Rohling Studios

Creative Souls

Visit Creative Souls

My blog friend Izabella has started a wonderful group called "Creative Souls".  I met Izabella when I began my blog two and a half years ago.  I loved her work immediately and asked her if I could feature it.  Now Izabella has gathered over four-hundred creative souls all in one wonderful site!  It is a diverse gathering of people who love creativity, a place she has made where artists can help promote each other.  She says~All creative people welcome~

After Work!

  Did you like cracker jacks…not so much for the tasty treat but for the surprise inside? Is the best part of your Chinese takeout the fortune cookie? Then these books are for you because each one is like opening a new present! No two are alike!!! I was given a handmade journal by someone very special to me. It meant so much to me that I had to sit down and play with the process of making more of them for myself. This month my sister and I spent some time making these one of a kind altered journals especially for PFATT. Now understand that we believe in coloring outside of the lines and that mistakes are a part of life so please know that each book is made with love and care; however, we accept no responsibility for tiny imperfections and will not admit as to whether they were intentional or not. We hope you enjoy our sense of humor. Journals can be used to jot down your day's highlights, write your music, draw your designs, keep your secret thoughts, or store addresses. You might even use your journal as a place to write down your favorite recipes or simply keep your grocery lists and carry them to the store in style.

Cindy made this journal for the creative soul and fun at heart. It’s vamp dancer on the front cover.  It also has Typewriter Keys below her that spell out “DANCE”. The back cover has a long red envelope to hide your innermost secret of dreams. The book is definitely for the person with an off beat sense of humor. It also contains many surprises inside.

And lastly this little pink journal is for a sweet someone special. With its vintage ephemera and feminine touches it would be perfect for anyone’s inner child. Once again we stress that these journals are all one of a kind .  All of them are available through PFATT this month only along with work from numerous other artisan's and crafters.   To see them click HERE

Connecting Threads

Snow is predicted AGAIN for this evening so I find myself needing some reminders that spring is indeed going to happen here.  One of my favorite sites to visit is Connecting Threads.  It is chock-full of ideas and beautiful material.  This is their Country Blossoms Quilt Kit.  I am picturing myself just having finished this quilt and sitting at the beach or the park with it's lush green grass.  In my mind the grandchildren are on the swings and I am watching my own brood of grown up children pushing them gently and laughing together.  Of course the sunlight will be a plus...I can feel it's imaginary warmth on  my arms and the back of my neck.  There is cold home made lemonade, seven layer salad, baked beans and the smell of brats on the grill.  All these images come from a simple picture of a quilt. 

If you are in need of some eye candy or perhaps in the market for some beautiful fabric be sure to go over and visit them at Connecting Threads.  I promise you hours of browsing and lots of good imagery to stir around in your mind.  Hmmmmm maybe it is breakfast on the patio with a dear friend!  When are you free???

 

Happy Easter/Whateverings/Paula J Becker

Happy Easter Everyone!  It's a good thing to see that the bunnies are hard at work UNDER the ground because we just got socked with the biggest snow storm we have had all year!!! This cute little illustration is the work of Illustrator Paula J. Becker.  Paula is a fellow Ilustration Friday participant.  She has been freelancing as an illustrator For over 15 years.  Born and raised in South Texas, she moved to Montreal, Quebec in 2000, though she retains a studio space in Texas so she "can escape the insufferable Canadian winters!" (Apparently no one has told her about Wisconsin!!)  Her blog enables her to "be in contact with others in our field, to post her creative endevors, and work on her writing skills".  I am glad to have met her and to be one of the fortunate ones to have gotten in contact with her.  Thanks, Paula, for letting me post your Illustration.  I hope you take time to visit her blog HERE and her website HERE.

Jackie Garbino

Check out Jackie Garbino's site to purchase wonderful old images for collage or any holiday item you may want to make.  She has a wonderfully delicious collection of papers and images for sale.  Her shipping is prompt and Jackie is so nice to know....her website is at Altered Images.  Be sure to tell her I sent you!

Busy, Busy, Busy.... !

These pictures were taken by Paul on our jaunt last Sunday!  If you are ever in Elkhart Lake, WI be sure to stop at the Feed Mill Shops.  You'll enjoy the  eclectic collection of shops housed within the totally renovated historic Elkhart Lake Feed Mill. The Feed Mill  was in use when I was a child. My cousin, Van, now has his photo studio here.  He is a wonderful photographer and does beautiful work with children. 

   

After our jaunt in Elkhart we were getting hungry so we were off to Plymouth to find a bite to eat.  This cute little Irish Pizza place called to us....Have you ever had Guiness with your pizza before?  They had the greatest vegetarian pizza that I have ever had!

Here is Paul's version of the interior.

Here is my version of Paul and Laura checking out all the pictures we took!

It must be mentioned here that Laura has exceptional patience with us when we are together because there is nothing we will not stop and photograph!  I simply love her to pieces!

After wards several of the antique shops beckoned to us and we did a little browsing.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the HC Prange box on the right.  Pranges was the large department store in Sheboygan.  I received lots of sweaters wrapped in these boxes!!!  It never occurred to me that the BOXES would end up in the window of an antique store.  (See Jake!  That must be where I get it from!)  He loves to tease me because I always say things will be an antique some day!  This must be proof positive!  An HC Prange box is for sale as an antique in the window of an antique shop in Plymouth.  I learned in math a long time ago...."A+B=C, therefore; "C-B=A".  Do you follow me?  It makes sense to me...This is the Claudia world of logic.  I hope you get to do some rambling around during this little bit of time left before Christmas!

Sam I Am

 

HURRY!  I just visited my friend, Sandy's blog and saw her invite to her blog.  I had to pass it on even if I was a little bit late!  Sandy is a fun friend and artist.  She is really multi talented...go and see for yourself...need a banner...a painting...a piece of jewelry...a really cute card?...You will find it here!

The Honey Girl Studio

If you want to see Art and Halloween combined hop on over to Tootie's blog, The Honey Girl Studio.  I love this little pendant.  Isn't it adorable? 

 

She is so full of creativity!  I don't know what I like more.....

This little cute ATC image she entitled, "The Pumpkin Hunter", or this.........

 

little shadow box called "Keeper of the Crows" , or.....

if any of those didn't get your attention how about this cute little elementary school sized chair all painted up and pretty!  She calls herself "a three hour artist".  Go over and visit her and you can ask her for yourself what she means!

Fishing in Fall

I finally went fishing !!!!  Well, I didn't fish but someone did!  My friends David and Amanda and their children Madison and Kara called and said, "Do you want to go fishing?"....and you know I jumped on at it!  It is hard for me to hook up and launch the boat alone.  I told David that I had wanted to go fishing all summer and he encouraged me not to get the boat winterized just yet and that we would go out.  When he called I was thinking of all kinds of reasons to stay at home but then it was like I could hear Madison's giggle in the background....and the call of the water combined with an afternoon of friends I love.  So I scurried around as fast as my scurrier would go to get ready!  David caught this!

           

and then he threw it back.

His daughter caught this...(Notice the Barbie Pole....Daddy had to get the fish off the hook for her...it's not really his).

They threw this one back too!

 

Here is Amanda...she and I talked girl talk and played with the kids while David did the fishing.

I wish I could share the pictures of the kids but my kids made me aware of the fact that they didn't want their children on-line.  When I thought about it, I had to agree.  With all the silly things that happen I don't put their pictures on the blog.  Sorry....You will have to take my word that a great time was had by all.  Madison and I spent the afternoon catching rainbow colored mermaids from the seaweed kingdom below and then set them free.  We secretly fed the fish pretzels off the back of the boat while her father fished from the front.  We pretended that the boat bumper was a very large white fish she had caught.  We ate sub sandwiches that David and Amanda stopped to buy before we left.  And then, as the sun was setting we pulled the boat out of the water at dusk and drove home in the dark.  I get to sit in the back seat with the kids and play all the way there and all the way home.  Madison and I were laughing so loud that David had to tell us to "quiet down back there or I will have to ground you!"  *More Loud Laughter*!  We had been busy catching pirate ships out of the black sky.  We pulled into the driveway.  David backed it in without having to move all the other cars in and around it.  *Lots of hugs* ....As I stood in the driveway waving good bye I thought about the little baths and bedtime stories they still had before they could rest for the night!  I walked up the drive way with a smile on my face....I went to a world where I played with Madison and multicolored dolphins while they ate pretzels from our hands today! What a Great Day!

Red Shoes Blog

                          

Meet Catherine Thursby, artist, seamstress, shop owner, and designer of Red Shoes.  I love the eye candy in her blog, and on her website for her little shop located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Aren't these pillows eye catching?  The little soaps, each with its own colorful face peeking out are cute for any child or for some of us who still treat ourselves to fun little things. 

  When visiting her, be sure you have lots of energy to keep up! I have a feeling that Catherine is overflowing with ideas and that a paintbrush, needle and thread are attached to her at all times!  Here is what she says about herself:  "I like to make things, I am a mom to two children, 8 and 3, a wife, and small business owner.
I have a little shop called Red Shoes, I am never on time for anything, and I bring my dog to work with me daily.
I tend to obsess over things, love my family, friends and music. Am
crazy about vintage goods, and love Art."
Visit her!  She is truly and refreshing person to meet!