He's back!

Houston arrived home this morning and he bought ribbons, a rosette and a critique sheet with him.  The yellow ribbon is for participating in the Woodend Teddy Bear Show.  The blue is for winning 1st place in the "Novice - Original Design" category and the purple rosette is for winning the "Best Bear In Section" (Novice).  It's funny seeing Houston sitting next to the other bears i've made since, I can see the difference in my fine tuning already.  I think it's even funnier that if you had've told me 6 months ago that I would have a stash of mohair, sewing needles, stuffing and various other bear making tools, I wouldn't have believed you!  All this time I thought I couldn't stand sewing.  How wrong was I?

Houston, we have a winner!

I decided to try my luck by entering the bear competition at this years, Woodend Teddy Bear Show.  As i've only been sewing bears since June, I entered the novice category with Houston, the first bear I created from my very own pattern.  Houston was boxed up and taken to the post office 2 -3 weeks ago so he could make his journey from South Australia to Victoria.  A few hours ago, I found out that Houston won "Best in Category".  I was secretly hoping I might place in the category, so that purple rosette ribbon is very special to me!  I'm looking forward to Houston making his journey home so I can give him a congratulatory hug...isn't that the best way to say thanks to a teddy bear?