Fashion Designer Of The Year - Sew Hip

Do you remember that a while ago I mentioned I had entered a competition Sew Hip magazine was holding? Well it was a competition to find the 'Fashion Designer of the Year' and the 1st and 2nd prizes were amazing.
I decided to enter right at the last minute, the deadline for the initial sketches was 15th November, so on the 14th Nov, I posted in my entry (guaranteed next day delivery postal option!).

Mid December I found out I was through to the next round and I had to make up my dress. My sketch then appeared in the next issue of Sew Hip

(mine is in the top corner)

I had to make the dress and get it to Sew Hip by the 15th Jan! now this was hard work as I had seriously lots to do over Christmas, but manage it I did.

     

And then we waited....
We were told that the winners would be announced in the May issue of Sew Hip, which came out on the 29th March.
Subscribers issue come out earlier though and so on the 22nd I woke up, checked my twitter and found that someone had announced the winners.

I knew I wouldnt win, the competition was stiff, there were some really lovely entries, including a wedding dress! But I had been dreaming of the prizes

1st Prize

2nd Prize

I love my sewing machine but these could do so much more! Just look at the size of the throat on the first prize

Anyhow it was with utter amazement that I opened the link on the tweet and saw this

OMG I won, I actually won! I woke hairy up by shouting Oh my god, oh my god and shaking him, boy did he have a fright, he had no idea what was happening! I immediately phoned my mum and sisters in the UK and tweeted my sheer joy. I still dont believe it and have waited until now to blog about it because my Prize arrived at my mums yesterday and so I finally believe its true and I am the owner of a Janome Horizon 7700! (did you know Lynne of Lily's Quilts has one of these and says its amazing?)
I just need to get it shipped over to Oz now so I can start playing!