Jane Sassaman Book Review Tour

July is going to be a very fun month here at Lyric Art! It's going to be full of Artist Spotlights and Book Reviews and lots of fun giveaways. And it's not just me, there are wonderful blog tours and giveaways going on all over the place! The first tour, introducing Jane Sassaman's fabulous new book starts tomorrow over at Laura Wasilowski's blog. Stop by there then follow the new links each day. 

2	Laura Wasilowski				http://artfabrik.blogspot.com/
3	Jessica Sloan				http://remnantsfiberculture.blogspot.com/
4
5	Judy CoatesPerez				http://judyperez.blogspot.com/
6	Jane Sassaman				http://sassaman.blogspot.com/
7	Linda Teufel				http://dragonthreadsopenbook.blogspot.com/
8	Gloria Hansen				http://www.gloriahansen.com/weblog/
9	Melissa Peda				http://100billionstars.com/blog/
10	Susan B Knapp				http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11	Jacquie Gering				http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/
12	Weeks Ringle				http://craftnectar.com/
13	SewCalGal				http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com/
14	Jessic Kovach				http://twinfibers.blogspot.com/
15	Pam Matthews				www.delrayfabrics.com/blog
16	Frieda Anderson				http://friestyle.blogspot.com/
17	Pat Sloan				http://blog.patsloan.com/
18	Jan Krentz				http://www.jankrentz.com/weblog/
19	Anita Grossman Solomon				http://makeitsimpler.blogspot.com/
20	Lyric Kinard				http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com/
21	The Quilt Show				http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php
22	Jane La Fazio				http://janeville.blogspot.com/
23	Free Spirit				http://www.freespiritfabric.blogspot.com/
24	Nancy Zieman				http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/

Work In Progress: Boro Skirt

Little steps - stitches here and there.

 I loooooove these buttons. One is a compass.

 I actually wore it Sunday and enjoyed it very much.

The Sketchbook Challenge - Book Tour!!!

If you've been with me a while you know that I've been working with

The Sketchbook Challenge

We are a varied group of artists challenging our readers to get out their sketchbooks and draw. Skill level and confidence have nothing to do with it - the joy of putting pencil to paper is something I highly encourage everyone to experience.

Our fearless leader is Sue Bleiweiss and she's taken us one step further and has written a book titled (what else!?)

 

Each of the guests involved in this project are going to tell you a little about their part in the book. I think you're going to love it! So stop by each blog on it's given day to read about all the fun stuff you'll find in this book and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win. Yup.  PRIZES!

June 26:
Jill Berry  http://jillberrydesign.com/blog/
Sue Bleiweiss http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog

June 27:
Violette   http://www.violette.ca/
Kathyanne White http://kathyanneart.blogspot.com/

June 28:
Kathy Sperino http://finishinglinesbyksperino.blogspot.com/
Leslie Tucker Jenison  http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/

June 29:
Jamie Fingal http://jamiefingaldesigns.blogspot.com/
Lynn Krawczyk  http://fibraartysta.blogspot.com/

July 2:
Jackie Bowcutt http://stitchworks-jackie.blogspot.com/
Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com/

July 3:
Jane Davies http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/
Kim Rae Nugent http://kimraenugent.blogspot.com/

July 5:
Carla Sonheim  www.carlasonheim.wordpress.com/
Carol Sloan  www.carolbsloan.blogspot.com/

July 6:
Susan Brubaker Knapp  http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
Diana Trout dianatrout.typepad.com

July 9:
Tracie Lyn Huskamp  www.thereddoor-studio.blogspot.com/
Judi Hurwitt  www.approachable-art.blogspot.com

July 10:
Jane LaFazio http://janeville.blogspot.com/
Kelli Nina Perkins: http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/

ABSTRACT-a-licious on Saturday

Join me for

ABSTRACT-A-LICIOUS

at

Thimble Pleasures

This Saturday from 10am-5pm

If you’ve looked with hidden longing over an imaginary wall to the world of art quilts but don’t know where to start, this is the class for you. Lyric will gently guide you through design exercises to help you create ideas for original abstract quilts. Doodles will be scribbled, eyes and minds will be opened, fun will be had. You will learn the basics of fused collage and the class will think about how to quilt their pieces. Students will end the day with at least one small art quilt top of their own original design. (1 session)  Includes catered lunch and snacks. 

The Sketchbook Challenge: Urban Sketching

The theme over at the Sketchbook Challenge this month is Urban Sketching.

I love nothing more than urban sketching. Cities enthrall me.

Hidden corners invite exploration and the wonderful energy of being in a place where people converge is something I thrive on.

Unfortunately this theme came right as my passel of kids came home from school for the summer. We've been into our lovely little city (Raleigh is definitely worth a visit!) but the most I had time to do was catch a kids hand before he ran out into the street. We passed by lovely old churches and engaging alleyways. But we were on the move with no time for me to sit and sketch.

So instead of urban sketches from me you get a little dose of life in sub-urbia.

A visit to the doctors office.

No excuses - there is always SOMETHING to draw!

At an outdoor concert - gotta be quick before people realize you are sketching them.

It's not a precious book - it's my "paper brain."

I let the little ones borrow it when they ask.

So. Don't let any excuses hold you back. Just do it.

SKETCH!

Work In Progress: Flutter - a sneak peak

I'm working a bit on a very exciting project...

thought I'd give you a sneak peak....

I'm just bursting to tell you about it but you'll have to wait...

I'm teaching one of my favorite classes Saturday, June 23rd 10am-5pm at 
Thimble Pleasures
a lovely shop nearby in Chapel Hill, NC 

ABSTRACT-A-LICIOUS

A day of wonderful fun - playtime!

We'll spend time working through very easy and concrete design exercises.

We play with different methods of creating your own unique abstract designs.

By the end of the day you will have a sweet little art quilt.

we don't worry about making masterpieces.
We simply play with design. 

PLAY being the operative word!

Join me! You can sign up here.
I'll also be teaching this class on October 30th at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. 

Still Drawing Faces

I'm still drawing faces - but most often in my sketchbook rather than on 3x5 index cards.

 some come from imagination and some from the people around me

 above and below are from imagination

these three are people I know

 and miracle of miracles...

I can look at them and recognize who they are

Work In Progress: Boro Skirt

A few more stitches here and there.




You can see all the posts about it here.
http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com/search?q=boro

from here - to there - so far....

The Kindness Chronicles

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."

James M. Barrie

What have you done to make the world a kinder place this month?

I kind of have a hard time thinking of things sometimes.

Maybe it's the littlest things like keeping my cool when my children are misbehaving. Or letting a car pull in front of you or waving pedestrians by while you wait.

It doesn't have to involve planning or work.

I suggested a potluck dinner with neighbors who didn't travel over Memorial Day weekend and made a few calls. We all enjoyed a very pleasant evening together.

I gave a friend a hug.

When I cook something that freezes well I triple the batch. One for us later but one (packed in disposable containers) always goes to someone else who could use it.

I'll give you my current favorite freezable recipe below.

I really want to do this...

Beth Wheeler is doing a little project called "Joy Jam".

She's made hearts to pass out with encouraging words on them.

She'll give a handful to someone and ask them to keep one and pass out others.

You can read about it here 

The word is spreading:

http://fountainvalley.patch.com/blog_posts/the-kindness-chronicles-1

White Chicken Chili

1 lb dry white beans (or 4 cans if you don't have time to crock it)

6c chicken broth (or water and bullion)

1 tbsps cumin

2 or 3 large chicken breasts (cooked if not crocking)

3 med onions, chopped

garlic - lots of it!

(crock it on low most of the day)

add

2 cans green chili peppers

1/2 lb shredded pepper jack cheese

lots of cilantro and sour creme to garnish