The Remodel

I really didn't ever believe that I would say the word remodel. We first moved in right after we were married and 14 years later we are still here! Not a happy girl I can tell you...it definitely hasn't been easy. I have finally realized that my husband's heart is here and where he dreamed of raising his little family.

The home was originally built in the 1890's with an addition added sometime during the 1940's. There has never been any real upkeep done on the place, just little projects done in order to get by. We are going to have to totally gut this place, right done to the frame.

Our plans should be about finished, I can't wait to show you what I have envisioned for our little prairie home, in the mean time I thought I would share the inspiration behind this whole remodel. All photos are sourced and can be found on my board {Little House} on pinterest...the is much more inspiration there. I didn't want to overwhelm you! :0)

Source: gardenandgun.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I really want to reuse the wood siding from the home on the interior. I was thinking about adding paneling, not necessarily throughout the whole home maybe just accent walls?!? Any thoughts??

Source: style-files.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: paleandinteresting.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: 79ideas.org via Kristin on Pinterest

I've learned my lesson with white flooring though... ;0) I still love the look but I won't be adding it in.

Source: houseandhome.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I must have a vintage windmill to hang on the wall, Iowa girls you just might see me soon on the hunt! :0) Anyone know of a good source?!? *love* them dearly!

Source: salisburyartisans.com via Kristin on Pinterest

If any of you have been through a remodel do you have any advice?!? We are excited but not sure where to begin, feeling a little overwhelmed right now! :0)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

xo

kristin

wednesday's whisper no 7

Source: sueswink.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Inspiring Girls...

it only takes one moment to have a spark ignited within your soul...

to have a blog post, photo, or piece of art really speak to you and set you on your way...

the print above came to live on the prairie {found here} not just to inspire me in the direction of my art but also on my e-course...this little girl spoke to me, and made me realize what i wish to {speak} to others...

this girl and her NEED to create has really helped me through this past month...

when my daily truth arrives from these girls it feels that i alone am being spoken to...

often i get feeling overwhelmed, wishing and grumbling that something bigger really has to come my way for true happiness, this girl reminds me to enjoy the small things...

this time of year always brings forth the validation of why richard and i choose to raise our kids in the farming way of life. the harvests are in and the hard work, and dedication my little family did throughout the entire year can be gazed upon with full hearts. this girl and her trip back home through farm country gave a new perspective on harvesting....

this girl's words always give me {pause}...

when thinking i was completely insane and all alone in making the decision of an artful, happy life over one that required a heavy heart, this girl took time to reassure. to remind me that moms everywhere are choosing something different....

and when i believe that things just simply are not going my way, that i have lost control and it is not fair, this girl shows me how to let go with grace, and faith.

where do you find your inspiration and the small whispers which help guide you...

{Inspiration} Distressed Jewell

today i would like to share an *incredible* artist with you...

i'm not sure i can even describe to you how in awe i am of her and her photography...

jewell is creator and owner of distressed textures; not only did the beauty of her textures capture me but her simple statement, " i have a thing for cows. it is common for me to stop on the side of the road, watch them, and converse with them."

do i need to explain or say anymore?...

my words cannot do justice to the beauty of this woman's soul or to the incredible depth of which her work inspires...

i will let you be transported along another time with just these few glimpses...

{brittle and bitter she stands}

{closure}

{a place for quiet}

{fireflies dance at the widow's house}

{the caption beneath this alluring photo reads: they were all she had left....}

{untarnished lands}

i have spent countless hours lost within her creations...*thank you* jewell for sharing your gifts, beauty, and raw talent....

i hope today, dear readers, you have been able to find a place of stillness and beauty somewhere within the midst of the noise and uncertain...

{all photos property of jewell, used with permission. for more of her *amazing* work you can visit her here}

She Art...

i usually don't post on the weekends...

but i had to share...

as many of you know i have been taking a mixed media workshop...

the she art workshop...

this has been one of my most *FAVORITE* e-courses by FAR...

christy is absolutely *amazing*...

she seriously cracks me up...a full fledge, outright *hoot*...

each moment is chuck full of information and tips on mixed media...

how to create textures and layers with rub-ons, stamps, doodling and vintage ephemera...

registration is NOW open for the next class which begins april 11th...

christy has posted all the information on her blog today...

she is also giving away one spot into the course!!!

i KNOW!! eeeee!!!

there is NO doubt in my mind you will enjoy this class!! head on over to christy's blog today to find out more and to be entered into her giveaway!!

{be sure to let christy know that i sent you her way and i just might win a little something, something also! she is *simply* the BEST!!}

enjoy girls and i will see you in the she art community come april!!

E-Course Inspiration...

i have a confession...

i do believe that i am a e-course junkie...

yep, anything and everything e-course....SiGn me UP!! :0)

today i wanted to featured a few of the great e-courses out there...

ones that i am taking and next week some that i {dream} of taking...

first up {she art workshop}...

this 4 week course teaches you how to create she art through mixed media...

my first canvas...

i have been dabbling with mixed media and altered art for about a year now and finally feel comfortable with my abilities as an artist...

*love* mixed media and i'm working on a little something, something...

a little hint....13 Hens.... :0)

christy is an *amazing* instructor and this has been one of my very favorite courses!

*thanks* christy!!

another one that i'm taking right now is vivienne's {you are your own muse}...

this course made me really nervous...

photography is all about stories for me...

the stories of {what once was} with my vintage finds...

the funny stories my kids are creating each day...

the story of stewardship with my photos of the farm and ranch...

but i have never turned my camera on myself and told my story through my lens...

this is what you are your own muse is teaching...

how to let go of your inhibitions with being the focus of the camera and sharing your soul...

really an inspiring and thought provoking course...

one upcoming course is susan tuttle's {photomanipulation 3}

susan's photography is absolutely *stunning* and during the 4 week course susan teaches cross processing, film grain, and turning a photo into a work of art...

really excited for this course to begin!!

these three courses are just a small sampling of what the blogging world has to offer...

i hope to talk about two or three a week, if you have any new or amazing courses please share!

now i'm off to get messy with my art! :0)

Photography Projects...

today is tempting...

tempting and teasing us with spring...

so i am headed out to help baby calves suck, doctor calves, check on calves, and hopefully not have to help a heifer calve... :0)

can you tell we are in the middle of calving season?!?

the husband is off rounding up cattle..

so it is up to the kids and me today...

and i show you a picture of a hen...go figure?!?

i did want you all who are looking to improve your photography skills, learn the basics, and practice, practice, practice...

there are some *amazing* sites that are offering projects and linky parties on just exactly how to do this!

becky of {farmgirl paints} is hosting The Thrive Project!! *love* this...she shares tips and tricks on all the basics...*fabulous*!

jeanne of {a bushel and a peck} is taking photos with a purpose...

every friday during the month of februray she will post a theme and you take photos that fit within that theme...

a great way to practice and celebrate love all month long!!

and lara with {modern prairie girl} is hosting a fun, unique, photo challenge...

where you find any {still-life} object around your house and play!!

these are just a FEW challenges, and projects going on around blogland...

there are many 365 day challenges, 10 for 10, and 52 projects on flickr so spread your wings and challenge your photographer self!!

{i will talk a little bit more about some other challenges and e-courses within the coming weeks that i will be participating in! *love* this blogging land!!} ;0)

what about you?? are you already participating in some? know of some fabulous ones out there?? Please share!!

have a wonderful, tempting spring weekend!

Loving..

happy friday dear readers...

we made it through the first week of January!

WHOOT, WHOOT!!

:0)

i received a couple magazines in the mail this week...

sigh...

why do they do this to me?!?

sheesh...right after Christmas no less...

but a girl can always dream, can she not??..

i put together a couple of the things i'm loving right about now...

{photos 1, 3, 5 wisteria; photos 2 and 4 pottery barn}

everything warm, natural, industrial, and raw...

*beauty*

but it really can't compare to this...

freckles and milk mustaches...

*bliss*

Taking Flight...

how do i even put into words what this book has done for me on my creative journey...

her introduction begins with a quote...

"When once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes skywards, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return"

~Leonardo Da Vinci

not only does kelly take you on an inspirational journey of yourself but also gives you step by step instructions to creating your own works of art...

places to gather your winged thoughts...

and most important to this prairie girl...

gentle reminding to listen to your whispers...

and follow their truths...

Industrial Chic...

today i've decided to join a little party...

a industrial chic party...

hosted by margo and her junkin' journal...

with my vintage drafting table and a metal basket i was so lucky to find on my recent travels...

not sure if it counts as chic...

the table runner came from my favorite industrial chic girl...

sue with bella...

i was finally able to find some little white pumpkins to fill my basket...

the kids were wondering how in the world they were suppose to carve them...

why didn't i bring home any orange ones?!?

and when was i going to get with it and decorate our house freaky?!?

freaky??! really?!? according to my five year old i have no idea how to decorate for halloween...hhmmm...i guess he really doesn't want the reese's peanut butter pumpkins i brought home for him... ;0)

be sure to head over to margo's to check out all the uber fabulous industrial chic decor!...

Metal Musings...

sometimes i wonder if i will ever get over my industrial, metal fascination?!?

and receiving this magazine in my mail box doesn't really help much...

and then packing around the magazine like a fourth child everywhere i go can't be good either...

sigh...

but this keeps calling my name...

oh to be able to cook in such a kitchen...*divine*...

maybe i would step out of my comfort zone of "cooking" hot dogs and macaroni and cheese...

you know i do have a good reason why that bookcase with a ladder should make an appearance in my kitchen...

it is called...

5'2" vertically challenged...

did i tell you i went to an estate sale where they had an authentic barn pulley exactly like the one above?!?...

{well minus the lights of course}...

i know...

some kind of weird reasoning made me shake my head no to paying more than $40.00?!?

i guess i would much rather pay $500.00 for a reproduction?!?

i can only blame it on...

well something...

there is simply no reasoning as to what i was thinking...

sigh...

and i do have a couple tractor seats that the husband could try and make look like that fabulous stool...

but really...

i mean look at that base...

maybe i should have become a metal smith...

i did take a welding class in high school once...

my box did hold water too...

so maybe right??!! ;0)

did i just hear someone say...like hell?!?

oh that was me...sorry...

sigh...

Prairie Porch Party...

since it doesn't look like spring will ever arrive here on the prairie...i've decided to just skip it...yep we are moving onto summer...and that means barbecues and porch parties...i decided i better start planning...how does this sound for our first get together here on the prairie??

cowboy steak with whiskey butter

grilled chicken with watermelon glaze

grilled corn on the cob

roasted new potatoes

garden fresh salad

heirloom tomatoes

strawberry shortcake

honey cakes with strawberries

and of course refreshments right??

how does a "june bug" sound to you??

i've decided this book is a must to complete my prairie summer this year...

what exciting plans do you girls have for this summer {besides trips to france} not sure if this prairie girl can handle hearing that... ;0)

one lucky prairie girl will receive a copy of their own "Porch Parties" to help celebrate the arrival of summer...

simply leave me a comment...

giveaway closes thursday evening...winner announced friday...

good luck...and remember no mention of france is allowed... ;0)

photo found here

13 Strawberries...

okay....

you all know that i'm a natural kind of girl....

i *love* the muted tones that i find here on the prairie...

bring them into my home....and sigh...pure bliss...

but.....

oh.my.goodness.girls...

we have a family wedding coming up the first of may...

{congrats candis and hyrum!}

so i have weddings on my mind...

do you ever wish that you could do over...

with the same guy of course....{love you sweetheart}

yes, i just called my cowboy sweetheart...darling...snookums...

hhmmm....{my birthday is coming...so....}

sweetie pie...

*i love you*

:0)

anyways...i've been thinking of our wedding...which was pretty...way back then...in the 90's...sheesh...

maybe just maybe he would go for doing the whole renewing vows kind of thing this year...

you know we'll have been married 13 years...my lucky number so why not?!?....

i really, really *love* this...

oh.my.

love the whole retro feel of this...


i mean you seriously can't go wrong with homemade mini pies and old fashioned coca cola classic can you?!?





and don't even get me started on the strawberries in the retro blue strainers....

i don't think i could pull off the pearls but i'm sure i could find some vintage style necklace to top off that ruffled dress...

i know....it is so out of my range of colors...but for one day...

i better see if the husband will agree....

husband...

darling...

sweetie...

*chirp* *chirp* *chirp*

hhhmmm...i think one wedding and this prairie girl might have been to much for someone... ;0)

inspiring photos can be found here