ZOMG I can't believe I won!!! Thank you so so much! ❤

Caroline had always been one to dance. Every year, timely on December 23rd, she would make her husband Roald put on a suit and his fancy top hat, dress up herself in the most fashionable manner and tug him to the Lumineve Ball where they would spend the evening dancing, drinking and meeting friends. While Caroline would be dancing most of the time, Roald could rather be found at the buffet or chatting with other guests as he had never had a single dance lesson and felt a bit shy about stepping on the dancefloor. However, he would always find his beloved wife for a last slow dance when the lights were dimmed late in the night.

Naturally Emmy, their daughter of seven years, would always be the first to be awake on Luminaire morning. She had inherited the light skin, the beautiful reddish-blonde hair and the tendency to wake up early from her dad, but she looked like her mom, a pretty face with a little snub nose, freckles and a big open smile that could light up in a second or less. And as it was, without her parents to hinder her, she would take a peeking tour around the Luminaire tree, poking and shaking the presents and stuffing her own gifts ("self-wrapped, Mom!") somewhere in between. "Come on, Doctor, you gotta help me now. We have still lots of stuff to do till they wake up!"

And that's how Luminaire would begin in the Hughes family's house...

Holiday Party

[URL=http://s72.photobucket.com/user/Christschild96/media/Cheri_zps9da2fd7e.png.html][IMG]http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i169/Christschild96/Cheri_zps9da2fd7e.png[/IMG][/URL][URL=http://s72.photobucket.com/user/Christschild96/media/trish_zps70c80530.png.html][IMG]http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i169/Christschild96/trish_zps70c80530.png[/IMG][/URL][URL=http://s72.photobucket.com/user/Christschild96/media/Bekah_zpsda35daf6.png.html][IMG]http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i169/Christschild96/Bekah_zpsda35daf6.png[/IMG][/URL]

Although they are very different from each other, these three combined to make a tight relationship in high school. After graduation, they went their separate ways, had busy lives and didn't keep in touch. Now they had returned to their small town to attend their ten year high school reunion. They were nervous and excited about seeing each other. Would they have changed so much that they wouldn't be comfortable with each other any more?

Cheri, on the left, was chill and easy to get along with. and always the peace maker if one was necessary. Trish, in the middle, was the drama queen who kept them all in stitches with her flamboyant clothes and dry sense of humor. She enjoyed being the center of attention. Bekah, on the right, was the shy one, but everyone soon learned not to under estimate her, or judge her by her stature. She could be like a little bull dog if the group was threatened by gossip or bullying.

They met again at a dinner dance for the reunion. It only took minutes to realize, although they had matured and changed in the ten years they were separated, their hearts were the same for each other. They were laughing and giggling as though it was high school all over again! They vowed to keep in touch now. They agreed, that although they lived many miles away from each other, they were only a text away.

Lumineve to Luminaire

[URL=http://s72.photobucket.com/user/Christschild96/media/Felice_zps927c062c.png.html][IMG]http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i169/Christschild96/Felice_zps927c062c.png[/IMG][/URL][URL=http://s72.photobucket.com/user/Christschild96/media/Christopher_zpsec5c443d.png.html][IMG]http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i169/Christschild96/Christopher_zpsec5c443d.png[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s72.photobucket.com/user/Christschild96/media/HollyJoy_zps2be1054a.png.html][IMG]http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i169/Christschild96/HollyJoy_zps2be1054a.png[/IMG][/URL]

When Mummy and Daddy came in last night to tuck me in, Mummy looked so beautiful and Daddy smelled so nice. They were going to a Luminaire party. Today is Luminaire and my birthday. My name is Melody Joy. I was named Melody after a special girl who brings us presents on Luminaire. I don't feel any joy now though.

As soon as my feet hit the floor this morning, I was running to wake up Mummy and Daddy. But Cook snatched me up and sat me right back on my bed. She told me I couldn't wake them up, because the party lasted very late and they needed to sleep in for a while. She wanted to dress me but I wouldn't let her. My first present on Luminaire is my birthday dress from Mummy and Daddy and Mummy always dresses me in it. So I found Mummy's dressing gown and put it on because it smells like her and makes me feel better. Snuggle Bunny and I have been waiting and being quiet for such a long time.

Oh wait, I hear them. I hear them. They're up! I have to go now. Goodbye! Happy Luminaire!

These are for the first contest: These three ladies have been friends since preschool and all stayed in their small town after graduation. They are all getting ready to attend the annual holiday celebration at the mayor's house for the first time. (I'm no good at stories sorry =/)

[edit] Forgot to list items D=

This is Holly. She is the silly one of the group and the heart: [IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/dr6lpt.jpg[/IMG] She is wearing:
Festive Wreath Earrings Adelle Auburn Waves Salted Green Eyedrops Rosie Razzmatazz Lips Red Polka Dot Flats Ribboned Holly Dress Curious Heart Shawl Overflowing Wardrobe Drawer

This is Nancy. She is the mom of the group. She can be quite serious at times but her heart is always in the right place: [IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/29apeew.jpg[/IMG] She is wearing: Bold Rule Hot Jacket Little Reds Scarlet Bow Poinsettia Party Dress Peculiar Blue Leaf Autumn Kiss DP Lipstick Professor New Zombelle Ergonomic Shoes Overflowing Wardrobe Drawer

This is Theodora. She is the baby of the group and can act quite spoiled. She is capable of great acts of kindness though, with some gentle encouragement from Holly and Nancy: [IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/23r7q1c.jpg[/IMG] She is wearing: Rainyday Tropical Lipstick Fancy Clipped Blonde Hair Forgotten Brides Shoes Green Jingle Bell Top Green Long Sleeved Lace Ice Skating Costume Viv Blustery Polkadot Tights Holy Warrior Gemstone Overflowing Wardrobe Drawer

so did those contests actually end? it seems like they were really short and not a whole lot of people participated :x

Yes, they did. The judges are down to the finalists now, but if you and would like to put in your votes on winners, it would be much appreciated. Extending deadlines, which I have done, doesn't usually up the number of entries, I'm afraid.

There's a lot going on this time of year. :)

Oh I actually assumed I would be a judge on it since it was my donation OTL who should I mail my top 3 or so to?

Yes, you are a judge!! Any sponsor who donates is welcome to judge the contest! Any of the top would be good--if you have a clear winner, go for it!

haha did you want me to mail you my opinions then?

Please! You have NO idea, seriously, (and I wouldn't want too close a look at that part of "behind the scenes,") how quickly some people can run up the charge of "unfair favoritism." Yet, when a panel is tallied, and then the votes also come in from our sponsors, or even when Backers generally have to break a tie, the thoughts on winners almost always match. However, let's have our sponsors smail and remain "out of the line of fire." :D

I just hope they don't disagree with meeeee Dx

Didn't with our last three sponsors. :D If you sent in the three, pretty much it will be a lock.

I wasn't aware that I could give my votes for the entries, but I've just smailed you with my top 3 :)

Both of these contests were very, very close, and they were ones in which attention to details mattered. Colors carried from one frame to another, or differences clearly described, all of these finally tipped the scales. The challenges here were met in SO many ways! I'm so proud just to be a member of Backers, and I think this group might have been the best idea I ever had!

And now----

Dress Your Best--A tribute to Friendship that Worked on So Many Levels:

And.....

Lumineve to Luminaire--A "Neck-in-Neck" Won by a Red Rose.

Congrats!

Stayed tuned for our last "before Luminaire" contest.

and congratulations!

congrats to the winners :)

congratulations to the winners, those are very creative stories :)

Congratseveryone ^.^

I couldn't believe my eyes. Did a double take, then looked again before I realized I had actually won. These were such great ideas for the contest and really stretched me a lot to even try, especially after I saw the other entries. Just a lesson for everyone to try! Thank you , the judges and those who contributed the prizes and came up with the original ideas for this contest.

Congratulations , on your beautiful family! Thank you to and the others who were so sweet to take the time to congratulate us.