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The dream of building a cozy cottage in the woods has always been close to my heart. Memories of weekend trips to serene hideaways sparked my love for peaceful landscapes, the scent of pine, and the soothing sounds of nature. Fast forward to now, and I’m in the thick of constructing my own sanctuary. Join me for a glimpse into a day in my life during this exciting journey, filled with hard work, joy, and a few surprises.
The Journey Begins
Choosing the perfect location was my first big step. After exploring several areas, I discovered an enchanting plot of 5.5 acres, encircled by tall trees and vibrant greenery. It was a place that seemed to breathe tranquility, where me and the kids could truly relax and feel at home.
Once I secured the land, planning took center stage. I'm still sketching designs for our floor plan and gathering inspiration from various posts on Pinterest and social media. I decided on a 27x54 because its cheap enough to make it possible but also big enough for me and my youngest three children. Ashli is 17, Carter is 12, and Luke is 4.
You can see the dream I have for the property in this photo.
Breaking Ground
The day I broke ground was a thrilling moment. With my plans ready, I was eager to lay the foundation. I chose a concrete pillar design to save money. Most of the work was done by me, my ex, and my two oldest boys.
After drilling all the foundation holes, the building inspector told me they were wrong and that I would have to place them closer together and dig them deeper. I am now in the beginning stages of planning and drilling the foundation holes all over again.
I am currently stocking up on materials for the foundation and plan on keeping them in my craft room. Then I have to save the money to rent a skid steer so I can drill another 28 holes at 4ft deep and 9ft apart. After the holes are drilled, I will have to rent a concrete mixer and then the fun will begin.
Overcoming Obstacles
Building our dream cottage isn't without its challenges. The unpredictable weather is posing one of the biggest hurdles. Rain, wind, and the cold are setting back progress. This week we are expected to get 6-12 inches of rain here in South Central Kentucky and I will not be able to start on the foundation until the ground dries up.
Financing is another big challenge. I do not have money saved up. I'm a single mom starting over in life after being a SAHM for 20 years. Trying to escape my toxic marriage has proven to be one of the most difficult times of my life and I have been trying to leave since Feb of 2024 when I filed for a divorce. I have to live with him until I get the cottage built. I have nothing. I doordash when I'm able to use my ex's car, I have a small online shop, and I will be selling at local craft shows. I do not have anyone to watch Luke, my four year old, and I do not qualify for any type of assistance. Lack of childcare and no transportation has made it difficult for me to find a job.
I have decided to set up a donation link for those who would like to help with the cost of building materials. You can find the link on my Instagram profile. Other ways people can help: Instagram is paying me for hearts, comments, and shares for my Photo posts, so please check out my Instagram at @folkcraftcottage
I also have a Youtube channel that will me start paying once I get enough subscribers. I'm hoping to post DIY videos and different types of craft tutorials.
I will be adding a bracelet subscription to my website this week and that will be a huge help with building supplies.
Thank You for being here!
Thank you for taking the time to read through our post. Your presence here means the world to us, and we hope you found the post inspiring and engaging. We look forward to sharing more updates about the cottage build with you in the near future. I hope you all have a blessed day.