The Yarn Yanker

Long time no blog

2009-08-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

It has been 16 days since my last blog... HOLY COW. I didn't realize that. I've been super busy, just trying to get life in order, and figure out this whole WAHM vs. Job thing. So here's a little update...

I got a job. It's only part time. It's at the local YMCA, so I can take my girls with me. We get a free membership. The pay isn't much, but it gets us out of the house and the benefits are great.

What does this mean for my yarn yankin? Hopefully not too much. Yes I won't have as much time to crochet, but I'm hoping I can learn some great time management and figure it all out. We'll see how it goes.

I've also decided to extend my Giveaway another week. That's right... You've got a whole week left to enter my AWESOME giveaway! The reason? 1. I haven't picked a winner yet and 2. My birthday is a week from Saturday. So I will be picking the winner next Saturday! On my birthday! (Yay me!)

(Me when I was a toddler)

I hope everyone is doing well. Hope school starting was too stressful for all you PTA mom's out there!

I'm working on some new ideas, so you'll see them soon!

Til then, Happy Yarn Yankin!

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

Grandpatty's

2009-08-05T21:36:00.000-07:00

A few months ago my husband's aunt gave my daughters these adorable dresses for Easter. They are totally cute and REVERSIBLE - so it's really two dresses in one!
Yes, there are lots of pictures of my girls... I like showing them off. They're cuties.
Aunt Patty (as she's known to me and my husband) has now opened her own shop on Etsy.

You can now order these cute dresses for your own sweet little girls.
Here's a couple of my favorites in her shop now.
Just in time for Back to school!
I just love butterfly designs. This one is a favorite also.

Check out her shop, and let me know what you think!

Til next time,

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

Go Football Growth Chart, Crocheted, Of course!

2009-08-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

This Growth chart is for a little boy named Isaac. He's one of the cutest little boys I think I've ever seen.

It'll be fun to see him watch football with the guys this year.
This growth chart comes with one football pin to measure your little man's height. Click on any picture for more information.

I'm thinking about personalizing them also, with names, a favorite team logo (a Power T maybe) let me know what you think.

As always, I'd love some input. Tell me what you think... Does it need more? Less? Do you love it? Hate it? I'd love to hear from you, good or bad.

Thanks Y'all!

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

Crochet Patterns

2009-08-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

I generally create my own patterns, especially if it's something I'm going to be selling. But, there are times when I need some inspiration, or I just can not figure out a pattern on my own. There are the sites I use for inspiration, for patterns, for how-to's, for all around great crochet wisdom. If you're a yarn yanker like me, maybe they could help you too! And you can't beat the price... FREE!

www.CrochetPatternCentral.com - I have seriously used this website for YEARS. I love it. You can find just about anything on here. If you've never checked it out before, you should.

http://www.free-crochet.com/?source=039FCP - Okay, so I haven't used this one. I just found it. But I'm totally excited to check it out. I'll let you know how it goes.

http://www.craftown.com/crochet.htm - Here is another website I've used for a long time, though not quite as much as Crochet Pattern Central.

http://crochet.about.com/library/blfreepatts1.htm - This is the last one I use regularly. You can find just about anything on here.

These are my FAVORITES. If you have some, list them in the comments and I will include them in a mass list! Do you make your own patterns? For free or for purchase, let me know. I'll include them too! Thanks.

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

WAHM vs. Full-time/Part-time Job

2009-08-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

I know I'm not the only woman out there struggling with this right now. As a mother of two with a husband in school, it's almost a necessity for me to be earning income in some way. I'm having a hard time right now deciding if I need to be a WAHM (work at home mom) or if I need to find a full or part time job. There are so many things to take into consideration. Will I really be able to WORK if I'm at home.? If I work outside of the home, what will I do with my daughters? Who will watch them? Daycare? A friend? My mom? It's tough.

Have you ever been in the same position? Let me know... What did you decide to do? What works for you? Maybe your story could help me or someone in the same shoes as me.

Thanks,

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

Keep track of your sweetie's growth

2009-08-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

With this super cute growth chart

My Secret Garden growth chart is 58 inches by 8 1/2 inches.
It has a very sweet vine and flower design measuring all the way from 1 to 5 feet tall.
This chart comes with one flower pin to mark your child's growth.
Additional pins are available for purchase.

Click on any of the images for more information. Or visit my shop to see more.

Let me know what you think? I always appreciate any input that is given. Thanks.

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

It's about that time...

2009-07-28T12:22:00.001-07:00

...For the official Grand Opening of The Yarn Yanker.

I'm so excited to be getting my new shop organized and new items crocheted.

To celebrate this "Grand" event, I will be giving away

2 great items to 2 great people

(One item per winner)

First is my Balloon/Numbers bib.

Check it out by clicking the picture.

Second Gift is a cute Elf hat.

Check it out by clicking the picture.

Here's How to Enter!

First, Become a Follower of The Yarn Yanker. It's easy, just click on the link to the left of this post.

Second, Post a comment. Leave a little note saying which item you'd like to win, along with a way for me to contact you (email, blog, website, I don't care... as long as I have some way to contact you when you win!) You may enter to win BOTH items, just leave two seperate comments. The winners will be randomly chosen on August 15th. So, get to commenting. I can't wait to see who wins!

And don't forget to check out our website for all the new items that will be coming.

(Have a question about the contest? Email me at TheYarnYanker@gmail.com)

Thanks,

The Yarn Yanker
http://www.theyarnyanker.etsy.com/

This giveaway has been featured on

http://www.hmgiveaways.blogspot.com/

http://indiecraftcorner.blogspot.com

Check it out for other great giveaways

Count your Balloons

2009-07-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

There is finally another new item in my shop.

This is my new bib. This one is only the beginning. There will be many more designs to come.

This bib will fit most kids, thanks to the cute button and button holes on the back.

And can I say my little Scooter Bill is the prettiest little girl ever, besides my Pumpkin, that is.

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

Two New Items

2009-07-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

There are finally two new items in my shop.

YAY

You'll have to excuse my photography. I was so excited to get my items posted, I just couldn't wait for daylight, so these pictures were taken on my kitchen table.

I love the green peapod cocoon. It's GREAT for taking newborn pics. I can also add buttons to the opening to create a super cute halloween costume. Just wear some green pj's underneath and you're good to go.

There aren't many things as sweet as an elf hat. Especially when it's just as long as your little one.

My nephew (6 weeks old) is my model. And I think he did a great job. Check out my shop for pricing. http://www.theyarnyanker.etsy.com/

There is more to come as I move items over from my other shops. Be on the lookout. As soon as I'm ready, there will be a "Grand Opening" sale and giveaway.

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

Y'all come back now, ya hear

2009-06-29T19:43:00.001-07:00

Just a note... We should have new merchandise up shortly. Check back again soon!

The Yarn Yanker
www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com

Grand Opening

2009-06-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone. Thanks so much for visiting me here on my blog.

I'll start by way of introduction...

"Who is the Yarn Yanker?"

I'm the Yarn Yanker (YY for short.) I've been yankin yarn since I was only 5 years old. I'm the 2nd oldest of 7 kids, married to a great man (I'll call him Handsome), and I have two GORGEOUS little girls. I'll call them Pumpkin Doodle (2 years old) and Scooter Bill (9 months.) They are my little bit of Heaven here on Earth. They are also my models, so I'm sure you'll see much of them on here. I am a stay at home mom and it's important for me to be able to stay at home with them as much as I can. Hence my reason for starting The Yarn Yanker.

"What is Yarn Yanking?"

Yarn Yanking may mean different things to different people, but for me, it's mostly just crocheting. I can do a bit of knitting, but I prefer crochet. My mama (Mamie, as she is now known) taught me at 5 years old, and all I could do was chain, over and over and over again. Little did my mama know that I would take it so far. With just the few simple stitches she taught me, I learned to read patterns and create all sorts of things over the past 20 years. That is what yarn yanking is to me.

"Where is The Yarn Yanker?"

I was born and raised just north of Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee is my home and I will never stray far from it. My family and I currently live right outside Nashville.

My Custom Crocheted Animal hats (great idea for Halloween costumes!) will be in Stores during the Fall of 2009. You will be able to find them at Main Street Toy Company, located in Franklin, Tennessee.

Don't live in Nashville? Don't worry. You can find us at www.TheYarnYanker.etsy.com.

"How do I contact the Yarn Yanker?"

There are numerous ways to contact me. Convo me on Etsy. Leave a comment here on my blog. Or Email me at TheYarnYanker@gmail.com.

I'm always looking for feedback and new ideas. Please feel free to let me know yours!