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About

H e l l o ! 

I’m Kelly-Anne. T H A N K   Y O U  for being here with me and following along for all things life, motherhood, teaching, decorating, and creating!

Here’s a little bit about me…I was born and raised in Maine but moved to Virginia in 2019 after getting married where I now live with my husband who runs a beekeeping business, Blackwater Birds & Bees, our young daughter, and our adventurous dog, Stanley. I miss Maine terribly but am happy we get to spend summers and Christmas there. 

I have a master’s degree in education and taught high school social studies for 15 years. I’m currently in a new role as an instructional coach for our local high school and middle school and I’m excited to see where this new chapter in life takes me. 

I bought and renovated my first property in 2007 when I was 27 and have since owned/renovated/flipped 5 more properties.

I’ve traveled to more than 16 countries (and can’t wait for more trips)! I took high school students on trips to the British Isles and to Italy and Greece and spent a summer backpacking with friends in Europe when I was 25. 

I’m half French-Canadian…my mother is from Montreal (I don’t speak fluent French, sadly). 

In 2020 I gave birth twice…our first baby was born prematurely in January and we lost him shortly after and our second baby was born on the last day of the year, New Year’s Eve. Throw in a pandemic and it’s safe to say 2020 was an extremely life-altering year for us.

I come from a long line of creative folks…my mother is a talented artist and had a lifelong career in the knitting industry, my dad can fix just about anything, my grandmother was a seamstress, and my grandfather built an elevator in his backyard shed, just because he could!

I am most happy when I’m being creative…whether it’s painting a piece of furniture, renovating a house, working on my interior decor business, Dirigo & Dogwood, or creating engaging lessons and tutorials. Creative endeavors of all sorts is what you’ll find me seeking out most often and I hope to inspire you to do the same!

Hello! I’m Kelly-Anne!

I’m an avid DIY and home decor enthusiast, wife and new mom, teacher of 15 years, and a Mainer now living on a farm in Virginia. Here you’ll find creative endeavors of all sorts!

Now offering Interior Decorating Services at  Dirigo & Dogwood

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Little glimpses of pattern mixing around our home! Little glimpses of pattern mixing around our home! 😍💗

Please don’t be fooled, though…these are close up shots for a reason- the house is FULL of moving boxes, piles of stuff to be organized and put away, and the DIY project list is LONG! 

But finding small little pretty corners is bringing me a little bit of joy and I hope they do the same for you, friend! 💗🙂#
I’m nowhere near unpacked or ready to “properly” d I’m nowhere near unpacked or ready to “properly” decorate,  but we needed some functional storage and a “drop zone” near the entrance we most use so I threw together this little area with things I already had…and the best part is, everything is thrifted! 😍 

Eventually, I’ll put wallpaper above the beadboard and will give the fireplace a makeover. But for now, just trying to tackle the endless boxes to unpack and breakdown (peep that pile of cardboard at the end of the video)!!
Life Update: I bought a house! This has been in th Life Update: I bought a house! This has been in the works for a while but I wasn’t quite sure how/when/what I wanted to share. If you’ve been here since my Maine days, you know just how much I enjoy sharing all things DIY and home decor and I’m looking forward to doing just that. 

I know questions will inevitably arise about the circumstances of this move but I will likely keep those details private. We are still in Virginia, not too far from the farm, and are settling into our new routine. 

In true ‘Crafty Teacher Lady’ style, this house is a fixer upper, just like most of my previous homes. It’s in a lovely neighborhood in an adorable town and I’m excited to make some happy memories here as I turn this little house into our home! 
 
C requested pink walls (which I obliged) and Stanley has also already come to visit a few times during family movie nights and he has given his ‘seal of approval’ to the fenced-in backyard! 🤣🥰🐕 

More to share soon (likely in stories) as I continue to tackle my very long list of home projects! 💗
🎨 Virginia parents + teachers! The Virginia Lotter 🎨 Virginia parents + teachers! The Virginia Lottery Thank a Teacher Art Contest is officially open! It’s such a fun way for K-12 students to show appreciation for the amazing teachers who make a difference every day. Submit your child or student’s artwork now through February 2 at ThankaTeacherVA.com! 💌 #VALPartner

As a former classroom teacher, some of my most treasured keepsakes are the thank-you notes and student artwork I’ve received over the years. There’s something so special about seeing gratitude expressed through creativity, and this contest celebrates exactly that. 🧡

Here’s what you need to know:
✏️ Who can enter: K–12 Virginia public school students
🏆 Prizes for winners from elementary, middle & high school:
 • $200 Visa Gift Card
 • $2,000 credit for supplies for their school’s art department from The Supply Room
 • Their artwork featured on thousands of thank-you notes sent across Virginia

🎨 How to create: Use 8.5×11 in. paper or digital! Colored pencils, crayons, paint, or even graphic design.

And did you know? 100% of Virginia Lottery profits support public education. This contest is just one of the many ways they give back to our schools.

Let’s encourage our young artists to create, celebrate teachers, and spread a little gratitude! 💫

#ThankaTeacherVA #VALottery #ArtContest #SupportPublicEducation #CreativeKids
I’m so grateful she gets to experience the magic t I’m so grateful she gets to experience the magic that is Maine at Christmastime, just like I did growing up! ❄️❤️🌲
She’s doing it! 🥹🥹🥹 If you’ve been following our She’s doing it! 🥹🥹🥹 

If you’ve been following our journey since the beginning, you know just how much time, effort, dedication, sacrifice, prayers, cost, and hard work has gone in to getting her here. 

There’s still a lot of work to be done but I cannot believe the progress she has made and that we’ve gotten to this point! We are so very hopeful for her future as an independent walker!! 💗💗💗

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