• 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
  • Shop My Home
  • 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

July 12, 2012

Repurposing Round-Up!

It truly never ceases to amaze us how much incredible talent, creativity and clever-ness (that is SO a word!) is out there! And one of our most favorite things to do is show-off that talent here at the Fence.
So, being Ambassadors for hometalk could not be a more perfect way for us
 to get the best of both worlds.
ht-facebook
Not only do we get to see some amazing projects and ideas, we are also finding answers to questions like this and this and this.
AND we get yet another opportunity to feature some of the talented folks who are sharing their projects on the hometalk site.
This week was all about Repurposing! And boy oh boy do you people know how to repurpose things.
We saw so many genius ideas which now have us looking at things in a whole new light.
Here are just a few of the awesome creations we’ve seen and believe us, there are plenty more where that came from!
Anita shared this Vintage Screen Door turned Laundry Room Door. The screen door once graced the home of her grandparents and she gave it new life with chicken wire and burlap!
Screen door
Dana posted this amazing Repurposed Fireplace created using part of the rusty tin roof and wood from an old barn
Susan shared this beautiful Armoire Door turned Coffee Table! 
She gives an excellent tutorial on how she made it.
Amy turned an Old Perpetual Calendar into a Family Bucket List. We so want to make our own now!
Shannon convinced us that tequila bottles aren’t just good for making margaritas when she shared these beautiful ways to Repurpose old bottles and tin cans!
Shelly turned an old Cast Iron Door into a Garden Trellis and we think it looks so charming!
Jamie showed us how she turned an Old Wall Cabinet into a Bathroom Vanity with tons of character.
Shannon’s entire Vintage Bathroom came together by repurposing items in such a clever way!
Like this old cupboard door, vintage mirror and rake which provide the perfect place for hanging accessories.
 You can find more amazing repurposing projects like these at hometalk!
And, be sure to come back here later on today where we will be featuring even more talented folks at our Inspiration Friday party!
See you in a little while,

dual-signature_thumb2

18 Comments Filed Under: HomeTalk

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Ballard Designs Coral Topiary Knock-Off
Next Post: It’s Inspiration Friday #73! Welcome! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cocalores says

    July 12, 2012 at 1:34 PM

    Thanks for sharing these cute ideas – what a roundup!

    Reply
  2. Anita says

    July 12, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Oh my goodness, thanks girls for featuring my screen door!!! It really means a lot to me:-)

    Reply
  3. art is beauty says

    July 12, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    just started putting some things on hometalk and couldn’t believe how well its doing. I had over 11000 hits on my old armoire turned potting shed..Its crazy..!!! Love seeing FOX HOLLOW on here…She always makes the cutest stuff!
    thanks for all the other ideas.
    Hugs,
    Karin
    http://www.artisbeauty.net

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 12, 2012 at 1:55 PM

      Karin! Your potting shed is off the hook over there! It’s crazy! lol I think it really resonates with people. I’m glad that it’s getting the recognition it deserves, it is so beautiful. 🙂

      Heather

      Reply
  4. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    July 12, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    Unreal. There really are such clever folks out there. Love it. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  5. Norma says

    July 12, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    Love all these ideas! Gotta keep this in mind when I find crap, I mean treasures at yard sales and flea markets. 😉

    Reply
  6. Maury Kilgo says

    July 12, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    LOVE IT! It’s amazing what people can do when they think outside of the box. That fireplace is amazing!

    Reply
  7. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 12, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    Always amazed at the talent out there. Love the rake idea.

    Reply
  8. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic says

    July 12, 2012 at 3:49 PM

    I agree with you that there are so many clever and amazingly talented people out in blogland! Thanks for sharing these projects.

    Reply
  9. Vintage Paints says

    July 12, 2012 at 3:57 PM

    Just found your blog and I’m so glad I did! I LOVEEEE it!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Savvy Seasons says

    July 12, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Happy Thursday! Such fab ideas, love em’!! xo ~Liz

    Reply
  11. Dana Tucker says

    July 12, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    Thanks so much for featuring our fireplace makeover project! Love your blog. Can’t wait to spend some more time looking through your archives. Such creativity! Thanks again!

    Reply
  12. Judy says

    July 12, 2012 at 6:38 PM

    Such awesome ideas. Great way of repurposing items.

    Reply
  13. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    July 12, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    Awesome features…and fun party! Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  14. I Know The Plans I Have For You says

    July 13, 2012 at 3:30 AM

    I love hometalk!! I receive so many hits on my crib turned craft station and my pallet lemonade stand!! Hometalk is probably one of my highest traffic sources!

    Reply
  15. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 13, 2012 at 3:32 AM

    Great features….so much creativity out there…amazing isn’t it.?…Thanks for presenting these and have a great weekend!

    Reply
  16. Susan @ homeroad.net says

    July 13, 2012 at 4:19 PM

    Thanks so much Heather! I love Hometalk too!
    Susan

    Reply
  17. Good Time Charlie says

    July 23, 2012 at 2:25 AM

    The only I have seen is Miss Shannon’s lovely can and bottle. They are all amazing, but I think I love that vintage bathroom mirror, old garden rake the best. People are so creative!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic

    Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic
  • A New Podcast

    A New Podcast
  • Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive

    Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive
  • Kids Need Real Answers

    Kids Need Real Answers

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Making the Case for Heirlooms

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic March 21, 2026
  • A New Podcast March 21, 2026
  • An Autumn Home Tour October 9, 2025
  • How to Adapt Your Traditions as Your Kids Get Older December 13, 2024
  • Christmas Home Tour 2024 December 13, 2024

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

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.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

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
Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2026 At The Picket Fence