For starters, I really REALLY !!!! had a hard time trying to figure out who to give this dress to. I was hoping there would be that ONE magical comment that would make me say “YES” and instead I just wish I could give one of these to everyone. You sure know how to make it hard on a gal… heh :)
I was blown away by all of your sweet comments. You all seem to have fallen in love this dress for the same reasons I did: the color, the frothiness, the waistline detail, and the extraordinary skill and care the owner took to making this dress.
I really appreciate the fact that many of you recognized how hard it is for me to give this dress away. But this only confirmed that I am making the right decision to give it away instead of letting it collect dust in my closet.
There was no shortage of touching and heartbreaking stories, occasions big and small. There were weddings and proms and hard times. In reading over everyone’s reactions, I feel that everyone here is worthy of this dress. Everyone is deserving.
But one comment stood out to me. Her description made me feel like she sees this dress like I do, and would take good care of it. While it was a really tough call to make, I’ve chosen to give this dress to Clare S. of Jane of All Trades who said:
Wow, what a stunning dress! It’s very generous of you to offer it, especially as it means so much to you. Though I think I understand – I think of vintage items and antiques as not mine, I’m just their caretaker: I get to enjoy them, but it’s my responsibility to look after then so someone else can enjoy them, too. It seems like that’s what you’re doing.
As for what I’d wear it for, I know exactly. My partner spent 6 years training hard to become an architect (his dream since he was a child), but, of course, he finished in the middle of the recession and architecture jobs have been very, very few and far between. He’s been working in a bar for the past year and a half, constantly sending his cv out to all architects in the area and even doing free design work for friends and family to build up his experience. I’m so proud of him that he’s kept going and kept his chin up. It’s not been easy in that time, we’re scraping by financially, but I’m hopeful. Today he finally had an interview (the second in all that time to give you an idea of how bad it’s been) and I’m hoping he gets it. We’ve said that when (not if!) he gets his architecture job, we’re going to treat ourselves to a special meal. He’ll wear a waistcoat I’m making him (he likes vintage styling, too) and, if I were lucky enough to win, I’d wear this dress, so he and I could both enjoy it and celebrate at last.
And if I don’t win, well I’ve found a new blog to follow, so no loss there!
Thanks again for offering this amazing giveaway – someone out there is going to be very happy!!
Clare S. I hope you’re the very happy one!
Clare, I feel confident in giving you this dress that it won’t ‘waste away’ in your closet. I felt that you would be the perfect person to ensure that this dress will continue to be passed along to make other people as happy as it’s made me (and I hope you too.)
In this rough economy, it’s hard for people to get their dream job, let alone any job. So to Clare, I hope this will make the perfect celebration dress for you and your husband once he does get his architecture job. I’m sure it will happen soon.
Thank you all SOOOO much for entering in my giveaway; you’re all lovely people and I hope our paths cross again.
In: Miscellaneous Sewing
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