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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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May 10, 2012

Mother’s Day Craft~Personalized Candles

personalized_candle_mothers day_ www.atthepicketfence.com

While browsing Pinterest for Mother’s Day projects to do with my kiddos, I came across this fun idea for making Personalized Candles. After seeing the idea on the blog Come Together Kids, I knew it would be the perfect gift for the grandmas this year!

All you will need are white or off-white candles, tissue paper, wax paper and the acrylic paints of your choice. You can see I’m not partial to any one brand, just whatever happens to be on sale!

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Cut a piece of tissue paper slightly smaller than the size of the candle.
I just wrapped one around to gauge the correct width/length.

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Place the tissue paper on top of a piece of wax paper so that the paint doesn’t soak through onto your work surface. At this point it is important for your kids to understand the meaning of the word “dab”. As in, “you can’t just glop on the paint and smear it all around, you need to dab it gently.

Oh good grief, now we have to do this again!”
This might happen several times and may or may not have you momentarily question why you bother attempting crafts with your children…just sayin’!

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We did a little flower garden complete with blue fluffy clouds and the really neat part is that the entire thing is made up of their precious little fingerprints!

Wait for the tissue paper to completely dry.
Then take your tissue artwork and wrap it around your candle.
Cover this with another piece of wax paper and be sure to have a nice tight grip on it.

DSC_0423-001

Next, take a blow dryer and on high heat slowly and gently apply the heat to the wax paper working your way around the candle.
I literally put the nozzle of the blow dryer right on the wax paper because I soon realized that it needed that direct heat to adhere to the candle.
You will see the tissue paper slowly disappearing and the artwork becoming “one” with the candle.

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And that is all there is to it!!
A sweet and simple Mother’s Day craft which really could be customized for any special occasion!

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We will be adding a pretty candle holder to go with the personalized candles to
And I have a feeling these will be candles that will never actually be lit, don’t you?

I hope you are having a fantastic week so far and as always we so appreciate you stopping by to visit us at the Fence today!

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26 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Judy says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:29 PM

    I think I may have to copy this one and have my kids get painting tonight. What a perfect gift for Mother’s Day.

    Reply
  2. Cherished Bliss says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:33 PM

    This is adorable! Such a fun thing for kids : ) I voted for you too! : ) Enjoy the rest of your week!

    Reply
  3. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:37 PM

    What a sweet gift to give the grandmas, they are going to love it!! On my way over to vote for you girls:) Wishing you both a very Happy Mothers Day!

    Reply
  4. Ange says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:50 PM

    What a cute idea! I love giving those gifts you can’t find a store. I also understand the questioning if it’s worth doing crafts at some point during the kid/crafting process. You are a great mom and making memories that will last a lifetime!

    Reply
  5. Princess Kate says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    This is too cute. I’m going to leave your blog open tonight on the computer and hope daddy sees it and gets a great idea for Mother’s Day (not sure it will work but I can dream can’t I). Happy Mother’s Day to you.

    Reply
  6. DIY Show Off says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:55 PM

    What a fun project! I miss craft time with little ones. 🙁 I’d love to do this with my nephew for my sister for Mother’s Day though. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. DIY Show Off says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:56 PM

    ps. Congratulations! Heading over to vote!

    Reply
  8. NanaDiana says

    May 10, 2012 at 1:02 AM

    Vanessa- What a sweet, sweet project. It is always so much fun to see the sense of accomplishment the kids feel when they make something. Headed over to vote for you sweetie! xo Diana

    Reply
  9. Becca says

    May 10, 2012 at 1:22 AM

    This is such a great idea- I can think of a zillion uses for the tutorial. Thanks girls!
    xo Becca

    Reply
  10. Debbiedoo's says

    May 10, 2012 at 3:02 AM

    What a very cute idea! Your kids are adorable and look so into it!

    Reply
  11. Erica {let why lead} says

    May 10, 2012 at 3:11 AM

    This makes me so excited to have kids that are old enough to do and enjoy projects like these. (We’re getting close!) I bet they loved it. And the grandmas will too!

    Reply
  12. Debbie says

    May 10, 2012 at 11:04 AM

    What? Oh my goodness, I think that is the neatest craft idea. I just have to try it myself. I love any creative idea with candles. I’m old enough to know how to “dab”, too. I’ve been dabbing stuff on this 50 face of mine since it was a 30 face. Same principle, right?

    Reply
  13. classic • casual • home says

    May 10, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    Such a cute idea…and love that it is personalized.

    Reply
  14. Marina {Yummy Mummy) says

    May 10, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    Love this! And I was cracking up at your disclaimer… I was having the came problem as our Mimi reads my blog religiously.

    Reply
  15. Laurel Stephens says

    May 10, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    Love this idea and your tutorial. Thanks!

    Reply
  16. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    May 10, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    I love this idea – and the sweet photos in the tutorial! So cute!!

    Let’s hope your family have the courage not to sneak a peep!!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  17. Cindy says

    May 10, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    OMG they are so adorable! The kids and the candles! They are so focused in the pics. Too cute…

    Reply
  18. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    May 10, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    That is soo cool! And Vanessa, you’re too funny about the crafting with children. I think the same thing nearly every time I do too!! haha Thanks for sharing. I’m off to vote for you lovely ladies! Good luck. =)

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  19. Tito Eric says

    May 10, 2012 at 10:37 PM

    A perfect Mother’s Day gift, indeed. I love candles!

    Reply
  20. ✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life says

    May 10, 2012 at 11:38 PM

    Those are just the cutest candles ever!

    Dee

    Happy Mother’s Day!

    Reply
  21. Richella says

    May 11, 2012 at 12:12 AM

    Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe this! So you didn’t use any kind of glue or anything on the candles? This is so cool!

    I hope the appropriate people looked away from this post, but if they didn’t, I think they’ll still be delighted with their Mother’s Day gifts. 🙂

    Thanks so much for joining Grace at Home! I appreciate it so much.

    Reply
  22. awal.ny says

    May 11, 2012 at 2:27 AM

    This is such a cute idea, I am definately doing this with my kids for them to give to the grandmas for mother’s day, and it would make a great teacher’s gift. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  23. Tanya@takesix says

    May 11, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    I miss doing neat ideas like this with little ones!! So very cute!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 20 DIY Mother's Day Gifts - couponrockette.com says:
    April 3, 2013 at 3:58 PM

    […] 15. Personalized Candles […]

    Reply
  2. Pinteresting Finds for Mothers Day! - Sweet C's Designs says:
    October 13, 2013 at 3:29 AM

    […] 12- Personalized Candles […]

    Reply
  3. 102 Homemade Mothers Day Gifts {Inspiring Ideas to Make Yourself} | says:
    April 10, 2014 at 8:48 PM

    […] 63. Personalized Candles […]

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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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