Good start of the new year.

We went away for a long weekend and I think that was a great start for 2009.
Anouk our eldest daughter had a sleepover for 3 night at a friends place so this was the first holiday-weekend without her. It was a bit strange and we missed her all, but we new she had a great time as well so that makes a big different.

A few weeks ago we bought a new big family tent so we have to try it out and we went camping in the Wairarapa in a Little town called Martinborough well known for the great Vin yards.
It's a good shopping place as well with lovely shops. On morning André was out for a long bike ride and the girls and I decide to go shopping and try to buy something in each shop. Of course we didn't do that but we came back with some great buys, new and second hand.

In Greytown we spotted a great sock wool boutique, JOY, where I bought some nice wool for a new pair of socks. I forgot to bring my knitting needles but in a second hand shop I found a pair so I could start strait away back on the camping. I bought some wool designed by Kaffe Fassett in my favorite lavender colour, and some autumn coloured one to make a pair of socks for André.

We went for a walk true the wine fields, visited a lavender farm, visited some places out of my book; crafty girls on a road trip were we had some lovely coffee and brownies, found great shops, the weather was super,so we had a great time. In my imagination it was much longer than a long weekend and it was just a warming up because over two weeks we go away for the real summer break, camping again.

Knitting and sewing.

It will be quite after the arts trail, that's what I thought. But no way. The school fair is this weekend and with just a few left overs from the arts trail there was a lot of sewing to do.
Then we have the annual dancing concert from the girls and of course I'm helping with sewing costumes. It's great fun but I still have to do it.

I tried to make some different items for the school fair then I did on the arts trail. The roll-up pencil cases were a big hit so I will sell those again and I made some note books. I love them, so I hope other people also will love them.
And last but not least I've got a pile of dutch magazines ( no time for reading yet , just looking through them) from a friend and I spotted some great house socks. With time in the evening when the sewing machine needs some rest I did some knitting , all the girls in our home love them so I have to knit a bit longer. I made the first pair for myself. That is not what I usually do but this time I gave myself the first choice. Sometimes you have to treat yourself after all the hard work!

Warm feet

I'm proud of myself because I finished my socks. My first pair of socks ! I never knitted socks before and I didn't know I could do it. But here they are. It is much easier then I thought.
I made them out of a great yarn, 80% wool so they will keep me warm this winter.

It's addictive. I bought more wool in different colours so I will be busy this winter. I like it, to have something to do when we are watching TV, for me it is waist of time just sitting and doing nothing. So I'm happy with my new wool and show you when my next pair of socks are finished.

fab feet & cosy toes

I know how to knit, but knitting socks is new for me.
My grandma always knitted our socks and I really like to learn it. So my dear neighbour gave me a wonderful book on how to knit socks. And she gave me some sock-knitting lessons too.

Fab feet & cosy toes , 25 designs for knitted socks by Anna Tillman is a helpful book with great ideas.

I always have really cold feet so I can't wait till my socks are finished (It will make my husband happy as well). My little girl ordered the one with the penguins from the front cover.
I think they are sweet.