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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

September 24, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 33!

Inspiration Friday Graphic large
WOW!!! There was some serious partying going on here last weekend!
When it was all said and done, 295 of you had shared your incredible talent with us!
Our hearts desire is that you will come away from the Picket Fence each week feeling that you have been as close to attending a “real” party as possible. And whether there are 30 or 300 of you who join in the fun, we hope you find yourself being welcomed, encouraged, uplifted and inspired!
We are doing our best to visit as many of you as possible and we want you to know that even if we didn’t make it around to commenting on your post, we deeply appreciated you stopping by.
Please continue to mingle and visit with the other party-goers as well! It warms our hearts to see you all commenting on each other’s posts and forming new bloggy friendships as a result of connecting through our party, or one of the many other wonderful parties happening each week.
You aren’t the only ones who have been busy lately! We’ve been decorating the Picket Fence for Fall.
Here is a recap of what the Picket Fence girls have been up to this week….
Vanessa showed us how to make the most out of a $3 bag of Corn Husks!
As well as the first of two mantels she has dressed up for Fall.
This one is simple and sentimental!
Heather took on the challenge of copying Debbie at Refresh Restyle’s mantel, at last week’s Inspiration Friday, for a fun fresh look for fall…
and made a simple but beautiful transformation to a Dollar Tree pumpkin by painting and monogramming it

There will be lots more to show you in the coming weeks so be sure to check back to the Fence often.

We know you have been busy too and we can’t wait to see what you have been up to!
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But first, let’s get to our Features from last week’s party!
Amy from Blissful Blooms showed us how she and her very handy hubby transformed their garage into this incredible Homeschooling space. She loves all things vintage and has some really amazing pieces in here, right down to the good old-fashioned pencil sharpener. How many of us remember using those?
And, check out that card catalog. She scored that one for free!
And, while we are on the subject of fabulous vintage style, check out these absolutely darling Mason Jar Porch Light created by Courtenay of Creek Line House!
She and her family said buh-bye to suburbia and moved out to the country into a wonderful old Farmhouse, which they are slowly transforming into the home, and lifestyle, of their dreams.
Last week it seemed like there were tables, tables everywhere!
Here are just a couple that stood out to us.
Karen from Never Enough Thyme Creations  took this curbside table and with a wine cask as inspiration, went to work transforming into a beautiful work of art. Talk about creativity and skill!

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Rosemary  from Villabarnes shared how she repaired and painted a set of beautiful marble topped tables. She is one seriously talented gal and every week she amazes us with how she transforms pieces and helps them reach their full gorgeous potential!



Trisha from Sweetology created tiny little masterpieces when she made these
 CoCo Chanel inspired cupcakes! Can you believe how darling they are?
We would almost be afraid to bite into them…almost! 😉

 


And we just couldn’t resist sharing this next one!

We have featured her before but we had a little something to do with the room she linked up last week.
Lisa from House Dressing’s shared her beautiful Paris Inspired Guest Bath!
The part that meant the most to us was the addition of a gorgeous painting she puchased with the credit she won from our Joss and Main Giveaway!
Not only do we love hosting these giveaways, we love it even more when we get to see what you do with your winnings.

Thank you to all of our features this week as well as to all of you who share your amazing ideas, projects and inspiration with us each and every week! If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code 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:

stuffandnonsense
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 Inspiration Friday is sponsored by:

Simple Stencil

43 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « A Tale of Two Mantels…Part One
Next Post: My kitchen island transformation…Part One »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. FABBY'S LIVING says

    September 22, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Great features! Thank you for hosting such fun party. Hugs,
    FABBY

    Reply
  2. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    September 22, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Thanks so much for featuring my marble tops. Always a pleasure to join you. Love the other features.

    Reply
  3. refreshrestyle says

    September 22, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Thanks for the party! You guys rock! Debbie

    Reply
  4. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    September 22, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    LOVE your party! Thanks soo much for hosting ladies. I’m off to check out some links. = )

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  5. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    September 22, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Wonderful features ladies!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  6. Kristens Creations says

    September 22, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Great party! I added you to my sidebar so I won’t miss any of your posts. I messed up on my title…Fall living room dressed for fall! lol…Oh well! Thanks for hosting! Kristen

    Reply
  7. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  8. Poppy says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    I love your mantle vignettes, especially the ornate frame with the colorful leaves…a beautiful focal point! I like how you added the architectural element in front of it.And the corn husks wreath is absolutely adorable as well as so innovative.. loving all these inspiring ideas! Thanks for having us each week~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  9. Katie says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Love all the mantels and the features! Thanks for hosting!!

    Reply
  10. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Thanks for featuring my Guest Bathroom… and thanks a million times over for the Joss & Main gift certificate that inspired it! I have a feeling that the Irene Suchocki print will make it’s way into every room of my house at one point or another! I LOVE it, love it, love it!

    Reply
  11. Stuff and Nonsense says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    wow

    just shy of 300 linkups?
    fantastic

    all linked up for the week
    and glad to be back

    have a wonderful weekend girls!

    alison

    Reply
  12. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Wonderful features, girls. Love the mason jar light. Thanks for graciously hosting and have a great weekend.

    Reply
  13. Sherry says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    There is a lot of inspiration all over. It is amazing! Lots of talent! Thanks for hosting!
    Sherry

    Reply
  14. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    I so loved all of the corn husk ideas, that was just so clever and the mantels look look fantastic. Your features are unreal also. Such fabulous talent everywhere. Thanks so hosting such a fun party. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  15. Katie says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    So happy to be linking here! Found your lovely blog through Stuff and Nonsense. Thanks for hosting 🙂

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Katie@Little Things Bring Smiles

    Reply
  16. Honey at 2805 says

    September 22, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Thanks for your creative ideas and being gracious hostessess!

    Reply
  17. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    September 22, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Hey lovelies,

    Well, you have no idea how over the moon I am to find I can link up on Thursday evening, instead of being always super late on Friday morning!!

    Yay for me!!

    Sarahxxx

    Reply
  18. Debbie says

    September 22, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    I love that mason jar light. I would never have thought of it. Hoping to cruise some links and get inspired.

    Reply
  19. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    September 22, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Thanks for hosting the party! Have a great weekend ladies!

    Reply
  20. SavannahGranny says

    September 22, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Ladies, I am excited to publish my 100th post. I know that is not a lot for most people but I am very happy to made this milestone and to have met so many wonderful people.
    I would like to say Thank You for supporting new and challenged bloggers like me. You are always eager to share your knowledge and promote others in their endeavors. What you do is important to the virtual community in which we dwell. Vanessa and Heather, you are both a blessing.
    Many thanks,Ginger

    Reply
  21. Diann says

    September 22, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Lots of fun and pretty inspiration you are sharing today! Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  22. Bella Vista Cottage says

    September 22, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Love the features.

    Thanks so much for hosting this fun event.

    Barb ♥

    Reply
  23. NanaDiana says

    September 23, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    Amazing talent out there! Wow! I have seen several of those blogs but some are brand new to me- gonna make my way over and check some of them out! Fun! xo Diana

    Reply
  24. Courtenay@Creek Line House says

    September 23, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    Thanks for the great feature! That was fun!

    Reply
  25. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    September 23, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    Ladies, Thanks for all the inspiration and for hosting each week. You are appreciated!
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  26. Kerry Rossow says

    September 23, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    I love the Coco cupcakes!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

    Reply
  27. Marla and Steve @ Always Nesting says

    September 23, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    It’s a busy party going on here, lol. It took forever for my link to load. Thank you so much for hosting the party!

    Reply
  28. June Scott says

    September 23, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    Thanks for hosting, Heather & Vanessa! Awesome stuff last week! This week is shaping up nicely too! Be sure you check out #4 – really neat post and stunning photos!

    Reply
  29. Coley says

    September 23, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Thanks for hosting! I’m sorry I linked up the same thing twice 🙁 It wasn’t working so I tried twice…woopsies!

    Reply
  30. Debra @ Common Ground says

    September 23, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    Hi Gals, just linked up, hope you’re having a great week!! xoxo

    Reply
  31. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Hey girls~ All linked up~ thanks for hosting!! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Becca says

    September 23, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Thanks for hosting, friends! Fabulous features … still loving that stenciled coffee table … wow! And, Vanessa, GUESS what I bought at the grocery store ?! You inspired me … hope it turns out 1/4 as beautiful as yours did! Can’t wait to try this … thanks again! xoxo

    Reply
  33. Robin @ Happily Home, After says

    September 23, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    Vanessa and Heather,

    Didn’t mean to post to the party last night and dash away without leaving a comment … doorbell rang, phone rang, those kind of things, and I forgot to come back here! But returning this morning has allowed me to visit a few more blog posts that were added and I’m really inspired … potential project list growing. I’m getting the message I need some pumpkins in my life!

    Thanks for the great party,
    Robin
    happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com

    Reply
  34. CalypsoInTheCountry says

    September 23, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    I am loving those corn husk ideas! Can’t wait to check out more! Thanks for hosting today!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  35. Kathleen says

    September 23, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Thanks for hosting! I am your newest follower and Newbie! Can you tell? I linked twice, LOL!

    Reply
  36. michelle says

    September 23, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    I absolutely love what you girls have been doing for fall decorating, everything looks so beautiful. I love fall mantels, so cozy. 🙂
    I hope you both have a wonderful weekend!!
    xoxo

    Reply
  37. Dusty Coyote says

    September 24, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    Thanks for a great party! So many great links. It was a blast.

    Reply
  38. CraveCute says

    September 24, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  39. Wendy says

    September 24, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Thanks for hosting & for the inspiration this week! I posted a link to my copycat version of Vanessa’s corn husk wreath!

    In my attempt to crop my own image, I messed up & the link picture didn’t work, so I linked up again. Feel free to delete link #272.

    Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fall Decorating with Hurricane Vases | Amanda Jane Brown says:
    November 27, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    […] Fall Decorating with Hurricane Vases September 22, 2011 · by Amanda · 55 Comments Do you have a “go-to” decorative item that you use for every season and you never tire of?  The Willow House Hemingway Hurricanes are two of my favorite versatile pieces that I change out many times a year.  Fall is here (at least the calendar says so), and I decided to go with a natural look for these hurricanes, and I love how they turned out! While I’ve had these hurricanes for years, I have seen many different versions at places like Target, Hobby Lobby, and even Wal-Mart. For this project, I chose corn kernels, small red beans, and split peas.    Place the candle in the empty hurricane, then begin pouring the beans in very slowly around the candle to the desired level.  Repeat layers with different beans. I tied a double string of simple jute (found at Hobby Lobby craft section) for an extra natural touch. The color combination possibilities are endless with so many rich fall colors to choose from!  Specialty grocery stores have self-serve bins of dried lentils that you can choose from, as well.  A white candle would be a beautiful contrast!  The beans/corn are pretty enough to stand alone without the candle, like this “candy corn” display from last year at Halloween… To make the “candy corn,” I used Black beans, White Northern Beans, and Red Lentils Tie a fun ribbon or let them stand alone! Pinterest is full of ideas using beans and other natural elements.  Look around for other color combinations! If you put one of these together, I’d love to see it. Happy Fall, Y’all!    Linking to: 320 Sycamore Tidy Mom Tatertots and Jello Best DIY Project of September Transformation Thursday Wow Us Wednesdays Very Merry Vintage Style Trendy Treehouse Amaze Me Monday Seasonal Sundays Frugal Friday Thrifty Thursday Transformation Thursday Weekend Bloggy Reading Keep It Simple Inspiration Friday […]

    Reply
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    January 4, 2013 at 7:13 PM

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    March 1, 2013 at 8:02 AM

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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….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

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.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

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.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

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.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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