Welcome to Thistlewood Farm.
Our farmhouse.
Our slice of joy in the country.
Full to the brim with projects and Captain Crunch and chalkboards and dust bunnies and plenty of befores that will one day become beautiful afters and a kitchen that specializes in macaroni and cheese.
And in the very back of the back yard (turn right at the turtle….go past two bunnies and a wild turkey….and then turn down a winding path) …..you will find a little house.
A house built just for creativity and the joy of glitter glue and stickers and foam letters and the unrivaled exultation that comes with a new package of construction paper.
Because you see…..this is the house….
….this the house where all the tiny pieces of paper go.
You know what I’m talking about.
You’ve seen them.
The pieces of paper that show up when tiny hands wielding scissors cut and cut (and cut) to create masterpieces of all shapes and sizes..
At first there were just a few pieces of tiny paper.
Then they called their neighbors and they all came to visit.
Soon the pieces of paper were organizing supper clubs and PTO meetings and bridal showers and whatever else they do when they all get together.
It was too much.
They needed their own house.
The house wasn’t always theirs, you know.
The house started out as a beauty shop for the previous owner.
But the only thing we are cutting around here is paper.
So it became an art house.
I love the creativity and incredible genius that little hands can create.
I love the excitement that is produced from a $2.00 bag of stickers from the dollar store.
I love freshly-sharpened crayons and a blank slate.
I love that pipe cleaners become people and glitter makes even the humble construction paper into something special and that playdough comes in 31 flavors.
But most of all….
I am happy that it all has its own residence 🙂
If you would like to read more stories about the adventures of the tiny pieces of paper….please follow along at www.thistlewoodfarms.com.
Thanks, Cassie for letting me tell my stories on the pages of your incredible blog.
You are a rock star 🙂
wow, how amazing! my daughter also loves to craft - the mess that one little one can make is astonishing! thanks for sharing, liz
What a great craft room for the kids! I hope that you have your own studio, too. Say, I have a question about your dollar store. Why do stickers cost $2 at the dollar store?
That is such a cute space! It makes me think of a little schoolhouse filled with art supplies. I bet your kids just LOVE it in there. I love that it has a history to it too.
whoa, whoa, whoa....is this on your property?!? forgive me, if i am too clueless to know that from your post... if it is, you are one lucky duck! how cool! i would have been tempted to keep it as a beauty shop though, only because I am a former hairstylist. it's such a great space!
This is such a great place. How fun for the kids...and you! You ALWAYS make me giggle!
Kari, this is priceless - and adorable. And, I see lots of pink.♥
I need me one of those little houses! Such a cute creative spot for your kids! Kelly
31 flavors! Ha! Thank you for my daily dose of humor ... and I'm not even going to tell you how my blue eyes turn green every time you share another piece of your fabulous home ... I wonder if my husband would mind parking in the street so I can turn our garage into an art house (well, more like a gaming house for my teen son and his XBox Live!) ...
This is soooo- cute! I know your children love it! I would have a blast there! I think it's wonderful they have their own place. I remember my play house so well! I had countless hours of fun there!
What a great space! I'd love to have my own little crafting cottage (never mind the kids)!
OMGoodness, what an adorable place to create. I love it!
This is such a great place to work. After my craft room saw this it immediately told me that it wanted to be a real Art House when it grew up since it is only 4'X7' right now. Hopefully it gets it's wish and will grow much larger and more organized some day..
What a fabulous house for paper! Such a great space. I love the way you've set up the inside and the outside!
That is a haven for creativity. How special to have a place all of their own. Love it
If this isn't the cutest place ever. This belongs in a magazine. No kidding.
What a darling little place to be creative, my kids would love this art house.
Ok, I moving in to the art house! What an amazing space! Have a great weekend! Debbie
OH this is wonderful...I'd never want to leave!
Such a beautiful space! Your whole home is so lovely! I am so happy that I came over to visit! I will be following! Angie xo
This is beautiful! Is it bad that i think I could spend hours in their with a box of stickers and a bag of pipe cleaners?
Oh! Oh! I so want that Art House for myself!!!
This is beyond fabulous and what a great way to encourage children to explore their talents without having the kitchen table turned into craft land. WOW!
What a beautiful place to create in!! Thanks for sharing!
forget about a spot for the kids- i want this space!!:)
Wow Kari Ann! I have been enjoying your blog. You are extremely talented! I love this space.
What a wonderful craft room! I have just come over to your lovely blog via Brenda at Cozy Little House and am so glad I did! Helen x
how absolutely FABULOUS is this craft "house" it is totally amazing and i absolutely adore it!!!!! WOW what fun!!!!! thanks for sharing -- it is just over the top wonderful! hugs...
I found you via Brenda at COZY LITTLE HOUSE. I am following you, and just love your blog. Finding a big old house in the country is a dream, alas not a very practical one for someone who is done raising children and is now officially classified a senior. I will enjoy vicariously your adventures in this grand old home.
So adorable. :)
What a fantastic place for kids to create! I wonder if wood nymphs and fairies drop by to visit them...
How stink in cute is that!!! So did you and your husband do all the work on your home? If you say yes I really am going to be jealous:) My husband is not handy at all and all those in my ideas have to wait for the contractor! So if your girls have that space where is yours~ Hope you are having a great weekend! Bristol
I have so enjoyed the tour of your blog today. I found you through Brenda at Cozy Little House. I have signed up for emails so I will not miss a thing! Take care.
What I would give to have a space like that! Forget about my children - I could spend a lot of time there!
Oh, boy....talk about a dream place for kiddos....this is it. You did a magnificent job on this creation, Kari......really super.
How cute. I am visiting from Heather's blog critique series..figured I could find some new blogs this way. And wow I am glad I found yours. Love it - now back to reading more- by the way - new follower here. tammy
Oh the joy of visiting blogs on weekend, everything you see is gorgeous and sweet. I love it! Come see my PINK, when you get a chance. Have a great weekend!
This is the best little art house ever! What a great place for the kids to create and play.
I can see this as my grownup art studio! Adorable!
Brenda from Cozy Little House sent me your way. What a cute little place for the children to be creative. And how generous of you! I would have been tempted to make it my own little craft house. LOL
Wow, what a great space for your children to be creative in! This is truly amazing! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and commenting on my headboard! I truly appreciate your kind words.
My grand daughter needs an art house. Her mom was telling me just the other day that she is continually working on another project and sometimes she just has to tell her no, she can't start another one. So sad, because she is so creative. She needs an Art House all of her own. How wonderful for your children that they have one of their own, it is super cute and I'm sure they love it! Hugs, Cindy
Such a precious little house! So happy to find your beautiful blog through Brenda. I laughed at the "curbside conversation," yes, we have had a few of these here too! Cheers, Andrea
Thank you so much for stopping by my virtual home. I appreciate your kind words and hope that your triple thick projects work out in the future! :) Your blog is lovely and am envious of your art house. What a dream! Make sure you stop back by and enter my giveaway. Stop by often. XOXO Stacie The Three Sweet Peas
If I behave may I please have a grown-up crafts room that looks just like this? Truly amazing, as is your blog and every single post. Do you know how intimidating you are? I'm not buyin' it that you're a terrible cook. But because I sense that you are a woman of high integrity, I have no choice but to believe you. I am not-so-secretly glad to know that you are not perfect at EVERYTHING! Thanks for today's visit to my less-than-perfect blog. And I would love to participate in your aforementioned challenge. Thanks for forcing my hand. So many dreams, so little courage.
That is the most awesome playhouse/craft area I've ever seen! Too cute!
how on earth have i not been here before????? this is AMAZING!!!! AMAZING!!!! my daughter would LOVE this space. heck, i would love it!
That is absolutely adorable! I wish there was all things internet when my children were little. So many amazing ideas out there!
Wow! Bebe and I need an ART HOUSE too! Or, mayube it's just for me. Fantastic!
Be still my heart. This little craft house is to die for! OMG..... i just cannot stop looking at and loving all your sweet touches! Awesome. Love it all. You are one lucky mom with very lucky little artists! Your newest follower, Alison (I also have a blog that Miss Kim, my "Fairy Blogmother", found last February right when I started it. Looks like you have been touched by her magic wand too! Enjoy all your new followers and traffic she will send you through her guest post. SHE is amazing...... and so are YOU!)
This is the cutest thing I have ever seen!! You are so creative and it looks like your girls may have caught your creativity bug. Just fabulous!!
A whole adorable building to create in....you are blessed
Oh my goodness, who wouldn't want to visit and craft in this space? I would never leave!
WOW. That is an AWESOME space for the kids! You did an incredible job.
i'd love to come over and play! great job!
Every child should have an Art House!