Cherry Blossom Appeal for Japan.....The winner of the draw is announced!

Original sketch for 'Anais' dress

Regular visitors to the blog will know all about my Cherry Blossom Appeal for Japan, and will also know that the winner of the draw to have a made-to-measure version of my 'Anais' design is to be announced today.
The draw closed at midnight on 25th April, and I'd firstly like to thank everyone who generously donated.....it was really heart-warming to see so many of my previous and existing clients names on the list, along with fans of the Facebook page, Twitter followers, and very many unfamiliar names who had come across the appeal via the links that you lovely lot had posted on your respective social media networks :)
I'm very happy to say that close to £500 was raised (I'm going to bump it up to £500 due to my love of round numbers), so a cheque for £500 to the British Red Cross Tsunami Appeal will be sent off first thing on Tuesday.



I was very excited to see who I will be making the dress for, so I spent the morning tarting up the JFD courtyard in preparation for the grand draw.....

A Japanese kimono inspired dressing robe by Joanne Fleming Design

Close-up of the beaded silk robe

'Blossom Time' bone china by Royal Albert

The names are in the hat!

I invited photographer (and good friend) Jacqui McSweeney over for tea, and asked her to do the honours......so without further ado......

And the winner is......drumroll......

Step forward and take a bow!

Congratulations to Mr Moralee! I will be e-mailing you soon to make arrangements to get measurements so I can get started on the dress. I am taking a wild guess and assuming that this will be a wonderful gift for a significant other in your life.....but if it is in fact for you, just as good....we make no judgements here at the JFD studio! :))

If you care to say a few words below they'd be most welcome.....don't worry, Gwynneth Paltrow style tear-stained cheeks are not essential ;-))

Once again, a big thankyou for everyones support.....and between us we've raised a tidy little sum to demonstrate our solidarity with the victims of the awful events of a few weeks ago, and to affirm that we continue to think of them.....

And here is the certificate from the The Red Cross acknowledging our contribution.....now proudly displayed on the studio wall as a testament to YOUR generosity :)