Grandmother gave each of her six grandchildren a quilt for Christmas in the mid-seventies. I received a Dresden plate quilt and was instantly intrigued by the colorful geometric shapes made of fabric and assembled into a beautiful quilt – all produced by hand, of course. I began to ask her questions about how she made quilts and her answers provided fuel for what would eventually become my passion.

I took my first quilting class in 1992 and like many quilters, I was smitten! I have been making quilts furiously ever since that first class. My quilting friends will tell you I am an “eclectic” quilter. I have made quilts from many styles and types of fabric using different techniques and rulers. I’m affectionately known as the “gadget girl”. If there’s a product on the market to make my results more efficient and accurate, I want to know about it and use it! However, at the end of the day, I have to say I favor pieced, traditional looking quilts, but I am also drawn to the beauty of applique (both cotton and wool), as well as hand embroidered designs. You will see my patterns incorporate a lot of different styles of fabrics and a combination of quilting techniques.

Besides my passion for creating quilts, I am also passionate about teaching others quilting skills. My classes are upbeat and positive and full of solid techniques to give all levels of quilters new confidence.  I have been teaching quilting classes for 17 years including beginning quilting, beginning hand embroidery, basic paper piecing, and wool applique.   I  currently lead a Wooly Friends Club for wool applique.  In addition, I co-owned and operated Sisters' Scraps Quilt Shop in Amarillo, TX with four other women partners for 9 years.

I am also an avid gardener and was certified by the State of Texas as a Master Gardener in 2012.  You will see nature reflected in many of my designs, as flowers, birds, butterflies, turtles, and frogs are some of my favorite things in God’s creation.

I am blessed to have a very supportive and loving family including two children, six grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren. I live in Amarillo, Tx with my husband, Bud.

It is my sincere desire to share my passion for quilting and inspire creativity in others through my quilt designs.

Janice Joyner