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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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February 18, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No. 3


Wow are we already at Inspiration Friday Party Number 3 here
At The Picket Fence!
Thank you so much for being a part of this fun party every week!


Boy do you all ever inspire us!  We can hardly keep up with all of the awesome inspiration around here.

If you are a new friend to At The Picket Fence, you might be asking 


Just what is Inspiration Friday?


Well, this is one of the very few Linky Parties where you can share pretty much anything with us.
Decorating, Cooking, Crafts, Great Ideas, Poetry, Inspiring Stories, they are all welcome here. 

We hope you will be inspired just as you inspire others!

Each week we start the party off with some highlights from the week before.
In keeping with tradition, we will be mostly featuring bloggers who are fairly new to our little community here. So, if you are featured this week, or even in weeks past, please feel free to grab the new “I’ve been featured” button from our sidebar!



Hi it’s me Heather here again!  Whoo hooo…I’ve hijacked Inspiration Friday again from Vanessa…okay well actually I’m just letting her have a little break from the pressure of having to pick just four highlights from all of the AWESOME, WONDERFULNESS that you people link up!  I mean really it’s almost too much to take in! All of the creativity, the ingenuity, the beauty, the heart warming, tear invoking stories.  It makes us feel honored and humbled to be in such good company with so many talented designers, crafters, foodies and writers!

But alas, since you all come to the party to link up and probably don’t want to spend hours reading my big long post…ok don’t really answer that. grin! I will limit my highlights to a manageable amount!



So without further ado here are my inspirational highlight picks from last week!


Up first we have Heather from What It’s All About. And no I didn’t pick her because she has such an awesome name..ok well maybe a little bit. Nah, not really.  We chose her because of the incredible job she did re-purposing this garage sale headboard. 


She took a $29 headboard from this:



To this!



Talk about a headboard face lift!  Wait until you read the simple way she did the tufting on it.  It gave me hope that I could actually do something like this..since I am not quite the seamstress Vanessa is!  Head on over to visit Heather at What’s It All About and read more about her 

Simple Headboard Redo.

Now this next project caught my eye because of it’s beautiful simplicity.  I personally tend to be somewhat fru-froo French Country but I often LONG to streamline my style a little.  I have been leaning towards the soft blues, crisp whites and espresso browns I often see around blogland.  In fact I will be sharing on Monday my guest bath remodel where I did choose all of those colors.  


Now how many of you decorators out there have a million paint swatches lying around?  I know there are times my purse is full of them!  Well, Mindy at Heart Maine Home was inspired by another blogger after seeing a great use for them.  She decided to take on the challenge herself to put those paint swatches to good use!
She took them from this:


To this:


To this!


All for the cost of a $12 frame!  I just love the one little pop of orange in the artwork!  Visit Mindy at Heart Maine Home and see all of the details behind creating this artwork as well as a link to her inspiration behind the project!

Now for a wonderful little project for you Crafters out there…think we’ll ever get Vanessa to admit she can be pretty crafty?..and no not crafty like the Beastie Boys song ;)..but crafty as in cute projects involving paper, and glue and pretty embellishments.  I think we can convert her yet! This adorable project from Stacey at A Sort of Fairytale just might convince her to give crafting a try!


These are Vintage Playing Card Tags



They are just so precious and springy and sweet!



There are several steps to making these cards but they are really quite easy! Think about all of the different things you could do with them…well actually Stacey did!


Pay Stacey a visit at A Sort of Fairytale and see the step by step process of putting these together!  She also has a sweet vintage Etsy shop you might like to visit too!


And I will leave you with this wonderful story of the Lord’s tender mercies and how much he cares about every aspect of our life.

Maria at

shared a heart warming story of homesickness and hope!  Maria lives in Paris with her husband..this is where I interject and say that I am just a wee tad bit jealous of Maria living in Paris…I was meant to live somewhere in Europe. I really was.  
Maria’s family lives back here in the USA and it had been more than two years since she had been home.  It is so expensive to fly back and forth from Europe and the US as you can imagine.


Her story shares the twists and turns of trying to save to get back home and how the Lord cares about all of the details of our lives.  I cried reading about her reuniting with her sister in the airport in Dallas after having not seen each other for five years!  

(Maria’s sister)

Of course we LOVE sister stories here At The Picket Fence. 

Hop over and read the entire story at Busy as a Bee in Paris!  I bet you will be inspired be the Lord’s provision as much as we were.  Here At The Picket Fence we love stories about “creativity” and about our “Creator!”  Thanks for sharing your story with us Maria! 



Now don’t forget to grab your “Featured At” button ladies!

Before linking up we’d love it if you’d take a second to become a friend of At The Picket Fence through google friend connect, email or our RSS Feed.  We’d love to get to know you better! We also love to see tweets about Inspiration Friday, if you feel like sharing with your twitter friends!  The more the merrier when it comes to a party!

And now, let’s get this party started! Here’s how to link up!

1. Add your Permalink to your entry but not your General Blog Address. To get your Permalink, click on the title of the blog post you are wanting to submit and copy and paste the address into the URL box. You will also have to add your email address but it will not be visible to anyone else.
2. Do not try and Link up until you have actually published that particular post on your blog.
3. Please link back to the host blog, At the Picket Fence by grabbing our Inspiration Friday button code on the sidebar or creating a text link so that those who visit your blog will be able to find some wonderful Inspiration from everyone else. (mandatory)
4) Give some linky lovin’ to some of the other Inspiration Friday link ups!  It’s always nice for others to hear how they’ve inspired you!  Of course we love to hear from you too so please leave us a comment and say hi!
We can’t wait to be inspired!
Thanks so much for stopping by the Fence today!

love to you from the girls at the fence!
Heather and Vanessa




After linking up to Inspiration Friday click the graphic below and pay a visit to French Country Cottage our Friday Party Friend! 

19 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melissa Miller says

    February 18, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    Wow, that headboard is gorgeous.

    Thank you for hosting Vanessa. I always enjoy your party.

    Happy weekend to you!
    ~Melissa

    Reply
  2. Sue says

    February 18, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    There are so many talented and inventive people out in blog land. I always like visiting everyone. :=)
    Sue

    Reply
  3. AshTreeCottage says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    I love all of the inspiration I get from your party. Thanks so much!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    Reply
  4. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    WOW what inspiration at every turn we take. I love it! Thanks for hosting your party girls! Have a wonderful weekend. XO
    The headboard is awesome!

    Reply
  5. A Vintage Vine says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    Thanks for hosting….So many great ideas already!

    Reply
  6. The Decorative Dreamer says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    Those were some really wondeful posts last week! I love the headboard! Heather that’s so nice of you to help your sister out! :))

    Reply
  7. Karen says

    February 18, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    Wow what great inspiration! Can’t wait to visit and maybe get a little motivation for around here. Thanks girls for hosting, such a fun time on Fridays. 🙂
    Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  8. Sylvia says

    February 18, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    Thank you for hosting your party ! It’s my first time being part of it since I am a fairly new at this blogging world !

    I wish you both a wonderful weekend !

    Reply
  9. Suzy says

    February 18, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    Thanks for hosting. I’m looking forward to exploring all of the great posts!

    Reply
  10. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Hi girls~ what a great headboard re-do!! All linked up- thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Stacey@A Sort Of Fairytale says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    Thank you so much for featuring me!
    I love the other features as well…wow, what a headboard!!

    Reply
  12. Mindy says

    February 18, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Wow, thanks for featuring me! I love that gorgeous headboard and those adorable playing cards (especially the one on the mason jar). Thanks again, ladies!

    Reply
  13. NanaDiana says

    February 18, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    I love how fast your site is growing! 3 weeks already! Wow! xxoo Diana

    Reply
  14. Jodie says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Good Morning Ladies! Thank you so much for your sweet comments! Your headboard makeover is genius! Thank you for hosting this wonderful party; there are so many inspirational posts! Warm Weekend Wishes!

    Jodie

    Reply
  15. Creative Escapes says

    February 18, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    I adore that headboard!!!!!
    I just posted #57 a “upcycled” cradle I made for my daughters birthday. Thanks for hosting, I know there is a cost now – I really love and appreciate the parties!

    Reply
  16. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    February 18, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Hey sweet Girlfriend! WOW! This new Blog is AMAZING!!! I LOVE IT!
    SO WISH I had a sister to do thid with! {Well I have a sister, but…LONG STORY, I dont have
    her 🙁 } Im LINKED UP! Thank you for hosting

    xoxokara

    Reply
  17. By the Bluegrass says

    February 18, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    Very nice! Thanks for hosting a fun party. I linked up.
    xo,
    Sena

    Reply
  18. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    February 19, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    I love vintage playing cards too! The graphics are so great. Thanks for hosting this fun party. I love seeing what everyone has done.
    ~Lynn

    Reply
  19. Heather says

    February 20, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Thanks for all the nice comments about the headboard. You all had some great inspiration as well!!! Can’t wait to see what’s up next week.

    Heather
    whatitsallabout4u.blogspot.com

    Reply

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Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
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The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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