Quilting | Great Joy Studio

She Sews Sea Shells

by Great Joy Studio | Feb 20, 2017 | Quilting & Fabric

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A new Handmaids® fabric collection is finally here!

“She Sews Sea Shells”

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This group was inspired by a 1920’s/30’s sepia toned photograph of bathing beauties that I thought would be fun to translate. During my research I came across some wonderful turn of the century swim wear images as well which led me to the stockings (& stocking stretchers) that often accompanied the fashion of that day. I combined both era’s which were well suited, for our Handmaids®.

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Concept and thumbnail sketches for these are recorded in my ‘ideas’ notebook on September 2, 2015. So, it is especially rewarding to finally see these images go from paper to fabric. And, equally rewarding for me is to see these go to you, the makers. I always love seeing what is ultimately created using your talents with our fabrics. A real treat in fact!

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Inspiration for the mermaid patch was an antique silver articulated fish, needle case that I discovered. A tiny buried treasure with big possibilities I thought.

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I work in watercolor and ink once the sketches are refined to my satisfaction.

Typically following, lots and lots of sketches!

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This fun beach-y batch is available now!

So ask your favorite/local quilt shop for,

“She Sews Sea Shells” (by me, J. Wecker Frisch) from Quilting Treasures!

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Enjoy

PLEASE, share with us, a comment and/or what you create!

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The scripture inspiration sprinkled throughout this collection is from the Proverbs 31 (virtuous) woman. The text in her hair was actually scanned from our family’s 1870’s Bible.

My personal privilege to share.

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A Guide for Makers

by Great Joy Studio | Jan 20, 2017 | Art News, Getting Started, Quilting & Fabric

Introducing
the
M A K E R ‘S G U I D E
more than just a pattern.
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In October 2016 we introduced a line of 3 HANDMAIDS® applique patterns.
This was our soft launch to the trade which presented at the
Fall International Quilt Market.
These are oversized studio pieces, 60″ x 18″ that many of you expressed interest in from my Joy Studio feature photos in Where Women Create. Well, we wanted to explore just how much, by creating these life size “She Who Sews” girls in large format applique, for a start.
The response at market was overwhelming!
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We are just getting started and planning to have these three available early this year.
Also planned, is loads of inspiration, ideas and opportunities to share.
We’ll let you know where and when right here at
G R E A T J O Y S T U D I O.
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Artist’s guide to inspire you, the maker.
Keep creating!

New Product Announcement

by Great Joy Studio | Jan 16, 2017 | Art News

We are sew very excited to announce a

NEW

“She Who Sews”

product line from

LANG!

These beautifully made products were chosen for an exclusive program

will soon be delivering to select JoAnn’s stores.

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It is a continued privilege to share the art and the positive messages that have come to be associated with the Handmaids® series. Absolutely loving these sewing inspired items!

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The collection includes

Bob’s (nesting) Boxes . . ,

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boxed note cards, note pads, planners . ,

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journals and lots more!

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See them all in February 2017 at participating

JoAnn’s

stores. Comment with your state, for the location nearest to you.

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Our LANG (mug) cup runneth over.

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Still Seeking

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.