About

Hello, I’m Kati

Welcome to our house. It’s a little crazy with 2 small kids, a dog, a parakeet, a project in progress in every room, and something cooking in the kitchen, but it’s home.

This is my story of our fun, and a little crazy, DIY life. Join us as we DIY our way to a beautiful home on a budget!

Kati from Houseful of Handmade

I have a disease I like to refer to as the “I can make that” disease. When I see something I like, I instantly start figuring out how I can create it.

I have a measuring tape on my key chain and a sketchbook in my purse so I can document my inspiration wherever it happens.

I’ve always been a creative person, my mother was that creative mother before the internet and Pinterest. We always had handmade Halloween costumes, green pancakes for St. Patrick’s Day, and a month of activities leading up to Christmas.

I remember one year my mom got a jig saw for Mother’s Day, I didn’t know that wasn’t normal. Now I realize how she influenced my creativity so much.

I also have a love of cooking, and try to do it mostly from scratch. I desperately wanted to raise my kids with heathy eating habits and a love of new foods so I try to serve a home cooked meal almost every night of the week.

Of course, life happens and we get pizza or Chick-Fil-A, but my kids also love to eat zucchini noodles with pesto and kale salads so I consider that a win.

Learn how to make the best whole wheat pie crust ever! Tons of great tips and tricks so you can make the best pies for your Thanksgiving gathering. | HousefulofHandmade.com

My creative journey started in high school where I discovered a love for watercolor painting. Then I went to school for Fashion Design and fell in love with pattern making and fashion sketching. I was a seasoned seamstress because of the years I spent in 4H and learning to sew from, you guessed it, mom!

My love of fashion took me into retail where I spent years as a Regional Manager for a clothing company. I did enjoy my job, but I was spending my time managing not creating.

When we started our family, we made it a goal to work towards me being a stay-at-home mom and the summer before my little girl turned 2, we were able to take the plunge.

Now that I had “all that free time” being at home with the kids (believe me, I knew I wouldn’t have free time but everyone else must have thought I would be watching General Hospital and eating bonbons while the kids sat nicely reading books in my clean house because they kept asking what I had planned to fill up my days after I quit), I was able to start working on the things I so desperately wanted to do (like the remodel that was taking a decade to complete).

After I quit my job I turned to the internet to fuel my creativity. I had always wanted to learn how to use Illustrator and be able to create digitally, but until recently I was struggling to figure it out.

I took a Creative Live class by Bonnie Christine of Going Home to Roost and she changed by life! After a few hours, I was creating in Illustrator where I’d never been able to before, then after the course was completed, I was so inspired to jump into my creative journey and run head on into what might come next for me. So here I am!

I’M ON A JOURNEY TO FINISH ALL THE PROJECTS IN OUR HOUSE, CONTINUE TO FIND HEALTHIER WAYS FOR OUR FAMILY TO LIVE, AND JUST CREATE SOMETHING!

Join me for this journey, I’m sure there will be lots of fun things to see, some laughs, probably some tears, and a lot of coffee since I seem to be avoiding sleep to get everything done!

This tutorial is brilliant and so easy! Have you every found a printable that you loved but didn't have room on your walls for it? Turn your favorite printable into a decorative pillow with this super easy tutorial so you can fill your house with beauty. | Housefulofhandmade.com

65 thoughts on “About”

  1. We found your Dollhouse Barn plans online, so we are building this for our sweet grands! What a cool design! Can you tell me where you purchased your hinges and the mini hook and staple latches?

  2. Hi Kati. My husband and I are just finishing up a pergola build and saw your article on the clear SunTuf roofing on your website. How are you liking it over time? Does it get quite dirty? Is it loud when it rains? We were just about to give up on the idea of a clear roof and shingle the whole thing. You’ve sparked our interest again. Thanks, Tina

    • Hi Tina, I am glad you liked the article. We have recently moved but absolutely loved the roof and were really sad to see it go. I did collect dust and leaves with changing seasons, but a good rain storm cleaned it off pretty good. We couldn’t hear any noise in the house and if you were under it, the noise was pretty mild. It’s pretty similar to the skylight we have in our current house. I absolutely would use (and probably will) it again.

  3. Hi Kati, I saw your closet organizer on Kreg’s site and was wondering if you use software to determine drawer size and cut list? If so, which one? I am planning a similar project and SketchUp is so complex. Thanks, Robert

    • Hi Robert, I know you don’t want to hear this, but SketchUp is what I use. I agree its complex at first, but in my opinion, its worth the effort to learn. Once you get practice, it’s very easy to use.

  4. Hi! Looking forward to making the double vanity you did. Question, what size and type of drawer slides did you use? Did you use the Kregg drawer slide jigs? Thanks!

    • I used ball bearing drawer slides that were 16″ long. I didn’t have the drawer slide jig when I built this vanity so I didn’t use it, but it is very helpful and I use it on builds now.

  5. Quick question, I have a vanity seat that I need to make some legs for it. What kind of wood would be the strongest? It’s either going to be a step stool or a stool for sitting on but I don’t want it very short it’s harder for me to get up off of it.
    Thanks
    Amie walker

  6. THANK YOU!! What a wonderful place to get educated on the finer things like DIY and ‘I can make that’ syndrome lol

  7. Hi ! Love your page and DIY projects I’m recently working on the playhouse build you have. Last thing I need to do is the roof . I saw a picture of your back yard and seen that you actually did indeed make a ladder for the playhouse do you mind telling me how you made it exactly so I can add it to the playhouse as well . Please and thank you .

    -Joseph “Dad that loves to build things for the kids”

    • I built that wooden staircase with scrap 2×6 boards from the pergola. I cut the 2×6 side boards to the angles needed to lean up against the playhouse and touch the ground a little bit away (but realized I should have made it less steep after the fact. Then I attached the stair treads between them so they were evenly spaced using pocket holes on the underneath. Then I attached it to the playhouse with pocket holes as well.

      I hope this helps, I do not have exact since I threw it together quickly since my kids decided they wanted it instead of the rope ladder later.

    • @Kati Farrer, hi thank you for replying . Do you have the angle you made the cuts at for the 2×6 to the playhouse and to the floor ?

      • I don’t have the angle, and its going to be different for everyone because the ground is going to be different.

  8. Hi! Love your page, and am using your playhouse blog posts to help me build a play castle to my kids at the moment! Thank you for the detailed instructions and list of things, it’s so useful to have!
    Also: where is the name Kati from? Sounds Hungarian! 💕

  9. I am not very good with the computer, I try. I could not find a place to sign up for your new web site, so I hope my name and email will get me there. I really would like to make some of the projects you have. Thank you, Susan

    • I added your email to the new website. You will need to confirm your subscription by clicking the button in the email I just send you to finalize it!

  10. We’ve just started making the Dollhouse Barn for a three year old girl! I included the rest of the fam to contribute Schleich farm animals and a John Deere tractor and I’m making some felted items for the stalls & paddock. Crossing fingers that we can get it done in time! Thanks for the adorable barn plans!

  11. Hi Kati!
    I just want to tell you that I love your website. Keep up the good work but take time for your family!
    Thanks, Regina

  12. I just joined up and I am so excited. Thank you so much for being so willing to share your ideas. That is the mark of a true artist they are so willing to help others because it’s something they’re passionate about and they love it above all else and they want to see others succeed. so thank you for your servant’s heart and may God bless you and your sweet family as well as your business.

  13. I’m soooo glad that I found you! I love all of the freebie printables and I love that you have provided all of that great content for us. THANK YOU ! I’ve been looking for the answer to this question but haven’t found it . . . I’m assuming that the freebie printables are for personal use only, but I thought I’d check to see if any are available for commercial use. Not like mass production, but to sell a few at a Farmer’s Market or a fund raiser or something. Thanks again for all that you do for us.

    • Hello Jeanie! Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes all the printables are for personal use only. If you are interested in using them to sell, please contact me and we can discuss commercial use licenses.

    • Were you able to download it? If you need me to resend the download button, let me know (or you can log-in to your account). To print it, I like to upload the PDF to my local print shop. I prefer Staples for this large calendar. Their engineering prints are a great price and work perfect for the giant calendar.

  16. I want to get to the place where I can download printables…BUT …I do not remember my password and see no place where it offers me a choice if I forgot it…i love your stuff and ideas..please advise..Becky

    • Hi Kati!
      I’m trying to preorder one of the DIY kits (SO exciting!) But my address keeps popping up without my apartment number, and I can’t figure out how to change it. Thanks so much!

      • I am trying to figure out what is going on, but it looks like it should be working. If you want to place the order without the apartment number, then reply to the confirmation email with your apartment number, I will make sure to manually type that into the address when shipping. And I will see if I can figure out this bug. Thanks!

  17. Kati, in spite of missing the deadline and being almost there, I think you did a fantastic job. Love your bold use of blue on the cabinets and the cool backsplash. I’m posting a ORC roundup on June 6th of kitchen transformations and you are on my list. Congrats on a job well done.

    • Thank you so much Carol! I might have been a little too ambition with the complete kitchen remodel in such a short time 😉

  18. Hi KATI! I have tried and tried to get into the library according to the directions posted in comments, but it just takes me to huge domain.com. Help? ????????

    • So sorry! I am wondering if you accidentally clicked on one of the ads to take you to that website. No clue why else it would do that. Click here and then enter the password you received in your welcome email. Let me know if you have any other problems and I can help you out!

  19. Hello I originally had the download for the paper lanterns in my silhouette but appears to have disappeared have you removed them from the site or can I get the link again. Have had many problems with log in etc. Needed lanterns for upcoming party, please help

    • So sorry about the troubles Kristina. Once you sign up for the weekly newsletter, you will get an email with the password and link to the library (double check that it didn’t accidentally go to your junk folder). And if you ever forget, I also include the password in the bottom of the newsletter that is sent out every Thursday.

  21. I have spent way longer than id like to admit trying to get the mermaid prinatables. Ive signed up and searched and searched and I cannot find a link for the invitation. The only thing I find is the blog for the party (which is so crazy adorable btw)
    Ive used my phone and my computer and still cant find it.

  23. I think the statement “I can make that” is just a natural for those with creative minds! I know I catch myself saying the same thing, especially when I check the price tag for those items. Your mother getting a jig saw for Mothers Day is great, I have asked for one myself. lol One day I will have that dream room with ALL my craft materials and tools.. one day I am still holding on for it.

    • Ha ha! I agree, it is just second nature to creatives. Hopefully you can start getting some fun tools and have a craft room to create in!

  24. You have really inspired me! Now all my creative juices are screaming at me to get started. Will you please list the name of the class you used to learn illustrator? Or possibly a link?
    I am a disabled nurse and a very crafty mom. I have tons of ideas, but my body doesn’t have any gas to keep up with my mind. Maybe I could create in illustrator, and others can bring my ideas to life? That would be Awesome!!

    • I am so happy to inspire you Kelli! I took a surface pattern design from Bonnie Christine (her website is goinghometoroost.com). She shared the class at creativemarket.com and also on skillshare.com (plus more classes). She broke down all the basics of Illustrator and then went into details about creating an pattern with your design. Very inspiring. I hope can you find a way to use your creativity!

      • Yay!!! I read your were using illustrator and I wondered where you learned. You definitely know how to help a girl out!! Thank you again my new friend!! I will let you know how it turns out for me. ?

  26. I love this idea and can’t wait to sew one up. I did however find a 96×72 and a 108×72 liner. For us, I think the larger size will work better..

    • The size I made works well, but a larger size would be awesome! I just bought mine at Target and learned later that you can find larger sizes of the liners online or in specialty stores. I’d love to see pictures when you are done 🙂

  27. I have the same disease!! I pinned and liked you and would love to exchange ideas from time to time. If you would like to visit my site it’s http://www.miss-elaine-yus.com (get it…Misc).

    I bore my friends and family to tears sometimes with ‘no don’t buy that I can make it for almost nothing’…

    Love the site. Sandi

    • Nice to meet a kindred spirit Sandra! I think my husband gets annoyed with me saying “I cam make that” because I usually don’t have time to make it all. Thanks so much for visiting,
      Kati
      (PS Love your website name!)

    • I’m so sorry about the confusion. The Library of Free Downloads is a gift for my email subscribers. You can subscribe by entering your name and email in the link in my sidebar. You will get the password after you confirm your email.

Comments are closed.

Houseful of Handmade Logo

Get Plans & DIY Tutorials in your Inbox

Stay up to date on new build plans, tutorials, sales and more!

ABOUT
CONTACT
TERMS & CONDITIONS
PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright © 2025 Houseful of Handmade