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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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December 10, 2012

Ribbon Banner Ornaments and Being Blog Worthy

 

Do you do projects for your home that are so simple you find yourself wondering if they are truly “blog worthy”?

You know what I’m talking about right?

Projects like..oh..I don’t know…tracing words onto pieces of ribbon with a sharpie and then sticking them on your tree.

These projects don’t require a lot of supplies or a tutorial. And this can make you question whether or not to even share them because of their simplicity.

But, then you wonder if maybe others would welcome a little simplicity.

And maybe even a  little “Faith, Hope, Peace and Love” being added to their Christmas tree.

 

The tree we chose this year is a little more rotund then ones from years past. And as I started decorating it, I realized that it would need more help then my ornament collection could provide. Even if I used the ornaments usually reserved for the back of the tree it wasn’t going to cut it. We all have those ornaments don’t we? Those ones that we can’t bring ourselves to get rid of but aren’t quite “front of tree” worthy. (Don’t worry, the paper angels and other creations from my kiddos are proudly displayed on another tree in our home!)

I remembered I had ribbon left over from my mantel and banister (which you can see in our Holiday House Tour) and thought my rotund tree would benefit from the soft creamy ribbon being added to it. An item from Pottery Barn which is no longer available was my inspiration for this project.

 Can you see why I wondered if it would be “blog-worthy”? It’s beyond simple.

But, I’ll tell you something.

Seeing those words splashed all across my rotund tree has given me great pleasure. Probably more than any other decor I’ve added to my home this season.

I’ve found myself pausing and staring at these banners throughout the day.

Reflecting on the meanings of each word.

Remembering what “it” is all about.

This led me to realize that I could do something that might possibly be even less “blog-worthy”. Oh yes.

While there are tons of ideas for displaying the holiday cards you receive, I’m doing something radical.

I’m putting our cards in a tray on our kitchen table.

I know CA-RAZY, huh?

Want to know why I did this? Well, each night at dinner we pull out a different card from the stack.

And then, before we eat, we pray for that person…or that family.

It is one more simple way to remind us of how blessed we are to have all of these amazing people in our lives.

And I think that just might make it blog-worthy…don’t you?

P.S. The Ribbon Banner Ornaments shown in these photos were “staged” and aren’t actually all bunched together on my tree like that. Just in case you were wondering!

One more thing…

The winner of the $50 Credit Givewaway to LaRae Boutique is

LaRae giveaway slide

Pam Ballard! Congratulations Pam!

We’ll be in contact to get you your prize.

Sharing this here:

Tuesday’s Treasures

Fall Into Fall

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits

Grace at Home

33 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas craft, Christmas decor, Christmas decorating, Christmas ornaments, Christmas trees, simple holiday decorating

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    December 10, 2012 at 6:40 AM

    Both are so Blog Worthy. I love them. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  2. katie goldsworthy says

    December 10, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    I love those banners! Great idea! I think the simple projects are perfect for people to read on blogs. I think room makeovers and other big projects are fun for people to see, but often seem overwhelming to others. Little projects like this are easy and perfect for anyone 🙂

    –Katie

    Reply
  3. Carol says

    December 10, 2012 at 7:03 AM

    Both ideas are so definitely blog-worthy, Vanessa! It seems so typically you to do both of these sweet ideas!

    Reply
  4. Sherry says

    December 10, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    I love what you are doing with the Christmas Cards this year! What a great way to honor those family and friends that took the time to prepare and send Christmas wishes to you. And those ribbons are definitely blog worthy! There are so many great ideas that don’t take much to do…people just need to know about them. Thanks for sharing your pretty ribbons 😉

    Reply
  5. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:11 AM

    The project and message are more than blog worthy!!!…Love how you traced the words!..great idea!
    Congrats to Pam…and have a wonderful week Heather and Vanessa!

    Reply
  6. Angelina says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    Congratulations to Pam on her beautiful win!! And what a Simply lovely idea and I also LOVE the card idea as well, what a fun and great way to enjoy all those Christmas cards.
    Have a great day,
    Blessings
    Angelina

    Reply
  7. Julia says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    Oh how I wish I would have seen your ribbon banners! I too, was inspired by Pottery Barn to do this on our church Christmas trees. (We have a large church to decorate, so this was over 10 big trees!) I printed off the words peace, hope and love on craft paper; actually paper that painters use to mask off areas they don’t want to paint… anyway, it took so much time and so much ink that I gave up after 2 trees. Your ribbon idea is the bomb dot com. Totally filing it away for next year and keeping my eye out for ribbon to use! Thank you! Christmas blessings to you and yours.

    Reply
  8. Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    Sometimes the simplest things make the biggest impact…and this is one! I have a small tree on the side porch that I need to put something simple and rustic on, so I think I’m get my sharpie out and make some out of burlap ribbon!

    Reply
  9. Anna says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:21 AM

    I love these ideas! What a great tip for making the ribbon banners. It’s so simple and yet I never would have thought of that! Love it!! 🙂

    Anna
    askannamoseley.com

    Reply
  10. Courtney says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    Very sweet Vanessa~ they are darling!

    Reply
  11. Kelly says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    I think any project is blog worthy! I love getting ideas whether I use them or not. I like this one though. It’s easy and cheap but looks very nice! I think anything with words is popular right now. They look great on your tree.

    Reply
  12. Cynthia says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    These are so blog worthy, I think they are lovely and the meaning of Christmas. Congrats to Pam!!!

    Cynthia

    Reply
  13. JP says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:45 AM

    I think that any project,no matter how simple, can trigger someone else’s imagination to take your project and give it a different twist. That’s what were all about….
    “Sweet Inspirations”,right?
    Love your sweet, blog worthy,creations!

    Reply
  14. Jane says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    The ribbons are wonderful! Definitely blog worthy because I’m not very crafty and I can handle something like this! Thank you so much and Happy Holidays!

    XO,
    Jane

    Reply
  15. Carol Reddin says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    “Hope, Faith, Love, Peace” – great words to see over and over again especially during this hectic time of year. Thank you for the great ideas. Love, Mom

    Reply
  16. Ellora Drinnen (@CreatvlySouthrn) says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    Love these ideas and especially the idea with your Christmas cards! How sweet and it really brings out the meaning of Christmas. Thanks for the inspiration! (Def blog worthy!!!) 😉

    Reply
  17. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    December 10, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    Congrats to Pam! I definitely think that is blogworthy, Vanessa! Sometimes people are looking for simple but might not think of something like this. I never would have thought of tracing the words onto ribbon.

    Reply
  18. Jeanette Neels says

    December 10, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    The ribbon banners are so beautiful! And praying over the people your cards represent is just perfect 🙂

    Jeanette

    Reply
  19. Lauren says

    December 10, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    I know what you mean and you’re right — we should post these ideas because while WE may think they’re simplistic, they often are appreciated by others and also often become a ‘springboard’ for more elaborate ideas. LOL – my tree is not a classy, themed tree — it’s full of ornaments from the kids, pictures of the kids, etc. and they’re all grown now but I still love it. Someday, I may have a pretty, themed tree 🙂

    Reply
  20. Judy says

    December 10, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    All of your projects are blog-worthy…but I know what you mean. There are so many things that I do that don’t actually make the “cut” to get on my blog. I think, who will care about that. Maybe they would more than I think. Love all of your ideas.

    Reply
  21. Monsterscircus says

    December 10, 2012 at 2:23 PM

    Of course that’s blog worthy!!! Yes it’s so simple, but it’s behold beautiful and love ideas with the words with much meaning. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply
  22. Anne says

    December 10, 2012 at 5:11 PM

    I think these are definitely blog worthy! So pretty! I was hesitant about posting my living room tree.It is a bit sad this year.But I decided to put it out there.Sometimes I think I get too picky about what I should put out there and what I should not.
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  23. Lisa says

    December 10, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    I absolutely love these ideas…they are both lovely and I think I might put your ribbon idea into action on my tree tonight! Thank you for sharing….I wouldn’t have thought to do that.

    I actually really love reading about little tips and tricks like that….and beautiful ideas like pulling out a Christmas card to pray for a particular family each night (or day).

    THANK YOU for sharing….these ideas of yours are certainly blog-worthy!!

    Reply
  24. Cindy says

    December 10, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    Love it Vanessa, definately blog worthy!

    Reply
  25. Rosemary says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    I embrace simplicity. Love the banners, and card idea. Sometimes the little ideas make the largest, most meaningful, impact.

    Reply
  26. Linda A. Young says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    Love those meaningful words on the little ribbon banners, words we all need to hear and see repeatedly at Christmas and always! I do the same thing with my cards, except they’re in a basket. Your blog content and ideas are always worthy and we look to you for inspiration and creative suggestions! Have a beautiful Christmas!
    Linda

    Reply
  27. Tanya Anurag says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    You are an inspiration for all of us 🙂

    Reply
  28. debbiedoos says

    December 11, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    You girls always make me smile:) Just wish I could get over here enough to do that. I question my blog worthiness posts, ALL THE TIME:) LOL…not really, I just do it because I enjoy it, and sometimes others do and other times, I can tell it’s a uh, it’s OK LOL!~ I do love this project. Merry Christmas to you and your families.

    Reply
  29. Debbie says

    December 12, 2012 at 2:33 AM

    They are very blog worthy because I wouldn’t have thought to do that… and now I will!

    Reply
  30. kathy says

    December 15, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    I love this idea because it’s totally do-able! Thanks and Merry Christmas!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Inspiration Friday No. 93….welcome! says:
    December 13, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    […] Monday, Vanessa shared her Ribbon Banner Ornaments which are a simple way to add a little “Faith, Hope, Peace and Love” to your Christmas […]

    Reply
  2. Creative Gift-Wrapping Ideas says:
    December 20, 2012 at 5:28 AM

    […] For more simple and frugal Christmas projects, like these and Ribbon Banner Ornaments… […]

    Reply
  3. Ornament Showplace Blog says:
    December 26, 2012 at 6:52 PM

    Hope Faith Love Peace Ornaments…

    […] creamy ribbon being added to it. An item from Pottery Barn which is no longer av […]…

    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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