The dark days of December made brighter by snow

The snow last weekend delivered a dose of holiday spirit. A beautiful blanket of white covered the my Nest, Littlebrick, and Echo - the house next door that my husband and I are renovating to be our home. The snow eventually showed in my work and I carved a new selection of snowflake Victorian Lace Eggs!

Feathered Nest OPEN HOUSE Sunday, September 25th

Rain or shine; all are invited 

FALL OPEN HOUSE  

Feathered Nest - Sunday, Noon to 4pm

Maintaining an online etsy shop presents a challenge in managing my time and energy. I makes it necessary to limit the days I receive clients here in my Bishop Hill showroom, The Feathered Nest. Though I try to make myself available whenever new visitors discover me at the edge of town, I advertise that my hours are by appointment.

But I am trying something new...

In response to kind inquiries and requests to open on event weekends, I've scheduled an Open House for all those who have shown interest in my work. I invite you to stop by during Sunday's Jordbruksdagarna celebration (Bishop Hill's harvest festival) to browse my seasonal selection of dried flowers, wreaths, and eggs.

And a book launch too!

I am also pleased to host a book launch for my dear friend Mary Davidsaver. Her newly published novel, Clouds Over Bishop Hill, is a mystery set right here in Bishop Hill. Mary will be reading to visitors and signing books from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday at the Bishop Hill Museum and on Sunday she will here at the Feathered Nest from 2pm to 4pm.  Please plan to stop in for a very warm welcome!

Maple Leaf Roses Are Easy-peasy To Make!

The golden days of Autumn are almost here in Bishop Hill. For me, that means it's time to make some maple leaf roses.

Click here for a step-by-step pictorial how-to.

Mother Nature has finally caught up with me. Just weeks ago I had to rely on dye to tint my dried materials the fiery shades of fall. The crispness of autumn is approaching to the delight of all. Just as the maples that dot my grounds start to lose the lush green of summer, I gather the brightest, most vivid of the falling leaves and turn them into roses for a beautiful fall display.

It is a wonderful way to enjoy the day with family and friends or as a solitary exercise in communing with Nature.

Beautiful Balloon In My Bishop Hill Backyard

I was out weeding one Sunday evening; it was the tail end of a busy weekend here in Bishop Hill, IL. The Fiber Fest had attracted record crowds and the members of the Illinois Association of Wheat Weavers were packing up and heading home. I heard an odd noise above my head: “phissh, phissh, phissh” a pause and “phissh, phissh, phissh” again. I looked up to see the flame of this marvelous aerial conveyance cycling on and off as it clipped the tree tops and settled softly in the hayfield across the lane. I often refer to Bishop Hill as “enchanted” (especially for those who have never visited) and nothing illustrates that description more than this vision of a hot air balloon bobbing up and down around the village giving residents and their guests rides – and a unique perspective on this quaint utopian village.

It's Time To Make Some Everlasting Wreaths!

Most of this year's flower drying and dyeing is done, yet the harvest rolls on. The garden will continue to produce armloads of strawflowers and gomphrena until a killing frost calls a halt to the growing season. 

Now it's time for some real fun! I've already started to make beautiful wreaths from the abundance of blooms gathered from my 2016 garden. These will add a warm glow to any room - even as the cold winds of winter blow.

Like what you see? I'll be listing these one-of-a-kind treasures in my etsy shop. They'll be available to purchase so that you, too, can add a little bit of summer color to your walls.