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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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April 14, 2011

Tea Party Table…

…And a Simple Stencil Review


At our Inspiration Friday party last week, Heather shared with you more about our wonderful Sponsor

She also informed you that there are thousands of ready-made stencil options as well as the opportunity to create your own custom design. My favorite part of the entire easy-peasy ordering process was getting to use this fantastic tool you see below.
 
Getting to see exactly what your stencil choice will look like against your wall color was so awesome! I actually created about a dozen different looks just for the pure fun of it.
But, I knew I wasn’t going to be using MY stencil on a wall.
As soon as I saw that Jennifer also had gorgeous Monograms, my plan was hatched!
But, you know what they say about the “best laid plans”, right?
You see, my youngest rascal is getting her room changed up a bit and I have always wanted her to have a little spot in there for having tea parties with her friends (a.k.a. dolls, stuffed animals, sometimes Buzz Lightyear, etc.). And Mommy is usually invited too!
So, I set out to find her a little round table and chair set for just such occassions.
Well, do you know how hard it is to find round children’s tables?
VERY HARD!
And the ones I did find were serious budget busters.
Then the other day Heather and I were brainstorming on the phone about how to make one and the lightbulb went off in my brain! It doesn’t happen very often, trust me.
I remembered that I have 3 or 4 of those Round Wooden Decorator Tables stored away.
You know the ones I’m talking about.
Could my solution really be this easy?
Why, yes it was!
Because simply by cutting down the legs (based on measurements of other children’s tables) a bit and giving it a coat (or 2) of paint in a lovely shade of sage-y green, I transformed that plain piece of particle board into
THIS!
Perfectly ‘Tea Party‘ sized!
But, I wasn’t done yet.

Because with my Simple Stencil Monogram, I knew I could give this little table just a bit more personality. After all, it’s new owner is not lacking in the Personality Department!
I have to tell you that this was HANDS-DOWN the easiest of these types of wall decals I have ever used! The last time I attempted to try something like this (from another company) it went horribly wrong and until I used my Simple Stencil, I was pretty sure that I was to blame. But, now I have been vindicated!
Because this could not have been more….well…SIMPLE!

TA DA!!!


Isn’t that darling? I am crazy for monograms!
And I was able to choose from a wide assortment of fonts and sizes. The double circle around it just adds so much impact don’t you think?

And here it is all ready and waiting for the tea party, which we had right away! We used pillows and a footstool for chairs but I am on the lookout for just the right ones.
We may have to see if Papa will make us some…hint hint…

So, what was my darling Princess up to while Mommy was working on this?
I thought she was quietly painting but when I went back downstairs I found this waiting for me….hmmmm…doesn’t that look like the beginning of a trail?
Let’s follow it!

Now you know why she is called Rascal #2!
Even Princesses have their moments.
 Be watching for an INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY coming up soon for our friends At The Picket Fence courtesy of The Simple Stencil!  We’d love you to pay a visit to The Simple Stencil.  You can visit them from the link in our sidebar.  
I think you’ll be as impressed with them as we are!

And don’t forget, not only will we be having our regularly scheduled party this week
 (link goes up Thursday afternoon!).

We are super excited to be bringing you another installment of

 THIS SATURDAY, will be our first ever
EASTER EDITION!
 
So get ready to link up all of your Easter/Spring crafts, decor, recipes, and inspiring stories. We will have a few things of our own to share as well!
We have seen so many amazing things already and we look forward to seeing much more.
 
So, to recap, that is Inspiration Friday and Sister Saturday.
Two Parties…one place….
 At the Picket Fence!
 
Thanks for meeting me here today,
 
Linking to these parties:
Nifty-Thrifty Tuesday
Saturday Spotlight
Decor to Adore Spring Party
Feathered Nest Friday
Friday’s Unfolded
Open House Party
Wow us Wednesday
Whassup Wednesday
Swing into Spring

  
Review Disclaimer: Reviewed products were provided by The Simple Stencil.  No monetary compensation was provided to At The Picket Fence in exchange for this review.   It is our desire to maintain the utmost integrity and forthrightness with our readers, therefore all reviews provided by At The Picket Fence are our honest and unbiased opinions.  Please see our Disclosure Policy for more information. 

23 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas, Reviews

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beverly@southernhomesweethome says

    April 13, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Very pretty .. thanks for sharing the stencil site.

    Reply
  2. Judy says

    April 13, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    What a great idea with the table. Absolutely love the stencil. I actually gasp when I saw the paint trail. Too cute (easy for me to say from this side of the computer monitor). Luckily it looks water-based so hopefully it cleaned up easily.

    Reply
  3. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    April 13, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Vanessa that table turned out so cute and I LOVE that big ol monogram!! Looks like someone wanted to paint a table for mommy too:) Martina

    Reply
  4. Amy @ 11Magnolialane says

    April 13, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    That’s a great idea for an inexpensive table, and super cute with the monogram too. Might need one of those for my little girl!
    Amy

    Reply
  5. Traci says

    April 13, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    The table turned out really cute. What a great idea!

    Reply
  6. michelle says

    April 13, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Vanessa this is so adorable!!! What a great idea to use that little table! See how creative you are! 🙂 I loved the paint trail, just know that this happens quite a bit at my house too. Either paint or dirt or one time it was lotion! 🙂
    Enjoy your tea parties!!
    Hugs!

    Reply
  7. Jo says

    April 13, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Love the stencil tea table,and soo cute to follow the paint trail,I think she heard something outside,and went to investigate.hehe

    If you have time,check out the herb garden me and the Mr made.
    ~Jo
    Lazy on Loblolly

    Reply
  8. Susan S. says

    April 13, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    What a great blog….glad I popped in! I have one of those little three legged tables; and I forsee and Monogram on it SOON! Too cute about your painting little princess. She’s trying to be just like Mom! I’ve added myself as a follower…hope you pop over and see me sometime soon! Happy Spring Ya’ll from Houston!

    Reply
  9. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    April 13, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    My kind of project there. I love me some stencils. I will have to check them out some time!

    Reply
  10. Farica says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    WOW!! I really love this! I want to thank you guys for your precious comments over on my blog. So excited to have found you!! I’m now your newest follower! YAY!!!!

    Reply
  11. NanaDiana says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    Great use for that table. I think I have 2 or 3 of those suckers stashed away. Remember when EVERYBODY had at least ONE or TWO of those? lol

    Love your stencil too-you are right-it came out perfect! And while you were making a perfect little table your little doll was making a perfect mess! Love it! xxoo Diana

    Reply
  12. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    April 14, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    The tea table is so sweet, Vanessa. Your rascal trail is too funny!

    Reply
  13. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    April 14, 2011 at 2:19 AM

    Hi Vanessa! I think it’s great that lately stencils have been making a come-back. I did my first stencil in our first house back in the late 80’s. They were very country then…the ones now are so much better. I love the way your little table turned out. I’m a sucker for a monogram! I’ll be back on Friday. ~Ann

    Reply
  14. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    April 14, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    Hi Vanessa, The little tea table turned out so cute! I love anything with a monogram. Thank you for joining my party and sharing this adorable table.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  15. classic • casual • home says

    April 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Darling tea table. I love stencils.

    Reply
  16. Debbie says

    April 14, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    The table is perfect as is the idea for making it. We had many a princess adventure trail around here when the girls were little too.

    Our play table is actually a nice sturdy round one. I’m glad I held on to it for the next generation if they are not easy to find these days.

    Reply
  17. Shelia says

    April 14, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Hi Vanessa! Oh, this little table is just the cutest thing! Love it. Now it looks like the Easter bunny has been to your house early as I’m seeing where he must have painted some eggs and got a wee bit messy? I know no darling tot did this! 🙂
    Thanks for popping in to see me and for your sweet comments on my bedroom. I’m honored.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  18. Kelly says

    April 14, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    You love monograms, so you are DEFINITELY a Southerner! 🙂 Love the table!

    Kelly

    Reply
  19. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    April 15, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I absolutely adore this project~ it’s an “L” after all! I am hosting a Springtime Craft and Project linky party today and I would love it if you would particpate.

    There is a giveaway involved. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    April 15, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    Love this sweet table Vanessa! Absolutely darling~ thanks for sharing at my party!!! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    April 20, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Thanks for coming by with your darling little table!!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  22. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    April 20, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Great use for the table! I have one of those too and haven’t come up with a project for it. But cutting the legs is genuis! So simple and easy but I would never have thought of it. It really is perfect for children.

    Awesome job and thanks for the sweet compliment about my table. I hope someone here likes it as much as you do! And is willing to pay for it :).

    Emily

    Reply
  23. Jen says

    April 21, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    Thank you for the idea! I wasn’t sure if paint would work – even with a primer..? Now I know 🙂

    Reply

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Yesterday on the way home from school I had the ra Yesterday on the way home from school I had the radio tuned to my daughter's favorite station and a song that was playing had a line in it that really stood out to me. It made reference to a 'season of the sticks' which I think its safe to say must mean winter. I thought that was such an accurate, albeiet kind of depressing, picture of this time of the year.

While we definitely have more than our fair share of evergreen trees here in Oregon, we also have plenty of trees and bushes that are reduced to sticks during the cold months. But, this morning as I looked out my kitchen window, greedily sipping from my mug of coffee, I marveled at the beauty of the winter sunrise. The sky was all pinks and oranges with frost on the rooftops and a little bit of fog. And, I realized that part of why it was so amazing is because I could see it more clearly through the sticks. The bare branches allowed me a view that I wouldn't be able to see if those same branches were covered in leaves. Being stripped down to almost nothing revealed something magnificent.

We have seasons of the sticks in our lives too, don't we? Times when we feel as though we've been stripped bare and left exposed. It's easy to think that this is a place where all is ugly and dark. And yet, just like the winter sunrise was more visible because of the bare branches, the vulnerability we feel in the winter season of our souls allows us to get a glimpse of beauty that we wouldn't see otherwise. In the lush, warm seasons it's so easy to become comfortable. But in the bare, cold seasons we recognize just how much we need to rely on the One who placed the stars in the heavens and is sovereign over all.

If you feel like your soul has been stripped bare and you've been left exposed and vulnerable, may I encourage you today to ask the Lord to help you to see the beauty in this 'season of the sticks'.

“Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:7
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