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September 29, 2007
I'm still here
Right. I can't believe it has been more than a month ago since I last updated my blog, but here I am. I guess I have to face it: returning to work does take up a lot of my energy, even if I really enjoy my job and even if it's only for three days a week right now. I won't stop blogging, but I won't make any promises about when the next entry will appear!
Lovely things have happened since I last wrote. For one, I became an aunt.
Meet the adorable Aïcha, daughter of my brother and his wife, just a couple of hours after she was born:
Of course, I knitted her something to welcome her to the world, but since she hasn't received it yet, I can't show you just now.
My brother owns a house with a garden, which means he has space for this:
It looks a bit like a rabbit hutch, doesn't it? But it's a baby house, really! If you look carefully, you can see Lotte enjoying her afternoon nap in it. Wait, I'll come closer.
See? A Dutch/Gronings doctor designed it in 1939. Lots of children in the province of Groningen have slept in little houses like this (during the day, and not in foggy weather of course). It's supposed to be very healthy. Want to know more? Over here there are baby houses for rent, and here is some more information and even a plan to make one yourself. Sorry, all of the information is in Dutch. Oh and yes, Lotte is wearing her strawberry outfit (scroll down) and is covered in my sister in laws bridal shawl.
Enough with all the baby stuff: let's talk yarn. My birthday last week, and I received some wonderful crafty things. Let me show you:
A skein of Tuna in a beautiful blue shade,
three balls of very soft Japanese yarn that came in the mail,
merino roving in four colors to felt,
a big box of DMC embroidery threads, silk roving in stunning colors that remind me of butterflies, a box of mother-of-pearl embellishments, and
a Clover yoyo maker. Yippeeee!
And what's more: I got some money to buy knitting books! I already ordered two, I'll show them when they get here.
So that's it from me now. More to come soon, I hope! (and the same goes for answering emails....)
Posted by saartje at September 29, 2007 12:10 AM
Comments
Hi!
Congratulations for you birthday and for being an aunt!
I am Lucia from Spain, i will be an aunt of twins very soon!!!! and I felt in love with your booties pattern, I am trying to knit them but it is very difficult to me to get some things because of the tecnics words in English. Could you please explain me what is a garter st ridge? I am in round 8 at the moment and you can not imagine how difficult it was to get there!!! hehehe
Thanks a lot for sharing your patterns, I am begginer at knitting but i really enjoy it!
Thanks in advance for your help!!!
Best wishes
Lucía
Posted by: Lucia at September 29, 2007 1:43 AM
My mother is from England and she said that babies used to sleep in similar little hutches in her village, I love it!
Posted by: Heather at September 29, 2007 2:50 AM
I love that little house for babies to sleep in during the day, such a lovely idea and Lotte looks so content in there! Happy Birthday! The yarn looks beautiful, what books did you get? Marianne
Posted by: Marianne at September 29, 2007 4:18 AM
gelukkig, je blogtweer.
Heb je erg gemist. Leuke kado's heb je gekregen. Binnenkort ben ik zelf jarig, zal eens een wolverlanglijstje maken, je brengt me op ideëen.
Zo'n babyhuisje lijkt me veel komfortabeler dan in de bak van de kinderwagen....
Posted by: tien at September 29, 2007 7:47 AM
Saartje, nog van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag; wat heb je een mooie cadeau's ontvangen!!!!!! Zo'n buitenbabybedje schijnt inderdaad erg goed te zijn, meerdere kinderdagverblijven in Leeuwarden gebruiken ze, een vriendin van me werkt er mee en is erg enthousiast. Goed dat je broer er zelf een heeft gemaakt.
Posted by: Marijgje at September 29, 2007 7:59 AM
Hoi Saartje,
wat ontzettend leuk dat babyhuisje. Mijn 4 kinderen hebben erin gelegen en zijn nog steeds heel gezond. Het slofjes patroon is geweldig. Heb inmiddels zo'n 4 paar gemaakt want er zijn steeds meer familieleden in verwachting. Ook bij ons worden er tweelingen geboren, dus we breien maar door...
Ben trouwens wel erg jaloers op je breikunst, de mijne is nog niet zover.
Posted by: aafke at September 29, 2007 9:25 AM
The baby house is an interesting concept. I seriously thought that was a rabbit hutch!
Belated happy birthday, Saartje!
Posted by: MJ at September 29, 2007 9:28 AM
Ja, ik ken die babyhuisjes ook wel, prachtig om zo buiten te kunnen slapen!Fijn om weer even een log van je te lezen.
Posted by: froukje at September 29, 2007 11:49 AM
My brother had a crib that had a screened top that folded up and could be secured. same idea as the baby house except it could be moved. We lived in Key West, Florida. Lovely weather every day and he went in it every day for an outdoor nap!
Posted by: romelda mckee at September 29, 2007 12:37 PM
Saartje, van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag en wat een heerlijke cadeau's!! kun je weer even vooruit.
Geweldig zo'n baby buitenbedje, had het nog nooit gezien, maar erg leuk.
Dus als ik het goed begrijp kan het pasgeboren kindje van je broer er ook in liggen, als het weer het toelaat tenminste.
Posted by: siem at September 29, 2007 1:44 PM
Yay, you are back!
I started visiting your blog just before I had my baby in March and was inspired (by the bootie pattern) to get into knitting. You have a beautiful blog. Your knitting is truly marvellous.
I have started working again too, and with a seven month old, the first month was exhausting. Just the planning to get both of you out of the house with everything you need is a test! Well done to you. It's brilliant that you made it back to the blog. I know I've missed you here. Can't wait to see what you're up to next....
Posted by: Sacha at September 29, 2007 2:12 PM
Such sweet babies! Love the birthday presents, Happy Belated Birthday!
Posted by: Chris at September 29, 2007 2:55 PM
Baby houses---fabulous!
Happy belated birthday!
Never knew there was a yoyo maker---cool!
Posted by: saganaga at September 29, 2007 3:21 PM
Nog gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag. Mooie kado's heb je gekregen.
Wat een lief nichtje heb je erbij gekregen en de foto van Lotte in dat mooie buitenverblijfje.... Schitterend.
Ik snap wel dat je niet veel aan bloggen toekomt. Een kindje in je leven kost heel veel energie en tijd, en dan ook nog erbij werken!
Maar het is het wel waard toch?
Posted by: Hannah at September 29, 2007 4:27 PM
Happy birthday! Love the gifts, especially the yo-yo maker! And congratulations on your new niece.
Thanks, also, for the adorable bootie pattern. I just made two pairs for a friend's grandkids, and they were so easy to do. Thank you!
Posted by: Dove at September 29, 2007 7:08 PM
wow, ik héb nog niet eens een baby, ben 'in between jobs' en ik red het nog steeds niet om regelmatig te bloggen, dus jeetje, ik begrijp het wel. Leuk zijn die huisjes, dat zie je hier in Rotterdam helemaal niet, echt typisch Gronings.Wat ziet je meisje er mooi uit zeg!
Posted by: Sassy at September 29, 2007 7:31 PM
There are seasons in life... seasons for mothering, seasons for work... and striving to find the balance is always the trick. Good luck as you make adjustments. I always enjoy your posts, whenever you have time to make them.
The baby house is such a clever idea... we used a large playpen for my boys, so I could work in the garden... but being open at the top meant we had to watch the sun, and the falling leaves in autumn.
That strawberry outfit is so cute.. it must be so much fun to dress her in it!
Posted by: Willow Caroline at September 29, 2007 7:49 PM
That's SO cute, baby house. :o)
Here in Denmark all families have parambulators for the same purpose, not just for walking the babies. The philosophy is the same, and I thought it was a very Scandinavian thing (we're always told it is) - so it's great to see this philosophy in other countries as well. :o)
Posted by: Bettina at September 29, 2007 8:36 PM
Thank you--the photos of Lotte in that sweet little garden hutch made me smile.
Jen
Posted by: Jen at September 29, 2007 10:47 PM
Hooray! A new baby to love - and a new friend for Lotte. The baby house is genius! I've never heard of it before. We always had to wait until Fall before we could let the babes sleep outside (no mosquitoes). Brilliant!
Happy birthday and congrats on the new Auntyship. Such knitting inspiration!
Posted by: Rani at September 30, 2007 3:34 AM
hallo, you have a very nice blogg, and the baby house its so nice to see
Posted by: marianne lundholm at September 30, 2007 1:44 PM
Hoi Saartje, wat fijn dat je er weer bent, maar nog beter dat het goed met je gaat en met Lotte! Wat een schatje en wat een leuk huisje, die zie je hier niet.
Druk hé en werken en een kindje en nog veel meer. In ieder geval gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag. Het allerbeste. Ineke.
Posted by: Ineke Kool at September 30, 2007 5:19 PM
Happy Belated Birthday!!!
The Japanese yarn is stunning -- I love those colors.
The baby house is a new idea to me. (I love how much I learn on these blogs!) Thank you for showing it. I plan to research a little more.
Posted by: Marie N. at October 1, 2007 2:26 AM
Interesting baby house concept~Mum has never heard of it too! I suppose it's safe in your area to place baby like that. What about baby snatchers, we see lots of that on films on TV.
Posted by: Ginger aka Beethoven at October 1, 2007 10:02 AM
Saartje, wat een schattig nichtje heb je gekregen. Gefeliciteerd.
Die huisjes heb ik idd al eens eerder gezien. Er zijn zelfs kinderdagverblijven die ze gebruiken. Bij gebrek aan die huisjes zetten ze immers ook de kinderwagen met een vliegennet er overheen in de tuin...
Gefeliciteerd nog met je verjaardag en wat heb je mooie kadoo's gekregen. Ik ben benieuwd wat je er allemaal mee gaat maken.
Posted by: Monique at October 1, 2007 10:12 AM
Beautiful, beautiful yarn and roving. Lucky you!
Happy Birthday:)
Ang
Posted by: angelarae at October 1, 2007 2:49 PM
A baby hutch! You learn something new every day.
Posted by: Lolee at October 1, 2007 3:36 PM
och wat een ontzettend leuk ''babyhuis''
is het trouwens niet warm als de zon schijnt?
Posted by: gea at October 1, 2007 11:07 PM
Saartje, leuk weer iets van je tehoren. Wat dacht je...werken en een baby verzorgen kost veel van je tijd. Dat bloggen komt wel weer. Je kunt niet alles te gelijk. Leuk om er ee neefje bij te hebben. Gefeliciteerd. Die babyhuisjes ken ik wel. Niet dat ik uit Groningen kom, maar heb het van amderen wel gehoord die er vandaan komen. Wat ligt Lotte lekker in haar huisje te slapen! En wat is ze al weer groot aan het worden. Goeie vangst, je verjaarddag cadeautjes! Nog gefeliciteerd.
Posted by: Marijna at October 1, 2007 11:16 PM
Van Herte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag en ook met je lieve nichtje!
Mooie dingen heb je gekregen zeg!!!
EN wat ligt Lotte daar zalig in haar kamertje.
Posted by: Tijm at October 2, 2007 6:41 AM
Hallo Saartje, ik heb jouw blog onlangs ontdekt en vind hem heel leuk. Nog gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag, wat een leuke cadeaux heb je gekregen ! Dat babyhuisje heb ik nog nooit gezien, maar wel een heel leuk idée ! Groetjes uit Frankrijk !
Posted by: Tulipe67 at October 2, 2007 8:52 PM
Bettina zei het al maar het is in Scandinavie echt de gewoonte om de baby's buiten te laten slapen (in een kinderwagen) ALTIJD zelfs in de mist, kou etc. Gewoon goed inpakken. Pas bij min tien gaan ze niet meer naar buiten... Heerlijk zo'n uitgeslapen warm kindje met frisse wangen naar binnen halen.
Die huisjes zijn wel erg leuk zeg!
Posted by: rineke at October 3, 2007 6:17 PM
Hello, I'm Luisilla from Barcelona, Spain. Happy Birthday!!! I've been mother 10 months ago and your booties have great success with my baby, Helena. Nice to read you again.
Posted by: Luisilla at October 4, 2007 1:59 PM
Gefeliciteerd nog. Wat een leuke cadeaus heb je gekregen. Het blauw-groene garen is prachtig. Welk merk is het het? Ik kan het label net niet lezen.
Posted by: Annita at October 6, 2007 5:24 PM
I've never heard of baby houses before!
Posted by: Emma at October 6, 2007 6:41 PM
Aicha and Lotte are the most beautiful babies ever! Happy Belated Birthday!
Posted by: Nanette at October 7, 2007 9:07 PM
Happy Birthday! I'm glad you got such lovely yarnie gifts!
I bet you will have that baby knitting by the time she is three or four :) Lucky little tyke!
Posted by: joyce at October 9, 2007 4:59 AM
leuk het huisje!!!!!
I heb nu een konijn, i dacht dat het een kasteel voor konijn was looool
zeer tof!!!!
Posted by: le chat qui coud at October 11, 2007 10:24 AM
hello!
what a lovely niece you have!!! congratulations!!!
I made the adorable Saartje's booties, I didn't make them as beautiful as yours but I'm very happy still and I would like to thank you a lot for the pattern!!
You can see them on my blog! :)
Posted by: shuly at October 12, 2007 11:16 AM
What a wonderful concept! I want a little open screenhouse to sleep in too.
Posted by: lanea at October 15, 2007 4:38 PM
You have been showing some beautiful yarns on your blog lately! The little baby house is just gorgeous - I wish I had had one when my children were babies.
Posted by: sandra at October 16, 2007 5:35 AM
New to blogging but saw your lovely bootees, copied your pattern, have made pink and blue pairs, they look great. May I use your pattern to make more for charity purposes?
Posted by: cmoon at October 21, 2007 10:00 PM
Saartje, missing your blog. When will you start again.
Posted by: Carol at March 25, 2008 4:00 PM
Hi guys,
I know this might be a bit off topic but seeing that a bunch of you own websites, where would the best place be to host. Someone recommended I use Blue Host for $6.95 a month which seems like a great deal. Anyone here on www.saartjeknits.nl using them?
Posted by: Kapassown at March 4, 2010 7:35 AM
Please delete this message....
Posted by: snubyprerse at April 15, 2010 5:22 PM
Hey guys,
Posted by: SBIGGY at July 26, 2010 3:39 PM
