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Last week I was worn down by all the things I had to manage, offices that would not cooperate and I was completely exhausted and fed up with the whole situation. A friend of mine I know through ICQ via SQPN decided to cheer me up by sending an Hallmark card. I was totally surprised when I saw the card: it was Vera the Mouse!! I had no idea Vera had travelled all the way to the United States since my childhood.
In my childhood, almost all Dutch mothers were subscribed to the nation's biggest women's magazine: Libelle. In the magazine they would read about gardening tips, about little trips to go with the children, recipes, household tips, fashion, make up and there also was a small page with a comic for the children. Marjolein Bastin illustrated that page when I was small, the character that I grew up with was Vera the Mouse. A lot of popular children's comics originated in Libelle Magazine, like the popular 'Jan, Jans and the children' by Jan Kruis.
Later I discovered also Beatrix Potter. Marjolein Bastin's style is somewhat similar. Nowadays her designs are very popular, you can buy stationary, books, kitchenware etc. decorated by Marjolein Bastin. Some years ago I even had wrapping paper with Marjolein Bastin designs. My first cross-stitch work, the letter 'I' was a Marjolein Bastin design. So all that came back again when I saw the card. When I have my own house, I'll probably buy the Marjolein Bastin service.
Thank you Mike for bringing it all back to me!!
Links:
- Marjolein Bastin Gift Shop (online ordering possible)
- Marjolein Bastin e-cards (source of the image in the top right corner of this post)
- Marjolein Bastin cross-stitch designs by Lanarte
- Hallmark shop with Marjolein Bastin stuff
Posted under Daily Life
This post was written by Inge on September 18, 2007
Inge, no one was happier than me the day my little e-card had such a profound and positive effect on you. I’m glad I was able to return to you a friend from your childhood.
Best wishes always,
Mike