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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • 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!
picketfence_20010
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
  2. DIY – Dollarstore White Lion Bookends | Sweetsuite10.com says:
    January 4, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    […] to: The Shabby Nest, At the Picket Fence, Remodelaholic, Addicted 2 Decorating, Making the world cuter, Coastal Charm, Polish the stars, […]

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  3. I’m feeling Aqua Blue - Petticoat Junktion says:
    March 1, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    […] Gals Turquiose lovin’ The Brambleberry Cottage  Time Travel Thursday At the Picket Fence  Inspiration Friday A Little Knick Knack  Everything but the Kitchen Sink Perfectly […]

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  4. Door Decor - Refresh Restyle says:
    February 12, 2014 at 6:17 PM

    […] Sharing at these great places: At The Picket Fence […]

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
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