Meet Mrs Millicent Minniver and her sister Molly …. two little linen geese – one of my new patterns for this month’s magazine. After having such fun developing and adapting my mum’s vintage patterns to create the Little Hens and Pin Cushion Mice (available on the free patterns pages of my new website – click here to view) I thought it would be fun to create my own softie pattern. So the little geese idea was hatched (groan!)
Of course, when selling online, you need lots of photos of your product, so Millicent, Molly and I headed out into the garden for a photoshoot. Then my canine assistant arrived …
He simply adores having his photo taken and feels he should be the entire centre of attention. But if this can’t be so, then he’s happy to offer assistance where he feels it is needed ….
Hmmmmm … helpful? I think not. So he was banished. Whereupon he went into a sulk and fell asleep. Millicent and Molly went to investigate this curious animal …
The cross stitches on their backs look a bit like stocking seams I think! They were both made using the same templates (apart from the beak which I changed a little), but as I’ve positioned legs and wings slightly differently they look very individual. Then my canine “helper” woke up ….
…. and inspired this giveaway!!
The giveaway prize is a kit containing everything you need to make your very own little vintage linen goose (except for the stuffing and two pebbles to weight the base). To enter – please leave a comment – and if you’d like – just for fun – include a caption for the photo above!!
The Little Geese Softies pattern is now available on my website, and will be included in this month’s Bustle & Sew magazine – out on Thursday. This giveaway will close at midnight on Thursday 26 May BST when a winner will be chosen by random selection. And yes, I will post overseas. Good luck everyone!!
Please don't kiss and tell, those chaps from the goosepapers are everywhere these days. And if you're thinking about twittering, I'll take out an injunction!
Ha ha I couldn't possibly compare to the about comment. Fab 🙂
what a great give away. i'd love to make one of these geese, i'm already thinking about where i would put it!
They are adorable, please add me in! I think the big Goose is saying 'Quick play dead and he might not eat you!'
Hugs
Kandi x
Thank you for the lovely giveaway! What cute geese!
"come on buddy – lets go swim in the swamp – mama will never know!"
"Are you my Daddy?" These geese are adorable. Just love them. Thanks for a chance to win.
Janet
Oh……so sweet! And you're sweet for having the give away.
How cute! I love the vintage look of all of your patterns and would love to win! As for the caption…."AAACCCKK – dog breath!"
What a fun kit, thank you for the chance to win.
Oh so adorarable….and I think they are saying "what's quackin"????? XXX
Lovely giveaway. I think he's saying 'if only you were 10 years older'!
I loooooooove these geese. They are so cute. You have done a wonderful job with this pattern. I love the photo session as well hehe. I have my fingers crossed I can win a kit to make my own but if not I think this pattern is a must buy.
Signed
A big fan
"I prefer my duck with orange sauce!"
great photo shoot!
xxx
So darling! I would love to make one. Thank you for the give-away chance.
What a fun photo shoot. All three are adorable!
Margaret
Oh your dog is just too cute! I want one 😀
"Your kisses knock me off my feet!!!!" Thanks for the give-away! XOXOXO to Ben……..
X Linda (with fingers & toes crossed!)
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [22 May 02:15am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
Mrs Millicent Minniver and her sister Molly are just adorable. I'd love to have a go at making them. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Gorgeous geese!
count me in please!
I love these geese! And I just made the pincushion mice. One for me and one for a friend. Which by the way, her cat fell in love with! And I am working on the Afternoon Nap Dormouse. I think your beautiful pup is thinking…wait! I'm supposed to do the herding, not the other way around!
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AAACKKK! There was a juicy bug on your paw. Honest!!
Love your little geese! They are adorable! What fun they would be to make. Please enter me in your giveaway.
I tried to think of a caption, but I'm so tired tonight I guess all the creativity is gone for now.
What cute geese! Your dog is soooo cute!
I believe they are saying: Goose,Goose,…DAWG!
Irma 🙂
"Hey goose – your breath smells a lot better than mine!"
Well done on your fab little gander creations. They're simply lovely!
I love these! I think the caption should be "Honk, honk – you're it Ben!"
how cute are these I already know who to make these for my husband grandma she loves geese please pick me they will get good use 🙂
Amanda
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Your geese are so cute and your dog helper is lovely. They always try to help but don't quite get it do they? I'm sure they think we are very amusing!
I love the geese – they are really sweet, and I rather like the black fluffy helper as well! It is a lovely giveaway – I also have a giveaway on my blog as part of Sew Mama Sew's big giveaway day – perhaps you would like to join in as well?
Pomona x
"oh I can see right up your nose"
fabulous geese they're a must have
These are really fun! I think the tall one is saying "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore"
I don't know who is more sweet – dog or goose 😉 Greetings from Poland!
How adorable are these geese? As for a caption..I simply can't beat Amanda for ingenuity.
What lovely geese. Been making quite a few of your designs, I love the little softie dogs, I embroider little secret messages of their bellies. Count me in for the giveaway! And please can you make a softie of your beautiful Newfoundland, I'd love to have my own tiny one. Keep sewing! Madalene
The geese seem to be saying "Don't worry, it's just a stuffed doll!" and then "OOOOOOOoooo Noooooo! He's alive!!"
Those geese have so much personality, they seem as alive as your Newfy friend!
"Molly, sister, never wake a sleeping dog!" Lovely creation !!!!
Your geese are so cute! I have to say your dog is just as cute! I would love to win your kit! I could see these on my fireplace mattle!
Love your new geese. Thanks for a chance to make my own. By the way your helper is gordeous too.
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I love the last picture when they are visiting with they're new dog friend. Little geese visiting with their big silly goose friend!
Oh these geese are adorable and so is your canine! He looks so big and cuddly!
Love the geese! What an adorable pattern! Thanks for a chance to win the kit!!! As for a cation: Get on your feet, Molly! I think it's time for the Wild Goose Chase!" Anne, yourmainestamper
Hi Helen, Lovely pattern!
I think that Millicent is telling Molly to " Let sleeping dogs lie" LOL. Sandy. 🙂
ALTHOUGH I LOVE BOTH THE GEESE AND THE DOG, I THINK MY CATS WOULD RATHER THE GEESE CAME TO OUR HOME.
Ellie, these geese are so very, very cute! I must make a gaggle for my Grand Daughter!
Oh I'm smitten! They're precious!!
"Oh thank Heavens he brushes!!"
Your geese are so, so cute! My granddaughter would love them!
would love to have a GAGLE of Geese for us to play with, THANKS for the chance to WIN!
I think the geese are adorable and enjoy a chance to win a kit. About what the geese are saying. Hmmmm what is this thing we see here, is it friendly or not, or could be be friends with it.
I love the geese and your assistant is quite charming too!!!
Oh those geese are so adorable, Helen – but so are all your patterns. I am a smitten subscriber in Australia.
"Millicent, don't be alarmed… On closer inspection, I believe it's just a sweet fluffy bear! And I think he wants to be friends!!" Just too sweet!!
Would love to win your pattern. They are all just so darling.
Molly was looking quite shy when she first met Ben, and then she was just bowled over by him. Thank you for mentioning that you would post overseas, I'm in Western Australia, and sometimes it's quite disappointing not to be able to join in.
What a lovely give away! 🙂
"Akkk, it moved!!"
🙂 Linda
The geese are adorable! – Almost as cute as your wonderful dog!
psssttt…is it real…look how big he is..lets get closer and see if he moves…I love these geese!What a awesome giveaway! Thank you for letting me join in.
How cute is this. I love the geese and they don't even bite. thanks for the giveaway.
Charming! How about, "Are you our mother?"
"Molly, it MOVED! Run, no, wait, FLY!"
What a charmer of a dog! As for a caption, how about "AFLACK!" Thanks for the give-away opportunity; I just found your website/blog and it's wonderful, keep up the fine work!
"No Molly! you can't lay down with Ben, we have worms waiting for us in the garden."
Mrs Millicient Minniver and her sister Molly are just so cute.
These little geese are adorable and I can't think of a witty comment, there's too many great ones here already!
How do you get so much volume in your hair, mine is always so flat?!! Love your geese and would be delighted to be entered into your giveaway. Catherine x
Do I smell sherry?
Love the puppy and the geese!
Caption: Ben: Why hello there.
They are adorable.
"Gack! He is alive!"
Love them to bits 🙂 And Ben as well 🙂
I love them! And Ben!
Maybe something along the lines of "Jemimah Puddle-duck couldn't believe Mr. Fox would go for such an obvious disguise."
"Oooohh Geese..for me!?"
These two geese are so wonderful! and your dog too!! 🙂
"Come on Ben, lets get "quacken". Sew much to do,
Sew much to see,"
Love the dog, love the geese.
Pam
The geese are so cute!
"How do you like that, Mrs Millicent?. I kissed a Gander and it turned into a dog"
Molly exclaimed.
I'mItching to get stitching these gorgeous geese
Messy Mal.