by Great Joy Studio | Jan 7, 2011 | Getting Started, Studio
Armed with good intentions and resolutions, I accomplished some, not all, of what I planned for the first week of the new year:
Washed some filthy, but interesting vintage windows that I’ve been storing for years, on the one warm sunny day we’ve had.

Afterward I played a bit, utilizing the new decorative elements on a blank studio wall over the company filing cabinets. The lateral file systems were a big help in gaining control in the studio’s office area. One unit houses my sketches and ideas, while another, the not so fun, but necessary business items. Fitting & functional.
Then I had to clean up the paper blob that typically accumulates on top of them both! Oh my, still working on that, end of the year items, etc.
I found the wire/rod dress form in a shop on the way home from Spring Quilt Market last May. The sparkly J-O-Y letters, Wendy Addison – Tinsel Trading Co., were purchased a few weeks earlier at the ME Home Companion workshop event. The dress form, art pieces are from my “Tiny Tailors” fabric line. It’s nice to see them all in their proper places at last.

I managed to get the Christmas decorations put away,
…do a little sketching on a new line using some of my old art,

and tried to eat healthy for the last three days in a row!
So, not a bad start, I suppose. This also seems a good time to declare the rest of my ongoing organizing goals for 2011 and checking off some from 2010. During the studio clean up attempts over the past year, it became necessary to extend the regrouping to all areas of my life, eeks, as I’ve stated a few times already. It seems the farther I get into this, the more projects and stuff I (re) discover. Fun, but at times it still overwhelms.
Dealing with all of the accumulated debris while the under lying prioritizing of what’s important to do with one’s time vs what needs to go, is a challenge. Seeing some results helped me this week however, to stay on (practical) task. Overall, I’m encouraged to keep going and hopefully you are to.
by Great Joy Studio | Jul 5, 2010 | Art News, Getting Started, Healthy Stuff, Spiritual
All extra and even some regular activities, have come to a screeching halt. Yeah!

Following the completion on several commitments, resting today, feels great! Tuesday morning will be another story. I’m turning over a new leaf! I plan to make an all out effort to regain control of self, schedule and surroundings. Taking a little time to regroup, re-focus, reclaim, re-evaluate, regenerate, reflect and reform? Sounds re-asonable, right?
Turning Over A New Leaf idiom: Make a fresh start, change one’s conduct or attitude for the better, as in He promised the teacher he would turn over a new leaf and behave himself in class. This expression alludes to turning the page of a book to a new page. [Early 1500s]
by Great Joy Studio | Jun 19, 2010 | Getting Started, Spiritual
Building begins today! All are gathered, materials have arrived, foundation is laid, equipment ready, a site to behold. It was a pleasure to be out at the church job site at day break to see all the the necessary components ready to go.




First a reverent circle…

everyone pitching in…

and they were off, in different directions to their specified area of expertise. When I left, things were beginning to hum!

Thank you God.

by Great Joy Studio | Apr 28, 2010 | Field Trip, Getting Started, Projects
Hi – This morning I’m multitasking, AS usual! Gathering some supplies for my first workshop, stocking up baked goods to help feed the church building group in June and a hair cut at nine. Crafting, baking and candlestick making!

I’m attending my first artsy, craftsy workshop which begins tomorrow. Several months ago I signed up for Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Workshops, which is where I’ll be for the next few days. Since this is a first for me, I’m not sure what to bring so, perhaps a little bit of everything?


I’m looking forward to learning some new techniques and having some FUN! Really, I’m not sure exactly what I’ve signed on for but, I’m filled with nervous excitement. Wish me luck? Eeks, do I really have time for fun? I think I need to gather some more crafty stuff, maybe some paint or more glue, er, um……. ribbon?
by Great Joy Studio | Apr 26, 2010 | Getting Started
… means back to work. The couple of commissions that had me entangled over the last few months, delayed my work on a group that was to be my fall fabric line. Now postponed to a January release. Re-adjusting my focus this morning.
Tell me what you’re working on.
