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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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March 24, 2014

Moss Covered Easter Eggs..and she sent me what?

 

After the holidays and winter, sometimes it’s hard to get motivated to start new projects.  I think bloggers are just a little burned out after all of the hustle and bustle of blogging during the holidays and we all get the winter blues.

So when our friend, Jennifer Rizzo, invited me to participate in a crazy, fun party to get our creative juices flowing… of course I said YES! 

Moss Covered Easter Eggs Collage

The ideas was for 21 bloggers to mail each other a thrift store find. GULP! I was so excited to find out the lovely Kim of Serendipity Refined, would be sending mine!

If you’re coming from Kim’s…welcome! I have to admit I was very a little nervous when I received my box in the mail.  Much to my delight, what lay within wasn’t horrible….they weren’t fabulous, but they certainly weren’t horrible and definitely something I could work with!

Candlesticks Before

I knew I wanted to do something “springy” and didn’t want to just use them as candleholders! I had the perfect idea! A fun spring centerpiece for my coffee table! Something cheerful but subtle….

Repurposed Candlesticks with Moss Covered Easter Eggs!

SUPPLIES:

Moss Easter Eggs Supplies

wooden candleholders, paint, brushes, fine grain sanding block, finishing wax, large styrofoam eggs, large sheet of moss, hot glue gun and low temp glues sticks, scissors

DIRECTIONS:

Moss Covered Egg Candlesticks Tutorial 1

Steps 1-4:

Choose your paint based on the type of finish you want.  I used DecoArt Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint. Paint your candlesticks with 1-2 coats depending on desired coverage.  Allow to dry.  Using a fine grained sanding block, give your candlesticks a light patina by removing some of the paint.   Clean off candlesticks and then apply a wax or polyacrylic finish if desired.

Moss Covered Eggs and Candlesticks Tutorial 2

Steps 5-8:

To create your moss eggs, with a serrated knife, trim off the bottom of the styrofoam eggs so they will sit on the candlesticks.  Cut your moss in small strips and using a low temp glue, glue moss to eggs.  You will have some gaps between your strips of moss.  Cut small pieces and hot glue to fill in the gaps.

Moss Covered Easter Eggs

Moss Easter Eggs

Are you curious to know what I sent? Well head over to visit my friend Stacy, of Not Just a Housewife, to get the full scoop! Hopefully she doesn’t hate me too much. grin!

She Sent Me What Button

Here’s the full list of all 21 fabulous bloggers so you can see what each one did with their surprise thrift store find!

Jennifer Rizzo
Funky Junk Interiors
My Sweet Savannah
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Four Generations One Roof
Home Stories A to Z
Today’s Creative Blog
Jeanne Oliver Designs
French Country Cottage
Finding Home
The Inspired Room
The Handmade Home
Eclectically Vintage
Makely School for Girls
East Coast Creative
Infarrantly Creative
At Home on the Bay
Thistlewood Farms
Serendipity Refined
At the Picket Fence
Not Just a Housewife

signature

PS…Be sure to enter my Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint Giveaway, to win some of your own fabulous DecoArt products! 

39 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Easter, Holidays, Spring, Tutorials Tagged With: Easter, Easter crafts, Easter eggs, spring, spring crafts

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Comments

  1. Susan says

    March 25, 2014 at 3:21 AM

    Ladies I love them! The candle sticks are great of course but with the moss eggs on top… fantastic! This is a great series, I want to go look at all of them!

    Reply
  2. Ashley @ 3littlegreenwoods says

    March 25, 2014 at 5:09 AM

    What a fantastic and fun idea to mail each other Thrift Store finds! Love how you upcycled the candlesticks and the bright green moss covered eggs!

    ~ Ashley

    Reply
  3. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    March 25, 2014 at 5:53 AM

    Love this, Heather! You didn’t do too badly in what you received. I always love to find some nice wood candlesticks at the thrift store. Love the moss eggs, too. I’m glad you mentioned the paint you used. I didn’t know they made that and it seems like the perfect paint for when you have projects of this size that you would like to use chalk paint on.

    Reply
  4. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:17 AM

    What a great centerpiece! I LOVE this fun idea of sending each other thrift store finds! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  5. Laura @ Finding Home says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:31 AM

    What a fun day sweet friend -love it!

    Reply
  6. Laura @ Finding Home says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:32 AM

    umm -off to get another cup of coffee because I meant to say fun IDEA! But have a fun day too!

    Reply
  7. Cheryl at Snaps of Ginger says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:57 AM

    I love how you used them! That green absolutely pops against the white like that.

    ~Cheryl
    https://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  8. Courtney says

    March 25, 2014 at 7:01 AM

    So cute girls~ love it!!

    Reply
  9. Thistle says

    March 25, 2014 at 7:02 AM

    You go girl! It looks amazing! Love the candlesticks….but loved what you did with them even more. 🙂

    Happy day!
    karianne

    Reply
  10. Jennifer Rizzo says

    March 25, 2014 at 7:04 AM

    Awesome Easter project!!! I love it for spring and Easter! thanks so much for joining on the party!!!

    Reply
  11. mary@athomeonthebay says

    March 25, 2014 at 7:48 AM

    I love how they turned out!

    Reply
  12. Stacy Risenmay says

    March 25, 2014 at 8:11 AM

    These are adorable!!! Off to pin 🙂

    Reply
  13. Kimberly ~ SerendipityRefined says

    March 25, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    YAY! I just knew you’d do something fabulous with the candlestick holders. The moss covered eggs are perfect and the holders look so much better with a fresh coat of white paint! I hope that we’re still friends….we are, right?!? 😉 xo

    Reply
  14. Funky Junk Interiors says

    March 25, 2014 at 8:52 AM

    Ahh!! LOVE these so much! The perfect spring thing!

    Reply
  15. Melissa Michaels says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:17 AM

    Perfectly springy! I love it, ladies! xoxo Melissa

    Reply
  16. kristins says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:38 AM

    These are adorable!!! Love a good candlestick and the eggs are perfect on top!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  17. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:00 PM

    Now that is a great thrift store find!…and I actually liked them as they were too!….love your moss covered eggs!…Such a fun thing to do!!..

    Reply
  18. Michelle says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    Holy cow, this is great! I think I’m going to copy – I have three candle holders I’ve been reluctant to let go of, and just bought three giant plastic eggs at dollar tree. Now I just need to run back for some moss. Love!

    Reply
  19. ashley @ the handmade home says

    March 25, 2014 at 8:00 PM

    I adore your Easter eggs – and such fun little candle holders! That’s awesome!

    Reply
  20. Nicki says

    March 25, 2014 at 8:09 PM

    That is a really cute idea! One of my faves!

    Reply
  21. JaneEllen says

    March 25, 2014 at 10:17 PM

    I’m enjoying seeing what every one of you has done with your “surprises”, what fun putting your own idea on something to have a new decoration for your home. Love what you did with those candlesticks and eggs. I noticed in one of your comments somebody said she got a big plastic egg at $tree. Yeah now that I can work with, styro foam has gotten ridiculously expensive for a SS budget.
    Please could you let me know where you got the Americana Chalk paint? Didn’t know they had it.
    Great project and what fun. You all did such a great job, still have few to look at but it’s fun so far. Happy Spring days

    Reply
  22. Debra @ MsMoozys Open House says

    March 26, 2014 at 6:52 AM

    They came out great, love how the white and green are just so bright together. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  23. Colleen Of Vintage Home says

    March 26, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    oh my goodness I love how you brought those candle holders to life with the paint and especially love the way you rubbed patina (off) life into it!
    Where do you get the moss in sheets?
    So pretty!

    Reply
  24. Cheryl @ Artzzle says

    March 29, 2014 at 11:51 AM

    Sometimes the simple pieces make the most special projects . . . like yours!

    Reply
  25. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    March 30, 2014 at 10:34 AM

    Super cute candle sticks and love the little moss eggs 🙂 Adorable!

    Reply
  26. Sharon says

    April 2, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    These are so pretty! Just love the moss eggs perched on the pretty, pedestal candleholders. Sharing, for sure.

    Reply

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I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
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