Storewide Sale

As I shared before...The Yankee Burrow Co. is heading in a new direction this year with more emphasis on home decor and original artwork.  So I am having a sale...

50% off everything in my shop with the coupon code CLEANHOUSE50.

Another reason for this sale is....

WE ARE MOVING!

Not just into a new house, but a new "old" state.

We are moving back to New York sometime this summer/year to be closer to family,

and while I'm excited, I'm also kind of bummed.  I'm gonna miss NC...the mountains, the sunsets (and sunrises), the HEAT!!! lol

I am also feeling overwhelmed.  While our home is just under 1000 square feet, which is tight for a family of 4, we also have 3 outbuildings...one of them is my art studio...which is full of STUFF.

So please, help me clean my inventory so I don't have to pack it and move it 5 states!

Just a quick click to share this post would help me tremendously!

Here's a few more items you can get...cheap...

Chunky Crochet Square Cowl

A cowl is a great fashion accessory for every season, and the tweed colors of this cowl are warm and beautiful.  This cowl is squared, but we also have a tapered cowl of the same yarn for a tighter fit.

Lilac Beaded Purse

Speaking of fashion accessories...you can never have too many handbags...and this lilac beaded bag is a roomy 12.5" by 10.5" and is lined so no worries about your comb or keys poking through the gorgeous shell pattern of the purse.

There is also much more available...so check out my shop...and don't forget to use the coupon code CLEANHOUSE50 to save you money!

Be blessed,

Debbi

A New Year...A New Look

The Yankee Burrow Co. has been in business since February 2010.

5 years of growing, and changing, and evolving.

I started out working with my daughter Amanda on Etsy, and our shop was Our Home to Yours.

5 years later, I'm on my own and known as Yankee Burrow.

And I still like it.

BUT

sometimes life situations causes us to re-evaluate and change, yet again.  

And The Yankee Burrow Co. will be changing over the next few months.

I will be updating my blog.

Changing my website.

Adding a site to feature truly handmade items.

AND changing my own direction of handmade.

Gone will be all the crochet scarfs, and jewelry.  The market is way too saturated with both.

Soon you will see original artwork, home decor, and totally unique wearable art pieces.

And, of course, baby stuff, just cuz I love me some babies. lol

SO

to start fresh, I need to clean house.  

I now have EVERY ITEM in my Scott's Marketplace shop on sale.

50% off everything.

A flat $5.00 shipping fee, except for the large heavy items, and as usual all the jewelry and greeting cards ship free.

Just use the coupon code CLEANHOUSE50 at check out.

Let's take a peek at what I have to offer.

Rainbow Lilac Crochet Scarf

With the winter starting to settle in, even here in NC, there is nothing nicer than a warm soft scarf around your neck.  And this scarf is super warm with the fun fur yarn giving it softness.

It is listed at $22.00, but you can get it for only $11.00

If you're looking for that unique statement piece of jewelry, how about this one of a kind, double strand necklace?  Listed at $28.00, now only $14.00.

Now, if you're always dreaming of summer, and enjoy the boho retro look, grab this handwoven, 100% cotton long fringe belt.  Listed at $20.00, with the coupon code CLEANHOUSE, only $10.00.

Plus if you are in the area, everything is available for pick up.

Check out my shop, The Yankee Burrow Co. for more great savings.

Come back soon.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Scott's Marketplace

For many reasons I have chosen to close my shop at The CraftStar.  Which left me looking for a place to list my items, and in my search I've discovered

Scott's Marketplace.

It's a unique site, not because it's for handmade items only because it's not, but because it promotes local small businesses.  You can browse shop by location, so you can support your local economy.  

There is a vibrant handmade community at Scott's, so let's see what I can find....

I just love the bright colors of this statement necklace from Alice's Chic Boutique.  She even named it..."Lilly".

I love handcrafted soaps.  The prettier, the better.

And I love color...so this Pear Berry Soap by 

Belladonna's Soaps fills both those requirements.  And I bet it smells really good. too.

It's hard to tell what's cuter, this spring Easter hat, or the model wearing it?  I found this in the shop Blackberry Crochet.  There are tons of items in this shop, and well worth a look.

And lastly, here's my new shop there.

And to get into the holiday mood, here's a happy reindeer card to share with someone special.

Be sure to stop and check out all the great items at Scott's Marketplace.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Doing A Little Window Shopping

I finally got to spend some time in my studio yesterday...but with a space heater as my only source of heat, it was just too cold to stay there long.  But I got some work done on a bracelet, and sorting out my other mess.  Now I'm ready to see what great handcrafted items I can find on my favorite sites.

Let's visit my main digs...The CraftStar

I love the casual color and style of this dark silver heart necklace from Island Girl Expressions.  I just think this would look great with jeans and a comfy button down shirt...laid back and feminine...all at the same time.

These vintage pot holder dresses are just too adorable!!!!  You can find these and other great vintage doilies in the shop Chameleon.

I love this Bridal Clutch from MyEuropeanTouch.  I would use this for more than just a wedding (especially since I'm already married, lol).  This would be great for any special occasion.

Now let's go visit my old friends over at Handmade Artists.

I WANT THIS!!!!

What a totally awesome beauty of life sterling silver cuff from Nicilaskin.

AND I WANT THIS!!!

This copper lobster trap sea glass pendent is a great idea for a fun feel of summer.  If you think it's too big for a necklace, hang it in your kitchen window so you can dream of being a beach bum while washing your dishes.  lol

Check out the shop Petra Designs for more awesome items.

And for my last share of the day...

the blue stone of this sterling silver pendant just takes my breath away!!

Shablool Jewelry's shop has even more amazing items in it...

Now it's your turn....what's on your wish list today?

Be blessed,

Debbi

My Last Show Of The Season

As if November wasn't busy enough, I crazily thought I would enter a few craft shows.  Kind of dip my toes into the water kind of thing to see if I want to jump into the arts and crafts show season next year.  Well, one of the shows was cancelled (I didn't complain) and the other one asked me to bring something other than crochet items.  Now, the majority of items in my shop are crochet, so I spent a week just drawing and coloring cards.  Forget eating, sleeping and showering. lol  Here's a few pictures of my "booth".

Here's an "overview" of my booth.  I had a 10' x 10' space, and since it was indoors I didn't need to worry about the weather, so that was a nice bonus.  Chuck helped me design and create my displays.  Well, it was more like I got an idea then it was "hey Chuck, can you make this?"

And he did.  Love my man!

This is my Rusty Art that I spent the week completing.  I call it "Rusty Art" because my mom's nickname was Rusty, and these are her sketches.  She was a very talented artist, and participated in many shows in NY, most notably, The Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo.  In order to supplement the sales of her larger pieces, she would make these wonderful cartoon pictures for the kids.  My sister and I would help her by filling in the pictures with color, and this is how I learned to use pencils, and pastels, and about the hue and tone and value of color.  When my mom passed, I inherited her sketches, so in her memory, I share her "Rusty Art".

This is one of the display ideas I had that Chuck helped me with, and trust me, we had no idea how to do this.  I saw this in an antique shop and loved the idea and took pictures for future use, but let me tell you, this display is NOT a one-man job. lol.  Trying to hold up the shutter doors while sliding the shelves through was like an old slap stick comedy.  But we got it, and it looked great.  This was for my seasonal items.

The blue rack is the one I usually use for my scarves, but since they didn't want more scarves, I used it for my crochet indian poncho.  I made this several years ago, and love it.  The pattern is very intricate (lots of ends to weave in) and it is done in a suede yarn (which I will never use again).  And it is very HEAVY.  It kept sliding off the rack.  The blanket next to it is a very large star pattern made in a loose crochet pattern.

This was my one and only table, filled with my small items, and business cards.  I had electricity so I was able to show customers my online shop.  I really liked that.

And my last picture for today, the big sellers of the day.  My handpainted gift bags.  I sold out!  Yea me! lol

I displayed them on an old window frame that Chuck added feet and hooks too.  I have another one in the shed waiting for me to remove the glass for more bags and ornaments next year.

I have to say, I really enjoyed doing the show, and I do plan on entering more next year.  Time for me to start saving some money for a tent!

Did you do any shows this year?

Be blessed,

Debbi

My Black Friday Sale

Today I am offering 20% everything in my shop

 use the coupon code blackfriday at checkout, and then visit the other great shops at The CrafStar.

be blessed,

Debbi

Friday Feature Artists - TXGulfCoastCreations

This week our Handmade Artists Forum blog ring featured artist is a...

surprise.

As in, we each get to chose an artist not in the ring, and brag on them.

It's a lot of fun, and we have shared several new artists in our ring this way.  I've chosen an artist that is active in the forum, TXGulfCoastCreations.

I like the look of this beaded crochet choker.  It's created with soft crochet thread, so it is soft and light, and accented with pretty copper colored glass beads.  This is tied around your neck, so it is completely adjustable.  Very pretty, don't you think?

Here is a great gift for the young girl in your life, a set of ivory and pink soft washclothes and facial scrubbies.  A great way to encourage your teen to start a lifetime of good, and pretty, hygiene.

I absolutely fell in love with this teal necklace and bracelet set.  Such a unique style, and they are created that you can untwist it a bit if you need more length.  Very creative.

You can also find TXGulfCoastCreations at the following sites.

Twitter / Facebook / Tumbler / RebelMouse

Be blessed,
Debbi

New Listings at Yankee Burrow

I've been trying hard to increase the quantity of my inventory in my shop, and I've managed to get quite a few items listed.  My problem is not in the creating....it's in taking photos and thinking of tags and descriptions and SEO and promoting and blah blah blah. hahaha

 

 

I have been on a baby kick lately.  I "discovered" the cutest patterns for baby booties and footwear from Two Girls Patterns, and these Bright Orange Sandals are just one pattern of many.  These orange ones are sized for 6-12 months.

 

 

Here's the same pattern, but in Bright Yellow and sized 0-6 months.  Both sandals have hot pink buttons, but I used heart shaped buttons for the smaller ones.

 

 

How's this for color?  I had created this Acrylic Blue Flower Necklace for my old shop, but then I redid it and created 2.  One for me, and one for you. :0)

 

 

Here's a new piece for my vintage section, a green and rhinestone choker.   I found this at a local estate sale, and the colors are so much prettier in real life.  (I really need to work on my photography skills, lol.)  It makes me think of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's.

 

 

This last item is a crochet star blanket that I just finished, after the 4th of July of course, haha.  These are just some quick pictures, and hopefully I will have better pictures and this listed next week.

 

You can find all these (except the blanket) waiting for you in my The Craft Star Shop.  Just click on the item link.

 

So, what have you made lately?

 

Be blessed,

Debbi



Friday Artist Feature - Gerda Collins

I love art.  There is just something so relaxing and soul satisfying about art.  Yes, I know, some art is created to make you feel, and react, and all of that, but sometimes we just need to enjoy what is sweet, and pretty, and soft.  And that is the kind of art you'll find in Gerdas Garden.

Here is a great print of her watercolor Morning Glories.  I love watching these grow wild (usually in my vegetable garden) and the colors are so pretty.

This is what Gerda herself has to say about her artwork...

"My work has a softer caste to it, that is on purpose. I seek a gentler way and a kinder spirit to reach out to the world."

I couldn't agree more.  I've also discovered that Gerda is busy with her 2 other shops...

How adorable is this pink pom pom hat?  You can find all sorts of cute crochet items in her shop Gerdas Goodies.  She does some sewing also, and makes nice totes and bags.

In her shop Gerdas Garage is where she has collected her vintage items, like this awesome Graceland Pink Purse.  Yep, Gerda is a woman after my own heart, handmade and vintage....you can never have too much of either.

Click on any of the links above and go visit this wonderful woman, and tell her I said "hey". :0)

Be blessed,

Debbi



I've been a very busy girl....

I love creating...I can't just sit and watch tv without a crochet hook in my hand.  I even crocheted a scarf while riding on the back of a motorcycle during a trip.  So I don't have a problem creating, which is good when you have an on-line handmade shop.  But my problem?  I hate doing the item photography, writing descriptions, and coming up with tags.  So I end up with a pile of stuff that all needs to listed, and I do them all at one time.  May not be good for SEO, but it works for this momma.  So, would you like to see?

 Aren't these adorable?  The blue ones are so tiny, for 0-6 months, and the red ones are for 6-12 months.  I found the pattern for these flip flops, and other cutie patotie baby shoes at Two Girl Patterns.  They have so many adorable patterns, it took me days to decide.

I had the vision of this red, white, and blue stretch bracelet in my mind for a while, but I couldn't find the beads in any of my local craft stores, so I needed to order them from Fire Mountain Gems.  While I love that site, I am not at all patient while waiting for supplies. hahaha.

The last of my featured items is this set of 4 eco-friendly kitchen fun for Independence Day.  In this set you get 2 pot scrubbers and 2 hot pads.

 

I still have even more ready for a photo op and listing, so be on the look out for more handmade love in my The Craft Star shop, with some vintage thrown in for fun.

 

Have you created anything new lately???

Get them juices flowing, it will make you feel good. :0)

 

Be blessed,

Debbi



Hello to Handmade!

Hello 2014...and Hello to Handmade.  Let's make this year the year of handmade because buying handmade is buying quality...and family.  When you shop at your local small businesses, or purchase handmade at craft shows and on-line, you are supporting family.  Let's see what I can find today....

...according to Pantone, the color of this year is Radiant Orchid.

Isn't that just GORGEOUS!!!

So, now let's go shopping...

I generally don't shop at Etsy anymore...but I thought today, aw, why not.  I was so pleased to find this handmade Kumihimo bracelet in the shop of Sparkleez Crystals. 

 If you love bling like I do, you'll love this shop.

Over at Handmade Artists the first thing that popped up was this beautiful Orchid Lavender Knit Headband created by my friend Sandi at iKnitQuiltSew.  I especially like the flower, and with the cold weather across the nation, this looks toasty and warm. :-)

Now on to The Craft Star, and these very pretty Layered Heart Tags in the shop of Cards and More by Sheri.  You can find so many uses for these cards, gift giving, scrap booking, or string them together for an awesome banner.

And now for some self-promoting...here is my Radiant Orchid Lilac Beaded Handbag.  I have lots of other stuff too in my shop...

Yankee Burrow Creations,

and

Yankee Burrow Vintage.

So, what do you have that's Radiant Orchid?

Be blessed,

Debbi

And the feet goes on....

I love family.

I love tradition.

I miss my kids being little. 

 I love having grand-babies.

And with all that being said, I would like to share with you the lion baby slippers I made for my newest grandson Quintin.

As you can see by the picture above, I had originally made slippers for my kids when they were little.  My son got his slippers for Christmas when he was about 11 and wore them until he was a teenager.  I had packed them up when he moved out as an adult.  When Quintin was born, I pulled them out of my cedar chest with the intention of making a new pair for him.  After a quick google search, I actually found the vintage pattern book, which I just had to order.  As you can see, the new slippers were a big hit. :0)

And daddy's slippers still fit too.  LOL

I decided to list these slippers in my shop for your children and grandchildren too.

Lion Head Slippers

I have them listed in my The Craft Star shop and offer them in the size you need, and will be adding other animals soon.  If you would like a pair for your special little one, just give me the measurement of the child's foot at the time of your order, and within 2 weeks, they'll be on their way.

What is your favorite animal?

Be blessed,

Debbi

Summer, wherefore art thou summer?

Where did my summer go?  I walked out the back door yesterday to help put the cover on the swimming pool, and it hit me.

It's fall.

I missed summer.

How in the heck did I miss summer????

We took no trips this year, not even day trips to local parks and fun spots.  My vegetable garden went to pot...very quickly.  I didn't work in any of my gardens.  I only went swimming a handful of times, and Amanda and crew only came over once to swim.

So where did my summer go?

Here.  On-line.  Social media.  Trying to make my shop a success. 

 And in living life in front of my laptop, it passed me by outside.

Well, no more.  I took to heart some advise I learned from Bethan over at The Craft Star.

The 30/70 rule.

If I make my workday for my shop full time, that's 8 hours per day, Monday thru Friday.  I should spend 30% of that time with the selling part of my shop, and 70% of that time creating.

And it worked.  I now set my timer on my phone for 2.5 hours, and while working on-line with all my shop and social media business, Hannah sits next to me and does her homeschooling.  I follow my spread sheet list on the sites I need to visit and or link to, and then when my timer goes off, so does my laptop.  Then I get to eat lunch, clean the house, shop for supplies, and create items to sell.

And guess what?

It worked.

Over the last few weeks, I finished several pieces and even got them listed right away.  I am so proud of myself. :0)  Here's the latest scarf I created, and now I am working on making matching clutches to use the extra yarn for these scarves.

Silver Opal Sashay Metallic Ruffle Scarf

I love how easy this pattern worked, especially since it's crochet and not knit. :0)

I found the pattern at Cre8tion Crochet.

Well, I can't talk any longer....my timer is about to go off, and I have some of my favorite bloggers to visit.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Friday Finds - getting ready for the cold

Well, our temps are finally dropping, fast.  I love the cooler weather (cooler, not cold!) and wearing sweaters and hats and scarves.  So let's go check out some wonderful handmade scarves.

I found these wonderful scarves over at The Craft Star.  Clockwise from the bottom left...

a cotton crochet skinny scarf from Bernoulli's Attic. 

a tweed knitted cowl from the Yarn Star.

a rainbow colored scarf from Annesknits.

Over at my old hangout, Handmade Artists, I found these beauties...

Starting at the top left...

a knit infinity scarf from Oaklies Fashions.

Cloud 9 scarf with flower by Magnolia Road Designs.

and I absolutely LOVE this fox scarf by dolly's designs.

And this week, I created 2 new scarves myself, and added them to the pot of handmade scarves.

shades of blue pom pom scarf

red sashay metallic ruffle scarf

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.  And support your local handmade artists.

Be blessed,

Debbi