Dorene Joyce Designs

https://youtu.be/1Fq1d8duR9M
I wanted to share this video segment with you all. The quilting for Emma can now be done easier as I purchased a wonderful new midarm machine for my studio! More on that later!

Denton Quilt Guild - Presentation - Emma Swan Video during the presentation - Showing the Emma Swan Quilt

I'm working on a quilt using these blocks. It's called the Proverbs 31 Quilt. I created a small Bible Study to go with the blocks so for those who take the class when I get it ready, we will make a block get a Proverbs 31 block and hve a short bible study. If you are interested in this class, please message me and I'll add you to the email to provide details once it's ready! Fun stuff!
The idea is that for a Hebrew or Greek word, which is the language of the Bible writers, there may be multiple english meanings we would associate with that work. These are a sample of the Hebrew words with those english words surrounding it. Each block in the quilt will coordinate with the Proverbs 31 block. I can't wait to get this one done and ready for those wanting to make this quilt!

I’ve been struggling with the onset of a debilitatingly painful back/sciatic nerve injury. After a few weeks of doctors, medicines and rest, it seems to be improving. Enough that I felt up to an update of my work side of my life page ! I blame it mostly on me and a very ferocious ivy root system in my garden! I needed it gone! It’s gone- I thought I won… but really the cost was pretty high.

So, while down, I’ve been completing a few sit down projects. Here’s what I did tonight and over last couple days.

Quilts and sewists work from the North Texas Quilt Festival!! So much talent!

Quilt show time again and the crush is on. Trying to get quilts finished before the turn in for the show has got to be the most stressful time there is every year. I really think I’m not gonna do this again. This is the last time I enter a quilt that isn’t pretty much done. So ….here I am one more time ….with bandaids to protect my fingers…. putting the binding on my second quilt. It will be ready before the turn in today but oh my gosh! Never again!

Here's pics and info on the Lionfish.
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lionfish-facts.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterois

So some more information I learned today from one of the Dive Boat crew, Lionfish are not eaten by the reef sharks when they are alive... only when dead. But for the reef shark, that is their normal eating behavior. They find food that is not alive and eat that.

I did not dive today, but my husband did. I stayed on the boat though, and on the first dive I drew and started coloring a blue striped grunt. I saw one yesterday all by himself. Before this sighting, I saw them in a huge school. I have a picture of that from the underwater photographer that photographed our proposal. The water colored one is a drawing for a quilt idea, and it will also make a decent quilt panel!

My Soapbox
Until I ran into this guy today on our second dive in St. Croix… (I'm on a vacation to celebrate our 1st Anniversary) The Lionfish, is a major invasive species here in the Islands. It was decided to teach the reef sharks to eat them, so they would become the Lion Fishes natural predator. That would be a way to naturally control this new species. They did not come from here.

So... we have divers going out and spear fishing for them and feeding the Lionfish to the sharks. They are supposed to pull it off their harpoon, and leave it for them, but some have been letting the sharks eat it from their harpoon. This is making the sharks trust the humans. This makes them more friendly. But that is not good for us or them. They are a wild creature and although they probably don't even like people to eat, who knows what that could lead to? They always say... don't feed the chickens... Just saying.

But the good part is that I did find a Fabric Store, and got some local fabric. Very cool Madras and some African, some cool hair accessories, and that was just fun! Especially this really fun sales lady that did not know how to sew but would like to learn to.

Anyway, I was not aware of potential issues that were starting to surface because of the efforts to control the Lion Fish population but wanted to share what I did find out.

So, here's what our experience was today while diving. We had 1, then 2 then 3 Caribbean Reef sharks circling us as we wound our way through Sugar Beach Coral Dive Site. Mostly -these reef sharks were sized at 3' - 4-1/2' in length. It was cool to see them within such a short distance. But after the 3 one came, it took a little more alertness to be able to keep track of where they were, especially when they got to within 3 feet of us. Anyway, wanted to post this to raise Awareness of the way Lion Fish feeding is affecting wildlife and divers. Maybe because we were a small group. 3- of us? IDK.

So, It's been a fun and busy week here in my world. I gave a program for the Denton Quilt Guild Tuesday night, and met a wonderful group of people! Their work to share with the community by providing sewn and quilted items to groups like 18 year old kids that were graduating from foster care, Since they are 18, they are no long eligible to have a foster family. I was unaware of this type of need. They provide a large number of quilts to various other groups as well. What a giving loving group! It was such an honor and a delight to be able to share my quilting journey and my quilts with the group. Today, 18 people came out to Box Car Quilts/Retreat Center and Event Center to participate in my Art Quilt Workshop to make a Sea Creature Quilt. It was so fun to watch how everyone put their personal touch on their project! My favorite part is when the students have that "Aha!" moment. And to see these guys and gals making progress on their project. Anyway.... before that I did get the new batting and backing on my Cabbage Rose art quilt. Yay! I got some really pretty backing and stash fabric in Lyndon, VT. And made great progress on my Raspberries project. (See pics!) I will tell you more after Mark & I get back from St Croix for our first anniversary trip!

I’m on a little mini vacay with my hubby. We’re staying at a little house in the woods of northern Vermont. Visiting family, laying flowers on Marks previous wife’s grave and just relaxing.

We saw a bear, a doe, a mallard duck, lots of mountains and water and a waterfall. Fun trip so far. I didn’t get a pic of the bear though. That bear was skedaddling fast right down the road.

We went to an open chapel called The Chapel of the Holy Family near the top of a big hill looking out over the land. It had the stations of the cross outside circling the chapel, and there were gardens with flowers. Breathtaking!

I have a goal to complete my Cabbage Rose quilt because I entered it in the Quilt Show. It was partially quilted but the back was ugly brown. So to make it the best it can be, I had brought it along. I had to separate the partially quilted top from the old ugly back. So. I’m cleaning it up now.
You know sometimes I fight against something so strongly, like a strong willed child. Fact is, my sister has helped me be a better quilter. She encouraged me to compete in shows and teach quilting classes. My wonderful sister is also my Quilting teacher. So when she told me my quilt would be so much improved if I put on a prettier back, I finally conceded. I will share pictures as I can.

Well, another Texas Quikt camp at an end. Was such a great camp! I love all my Quilty friends!!

Here’s a few pics I have from recent events!

Also we had a program & workshop for FWQG that my sister Jackie Lehto taught and I got to learn applipiecing. Here’s also my unfinished work. It needs embellished with some more details.

Stay tuned for more news as I can. It is Mark Joyce and my First Wedding Anniversary tomorrow. Next week for our first-second anniversary Marks taking me away to St. Croix for a week of diving, a sunset catamaran boat trip, much relaxation and fun. I can’t wait!

Even teachers take classes. Watch as I get ready to take my next class! Never stop learning!

Intro to Class Prep for Applipiecing There's a cool class FWQG is sponsoring - this coming Saturday! I' taking the class and this is a video showing my class preparation.Also, I meant to say ...

I am excited to be going to Coastal Prairie Quilt Guild (www.cpqgtx.org/) in Missouri City, TX! They have asked me to give my program - Joy in the Journey on Thursday, February 15th! The next day we are doing my workshop on Floral Stained Glass Class.

Isn’t this beautiful? I love nature so the bird appliqué and flowers really resonate with me. I might like to do a “my version”.

Machine Quilting - Part Two – Quilts and Other Stuff from Frances More "Knock-Out" quilting from the International Quilt Festival

Starting this little project! My watercolor - copied onto fabric and now I’m adding some stitched elements! So fun!

I finished this little button tree art! Love how it turned out! Mixed media. This is on a 8 x 8 gallery depth wood frame. So fun!

I have to quilt this yet, but wanted to share my collage art quilt. Sunny Sunflower.
I put it onto the blue background.

Well so many wonderful quilts! One of my friends, Judy Faulkner’s entry won Best of Show for the North Texas Quilt Festival! Pam Roark another very good friend also got a ribbon for her Bargello, a beautiful quilt! A student from my Undersea Creatures workshop and friend Jonquele got a ribbon on her quilt made from my Diana Discus pattern and I got a ribbon for my Gladiolus Art quilt! So many wonderful quilts. Thought I’d share a few! My Joy and Peace was my other quilt in the show in another mixed media category. I am so happy for you all!

Finished the appliqué on this one! Added the artful touches and ready for next step… Appliqué stitch down just close to the edge and then quilting. THIS IS SO FUN!!

Changed the background and here it is! Ready for more art touches.