by Great Joy Studio | Jan 2, 2017 | Projects, Studio
Happy New Year!
Still seeking light. And still hopeful,
in more ways than just a bright, well lit work space of course.
However,
I decided to share the Joy Studio portion and progress on our big project, to start out the blog year.
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If you’ve been following us in the past two years you may remember that as we outgrew our work space it was necessary to rent additional office and Etsy shop storage areas. This was working out nicely until our shop managers MOVED! So, everything came back to the home studio causing quite the challenge in 2016.
Here’s the timeline in a photo nutshell.
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Moved From The Rental
Dinning Room Designated for Drawing
Made A Plan for On Site Studio
With the former home studio now full of fabric, office and Etsy shop we (I) decided to build on our home site. A scary project but a long time dream that I never thought would be realized. Still waiting but it’s looking like in 2017, it may really happen!
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Broke Ground Early July
Poured Foundation
Floor Went On
Walls Went Up
Roof Went On
Wrapped While Waiting for Windows
We were told the wait for windows would be five weeks! Then they came, in a big storm. Windows were wrong. It was then we discovered that two of the four walls were also, wrong. So, they came down and we waited for windows. And waited. And waited. It would be another five weeks. Second try, they were wrong again. Windows held up the studio project until December.
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Windows Deliver During A Storm
Walls Torn Down
Wait for Walls & Windows
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We kept going luckily, wrapping walls, running wires and having HVAC installed.
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Electric And Furnace Installed
Shake Siding
We couldn’t leave out a fireplace of course. Built by family and friends. Nice!
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Stone Fireplace
Insulated
As the new Joy Studio sits now, we are fully insulated and with the correct windows.
I am starting the new year working in the designated drawing station in the dinning room at my dad’s drawing table. I’m feeling snug and . . . GRATEFUL.
Dad’s Table & Palette Tin
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Looking forward to 2017 and I hope you feel the same.
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I almost forgot! We are having a FABRIC special!!
Use Code: january2017 for 25% off at,
Great Joy Studio Etsy Shop
Through January.
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by Great Joy Studio | Oct 22, 2015 | Art News
It’s True!
Where Women Create paid our Joy Studio(s) a visit!
And you can see the feature in the Winter Issue,
on news stands Nov.1, 2015.
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In addition it is my pleasure to be doing a signing
with the magazine’s creator and editor in chief,
Jo Packham!
At
the International Quilt Market in Houston on Saturday.
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Last year at Fall Quilt Market I met the very gracious Jo, at the Sew Scary fabric debut and soon after we began the process. Another dream goal, being realized, hard to believe. The upcoming visit understandably, thrust us into high gear sprucing up and organizing both work spaces as you have seen (here) over the past months. A tall order after only just moving into to the new space last August however, quite rewarding and needed.
Re-creating the inspirational areas was perfect (God’s?) timing!
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So,
I hope you will pick up a copy
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that you will enjoy reading our story.
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Almost, like a fairy tale ending?
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Or a new chapter.
😉
by Great Joy Studio | Sep 1, 2015 | Quilting & Fabric, Studio
THANK YOU!
To all of you for supporting us on our Joy Studio facebook page last month
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participating in the Sew Scary fabric giveaway.
To continue the first year celebration of the Joy Studio expansion
and home studio spruce up,
we are sharing progress shots featuring
more of our fabric collection,
Letter Stitch!
Here is some of the fun we had creating with the Antique Typography
in the home studio.
Art history studio screen.
Window shade buntings.
Sewing supply shelves.
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Needlecraft collectibles.
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Pillows.
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Quilts of course.
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Upholstery
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comfy couch makins.
The possibilities for this fabric group are endless and inspiring.
If you love letters, written text and pattern, check out
“Letter Stitch” from Quilting Treasures in quilt shops now.
Still going too!
Lots more studio joy in store!
Coming right up.
by Great Joy Studio | Jun 29, 2015 | Collectables, Quilting & Fabric
So many projects and events over the last six months has been beyond challenging. All were wonderful opportunities but most likely, we (I) took on too much, given the time frame. However, I’m happy to say the end is close at hand and we can re-adjust our (my) focus. We’ll post the work, the fun and some exciting news, throughout the remainder of the year.
One small project I wanted to share now is, our Letter Stitch Stool. We used this in our display at Spring Quilt Market last month and it received much attention. The large antique typography, which I love, is the pattern we chose.
Quilting Treasures offers this print in three soft colors, ecru, lime and orange.
Letters are a generous 4 – 4.5 inches, perfect for any celebration bunting, personalization in a child’s room or studio/office space!
The vintage footstool was purchased from a yard sale many years ago and was shelved. One of those good intentions projects that we all have, right? I thought it was a small upholstered item that even I could tackle. It was quickly discovered, that having all of the necessary tools and supplies, would have been helpful. I did own a magnetic tack hammer and tacks but also opted to use a staple gun.
The photos may appear that this was a nice neat job but I want to warn any of you re-upholstery novices like me. Within the layers of the little old stool, lurked at least a pound (seemingly) of fine dust and icky dirt! Oh my. I wanted to reuse the horsehair stuffing so I took the piece outside to pull the rusted tacks/nails, disassemble, shake out and clean. Blacht!
Since this was my first attempt at a stuffed item, I am not the one to offer an adequate how to although, if pictures truly are worth a thousand words, then perhaps these visual steps will help. I simply tried to put it back together, the same way it came apart. I had to replace the batting and some stiff cardboard used on the frame. I used mat board scraps and quilt batting supplies that I already had on hand.
Not a bad first attempt, and not my last. Lots more stools and numerous seats, still to cover.
And I plan to use Letter Stitch!
Available in quilt shops July, 2015
by Great Joy Studio | Dec 31, 2014 | Collectables, Studio
So . . . 2015, anyone have BIG plans in the new year? We would enjoy hearing about them.
What is inspiring you? What creative goals? What you can’t wait to get your hands on?
Stitching, painting, cutting, pasting, drawing, quilting, collaging?
All of the above? Sounds good to me too.
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We wrapped up the year with . . .
A little dress up in the new office
Two updated sites
TidingsOfGreatJoy.com for Licensing
and Handmaids.com for some creative fun and inspiration!
Two new Etsy Shops
Joy Studio Vintage – Although not very well stocked yet, we’re working on it. Lots more to uncover and unravel. Some really cool art supplies featured in our Draw Near fabric collection from Quilting Treasures!
And Joy Studio Handmaids – Also, just getting started so visit soon to see Handmaids® product updates.
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To explain the She Who Rocks products in our vintage store – We had plans for another Handmaids Challenge to kick off the new year. It was inspired by a vintage sewing caddy project submitted by Karen Torres in January’s 2014, She Who Sews Blog Hop. We named, searched, purchased and posted charming vintage rocking chair sewing caddy’s, specifically for the event. However, once Joy Studio Vintage opened, half of the chairs began to disappear, quickly. So, the She Who Rocks challenge, will need to be renamed and modified.
Please, stay tuned to
JOY STUDIO
for future projects, collections and art news in 2015.
God bless you, in the new year.
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