donderdag 30 januari 2014

Back on track - Weer op de rit

This new year did not start on a high for me. A few weeks ago, I lost my eyesight on my right side.
I have been dealing with Multiple Sclerosis for 12 years now and lately it has been a bumpy ride at times. It's amazing what you can do with one eye, but mini-making is not one of them. Thankfully it's almost gone now and though a slight blur has yet to dissipate still, I can finally get some work done.

I have enjoyed following all your posts, everybody seems to have made a flying start. There are also so many giveaways, how wonderful is that.
That got me thinking...

I have a lot of new followers, so first of all: welcome to you and thank you for following me! I've tried to keep up and follow you back, but if I've been remiss, please let me know!

I'm thinking of a giveaway but it's a scary process. I don't have the experience or technique yet to make something good enough to give away to talented miniaturists like yourselves and I'm on a tight budget so buying things isn't really an option. So I am thinking, trying stuff out and I will come up with something but please bear with me... :-)

In the meantime, I've been doing something easy as to not strain my eyes too much.
My neighbour is moving to a new house. She's moving two streets away with the kids, he is staying put with the cat. Big winner is the cat of course who now has three homes to go to and three times a bowl of food!
Anyway I am making a tiny vignette for her. It is not finished yet. I have printed some fabric for a cushion on the chair and I will probably make a little round table and maybe a flower or plant.
It's small, only 15x15 cm (6x6 inches I think).
I made the book by cutting the bound part of a magazine to size and covering the top. The vase is a vial from my MS medication. Too big to put in the pantry in 1:12 but as a vase it works.

To be continued....

Het nieuwe jaar is niet goed begonnen voor mij. Een paar weken geleden verloor ik het zicht in mijn rechteroog. Ik leef al 12 jaar met MS en de laatste tijd is het lastig op zijn zachts gezegd. Het is een wonder wat je allemaal met één oog kunt doen, maar miniaturen maken hoort daar niet bij. Gelukkig is het nu bijna over op een lichte waas na en kan ik eindelijk weer aan de slag.

Ik heb genoten van alle posts van iedereen die een vliegende start heeft gemaakt in dit nieuwe jaar. Er zijn ook zoveel giveaways, geweldig!
Dat bracht mij op een gedachte....

Ik heb er weer een aantal nieuwe volgers bij dus allereerst Welkom en bedankt voor het volgen. Ik heb geprobeerd bij te blijven en terug te volgen. Mocht ik iets gemist hebben, laat het me weten!

Ik ben aan het nadenken over een giveaway maar dat is best eng. Ik heb noch de ervaring noch de techniek om iets te maken dat ik goed genoeg vind voor getalenteerde miniaturisten als jullie en mijn budget is beperkt dus iets kopen is ook geen optie. Dus ik denk na, probeer dingen uit en ik zal uiteindelijk met een giveaway komen. Heb a.u.b.nog even geduld.

In de tussentijd heb ik iets makkelijks gemaakt om mijn ogen niet onnodig te belasten.
Mijn buurvrouw verhuist met haar kinderen naar een huis twee straten verderop. De buurman blijft naast me wonen dus de kat is de grote winnaar. Die heeft vanaf nu drie huizen en drie bakjes met eten!
Ik maak voor de buurvrouw een kleine vignette. Het is nog niet klaar. Ik heb al wel stof geprint voor een kussentje op de stoel, ik wil nog een tafeltje maken en misschien een bloem of plant. Het is maar klein 15 x 15 cm (aanbieding bij de Marskramer, set van 3).
Het boek heb ik gemaakt door de gebonden kant van een tijdschrift op maat te snijden en er een plaatje op te plakken, de vaas is het flesje van mijn MS medicatie. Te groot als voorraad pot in 1:12 maar als vaas kan het wel.

Wordt vervolgd...

43 opmerkingen :

  1. I hope you feel better and your eyesight returns soon. I wouldn't feel worried about a giveaway. I think collectors like to get anything at all that they can use in their scenes. Books, fabric, paper, beads...they're all welcome gifts to someone, especially if they're just starting out. =0) Love the vase. I think it would look great as an over-sized lamp base too. They're all the rage at the moment.

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    1. Thanks Pepper! I'll be fine, just needs patience. An oversized lamp base... never thought of that but that's a really good idea! I'll google for inspiration. Thanks for the tip!
      X
      Véronique

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  2. Het idee van het boekje is geweldig, daar zou ik zelf niet opgekomen zijn. De vaas is ook heel mooi. En voor de kat gaat het genieten worden :-D. Verzorg je goed en ik hoop dat je oog snel weer optimaal is en dat deze lastige periode gauw overgaat. En bedankt voor je lieve en grappige commentaren op mijn blog, dat maakt het bloggen nog eens zo plezierig :-). X

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    1. Hai Nymphaea, het idee van het boek heb ik van internet hoor. Ik denk dat hij op mij tuto bord op Pinterest staat. De kat is nu al verwend dus dat belooft wat. Mijn oog komt goed, moet wel want ik wil jouw posts en vooral jouw couture niet missen ;-)
      X
      Véronique

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  3. Oh, Veronique, cuánto siento lo de tu ojo, no sabía nada, cuídate mucho por favor, y no te preocupes ahora por regalos ni sorteos, lo primero eres tú. Un abrazo

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    1. Thank you Esther (te llamas Esther?). No worries, it will heal. It gives me the time to think and imagine in my head what I could make. Hugs!
      X
      Véronique

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  4. О, Вероника! Мне очень жаль! Хочу верить, что ваши глаза поправятся. У вас будет все хорошо. Не беспокойтесь о подарках. Главное это здоровье!
    Большое вам спасибо за теплые комментарии на моем блоге!
    Объятья
    Татьяна

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    1. Hello Tatiana! It will get better, it just needs time. So I'm not worrying about a giveaway but I'm fantasising about the possibilities :-). I love your blog! I hope you have chosen a name for your pretty doll! :-)
      XXX
      Véronique

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  5. Hi Veronique, I'm glad your eyesight is improving and that you're having fun making this gorgeous vignette. Your neighbor had better appreciate your gift, because it is really beautiful and thoughtful. BTW, I agree with Pepper that no giveaway is necessary, but if you do, people are pretty excited to win just about anything! Supplies, minis from your stash that you can't use, handmade minis by you. I know I would love to have something that was made by you. It feels so personal. :-) xo Jennifer

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    1. Thanks Jennifer! I know, the handmade minis are so personal. I really want to do that. I guess if I'm confident enough to make a vignette for my neighbour, I shouldn't be so insecure about a giveaway :-). I'll get there :-)
      XXX
      Véronique

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  6. Oh honey, I am so sorry to hear about your health troubles. I hope your vision returns to a state where you are at least comfortable with it. The body and mind is amazing at compensating when needed! Best of healing to you.

    I think we all get nervous before swaps and giveaways but I will let you on to a big secret, we mini loving folks..just LOVE minis and we are our own hardest critics! I have done a lot of swaps and giveaways and trust me people like us just love to give and receive and anyone getting your lovelies will be more than thankful for them!

    Your vignette is absolutely stunning! The paint colors and butterflies are beautiful, I love that you used your vial in there great mini eye!

    Hugs, Js


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    1. Oh thank you so much Jane! You are right, we are our own hardest critics and it's true, we love minis, no matter what. Last week a friend gave me a suction cup and I was over the moon! So many possibilities! :-D
      I'll get there, just kick myself in the behind and remind myself everybody has to start somewhere. :-)
      XXX
      Véronique

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  7. Hi Veronique,
    I'm glad that you are feeling better. My cousin has MS & I know of the different symptoms and frustrations when your body does not cooperate. Rest is very important...and no stress :-)
    A giveaway is not necessary, but if you decide to do it...we will love whatever you choose to give. I am also very nervous when I send a swap or gift, but I have yet to encounter a critical receiver. As Jane said, we are our own worst critics.
    I love the vignette! I love your color choices and that saying on the back wall. Such a pretty project.
    Big Mini Hugs,
    Lisa :-)

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    1. Hi Lisa! Yes, MS can be frustrating sometimes. That causes more stress than anything else :-)
      As for the giveaway... I know.... I'll come up with something :-) I like to challenge myself :-)
      I'm happy with the vignette too, it's a nice little in-between project :-)
      Hugs!!
      XXX
      Véronique

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  8. I Hate it when people that I have come to care about, are seriously challenged with health issues. It grieves me that you have MS, Veronique. With my own vision declining with age, I can certainly appreciate the struggle it has to be with trying to work half blind, especially with something as small and detailed as miniatures. What a trooper you are. I am glad to know that you eyesight is gradually improving, but don't stress out and make it worse when you don't have to. First and foremost is to take good care of YOU!

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth, that really touches me. ♡ I believe all of us face challenges in some way at some point in life and we never get more than we can handle. I hold on to that and when I feel overwhelmed, there's always a kind word, a happy coincidence or an angel wing around my shoulder to pull me through. I take good care of myself but I am glad I can do some minis again. Soooo relaxing! :-)
      Big hugs,
      XXX
      Véronique

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  9. Sorry about your MS. A close friend of mine suffers from it but with the right medication it's under control. Please do not stress yourself over a giveaway. Sometimes the simplest works are the most popular. If others are like me, they'd love to have something created by another miniaturist.
    Your vignette is beautiful already. I am sure your friend will be over the moon with it.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thank Drora, yes the medication keeps most of it under control, so I know this too shall pass. Thinking about a giveaway and trying things out is fun, I just have to quiet that critic in my head :-)
      Thank you for your kind comment on my vignette!
      XXX
      Véronique

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  10. Oh Veronique - You are such a Lovely person, I will very much enjoy your experimenting, and really you don't have to do a giveaway, just enjoy creating for the sake of enjoying it for now. I know a fellow cellist that has MS and it does have its up and downs, my absolute Heroine cellist Jacqueline DuPre had it, and it was caught very late and there really was nothing that could be done back then, now there is so much more possible. Please know TiGGy will be sending you LoTs Of Healing Fairy Dusties - and They Always Work so you should be feeling them already - Much Love to You! <3

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    1. O thank you!! I am enjoying the creative process, and if something good comes out of it, I am lucky :-)
      I saw the movie about Jacqueline DuPre right at the time I had been diagnosed and it scared the living daylights out of me but it is like you say: discovered too late and not yet the medical possibilities we have now. Nevertheless, I admire your fellow cellist because an irregular life and MS don't mix well. The Healing Fairy Dusties have arrived! It's New Moon tonight, what better timing for a brand new start with a little help from Fairy Dust! Thank you so much and big hugs!
      XXX
      Véronique

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  11. I'm very sorry to hear you have to struggle with MS - hope your eyesight will get much better soon. Don't worry about a giveaway, do one if you feel like it and not because you think you must... and especially don't worry about what to give away... like the others already pointed out the most important thing is to get something chosen with care or made with love from a dear blogger... - Your little roombox looks stunning, your neighbour will be over the moon with it.

    Greetings
    Birgit

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    1. Hello Birgit, thank you so much, my eyesight is getting better and better. I want to do a giveaway, I think it's a wonderful way to thank all the wonderful friends in the miniature blogosphere. I am sure I'll come up with something.
      First finish the vignette...
      XXX
      Véronique

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  12. Oh Veronique, I did not know. That is what you meant by knowing about having to deal with getting knocked down. I am glad to read in your comment here to Brigit that your eyesight is getting better and better. One of my best friends has MS and so I know about it from him and what he goes through. Yes, be careful with your vision and nurse it til it's better.

    I think about a giveaway for my blog too but I am afraid that I'm not that great at miniatures yet either. Perhaps we are our own worst critics? ;-) Some of those who follow me are not into miniatures either.

    I have to say that the little vignette you are making your neighbor is adorable. I do love the colors so much. they are springtime and bright and happy. What a great idea to use your medicine bottle for the vase. It came out quite pretty. You know, I've seen that idea for making mini books before and I think it's genius. I have to make Kettle some to fill up the library shelves I will be making her when I feel better. It has all come out very sweet.

    Blessings my blogland miniature loving friend, and I hope you feel better very soon,
    Bird

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    1. Aw thanks Bird! Isn't life fragile at times...
      As for the giveaway, I am keeping a list of possibilities and making them one by one. I have fun this way and get to learn a lot. Sometimes, something good comes out of it :-)
      I'm happy with the vignette too. Still a few things to add.
      Big hugs,
      XXX
      Véronique

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  13. My thoughts are with you with your health struggles and hope you have many many more good days than bad. I pondered doing a giveaway for many months before I finally took the plunge because I doubted myself. You will know within yourself when and if you are ready to do one. Mind you, judging by the wonderful room box you are making your neighbour I don't think you need doubt yourself. I think the room box is wonderful. However, I think we are often too hard on ourselves and doubt ourselves too much. The main thing is to just to enjoy your hobby and enjoy the wonderful blogging community.

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    1. Hi Sharee, thank you. I am grateful that the good days still outnumber the bad and I cherish them.
      Yes, being too hard on ourselves... Judging by all the comments, it's something we all have to battle :-)
      I do enjoy the hobby (is it a hobby or an obsession, maybe even a lifestyle?) :-) and the blogging community is amazing. I feel blessed to be part of it!
      Big hugs,
      XXX
      Véronique

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  14. Dear Veronique, I too, am glad to hear that your eyes are getting better and better! Illness can be so frightening sometimes.... but stress can be much of the problem too.... so Don't stress about a giveaway! (You might notice how seldom I have done one..... mumble mumble... never know what to make.... mumble mumble... don't think I am good enough to make things people will like..... I tend to have such Odd ideas... I get creative paralysis when trying to think about it.... mumble mumble.... I think you are not alone here!!!) I remind myself that it is supposed to be fun and if it isn't then I am not doing it right!!!
    I think your gift for your friend is so sweet.... those gifts from the heart are the best kind!
    But the greatest gift is the gift of friendship..... and here in mini Blogland that is such a big part of what it is all about.... friendships with people who share our passions, on the furthest corners of the World, most of whom we will never "meet" in person.... but here we are!!! Sharing and celebrating and giving the gift of Friendship!
    I am so glad you are here in blogland!!!!

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    1. Aw Betsy!! Thank you dear friend!!! It is fun to read your internal dialogue, it sounds just like mine and if the comments are anything to go by, we all have that voice inside our head :-) You may think you tend to have odd ideas but I find them refreshing and freeing. It's like it's o.k. for me to have odd ideas too :-)
      You are so right about friendship and sharing it with this wonderful community. You have been among the first followers from the beginning, encouraging me and motivating me to persevere. For that I am so grateful.
      Thank you dear friend ♡
      Véronique

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  15. Tjee Véronique, wat vertel je ons nu? Dat is me even schrikken......en je blogt gewoon door met maar zicht aan één oog, meiske toch! Zorg alsjeblieft heel goed voor jezelf, wij wachten wel. Toch begrijp ik ook uit je bericht dat de afleiding, die je in het maken van miniaturen vind, ook heel belangrijk voor jou is! Komt je zicht wel weer langzaam terug in je rechteroog? Ik hoop voor jou dat het nog meer verbetert, want met een oog mini's maken is een hele opgaaf!
    Dit hoekje voor je buurvrouw ziet er al mooi uit tot nu toe, daar zal ze vast blij mee zijn. En wat een goed idee, dat medicijnflaconnetje, het ziet er echt schitterend uit!
    Maak het niet al te moeilijk met die give away, vooral nu niet. Zoek gewoon wat leuke dingen bij elkaar zoals Pepper ook al aangaf: wat lapjes, kantjes, bandjes en dat soort dingen. Het hoeven geen miniaturen te zijn....
    Wat betreft de blogwereld: ja, het lieve en de goedheid van de mensen daar is hartverwarmend, het is haast niet te geloven dat dat nog bestaat in deze wereld.....
    Lieve Veronique, heel veel sterkte en gezondheid toegewenst. Ik wens je daar bovenop een heel fijn weekend.
    Liefs, Ilona XX

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    1. Hallo Ilona, ja, dat zie je goed. Het maken van miniaturen, of het proberen in ieder geval, zorgt voor afleiding. Ja hoor het zicht komt terug. Er is nog een waas maar die trekt ook wel weg. Het kamertje voor de buurvrouw is leuk om te maken. Wat de giveaway betreft neem ik de tijd. Er komt ongetwijfeld iets uit mijn hoofd en handen rollen :-) De lieve reacties hier helpen mij zeker om sneller te genezen! Dank je wel! ♡
      Liefs,
      Véronique

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  16. Cuanto lo siento Veronique, espero que tu ojo recupere lo más posible que es lo realmente importante.
    Felicidades por tus nuevos seguidores y seguro que a tu vecino le encantará el diorama.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Hola Eloisa, my eye is already getting better, thank you. Yes, I think she will like it, it is fun to make.
      Hugs,
      Veronique

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  17. Hi Veronique. I'm so sorry to hear about your MS and I couldn't stop my tears coming down my eyes. MS is devastating my life....actually it's not my MS but my sister's MS. I'm Italian but I've been living in Ireland for the last 13 years. Here in Dublin I have my life, my house, my partner and my pets and we have now to leave everything to go back to Italy because my sister has been dealing with it for the last 3 years and my mother is on her own taking care of my sister with MS and my brother with schizophrenia, so I feel the need to go back and help her. Not only for the help but I also want to spend time with my sister, I want to be there every time she goes to the hospital and every time she gets an attach when she can't move her legs or arms or some other part of the body. She is loosing her eyesight too and I feel too bad being here, so far away from her. I hate having to go back to Italy because I will have no job, no money and I will get depress once again, but my sister is more important than any job or any amount of money. I told you all of that because I really, genuinely do understand how you might feel but you surely know that there are many people living with MS that have almost a normal life, going to work and doing things. So don't worry!! It's very important that you stay always very strong for yourself.
    As for what to gift in a giveaway, as everybody else has already said, even something very small it will be fine for anybody!! I don't think it's very important what you gift.....for me, it's more the fun of participating and then the suspense of the waiting. I would be happy with just a match :) :) but that's me!! :) Whatever you will decide to put up, I'm sure it will be more than fine! Stay strong and I send you a big, big hug!! <3 <3

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    1. Oh Simona, I'm so sorry to read this. This brought tears to my eyes now. That is quite a heavy load your family has to carry. I am so sorry to hear about your sister and although I understand why you must go back to Italy, it is so sad you have to give up the life you have built so far. Please trust there will be an angel watching over you who will help you see opportunities where you didn't expect them. Don't expect the worst but believe always better times will come.
      Worrying about a giveaway seems rather trivial in light of this.
      You tell me to stay strong, but that goes for you too. But go softly and be gentle for yourself.
      Two arms wrapped around you in the warmest of hugs!
      XXX
      Véronique

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    2. Thank you so much for your nice words Veronique!! A even bigger hug for you!!! :)

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  18. I am so sorry to learn about your eyesight! I hope you will fully recover and promptly! I think you make lovely things and arrange them in great displays! I hope you will be able to continue with your hobby and you will have a good time doing it too! Hugs xoxoxo

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    1. Thank you Jane Chérie! I am the resilient kind, so there's no stopping me :-)
      Big hug,
      XXX
      Véronique

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  19. Big hug for you because of your bout with MS...but look at all of the love you have from your followers! Lucky you! :-) I really like your little vignette...the back wall is so awesome! I was thinking your little vase could also be the leg of a small side table. hmmmm

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    1. Thank you Grandmommy. Yes I have been overwhelmed, everyone is so kind! I'm sure that's why I'm recovering so quickly!!
      How did you guess? I did use it to support a tabletop! :-)
      :-)
      Véronique

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  20. Lieve Véronique, wat akelig te horen van je MS, en dan nog je oog, ik ben zo blijmvoor je dat het met je oog weer beter gaat.
    De kleine vignette is schattig geworden, daar zal je buurvrouw héél blij mee zijn, en zoals iedereen voor mij al gezegd heeft, maak je niet te veel zorgen om die give away, het moet niets duur of groot zijn het komt erop aan dat het uit je hart komt, alles is goed genoegd :)
    Lieve Veronique, ik wens je heel veel sterkte en gezondheid !!!

    Lieve groetjes Mieke

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    1. Oh Mieke, dank je wel!! Het gaat gelukkig al stukken beter. De eindversie van mijn kijkkastje volgt zo meteen en de giveaway vergt nog een beetje oefenen maar komt ongetwijfeld goed :-)
      Liefs,
      Veronique

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  21. Véronique - January is my busiest time at work -- my day job -- so I somehow missed this post. I'm sending you lots of positive energy and hugs across the miles. Do take care of yourself! Illness is a terrible thing, and I wish you endlessly better days ahead! Hugs!

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    1. Ow, Otterine, I only see this today!! So a very much belated thank you!

      XXX,
      Veronique

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