Connie's Studio

Repurposed Shelving and Cubbies--
 the one on the left are 2 legal size drawers stacked
 on top of each other one on the right has a screen door backing- repainting things all white helped to bring a lifetime of odds and ends into a pleasing place to store and organize

   

How to make use of every shelf and vertical space-
 punch holder is an antique wire shelf

Matilda's ( the vintage dress form)  corner--
with antique shoe display shelf on the left,
 vintage door  for the corner and bottom right
 is a glimpse of the antique oak coffin--
 (a long story and not everyone has to 
decorate around this in their home studio)

Vintage green glass container- 
perfect for ribbons

Old Cast off shelf from New York
 salvage on top of a metal and oak trunk,
 Oak bookcase stacked with quilts and the sewing area 
with wall unit with lots of wonderful cubbies.

Vintage display case of some kind and repurposed to display stamps

Just in case I need to dress up to create- 
Spring basket is a Rebecca Ersfeld  creation-
made from a crochet skein

old rugs and hand made oak Amish table 

My grandmother's shoe holder repurposed for laces,
 crochet and all things
frilly and hung on a door

There is something a little daunting about revealing 

your creative work place.  

The joy of putting this together has been fun 

to share with family and friends. 

An underused bedroom now that we have

 grown children has become a place to BE ME

 and all that the Lord

 has brought together in this time and place.

Will share more photos soon of the details. 

 A special thank you to Rebecca Ersfeld and Diane Marra on giving me the courage to

 Create my own CREATIVE SPACE. 

May it bless others too.

The generations of women of faith

Faith Blessings Fabric Journal

Catherine Elizabeth Rhode Riebeling-
 My great grandmother

Anna Ellen Bauer Riebeling- My Grandmother

The Bauer Sisters and Family

Katherine Elizabeth Riebeling Graft

Constance and Katherine-
 the button was once in my
 grandmother's button box

                                    Virginia Denninger Sisters- 
                                       Sara Jessica and Laura

Three generations of Denningers

Great Grandmother Bertha
 and daughter Helen Denninger

As the Fall continues

Back door welcome

a very happy begonia

the impatient waits for frost

A Thanksgiving Journal- Singing a Song of Praise

The cover of the journal for the Meier Family

A time to capture the journey of living 
in thankfulness and capturing the journey

                               An ABC Thanksgiving Poem

A card saved for Jessica from

 Grandpa and Grandma Denninger

 A pocket with a handout of thoughts and ideas for Thanksgiving celebrations

How do we bless our children 

with the gifts of a lifestyle of thanking?

Part of the gift is to capture the stories of celebrations, traditions, and the people and food of this American family holiday.  A few years ago we began to collect what we could of the stories and were quickly amazed how "we forgot" and could not remember gatherings even a few years back. So as part of the help for telling the faith stories, I made each daughter a Thanksgiving album.  In it are cards from their growing up years, notes on how we celebrated, maybe a handout or two, and notes and letters.

This could collect favorite family recipes in the future and the funny and more somber stories of gratitude.  Each daughter is presented this book as they are married- as a bridge between their "old" family and the connections to their "new" family. A favorite family collectible are old Thanksgiving postcards- some dating back 100 years. Copies are included for their own holiday decorating ideas.

The journal is to be as much a part of the Thanksgiving gathering as turkey,

 football and pumpkin pie. 

May it bless each of their families as their faith stories of who, what, and where unfold and they sing a song of praise.

Each journal is an 8 1/2 by 11 sketchbook with a fabric cover.

 Bible verses are added to center the heart of gratitude and embellishments are added for fun.

Kayak Prayers at Fountainhead

and the Glory of the Lord shown all around......

Praying for the City of Richmond

The past two days I have been in Richmond, Virginia for the Spiritual Life Team of our Church District.  To gather to check in with one another, encourage, and see where the Holy Spirit is working in our lives.  Old friends and new friends.


Richmond Hill sits high above the city and looks down on the hustle of the surroundings and yet is caught in a step- away from the world centering. time to pray for the work of mission and ministry and those who carry out the call...the clergy and the laity.
The water pours forth and the sound is alive, reminding me that the water-giver and the work of the Spirit   MOVES

The sun filtered through the October days and we were reminded that as all days flow through the sieve of time, once in awhile we are allowed to capture a spot that gives us the opportunity to hear the quiet. To be aware when the Lord passes by.....

And in the details of a building from long ago I am reminded that it is in the DETAILS that it all matters anyway. The Spirit that holds us up like the corbels of a roof edge.


That keeps my eyes looking upward always.....  when the Lord lifts my chin to see the light when my nature keeps my eyes downcast on the path in front.....  He whispers my name and says... LOOK UP.

and then in the sign, the visual reminder at the end of the visit He reminds me.... IT IS ALL GRACE 
and it is once again time to be the living incarnation of Jesus to the world.. alive, growing and clinging to the Rock.          

In the midst of Fall

In the midst of fall