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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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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

April 9, 2011

Inspiration Friday No. 10 and a Review

 
 Welcome to Inspiration Friday #10! Before we share our features for the week, we want to reintroduce you to one of our sponsors of At The Picket Fence

 


The Simple Stencil is an incredible online retailer.  Behind The Simple Stencil is Jennifer, whom we have come to adore, and we have so enjoyed working with her! We have loved having her as a new friend of the girls at the fence! As much as I love to decorate and don’t mind some crafting, I have never considered myself an..artist.  I know some of you are incredibly talented when it comes to free hand drawing and painting on your wall…but not this gal.  I would be too scared to even try…and my family might ban me from any further decorating adventures if they found my scrawling handwriting slanted down the wall of the kitchen.  Here’s where a great concept like The Simple Stencil enter in.  I don’t HAVE to be able to freehand lovely sayings onto my walls…The Simple Stencil does it for me!  

There are thousands of stencils available at The Simple Stencil as well as the option of creating a custom stencil, so the choices are endless! Placing your order at the Simple Stencil is such an easy process.  Once you choose your stencil you have the option of picking the color you want your stencil to be and you can even see what your stencil will look like on your wall color!  My walls are yellow, so I was able to select a color that was close and see how the black stencil looks against my wall color.  You can play around with this tool until you get the look you want!

I was so excited when I received my Simple Stencil in the mail and I couldn’t wait to share how incredibly neat this concept is with our readers. When my packaged arrived I tore right into it and found some amazing things!  

Not only do you receive the stencil you ordered, but you also receive a “practice” stencil and you can even choose what it says up to 12 letters.  I chose the word Grace… I practiced with this one in my upstairs hall photo gallery that I’ll share at a later day.  The Simple Stencil also occasionally holds some type of promotion where you receive an additional “freebie” stencil.  Included with my practice stencil and the stencil I ordered was also a “Welcome” stencil…that’s three stencils people!  I was so excited!  In addition to the stencils you will receive detailed instructions on how to apply them and a handy dandy tool to help you firmly adhere the stencil to the surface of your choice..and when I say surface of your choice I mean it!  

The stencils can be applied to a multitude of surfaces, not just walls! Next week Vanessa will be sharing the unique idea she came up with for the stencil she ordered…wait until you see this one!  I on the other hand decided to use my stencil in a more traditional manner..on my kitchen wall as part of my new kitchen remodel.  It couldn’t have been easier.  After practicing with my practice stencil, I then used my Welcome stencil to make sure I was really comfortable with the process before I applied the large stencil in my kitchen.  I decided to place the Welcome Stencil on the door in my mud room.  Applying Simple Stencils couldn’t be easier.


Just make sure you follow the very detailed instructions, and you can’t go wrong! I chose to tape the instruction sheet onto the wall right next where I was applying the stencil.  This helped me to be able to read them while I was following the instructions.  And now the reveal of my Kitchen Stencil:
  

 I decided to put it above the doorway between my kitchen and formal dining room.  It just seemed an appropriate place.
 


 I think the cooks amongst us would agree…no truer statement has been said!  I knew I HAD to have this stencil when I saw it.  I often wonder if our friends love coming over because we are just so cool to hang out with…or because I cook for them.  Hopefully both!  I think this stencil is going to look so good with my kitchen remodel!  I could not have been more pleased with the ease of applying the stencils.  As long as you measure carefully and make sure it’s straight (I used a level) you will get a perfect application every time!  And I never would have been able to hand letter something so beautiful.  Stay tuned next week to see how Vanessa used her stencil and be watching for an INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY coming up soon for our friends At The Picket Fence courtesy of The Simple Stencil!  We’d love you to pay a visit to The Simple Stencil.  You can visit them from the link in our sidebar.  I think you’ll be as impressed with them as we are!

Now onto our Inspiration Friday Features:

First up we have Wendy from Designed to Dwell.
 
She shared with us the newest addition to their Family…
Family ROOM that is!
They recently built a gorgeous new house that she is lovingly making a home.
This is how this room looked Before:
 
 
And here is how it is looking today with the addition of that beautiful Fireplace Surround that she and her handy hubby crafted!
 
 
Please pay Wendy a visit at Designed to Dwell. She is new to our blogging community and we would love for her to feel warmly welcomed!
 
Next up we have Linda from Delight, who shared with us this stunningly beautiful lampshade creation.

 
Now, we have seen a lot of Burlap here in Blogland but this has to be one of the most elegant uses of it yet, don’t you think?

 
Here it is in all of it’s Glowing Glory!
 
 
To see more of how Linda did this, please pay her a visit at Delight.
We promise it will be a “Delightful” experience! Hee hee!
 
 You know, every week we are just overwhelmed by all of the Creative Inspiration you share with us. And yet, we all know that we also need some Inspiration and nourishment for our Souls. That is exactly what we get when we visit Rachel from Big Lives!
 
My Photo

In her own words she says , “I want to LIVE BIG and living BIG requires BIG FAITH ~ otherwise life is just plain boring.”
This Big Faith was recently put to the test when her precious 5 year old daughter, Maggie, was diagnosed with Cancer.
Last week she shared with us at Inspiration Friday how “Being Enveloped by God” during this season has reminded her of how very much He loves us and wants to be our strength and our shield on this journey called life. 
They can now loudly declare that Maggie is a CANCER SURVIVOR!
And now Rachel’s desire is to support and care for others who find themselves facing the difficult and painful circumstances that no one on this Earth is ever immune from.
 
We know if you pay Rachel a vist at Big Lives, you will come away feeling as encouraged and Inspired as we do!
 
 

Now, don’t forget to grab your Featured At Button if you were featured at today’s party or during the week as a Facebook Feature! We have started featuring several links during the week on our Facebook page, so make sure you join us over there to see if you are featured! (did I say the word feature enough?? grin.)

Thanks for joining us at the fence!
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other “Friday Party Friends“:

The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage

And our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense

Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!
  •  Friend At The Picket Fence in some capacity
  • 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 in the sidebar) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY)
  • Visit another guest Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you!  We are trying so hard between writing posts, homeschooling, and taking care of our families..grin..to visit everyone’s posts. Sometimes we miss one and for that we apologize.  It makes us feed good knowing others are visiting people as well!  Thank you..it truly means a lot to us! 

 
  Also, before you leave this week’s Inspiration Friday Party, take a second and enter our April Etsy Store Giveaway from Kim at 

Click on the link and enter to win: Etsy Store Giveaway  Giveaway is going on until Sunday at midnight!

 
Review Disclaimer: Reviewed products were provided by The Simple Stencil.  No monetary compensation was provided to At The Picket Fence in exchange for this review.   It is our desire to maintain the utmost integrity and forthrightness with our readers, therefore all reviews provided by At The Picket Fence are our honest and unbiased opinions.  Please see our Disclosure Policy for more information. 


27 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday, Reviews

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    April 7, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    Such a cool idea! Thanks for hosting!
    xo, Andrea

    Reply
  2. Michell @Girl in Air says

    April 7, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    Love Love that lamp!!

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  3. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    April 8, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    Hi ladies! I love the lamp and your new stencils are great. Thank you so much having me at your party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  4. Martina @ Northern Nesting says

    April 8, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Thanks for hosting girls! Martina

    Reply
  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    April 8, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    That lamp shade is amazing. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  6. Shelia says

    April 8, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Love the shade and thank you two sweeties for hosting the party! I’m partying with you today! 🙂
    Be a couple of sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  7. Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents says

    April 8, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    Thanks so much for hostessing this fun event! I’m drooling over that awesome lampshade! Terrific stencils, too!

    I’m your newest follower and would love it if you follow me, too!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

    Reply
  8. Carrie says

    April 8, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    Can I just say…. I LoVE You GiRls! You are so sweet.

    Reply
  9. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    April 8, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Agreeing with everyone else! You guys are awesome! Thanks again for throwing the best party in bloggerdom.

    I’m all linked up as usual! This time it’s not a chair 🙂

    Emily

    Reply
  10. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    April 8, 2011 at 1:40 AM

    Hi girls~ Love the features!! Thanks for hosting!! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Christie says

    April 8, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    Well girls the party is rockin’ and it is only Thursday night! I have missed coming to the picket fence! Just linkin’ up my little shop (still hangin’ in there!)and working on so many new things! There is not enough time in the day! Missed ya’ll! Christie

    Reply
  12. alison says

    April 8, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    ah well…it’s bound to happen once in a while…or every other week…;) and it is a lovely lampshade…have a wonderful weekend girls!

    blessings,

    alison

    Reply
  13. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    April 8, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Thank you SO much for hosting, my lovies. I really do appreciate all the hard work it involves. THANK YOU!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  14. maggie@midwesternsewinggirl says

    April 8, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Oh my gosh! That new family room is amazing!!! Thank you so much for hosting!!!

    Reply
  15. Creative Escapes says

    April 8, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    That stencil kit looks awesome! I love what you did with it! Thanks for hosting the party – I love coming!
    Carrie

    Reply
  16. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    April 8, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Hey ladies! Thank you for hostessing:) LOVE the precious story you share today…THANK YOU!
    I have linked up twice…
    A Fake Cake #123
    and I Refuse #124

    Have a blessed weekend:)

    PS thanks for the advice on features! IT HELPED!

    xoxokara

    Reply
  17. Patricia Torres says

    April 8, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    super cool idea!! I’ve linked in today.. Totally loved your blog… Am now following you…
    thanks
    Patricia
    https://coloursdekor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  18. Designs on 47th Street says

    April 8, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    I love that lamp shade and I REALLY love the entire vignette! I linked up today.
    Donna

    Reply
  19. Carmella says

    April 8, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    I am a new follower! Thanks for giving me such a fun place to share my project, and when you get a chance I hope you will stop by my very new blog 🙂

    creativecarmella.blogspot.com

    Reply
  20. classic • casual • home says

    April 9, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    So true what your pretty stencil says. My husband, Howard PICKETt is a great cook and people never say no to one of his dinners!

    Reply
  21. Heidi says

    April 9, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    HI
    Thank you for the link up. I am your newest follower and I have heard great things:)

    Reply
  22. Kathy says

    April 9, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    These are gorgeous stencils – I love stenciled walls –
    Gorgeous room! Love the blue color and the fireplace – Hope you’re having a fantastic weekend,
    Kathy

    Reply
  23. Heather @ Decor-ganize Crafts says

    April 9, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Thanks for hosting another great party and for following my new blog too!

    Reply
  24. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    April 10, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    Hey Heather~ just saw your comment about your kitchen cupboards… cannot WAIT to see them!!! Bet they will be beautiful!! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Inspire Me Heather says

    April 10, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Oh the linky party looks great – so many cool projects!

    Reply
  26. Happy_DIYers says

    April 11, 2011 at 1:36 AM

    I adore those stencils! I’m definitely looking into getting area for our new house; thanks for the link!

    Reply

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I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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