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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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December 6, 2012

Inspiration Friday No. 92….welcome!

Inspiration Friday Graphic

Wow! Hard to believe we are already 6 days into December! It seems Christmas has moved into full gear at our homes and yours! We’ve been busy here At The Picket Fence and we know y’all have been busy as well.  Decorating, and Decking and Baking and Jingling and Tinseling….it’s an exciting time of year to be a blogger!

Here are just a few things we have going on around the fence this week!

Christmas Entry Collage from At The Picket Fence

Vanessa’s Holiday Home

Heather Christmas 2012 Kitchen Collage

Heather’s Holiday Home

Up first we shared our Holiday Homes on the Virtual Holiday House Walk Tour hosted by the lovely Jennifer Rizzo.  21 gorgeous homes in their full holiday regalia! You can visit our homes here or start at the beginning of the tour by visiting Jennifer’s blog.

Next, Vanessa is sharing a very precious and special letter to some special women.  You can read more about this over at The Greatest Gift.

 homemade vanilla extract as holiday gifts

She is also over at the FOLK Magazine Blog today where she is sharing how to make DIY Vanilla Extract.

 

and…last, but not least, there is still plenty of time to enter this gorgeous giveaway we are hosting for LaRae Boutique.  Laura is giving away a $50.00 credit for the pillow of your choice.  Go here to enter!

Now onto those fabulous features we are fortunate enough to showcase each week!

 INSPIRED ROOMS

Laura from Top This Top That shared a tour of her gorgeous keeping room with us.

Kathy, of Kate’s Place, shared her cozy Christmas kitchen. We love how bright and cheery it is!

  

You need to see this dining room remodel’s “before” photos to fully appreciate this lovely makeover from Kristi of I Should Be Mopping Up the Floor.

INSPIRED MAKEOVERS

We all know and love Marty from A Stroll Thru Life, but did you see her beautiful new headboard makeover? The details are beautiful!

We love the details of this Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint sideboard from Deb of Lake Girl Paints! She added an extra personal touch with this stenciled family stamp! If you’d like to purchase your own Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint you can visit paint distributor Petticoat Junktion.

Would you believe this Pottery Barn Bar is a DIY knock-off? Jordan’s, from The 2 Seasons, husband built this for her following plans they found at This Old House…we are impressed!

Anne of Design Dreams by Anne, not only ADDED a window where there was none in this bathroom, but also created her own DIY shutters! We think this is truly a dream design!

INSPIRED CRAFTS and CREATIONS

How cool are these chalkboard chargers from Linda of It All Started with Paint? What a great way to personalize place settings at the table, perfect for any season!

Chalkboard Charger-9

Jamie of Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mind shared how to make this darling Hand-Warming Muff! What little girl wouldn’t want to have one of these? So cute!

How to make a hand Muff - tutorial

We are in awe of the talent it takes to create something as beautiful as this Mixed Media Art from Crystelle Boutique.  Title “The Family” it’s a truly inspiration piece!

Picture

Birch is all the rage right now, and these Faux Birch Candle Holders from Homespun with Love knocked our socks off!

INSPIRED TIPS, TRICKS AND TUTORIALS

Rita of Harbour Breeze is sharing a great video tutorial on how to paint your own Rustic Signs.

The Crafty Woman is showing us step by step how to take fabulous holiday photos!

INSPIRED RECIPES and PARTIES

Kayla, of Say Not Sweet Anne, made these decadent Filled Pumpkin Gingersnaps.

One of our favorite southern gals is sharing Birthday Cake Popcorn over at Dixie Delights!

November 2012 767 copy

Here’s a perfect appetizer for those holiday parties! Artichoke and and Roasted Garlic Dip from Wonky Wonderful.

We love refrigerator cookies and these Hazelnut and Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies from Keeping Up With The Times look absolutely yummy!

You all are making the holiday picks downright difficult this month! So many gorgeous projects and ideas…but we’ve narrowed it down to just a few….;)  

INSPIRED HOLIDAYS

 Gail’s , of Purple Hues and Me, Family Jewelry Christmas Tree caught our eye the second we saw it! Created from her mother’s costume jewelry, it’s become a true family heirloom!

These Stamped Salt Dough Ornaments from Todd & Lindsey are a perfect family project and make gorgeous tree ornaments.

Jody of Homey Home Designs created these blinged out Christmas Trees from beaded garland!

Sarah of Lacquer and Linen created this gorgeous Scandinavian Inspired Dining Room Table, we love the crispness and contrast of the red and white.

Scandinavian Christmas Table 12 Scandinavian Inspired Christmas Table Decor

 Liz of Love Grows Wild, created these serene and simple Felt Pine Trees. We love the monochromatic color and classic lines!

 INSPIRING STORIES

Angelina of Ruby Jean’s Shop is sharing her precious new baby’s birth story, a true Thanksgiving post!

 

and we leave you with both the words and photos in this post shared by Laurie of Heaven’s Walk which are truly inspiring!

If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the “featured at” button code located on our Buttons Page found under our header!
We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog. Thank you! Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest where we also pin each week’s Inspiration Friday Features. 

Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week! We appreciate you!

Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!

Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,

When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:

vif187Fridays Unfolded
Photobucket
Photobucket

Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday

  •   Link Up any post you’ve written that has Inspired You and will Inspire Others-it can be a home improvement project, craft, recipe, story, devotional…if it inspires link it up!
  • Be sure to link back to your original post  and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY to be featured At The Picket Fence)Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize. It makes us feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us

This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:

 250_x_125
where you can get gorgeous graphics like this…

Merry Christmas with Scroll Work Vinyl Wall Decal



70 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday Tagged With: Christmas craft, decor, holiday, Inspiration Friday, tutorials

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Comments

  1. javeriyasayeedsiddiqui says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Subscribed to your RSS feed! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:14 PM

    Such beautiful and inspirational posts from last week….thanks for hosting…

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    Y’all’s homes look wonderful all decked out and great features. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  4. Angelina says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    Oh My!!! There are some Seriously fabulous features this week!! That dining room makeover looks amazing and the Artichoke Dip makes me wish I could jump right into my computer 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing our Birth Story, that was so very sweet of you, girls. I just linked up the Diy Snowman and Christmas Tree Sweater Patches.
    Have a great day!
    Blessings
    Angelina

    Reply
  5. Jordan@the2seasons says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    Whoo too thanks for the shout out! My husband worked so hard and now we are enjoying the payoff. I even had to order more stools for when our friends from the neighborhood come over for a holiday cocktail. Thanks for hosting the party.

    Reply
  6. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    So many pretty things to look at! Thanks for hosting today!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  7. Anita says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:24 PM

    Wow, there are so many incredible features, I’m almost embarrassed to throw mine into the mix. Lovely as always girls, and thanks so much for hosting:-)

    Reply
  8. monsterscircus says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    Hi girls! thank you for hosting another awsome party! love the features, they are all amazing. Thank you for the house in your home the other day! So stylish, really admire your christmas homes! have a happy week, hugs

    Reply
  9. Martina says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    Girls your homes look fabulous!! Great features, thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  10. Alana says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  11. Sherry says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    My, oh my gorgeous holiday decorating going on everywhere! The blogosphere is just amazing this year! Thank you for hosting and for joining me at Home Sweet Home! I am off to see how that Crafty Woman took that gorgeous photo!
    Sherry

    Reply
  12. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says

    December 6, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    Thanks for hsoting girls. Lots of yumminess in the features… a couple of which I didn’t see during the week, so off now to visit them.

    Reply
  13. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa: Your features that you so carefully select each week are truly inspirational to me, and this week is no exception. I am always inspired by all the creativity that flows around here 🙂 Thank you for hosting the party for us this week, and I wish you both a very happy weekend!

    Reply
  14. Nici ~ Posed Perfection says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Have a holly, jolly week!
    Blessings,
    Nici

    Reply
  15. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    What a beautiful home! Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  16. Sue says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:23 PM

    I am so amazed at all of the talent out there in blog land! How do you possibly choose a feature? You two girls are amazing! Thanks so much for this party. 🙂 Sue

    Reply
  17. Anne says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    I am enjoying the Christmas walk this week! Great features too! Thank you so much for hosting!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  18. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:36 PM

    Love the features! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  19. Kathryn Griffin says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:47 PM

    Thank you for hosting! Wishing you a pretty weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    Reply
  20. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    Thanks ladies for hosting…looks like I need to head over and enter to win that darling pillow:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  21. Sarah @ Alderberry Hill says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    I am happy to be linking here this week, thanks so much for this wonderful party. Happy Thursday!{Hugs}
    alderberryhill@nl.rogers.com

    Reply
  22. FABBY says

    December 6, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    Oh wow, great features! I’m so late to everything, I can’t wait to visit some of the features. Thank you for hosting and having my C’mas home tour, I’m so thrilled to be here!
    Big hugs,
    FABBY

    Reply
  23. Barb says

    December 6, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa! thank you for featuring my cookies and for hosting such a fun party!

    Reply
  24. Debra@CommonGround says

    December 6, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    Hi Gals, love love love that adorable JOY pillow! just linked up, thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  25. Rita Joy says

    December 6, 2012 at 4:18 PM

    Thank you, lovely sisters, for featuring my painted rustic sign tutorial. And, thank you also for opening up your homes for the Christmas tour of homes. Well done! I can only imagine all the work it is to prepare, primp, and photograph for that!! Your homes look beautiful with so many neat decor ideas. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  26. Shenita says

    December 6, 2012 at 4:32 PM

    What lovely features! Your holiday decor is gorgeous, as well! Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  27. Nancy at maddalee says

    December 6, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa, thank you for hosting again, it’s great to link up here!

    Have a good weekend, Nancy

    Reply
  28. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    December 6, 2012 at 5:14 PM

    Oh how exciting. I just saw that my headboard was featured. What a thrill. Thank you so much. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  29. Kathy Moody says

    December 6, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    I love the Joy pillow! So cute! Thank you so much for hosting another great party! 🙂

    Reply
  30. KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family says

    December 6, 2012 at 5:48 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting, ladies! Hope your weekend is great.
    KC

    Reply
  31. Stuff and Nonsense says

    December 6, 2012 at 5:51 PM

    spectacular features
    as always!

    i linked up
    my Christmas mantel
    for your viewing pleasure

    thanks for hostessing!

    {alison}

    Reply
  32. Anne @ DesignDreamsbyAnne says

    December 6, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my shutters. There are so many fabulous features this week too, I’m honoured that you chose to include mine.

    Thanks for hosting and have a fabulous weekend xox

    Reply
  33. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    December 6, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    Hello my friends and thank you so much for featuring my project! So sorry I’ve been MIA from the comments threads … life has intervened. But rest assured, I still adore you both and visit frequently — though, perhaps, silently.

    🙂 Linda

    Reply
  34. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    December 6, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    So honored to be featured, ladies…and among such great company, too! All of the features are so inspiring! Thank you so much for hosting every week. Your holiday decor is FABULOUS!!

    {HUGS},
    kristi

    Reply
  35. Becca says

    December 6, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    Amazing features, ladies! Thanks so much for hosting … I’m off to be inspired! Happy weekend!

    Reply
  36. leslie harris says

    December 6, 2012 at 7:07 PM

    Hey girls, these are some amazing features, seriously, by the time I finished scrolling down I was beginning to have second thoughts about linking up my little old boxwood wreaths! Oh well, it’s all good. tee hee.
    Thanks for hosting this gorgeous party.
    Leslie (aka Gwen Moss)

    Reply
  37. Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel says

    December 6, 2012 at 7:15 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! There’s always so much inspiration here.
    Tuula 🙂

    Reply
  38. Megan says

    December 6, 2012 at 7:19 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting. 🙂

    Reply
  39. Lyuba @willcookforsmiles says

    December 6, 2012 at 7:19 PM

    Thank you for the party, lovely ladies! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  40. Sherry says

    December 6, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    Thanks for all the inspiration you share each week. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  41. Michele (Finch Rest) says

    December 6, 2012 at 10:42 PM

    Thank you for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  42. Fall Vignette says

    December 6, 2012 at 11:16 PM

    Wonderful features, so many creative blogs! Thanks for hosting a wonderful party!

    Jody

    Reply
  43. Tanya says

    December 6, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    Heading over to the Folk blog, you ladies are awesome! Thank you so much for a fabulous party 🙂

    xoxo, Tanya
    twelveOeight

    Reply
  44. Liz Fourez says

    December 7, 2012 at 3:42 AM

    Good Morning Ladies! I’m so glad you liked my Felt Pine Trees! Thank you so much for featuring them : )

    Great party this week!
    Love Always
    Liz

    Reply
  45. Debbie says

    December 7, 2012 at 5:05 AM

    Beautiful features! So many wonderful sites to check out, I’ll have to play here when I get home from work. Thanks for hosting!
    Debbie 🙂

    Reply
  46. Carol says

    December 7, 2012 at 6:29 AM

    Always such a pleasure to join your party! Thanks so much for hosting, you two sweeties!

    Reply
  47. Julie says

    December 7, 2012 at 7:29 AM

    Love all the features! Thank you so much for hosting! You have lots of links to go through…whew!

    By the way, where did you get those gigantic pine cones on your staircase? My goodness!

    Julie

    Reply
  48. Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says

    December 7, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    truly inspiring features this week! thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  49. Kathy says

    December 7, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    Your homes look beautiful! Thank you so much for featuring my christmas kitchen.

    Kathy

    Reply
  50. JP says

    December 7, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    Lovin’ everything that you have done in your homes and all of the great features….Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  51. Chelsea @ Making Home Base says

    December 7, 2012 at 9:06 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  52. Lindsey says

    December 7, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Thanks for featuring our ornaments!!! 🙂

    Reply
  53. LINDA says

    December 7, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    Thank you for hosting another great party! We appreciate all the work you do for us to show off! Great feature picks as usual.

    Linda and Jeannie @ The French Hen’s Nest

    Reply
  54. Debbie says

    December 7, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    Hello! I am new to the party. I linked up a few posts from my Christmas Home Tour. I have 19 trees this year!
    Thanks so much for hosting!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

    Reply
  55. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    December 7, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    Can you believe I am # 399!!! Thanks for hosting, girls!!! I have already been to a couple of your features… wonderful!!! NOw I have a whole lot a inspiration to collect… and lots of blogs to visit!!

    Reply
  56. Pamela says

    December 7, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    Great features ladies. Thanx for hosting!

    Reply
  57. TheresaLBegin@ShoestringElegance says

    December 8, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    Hi, Heather and Vanessa!! Happy weekend to you both!! Thank you so much for hosting sucj a lovely party. I love coming to see everything you guys have come up with!! Love seeing your facebook feeds, too!!
    Hugs and Blessings for a Blessed weekend,
    ~Theresa

    Reply
  58. Debbie refreshrestyle says

    December 8, 2012 at 3:31 PM

    Love your holiday home, all the features! It all looks marvelous!
    Debbie

    Reply
  59. Ira Morse says

    December 9, 2012 at 6:50 PM

    Wow what a great collection of Christmas decor you have here Debbie! I love your Faux Birch Candle Holders perfect combination with my chalkboard.

    Reply

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May we never take for granted the freedom given to us not by earthly authorities but by the ONE true authority. And may we live in such a way as to honor those who fought for and protect freedom and liberty. 

“Independence Day, freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

I hope you all have a great start to the 4th of July weekend and make sure to check my stories later for Friday Funnies!
The month of June is coming to a close and it has The month of June is coming to a close and it has been JAM packed! The highlight by far though was my son's graduation from high school. When I started blogging, he was only 6 years old and some of you have been apart of my community here for that entire time. Now, he's 19 and there is a reason parents are told not to blink because the years truly do go faster than I ever could have imagined. He has become such an incredible young man we are so excited to see how God is going to unfold the next chapter of his life. We celebrated with parties galore (SO many open houses to attend!) and made memories we'll forever cherish. My mama heart was filled to bursting with the joy of it all! Now we're taking some time to just enjoy these warm, summer days making even more memories because, when you’re at this stage of parenting, you know all too well how much you need to grasp every opportunity to spend time together.

I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts o “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Happy first day of summer dear friends!! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted something new here but life has been crazy. I’ll have some new photos of house projects and life events to share with you soon but, got now, I’m just going to enjoy this gorgeous first day of summer after our ridiculously long, wet spring. ☀️
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

Welcome June!
“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. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. 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.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
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