Lyric Art

Work in Progress: Boro Skirt

2012-01-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

Over the holidays we took all the kidlets down south for an absolutely fabulous week at Disneyworld.

That's a good 20 hours of total driving time and I consider it time will spent. I'm very fortunate that Mr. Almost Perfect likes to drive and I don't get carsick so there is a lot of nice open time for hand work.

boro in progress - Lyric Kinard

I've decided to cover all of the raw seam allowances on the outside of the skirt with hand stitching. There are still a number of seams left to go - and then I'll consider it wearable AND washable. I don't think it will ever be "done" because I can think of a million things to add to it. A canvas in progress. A stitched journal. Art in motion. A continual "to-go" project.

If you would like to listen in - Rice Freeman-Zachary and I talked and giggled about this project, among other things on her podcast: Notes from the Voodo Cafe.

http://ricefz.libsyn.com/webpage/lyric-kinard

Rice (rhymes with "Lisa") is talented, funny, and articulate. If you have a few minutes it's worth the time.

And.... day two of Artspark's

heARTfest

tutorial blog hop

1/26/2012 Traci Bunkers Printed Heart Ice Cube Trays

tomorrow look for

1/27/2012 Diana Trout Woven heart valentines card

Artspark's Tutorial Blog Hop

2012-01-25T09:00:00.005-05:00

Artspark presents

heARTfest

valentine tutorial blog hop

today the lovely and talented

Jane LaFazio

presents instructions on how to make

this beautiful Valentine's Day card and envelope

http://janeville.blogspot.com/2012/01/8-day-heartfest-valentine-tutorial-blog.html

mark your calendars for these upcoming tutorials

1/26/2012 Traci Bunkers Printed Heart Ice Cube Trays

1/27/2012 Diana Trout Woven heart valentines card

1/28/2012 Lyric Kinard Lovin' my Thermofax Screens

1/29/2012 Judy Coates Perez Chocolate Peppermint Cream Heart Cakes

1/30/2012 Kelli Nina Perkins Heart-shaped felted soap

1/31/2012 Melanie Testa

2/1/2012 Tracie Lynn Huskamp Valentine Message Pillows

For Your Inspiration: Texture in the Sand

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Artsparks Valentine Tutorial Blog Hop

2012-01-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

Get ready - we're doing it again!

Artspark presents

Get your HEART on~ Valentine Tutorial Blog Hop

1/25/2012 Jane LaFazio Sketchbook page to Valentine Card (& envelope too)

1/26/2012 Traci Bunkers

1/27/2012 Diana Trout Woven heart valentines card

1/28/2012 Lyric Kinard Lovin' my Thermofax Screens

1/29/2012 Judy Coates Perez

1/30/2012 Kelli Nina Perkins Heart-shaped felted soap

1/31/2012 Melanie Testa

2/1/2012 Tracie Lynn Huskamp Valentine Message Pillows

Student Spotlight: Palmetto Quilt Guild

2012-01-20T17:38:00.001-05:00

What a wonderful place - Hilton Head Island is absolutely beautiful.

What a wonderful group of students!

I am SO lucky to get to do what I do!

Apli-Punto to Go

9:30am on the beach

2012-01-19T09:42:00.002-05:00

Work In Progress: Beaded Brooch

2012-01-19T09:41:00.003-05:00

6:30am at the airport

12:30pm waiting for my lecture to begin

Palmetto Quilt Guild, Hilton Head Island SC

For Your Inspiration: Suess-land

2012-01-18T13:48:00.000-05:00

but first ... go check out the goodies I'm offering in conjunction with

Virginia Spiegel's fundraiser for the American Cancer society!

I'm also offering her readers a little - or maybe a big - sale offer on my Bead It DVD.

Now - wouldn't you love to be a designer for a Dr. Seuss amusement park?

Fiberart for a Cause

2012-01-15T11:52:00.001-05:00

Some of us find small ways to make the world a better place.

Some of us do so in a BIG WAY!

Once again the lovely and talented Virginia Spiegel is raising funds for cancer research.

She is hoping to raise $7,000.00 to add to the $215,000.000 she has already raised for this cause.

You read that right. This woman knows how to make a big difference. She gathers people

we to her who also care deeply about fighting cancer and organizes them so that wonderful things happen. Here is how the fundraiser will work - and I'll let you know how you can help down below.

Foto/Fiber 2012
90 Photos AND 90 Fiber BONUSES Gold Donor Day - February 15, 2012
Make a minimum donation of $100, choose a photo by
Virginia A. Spiegel, Karen Stiehl Osborn, or Cynthia Wenslow
and choose a Fiber BONUS by a specific artist
from the following list of fiber artists.

Regular Foto/Fiber - February 16, 2012
Make a minimum donation of $50 and choose a photo by
Virginia A. Spiegel, Karen Stiehl Osborn, or Cynthia Wenslow.
Your Fiber BONUS will be chosen at random for youfrom the following list of generous fiber artists.
Artists donating Fiber BONUS include: Natalya Aikens,
Frances Holliday Alford, Pamela Allen, Liz Berg, Sue Bleiweiss, Nancy G. Cook, Jane Davila, Vivika DeNegre, Diane Rusin Doran, Jane Dunnewold, Jamie Fingal, Leonie Hartley Hoover, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Lyric Kinard, Susan Brubaker Knapp, Lynn Krawzcyk, Jane LaFazio, Susan Lenz, Jeanelle McCall
Linda Teddlie Minton, Karen Musgrave, Gail Myrhorodsky
Karen Stiehl Osborn, BJ Parady, Cate Coulacos Prato, Yvonne Porcella
Wen Redmond, Sue Reno, Lesley Riley, Cynthia St. Charles,
Susan Schrott, Suzanne Silk, Lura Schwarz Smith (with Kerby C. Smith),
Sarah Ann Smith, and Terri Stegmiller

Drawings for Fiber Art throughout the event.

All patrons of Foto/Fiber 2012 will also have multiple chances throughout Foto/Fiber to win fiber art donated by:
Leonie Hartley HooverLyric Kinard
Lynn Krawczyk
Yvonne Porcella
Susan Schrott
Mary Ann Van Soest

Crescent by Lyric Kinard

If you'd like to help out we'd love for you to help spread the word. There's something in it for you too.

Win one of these great prizes:

Inside the Creative Studio,
donated by its author, Cate Coulacos Prato.

A $25 Gift Certificate from Fiber on a Whim
A pack each of TAP and ExtravOrganza donated by Fiber on a Whim

Just e-mail Virginia(at)VirginiaSpiegel.com each time you share the news about

Foto/Fiber 2012 by using a logo, adding a signature,

posting to FB, your blog, or your fav lists, tweeting, etc. Multiple entries encouraged.

here is a link to images and info for you to include!

http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FotoFiber2012MediaRoom.html

New Year's Resolutions: One Word

2012-01-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

I try to keep my goals for the year as simple as possible. Last year I wanted to begin each day with a prayer of gratitude and practice discipline. I did OK but not great on the first goal but not well at all on the second.

ah well.

First the success. My mantra has been "it's ALL good!" Even when I'm crazy I remind myself that the things making me crazy are all GOOD things. I'm very blessed to have a wonderful family, stable finances, and to have art in my life!

I still procrastinate then get completely stressed out over every deadline. I still fritter away my art-making time - usually by getting sidetracked on the computer. I'm doing important things - but not the MOST important things.

When I analyze my shortcoming (notice I didn't say "when I beat myself up about failures") I think the "practice discipline" thing is too big, too nebulous.

This year I'm going to keep the same simple goals but I'm going to rephrase it into something that will help me with the practical application - both of being grateful and of learning to practice discipline.

It boils down to one word.

Wake up each morning and do what is most important FIRST!

For me that means:

getting the kids off to school.
spiritual practice (reading, prayer, meditation)
exercise (gym or running 3 days minimum)
MAKE ART (1 hour minimum)

Before I answer email. Before I write blog posts or articles. Before I ship stuff out. One hour to make art. If I put the most important things first the rest will certainly take care of itself.

I played around on http://www.wordle.net/ to make a pretty word-cloud of my priorities.

I'm going to print one of these and post it on my bathroom mirror to remind myself. I'll probably need to post other reminders all over the whole house. New habits can be difficult to implement for me so I need all the help I can get.

What are your goals?

What is your word?

The Sketchbook Challenge: January Theme

2012-01-09T08:00:00.006-05:00

I am happier than a little puppy dog with two tails to wag to be involved in The Sketchbook Challenge again this year. It's been a wonderful way to challenge my abilities and to be involved in some small way with your lives and artwork. Sometimes I struggle with a theme - and that's good. You don't learn much if you don't struggle - if you don't try things that are beyond our current abilities our outside of your comfort zone.

But this month?

I absolutely LOVE this month's theme!

I doodle ALL the time.

I have my sketchbook with me pretty much all the time and I tend to have trouble paying close attention to something if I need to sit still. I end up fidgeting enough to bother other people. I seem to listen better if my hands are busy.

I'll doodle while I'm waiting for a meeting to start, or during the meeting. During church I pay better attention if I doodle something about what is being said.

I doodle on the airplane or at home or any time I am trying to wait patiently for something or somebody.

Hey, maybe doodling makes me a better person? Or at least makes me tolerable to be around. I used to simply simmer and fume while I waited for people who were late. Not any more.

So I'm wondering - what is the difference between a doodle and a sketch? I think doodles are time killers, aimless wandering with a pen in hand. But sometimes my doodles are very purposeful. Sometimes they are looking out the window at a crazy little group of Cardinals. But that could be called sketching - maybe trying to capture the essence of the thing you are observing?

Sometimes doodling is playing with a new tool. I'm in love with my japanese brush pen - learning to control the flow of ink and make thick luscious lines or tiny delicate ones with the same tool. Or is that a learning process as I master a new technique?

Sometimes something I see will capture my attention and imagination and I quickly sketch it in. Is it a doodle because it is quick? Or perhaps because it has not end purpose? It's not necessarily trying to be something.

Sometimes I doodle what I see out my window as I'm talking on the phone. It's a sketch of a landscape through a window but it's also killing time so it might be called a doodle. I don't think it really matters.

What do you think the difference between a doodle and a sketch is?

Does it matter?

On-Line Class: Playing With Paint

2012-01-05T15:03:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends,

I wanted to let you know that a new session of "Playing With Paint" will begin Friday, January 20th at www.QuiltUniversity.com. It's a great on-line class where we learn to play with complete abandon. It's just like being back in kindergarten - oh - and we'll also be learning the properties and uses of textile paints.

Playing With Paint

will include many wet brush painting techniques, stamp carving, stenciling, and yes -

playing with your food.

One lesson opens each week for four weeks but I'm on-line for at least five or six - answering any questions and commenting on all the fun work students submit to the class gallery.

During this tough economic time on-line courses are a fantastic alternative to the expenses of traveling to a live workshop. $36.00 for a month of fun is a great value. Oh, and you get to come to class in your pajamas!

You can see a class description and supply list here: http://quiltuniversity.com/classlist.htm#PlayingWithPaint

Reverse Resolutions 2011

2012-01-02T21:11:00.000-05:00

Sometimes as you look forward to a new year and think about the mountain you want to climb,

it's very nice to look backwards and feel good about how far you've already come.

Snowbird Utah: photo by Marcel Kinard

Reverse resolutions are wonderful because you know you accomplished them 100%!

So here are mine for 2011

1 - Make some art.

Dream by Lyric Kinard

2 - Learn something new.

watercolor by Lyric Kinard

3 - Teach some amazing people and make new friends.

Eastern Iowa Quilters Art+Quilt group - OPA!!!!

4 - Venture into the world of self-publishing.

Bead It Like You Mean It by Lyric Kinard

5 - Gain confidence in my sketching skills.

Faces by Lyric Kinard

6- See some amazing parts of this country.

Montana: photo by Lyric Kinard

9 - Love my family.

They are the best thing in my life.

8 - Focus on making the world a better place.

Thank you so much for joining this adventure with me.

December was a very happy month

in large part due to the kindness that you shared with the world, and then with me.

There. That felt good.

What did YOU accomplish last year?

Faces on Friday - not quite the final results

2011-12-31T10:55:00.000-05:00

I just got back from a long vacation with the family. I'm going to show you pictures soon whether you want to see them or not.... (giggles.)

I took my sketchbook but was so busy that the only time I had to sketch was on the drive down and I've got to say I'm a little pleased with my progress.

Mr. Almost Perfect - actually looks like Mr. Almost Perfect!

Mr. Almost Perfect by Lyric Kinard

Self portraits are easier in a regular mirror rather than the little sun visor mirrors on a bumpy road.

But not bad considering. I don't think I'm going to quit the "faces" project. I still want to learn more. And it's fun. And I want to fill my cute little box the rest of the way. I'm not going to pressure myself to post weekly - by halfway through the year that felt like a burden rather than fun. But I'm going to keep drawing faces.

Self Portrait by Lyric Kinard

Have any of you tried it? What have you learned?

Want to keep it up with me?

The Sketchbook Challenge 2012 lineup

2011-12-28T08:00:00.008-05:00

I can't tell you how pleased I am to be included in year two of this amazing adventure.

http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

Each month we'll continue to challenge you with a monthly theme and inspire you with tutorials and peeks into our own sketchbooks.

There are no rules, no requirements. Follow along with us as we work on improving our skills and challenging ourselves. There are a many of our same well loved artists and a few new ones.
It's going to be GREAT!

2012

Diana Trout http://dianatrout.typepad.com/blog/
Kelli Nina Perkins http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/
Jamie Fingal http://jamiefingaldesigns.blogspot.com/
Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com/

Leslie Tucker Jenison http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/
Carol Sloan http://www.carolbsloan.blogspot.com/
Jane Davies http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/
Susan Sorrell http://www.creativechick.com/blog/
Laura Cater Woods http://www.cater-woods.com/weblog/
Jane LaFazio http://janeville.blogspot.com/
Jill Berry http://jillberrydesign.com/blog/
Sue Bleiweiss http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog/
Pam Carriker http://pamcarriker.com/
Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/

The Sketchbook Challenge: December Theme

2011-12-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have a little confession. I'm having trouble with this month's Sketchbook Challenge theme. As much as I usually love such things, "trashed, ruin, and decay" aren't something I'm really feeling during this month of bright reds and twinkling lights.

decay: photo by Lyric Kinard

There isn't anything wrong with the theme at all. It's a fantastic theme. For my life right now - it's just a timing thing. I've been struggling to even want to try to create something with the theme.

done: photo by Lyric Kinard

It's only sketching it right now that's holding me up. I want to sketch the poinsettia sitting on my desk now, not the dead stuff outside.

linked: photo by Lyric Kinard

On the other hand, put a camera in my hand and what you'll find on the card is tons of pictures of rust, cracked masonry, withered flowers.

withered: photo by Lyric kinard

Decaying things always have the most interesting textures, patterns, and colors to my eye. I love nothing more than peeling paint and fungi growing out of rotting wood.

antique: photo by Lyric Kinard

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

I hope, dear readers, that you have a very Merry Christmas,

surrounded with love and the joy of the season.

I hope that you have found found JOY, have been INSPIRED, and are surrounded by BEAUTY.

my favorite set at the Apex Nativity Celebration

I look forward to doing the same, all through next year.

Joy in Service: Day 23 simple gifts

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'd like to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for joining with me in finding small ways to make the world a better place. My heart has been warmed as I read about the acts of service you've provided. I know there are many more random acts of kindness that you didn't tell me about. I appreciate your telling me what you've done and I've had a LOT of fun trying out a few of your ideas.

Two days ago I tried again to give a random stranger a flower (a small poinsettia instead of a big bouquet this time) in the grocery store parking lot. This time I said "you look like you need a smile - this is for you. Merry Christmas." She said, "you don't know how right you are" and she smiled!

I'm out and about with the family doing some amazing family fun things. That means that I'm going to wait until after the first of the year to contact more of you to send gifts. I'm loving getting at least one little corner of the studio de-cluttered. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.

Work In Progress: rockstar boro

2011-12-22T10:56:00.000-05:00

A few more stitches here and there.

Work in Progress: Rockstar Boro

2011-12-17T14:24:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Boro and education at KimonoBoy.com

Japanese Boro is a form of patchwork repair, a method for using every scrap of precious cloth and keeping your clothing functional over many, many, years. It was a necessity - not an artistic choice.

I think my Boro project is much more in the spirit of Boro, rather than following the actual design esthetics. I think it's a beautiful idea. Even though I do my best not to subscribe to our culture's rampant consumerism, I find myself being wasteful more often than not. I'm seriously considering a clothing moratorium for an entire year. I certainly have more than enough clothes. I also have many, many projects I've wanted to make - and the fabric to make them.

So. I have quite a collection of old linens and lace scraps - other people's cast-offs. Some of them are exquisite hand made pieces that I can only imagine creating.

Many of them are deteriorating, no longer useful in their original form. I've dyed them and now a few choice pieces will add color and shape to my wearable "canvas."

It's no different than making a sketch or any other work of art. It's all about composition. I have to choose shapes and colors and think about placement.

If I use a contrasting color it might become a focal point. It's very important in wearable art to consider the placement of a focal point or any attention grabbing element. There are places you don't want people to stare when they are looking at your body right?

Boro beginnings by Lyric Kinard
And to reference Melanie Testa, the inspiration for this project, I've stitched a little bird inspired by some of her artwork. Literally - sketching with needle and thread.

Joy in Service: Day 16 The Gift of Forgiveness

2011-12-16T14:21:00.000-05:00

artwork by Dalyn Montgomery

My brother is a very good man. And an artist. And a grad student at an Ivy League University - something all of us are very proud of. We all paid our own way through college and after a long time out in the work force he's found something he is very passionate about and is taking steps to make it happen. He also donates long hours of service year round to the people in his congregation. He really does make the world a better place.

His local newspaper wrote a short article about both his service and his artwork which is hanging at the University. It was really nice. It mentioned the mixed race of his congregation, and his marriage.

artwork by Dalyn Montgomery

In the comment section about the article, as seems to be the usual case in newspaper comment sections, several people got really nasty. It started with bashing Mormons - no worries. It's the one socially acceptable group to stereotype and have false ideas about. We're used to it. What got me were the ugly personal remarks about my brother and his wife. I should have left well enough alone but I jumped in and tried to correct the false comments about our religion and defend my wonderful sister-in-law. Things got worse. I stewed. I tried to just let it go. I couldn't even though I know full well that people believe what they choose to believe regardless of facts and there wasn't anything I could do about it.

artwork by Dalyn Montgomery

But after a full morning of stewing I realized there is something I can do. I can forgive. I got on-line, tried to lay out a couple more facts, then wished all the attackers peace and a Merry Christmas. No. I didn't magically feel better - I was still simmering. Sometimes it takes a little work to truly let something go. What helped was realizing that people who spend their time attacking strangers must have very sad lives (with a heart five times too small - we're reading the Grinch) and no peace. The other thing that helped was blasting Christmas music and singing right out loud. I love Christmas music. After that there was no more simmering.

This was just a little tiny thing. I'm lucky that I don't have any big things. There are things that are sooooo hard to let go. But truly, forgiveness is even more of a blessing to the one who has been hurt than the one who has done wrong.

Tell me what thing, big or small, you have done to make the world a better place!

Work in Progress: Rockstar Boro (how to sew a decorative hanging pocket)

2011-12-16T13:47:00.000-05:00

Progress on the Boro

Inspired by Melanie Testa's Rockstar Boro project.

I got the zipper put in (the right way this time!), and the hem finished with a triple row of zig-zag to give it a little bit of a lettuce edge.

I put it on and decided the pocket that used to be a shirt pocket is too small to keep my phone from slipping out when I sit or walk. Time for a free hanging deep pocket. Decorative I think. Deep enough to hold my phone and keys. Free hanging so it won't make the rest of the skirt bulge or get in the way of the swing. I really love clothing to swing and move when I do.

I sewed a triangular patch where I want the opening to be - you'll see it in a minute. You can skip this step entirely if you want to make your own hanging pocket - or make a decorative patch in any shape your creative mind comes up with.

Next I placed the first pocket rectangle over it and sewed the opening shape. Again - this is a place to use your creativity. A rectangle is classic but how about a heart or an arrow? I made a smile.

Make sure to leave at least 1/2 inch of cloth (I didn't) on either side of the opening. Also make sure the opening is at least as wide as your hand.

Slit and cut the inside of your opening - carefully go all the way to the corners.

Clip the seam allowances.

Trim the seam allowances if the fabric is thick and then turn it inside out.

Iron it so that you see just a bit of the outside fabric when you are looking at it from the backside.

Top stitch the opening if you'd like. You could also do some fancy decorative stitching here.

Pin on your second pocket rectangle.

Carefully sew all the way around the edge of the pocket. I sew from the back side of the pocket, pulling the skirt out of the way to make sure I don't catch it. This is the tricky bit next to the opening that would have been easier if I had left more seam allowance.

(That's my edge stitching foot - I was too lazy to take it off for this step.)

I finished the pocket edges the lazy way, turned them over and zig-zagged them.

There's the triangular patch on the front. I also sewed another line of stitching all the way across the top of that triangle, catching the top of the hanging pocket. That way and weight in the pocket will pull on the full skirt rather than just the pocket opening - which would make it sag out anyway.
More to come tomorrow.

Joy in Service: Day 13 (and a shop update)

2011-12-14T20:08:00.000-05:00

So - I've been waiting to try out something that one of you do - buy flowers at the grocery store then give them to a random person on your way out. At the counter I looked around to see who else was in line, there were a couple of good candidates - an elderly woman caught my eye.

photo by on Matthew Kang flickr

But by the time I was done they were gone and the parking lot was empty. My son and I stood there for a minute. Then a woman came out and headed to her car. She had a very hurried and stressed out look on her face so I sort of followed her, walked up and said, "these are for you, Merry Christmas." And I walked off. I think maybe I freaked her out. I had fun anyway.

Next time I think I need to say something else - like, "you look like you could use some cheering up." Even better, I should keep some cards that say something in the way of explanation.... and "pay it forward." Any ideas?

Holly Berries, 5"x7" by Lyric Kinard

And - after spending two straight days filling out stacks and stacks of paperwork for a proposal to teach in Houston next year at the International Quilt Festival. Stacks. And stacks..... I've taken a minute to add two new watercolors to my Etsy shop.

Glory of Trees, 5"x7" by Lyric Kinard

Joy in Service: Day 12 The Gift of a Smile

2011-12-12T15:55:00.000-05:00

The easiest way I've found to influence the world for good is one of the simplest.

Smile.

Have you noticed that young children are unable to smile unless they mean it.

Their smiles go all the way up and shine out their eyes.

When they smile at you you know they are seeing you.

Looking someone in the eye and smiling. Saying hello.

Surprise them by acknowledging their service, even their presence.

And come on. Tell me some things you've done.

I'm starting to feel a little lonely in my quest.

Leave me a comment -please?

And the winner is.....

2011-12-10T18:11:00.000-05:00

Julie - please send me an email! You've won a copy of Jill Berry's fabulous book - but you haven't left a way for me to get in touch with you. Please shoot me a note quickly!

And just a hint to everyone - if you leave a comment for a giveaway - leave your email or add it to your blogger ID and set your profile to public.

Joy in Service: Day 10 The Gift of Music

2011-12-10T13:38:00.002-05:00

There was a time in my life when I wanted to be a professional musician. I gave up that idea when I chose to have children and mother them myself. It was incredibly painful and I thought I'd never be able to play my horn again, never have the experience of playing with an orchestra in my life again.

I was wrong. Today I'm spending hours playing some of the most beautiful music there is with a group of musicians who come together just to share it freely with the community during Christmas.

I've spent hours at rehearsal and practicing but that doesn't even come close to what the conductor and organizers have put in. Or the soloists. Nobody is being paid for this but because we all find such joy in sharing music we are happy to do it.

I think one thing I've finally lived long enough to understand is that when you sacrifice something, things change... but often the change is beautiful.

Of course it was worth sacrificing that dream to have my children and be with them. But I had no idea of the blessings that would come from it.

www.apexnativity.org

I never would have imagined myself as an artist or someone who travels and teaches art to others. That never would have happened in the driven, single purpose, life of the musician I thought I wanted to be. I certainly have as much joy from sharing art as I do from sharing music.

And now I have music too. It's certainly different than it was. I'm nowhere near as good but this time, it's not all about me, and about being the best and beating out the other musicians for a chair or solo spot. This time it's about sharing the beauty and the fun of music.

If you are anywhere near Apex, North Carolina come today and share with us. The Apex Nativity Celebration is a display of over 800 nativity sets from around the world. There will be live music the whole day. At 7:30 we'll play and sing Handel's Messiah together. There is nothing like making music. Even better is sitting in the orchestra in the middle of it all. (I'm in heaven there!) It's just as good to be in a crowd of hundreds making this beautiful noise.

www.apexnativity.org

How can you share your talents and gifts today?

In what way, big or small, are you making the world a better place?

Please leave a comment telling me about your experience.

We'll inspire and give ideas for service to each other and I'd love to send you a little gift from my studio in return.

Work in Progress: rockstar boro

2011-12-08T22:10:00.000-05:00

Today was a hurried scurry from one errand to the next.

As per usual I had left several things to the very last minute.

Son's tunic for his school's ren-fest was one of them. He's one super excited little nobleman wearing his dad's size 13 pirate boots.

Then instead of getting started on dinner or sitting with kidlets to get homework done I decided that I really, really, really wanted to just get the last gore sewn and the zipper in on my boro project. (I'm following along with Melaine Testa's rockstar boro project this month.)

So I did it. I haven't sewn in an invisible zipper in several years and I must say I was rather pleased with myself. Nice tight insertion. The seam lays flat. I was a little lazy and just zig-zagged the seam allowances to the zipper tape rather than the fancy french seams or bindings I often do.

Then I trimmed up the waist and made a binding for the waistband. I've even topstiched all the seams in this skirt, whether they are raw side out or in. I've mixed it up a bit on the skirt.

Then I held it up and turned it around.

Pause.

Look again.

I sewed the zipper and the binding inside out.

Granted, some of the seams are inside out and some outside in on this upcycled garment made from old linen shirts in my interpretation of the boro spirit. That confuses the issue a bit. But I purposefully held the skirt up, placed the zipper, looked at it carefully and distinctly told myself to make sure I do it on the correct side. And promptly proceeded to sew it inside out.

Time to go make dinner.

After dinner little miss ripper and I will get down to business while we sit next to kidlet who really does not want to do homework. Sigh.

The funny part is that skirts and I have a history. Back in high school I was sewing what was one of my very favorite skirts. Grey pinwhale corduroy, ruffle at the bottom with a raised portion so that a fake lace petticoat could show through. I was talking on the phone to a boy while I sewed in the pointed yoke and waistband and zipper. I sewed it in upside down.

Twice.

In a row.

Joy in Service: Day 8 Your Time is a Gift

2011-12-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm busy. It can be overwhelming. I hear people talk about television shows I've never heard of and wonder what it would be like to have time to sit and do nothing but watch an hour of TV. I'm tired too.

Signature: half time by Lyric Montgomery Kinard

I was at a rehearsal last night and it was getting later and later and they were playing through some numbers that didn't have horn parts but we had to wait around because the very last number had horns. Did I mention that I was tired? I found myself thinking tired and grumpy and irritated thoughts.

Then I thought - my time is my gift.

And I sat and enjoyed the music for a few minutes.

I was grateful for its beauty and so many people who were working so hard to produce it.

It was a shift in attitude that made all the difference.

It takes time to truly listen to a child or a client. It takes time to go out of your way and deliver a package or a meal. It takes time to create something beautiful for someone. The time you are taking to make the world a better place reminds me that my time, the most precious thing I own right now, is a gift.

Please tell me what you did today to make the world a better place.

You inspire me to be a better person.

Book Review (and a giveaway): Personal Geographies

2011-12-07T08:48:00.000-05:00

I introduced you to Jill K. Berry here - she's an amazing mixed media artist and I am greatly attracted to her work. Lettering, maps, beautiful colors, collage? I love it. I wonder if those things tie into my college days as an architecture student?

I'm rambling. To the point. Jill has the most amazing book out titled

Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed-Media Mapmaking

It's part project/technique, part inspiration, and ALL eye-candy and

I get to give away a copy to one of you who

comment on this post!

You have until Dec 10th to tell me about your favorite map and what it means to you.

Campomigliaio Head Map by Giavanni Cera

My favorites? All of them.

There is something that intrigues me about maps of every kind. I can stare at them for hours. I have large laminated world and US maps on my wall that I'll drag the kids up to any time a "where" question comes up. I save every single National Geographic map insert and would paper my walls with them if I could get away with it. (Wait a minute - why wouldn't I? Hmmmmm - dangerous thoughts arising here!)

Heart Map by Jill Berry

I love maps even more when they are of imagined worlds. I a huge fantasy and ski-fi literature freak and the maps of those worlds are some of my favorites.

Maps as ART? Oh be still my beating heart. I've had a series of "map" quilts in my head for ages, waiting and waiting for me to get around to working on them. This book might just push them right to the front of the line.

Flipping Trip by Jill Berry

This book is full of those wonderful interior and imaginary maps, beautiful galleries of work from many different artists in different media.

I think perhaps one of the reasons I'm so drawn to mixed media work is that the techniques are very applicable to textiles. I can do almost anything on fabric these days that artists can do with paper or collage or paint. I can print stuff on fabric (isn't that the coolest thing!?!?) or even collage paper to it. (QA magazine has a number of articles that detail how to make "paper cloth.")

While I don't pick up project books intending to follow along a copy someone else's projects - these ideas are all so inspirational that they are sparking all kinds of images in my minds eye. This fold-up map box could just as easily be made with cloth on a stabilizer like craft fuse or timtex.

Cartographic Reliquary by Jill Berry

If you want even more yummy map type stuff - check out the blog that Jill started to further inspire you with more mapmaking beauty and wonderfulness.

http://personal-geographies.com/

There you will find links to book reviews, podcasts, other cool map links.

Carved copper hand map by Jill Berry

Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win!

Each of these blogs still has a giveaway of Jill's book open. Visit each and leave a comment for more chances to win your own copy of Personal Geographies. All the winners will be drawn on December 10th.
fine print: the publisher is only willing to ship to domestic US addresses. :-(

Friday, Nov 25 Aimee Myers Dolich http://artsyville.blogspot.com/
Mon Nov 28 Carla Sonheim http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com/
Tues Nov 29 Diana Trout http://www.dianatrout.typepad.com/
Weds Nov 30 Gloria Hansen http://www.gloriahansen.com/weblog/
Thurs Dec 1 Gwen Diehn http://real-life-journals.blogspot.com/
Friday Dec 2 Jane LaFazio http://www.JaneVille.blogspot.com
Mon Dec 5 Judy Wise http://www.judywise.blogspot.com/
Tues Dec 6 Lisa Engelbrecht http://lisaletters.blogspot.com/
Weds Dec 7 Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com/
Thurs Dec 8 Orly Avineri http://oneartistjournal.wordpress.com
Friday Dec 9 Tracie Lyn Huskamp http://thereddoor-studio.blogspot.com/

Jill Berry's map of her wedding day
And if I hadn't already bought my copy the minute it came out, I'd certainly buy it now.

During the Blog hop, there is a also a great deal here from the publisher.
Get FREE Shipping and 35% off retail price for PERSONAL GEOGRAPHIES!
Visit ShopMixedMedia.com and use promo code SMM106 to claim your savings.

[Fine Print: Offer expires 12/09/11 at 11:59 pm EST. Offer applies to standing shipping in the US only. Please note that additional discounts and shipping offers are not available on products that ship directly from the manufacturer: see product pages for details. Thank you for shopping at ShopMixedMedia.com!]

Joy in Service: Day 6 Thank a Worker

2011-12-06T08:00:00.048-05:00

The invisible ones.

The guys who pick up your garbage. The custodian who cleans up the school. The bus driver. The kid who gathers the grocery carts. Your mail carrier.

What ideas do you have for ways to thank them. I'm thinking of standing out when our garbage truck driver comes through and handing him a gift. They drive by in the big robot trucks so the driver doesn't usually get out of the truck... I'd have to get his attention some how. We love the robot truck. We run to the window to watch the arms reach out and grab the bin and lift it up so high to dump it into the truck! I think I might still run to the window to watch even without kids.

Boro Project by Lyric Kinard

I've been mentioning this to so people as I'm out in different places and it's so much fun to see them think of little ideas they can do to make someone feel better. I did stop and say thank you to the secretary at my kidlet's school, and told her how great she looked. I didn't leave myself enough time to give a gift. I did some quick shopping later and instead of just picking up teacher gifts, I picked up extras for the bus driver, the secretary, and the custodians. They need the lift as much as the teachers do.

But I feel bad for one thing. I was rotten grouchy after some worse than usual "homework fights" with the kids last night and after they went to bed I went to the grocery store. I smiled and asked one girl who was stocking shelves how she was and she said "tired." I smiled and said "tired too." I wish, wish, wish, I had a little gift... a flower, anything, to give her. Or maybe I should have just knelt down next to her and given her a very quick hug and told her thank you for what she does. Now I know what to do next time.

And here is the progress on my Boro project. One more gore in the skirt, a zipper and a hems and then some of the real fun begins. I think I might raid my stash of hand dyed lace. I like the idea of embroidering stories into the cloth as Melly does.

Upcycling!

Please tell me what you did to make the world a better place today!

It's not bragging - it's giving me ideas for what I can do.

It's inspiring others to look outward.

There is nothing that makes one feel better than helping someone else.

And I'm having so much fun sending little thank-you gifts from my studio. Mostly some lovely Quilting Arts magazines that I need to clear out, but a few other things here and there.

Joy in Service - Day 5 upcycle something

2011-12-05T10:12:00.000-05:00

Yesterday you did so many lovely things. Knitted prayer shawls and caps for soldiers, gave compliments, coffee cozies and desert choices to both strangers and loved ones. I offered a ride to a friend and fed a couple of hungry young missionaries who were far from home. I sat next to someone looking alone.

Gene Black is making and collecting lap quilts for a youth center. Do you have one you can ship off?

Today I'm officially joining Melanie Testa in her Rockstar Boro project.

Look here to learn more about this beautiful japanese upcycling art form.

I've had this stack of old linen shirts - cut up and laying over the back of my studio chair for months. I'll start there and work out a skirt. I know it's not exactly following the Boro esthetic of appliquéing onto existing garments.... but I'll get there.

First this had to come off Brunhilda, my duct-tpe-double. I've enjoyed remembering my fabulous sisters every time I glanced over to it's colorful corner. (really, you've got to go check us out...you'll smile!)

This is the progress so far in the first quick hour.

After I get back from lunch and center time at kidlet5's school I'll sew a few more bits together. I think I'll take something (who knows what) as a little surprise giftie for the front office secretary.

Tell me what you did today!

Joy in Service - Day 4 Let's Make it BIG!

2011-12-03T23:00:00.002-05:00

Sandy Snowden linked my blog to hers and asked her readers to come along on this ride and it gave me an idea. Lets all do it... kind of a Pay It Forward thing.

Random acts of beauty, kindness, and service.

(It's certainly not an original idea, and certainly not mine - but it helps to be reminded.)

Ask your blog readers, your twitter followers, and even your facebook friends to do it too.

One kindness, one act of service a day.

It can be as small as a smile and a wave.

It can be as big as making a quilt for a charity.

Take this button and pass it on. Then come back here and tell me what you did.

Yesterday you did wonderful things like letting a friend cry on your shoulder, sending a note, walking through someone creative discovery, praying.
Yesterday I did something as small as gave my son a back rub when my first inclination was to give him a tongue lashing.

How did you make the world a better place?
(and didn't it make you feel great!?)

Joy in Service - Day 3 Thank a Teacher

2011-12-03T09:41:00.001-05:00

Giving flowers to random people at the grocery store, volunteering at an English as a Second Language center, giving away plants, leaving your favorite magazines at the library or doctor's office. Making an auction quilt, donating toys, packing up a a friend's kitchen for a move.
So many ways to make the world a better place.

Here is an idea for today - say thank you to a teacher.

My parents were both public school teachers and so are some of my best friends.

Dad in his LavaLava

Mom, teaching in Samoa

Since my parents retired they've just kept on teaching. Locally in their rural community, in the prisons, in eastern Germany, and at a boarding school in Western Samoa.

My love of teaching probably comes from them but I've got to admit that I'm very spoiled.

I honestly believe they have the hardest job in America.

But I don't have do deal with students who don't want to be there. I don't have parents telling me I'm doing my job wrong. I don't have politicians telling me how to do every second of every day of my job. I don't spend every evening grading papers and planning lessons and doing page after page after page of added forms of paperwork because every spare moment in during school is taken up by meetings.

Look up that one teacher from way back when and send them a thank you note. In writing. Through the mail.

Instead of simply sending in a candy bar to your child's teacher - send them a note telling them exactly why you appreciate what they do.

You should also nominate your favorite quilt teacher for this. Then send them a note too.

Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Do You Know A Great Teacher?
Help us find our 2012 Professional Quilt Teacher of the Year

For the 26th year, The Professional Quilter will honor an outstanding quilt teacher with its Teacher of the Year award. The winner will be chosen by her or his peers on the basis of written answers to a questionnaire. The winner will be judged on the following criteria:

Commitment to development of fine workmanship and personal expression of students;
Involvement in and contributions to the field of quiltmaking; and
Professionalism, including personal code of ethics and serving as a role model.

I apologize - I don't usually talk politics here. But one thing that frustrates me to no end are people and politicians who disrespect public school teachers. I want to say to them, "Stand in their shoes for a month. You wouldn't last a week! And you certainly wouldn't ever consider doing the job for what they get paid." Teachers don't do it for the money or because they "can't perform in the real world!" They do it because they have want to make the world a better place.

So tell me what else you did today to make the world a better place.

(my first little random pile of thank you goodies will go out Monday to some of you.)

Joy in Service - Day 2

2011-12-02T09:17:00.001-05:00

These are some of the things you did yesterday to make the world a better place.

Greeting the elderly with a smile and a hug, upgrading a buildings energy efficiency, donating clothing, shoes, and warm winter coats.

macrame snowflakes made by my mother, Lynn Montgomery

Leaving $5 with the cashier at Starbucks as a surprise gift for a stranger in line, donating to a food bank, making quilts for a charity, dinner for a friend, using your skills and talents to help a school choir hem dresses, sending a surprise gift. Reaching out to difficult family members.

You are amazing people

"Some people choose not to donate their services because they believe that it somehow devalues them by 'giving them away.' In truth, there is nothing that demonstrates the value of your skills more than putting them to good use for a cause you believe in." ~Scott Allen

Yesterday I remembered to greet him at the door with a big smile and a hug and an "I love you" instead of launching straight into the "get out your homework and stop fighting me" speech. Then I managed to keep my patience with this recalcitrant child who is brilliant but hates homework.

Tell me what you are going to do today.

I think reading these comments is going to be the highlight of every day this month.

Finding Joy in Service

2011-12-01T10:20:00.000-05:00

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with catcher's mitts on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

~Maya Angelou~

December is a favorite month of mine.

I love Christmas.

Knipplinger lace made my my talented mother, Lynn Montgomery

I've learned to ignore and mostly throw out the things that stress or bother me about the commercialization of the season and pare it down to the things I love.

I love the music

My daughter and I are playing in an orchestra for the Apex Christmas Nativity Celebration's Messiah Sing-In Saturday Dec. 10th at 7pm.

photo by kohunt on flickr

My Christmas playlist is the longest of any on my ipod. If I haven't played my dulcimer in six months I know at least I'll get it down to play Christmas music. I don't mind running out every other night to hear my kids school band concerts.

I love being with my family and friends

I love the neighborhood and church and family brunches and dinners and parties.

I'm surrounded by wonderful people and feel blessed to be in their presence.

And the food - yes. The food.

I love helping, in whatever small way, to make the world a better place

My kids get totally excited to leave presents on doorsteps. I've already had to take my oldest daughter to the store twice to fill stockings for service projects she's doing at school.

Photo by weddingmusings at flickr

join me

You and I together have power to make the world a better place. Help me think of things do to, and you can do them too. I was cleaning out a few piles in the studio and realized I have a huge stack of duplicate Quilting Arts magazines. And stuff. Too much wonderful stuff. I want to share it.

So every day - tell me one thing you did to love and help and serve.

(and leave me a way to contact you.) I'll send you a magazine and maybe a goodie along with it.

Yesterday I took dinner to a dear friend who is sick. I called another friend I haven't heard from for a while. Just to say how much I miss and love her.

DO SOMETHING!

big or small it doesn't matter.

(and tell me about it.)

29 Ways to be Creative by Sei Ohmori

2011-11-30T08:47:00.000-05:00

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

Sei Ohmori is a japanese architect and graphic designer.

I do these things although I'd replace coffee with chocolate.

I want you to do at least ONE THING on this list TODAY!

Gratitude Gift Guide 2011: Cyber Monday

2011-11-27T20:33:00.000-05:00

Find Joy, Create Beauty, Be Inspired... and support your favorite artists!

Here are some deals for you from some of us. We are so grateful to be able to do what we are doing - and grateful to you for making it possible.

For today only, Bead It Like You Mean It is on sale for $15!!! It will go back up to $24.95 Tuesday morning.

At my Etsy shop you can find notecards, fine art prints, original watercolors, and hand dyed and printed scarves. Follow the directions in the shop announcement for free shipping on domestic and international orders. (fine print - all orders will be shipped USPS first class mail.)

Lyric Art at Etsy

Jill K. Berry's book, "Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed-Media Mapmaking." One of the projects is a map of the heart. There is a fabulous blog-hop giveaway going for this book right now - head to Carla Sonheim's blog today for a chance to win her book.

The publisher is having a special for the next two weeks: Get FREE Shipping and 35% off retail price! Visit ShopMixedMedia.com and usepromo code SMM106. [Fine Print: Offer applies to standing shipping in the US only ]

You will love Jane LaFazio's Etsy shop full of delightful original artwork.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/janeville?ref=pr_shop_more

or her fabulous DVD

“from art journaling to art”

Tracie Bunkers has a great tutorial on making Moldable Foam Stamps,

and a fabulous kit to go with it.

Tracie Lyn Huskcamp has a few of her beautiful 2012 calendars left, but you will have to hurry!

Carla Sonheim teaches some of the most popular online drawing classes out there.

Give the gift of Silly to someone you love!

Gloria Hansen has a a book for quilters, Digital Essentials, the Quilt Makers Must Have Guide to Files, Images, and More. She's giving away a little giftie with each order - you're going to love it.

Gratitude Gift Guide 2011: On-line Courses

2011-11-25T08:00:00.002-05:00

Find Joy, Be Inspired, Create Beauty

Because you ARE creative. But bringing out that creativity and forming into the vision in your mind takes some time and some messing around and some practice.

Cool thing is, that it's FUN practice.

Here's one that's fun.

Machine Quilting: Free Motion and More

On-Line video course with Wendy Butler Berns

http://www.craftsy.com/ext/WBMBlog2

and for you - a discount link for $29.99

Wendy is a friend of mine, and one of the best teachers I know. How cool is it that you can take classes with amazing people like her without leaving home.

This class has over 4 hours of video broken up in easy to swallow bits that take you all the way through the process. She starts with preparing your quilt, helps you set up your machine - and off you go. She's with you every step of the way.

I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed with the film quality. Good lighting, good close ups, and my favorite - she smiles and laughs a lot. I think you will like her course. You get to take it at your own pace, and Wendy is there on-line to answer your questions.

Playing with Paint student work by Cheryl

You could also treat yourself or your quilting friends to a Quilt University gift certificate

http://www.quiltuniversity.com/classlist2.htm#Other

I have two classes coming up in a few months:

Playing With Paint on January 20th

Artists Toolbox Feb 17

And a few fun opportunities for you:
don't forget to comment on Ann Fahl's book review for a chance to win "A Black and White Tale"

And a lot of chances to win Jill Berry's book,
Personal Geographies begin today with her blog hop.

Faces on Friday

2011-11-25T07:45:00.000-05:00

Most of these are drawn from looking at pictures on my monitor - a couple of them I even traced after getting annoyed that I couldn't get placement right.

Artist Spotlight: Jill Berry

2011-11-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

I'd like to introduce you to the artist Jill Berry.

Jill Berry

Jill is a graphic designer, book artist, and painter. I love book artists. I love her work with lettering and maps especially.

Recently I got so excited by her GeoPapers Tutorial during the ARTSPARK winter tutorials blog hop that I had to rush off that night and start a new work based on her idea. You'll see more of that later, I'm sure.

I love the color in her work, the boldness, the lines that lead the eye on such a pleasant journey.

Jill Berry

I love that she takes one work and transforms it into something even richer and more interesting.

It's an idea that has me intrigued - and looking at my own work in a different way.

Art Book by Jill Berry

If it it seems like I'm neglecting the quilt artists, don't worry. I want to expose you the the people whose work inspires me. Quilters NEED to look outside of the textile arts for inspiration. There is such a wide world out there to learn from.

I'll be reviewing Jill's new book, Personal Geographies, on December 7th.

At each of these stops on the blog hop you'll have the opportunity to win your own copy so make sure to stop by each one!

Friday, Nov 25 Aimee Myers Dolich http://artsyville.blogspot.com/

Mon Nov 28 Carla Sonheim http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com/

Tues Nov 29 Diana Trout http://www.dianatrout.typepad.com/

Weds Nov 30 Gloria Hansen http://www.gloriahansen.com/weblog/

Thurs Dec 1 Gwen Diehn http://real-life-journals.blogspot.com/

Friday Dec 2 Jane LaFazio http://JaneVille.blogspot.com

Mon Dec 5 Judy Wise http://www.judywise.blogspot.com/

Tues Dec 6 Lisa Engelbrecht http://lisaletters.blogspot.com/

Weds Dec 7 Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com/

Thurs Dec 8 Orly Avineri http://oneartistjournal.wordpress.com

Friday Dec 9 Tracie Lyn Huskamp http://thereddoor-studio.blogspot.com/

Etsy Shop Update: watercolors

2011-11-23T12:07:00.000-05:00

I've decided to share my little treasures with you.

LyricArt at Esty

More Watercolor Bliss

2011-11-23T08:00:00.021-05:00

The kidlets and I end up with stacks of leaves in our grubby little fists every time we head out the door.

It's simply glorious here in North Carolina during the month of November.

There are huge flaming trees all above us and individual little works of art in every leaf at our feet.

I've been taking time every other morning to "meditate with color"

Thanks to Vivian Swift's lovely tutorial on

how to paint a leaf

she it the author of

"When Wanderers Cease to Roam"

A beautiful little book on visual journaling.

the view out my studio window

Gratitude Gift Guide 2011: A Black and White Tale

2011-11-22T08:28:00.000-05:00

As we go through this week of Thanksgiving and into a beautiful season of Giving

I'm thinking of things that will help you Find Joy, Be Inspired, and Create Beauty!

I'd like to introduce you to

A Black and White Tale

by Ann Fahl and Jacquie Scuitto

This little book is a sweetly whimsical tale of a cat, told in verse and wonderful whimsey.

Jacquie is known as the quilt muse and her verses have been delighting me almost as long as I've been quilting. Ann's quilts were among the first art quilts I fell in love with and inspired me to begin this wonderful journey as an artist. You can see the specific quilt here. Her work is always inspired by her immediate environment, be it her garden or in this case, Oreo, a sweet little cat that brightens her home. (Inspired!)

My kidlets, who sadly, must make do with loving on all of our neighbor's cats instead of living with one of their own, have been enjoying this book for several weeks now. Stories before bedtime is one of our favorite times of the day. (Joy!)

Your children or grandchildren will love it when you read this book to them. But of course you don't need little ones. Anyone who has had the pleasure of a purring cat on their lap or watched the playful adventures of a mighty little feline hunter will have a smile on their face as they read each verse.

At the end of the tale Ann describes each of her quilts for you and she even has a cat pattern that you can buy in tandem with the book if you want to make your own sweet little cat quilt. (Be Creative!)

Now, you must know I am not unbiased in any way shape or form. I count both Ann and Jacquie as friends. They are creative artists who have been bold and inspiring. They have gone out on a limb and self-published this book, and endeavor I admire and am happy to support. Think, this Christmas, about supporting artists, fair trade, or hand made. It makes a difference. It makes the world a better place.

You can purchase

A Black and White Tale

HERE

on Ann's website.

AND!!!! (as soon as I find where the kids have hidden it) I'm going to give away our copy of this book.

Leave a comment telling me what you are grateful for this week... and a way for me to contact you.

I'll let the kidlets draw a lucky winner next Monday.

Tiffa130 on Flickr

A quick note: lest you think I'm hucking rampant consumerism because it's almost Christmas... Nope. My poor, neglected children get one gift from "Santa" (having known all along that it was me and usually been in on what we call "elfing") and one from their grandparents, and one from each other. It's not their birthday we are celebrating after all. We prefer handmade, or something truly thoughtful... not something expensive. We also find a service project each year that they all can participate in. Their favorite being the "ring and run" variety - leaving gifts on a doorstep. Probably because we dress up like spies to do so.

Be Inspired!

2011-11-21T08:49:00.000-05:00

Find Joy.

Where does your JOY come from?

My joy - and my peace - comes from gratitude.

It is a blessing greater than I could have ever imagined

to be here, with you, doing this.

Be Inspired.

I am continually inspired by the world around me.

My fellow artists and students inspire me with their creativity.

My family inspires me with their love and support.

Create Beauty.

The world can be what me make of it.

In any small way we can create order from chaos,

peace from sorrow.

Our hands, and our hearts can create beauty.

This week I'll be spotlighting some things that I think would be beautiful gifts for this season but I wanted to start with this. I believe we have been sent here to make the world a better place. There are numerous way we can do so. Shop local or support fair trade projects. Create with your own hands. Serve others with what you have. Give your time, talents, or simply your love.

ARTSPARK tutorials Day 10

2011-11-19T14:21:00.001-05:00

The last few ARTSPARK winter tutorials are amazing. I was immediately inspired by Jill's tutorial to start my own project - you'll see more in upcoming days.

November 18: Jill Berry Geo Papers and Projects

Gloria is the techie GURU!!! that I turn to at need and you will love her video.

It is clear and easy to understand. Make time for it! It's worth it!

November 19: Gloria Hansen Easy Resizing of a Digital Image

November 20: Diana Trout Furoshiko

And here is the full roll - just in case you missed some of us.

November 9^: Jane LaFazio Sketch & Stitch Gift Bags

November 10: Lyric Kinard Beaded Ornament

November 11: Tracie Lyn Huskamp Christmas Cardinal Ornament

November 13: Traci Bunkers Moldable Foam Stamps

November 14:Melanie Testa Zipper Tute Mania

November 15: Judy Coates Perez Folk Art Inspired Ornament

November 16: Kelli Nina Perkins Whimsical Spool Garland

November. 17: Lisa Engelbrecht Experimental Lettering

Faces on Friday

2011-11-18T08:50:00.000-05:00

I'm excited again about drawing faces.

from a photo - freehand

from a photo- freehand

Remember way back when with my "how to draw a face" video tutorial at the beginning of the year? I think I've come a long way with the pics. This is from a photo.

from imagination

These two are from my imagination and scribbled quickly.

I'm just at the beginning of my due diligence. The time you have to put in to "get there."

from imagination

And I'm having fun.

Are you?

ARTSPARK tutorials Day 9

2011-11-17T13:04:00.000-05:00

Today is Lisa Engelbecht's turn for an experimental lettering tutorial.

I love, love, love her work.

And here is the full roll - just in case you missed us.

November 9^: Jane LaFazio Sketch & Stitch Gift Bags

November 10: Lyric Kinard Beaded Ornament

November 11: Tracie Lyn Huskamp Christmas Cardinal Ornament

November 13: Traci Bunkers Moldable Foam Stamps

November 14:Melanie Testa Zipper Tute Mania

November 15: Judy Coates Perez Folk Art Inspired Ornament

November 16: Kelli Nina Perkins Whimsical Spool Garland

November. 17: Lisa Engelbrecht Experimental Lettering

November 18: Jill Berry Geo Papers and Projects

November 19: Gloria Hansen Easy Resizing of a Digital Image

November 20: Diana Trout Furoshiko

For Your Inspiration: Virginia Beach

2011-11-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

Peace

Beauty

Questions

Treasures

Renewal

Bead Tutorial: Useful knot and Mini Ornament

2011-11-15T08:00:00.010-05:00

Today it's the multi-talented Judy Coates Perez' turn to enlighten and enliven our day with another ARTSPARK winter tutorial

And as an added bonus....

This short little video will clarify how to make the useful little know that keeps all those beads from flying off your fabric. And I show it to you with a little felt ball ornament - a fun extra.

I do still have kits available for the beaded ornament and have thrown in the mini felt ball so you can make both.

Have fun!

And here is the rundown of the ARTSPARK tutorials thus far and upcoming:

November 9^: Jane LaFazio Sketch & Stitch Gift Bags

November 10: Lyric Kinard Beaded Ornament

November 11: Tracie Lyn Huskamp Christmas Cardinal Ornament

November 13: Traci Bunkers Moldable Foam Stamps

November 14:Melanie Testa Zipper Tute Mania

November 15: Judy Coates Perez Folk Art Inspired Ornament

November 16: Kelli Nina Perkins Whimsical Spool Garland

November. 17: Lisa Engelbrecht Experimental Lettering

November 18: Jill Berry Geo Papers and Projects

November 19: Gloria Hansen Easy Resizing of a Digital Image

November 20: Diana Trout Furoshiko

Etsy Shop Update

2011-11-14T08:00:00.007-05:00

I've just added a new series of items to my Etsy shop.

For the strong women in your life.

Need some color and whimsy this winter?

Musicians will love these.

Perfect for a school teacher.

Please shop local, handmade even, this Holiday season.

Spread the word - support your favorite artists!

Lyric Art on Etsy

Artspark Winter Tutorial Day 5

2011-11-13T18:36:00.000-05:00

http://www.tracibunkers.com/blog/2011/11/moldable-foam-stamps-tutorial.html

You're going to love Traci Bunker's video tutorial!

Melanie Testa has had some technical difficulties and her tutorial will be up some time tomorrow.

http://melanietesta.com/mtype/

Where does ART come from?

2011-11-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

I love this conversation with Lesley Riley, a gifted and generous artist's coach and thought I would share it with you. Where does YOUR art come from?

Reaching by Lyric Kinard

Mother's Hand: Magic by Lyric Kinard

Where does art come from, this passion to create? It's a question I ask all of my guests on my bi-weekly Art & Soul radio show. The responses are as varied as my guests - artists, writers, all talented people. Best-selling author, Patti Digh's quick and witty response was, "It comes from my elbow." Her "serious" answer was that it comes from a great, deep yearning that we have to express what seems inexpressible or ineffable (beyond words). Artist and author, Pam Carriker shares "It comes from inside, it's part of who I am." Others have expressed the fact that it's a need, they can't not create. Some have said they believe it comes from the source, God, the Universe - that we are just a conduit, the messenger.

I have come to the conclusion that it's innate. With six children and six (7 is on the way!) grandchildren, and plenty of inside knowledge, I know there exists no toddler that does not want to make their mark. It could stem from pure delight in putting something into the world that did not exist before.

Is self-expression a basic need? Look at all the ways we do express ourselves: music, writing, blogging, dance, drama, hairstyle, clothing, cooking, home decorating and more. So if we all start out drawing, scribbling, mark-making, mud pie creating and make-believe-ing, why do so many of us give it up? And what would happen if we didn't give it up?

Photo source: 7/6/09 english.chinatibetnews.com

Last week the journal, Science, described the finding of 100,000 year old "two tidy paint 'tool kits'" discovered in 2008 along a cliff in South Africa in a cave called Blombos. It was 100,000 years ago that Homo Sapiens emerged as a species and now here is evidence that we were painting from the very beginning! Researchers say that these paint tools and pigments "push deeper into human history the evidence for artistic impulses." Experts at the Louvre performed an analysis and determined that "whoever made the ancient paint selected only the brightest of reds" from the ochre. The desire and need to create is as old as mankind.

Mother's Hand: Burnt Out by Lyric Kinard

What would happen if everyone had the means and confidence to outwardly express themselves? Would they be happier? More content? Unlike sports, movies or TV, no one would be relegated to the couch or the sidelines watching. All could participate - pick up a pencil, a brush, a needle.

You see, I have this theory that if each and every one of us on the planet regularly indulged in arting - this act of making something that did not exist before, of spinning straw into gold - that there would be no depressed, no alcoholics, no bodily aches and pains, no world full of people seeking happiness outside of themselves. It would come from inside, anytime, anywhere. I believe it is the repression of this innate need, this universal desire that causes unhappiness and malaise.

Now it's your turn to answer the question, "Where does art come from?" Is it innate? Hereditary? Learned? Please take a moment to share your thoughts HERE. Be sure to include your name and blog or website. I've got big plans for our collective wisdom. Help me create it.

PS Please spread the word. Ask your friends, post on your FB wall. Use the links here to email. The more thoughts we get, the richer the experience. Thanks!

Lesley Riley, The Artist Success Expert, is the creative founder of Artist Success, Solutions for the Struggling Artist. To receive her bi-weekly articles on creating your own success as an artist, visit www.ArtistSuccess.com.

Artspark Winter Tutorial Day 3 (and faces on friday)

2011-11-11T14:51:00.000-05:00

Today is DAY 3 of ARTSPARK's

Winter Tutorial Blog Hop

Tracie Lyn Huskamp is offering instructions (and a kit) on how to create this lovely little cardinal ornament. Head here to find it.

And I have bunches more than this - but I'll just show these for now. The faces are coming along - the noses still give me fits. Proportion. Proportion. Proportion.

from life

top left from life, the rest from imagination

(I need to figure out how to use the white balance on my camera, don't I.)

Glitter, Glisten, Glimmer: Beaded Ornament Tutorial

2011-11-10T07:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to day 2 of ARTSPARK's winter tutorial blog hop!

Let's make a lovely little ornament.

I'm using Miyuki twisted bugle beads, number 6, 11, and 15 seed beads, and a felt ball.

I use a #11 straw or applique needle and Nymo or Sylamide beading thread.

Knot your thread - push it straight through then knot on the other end just to be safe. Trim the tail.

Place a #6 bead on the needle, slide it down, then pick up a #11 on the needle without sliding it down.

Stick the needle back down through the #6 hole then straight out through the other side.

Make a knot there to be safe then make this same little stack at each pole and on each of the four directions of your little globe.

After you've made your six stacks, make a knot as close to underneath the bead as possible. If your thread is too short get another one ready.

Load on a #11, a bugle, and another #11 - keep the last bead on the needle. Slide the needle back through the bugle and bottom seed bead and come out on the other side of the #6.

Make six of these bugle stacks around the #6 stack.

After making six of these bugle stacks send your needle through the felt ball to the next #6 bead stack and repeat the process around each center bead.

Make knots fairly often to secure your thread by taking a little bite of the felt ball as close to underneath a bead as you can. Leave the needle half way through.

Wrap the thread around the front end of the needle, hold the wrap there with your finger, then pull the needle through.

Send your needle through one of your seed/bugle stacks - you can catch the top bead after you've pulled the needle through if you miss it on the first pass.

Pick up a bugle bead then send your needle through the seed bead on the top of the next stack in the circle.

Add a bugle between each of the stacks without going back down to the felt ball. Just hop from one seed bead on the top of a bugle to the next.

When you get to the last seed bead, go through it again, and through the bugle and the next seed bead.

Take your needle back down to the felt ball through the bugle and seed bead, bringing the needle back up under the next #6 bead.

Repeat the process of adding a bugle between each stack until you have a lovely hexagon around each #6 bead stack center thingie. (Yes - "thingie" is a technical term.)

Make sure you have plenty of thread to make a loop, doubled thread is a good option here. Bring your needle up through one of those big #6 bead center thingies, and add lots of little tiny #15 seed beads until you have a string of them long enough to make a hanging loop.

Take your needle back down through the #6 stack and bring it out as close under one of the other hexagon bead formations as you can.

Do the knot thing, in fact knot it twice for good measure. Send the needle anywhere through the felt ball and then trim the tail.

Viola!

Something beautiful to hang on your tree, or in your window, or on your rear-view mirror.

If you don't happen to have those dazzling twisted bugles in your stash - no worries.

I've put together kits for you with everything you need to make your own ornament.

Each kit includes one felt ball, all the beads you need, a spool of nymo beading thread and a needle.

Shipping within the U.S. is free.

And if you liked this tutorial, you will love my DVD.

It's 90 minutes of blissful beading play time and full of inspiration.

Learn to apply beads to fabric and make your own wonderful works of art.

Pop it in your computer and print out a PDF pattern for the floral quilt on the cover.

$24.95 + $5.50 shipping

Watercolor Bliss and the Artspark Winter Tutorial

2011-11-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite time of year. It's gloriously colorful here in North Carolina.

I have a little time for being with family and art making.

I took time out this morning to play with paint and color.

Now it's time to get to work. I spent yesterday unpacking from the last teaching trip and cleaning out part of the studio. I've got a tutorial to get ready for you all!

But you don't have to wait for me. One of the reasons I'm beginning to love watercolors along with textiles is the inspiration I get from the fabulous and beautiful, Jane LaFazio. She's got a lovely little tutorial up on her blog for making these unique gift bags.

http://janeville.blogspot.com/2011/11/sketch-stitch-gift-bag-tutorial.html

Go.
Be INSPIRED!

Imaginary Creatures

2011-11-09T07:07:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite artists and illustrators is named Omar Rayyan.

Fluffy, by Omar Rayyan

on etsy

I love his slightly twisted and humorous imagination.

Contessa with Squid, by Omar Rayyan

prints on Etsy

I smile whenever I see his work.

Courtship, by Omar Rayyan

I don't have his prodigious experience and the natural results of his due diligence with pencil and brush. Some day I might, but not yet.

But last night right before bed I was thinking about this month's Sketchbook Challenge theme of imaginary creatures and started scribbling and a few seconds later I had a long necked goat with wings and fangs. No idea at the beginning what it was going to be. But there you go. Fun to be had with pencil in hand.

Artspark Winter Tutorial Bloghop

2011-11-07T07:56:00.005-05:00

Are you ready!!!!??? The fabulous ladies at Artspark begin our winter round of free tutorials for you to follow. You don't want to miss this!

November 9:^: Jane LaFazio Sketch & Stitch Gift Bags

November 10: Lyric Kinard Glitter, Glisten, Glimmer: Beaded Snowflake Ornament

November 11: Tracie Lyn Huskamp

November 12: Melanie Testa

November 13: Traci Bunkers Moldable Foam Stamps

November 14: Diana Trout Japanese-Style Fabric Wrap(Furoshiko)

November 15: Judy Coates Perez Folk Art Inspired Ornament

November 16: Kelli Nina Perkins Whimsical Spool Garland

November. 17: Lisa Engelbrecht Experimental Lettering

November 18: Jill Berry Geo Papers and Projects

November 19: Gloria Hansen Resizing an Image the Easy Way

While waiting in an airport

2011-11-02T09:32:00.001-04:00

Foto/Fiber 2012 and ACS fundraiser

2011-11-01T14:00:00.000-04:00

Once again Virginia Spiegel is working her magic.

She makes the world a better place. I'm so honored to be part of her project to raise funds for the American Cancer Sociery.

How Does Foto/Fiber 2012 Work?

90 Photos AND 90 BONUS Fiber Surprises
Beauty and Mystery Unite to Fight Cancer

1. Ninety beautiful and inspiring photos by Virginia A. Spiegel

Hope is the winged bird(with apologies to Emily Dickinson)

All photos are 7x5" and mounted to archival acid-free 1/8" foam board. Each is matted with an archival mat to 10x8." Each photo is titled/signed by me and packaged in a clear envelope. Only three of each photo will be available. I do not plan to offer my photos for sale online so this is a one-off opportunity. All photos will be available for preview no later than February 14, but I will be featuring photos on my blog and here periodically.

2. Ninety BONUS Fiber Surprises from an amazing team of fiber artistsAll BONUS Fiber Surprises will be mailed directly to you by their creators in a Size 0 (6x9") bubble envelope mailer. This is the size in which a CD fits nicely. Each artist will be donating from one to three BONUS Fiber Surprises.

I asked the donors to make the BONUSES wonderfully wonderful, creative, and unique. You might receive a small work of art, handpainted or dyed fabric, screen printed Lutradur, vintage kimono scraps, a small original screen for printing, dyed embroidery thread, a small bundle of "magical" raw materials, etc., etc. Check out the list of generous artists (links are to their websites/blogs); you know your BONUS will be just that:

Natalya Aikens
Frances Holliday Alford
Pamela Allen
Sue Bleiweiss
Nancy G. Cook
Jane Davila
Vivika DeNegre
Diane Rusin Doran
Jane Dunnewold
Jamie Fingal
Leonie Hartley Hoover
Leslie Tucker Jenison
Lyric Kinard
Susan Brubaker Knapp
Lynn Krawzcyk
Jane LaFazio

Susan Lenz
Jeanelle McCall
Linda Teddlie Minton
Karen Musgrave
Gail Myrhorodsky
Karen Stiehl Osborn
BJ Parady
Cate Coulacos Prato
Yvonne Porcella
Wen Redmond
Sue Reno
Susan Schrott Cynthia St. Charles
Lura Schwarz Smith
Sarah Ann Smith
Terri Stegmiller
Mary Ann Van Soest

3. Drawings for Fiber Art
All patrons of Foto/Fiber 2012 will also have the opportunity throughout Foto/Fiber to win fiber art generously donated by:

Leonie Hartley HooverLyric Kinard
Lynn Krawczyk
and

Yvonne Porcella: Teal Flower for OV, 6x9" mini-quilt .
The drawing for this artwork will be from the 90 patrons of Foto/Fiber 2012
whose lives or the lives of ones they love have been affected by cancer.
(I'm thinking it will be all 90, no?)

and

Mary Ann Van Soest: Yellow Barns II, 18x24" quilt
The drawing for this artwork will be from all 90 patrons of Foto/Fiber 2012
once we meet our goal of $7000 raised for the ACS.

Gold Donor Day: Wednesday, February 15
10 a.m. Central - 3:00 p.m. Central
Make a minimum donation of $100, choose a photo
and choose a BONUS Fiber Surprise by a specific artist from the list above.

Thursday, February 16
10 a.m. Central - 3:00 Central (or until SOLD OUT)Make a minumum donation of $50 and choose a photo;
your BONUS Fiber Surprise will be chosen for you at random.

More specifics on how to donate directly to the American Cancer Society
through Fiberart For A Cause will be available no later than Monday, February 12.

Help us spread the word about Foto/Fiber 2012

Questions? E-mail me at Virginia(at)VirginiaSpiegel.comFiberart For A Cause

Lyric Art

Work in Progress: Boro Skirt

Artspark's Tutorial Blog Hop

For Your Inspiration: Texture in the Sand

Artsparks Valentine Tutorial Blog Hop

Student Spotlight: Palmetto Quilt Guild

9:30am on the beach

Work In Progress: Beaded Brooch

For Your Inspiration: Suess-land

Fiberart for a Cause

New Year's Resolutions: One Word

The Sketchbook Challenge: January Theme

On-Line Class: Playing With Paint

Reverse Resolutions 2011

Faces on Friday - not quite the final results

The Sketchbook Challenge 2012 lineup

The Sketchbook Challenge: December Theme

Merry Christmas!!!

Joy in Service: Day 23 simple gifts

Work In Progress: rockstar boro

Work in Progress: Rockstar Boro

Joy in Service: Day 16 The Gift of Forgiveness

Work in Progress: Rockstar Boro (how to sew a decorative hanging pocket)

Joy in Service: Day 13 (and a shop update)

Joy in Service: Day 12 The Gift of a Smile

And the winner is.....

Joy in Service: Day 10 The Gift of Music

Work in Progress: rockstar boro

Joy in Service: Day 8 Your Time is a Gift

Book Review (and a giveaway): Personal Geographies

Joy in Service: Day 6 Thank a Worker

Joy in Service - Day 5 upcycle something

Joy in Service - Day 4 Let's Make it BIG!

Joy in Service - Day 3 Thank a Teacher

Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Do You Know A Great Teacher?Help us find our 2012 Professional Quilt Teacher of the Year

Joy in Service - Day 2

Finding Joy in Service

29 Ways to be Creative by Sei Ohmori

Gratitude Gift Guide 2011: Cyber Monday

You will love Jane LaFazio's Etsy shop full of delightful original artwork.

Gratitude Gift Guide 2011: On-line Courses

Faces on Friday

Artist Spotlight: Jill Berry

Etsy Shop Update: watercolors

More Watercolor Bliss

Gratitude Gift Guide 2011: A Black and White Tale

Be Inspired!

ARTSPARK tutorials Day 10

Faces on Friday

ARTSPARK tutorials Day 9

For Your Inspiration: Virginia Beach

Bead Tutorial: Useful knot and Mini Ornament

Etsy Shop Update

Artspark Winter Tutorial Day 5

Where does ART come from?

Artspark Winter Tutorial Day 3 (and faces on friday)

Glitter, Glisten, Glimmer: Beaded Ornament Tutorial

Watercolor Bliss and the Artspark Winter Tutorial

Imaginary Creatures

Artspark Winter Tutorial Bloghop

While waiting in an airport

Foto/Fiber 2012 and ACS fundraiser

Do You Know A Great Teacher?
Help us find our 2012 Professional Quilt Teacher of the Year