• 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
  • 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 11, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No. 19

Welcome to another great week of Inspired Ideas for you and your home!
We thought we would kick off this week’s party by showing you another party that happened last weekend.

Here’s Vanessa to tell us all about it!
 
Hi guys! When I asked Ian what kind of theme he would like for his 8th Birthday Party he replied with,
“Let’s have an Electrical Party Mom!”
My reply was of course, “Wow! What a neat idea Ian”
While inwardly I was thinking, “Really? We can’t just do Spiderman?”
 
And then Ian threw me a curve ball and said he really wanted to have an Electrical Party but also wanted to do Laser Tag with his friends. So we compromised.
We did the Electrical theme for the Family Party which meant I didn’t have to go all crazy with it but I still wanted it be fun and special.
 
 This is what greeted everyone when they arrived at our house.

 
Apothecary Jars   were filled with all
 things Electrical.


Even some of Ian’s Motherboards
made it in!

 I also used an idea I got from Kim at
Too Much Time on My Hands and stuck photos down inside the Apothecary Jars before loading them up with their electronic goodies. Kim just also happens to be our Featured Blogger this week!
 
 
 
 
All together they made a pretty nifty looking centerpiece.
 

And what kind of cake do you make for an Electrical Party?
Why, Lightbulb Cupcakes of course!
 

By simply sticking cupcakes on top of an ice cream cone and then frosting the entire top portion we had the perfect lightbulb shape. A little bit of tin foil finished it off!
Pretty cute, huh?
 
Thanks for letting me share what I was up to last weekend and now it’s time to take a look at what some of you were up to.
 
Let’s get to our Features!
 
We could not believe it when we saw this Stunning Ensuite Transformation from Natalie at
Beach House in the City.

 
Jaw-dropping, isn’t it?
You must see the entire makeover and more of her incredibly beautiful details.

Natalie shared more loveliness with us when she linked up this Tutorial on Homemade Milkglass.
 
But, oh wait! Yet another talented gals shared her take on DIY Milkglass.
 
This lovely bowl (purchased for $1!)  was transformed into “Faux Milk” Gorgeousness
by Caroline at C.W. Frosting.
 
  
Is it just me or is there a color trend going on here?
Let’s run with it!
 
Carmel at Our Fifth House gave her dining room an extra dose of “chic” when she added this dresser turned buffet. This girl knows how to make create one gorgeous tablescape too!

 
And we love how Jacqueline from Simple Home Life repurposed an old electric chandelier by turning it into a Candle Chandelier for her bathroom.
 
 
And, we just couldn’t resist adding one more “light and bright” feature.
This one comes to us from Anita at Cedar Hill Ranch. She joined the massive Annie Sloan fan club by giving her bistro set this lovely face lift!
 
 
If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab
the new featured at button located in our sidebar!

 
And don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE and start planning your summer projects now!

 
Vanessa will be hosting a party for featuring “Summer Activities for Kids” on June 20th so get ready to share your favorite summer projects and activities for kids; and Heather will be hosting “Fresh from the Garden” featuring anything garden related: photos of your garden, garden recipes, gardening tips, canning, etc. on June 24th.  The Blogger Block Party will take the place of Inspiration Friday that week!

Grab one of the buttons on our sidebar and spread the word about this amazing event!
 
It’s not too late to enter our latest Etsy Shop
Giveaway!
Stacey from Maggie Jane’s Vintage has some absolutely darling items and you can see
 in this photo just some of the creative ways you can use them!
 

The giveaway runs through Tuesday, June 14th so scroll down to enter to win a $25 Credit!

Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook?  Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well! 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
 
 

The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage
Our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense

Stuff and Nonsense
And the gracious Debra from Common Ground

vif187

 



47 Comments Filed Under: Celebrations, Inspiration Friday, Kids

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Etsy Shop Giveaway from Maggie Jane’s Vintage…
Next Post: “A Lamp Unto My Feet”…Simply Sunday »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. elizabeth says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Hi guys! I’m having a hard time getting your linky to work today. Is it me, or a linky issue?

    Reply
  2. Down that Little Lane says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Tried to link up but just kept telling me I hadn’t put a back link in…6 times so just deleted the link as was scared it was a viral issue ;( xx

    Reply
  3. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    I’m having the same problem 🙁

    Reply
  4. Candy @ The Little Round Table says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Whatever you did, it is now working. 🙂

    Candy

    Love those cupcakes!

    Reply
  5. At The Picket Fence says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Hey everyone! Let’s blame Linky tools instead of the blogger trying to figure out the new Linky Tools version, ok? 🙂 It’s all good now so let’s par-tay!

    Reply
  6. Desire Empire says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Those electrical party ideas are fantastic
    Best Carolyn

    Reply
  7. Kristin says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Very cool electrical party – neat idea!!

    Reply
  8. Abby's Paperie Garden says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Hi there, sorry for the double post, blogger is giving me some issues! This is my first time joining in your party after I discovered you while blog hopping!

    Abby

    Reply
  9. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    That is a very electrifying idea. Cute idea. Great features. Thanks for hosting, girls.

    Reply
  10. Debra@Common Ground says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Hey Girlies! What a fun party! You had some really fun ideas. Just linked up, thanks for the par-tay!
    xoxo Debra

    Reply
  11. Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    What a fun birthday party! Lots of awesome ideas. Too cute! Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful day!

    Reply
  12. Lisa @ Before Meets After says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Hey ladies! Thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  13. Natasha says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Thanks for having me today. I haven’t joined for quite a while so am thrilled to be partying with you both.

    Best wishes always,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  14. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    June 9, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    What a fun idea and your features are fabulous. Thanks for hosting such a fun party. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  15. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    June 9, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    It’s electric…you must play the electric slide! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  16. alison says

    June 10, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    here again for another inspiration friday…have a wonderful weekend girls!

    Reply
  17. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    June 10, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    Thank you both for hosting this fun party each week. The birthday theme was really cute! I lov the light bulbs in the apothecary jar.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  18. Richella says

    June 10, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    Those light bulb cupcakes are just too cute. Thank you for sharing a “bright” idea! Looks like it was a great party.

    Reply
  19. Sarah says

    June 10, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    Cute electric party ideas. ~ sarah

    Reply
  20. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    June 10, 2011 at 2:27 AM

    Love the electric party!!!
    I have had such a crazy week I don’t have anything to link up…..I haven’t even put our blogger party button up…Ok I need to get my act together!!!!
    XOXO
    Kristin

    Reply
  21. Poppy says

    June 10, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    Belated Birthday wishes to Ian… he came up with a unique theme for his party and I love all the inspiring ideas for his birthday decor… especially the cupcakes in cones wrapped in foil… neat idea! I love apothecary jars and displaying bulbs in them is perfect for this cute theme.. Love the bistro facelift with chalk paint! Thanks for this fun-filled party each week! Have a wonderful weekend!~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  22. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Hey there Girls~Love the electrifying birthday party!! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  23. Amanda says

    June 10, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Thanks for hosting another great week of linky! That has to be one of the most original ideas for a party, looks wonderful!

    Reply
  24. The mum of all trades says

    June 10, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    I love the party idea. I have four boys and its so hard to think of somethig different each time.

    Reply
  25. Debbie says

    June 10, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Loved your clever ideas for Ian’s party, Vanessa. That lightbulb cupcake idea is wonderful.

    You have been one busy mom between vacations and birthdays, haven’t you?

    The other features look terrific, too. I hope to have some time to link hop and try to electrify my dead creativity this weekend.

    Reply
  26. Audrey @ Sweet Cheeks says

    June 10, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Love your ELECTRIFYING party!!! It’s always great to see new and different party themes…especially for BOYS! And since my husband is an electrician I might just have to file this one away…it’s perfect for a little boy who wants to be just like Daddy 😉

    Reply
  27. Melissa says

    June 10, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    What a cute Birthday party theme!!! I LOVE the light bulb cupcakes!

    Reply
  28. Judy says

    June 10, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Really awesome features. Let the countdown begin to the “big” party. Can’t wait. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  29. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    June 10, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Vanessa, Ian’s sweet face surely held an electrifying smile when he saw his party decor! What a fun Mom you are. 🙂 Great features this week!

    Reply
  30. Green Door Girl says

    June 10, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Love the features this week! 🙂

    Reply
  31. Jessica @ O. Alouette says

    June 10, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    I wouldn’t even know where to start decorating for an electrical-themed party but you pulled it off beautifully and stylishly! Love the light bulbs in the apothecary jars.

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  32. Christine @ Stonehouse Living says

    June 10, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Hi Vanessa & Heather,

    I’m sorry, I linked up twice!! Would you please delete one of the
    links #146 or #147 sorry about that!

    Thank-you for Hosting, it really is a great party! I’m looking forward to the Big Blog Party!!

    My Husband is an Electrician, I think we will make him “the bright ideas” cupcakes for Fathers Day what a fun idea!!

    All the Best,
    Christine

    Reply
  33. Natalie Cross says

    June 10, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    thanks so much for featuring my milkglass and ensuite makeover! yay! and thanks for hosting these parties! 🙂

    Reply
  34. stefanie says

    June 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    sooooooo much inspiration!!!!

    Reply
  35. Val says

    June 10, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    What an electrifying post!! Such amazing projects to light up one’s day!! =))))

    Reply
  36. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    June 10, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Hey, girls! I’m BAAAAACK! So glad to be able to participate even if I’m terribly late. Hope you both a glorious weekend!

    Reply
  37. laura@imnotatrophywife.com says

    June 10, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    Very cool! laura@imnotatrophywife.com

    Reply
  38. Sue says

    June 10, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    Hooray, the comments are back! Just wanted to let Vanessa know that her light bulb cupcakes are darling! What a mom! I would have no idea what to do for an electrical party?!?

    Reply
  39. classic • casual • home says

    June 11, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    Such a creative and fun party. I bet even the adults had fun!

    Reply
  40. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says

    June 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Thank you again for hostessing!

    Reply
  41. c.w.frosting says

    June 13, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    Wonderful round up & thanks SO much for the feature! Very flattered!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

    Reply
  42. The One Stop Baby Shop says

    June 13, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Thanks for hosting another Awesome party!!

    Cheers!
    Lilli

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Repurposed Grill says:
    January 11, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    […] Inspirational Friday@At the Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  2. You are equipped | Little Natural Cottage says:
    February 12, 2013 at 5:47 AM

    […] This post is shared at Inspiration Fridays. […]

    Reply
  3. Summer Door Decoration | Amanda Jane Brown says:
    February 23, 2013 at 6:43 PM

    […] If you decide to make one yourself, I’d love to see it!   Linking to: Saturday Spotlight At the Picket Fence Fingerprints on the Fridge […]

    Reply
  4. Master Bedroom...REVEAL! - Yellow Bliss Road says:
    October 2, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    […] Linking to…Under the Table & DreamingBeneath My Heart Dittle Dattle DIY Show Off Polish the StarsToday’s Creative Blog My Uncommon Slice of SuburbiaThe Shabby NestFunky Junk InteriorsTatertots And JelloBe Different Act Normal Blackberry Vine 3 Meadow Lake CottageJust a Girl At the Picket Fence  […]

    Reply
  5. The Wedding Closet says:
    June 27, 2014 at 3:09 PM

    […] * * * * In addition to Angelic Accents, I’m linking to At The Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday and How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. Have a wonderful […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Open Now December 17, 2020
  • Tradition and a Christmas Home Tour December 9, 2020
  • Tabletop Hot Cocoa Station November 29, 2020
  • A New Front Door November 10, 2020
  • Gaining Perspective October 26, 2020

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

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!
Follow
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 At The Picket Fence