After 8 years of waiting to pee on a stick and see 2 pink lines, I had given up hope of the idea of being a mom who has the option to stay home. Then on Mothers day of 2010 I finally had a positive pregnancy test. One of the first things that came to my mind was how I wanted to be home with my baby. I didn't want to miss a thing. One week after finding out I had a bun in the oven, I gave my boss a 2 weeks notice. With how long it took me to get pregnant.. I didn't want the risk of a stress to ruin my chances of a healthy baby. I think I was the most paranoid pregnant person anyone could ever meet!
My Desire to Stay Home Grew!
It didn't take long before my husband and I had “The Talk.” We both knew I wouldn't be able to stay home forever, but we both also didn't want to leave our daughter (Ella, born on 1-11-11 @ 8lbs 6oz <3) at a daycare until she could at least talk and let us know how people treat her.
I quickly started looking for jobs through www.wahadventures.com and I found the best wah job for me *at the time*. I was able to choose my own hours and work whenever I wanted.. averaging 10-12 dollars an hour for doing the simplest work. It sounds so easy right? It was so easy… to put work off! “I can do it later.” Until eventually I lost the job. Panic rushed through me.
So then I decided that maybe I needed to do something I enjoyed. Like graphic art! I actually still really enjoy graphic art but I have been *trying to design for a year now and im not skilled enough to make a real income with it. Or any income with it.
Christmas of 2011 came and I decided I wanted to give crochet a try. I looked up all the basics and watched video after video until I felt confident enough in myself to be able tell my husband what I wanted for Christmas. He laughed at me as if he didn't think I would ever be able to figure out. Baha! After 2 months of teaching myself how to crochet, I decided to start writing out my crochet patterns. So why not start a blog?! And also another big “THANKS!!” to www.wahadventures.com for her “Blogging 101 series!”
This blog, stitch11, is a place I like to share my crochet arts with the world, all while teaching them how to do exactly the same thing, and with no charge. I am actually starting to make some money through ads and affiliate programs, but not yet enough to call my income. I have about another year until I would like to know I have a steady income through my blog, and luckily, it's growing faster than I could ever have imagined! I have found my passion, my passion to stay home with my daughter. And with a little yarn and hook, I am making that happen!
Wow this made me smile so hard! You are really talented and def one of my main inspirators that convinced me to crochet! Congrats on your wonderful endeavors <3
Thank you so much Manda!! <3
I am so proud of you Corina!! You amaze me all the time how quickly you figured out Crochet and all of these amazing things you make!! Thank you for sharing all of your patterns! I am glad you have been able to stay home with Ella and I am sure this passion will pay off!!
<3 Thanks Miranda! You have been my inspiration!! <3
So proud of you..what a great mom..love and determination are a great combo….I thank you for sharing your patterns for free…you have a beautiful daughter..hope God blessed your business more and more…..thanks for sharing your story…w
Thank you Tammy!
I am so proud of you! I am so proud of both of my daughters!! I wish computers would have been more common when you were young so maybe I could have had the option to do something like this. When I bought my first computer you were already 13 years old. I missed out on so much. Staying home with your children while they are young is a very wise decision when it is possible. Always do what you love to do and God will bless it!
Yes This is why I write patterns too! I use to work 50 plus hours a week when I had 1 baby boy but after getting laid off while expecting a 2nd baby boy I knew I needed to do something besides a main stream job. I have loved crochet ever since teaching myself while I was on bed rest for 6 weeks! I love love love every part of it and at first just made gifts and then items to sell. I got tired of paying for patterns and started coming up with my own…. Now I too make a bit of extra money every month through adsales on my site 🙂
I just discovered your blog and started following you on Facebook. That’s how I found this link. I’m actually working on crocheting your sock monkey hat now for my daughter who is also Ella and she was born on 1/1/11. I thought that was such a crazy coincidence. I would love to be a stay at home mom and make a living off of crocheting and making other crafts, but its just not in the cards right now. I work an evening job 4 days a week, so I at least get to be home with my daughter during the day and saving on the huge expense of daycare. Can’t wait to make some more of your designs, keep it up and thank you!
Just read your blog post about God’s Timing. Bless you!!! I too went through years of asking God, why me? Why haven’t I had children yet. When the timing was right, God blessed me with three beautiful kids (ages 12, 10 and 7). HIS timing is perfect timing! May God continue to bless you and your family.
I’ve been following your blog for sometime now and just read this post & God’s Timing… I teared up instantly! I have 4 daughters of my own still at home (13, 10, 8 & 2) then an adopted daughter (19) that has my 1st grand-daughter (11 mos) that lives on her own & a step-daughter (22) & 2 step-sons (17 & 20) so I feel you completely on the we need well we must have 2 incomes… I lost my job in Feb 2012 (a great paying, wonderful ins for all my family but very stressful job) My husband is self-employed & in the summer we’re good & only need his income but come winter when things slow down we MUST have 2 incomes! After I lost my job I needed something to help ease my mind, something I enjoyed like you. I decided to pick up my hook & yarn stored in the closet for sometime, and start again. I realized that there was so much more online since I tried before…. I started making my daughters, friends & family things and loved seeing their faces & knowing they had a piece of my heart forever. Everyone said sell the things you make… I didn’t think they were good enough & put it off… I eventually started posting pics on my personal FB pages and actually got a few orders. I’m still trying to grow, get my blog together, get a small business growing etc… I’m getting there… slowly. But I have FAITH… I’ll get there when I need it most! Thank you so much for sharing your story, for your inspiration. I love your blog & share you posts & posts from The Yarn Box on my FB page just about daily :p God blesses us every day with little miracles, it’s just up to us to see them!
Your comment made me tear up. My husband is currently out of work.. but somehow I have managed to make enough money to pay all the bills and still buy Christmas.. I really didn’t know if this was possible but I truly had faith that it would happen. Crazy hu? lol You can do it! Please stop by my FB page. If you haven’t started a business page you should, and I would also love to have you in my crochet group Yartists.