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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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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

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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

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“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?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
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