 With summer now here, all our kids out of school, things planned, vacations to be had, family events, and we still need to hold down our jobs and take care of many other things, (Cars, personal care, etc.) Check back on my March post for help with managing your time. I hope it helps! Upcoming Lectures & Workshops Your support continues to fill my calendar with wonderful guild visits and creative adventures. Here’s what’s coming up next: Friendship Quilt Guild – Brenham, TX June 18 – 10:00 AM Program + Afternoon Portrait Workshop Johnson County Quilt Guild –Cleburne, TX Saturday- September 26th - 9:00 - 4 PM Workshop - Stained Glass Flowers 3309 N. Main, Cleburne, TX (Near Joshua H.S.) Monday - September 28th - 7:00 PM (Potluck at 6:30) Program: Joy in the Journey And so much more through 2027 — you can always find the full schedule at DoreneJoyce.com/schedule 🎓 Quilting Business Academy — Fall 2026 Retreat We are busy taking reservations in preparation for our 5‑day immersive business academy at Woodland Ridge Retreat in Menominee, WI — September 13–18, 2026. For more information, watch a replay of our Webinar! If you’ve ever dreamed of:
Learn more or register for the webinar at QuiltingBusinessAcademy.com. This is going to be a life‑changing week of clarity, confidence, and community. The Grove NTX Sewing Missions — A Ministry of Hands & Heart Our new sewing ministry at The Grove Church has officially launched — and what a beautiful beginning! Thank you to everyone who joined our kickoff meeting, stitched Prayer Hearts, and helped prepare comfort items for our community. This month we are focusing on:
 What’s New in the Etsy Shop Your favorites continue to shine in the shop — thank you for every purchase, review, and share! This month’s highlights:
If you’d like me to feature your finished project in the shop or on social media, send me a photo — I love celebrating your work. 📌 Pinterest Inspiration BoardsLooking for color palettes, appliqué ideas, or portrait inspiration? My Pinterest boards are growing fast with:
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🌟 A Great Year: Creativity, Courage, and Community Dear friends, As the leaves turn and the year begins its gentle close, I’ve found myself reflecting on the past few months with deep gratitude. It’s been a season of bold experiments, cozy gatherings, and creative breakthroughs—and I’d love to share a glimpse of what’s been unfolding. From woodland-inspired devotional cards to whimsical classroom scenes, my studio has been alive with color, faith, and purpose. I’ve been curating free AI tools for quilt design, refining workshop timelines, and building printable handouts that empower students to leave with confidence and clarity. Whether it’s mapping out a portrait quilt workflow or designing a new website for a local church, each project has been a joyful blend of storytelling and service. (I have a sideline for Prominence Studios which I have been fortunate enough to help two churches with this year.) But the most exciting news? I’m launching a brand-new portrait class as part of my upcoming lectures: “Threads of Inspiration- AI Journey through Creativity". . This lecture and Portrait class is designed to help you transform everyday photos into soulful, story-rich portraits using accessible AI tools. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just beginning your creative journey, you’ll leave with practical skills, printable resources, and a renewed sense of possibility. 🖼️ Want to join the class or learn more about the lecture? Visit Schedule - Lectures-Workshops - DORENE JOYCE DESIGNS page for details, sign-ups, and sneak peeks. Let’s finish this year with courage and creativity—outside the square, together. With warmth and wonder, Dorene This month, I'm providing a free pattern for a cat on a stack of books which AI has helped me to create! It's a nice image for those cold and frosty mornings! Text to Image processing with AI! I just gotta Love it! Download the image and save to your desktop. Then print on 8-1/2 x 11 paper or upload to Blockposters.com to get an enlarged version.  Where oh where has the summer gone! It literally flew by for me. I've been working on learning how to use artificial intelligence to create. This month my free pattern is a cute Autumn applique pattern that you can make for Fall decorating. It's easy and fun to do! All you do is cut out the pieces from adhesive backed fabric and iron down. Then you will go around the edges to secure the applique with your favorite stitch, embellish and quilt as desired! Size is: 17 inches wide and 21.8 inches high.  News on where you can find me! Results from the North Texas Quilt ShowThis year my quilt "Crab Cakes" was selected as the first place for the MIxed media division at the North Texas Quilt Show! I was thrilled! Jackie Lehto quilted it and I created the center using one of my Undersea Creature Patterns. The outside of that is piece, dyed and a very special border finish was attached. It was challenging and fun!  There are so many classes and opportunities to learn new techniques that look amazing! I can't believe how many projects that I have in the works and lined up though. I have inspirations from the past, that must be created! One of them, is a mosaic design that came from a picture in a church in Huatulco, Mexico. that I saw on a cruise a year ago. As we continued on our trip, I made the decision about creating a quilt version of this iconic picture. I think it is real gold, so the search to find fabric that could do that justice, started. I now have a bin full of the gold and some flesh tones, ready to start. But I have some quilts to finish first. However, this is on my "to do" list for this next quarter.
 For those who have subscribed to my newsletter, here is the free Coleus Postcard pattern! Please upload your pictures to my Facebook Group page for Dorene Joyce Designs!
I always love to see what my students have created so be sure to share and like my Facebook page.  I'm so excited that my quilt, Glad Glads, has won a ribbon at the North Texas Quilt Show 2023! This is my first win at this show. It takes time, patience and lots of hard work to put on a show, and it takes the same amount of that to win. I am so excited that I have been selected for this honor in the largest category of quilts in the show.
I think that all the quilts entered are so precious though and happy that we have a show to go to where everyone can come and see the work of other quilters, as well as attend classes, and visit the show vendor booths. If you have time, get over to Las Colinas to see the show. It's bound to be inspiring. I know it is for me! North Texas Quilt Festival is sponsored by the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo and Five (5) local quilt guilds. My guild, Fort Worth Quilt Guild and the others are able to earn money for programs to help quilters share their own quilts as well as to inspire and teach the art of quilting. Enough said about that. I hope you all are having a great summer! Thanks for reading my blog! Posted originally on 1/10/2023
Faith I believe that the creativity that God has endowed in our hearts, is for a very purposeful reason. In Proverbs 31, we get a description of a woman of noble character. That chapter tells us that despite the trappings of this world of beauty and worldiness, that a woman who loves the Lord and lives for him is to be cherished! Proverbs 31 chapter writes of how this might look, and while I know I can never measure up to that description completely, there are things I can do. For example, in Proverbs 31:22 it says we can makes coverings for beds. While we don’t have to spin our own cloth like they may have, making quilts is something a woman of God can do to bless her friends and family. Community Being involved in creative communities, whether it’s a class or a group of casual friends, is so fun and rewarding. Each person brings with them their hopes and dreams as well as their work. Spending time among friends in a class or event creates a special place where friends can share, encourage, inspire and have fun together. Giving to Others Making and giving gifts is a way to express a genuine care for others. Quilts are one way to connect with others simply because of the time that they take to create. When a handmade gift or a quilt is received, that person receives a gift of heart and hands. It is a celebration of life and love. Quilts and Handmade gifts are always remembered and cherished. They show our care and love. Industry and Beauty Creating an inviting atmosphere of warmth and comfort in your home for family and guests, not only gives you joy but creates an opportunity to care for and love those around you. Using your creativity and sense of style you can create beauty in your life and in the lives of your loved ones. Self-Expression Creating quilts or other handmade items allow you to select colors and design that express your vision for that item. This self-expression is satisfying and creates joy when you are able to do something you love and create something wonderful. It’s a time to celebrate! I hope these reasons to create, and quilt find their way into your heart! Wishing you Joy in your Journey! Dorene |
AuthorDorene is a natural born artist and teacher. Students are able to take her quilt pattern designs and create wonderful art with the ability to use many different color combinations and their own personal preferences. Archives
June 2026
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