by Great Joy Studio | Jan 20, 2014 | Getting Started, Quilting & Fabric
In the last few quiet moments here, before hammers fly for the renovate, I wanted to share a few images from the second Create Play Date/weekend. We worked with the She Who Sews fabric from Quilting Treasures in anticipation of next week’s sewing room blog hop and also January’s, free motion quilting, post card group, FMQ on Facebook.
Saturday was spent again, at my dear friend’s, Annie Regal, sew studio where we collaborated on two puffy pillow tops. It was quite wonderful. Complete with lunch, coffee, crackling fire and a gentle snow falling visibly from the cozy new work space. The creative play dates have been often discussed and long awaited so, we are both very grateful to be able to share the opportunity to create together. She did all of the sewing, btw.
Second location took place at my daughters home where she and granddaughter Sydney, graciously re-acquainted me with my own sewing machine. Last summer they took advantage of some basic machine sewing lessons so were able to refresh my memory regarding the machine use. Confession, I have not sewn in over 25 years and I had limited knowledge even then. After designing fabric however, for over ten years, I plan to change that. So, below is my first attempt at a quilted post card using my Seam Stress(ed) Handmaid, which I could identify with, while stitching her up into a usable post card.
Sending her off to the recipient today. Over all, a very fun create plate date weekend.
All of the finished projects will be posted here next week, January 27th where the
Sewing Studio Blog Hop will begin.
by Great Joy Studio | Jan 15, 2014 | Quilting & Fabric
2014 – Only two weeks in:
Challenge # 1, packing up everything, in preparation for new floors and remodel.
Challenge # 2, my main working computer crashes last Tuesday! And without backing up files for the entire new series of Handmaids! Happily, they were recovered, but a costly mistake.
And lastly, keeping a cool, calm head through it all in order to continue creativity which is the only topic I’ll address in this post. After all, it’s more fun than the other two, right?
Above, just a peek, at our next Handmaids collection, completed just before Christmas.
Next, on the fun side of things, we wanted to share the
She Who Sews Blog Hop!
We are so happy to be joining the Cheerleaders for Blog Hops, in their first hop of the new year, Sewing Room Blog Hop. It will be featuring the first of our Handmaids series, “She Who Sews” fabrics from Quilting Treasures. The hop begins at our very own Joy Studio blog on January 27th and runs through February 6th. We are supper excited to see what creative projects will be showcasing the various sewing studios. And of course, the giveaways, can’t forget those. So, please join us and check out the creativity activities.
Also, just a reminder . . .
Machine Maid Embroidery – The 20% off embroidery special is extended all this month at Handmaids.com – We are currently working to offer additial views to the Machine Maid design to include smaller hoop sizes which will be available soon. Enter code mmaidjan2014
Fabric Sale – A Valentines Day Special also offering 20% off fabric starts today, January 14th thru February 14th! Our Great Joy Studio Etsy store features J. Wecker Frisch classic fabric collections in a limited supply of artist’s samples. Enter code: VALENTINESDAY2014
by Great Joy Studio | Dec 13, 2013 | Art News
Announcing ~ Handmaids™ Framed Prints
Eight Handmaids wall art images just in, from two collections,
“She Who Sews” & “Draw Near”
available now at Handmaids.com
FRAMES PLUS, Inc. – A Domestic Manufacturer
by Great Joy Studio | Dec 10, 2013 | Quilting & Fabric
Fabric is in!
The first fabric collection in the Handmaids™ series, “She Who Sews” has delivered. And it looks great Quilting Treasures. Thank you.
One coming in . . . and another going out.
Now, considering projects for the next Create Play Date &
the She Who Sews Blog Hop in January.
by Great Joy Studio | Nov 23, 2013 | Quilting & Fabric
Last weekend my friend and I decided to enjoy a ‘Create Play Date’ which we hope will become a once a month activity. Our first project, none other than the “Machine Maid” embroidery design from the She Who Sews collection. We both wanted to see just how this embroidery applique was going to stitch out. This was a brand new experience for me and a fascinating one to observe. See for yourself.
It did get a bit challenging at times . . .
Knowing that this was an extremely detailed art piece, it was recommended that I have it digitized by the best in the biz. Lindee Goodall, and you can learn more about her experience and company on her site, Lindee G Embroidery. Lindee did an excellent job digitizing this nearly twelve inch, heavily detailed design.
And so did my friend, stitching it out! Speaking of kindness!
THANK YOU ANNIE Regal!
The first of the She Who Sews machine embroidery is available exclusively at handmaids.com
And currently on SPECIAL – 20% off until January 31st.
use code: mmaidjan2014 – at checkout
by Great Joy Studio | Nov 18, 2013 | Quilting & Fabric
Just posted on Quilting Treasures Facebook – “She Who Sews” shipped to shops!
So, check with your favorite, local quilt shop.
Quilting Treasures Store Locator List
by Great Joy Studio | Nov 15, 2013 | Quilting & Fabric
Picked at random, the Embroidery Gift Card WINNERS are:
24 – usairdoll
37 – Sandy
26 – Janet Lutz
43 – Mrs. Carlyn McKee
39 – Margo Bergene
9 – Rachel
4 – Melody Jones
15 – Cheryl Harrod
30 – diane cagnon-ciolek
8 – Jackie Demyers
To receive your prize, email us your address using the contact page at:
Tidings of Great Joy, LLC
Thank you to everyone for playing.
The embroidery design will be available for purchase beginning tomorrow, Nov. 16 at Handmaids.com
by Great Joy Studio | Nov 7, 2013 | Quilting & Fabric
Thank you everyone for your interest in the “She Who Sews” machine embroidery design on our Handmaids Facebook page last week. Due to your response, we thought a repeat Giveaway performance offer, this time on the Joy Studio blog, was in order. So, before this design is offered for (a limited first edition) sale on the sixteenth, here is another chance to win the Quilt Market show special,
Free Embroidery Gift Card.
Simply Comment:
Here, on this blog post and share (appreciated) this offer on Facebook, if you have an account. Comments should reflect what creative content of your choice, any medium, would you like to see or learn more about. We will again be offering ten cards to ten different winners (this time) from the comments you post here, below, on the Joy Studio blog.
Announcing 10 winners on Nov. 15
You can sign up for our newsletter to receive art, collections & product updates on our new site:
Handmaids.com
by Great Joy Studio | Nov 2, 2013 | Quilting & Fabric
International Quilt Market in Houston 2013
It was a nice retreat from all the show hub-bub, when we wandered into the quiet art quilts & dolls exhibits.
My photos do not do the dolls justice. They were exquisite! 
by Great Joy Studio | Oct 28, 2013 | Quilting & Fabric
Facebook Handmaids™ Giveaway from Houston Quilt Market!
We didn’t want to have all the fun so, if you couldn’t come to Quilt Market please come to the Handmaids™ Facebook page and enter for a chance at our first machine embroidery design from She Who Sews. Read the details here:
HANDMAIDS™
In the last few quiet moments here, before hammers fly for the renovate, I wanted to share a few images from the second Create Play Date/weekend. We worked with the She Who Sews fabric from Quilting Treasures in anticipation of next week’s sewing room blog hop and also January’s, free motion quilting, post card group, FMQ on Facebook.
