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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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    • Featured

August 12, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 27!

Inspiration Friday Graphic
What a great turnout at last week’s party! We know we have said it before (probably several times!) but we hope you all know just how much we appreciate you. We were talking this week on the phone about how truly special our bloggy friendships are and how blessed we feel to be among a group of people whose love for their families and homes spills over into genuine care for each other in this unique community.
You guys are the best!!
Before we get to the Features from last week’s Inspiration Friday party, Vanessa is going to share with you how she created one-of-a-kind invitations for her daughter’s Tea Party themed Birthday this year.
The full reveal of the party will be next week so be sure to watch for it!
Take it away Vanessa…
When mommy Lauren decided she would like to have a Tea Party for her 4th Birthday, I was more than eager to create unique invitations for the 3 little girls who would be attending.
I scoured Goodwill looking for just the right teacups but they were either too ugly unattractive or too expensive (no joke!).
 When I found these oversized teacups at Marshalls I felt like I had struck Tea Party gold!
I picked up a bunch of these silk flowers on Clearance at Michaels and cut the stems down.

Bundled together and wrapped with twine, they fit perfectly inside the teacups.

Then I found a darling sheet of teapot scrapbook paper which was perfect for the actual invitation.
I cut them into small squares… 

and attached the party details to the reverse side.
A little pink bow on the corner topped it off!
I placed the invitations in photo holders and tucked them down inside the teacups.
These were hand delivered to Lauren’s little friends and served as an extra party favor!
Now, be sure to come back on Tuesday to check out the rest of the party details!
picketfence_20010
Let’s get to our Features now, shall we?
We flipped for this absolutely adorable idea shared with us by Michelle of Our Wonderfilled Life.
This Removable Teepee is seriously clever and Michelle gives an excellent tutorial on how to make this yourself. And, get this, she manages to get all of this done while raising 5 boys…including a set of QUADRUPLETS!! You are our hero Michelle!
Next up we have these darling Calla Lily Sandwiches by Trish from Sweetology. How cute are those?
We are thinking Vanessa might have to convice her daughter to have another Tea Party next year just so she can make these!
And our lovely friend Sarah from Modern Country Style not only got to meet THE Annie Sloan, she also used the amazing Chalk Paint to transform her Dining Room table into this gorgeous beauty!
Next up we have the gals from Tres Chere Vintage Market, who shared with us this gorgeous vignette they created for a friend. Now, we were a bit concerned when we saw the title to their link was “Don’t Poo on our Parade”….that might be the first time we have seen the word “Poo” pop up at Inspiration Friday!
But once you read the hilarious post you will understand completely and appreciate the final results even more!

And finally we have this incredible Beach Condo Makeover shared with us by Suzy from
Worthing Court. You absolutely must go over and check out what this looked like before!
They did an amazing job transforming this vacation home.
If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button located in our sidebar!

Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook?  Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well! Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week!  We appreciate you!
Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends
The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage

Our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense

Stuff and Nonsense
And the gracious Debra from Common Ground

vif187


Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!
  • Friend At The Picket Fence in some capacity
  • Link Up any post you’ve written that has Inspired You and will Inspire Others-it can be a home improvement project, craft, recipe, story, devotional…if it inspires link it up!
  • Be sure to link back to your original post and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code in the sidebar) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY)
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows and especially during the busy summer months, sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize.  It makes us feed good knowing others are visiting people as well!  Thank you..it truly means a lot to us!
We would love to recommend this fabulous post over at Crafter Minds for a quick tutorial on partying at a linky party! We couldn’t say it better ourselves! “Linky Party Like a Dinner Party?”
This week’s Inspiration Friday is sponsored by

42 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. NanaDiana says

    August 11, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Oh- I have to come back later tonight when I have the chance to visit each one of your features blogs. Love them ALL~ xo Diana

    Reply
  2. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    August 11, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    What a fancy party invitation idea. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  3. Debra @ Common Ground says

    August 11, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Love the idea of the tea party and those adorable tea cups, can’t wait to see more! thanks so much for the great party, love ya’ll bunches, xoxo Debra

    Reply
  4. Honey at 2805 says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Love the teacups! Thanks ladies for hosting!

    Reply
  5. Sherry says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    What adorable party invitations! Lovely little cups. Thanks you for having us over. Much inspiration here.
    Sherry

    Reply
  6. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Love the teacups!

    Reply
  7. Catie says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Hi Ladies! What great picks this week. I LOVE that beach house/condo. Soo cute. I was emailing back and fourth with Suzy talking about her space and my sunroom. She’s soo sweet!

    Vanessa – What a great idea on the party invites. I can’t wait to see the rest of the pics from the party.

    Thanks soo much for hosting ladies. Hope you both have a great weekend. : )

    Reply
  8. Richella says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    That must have been one spectacular tea party–those are the cutest invitations I’ve ever seen! What a wonderful idea for a memorable celebration.

    I will just go on record right now as saying that I think that 4-year-olds ROCK. I loved that stage of my boys’ growing-up years! Do y’all know the Christopher Morley poem about four-year-olds?

    The greatest poem ever known
    Is one all poets have outgrown:
    The poetry–innate, untold–
    Of being only four years old.

    Speaking of boys, I’ve made a bit of progress on LegoLee’s room. He now has a bed complete with upholstered headboard, which I’ve linked to your party. He’s loving it–and he requested that it be pushed against the wall so that nothing can fall down beside it. Hallelujah!

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  9. Debbie--https://refreshrestyle.com/ says

    August 11, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Love all the features! Thanks for hosting such a fun party!
    Debbie

    Reply
  10. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    August 11, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Love a tea party and the invitations are fantastic. Thanks for hosting such a fun party. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  11. The Summer Porch says

    August 11, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    Thank you for hosting once again! I love those teacups. There are so many talented people out there!
    Hugs Rosemary…xx

    Reply
  12. Tres Chere Vintage Market says

    August 11, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    Hello Ladies! Thank you so much for featuring our “Poo Parade” post! You are wonderful! Oh and thank you again for hosting another fabulous Link Party!

    Angela & Debbie

    Reply
  13. bj says

    August 11, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    Love the cups and flowers..just precious.
    Thanks so much for hosting..

    Reply
  14. janet says

    August 12, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    Happy to be in the company of so many wonderful links!

    Thanks for hosting.

    Janet xox

    https://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  15. Lynn@ The Vintage Nest says

    August 12, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    I bet there were some squeals of delight when those little girls got their invites. I will definitely put that one in my files for my big girl tea party this Spring. Many thanks for hosting this fun party. xo

    Reply
  16. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    August 12, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    Hi, Girls! Vanessa, what an adorable idea for party invitations!
    You guys picked some great inspiration for this week. I’m off to take a closer look!

    Reply
  17. Liz says

    August 12, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    The cups and flowers are so pretty! Thanks for hosting, ladies! =) XO ~Liz

    Reply
  18. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    August 12, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    Hi Ladies! Thank you for hosting this week. Vanessa, The tea party invitations and cups are an adorable idea. Happy birthday to your daughter.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  19. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    Hey girls!! Super cute invitations Vanessa!! Just darling! Thanks for hosting today!! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  20. Carrie @ Fine & Handy says

    August 12, 2011 at 5:40 AM

    I need to get me some cute tea cups. Great ideas! Thanks for hosting and have a great week!

    Reply
  21. Michelle@ourwonderfilledlife.com says

    August 12, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    First, I am so glad to see more of the tea party, those invitations are just precious, perfect paper!!

    I don’t think I can contain my excitement any longer! Thank you so much for featuring the removable teepee, so fantastic!! It is sooo greatly appreciated, and what wonderful company to be in!

    Truly so great, thank you!!
    {hugs}
    Michelle

    Reply
  22. Sandra says

    August 12, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    I sure do like the Poo Parade one! Actually, everything is so pretty! Thank you for hosting this fun party!
    Blessings,
    Sandra

    Reply
  23. Becca says

    August 12, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    What a beautiful invitation … and a lucky little girl! Knowing Vanessa, I’m sure not one detail was left out … I can’t wait to see pics! And, thanks for hosting, ladies … I crashed your party twice this week! xoxo

    Reply
  24. Ginger Zuck says

    August 12, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    This is the neatest! Those teacups with the flowers are just stunning!

    Reply
  25. Wendy says

    August 12, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    Can’t wait to see more of the tea party details!

    Thanks for hosting the party!

    Reply
  26. Stuff and Nonsense says

    August 12, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    i had a tea party birthday for my daughter’s 5th and it was so sweet and fun…since then we’ve had a few holiday tea parties just for fun and they’re always a hit…all linked up for the week!

    alison

    Reply
  27. stefanie says

    August 12, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    so many pretty links….thanks!

    Reply
  28. Kathy says

    August 12, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    Marvelous teacup! With the silk flowers and the beautiful paper – it makes a gorgeous vignette!
    Thank you for hosting this fun party,
    Kathy

    Reply
  29. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says

    August 12, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    I love a tea party… thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  30. Petie@inspirednesting.com says

    August 12, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    How cute! I love that your 4yo wanted a tea party bday. That scrap paper is perfect, always amazed at the choices of papers out there. My 4yo had a Mardi Gras party/parade and she was the queen…..6 years ago!

    Tks for hosting a great party 🙂 Enjoy the sunshine…

    Reply
  31. Christine @ Stonehouse Living says

    August 12, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Hi Vanessa & Heather,

    Love the old fashioned tea party theme…so sweet!! What a great keepsake the invitations are! I thought I would drop by with this garden tour, that My Husband and I went on. Thank you for your such a lovely party. Have a great weekend!!
    All the Best,
    Christine

    Reply
  32. Karena says

    August 12, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    Your party invitations and favors are so perfect!! I love all of the creativity and artistry here!! Will be back!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

    Reply
  33. Carrie's The Created Home says

    August 12, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Hi! Love your blog! I am a new follower and decided to link up! Stop by and say hi sometime! Happy Friday!

    Reply
  34. A Cozy Cottage in the City says

    August 13, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    Thank you once again for hosting. This is my 2nd time linking up with you guys. I look forward to visiting the other blogs on here! 🙂 Have a great weekend!

    Best,
    Jessie

    Reply
  35. Sue says

    August 13, 2011 at 3:04 AM

    Can’t wait to see the rest of the fabulous tea party!
    Happy Weekend you two!

    Reply
  36. Charlotte says

    August 13, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    Great idea! Very colorful and so lovely. The card paper is perfect!

    Charlotte

    Reply
  37. laxsupermom says

    August 13, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Terrific features! Those calla lily sandwiches are so creative! Thanks for sharing and for hosting this party each week.

    Reply
  38. Suzy says

    August 13, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Oh my goodness! I’m a little behind on reading my fav blogs because I am sitting at the very beach house that you featured here on your blog. Thank you so, so much!!!! Being a newbie blogger, this is such a thrill for me! I am proud to display your button on my sidebar.

    Reply
  39. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    August 13, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Your tea party invitations are really wonderful and creative! Love the oversized tea cups, too!

    Reply
  40. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    August 14, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    Hi lovely girls, thank you SO much for featuring my Annie Sloan adventures, and my dining room table makeover. You’ve really and truly put a biiiig smile on my face. Sarahxx

    Reply
  41. Design Dork says

    August 14, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Those teacups are adorable! Wish we had a marshalls here!

    Reply

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I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
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…It was just the beginning!
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Where are things collecting in your house right now?
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I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

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If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

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If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

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