One Artist's Inspiration, Illustrations & Interests
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I cannot say enough about the creative talent that was displayed during our recent
Great Corset Challenge.
Simply amazing pieces!
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Here are more of the beautiful corset entries that were not hash tagged to Instagram.
Take a look and enjoy!
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Last but certainly not least, this one made using our Queen of We’en fabrics!
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Love them all!!
THANK YOU again corseteers.
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Please see them all (eventually) on,
A thanks to Aunt Henri on Pinterest
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Our
J O Y S T U D I O
2017 Quilt Market
recap is one of collaboration.
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At the end of summer last, my childhood friend Ann Regal and I finally had the opportunity to schedule a series of create play dates. After a decade of dreaming about such a time to collaborate, we decided to pay a visit to one of Ann’s first sewing loves appliqué and combine the technique with mine, art. Here are the results.
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The
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We chose three of our favorite She Who Sews characters and began the process of translating the art into life size raw-edge appliqué. We were delighted and challenged. A much larger endeavor than either of us anticipated however, the end results were worth the painstaking process. The detailed patterns themselves offer the maker a wealth of information. So we hope you will consider giving them a try.
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Also as part of our quilt market follow up, I wanted to introduce you to a company with a wonderful story that we can all relate to.
I began working with this mom/daughter duo, Victoria Naylor Passmore and Jesse Weber after they participated in one of our Handmaids challenges. As I followed them in pure delight I looked forward to seeing each of the beautiful items they created. Item after item began to sell out in quick order. Impeccable taste and skill are only two words that come to mind when I view their works. It is easy to see that an artistic sense is present and it’s a pleasure to watch their creativity with our fabrics. Victoria bravely took on three of our creative characters just in time for market. All are charming and display just how different these female figures can look by switching out fabrics. Victoria and Jesse did Press On in Sewing Seeds II (top) and my new collection “Hatter’s Tea Party” from Quilting Treasures. Seamstress was made using She Sews Sea Shells (below).
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A third willing maker to agree that taking on one of these HANDMAIDS was well worth the effort is
Elizabeth Cecchittini of Dandelion Rose.
I have collaborated with Elizabeth on a number of projects. Soon after I found myself designing fabric Elizabeth, Ann and I worked on a series of books using my panels. Since then I’ve learned that one can have complete confidence in Beth’s skill on any sewing, decorative or quilting project. So, Machine Maid was presented to her and she executed beautifully.
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Brooke Sellmann of Silly Mama Quilts
joined this year’s market team willing and ready no matter the task. She quilted, she stuffed and even stood post in our booth, all with a warm smile. And here’s what she made! Pillows, placemats, mug rugs and she even quilted our Sewing Seeds II piece.
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Last but not least is Sharyn Cole, who needs no introduction because everyone knows her and loves her TUFFETS! What an amazing success story of passion to business. Sharyn graciously offered to make us not one but two tuffets using our
Hatter’s Tea Party
fabric for quilt market. And what tea party can do without a tuffet! Sharyn achieved a wonderful result using her 18″ pieced and tuffet mini patterns out of one piece of (tea ads text, multi) fabric.
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Words cannot adequately express how appreciative I feel to have been able to collaborate with these talented and skilled makers. All share a passion for creating that reaches far beyond sewing and quilting, I’m sure it is plain to see.
A Pure
J O Y!
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The Joy Studio Maker’s Guide is available at quilt shops (ask yours) and on line at
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A new Handmaids® fabric collection is finally here!
“She Sews Sea Shells”
from Quilting Treasures.
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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
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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.
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
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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
stores. Comment with your state, for the location nearest to you.
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Our LANG (mug) cup runneth over.
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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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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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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We kept going luckily, wrapping walls, running wires and having HVAC installed.
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We couldn’t leave out a fireplace of course. Built by family and friends. Nice!
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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.
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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,
Through January.
10 MORE DAYS!
to get in on our
“Angel Band”
fabric giveaway
on HANDMAIDS® Facebook page.
We still need eight more likes on this page,
to reach our first 1,000 fans . . . by December 15.
So please help us IF you are on Facebook.
It has been an overwhelming response of
likes, tags, comments & shares there
which is all that it takes to play.
Sooooo,
we have decided to choose
TEN winners!
Spread our Christmas cheer,
the more the merrier.
Here is the first group of entries for the challenge
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they are sooooo
F U N !
I love them all!
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We have chics and dresdens,
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Handmaids figures,
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Hats!
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The numbers were given in the order we received the photos and will be used for casting votes. Please hold voting however, until all entries are posted over the next few days. And PLEASE, if you are still working on your cushions, keep going, keep sewing! There’s still time. We will post the next group late Saturday.
Thanks everyone, for sharing your talents.
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You can see these with some additional views, on the
Handmaids Facebook page and the challenge Pinterest board.
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
for future projects, collections and art news in 2015.
God bless you, in the new year.
Joy Studio 