Thursday, February 25, 2010

100+ Followers and a Giveaway Draw


Over the past week or so I've been watching the Followers number creep up into the 90s, and every day closer and closer to the 'magic' 100... I've been a bit like a rabbit caught in the headlights, not quite able to believe what was happening!

I started this blog in November 2009 after having found the 'blog world' quite by accident. I had bought a UK miniatures magazine and in it was an article about Lea Frisoni's fabulous book Le Grand livre de la maison miniature . I Googled the book title and 'hit on' Linda Carswell's amazingly inspiring blog "Une Petite Folie" - it is no exaggeration to say that that moment has changed my life. From Linda's blog I spent days blog-hopping - I truly thought I'd died and gone to heaven! So much 'eye candy', so much inspiration, so much motivation. And most importantly a community of like-minded souls who I could see were committed to sharing knowledge and encouragement.

My first miniature project I can vividly remember attempting (probably about 8 years old) was trying to make a carpet for the living room of my dolls house by painting a mottled grey pattern on a piece of paper. To my frustration the paper curled up as it dried and I think I threw it away :( About 1984 (when we were living at the New Zealand cottage I've posted about recently) I was excited to find a couple of 'how-to' dollshouse books and launched into the mini world again. It was fun but also frustrating as it was so difficult to get materials and accessories. Basically it meant catalogue mail-order from England, an expensive and slow process and eventually I just gave up and put all my mini things away.

How different the mini world is now thanks largely to the Internet. I can browse online mini shops to my hearts content, and there is inspiration, motivation and fellowship everywhere. I Follow blogs located all over the world and my life is infinitely the richer for it. It seemed appropriate then that rather than just 'take' from the blog world I should make some sort of contribution myself, however small, and it seems that at this moment 103 of you consider it of some relevance and I truly thank you for that.

To show my appreciation I'd like to do a little "mystery" gift draw. It's presently a mystery even to me because your interests and styles are so diverse I've found it impossible to think of something that would suit everyone. Therefore I'll make a small 'tailor-made' gift package for the person whose name is drawn. I've decided to do this draw at my grandson's first birthday party on 6 March, it seems appropriate to mix two special celebrations :) I'll include the names of all Followers of my blog up until the time that I leave for the birthday celebrations. (If anyone does NOT want to be in this draw, please email me at normabennett@hotmail.com - no need to give any reason).

So, THANK YOU to everyone of you for stopping by my blog - I hope you will find something of interest here from time to time :)

26 comments:

De said...

Congratulations, Norma!

Susanne said...

Congratulations, I´m beginning to get there soon too, and I will also make a GIVEAWAY to celebrate, but I don´t know what yet...so just look out for it!
It´s also a pleasure following your blog and reading your comments,Norma!

Pubdoll said...

Congratulations with the first hundred Norma! You are a very lovely person and you have such a warm and inviting blog, I'm sure the next hundred soon will follow :-)

cockerina said...

Hello Norma, congratulations on your 100 followers! is an important goal given that you have a blog in so little time!
I am happy for your entry in "blog land", you're a kind person, and your blog always has something interesting to see! if I can, I participate willingly to your giveaway, I'm sure you will find the right inspiration for your gift ... Greetings from faraway Italy! ah ah!
Caterina

Daisy said...

Congrats Norma!

Cynthia's Minilife said...

Norma, I agree completely with your sentiments, being a newbie in the miniature blog world. The sense of community is a very pleasant suprise for me... and your contribution is large and important. Thanks for the prize opportunity and keep the wonderful posts coming.
Cynthia

Max said...

sffhg h tf6m ikuuuuuuivgvcv

Translation...

Woo hoo ... Way to go grandma :D

Lots of love
Your grandson
Max xxx

christine said...

well, norma. you have just put into words, exactly what i felt when i found this wonderful world of blogs and bloggers!!! i too need to contribute. to blog or not to blog... lil bit scary.
( ps. my eldest daughter was born on 6th march.) oh no.. and my husbands name is max. yes really!!!

miniacollection said...

Congratulations ! The blog world is a wonderful thing and thanks to it we meet great people and discover beautiful things.
Geneviève

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your first 100 followers :)

TINK - SONIA said...

Your work is amaizing and I enjoyed with your post so much.
Congratulations,miniregards,Sonia

michelle said...

Congratulations Norma!

Claudia said...

Congratulations, Norma! I feel the same way about the blog world.

xo
Claudia

Norma Bennett said...

Thanks to ALL of you for your kind comments, and for being part of my 'blog experience' :)

Susanne - I'm watching for sure!

christine - please do start that blog of yours! Happy birthday to your daughter on the 6th, and hi to YOUR Max :)

And to OUR Max - you are a walking (translation - 'toddling/falling down), talking (translation - 'babbling prolifically') typing (translation 'poking at mummy's keyboard) little package of joy - see you soon for birthday cake! xxx

Linda Carswell said...

Dear Norma,
I had no idea that it was my humble little blog that open the door to you to the world of blogging...wow!
When I would visit Lea in Paris she would often ask me if I had my miniatures on the internet....I was surprised by that question....No1: I never thought my miniatures where good enough to be published to the web and No2: blogging was something 'other' people did, not me! But I can say it is the very best thing I have ever ever done.
Congratulations on your 100+ followers...!!!
Kindest Regards,
Linda x

Eva said...

Congratulations Norma!!
Well deserved!! Your blog is a pleause to read. Of course I will email you. How fun.
Love

Norma Bennett said...

Eva, I think you might have misunderstood me about the give-away draw. It is only necessary to email me if you DON'T want to be in the draw. It is my fault, I should have used clearer language. I forgot for a moment that for many people who read this blog English is their second language. I WILL INCLUDE YOU IN THE DRAW :)

Norma Bennett said...

I have edited the confusing part of the post now - sorry for creating a misunderstanding.

Christel said...

Congratulations Norma. What a wonderful idea with a surprise draw:)

Atticbabys said...

How sweet of you Norma! Pretty please put my name in the hat?!


Smiles,
Nan

Francy said...

Congratulations on your first 100 followers.......Francesca

Carey said...

Hi Norma,

I have been noticing we sign up to follow on the same blogs. I just signed up for an Irish blog and there was the cuties clothes pin dolls. I saw you had just signed up before me. I notice we have a lot of the same interests besides miniatures. Congrats, on the 100 followers and I think it is a great idea to customize the winners gift.Very creative. See you around blog land.
Hugs,
Carey from Chicory Nits

by Sonya said...

Hi Norma,
I'm a new your follower from Italy....so far so near!
Congratulations!
Hugs
Sonya

Sans! said...

Always love reading your posts :). And will remember how I had tarted here from your Day 1 :).Congratz !

Norma Bennett said...

Thank you Sans, and a great pleasure it is to have had you around from the beginning :)

The 'draw' not far away now!

rosanna said...

Thank you so much Norma. It's very sweet of you. You're right about blog world, it's really a gathering of like souled people and it's incredible how much important they become to each other. Most important: happy birthday to your granson! 1 year is such a goal. And kids are so cute at this age. Best wishes Rosanna