The Nativity

I wanted to share some Christmas shots of the Nativity that Roxanne Pierce and I get to decorate each year. This is always a special event for us in the hubub of retail- to pause, take a moment and reflect on the season. 

Check out the Amanas "Festival of Trees" The Tannenbaum Forest- in the village of Amana all proceeds go to Make A Wish! A wonderful dream come true for a little child. 

This is a photo of last year but it is always amazing- Go over and check out what we did this year!

Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Muharram. and Happy Kwanza...

Peace to all - 

We need peace and understanding-the foundation, the real underpinning of all of these faiths.

God Bless.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John 4:8

This quote best represents me...

The Truth is that we are always moving toward mystery and so we are far closer to what is real when we do not see our destination clearly- Rachel Remen

I never see my destination so I'm good - SB

Peace.

Our Christmas Open House

Please enjoy the pictures of our Hollyhock Doll and Garden Garments Christmas Open House! It is always so magical for the Holiday Season. We are busy decorating the Festhalle Barn for the Nativity right now -it is like a live Christmas Card and all donations go to Make-A-Wish. Come in for Prelude to Christmas December 5-7. Experience the magic of Christmas at Fern Hill and please be a patron to your local stores that matter to you.

Open House

Don't forget our Fern Hill Open House is this weekend! November 14 and 15. Please come in and have some cake...and wine! Check the latest and greatest with our Hollyhock Collection plus Fingerpaints Metallics and get a sneak peek of all of the wonderful things coming up for 2009. Irish Lace will release in Spring of '09 and a fun contemporary line called Urban Squares- I will also be putting patterns together to help people organize my 'unique' way of design! So come in and check out Christmas! Fern Hill's decked the halls just for you!

AQS Show

We had such a great experience at the AQS Show in Des Moines last month. Thanks to everyone who made Fern Hill a success! I was so nervous because it was our first 'big' fabric show and our unveiling of the Fern Hill Hollyhock Doll and Garden Garment Collection. I always get nervous about my new lines I always hope people understand my quirky ways of creating. But the line was well received and our booth was really fun! We will be doing more shows next year to release our lines as well as featuring other lines that we enjoy having in our store! So bring it on for 2009! Please check our websites for more information... www.fernhill.net www.stephaniebrandenburg.com and www.camelotcottons.com

Create!

Fern Hill is also hosting an Open House to officially celebrate our Hollyhock line and the shop is decked for Christmas! So come in and check us out November 14 and 15 to have some cake, cider, and wine!

La di da, la di da 'tis autumn...

It is actually getting chilly. This will be an exciting autumn! We just finished the Arts and Crafts Show in Dyersville. It was so much fun! I want to thank everyone who stopped by the booth to get a look at the Fern Hill Hollyhock Dolls and Garden Garments Collection. I am still sewing away on the project sheet. It is so awesome! I can't wait to share it with all of you! But I must say all of my dear friends have finished projects already! So come in and get a sneak peek at the line. We will be featuring the line at the AQS Show in Des Moines, October 8-11. I can't wait for all of you to see it and feel it in person. I will have original artwork as well to show you exactly what happens when I design!

My birthday went by. My daughter had senior pictures...'tis autumn.

thoughts

This blog is personal- 

As I listen to the domino effect of our economy and the staggering obstacles we face in a global sense, I think of all of the people in this world. When I was young I considered myself to be so important, meaningful- now I look at things and think I am one of many- just a part of this existence. I feel like I can do nothing and anything at the same time- 

When I think of my life I think of paint. My first thoughts are colors- The colors I see are deep blues, violent reds -all brushed with a dark varnish to give them the serious discussion they deserve. I miss my brothers- I kiss my babies and I  delight in the friendship of my husband.

I will paint through these times- I will see the beauty and work like hell to help others see it.

As my daughters used to say- Peace out... 

Junk Bonanza

Oh my gosh! I just returned from Junk Bonanza in Medina, MN. I was home at this show! Creativity everywhere! Here are some photos of our trip, booth set up, etc... Our friendly officer Mathew pulled us over for tire issues. Our new friend Steve helped us get the tires ready for the road! Barb Connor from Crosscreek Antiques and I went on the road to do this show together.

Here are some of the booth pictures. I met wonderful people. It was one of my favorite shows ever. But it was hard work. We load everything in ourselves and set it. When it is all done it is worth it. I am ready for the next one! Bring it on...;-)

My Birdie Sling!

I worked all day yesterday to make the Birdie Sling with my Dandelion Blowing Seeds fabric and black solid. I did a workshop at a wonderful shop Home Ec in Iowa City. This is a great little store and what a sewing refuge! Thanks to Cody and Elise at Home Ec (I hope I spelled the names right). I feel so liberated, after years of hand sewing it was nice to conquer the machine.

Thank you Aledo!

Good Morning-
I just got back from a wonderful quilt guild meeting in Aledo, Illinois. I want to thank Ruth Ann for inviting me and thank the guild for being so interested in my work and my chaotic creative process! It is always fun to see what quilters are creating out there and to meet new people. I will be finishing my last piece in the Irish Lace collection to submit for next Spring's line today so after I down the Starbuck's I think I'll be ready. Come in and see what everyone is talking about at Fern Hill!

Rochester!

I have just returned from a successful show in Rochester, MN. With a little help from my husband and my little guy we made it happen. Here are some photos of the booth. Enjoy! Thanks to everyone who supported Fern Hill at the booth! Please come in and see the store!

Creative Chaos

It is so exciting to share my experiences with everyone. I wanted to find a way to let people know that with creativity comes real chaos. I think to be open to creativity one has to be open to chaos, and that can be pretty daunting. My latest creative endeavors are the gorgeous cupola fountain, ornament and tool caddy on display at the Iowa State fair right now!
With the vision of Country Gardens Magazine I was able to complete a project I have had rolling around in my mind for over two years! This will be on display in the Discovery Gardens at the Fair until August 17th.
When the issue is released next year I will let you know about the chaos I got to experience in bringing the concept to reality.

In my personal life we are cleaning today and going school shopping. I would rather be painting!

The latest fabric line Hollyhock Dolls and Garden Garments is due out in about two weeks so I am very excited! It is always so great to see the line develop from my canvas to the fabric. The follow up line to that is Irish Lace. It will still incorporates Daylilies, Hollyhocks and throws some shamrocks in there and a flower surprise! never seen before in fabric!
I am so excited I can hardly wait for it to print- patience... something I don't have but sense I will need today as we shop!

Remember go to the Iowa State Fair!

Quiet Moments of Innovation

Got any rivers they say are uncrossable?