I just fell to pieces with stage fright.

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Ginger my dear, Enough is enough! Get your dancing legs on. “We are going to do it big … Do it right …and do it with style.”

Quote by Fred Astaire

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Adorable dancing duo, came to late to this party, any witty caption I thought of has been already posted. Thanks for the opportunity to win the prize and Merry Christmas!

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I know I promised 1st class travel, they were all sold out. This is the only way to get home before Christmas.

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Tracy Duddridge

That last joke Bruce told has undone my stitches

Would love to win Ginger for my little girls room x she would look a dream twirling on her dresser x

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Ginger has gone to pieces over Fred! My little grand daughter would love to have Ginger. She loves to dance and attend her ballet class.

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Marilyn Gray

All the King’s horses and all the king’s men……….

So cute! Would love to have these! Thanks for the opportunity!

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Mawhahahaha! Finally my opportunity to practice my Frankenstein training!
I love your work, these are too adorable. Thank you for your creativity and sharing it with the rest of us. Donna

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Love your patterns!!! Sweet Daisy knows how to tug at your heart strings!!!! Would love to win any of your patterns!!!!

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Now now Ginger ; it can’t be that bad ..Or can it ??

How adoreable they are … Thanks for the chance to win them ….

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There are some awesome and comical captions… since I am not very creative in this aspect I won’t even try! Thanks for the chance to win either Fred or Ginger and it will be a tough decision if I do win as both are equally adorable!!

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These are delightful!! I just finished making the deer head bust and fox bust for my grand children. I thoroughly enjoyed making them and I know these will be just as much fun.

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I “couldn’t have” danced all night.

These are too cute. I would love to make one.

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‘Ginger fell to pieces when she didn’t get 10 from Craig Revel Horwood…pull yourself together, love’
Love the pic of Daisy, btw ~ my dog used to do that look too and if i ignored her she’d sigh heavily at me!

Sam Sykes @ facebook

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Fred is quite debonair! I really dislike rodents but these are very cute! Nice job, thanks for the chance to win!

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Denise Reimer

They’re a whole lot cuter than the real thing. And I’d rather have either
Ginger or Fred in my house than the real ones ( rats that is ) any day.

Merry Christmas Every One
and enjoy Fred or Ginger whoever gets
the great dancing rat

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Jill Davies

“C’mon, that’s enough rest. Pull yourself together so that we can get back to practice.” Both very cute rats but I think that I like Ginger best.

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Ginger said, ” oh, my goodness, I knew the snowfall was going to make it slippery. I slipped and fell to pieces…oh, rats!”

I love the animals you design!

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“Honey I promise, with the price of airline tickets, this IS the best way to get you to your mother’s for Christmas.” They are absolutely adorable.

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Edna Vaines

“Pick yourself up, Ginger and we’ll dance to Swing Time now!”

Great little contest and neat entries. Thanks.

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Wendy Hatton

“That last twirl had her legless”
I, too, have a dog who can stare loudly just like Daisy.

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“Stop playing footsies with my while the human is taking photos you cheeky rat!”

Gorgeous little creatures btw! Thanks for the chance to win :o)

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Jill Scholes

Why are you not ready Ginger? We are on in 5!
I do so love your quaint creatures. Pookie, my ginger cat would so love a Fred to chat to. Wishing you, Be and Daisy a truly wonderful blessed Christmas.

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“I don’t know what happened Fred, my costume malfunctioned!”
Helen I love to read your newsletter.

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LindyloufromOz

Ginger, this is no time to fall to pieces! We’re on in five minutes!

Gorgeous softies!

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Every night Fred would pray for a partner worthy of his talents ~ she was that dream come true! These two are the most adorable rats, if I had the chance I would love to win Fred.

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Ginger is just so gorgeous.

I would love to make her for my grand daughter.
My caption..

” Sew,sew, sew, bustle bustle,sew”!

Love Strictly myself!

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Joy McClure

Remember, Ginger did everything Fred did, but she did it backwards and in high heels!

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It looks like Christmas is costing Ginger an arm and a leg this year!

Very sweet rats which would be lovely to make and dress up in Christmassy clothes, too – maybe even have a Fairy Rat at the top of your Christmas tree this year for a change!

Happy Christmas to everyone.

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sorry ginge

its not my fault i caught my foot on your ball gown, i told them not to make it so long!

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Kitra Woodall

“Don’t go to pieces on me now Ginger!”
I lovelovelove your work 🙂 thank you for sharing your talent, joy and passion with us!

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“Fred, I just can’t manage the buttons. Will you get them for me?”

Love your patterns!

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Helen,
I´m happy to see “e-Magazine” in the newsletter.
Your work is so interesting and should be to be known by sewers and embroiders new to the site.

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christine gibbons

“With all the Bustle, I forgot to Sew”. I love the rats as I do everything you do!

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“And I go to pieces, whenever you are near.”
I love Fred. So similar to the real one! Though he was definitely not a rat.
lovebirdmom at gmail dot com

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Catherine Etter

You’ve fretted to pieces,
Yourself in a tin,
Pull it all together,
Time for us to spin!!!!!!
love, Fred
*would love either, your pick!!!!!!!!!

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Jean Thompson

“Come on Ginger you can’t change your mind now, we have Reservations at the Dance Club”

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I lose my head, and my arms, and legs, whenever you are near dear Fred!

My furry kid does the same thing to me. Whenever I sit and my hands are covered with glue and glitter, my muttly sits and stares. But lately he’s added this pitiful whine. You would think I would learn to get the walk over before I get involved with creating!

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marion bryant-parsons

Dance with me Fred whispered Ginger into his ear as they entered the ballroom, a hush fell as they started their dancing magic.
Ginger is the one for me,all those lovely dresses.

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Oh my, these 2 are so adorable! I am usually not a fan of (real) rodents but am absolutely in love with Fred and Ginger now 🙂

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Sherryl Wynne

“Now where did those assembly instructions go?”

Oh I really need a new dance partner – Fred! Come to me!

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Fred and Ginger are so cute. Thanks for the chance to win one of them.

Fred is saying, “I ordered this dancing partner from Helen, but what I have done with the instruction sheet?”

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How cute, caption hmmm ‘i knew you couldn’t take the stress, look you have gone to bits!!!

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“Oh! Ginger you look in bits. Come on get yourself together we are performing on Strictly in 10mins”

Wonderful pair, so cute, love them.

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Thank you for the giveaway Helen, the rats are absolutely adorable!

So many fantastic captions that I can’t really think of anything new …

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Linda Bishop

“Please make for me a beautiful wife to share my life.” I would love to have a kit to make these for my young freinds.

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I am trying to figure out if Rat is responsible for Ginger being apart or it it is trying to help her recreate,

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“Pull yourself together girl, we must dance! ”

I love how Daisy stares at you, my dog (a labrador) loves to nudge me – repeatedly- under the elbow when I am trying to type. She probably thinks it’ll speed things up but it actually slows things down as I need to retype my words before I can play with her

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As always your blog brings a smile to my day – thankyou

“Is this kit like MFI where there are always some bits left over?

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“Somehow, Fred, I just don’t think this move is going to work.”

Thanks for the opportunity. They’re adorable, as is everything you make.

To all of you: Happy Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever festival you value at this time of year. <3

Alexandra

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‘Dear Fred, Shall we dance?
They are just the most delightful pair of dancers, look as though they would be as light as air on their feet!
Your designs are just so simple and so very perfect – it is so lovely that you share them with us all. Happy Christmas to you and yours and to Ginger and Fred.

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” Dear Fred, Shall we Dance?
Fred and Ginger are so delightful and look as though they would be as light as air on their feet.
Thank you so very much for sharing them, you make the loveliest toys, Happy Christmas from Beth.

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“Shall we dance, dear Fred?”

Fred and Ginger are the most delightful Rats that I have ever seen, and I am sure that they dance beautifully
Hope you and all your family of toys have a wonderful Christmas….Beth

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Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, especially Ginger Mouse

Delightful kit, looks challenging, thank you so much for the opportunity to win Fred or Ginger!

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Marina Julian

“Come on Ginger – did you forget that you’re the star on the Christmas tree this year?”

I’d love to win the Ginger kit-set – we have 6 adorable girl ratties left out of our original 9. They are the sweetest companions!

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Tracey McLean

So many good lines on here it is hard to come up with something not already suggested. They are all very good.

Don’t know how you could ever ignore Daisy for long. Looks like she has the Paddington Bear stare off to a tee.

Thank you for such a wonderful site Helen. I’m in awe that you manage to do sew much a month. (Sorry about the pun … just too good not to put it in!

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