Challenge 32 - something metallic

When I moved to my new home 3 years ago my friend Flora gave me a shopping voucher to treat myself to a house warming gift. I was thrilled and it was so kind of her. I needed a new vegetable knife and I use this one every day. I met Flora when I worked at a library for 20 years. We have a wonderful friendship and she means so much to me. I hope Flora doesn't mind me mentioning her by name here on my blog.
Not sure how to progress with my drawing at the moment. I have so many challenges to catch up on I'm wondering whether to do them or to explore something else....my watercolor books. The challenges lead me into many surprising places and help me to discover things about my drawing. The comments from the EDMers are also extremely helpful. I think I will press on with all the challenges. It interests me why i don't choose to do some of them.
Lots of love from Susan

Challenge 94...a spoon

I have 2 of these spoons. My grandmother gave them to me. As she got older she slowly gave away her possessions to friends and family. She wanted to see her things go to people who would love them as much as she did. I use these spoons most days and always have fond thoughts of my grandmother. I used to visit her often for afternoon tea or an evening meal. Her unit was on a slope and if you looked out the windows you could see a pear tree as if the unit was in the tree it was so close. I used to call her home Pear tree cottage. I learnt so much about the joys and celebrations of life from my grandmother. She was always bright and cheerful and pleased to see me. She had a beautiful warm heart and loved being hospitable to friend and stranger. We are very different women and yet I have a photo of her and I together at her 90th birthday and we sat on our chairs in exactly the same pose. It was wonderful to see the genes passed on. I dedicate this to my beloved Rosa Hosken.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 54 - something I love

My mother collects small glass bottles and items of glass. Most of them are exquisite and all of them have stories of their discovery and purchase or the gift giver. This piece is unusual because mum doesn't normally buy something fun like aglass clown. I just love it. It sits on the table near where I sit when I visit. I often think of my mum dying one day and how will I cope and I get great comfort from the little clown and I hope it survives and can keep me company when mum has gone. It makes me happy and my mum makes me very happy too. They both have very light spirits full of immense joy. I learn a great deal on my visits to my mum.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge30 - chair

I did this drawing of a chair on Christmas Day 2006 not realising I was doing one of the challenges. I was at my brother's and my mother usually sits on this chair rather than the lounge chairs as she has shoulder problems and the chair helps her deal with them. I got a bit of the perspective wrong but otherwise was pleased with the result.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 107 - where I get my weekly paper

This was great fun. When I realised I'd have to go to my local newsagents to do a sketch I freaked out as I usually only sketch at home and then I thought what the heck noone will bother about me sketching in the newsagents. I did ask permission of the worker.
I was overwhelmed by the detail as most of the challenges for me so far have been single objects. I will ask the EDMers what they do about lots of detail. In the newsagents there was a wall full of cards and I didn't know how to translate that in the drawing. I noticed I was a lot looser in my drawing. The shapes weren't as tidy.
This was a great learning experience. I love where the challenges take me. When I first read about them I didn't think I was interested now I really look forward to the weekly challenge.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS Apparently there has been a request to make a link that takes the EDMer to the post that is being mentioned rather than the whole blog. I'll see how I go with the instructions I've been given...hopefully you arrived here directly.

First time tagged

Apparently there is a game of tag with the Everydaymatters group. I've just been tagged!!!! I normally say I don't want to play games but I'm playing ...it must be a getting older thing. I have to name 6 weird things about myself....I can't think of 6 at the moment so I'll add more later....meanwhile....check out the picture....
1.whenever I hang out the washing the pegs have to match each other and if possible whatever is being hung up. So blue towel has 2 blue pegs...and a blue sheet has heaps of blue pegs.It started as a joke and now I love doing it. It's just a bit of nonsense in my life!
2. I have a spider in the kitchen window and instead of spraying him dead or putting him outside I let him / her build her web and live in the kitchen window. Haven't a clue why...normally I catch them and put them outside. I use a glass and a piece of cardboard to catch them.
3. When I go on my walks I have to go over train tracks. If a train goes by I always wave at the driver and he usually toots his horn and I just love it. Absolutely love it. Is this because I didn't have kids to play games with!!!
I'll list more when I think of them.
I don't dare tag anybody yet as I don't know any of you well enough so if someone who loves playing tag reads this consider yourself tagged.
I don't mind playing the game. It's a bit of nonsense I have time for....maybe that's one of the weird things about me.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 106 - sour

This is a bottle of vinegar my sister in law bought me. She also gave me some avocado oil to mix together for salads. I have had mental health problems where I forgot how to cook except really simple things like a can of soup. I have had to learn to cook again along with other skills. My sister in law was encouraging me to make a nice dressing for some simple salads. I am making great progress...nothing too gourmet but I can now manage a meal for a friend and can put together a simple meal most nights. So the vinegar has a special significance in the scheme of things.
I love the Everydaymatters challenges because they make me so aware of how significant so many things are in my simple life.
i have had a lot of joy since joining Everydaymatters.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 105 - scissors

Many years ago an old friend brought these scissors back for me from London. She bought them at Liberty's which makes beautiful fabrics. I don't know if they still exist. I love the little clown on the scissors. When I go to the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria I can always tell which scissors are mine. I have another beautiful pair of stork scissors with an embroidered heart attached. One of the EDMers did a drawing of these style of scissors. They are very popular.
I love scissors and use them often in my art work. I have quite a few pairs sprinkled around the house. Most days I'd use scissors for something.
My saddest memory about scissors is accidentally cutting my brother on the hand when we were playing horses and I had tied him up and he wanted to get loose and I tried to cut the rope. He had to have stitches and when my mum took him to hospital I thought I had killed him. It was a very frightening time. My brother often jokes about it but I was quite scared. Even now I am aware of how fragile life is and you never know when someone may die. My brother is very precious to me and even more so because he is my baby brother. I find I still have that sense of feeling I need to protect him. I think many of us siblings feel this way.
Enough chatter. I have another post to do while I'm on a roll.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Complicated drawing for a beginner

I did this drawing on Christmas day while I was reading Danny Gregory's book "The creative license" and he said to draw something complicated like a medicine cabinet. I was at my brother's place and the bureau with all the nic nacs seemed complicated to me. As I drew it though I realised I was concentrating on one little part at a time so it wasn't as overwhelming as I thought. I need to set myself a few more complicated challenges in amidst the weekly EDM challenges.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS I finally figured out how to be able to leave comments on blogs using blogger.com without the system rejecting my log on. Computers never cease to amaze me with their game playing and teasing and unpredictable trouble amidst their good times!!!

Simply salt and pepper shakers

I had these salt and pepper shakers made 30 years ago when I left home and had my first little home. I had a wonderful potter who made me a number of lovely blue things for my flat. I still have the vase and fruit bowl and milk jug. They all have very happy memories as they remind me of many afternoon tea parties and dinners.
I was pleased the challenge was so simple for me as I was needing a nice simple inspiration to get me back doing a bit more artwork. I am behind in the challenges but will catch up.
I still make my emailing and other activities a higher priority than my artwork. I need to get a bit more balance.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Still sad times

Still getting over the grief of the death of my beloved Sooty. I was without my computer for a week and sick with a virus and my medication for my mental illness is being changed so I'm feeling a bit vulnerable at the moment. I haven't felt like drawing so have posted an old drawing of some roses I tried. I was impressed with my efforts as they were so complicted with all the different petals.
I just received Danny Gregory's book Everyday matters and his life story. I am finding it a wonderfully inspiring read.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Sooty died yesterday

I have a photo of Sooty at September 25th 2006. I never imagined she'd be gone so soon but the Universe was sending me a lot of signs as it often does. The outpouring of love and support from EDM and other yahoo groups and friends has been extraordinary.
I've spent all afternoon sending thank yous. It is wonderful to see how much we all love our pets and miss them when they go. So many people have given me ideas of how to grieve by doing my artwork and I've really appreciated the advice. I have learnt so much in the past few days from loving people.
I am so glad I did a few rather crude sketches of Sooty. In the future I'll have to ask people how you paint a black cat.
My computer has to go to the shop so no computer for a few days. I'm already shaking at the thought of all the EDM emails when I get my computer back. It will be a great way to pass some more grieving time.
Thank you so much to those who have extended their love and support.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS I am so glad Sooty waited until I joined EDM and did a couple of drawings of her

Sooty died yesterday

Challenge 4 - mug

A friend gave me a money voucher for a lovely departement store and said to pick out something I'd really like. I wanted to buy something I wouldn't normally afford. I found this mug and it was very expensive but I loved it. It had my lovely cat Sooty on the outside and inside and another cat Dennis that I used to have on the other side. The mug was definitely meant for me so I bought it. I love using it for morning coffee. It was an absolute delight to draw and color in. It was like a children's coloring book.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge - exercise equipment

I have already drawn my walking shoes for the shoe challenge and I looked at my exercise bike and I thought no way can I figure out all the angles on that so I drew my weights. These I use to strengthen my bones because my mum has osteoporosis and they say weight lifting is good for bones as well as making muscles.
I enjoyed drawing these. There were some interesting bits and bits that I didn't see when I came to color it in.
I have been working on "Drawing on the right side of the brain" and enjoying it immensely. I'm up to where I need to make a view finder. Should I post my portrait I wonder. I look so sad and serious in it.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 3 - bag - mirrors

I LOVE bags. This is my new purple bag. It makes me so happy to use it. I used to make a lot of my bags particularly if I couldn't find one I like. I love bags with lots of pockets and places to put things. The purple bag has only a couple of pockets but I just love the color and it has some decorative pieces to it as well.
I drew the bag hanging on the mirror not realising I'd have to draw the mirror image!!! It went really well and i enjoyed doing it. I love doing purple water color because purple is one of my favourite colors.
Just a little added note. A friend who has been cleaning out his attic has inspired me to clean out my garage. It is a double garage where half of it I have bookshelves and a table. There is stuff everywhere as it is a place I put things when I don't know where else to put it. Now is the day of reckoning. Wish me luck.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS Maybe I should post a picture of my clean garage ...assuming that happens.

Challenge 3 - bag - mirrors

I LOVE bags. This is my new purple bag. It makes me so happy to use it. I used to make a lot of my bags particularly if I couldn't find one I like. I love bags with lots of pockets and places to put things. The purple bag has only a couple of pockets but I just love the color and it has some decorative pieces to it as well.
I drew the bag hanging on the mirror not realising I'd have to draw the mirror image!!! It went really well and i enjoyed doing it. I love doing purple water color because purple is one of my favourite colors.
Just a little added note. A friend who has been cleaning out his attic has inspired me to clean out my garage. It is a double garage where half of it I have bookshelves and a table. There is stuff everywhere as it is a place I put things when I don't know where else to put it. Now is the day of reckoning. Wish me luck.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS Maybe I should post a picture of my clean garage ...assuming that happens.

New York NY

One of my huge aims and challenges in my life is to travel overseas again. I have some huge hurdles to overcome and I've decided to start a blog of the adventure to getting overseas and being able to sign...Lots of love from Susan in New York.
It could take me years to finally achieve but I'm here for the long haul so that's OK....endurance is one of my strong points....for some things!!!!....and this is one of those times.
My blog is ...susanhosken.blogspot.com....for those who want to follow the adventure. The first posting went up today. Progress will be slow but I'll post whenever I feel inclined.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Frustration and challenge 2 for EDM

The frustration is about not being able to log onto my blog easily. I have to put in my password about 6 or more times and it keeps saying it is not a match....it is, it is, it is....I am such an impatient person. I really need to learn the lesson on patience. I'm 51 and still learning....I get so impatient mostly with technology and my inability to understand it. I get impatient because I don't learn fast enough or well enough.I'll be going for a nice walk down the beach in a minute and I have plenty of patience for that.
Meanwhile todays drawing....which is a bit of a mess because i forgot to edit it in iPhoto and put it straight on here...silly me....another reason for me to get impatient ....but I won't because I'm learning!!!!! aren't I!!!!!!
So today's drawing is EDM challenge no 2....a lamp....and a 100 challenges to go give or take a few.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia who's off down the beach...how blessed am I

The pursuit of happyness

I had a fabulous day yesterday. I went to the movies to see The pursuit of happyness which was a delightful feel good movie just right for an escapist like me. It was also great because I have trouble going to crowded places and am trying to practice getting used to it. I am so pleased with my progress. It seems ridiculous to most people but for some of us crowds and busy places are overwhelming with their stimuli.
I wanted to record the father and son and wondered how I'd go doing a sketch when I got home....then I saw the poster and decided to use my travel journal which I don't use often. I did a sketch of the poster while people passed me by. I was positively thrilled.....it doesn't take much to make me happy....I am well pleased with that fact....I am happy a lot in my life and I am well blessed.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia