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Along the Dirt Road

Along the Dirt Road

Category Archives: Gettin’ all Crafty

The Life of a Maker

27 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by Kelli in crochet, Gettin' all Crafty, heart and soul

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

cozy, creating, crochet, God's love, home

Do you all have a hobby? Crocheting started as a hobby for me. A stress reliever of sorts. Then it turned into a small business. I am so thankful for that. The life of a maker…is the life for me.

It took me a while to find my niche, but I always knew that it was something along the creating lines. From the time that I was a little girl…I have always been happiest and more at peace with anything creative. Art class was my favorite. The smells and the atmosphere always nourished a part of my soul. The art easel in kindergarten and the smoothness of the tempera paints…soothed a part of me.

If I could encourage you today…find your niche. You know you…better than anyone and we can all make something in this life. It may not be art. It may be music or math or food. We are all so different. Isn’t that wonderful!?Just look inside and find what God intended for you to be. He made just one of YOU…jam packed full of gifts and potential. He’s sweet like that.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

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Crocheting Along

05 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest, Gettin' all Crafty

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

cozy, crochet, farmhouse style, home

Who would have thought? The girl that struggled through Home Economics can actually sew a bit and crochet! Lol! I know, I know…not a biggie for most people…but Mrs. McGoldrick was impressed when I told her. (Small town life. Our kids go to school with her grands.)

Do you guys have a hobby? Most of my sewing is things that are needed or rag quilts. I actually really enjoy it. Very relaxing to me. Crocheting on the other hand has become a small business and I am so thankful for that!

I began crocheting years ago. I worked for a lady that also had her family working with her. Between them and my friend Jenny, we learned to crochet. I picked it up again years later and really wasn’t all that great. It was all of that counting that I wasn’t interested in. #mathishard

Rewind to last year. I had been making wonky dishrags for my friends and family, bless their hearts, and then I decided to YouTube it up and make them the right way. You know…the exact science. 😉 So from there my little ADR Farmhouse Dishrag business took off. I am so thankful for the way that God just blew the doors off of my/our little business. (Shoutout to the Mr. who mails all of the packages at the P.O.)

It has grown a bit this spring from just dishrags to mug rugs/coasters too. They are a bit reminiscent of what your granny might make…with a bit of farmhouse feel from this era.

You know…when you ask God to cause things to bloom in your life…you never know what He is going to do. I will tell you this though…it will be perfect and timely. It will just fall into place. That is His way.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Crafty Cactus

23 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest, Gettin' all Crafty

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

ball jars, cactus, paint

Okay.  That is a bit of a corny title.  Hey…it’s Friday.  Let’s let our hair down a little.  Crafty Cactus can bring much joy to your life and home.  Sheesh…I should have been a saleslady.  lol!  On a side note…I have already been out in the yard, chasing an ornery little bull calf back into the pasture.  I loved every minute of it.  I’m crazy that way.  Ask my mom…I used to want to be a vet.  Not the military kind.  The animal doctor kind.  Farming is close enough.  Trust me.  Total rabbit trail.  Let’s get back to Crafty Cactus.

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Sooooo….somewhere on Instagram…I spotted a cute Ball jar, that was painted white.  I loved it.  I wish I knew where I saw it…because I would totally give her credit.  I already had the little cactus friend.  I just love how cheery she is in the middle of winter.  You have to watch her though.  I poked myself yesterday.

This is such an easy project.  I hunted up some white paint and after it dried, used a little steel wool on the raised parts of the jar.  Easy peasy.  I promise.  This would look adorable with herbs or any other kind of small plant too.

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I will admit that Ball jars are actually a big part of life around here.  In the summer, you probably wouldn’t catch me painting one.  I use them a lot.  When canning is in full swing, I need jars at my disposal.  I guess I had better paint while the garden is lying dormant.  (Except for the turnips that are out there.)

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So…if you are feeling crafty this weekend, remember Crafty Cactus.  She is bright and cheery with a tad of shabby on the side.  She is also sporting a bit of this nation’s history…living in a Ball jar.  She is quite a gal…that Crafty Cactus.

You have permission to roll your eyeballs. 😉

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

 

p.s. After I posted…the lovelies over at Lolly Jane commented on my IG shot.  It was them!  Their cactus is lovely.  Thank you girls for your creativity!

Comfort

13 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, Gettin' all Crafty

≈ 2 Comments

Are you guys thinking on Christmas gifts yet? Just this morning I whipped up a little something. I think that it would be sweet to give little gifts of comfort and joy this season. How about you?

Don’t get me wrong…I am not about to skip Thanksgiving. I just have to think ahead to be able to breathe during the holidays. I was thinking about teacher’s gifts and a little stockpile in case we needed an extra gift.

After diligently searching Pinterest, this is what I came up with:

A hot/cold pack, made from vintage ticking and lavender scented flax. I think that it will be the perfect gift of comfort, from us at the Farmhouse.

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Have a lovely Thursday!

Kelli

Burlap Coffee Bean Sack Wreath

26 Thursday Sep 2013

Posted by Kelli in Gettin' all Crafty

≈ 3 Comments

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Do you ever get a wild hair?  I mean a really wild hair…where you think about something that you have and you just go grab it and start cutting it into strips and make something out of it?  Of course you do!  Isn’t it fun!?  That is what happened with this burlap coffee bean sack wreath.  I had made the poly mesh kind before….and then it dawned “uponst” me.  I could use the burlap coffee bean sacks that I had…for my fall wreath.

Have you made these before?  They are so easy.  Once you have the wreath form…you just spread the branches out.  I used an old one and took it apart.

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Then I cut my coffee bean sack into strips, about the width of poly mesh.

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The blue on these sacks is what calls to me.  If you follow me on Instagram (alongthedirtroad) you know that blue is my favorite.  It has been since I was a little child.  It just makes me feel happy.

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Little blue stripe…you are so lovely.

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After you cut your strips…you just lay them between the two little twiggies and kind of twisty tie them together.  Then you bunch it a little and move to the next two twigs.  I always do the outside row first and then move to the inner circle.  You can make it as full as you want.  I like mine big and fluffy.

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Just work with it and tweak it, fluff it and puff it.  Yeah…you get it.

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When you are done…hang it on your door.  If it needs a little color…stick a glittery pumpkin from Dollar General in there.  We are talking thrifty here, Dirt Roaders.  I already had all of this stuff.  Now…you might not.  That’s okay.  All of these things aren’t too pricey.  I promise.

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I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!  If you have any wreath questions, let me know!

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Burlapin’ it up!

Sigturquoise

Betsey is Her Name

25 Sunday Aug 2013

Posted by Kelli in Gettin' all Crafty, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

≈ Leave a comment

Have you noticed that people are hanging deer antlers on their walls and fake cow heads?  It’s true.  It’s the thing to do.

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The other day I was out junking with my momma and ran across this little beauty.  I believe that she was a towel or necklace holder in her former life.  She had a price sticker on the back from a store that was in business here…yeaaaaars ago.  It was called West Gibsons and then later West’s.

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When I saw Betsey…..I knew that she needed to come home with me.  I had spray paint in mind.  I could see my own little version of the ever popular cow head.

I am so pleased that I found her.  Betsey is right at home in the Farmhouse kitchen.  She watches me cook.  That is fine by me.

Happy Sunday evening, Dirt Roaders!

Kelli

p.s. I had a picture of Betsey’s “before”…..but I think someone me accidently deleted it.  Anyway…she was white…with crazy gold eyes.  Much better now!

Hey Mr. Painter Man….can I have your drop cloth?

26 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by Kelli in Gettin' all Crafty

≈ 5 Comments

So you’ve heard me mention Thistlewood Farm before. She is the one that explained the awesomeness of drop cloth drapes.  They are amazing.  Under forty smack-a-roos!  Can you believe it?  I owe her some major gratitude. Because of KariAnne……I now go up into our master bedroom…and stand and stare at my new drapes.  They are pretty much amazing. What a wonderful Spring Break project…right Mr.?  Honey…..honey…did you hear me?  😉

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Also…to the MIL…who was right there by my side…until the very end of the drape making…right until my old Singer died a slow death.  Then MIL whisked them off to her house and finished the last few stitches.  What a woman.  Gave birth to the most wonderful man on this earth…and finished my drapes. ( Several years apart. lol!)  Give that woman a trophy!

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I’m gonna let the pictures do the talking for a bit.  You are welcome.  (I’m guilty of skimming the wording too. 😉 )

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I whisked my camera off of the tripod...then left the tripod right in the way...but it was a good shot...so...there ya have it. ;)

Note to self: When you take your camera off of the tripod…move said tripod…because chances are…it could be a really good shot that you will use anyway.

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So…that is the tale of my drop cloth drapes.  If you want to know all about how to make them and the scoop on the rods…you can find it here.  They are just what I wanted.  They are farmhousey…..and that makes me smile.  Have a great day, Dirt Road Folks! (If you see a painter walking by…try to bargain with him if he has a clean drop cloth!)

Sigturquoise

Spring Break…I think I’m in love with you.

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Kelli in Gettin' all Crafty, heart and soul

≈ 6 Comments

I shall not whine. The sun is shining. It’s almost Spring Break.  I. Love. Lovity. Love. Spring Break.  It is a whole big bunch of family time for us.  Plus…it just feels like it pulls us up out of winter and sets us on our way.  (My apologies to all of you winter lovers.  I really try…with cozy sweaters and pots of soup…but summer is just my element.) I love you winter…you have your place…but I am so over you.

Because I love you and I am going to leave you for a week, I know…try not to cry, I am going to share a very goofy picture of myself with you today. (You can still follow on Instagram or Facebook.) Now the goofy part…..I need you to realize that I am not talking about the apron.  I am talking about my bed head.  I am talking about the crazy pose that I was doing while my little son snapped the shot.  So pardon the hair.  I shall explain more in a minute. (I’m still not sure why I had my arm like that.)

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This picture was taken the day after our annual ladies rally at our church. It’s a wonderful night of our area ladies meeting together for worship, fellowship and of course FOOD!  By the time that night is over I am ready for a little break.  You wouldn’t (or maybe you would) believe everything that goes into that one little night.  Matter of fact, that green shirt, is last year’s rally shirt.  I must have worn it to bed.  Why am I telling you all this?  Oh yeah…the apron.

The night of the rally…my sweet friend Valerie walked up to me and handed me a gift.  Valerie and I are kindred spirits.  We are both artsy kind of gals and there just seems to be an unspoken bond there.  We were at a retreat last fall and we were up front swapping each other’s cameras back and forth snappin’ shots…pretty much oblivious to everyone around.  You know the kind of friend that I’m talking about.  Anywhooooo….this wonderful apron was in that package.  She made it herself.  It’s made out of a pair of overalls.  She even sewed a little heart patch with my name on the front.  The strap on the back is made with one of the galluses…so it’s adjustable.  How wonderful is that? Pretty wonderful…just like Valerie.

Are you guys ready for Spring Break?  Are you ready for summer and tanned skin and flip-flops?  I am ready for kids being at home and swimming pools and summer food.  Summer food inspires me…probably like no other.  I’m ready for our garden too.  btw:  I forgot to tell you….we are going to get new babies during Spring Break.  Easter Eggers.  We have five new baby chicks coming…so next fall we will have blue and green eggs.  How fun is that!?

I will miss you, Dirt Roaders…while I am out-of-pocket for a bit. “I’ll be back.” 😉  Since I am so crazy in love with Instagram though…you can follow us here. Or if you don’t already, you can follow us on our Facebook page called Along the Dirt Road…here. I am gonna be hanging out with my precious ones.  This is one of my favorite times of year.  Spring Break…I think that I’m in love with you.

Sig

 

 

 

Chores…galore!

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Kelli in Gettin' all Crafty

≈ 2 Comments

Okay…so not really.  There are not really chores galore.  Sometimes it feels like it though.  To be honest sometimes I just don’t want to keep reminding little people of the chores that have their names on them.  So…I had an idea.  (Words that cause the Mr. to look for an escape hatch!)  😉SONY DSC

I have had this window for years!  It used to hang above our mantle back in the days before we could even get Internet out here.  (Gasp!)  What did I do back then when I didn’t have inspiration from Blogland?  I subscribed to way too many magazines.  I still love my magazines.  I just don’t get twelve as many.  I’m keeding! Not twelve…but several.  Now I only get three…I think…and one is a food magazine.  You are thinking “Hey Kel…sidetracked much?”

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So the window had long since retired into our garage and then down to the basement.  I have painted lots of glass in picture frames for chalkboards and I have even painted a mirror.  The only difference is…I usually use spray chalkboard paint.  Well…Wally World (that is what Ozarkians call Wal-Mart. I don’t know.  Your guess is a good as mine.)  was out of my usual spray so the Mr. picked up some chalkboard paint in the can.  I do have to tell you that I am not super-pleased with the finish.  We did exactly what the instructions said..down to the knapp on the roller.  It was very grainy, like as in… too grainy.  It will work…but I LOVE…LOVITY…LOVE the results that I have with spray chalkboard paint.  That was just a word to the wise…for free!

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In case you are wondering…these are not my hairy arms and man hands.  I just thought that I would clear that up.  They belong to my sweet hubby that got roped into doing the trim work on my chalkboard.  He has a steady hand and when we paint, I am the “roller” and he is the “trimmer.”  I think that it has something to do with the level of patience in each person.  I will let you figure that one out.  Anyway…he is so precious.  He is so longsuffering during my projects.  When I get that wild look in my eye…he listens when the idea is finally birthed.  (I think that he enjoys the excitement too…way down deep.)  He is WONDERFUL!  (He also reads this blog.  Hi Babe!)  Hee hee!

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Okay…so while all of this painting and drying was going on…I decided that we needed a banner to brighten up the chore chart.  If we were gonna have chores galore…then we needed to have some pizzazz around it.  I got the kids busy on a project too.  If you read the blog you probably remember the mustaches that the kids came up with.  Aren’t my children precious?  Why…thank you. 😉

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I found those adorable little bags at TJMaxx.  I knew that I would need them for something.  I just didn’t know what.  Do you guys do that?  It just kinda jumps out and slaps ya and you have to take it home?  ME TOO!  How exciting!  No wonder that we are friends! (Yes…that is Dawn in a Mrs. Meyers bottle.  Have you smelled the Honeysuckle dish soap by Mrs. Meyers?  Wonderful!  So wonderful..it’s all gone!)  Okay…I have got to get back to the part about having chores galore.  I am ping-ponging today!

I have seen stuff like this all over blogland.  KariAnne over at Thistlewood Farms….has an AMAZING one!  It’s breathtaking.  Pinterest also has some fun ideas for stuff like this.  Does Pinterest make you giddy?  Isn’t it fun? Did you know…that I dreamed up my chalkboard mantle…and THEN looked on Pinterest and there they were?  THEN the BHG magazine for that month had one in it!  Talk about excited!

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Now it’s time to let it dry.  The hard part.  Is that the hard part for you?  Now can you guess who the impatient one is?  (Thank you God…for giving us balance in our home. I really appreciate it.  I love You for it too!)

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I really think that “Hug family” softens the chore chart a tad.  Mothers do things like that.  Mothers are funny creatures.

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Their new chalkboard chart hangs in the upstairs hallway, between their bedrooms and their bathroom.  I think that is a good place to remind you of what needs doing.  Our kids do other things besides this…but I thought that it would hurt to have a few basics “set in stone.” (Or paint and chalk.)

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I am a firm believer in adding fun to anything that you do.  I learned as a child that if…while I was carrying in wood and feeding the dog, singing to the top of my lungs made chores more enjoyable.  I really rock the house on cleaning day.  I’M KIDDING!  I do like to try to put a little “happy” in whatever we are doing though. I have parents with twinkly eyes…that love to have fun.  It’s genetic.

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So..that is our chalkboard chart for our chores.  We don’t really have chores galore…but it was catchy…don’tcha think?  btw:  You really do need a horse and a giraffe under your chart.  It doesn’t show…but under that digital frame is a whole bookshelf of Schleich animals.  Do your kids love those?  Our younger ones do.  (I think that their dad likes them too!…Hi Honey. ;)) They are sure to take their money when it’s time to hit the feed store.  (That’s where they sell them here.)

Have a wonderful weekend, Dirt Road Friends!  This post was a tad long and a tad scattered.  Maybe it will make you feel kinda crazy and your day will not only be work…but FUN work.  Now…go forth and ENJOY!

Sig

DIY Chalkboard Tags

01 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in Gettin' all Crafty

≈ Leave a comment

Hey all!  Are you ready to have some fun today?  😉 Are you ready for some DIY chalkboard tags?  I have been to the land of the Puny…and now I am trying to make it back.  You might be saying…”Hey Kel…we could tell by your posts…..a tad on the weak side.”  I sure hope not…but well…it’s kinda true.  I really struggled this week.  How is that for real?  We shall keep it real over here at AtDR!

This is the reason that I originally bought the labels.  (Notice: Momma gets the end...she has the biggest purse! )

This is the reason that I originally bought the labels. (Notice: Momma gets the end…she has the biggest purse! )

Sooooooooooo (sounds like: Sewwwwwwww) do ya wanna make some super easy chalkboard tags with me?  These are wonderful!  They are crazy-easy.  I have actually made little hanging tags before with the lids from canning jars.  Now where I’m from…those are called “flats.”  But…I want you to know what I’m talking about.  They are cute…and I don’t have a picture…but you can imagine.  You just pop that little lid out of the ring…and spray paint it.  Oh yeah…you also have your husband drill a hole in it…to hang it.  😉 Alas, this is not the super easy way.

THIS IS:

Do you guys love Staples?  You know…don’t laugh…but I have only been in there once.  The only reason that I went was to buy these chalkboard labels.  I had a coupon out of a decorating magazine…and I was zeroed in on the reason that I was there.

So…I got this bright idea.  What if you just left the paper on the backs to keep the sticky covered, trimmed them like you wanted them and punched a hole in the top?( Of course they need a dab of garden twine…that…. I swiped from my husband’s shelf in the garage.)  That sounds so much easier than the “flat” tags.  No spray painting…no drilling.

I haven't tried the chalk markers or pencils yet.  You guys need to fill me in!

I haven’t tried the chalk markers or pencils yet. You guys need to fill me in!

Be sure and be lazy at first and grab the closest scissors...that don't cut very well.  ;)

Be sure and be lazy at first and grab the closest scissors…that don’t cut very well. 😉

Then....you go down to your craft room and get your scapbooking scissors.  They give you the cleanest edge.

Then….you go down to your craft room and get your scapbooking scissors. They give you the cleanest edge. If you want…have an oatmeal pie…for…um… strength. 😉

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Because we wouldn't know that they were oats without the tag. ;)

Because we wouldn’t know that they were oats without the tag. 😉

They are adorable.  Okay…so it’s not rocket science…but it makes us happy..right?  Right.  There ya have it.  DIY chalkboard tags….in a snap.

And...this last one dear friends...is what your great grandparents would have seen...when everything was still in black and white.  (permission for eye roll granted. )

And…this last one dear friends…is what your great grandparents would have seen…when everything was still in black and white. (permission for eye roll granted.)

🙂 🙂 🙂

Have a wonderful weekend, Dirt Roaders.  You deserve it!

Sig

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alongthedirtroad

Kelli

Kelli

Welcome to our stretch of the dirt road! It is filled with junkin' trips, culinary experiments and anything to "fluff the nest" which is our farmhouse. I love home decor that fits my family. I love a simplicity that we can live in. Maybe that is why the country life is so appealing to us. It's a place to breathe deep...and enjoy the journey. Join us! We would love to have you. (You might even see a chicken or two.)

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alongthedirtroad

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