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Find out more about me, how I renovated my Grandparents’ 100 year old farm house and how I am a total DIY fanatic by checking out The story behind my Storyhardt Farm. Or, you might also like my weekly DIY newsletter to keep up to date on all my recent projects and tutorials.
What's been happening this week
Filling my Pit of Doom with Dirt… Just call me PACK MULE
Have I mentioned that I’m starting to feel like a Pack Mule? Maybe thirty or forty times already? Ok, that’s what I thought because apparently I AM A PACK MULE and my new middle name is MANUAL LABOR. So its not like I didn’t see this job coming before winter… its more like I just pretended it wasn’t on the way because… Giant pile of dirt is my nightmare. Read More »
Things You Should Know Before Buying a Water Filter
Water filters are a big thing up here in Minnesota. We are considered one of the more health conscious states but, what most people don’t know, is that we’re also a pretty big farming state as well. Being so close to farmland means that the state is even testing people’s well water for free (including mine) for nitrates etc. Fortunately for me my well water was considered “safe” and also doesn’t include a lot of iron. Which is not true for many of my neighbors. Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #109)
I dog sitted this last weekend the two puppers of whom I am their Fairy Dog Mother. I took the excuse to do something I have NEVER done before. I stayed in my pajamas all day Sunday lol. I also accomplished nothing but: cuddles, play time, nap time, more cuddles and more nap time. It was awesome. Welcome to Link Party #109 at Grandma’s House! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read More »
Solar Light Basket using Insulators for Hanging or Table Setting!
An easy solar light basket! I purchased several of these baskets last year for Xmas and made gift baskets for my guy relatives. I filled them with homemade chapstick, hand scrub, cuticle cream and coffee. They were a hit! I had one basket leftover which I started using as a caddy for dinner parties outside. I would put in utensils, ketchup, mustard, extra napkins etc. and that got me wondering if I couldn’t improve on the idea. Read More »
How to Keep your Garden Clean and Healthy
I loved this article when I saw it in my inbox because right now we officially have an inch of snow on the ground! Yes, everyone is very crabby lol it is so awesome to me that there are folks out there (a lot of them) who are still looking at their beautiful gardens and maintaining them. I’m totally jealous! Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #108)
Welcome to Link Party #108 at Grandma’s House! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read More »
Operation BLISSFULLY HAPPY: My (updated) 1, 2 and 10 year plans!
When I wrote the first Operation BLISSFULLY HAPPY: plans post back in March I was SO excited to finally have control of my finances again. But, like with everything, the true extent of my freedom had not totally sunk in yet. I had just ended a relationship and was still finding my footing as a single gal. Well, I have officially found my footing lol Read More »
Most recent from Do It Yourself
Solar Light Basket using Insulators for Hanging or Table Setting!
An easy solar light basket! I purchased several of these baskets last year for Xmas and made gift baskets for my guy relatives. I filled them with homemade chapstick, hand scrub, cuticle cream and coffee. They were a hit! I had one basket leftover which I started using as a caddy for dinner parties outside. I would put in utensils, ketchup, mustard, extra napkins etc. and that got me wondering if I couldn’t improve on the idea. Read More »
How I added a Country Fresh Produce stencil to my old bench
Just a couple of weeks ago I fixed this old bench using wood putty and Dark Walnut stain. Of the three benches my grandparents made that I have this one had taken the biggest beating. But, with just a little elbow grease I had her looking almost like new again. After that I made a no-sew cushion for it complete with tufting and buttons! Check out the post all about it here. Read More »
The Death of BoardBooster – 5 million views in one month with Tailwind!
So, I don’t know about any of you other bloggers out there but when BoardBooster bit the dust at the end of June this year I literally lost days off my life in total panic. (Pinterest is a HUGE part of this blog’s world – I get over 50% of my traffic from Pinterest!) It all started with a great peak I had to over 2 million views a month on Pinterest back in April to a constant, ridiculous, steady decline that I could not stop no matter what I did. Read More »
Most recent from Before & Afters
My NEW Office Reveal: how to create designated spaces in an open plan
Making a new office, creating spaces in an open plan. With my becoming a single gal I went back to my old plan of putting a rental suite in my basement. But then I needed to figure out where my workshop was going to go! So I moved it to my biggest bedroom on my main floor but then I needed a guest bedroom so I lost my office lol. Read More »
Lamp gets a country girl makeover using license plates! Before and After!
My new guest bedroom and library needed a reading lamp for the bedside table so, of course, I went thrifting! I found this little dude for only $6 and then went directly to walmart and found what I decided was the perfect burlap lamp shade. From there it was time to decide just how I was going to transform this little lamp into something country and fun! Using two old MN license plates I got to work! Read More »
A little end table gets a full on adult country girl redo!
There are a lot of changes taking place here at my Grandma’s old farmhouse. You guys know now that I got divorced and that means new and very different plans for the whole house. My old office is now going to become my guest bedroom and library and it felt really important to refinish all of the furniture that will be going in there. So, I got to work! Read More »
Most recent from Farmhouse Hens Decorate
Refinishing an old Storage Bench – How to make a No-sew Tufted Cushion
My grandparents’ built this bench YEARS ago along with two others that I have. (Check out the cedar-lined beauty I keep at the end of my bed.) This one has taken the biggest beating over the years and has needed to be fixed and refinished for awhile now. Every month the group I’m a part of (the Farmhouse Hens Decorate) has a theme. This month’s theme turned out to be for benches so I knew exactly the piece I would be using! Read More »
Broken clock goes Country with twine and rope
I absolutely loved this clock when I spotted it on Amazon. It hung on my wall for years until, one day, it just took a dive for the floor. So my beloved clock was now a broken clock. I’ve kept it for months now planning on doing something with it but hadn’t quite figured out one the creative angle how to make it great again. I wanted to frame it out with wood but, honestly, I can build a bench no problem because its square lol not ROUND. Read More »
How to Make an Outdoor planter using Chicken Wire & Landscape Fabric
Custom outdoor planter made with chicken wire and landscape fabric over a shepherds hook hummingbird feeder carousal. When I moved and then spray painted my grandma’s shepherds hook plant hanger it just screamed for me to add a plant to the middle of it. But no pots would work in this instance so I set out to make my own! Read More »
Most recent from the Blog
Filling my Pit of Doom with Dirt… Just call me PACK MULE
Have I mentioned that I’m starting to feel like a Pack Mule? Maybe thirty or forty times already? Ok, that’s what I thought because apparently I AM A PACK MULE and my new middle name is MANUAL LABOR. So its not like I didn’t see this job coming before winter… its more like I just pretended it wasn’t on the way because… Giant pile of dirt is my nightmare. Read More »
Operation BLISSFULLY HAPPY: My (updated) 1, 2 and 10 year plans!
When I wrote the first Operation BLISSFULLY HAPPY: plans post back in March I was SO excited to finally have control of my finances again. But, like with everything, the true extent of my freedom had not totally sunk in yet. I had just ended a relationship and was still finding my footing as a single gal. Well, I have officially found my footing lol Read More »
My greener, healthier lifestyle & products that made my summer awesome!
I think a lot of people understand what its like to be the only person in a relationship (or family) who is health, frugal or eco conscious. It can be a HUGE struggle! Whether its to save money, do things that are greener for the environment or, just plain, trying to live a healthier life. Here are a few of the things that I’ve been doing this summer and a couple products that made my life awesome! Read More »
Most recent from Inspiration Board
OMG Pumpkins everywhere! Hometalk Fall Decor Inspiration board
Hometalk Fall Decor Inspiration board! Summer is absolutely my favorite time of the year – you will NEVER hear me complaining about the heat lol But I honestly think that’s a fact simply because fall and spring are such short seasons here in northern MN. Fall for us could truly last all of three weeks like our spring did this year! And that’s just depressing lol because that means we’re settling into at least four months of some serious cold and snow. Read More »
Hometalk’s Outdoor Projects I Can’t Wait to Build! Do it Yourself!
Inspiration Board of the Outdoor projects on Hometalk that I’ve been drooling over! I received a comment on my outdoor bench saying, “You’re SO crafty, that’s amazing!” And I admittedly got a bit offended, eventually I just laughed about it but I’m not sure how I can build a wrap around bench for my deck and still be called “crafty”. I could’t help but think that if I was a guy she certainly wouldn’t have looked at that bench and called him crafty! I am a builder at heart and I spend most of my time building things in my head or drooling over outdoor projects like these: Read More »
Let’s build some swings! Pinterest Do It Yourself Inspiration Board!
Well now that spring has FINALLY arrived, my dreaming has turned to swings! Let’s build some! These are some of my favorites I’ve found on Pinterest and stashed away for a later time because, seriously, who doesn’t want to swing away a beautiful summer day? Contrary to popular belief, I do NOT feel that swings are for kids in any way. Many of these are very grown up swings for us “adults” lol Read More »
Most recent from Home Tour
Master Bathroom Refresh – Bohemiam meets Farmhouse
Master bathroom refresh for a newly single gal, how I’m making myself my own luxury retreat on the second floor of my home. If you’ve ever checked out any of my Inspiration Boards then you know I am in love with the natural look and textures of bohemian interior design. With both my master bedroom, and now my bathroom, my challenge was: how could I give myself the bohemian look while still staying true to my 100 year old farmhouse? Read More »
New look for my master bedroom and a Rug Pad USA review and giveaway!
I drooled over this rug for MONTHS before I finally decided to spoil myself by buying it! I lived with it without a rug pad for several weeks, putting off the purchase. But then Rug Pad USA contacted me and asked if I would like to do a review of one of their rug pads and it was perfect timing! (Thanks to everyone who participated the giveaway is now over!) With a new rug, two “new” lamps and a new comforter it was WAY beyond time to share with you my newest refresh of my master bedroom! Read More »
Home Tour: Guest bedroom and library! Country girl style and comfiness!
My new guest bedroom and library! A lot has been going on around here at Grandma’s house. Lots of changes. With the divorce final and so many hard days behind me, my cousin said, “I know you’ll be fine because you’re Stubborn and Busy.” We’ve decided that that’s going to be on my tombstone, “Here lies Tarah who was stubborn and busy.” And we have all agreed that my two grandmas would be very proud as they too, were VERY stubborn and busy women. So, on to the first of the big changes that I’ve been working on: here is my BRAND NEW guest bedroom and library! Read More »
Most recent from Link Parties
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #109)
I dog sitted this last weekend the two puppers of whom I am their Fairy Dog Mother. I took the excuse to do something I have NEVER done before. I stayed in my pajamas all day Sunday lol. I also accomplished nothing but: cuddles, play time, nap time, more cuddles and more nap time. It was awesome. Welcome to Link Party #109 at Grandma’s House! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #108)
Welcome to Link Party #108 at Grandma’s House! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #107)
Well, it snowed. I’m not even kidding. It REALLY SNOWED – like blizzarded for an hour on Saturday. I know this is northern MN but still! Of course it didn’t stick but wow were we all crabby that day lol Welcome to Link Party #107 at Grandma’s House! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read More »
Most recent from Free House Plans
Free House Plan: Open home plan utilizing less then 1,100 square feet
They’re voting right now on the best Home Improvement blog over on Renoviso and I am SO excited to see Grandma’s House DIY on the list. There are some really fabulous blogs on there – make sure and go vote for your favorite! Now, on to the free house plan: I love the decks on this plan! And there’s even a little nook right where you walk from the garage to the house that provides cover from weather and some really great storage. Being a person that heats with wood myself I just drool over that much outside storage so close to home! Of course, this home has a great fire place in the middle of the living room. Despite that this place is less then 1,100 square feet I think it feels spacious and remarkably still private. (I hate those house designs that have the bedroom doors facing each other: its like EEK!) In this plan I managed to give each of the two bedrooms their own real space and bathroom. Read More »
Free House Plan: Little Lake Cabin!
When it comes to my specific spot on the map in Minnesota when folks talk about going “up north” or to their “lake cabin” or up “to the woods” well, that’s where we live. There really isn’t any “going up to the cabin” for me, that would just be silly, I literally live where a lot of people think of as a “vacation destination” of course it rarely feels like that! But, it is the truth, everywhere from me and north is pretty much tourist central and national forests. I live close to a little town of only about 3,000 people but, in the summertime, it is estimated our population here explodes to over 10,000!! A lot of folks don’t live here year around and there are even some businesses here that aren’t even OPEN year around. A lot of people who work in “the cities” dream of moving up to where I am someday and that’s what this little free house plan is devoted to: The Lake Cabin! Read More »
Free House Plan: A two story single family country home
This plan pushed me out of the themes I’d been focusing on in the past. I decided to try a slightly large plan with two stories that would fit a small family better then the retired couple I had been designing for in my head. Still though, like all of my plans, this one boasts an incredible master suite with a huge walk through closet and a shower and separate soaker tub in a spacious master bathroom. At nearly 1,400 square feet this is definitely a larger free house plan than those I have been doing that also includes a cute front porch and a massive breezeway that runs down the entire length of the garage and home. Read More »
Most recent from Contributed
Things You Should Know Before Buying a Water Filter
Water filters are a big thing up here in Minnesota. We are considered one of the more health conscious states but, what most people don’t know, is that we’re also a pretty big farming state as well. Being so close to farmland means that the state is even testing people’s well water for free (including mine) for nitrates etc. Fortunately for me my well water was considered “safe” and also doesn’t include a lot of iron. Which is not true for many of my neighbors. Read More »
How to Keep your Garden Clean and Healthy
I loved this article when I saw it in my inbox because right now we officially have an inch of snow on the ground! Yes, everyone is very crabby lol it is so awesome to me that there are folks out there (a lot of them) who are still looking at their beautiful gardens and maintaining them. I’m totally jealous! Read More »
Best Wall Décor Ideas for Small Spaces
I don’t normally think of my home as “small” especially now that I’m here alone but my main living space is really just 1,500 square feet. Which is a ton of room for me! But I know other folks would think of my farmhouse as small. I can’t imagine having more space though, right now I feel spoiled with more space then I even need. Read More »
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