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Saartje

Saartje
Date Joined: October 28, 2009
Last Online: August 22, 2020
Birthday: April 16
Country: Belgium

About Me

Hi, I'm a happily married, thirty-something mother of three. I work as a GP in a free clinic. I love my job, it's wonderful to do useful work in a fantastic team. But it can also be an energy drainer and my creativity is what recharges me: I garden, knit, quilt, fold, knead, sing, CREATE because it makes me feel alive. I don't have a lot of free time*, so I won't be doing many swaps, but I love the idea of this community and if something comes up that seems feasible, I'll participate.

*this is not a complaint, I'm very happy to give my time to my work and my family, and the fact that there is not a lot of time left for other things, is just a fact, not something that makes me sad or disappointed!

Favorite Television

We don't have television, because we feel there are more pleasant ways to pass our time. For example: my husband and I started a mini-choir (of two voices :-)), and are now rehearsing for our third Christmas concert. (although the second one was canceled because of a sore throat:-( )

Favorite Crafts

Knitting, paper crafts (origami), salt dough, needle-work, patchwork and quilting, calligraphy, baking (cookies), photography, gardening, printing (lino), painting (aquarell), frivolité, crochet, ....

Hobbies

Apart from doing all sorts of crafts, I like to ride my bike (mostly as a means of transport, to work, but also for leisure), roller skate, read, sing, take a shower, visit friends, eat good food, cuddle my children, ENJOY LIFE IN A MINDFUL WAY! I recently took up the clarinet, and my daily practice has taken the place of my daily meditation. It seems to be working just as well inmaking me relaxed, happy and strong

Mindfulness/Yoga/Meditation

In 2009 I took an introductory course on mindfulness, and I must say I took to it. I had a rough spot back in 2009 because it was all too much (very sick baby (now a healthy child, luckily) who kept me awake at night + moving house + changing jobs + health issues myself = TOO MUCH). I became depressed, not really, suicidally depressed, but depressed enough to make life gray, when it should be rainbow. So, I took time off, and I saw a psychologist, et cetera, and it did help, I got better, but I was left with fear. Fear that there would be hard times again (there WILL be hard times again) and that again, I wouldn't be able to deal with them until it was almost too late, fear of 'losing' months of my life again. And this is where mindfulness comes in, it seems to help me see the rainbow when it rains, it makes me take a more creative approach to my life. I try to meditate daily. According to my husband I'm a much more pleasant and happy person when I do ;-).

Likes

Colors: my favorite color (at the moment) is green, but I really just love colors, especially bright colors.

Nature and organic gardening (square foot gardening)

Yoga and meditation, mindfulness

Family and friends: talking, walking, cooking, eating together.

The simple life

Christmas

Wish List

Lyrics + music for Christmas songs for two voices (alto and bass) in English, French, German or Dutch.

Anything to do with roses, especially pink roses. I love the way they look, their scent and their velvety feel.

Beads (glass, wood, ...)

Fabric scraps (anything 5x5 inches or bigger), for the moment I'm thinking of a project in reds, blues/aquas and creams/whites, so I have a preference for these colors.

Pictures to color (for me or my children)

I'm thinking of revamping my kitchen in a red-turquoise-white color scheme, so anything inspirational for that, like pictures from magazines, postcards, pieces of fabric or trim, ... Maybe you'll see possibilities that I don't...

I love Kaffe Fassett, so anything Kaffe is very welcome!

My children

Pieter is 5 and loves typical boy stuff like construction, trains, planes, dinosaurs, trucks, lego's and blue, but also pink and purple, going to museums (he likes 'crazy artists' (his words, not mine) like Magritte and Van Gogh) and playing mummy and daddy with his sister. He likes doing crafts very much and loves to listen to music (especially live brass bands).

Marie is 3 and loves pink and purple and blue and everything else her big brother loves. She really loves sweets. She likes to dress up and play princess.

Lucas is 1 and he loves his mummy and daddy and his brother and sister. He loves to eat, play and sleep. He's just a baby, really. But a very happy, smiley baby!

Ratings

5
rating
Comment: Hi Sara, .... I am speechless ... This apron is just so gorgeous. I wish I could post a picture of it here so everyone could see it. I love the fact that you used vintage fabrics for it and the story behind them. The monogram is adorable and I will wear this with much pride! Thank you for making me such a lovely apron! XOXO, Miranda
Response: Glad you like it, I really put my heart and soul (not to say a few unique fabrics ;-) ) into it. I'm glad it will be worn with pride.
aussielisa rated for Perfect Pasta Recipe Swap on Oct 29, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the wonderful recipes. Cannot wait to try them.
AubreyD rated for Recipe cards - sender's choice on Oct 25, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the lovely recipe cards and all the extras too! You mention including something for my son with dinosaurs, but I think you forgot to put it in the envelope :(
Response: I thought I put some dinosaur stickers in there, I don't know where they got to... I hope he likes the treehouse teddy and doesn't feel left out compared to his sisters... Thanks for the heart!
pinkcamo1980 rated for Perfect Pasta Recipe Swap on Oct 24, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the recipes, that was so sweet of you to send profile-based recipes. I can't wait to try them!
5
rating
Comment: Thank you soooo much for the wonderful bag. Polka Dots+my favorite colors= a great bag!
Response: I'm glad you like it. I used vintage fabric from my grandmother's stash,so it's really a unique bag.
sahvi rated for It's frameable on Mar 13, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Sorry I didn't rate earlier! I got them the other day and they are quite amazing! Thank you so much for sharing what you see with me!
Response: Thanks for the heart
Antonina rated for Children At Play Theme on Mar 9, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Thank you very much for nice pictures!!! It's so lovely to see them playing and being busy with something so seriously!
judee0624 rated for Show Off! on Mar 4, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Such stunning photos! Your letter was much appreciated. Your English is perfect! Thank you so much.
Response: I'm glad you liked them! Thanks for the heart.
flowerimpressions rated for Children At Play Theme on Mar 1, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Adorable pics ,thanks for sharing.Peace and Happy swapping.
RetroJane rated for Children At Play Theme on Mar 1, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Aww, Sara - what cuties! I think the bubbles photo is my favorite. Each of them are doing their own thing, but both are on a mission. Adorable. :)
Lauriez rated for Visual Poetry on Feb 18, 2011
5
rating
Comment: oh these are all just SO lovely! I believe the beach to be a magical place as well, and one of my very fave places to photograph. Thank you for shaing! Happy swapping & shooting! :)
glassandfur rated for Owl Dotee Doll on Feb 7, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Thanks very much! Sorry for the delay with rating.
Response: That's ok! I'm glad it reached you and that you liked it.
lefroggy rated for Visual Poetry on Feb 6, 2011
5
rating
Comment: oops sorry for the late rate, i just had time to go over my e-mails, they are so beautiful i especially love your black and white photograph's it feels so calm and peaceful.
Response: Thanks for the heart!
Simone rated for Visual Poetry on Feb 6, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Great choice to make them black and white - definitely adds a poetic feel.
Response: Thank you. I actually took them in black and white. I like the old school graininess you get because of the low lighting (I took them at dawn)
perkl8r rated for Bluework Embroidery R#4 on Feb 1, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Oh My Goodness! The little dutch girl is perfect! And i absolutely love my perkl8tr!!! You are so talented with making paper, i just love everything. Thank you for spoiling me!
Response: I'm glad you liked the package. I hope you'll be hosting more fun swaps in the future.
mega4beth rated for Flora/Fauna REDWORK R#2 on Jan 20, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Thank you Sara! Your design is great! The post card is beautiful, too
slewis234 rated for BLUEWORK Quilt Block R#3 on Nov 27, 2010
5
rating
Comment: I love the bluework you made for me. It came today and I was stunned. It's so gorgeous. You really did an absolutely wonderful job. I hope mine comes out that lovely. Thank you again.
Response: Thanks for the heart. I'm glad my work found a loving home with you.
Jazza rated for Christmas dotee swap #2 Edit on Nov 11, 2010
5
rating
Comment: She so cute, like a little girl on chirsmtas morning :)
Response: Thank you! I'm glad you liked her.
sbuck rated for Flora/Fauna REDWORK R#1 on Nov 11, 2010
5
rating
Comment: It was beautiful. I just loved it and the letter that came with it. Thank you so very much.
Response: I'm glad you liked, I put a lot of effort into it! Thanks for the heart!
Ereshkigal rated for Mermaid Dotee Swap+++++ on Oct 16, 2010
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the Mermaid Dotee, It is cute! I can tell you put a lot of time into it. Thanks for the ATC too!
Response: I'm glad she arrived safely and that you like her!

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 31 1 1
Completed Fives Threes Ones
24 40 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
5 3 16 0
View all

Currently In

  • the user is not currently in any swaps :(

Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Comments

aussielisa on Sep 20, 2011:

Check out the Australia Immigration Website. You might be able to apply through work or use your profession. Especially if you go rural they are screaming for any professionals but the biggest call is for GP's. Is there someone you can contact in your area? Australia is a great place to live. Especially up here in North Queensland (but I am biased). I have photos up on my flicker of around my home.

aussielisa on Sep 18, 2011:

Hey, I have just made up 2 recipe swaps you may be interested in. The first is for Sweets the second for pasta

DeniseN10ec on Dec 19, 2010:

Happy Holidays From Shutter Me Up

One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say Thank You and to wish you the very best for the New Year

perkl8r on Oct 25, 2010:

Greetings Saartje and welcome to our first REDWORK embroidery swap. I hope you enjoy it!

Congratulations on the arrival of your newest little blessing!

penthief on Oct 18, 2010:

Congrats on your Baby!! I hope you both are doing well!!

MagicEyes17 on Jan 8, 2010:

Hallo Saartje,

Danke fürs mitmachen bei meinem ersten ATC Swap.

Bastelgrüße MagicEyes17

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