• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 26, 2013

My Good Housekeeping Feature!

Good Housekeeping inspired 4th of July decor www.atthepicketfence.com

I’m in this month’s issue of Good Housekeeping!

It’s a teeny-tiny-don’t-blink-or-you-will-miss-it feature.

But it’s there!

And why am I in Good Housekeeping do you ask?

handkerchief 4th of July pillow www.atthepicketfence.com
Well, I’ll tell ya.

I’m in Good Housekeeping because I took two Dollar Tree handkerchiefs, put a pillow between them and tied the corners with ribbons.
fourth of July front porch pillows www.atthepicketfence.com
Then I took two terra-cotta pots and put red flowers in the bottom one, white flowers in the top one, stacked the white one on top of the red one and stuck two American flags in it.
Makes sense, right?

potted victory garden 4th of July decor atthepicketfence.com

Ok, so maybe there was a little more involved in being featured in Good Housekeeping. Just a little though, mind you!

You see, I did this back in the summer of 2011. I had been visiting my parents and working my way through the stack of magazines my mom always saves for me. One of those magazines was Good Housekeeping. And it featured some fun and simple 4th of July decor. “Simple” is one of my most favorite words!

So, I created my own version of their version and took photos of it and put it on our blog.

Fast forward to March of this year and I get a call from my sister. “Where are you?” she hollers at me through the phone. “I’m on my way to pick up the kids from school”, I reply. “Well you are not going to believe the email that you just got!” she says.

stacked pot victory garden fourth of July decor atthepicketfence.com

Good Housekeeping had seen my version of their version and wondered if I would be willing to let them put it in the July issue of their magazine. Hmmmm…let me think about it…. 😉

I may or may not have neighbors who now think of me as the crazy lady who pulled her car over and made high-pitched screeching sounds while waving her hands around wildly.

American flags on stacked pot victory garden atthepicketfence.com

After re-editing and actually re-shooting some of the photos then sending them off to them I waited and waited and waited and waited and waited for the July issue to come out.

When it finally did, I greedily snatched it up and flipped through the pages looking and looking and looking and looking and looking. I reached the end of the magazine and didn’t see it. So I started from the beginning and went flipped through all the pages again and still didn’t see it.

I did this 4 more times.

Until…I saw it.

GH pic

A teeny-tiny-don’t-blink-or-you-might-miss-it-and-in-fact-I-did-miss-it-feature!

But still…kinda cool, huh? 🙂

Just goes to show that you never know whose watching!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

38 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating, Features, Gardening, Good Ideas, No-Sew, Outdoors Tagged With: 4th of July, 4th of July crafts, 4th of July decorating, Good Housekeeping, pillows

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover Wall Art
Next Post: Kindle Fire Giveaway & Fun in the Sun Linky Party! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    The pillow is adorable and that is very fun and exciting news! Congrats!

    Reply
  2. Gretchen says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    Congratulations! Great idea.

    Reply
  3. Marty Walden says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    I love simple and I love your don’t blink feature! Congrats!

    Reply
  4. Southern Scraps says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    Congrats to you! Cute ideas.

    Reply
  5. Jackie Adams says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Congratulations Vanessa! So exciting!

    Reply
  6. Michelle Paige says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    So fun to be featured, even if it’s small! Congrats!

    Reply
  7. Tammy says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    Congratulations….what a great idea on the pillows! Very Cute!!!

    Reply
  8. Anita says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    Vanessa, congratulations!! Yay for you:-)

    Reply
  9. carol jane says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:47 AM

    Adorable pillow! No sewing at all? Maybe I can do this too! Ha! I dont have a sewing machine.

    Reply
  10. Richella @ Imparting Grace says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    Very, very, VERY cool!! Congratulations, Vanessa! I love Good Housekeeping. I started reading my mom’s copies when I was 12, which means I’ve now been reading Good Housekeeping for nearly 38 years! And I still love it, because I get wonderful ideas that will actually work in a real home. I’d be really excited if I were you–small feature or not, it’s still a feature! Way to go, friend!

    Reply
  11. Sara ~ Sweet Magnolias Farm says

    June 26, 2013 at 8:05 AM

    Congrat’s on your feature in Good Housekeeping .. No matter how small it is ..it’s still quite cool !

    Love your simple ideas .. sometimes they are truly the best .. and yours’ are too charming !

    Happy 4th ..
    Sara

    Reply
  12. Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says

    June 26, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    Congrats! And I did see it in GH!!

    Reply
  13. Judy Clark says

    June 26, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Vanessa – Congratulations! Your porch looks darling and very “Fourth of Julyish”. Great job. But then, everything you two do is great and a lot of your items should be published. Again, congratulations. I’ll save the issue and say – “that’s my friend”.

    Judy

    Reply
  14. Leslie Harris says

    June 26, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    You’re in Good Housekeeping because you’re awesome. Love the ideas and I’m sharing this on my FB page.
    xo
    Leslie aka Gwen Moss

    Reply
  15. Ashley says

    June 26, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    You work hard on everything you do and deserve the Good Housekeeping feature. Good for you!

    Reply
  16. Susan @ My Place to Yours says

    June 26, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    Kinda cool? Oh, yes it is! Congratulations. Cute patriotic porch, by the way. 🙂

    Reply
  17. susan says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Good for you! Very cool patriotic decorating…no wonder they liked it!
    Susan

    Reply
  18. Jessica@designerssweetspot.blogspot.com says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    How exciting to be featured! I didn’t know Good House Keeping ever did features, even if it’s a small one, it’s great exposure! Nice job!

    Reply
  19. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    That is fabulous! Congrats!

    Reply
  20. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    June 26, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    Oh how exciting. I love it. Your pillow is definitely cute and this is such an honor for you. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  21. Mandy Grimes says

    June 26, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    How exciting to be featured in a Magazine!

    Reply
  22. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    June 26, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    Awesome, Vanessa!! I need to make a pillow like that for my front porch bench — genius! Congrats!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  23. Angela says

    June 26, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    This is awesome!!! Congratulations!!! Well deserved!~~Angela

    Reply
  24. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    June 26, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    Congrats Vanessa…!!!..Love how you stacked one pot into the other!!…I love placing flags in my planters too!….My porch looks like a parade!!!…:) Can’t wait to get the GH and see your feature!! So wonderful!!!

    Reply
  25. Cindy says

    June 26, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    Congratulations!!! Super cute pillow 🙂
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  26. karen says

    June 26, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    Vanessa that is so fun!!!! And what a cute project!!

    Reply
  27. Lynn@Southern Direction says

    June 27, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    I love it! Congrats!

    Reply
  28. MDR says

    June 27, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    So festive! Love it and YOU! Mom

    Reply
  29. Christina @ The Frugal Homemaker says

    June 27, 2013 at 3:06 PM

    Congrats, Vanessa! I already saw your feature in my magazine 🙂 Might have to copy your pillows – love them and how easy they are to do!

    Reply
  30. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    June 27, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    That’s awesome Vanessa!! Yay!! 🙂
    xoxo

    Reply
  31. Sherry says

    June 27, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    How cool to be in Good Housekeeping!!! Glad you finally found it! 😉 I love that pillow idea…I might have to copy that! Simple is always good.

    Reply
  32. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    June 29, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    That is awesome! Contgrats 🙂

    Reply
  33. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    June 29, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    congrats…..I can spell 🙂

    Reply
  34. Liz @ Quirky Vistas says

    July 1, 2013 at 5:48 AM

    So fun! Magazine worthy for sure and I can just see you now out waving your arms and screaming. I would do the same! Congratulations! It is a super cute idea everyone will want to imitate!
    Liz

    Reply
  35. Lauren @ The Endearing Home says

    July 2, 2013 at 7:06 PM

    Congratulations on being featured in Good Housekeeping! I love the pillow and the flower pots too! Such great ideas, thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  36. Zuni says

    July 4, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    I’d be a crazy lady too if I got an email from a magazine!! LOL. And your work was deserving…both cute ideas, photographed well! ~Zuni

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Last Minute 4th of July Decor & Recipes! - At The Picket Fence says:
    February 1, 2014 at 7:23 AM

    […] Good Housekeeping Inspired 4th of July Decor […]

    Reply
  2. 31 Last-Minute 4th Of July Decorating Tricks | Sharing Interesting Stuff, Updates News & Free Tips says:
    June 25, 2014 at 8:26 AM

    […] atthepicketfence.com […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Jackie Adams Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence