A mug I covet...

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday.  Bad pain day unfortunately. I'm off to see my regular doctor again this morning as my gynaecologist is away on holidays for nearly 8 weeks! 

Anywhoo, I did this mug sketch a couple of days ago and I still haven't done any journaling on the page....maybe today.

Pencil-free sketch using Pigma Micron & ZIG Millenium pens, Derwent Inktense water soluble pencils and Mungyo watercolour crayons in A5 sketchbook.

I love this mug but it doesn't belong to me. I just covet it from the sidelines. It actually belongs to my daughter, Michelle....a gift from her sister-in-law.  I am drawn to its colour and detail every time I see it and maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to find one very similar.


Here are some of the different process stages -

I participate in the Creative Every Day group where we check-in once a week.
to view the creative posts of other CED members
click here.

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Mikayla's (granddaughter) first birthday is this Saturday and we're all looking forward to celebrating her big day with her. I'm just praying I don't end up in hospital before then. It's hard to believe a year has nearly passed since she made her grand entrance to the world. I had the honour of being a witness to her birth and the experience is something I will treasure always.

~ Love, light and peace ~

Summer has arrived!!!

Today was the official start to our Aussie summer. Thankfully it wasn't a scorcher and we were even blessed with a little rain.

Bradley and Reece had a blast at Elton John's concert last night! Reece even managed to get a couple of Brad's CDs signed by Elton so that was a real highlight. Brad's voice was a little scratchy today which is fully understandable after all the screaming out and singing along he did at the concert. He also got to meet an internet friend, Darren. They met via the Elton John Fan Club site and they have been email buddies for a while now. Darren was also sitting in the front row at the concert and they finally had the chance to meet face-to-face....SO cool!

It felt strange not having to sketch for AEDM today, however, I did create a mosaic highlighting some of the sketches I did for November.

I meditated for 15 minutes today and hope to make it a daily practise. It's been way too long and I have missed it. Rita has taken on a 21 day meditation challenge so, while I haven't registered officially, I will be participating unofficially on the sidelines.

I'm feeling so tired at the moment after only getting 3½ hours of sleep last night. The boys didn't get home from the concert until close to midnight and I had waited up to hear all about it. By the time I got to bed, it was around 12:30 and then I was up again at 4AM to get Reece organised for work. I'm looking forward to jumping into my cosy bed tonight.

~ Love, light and peace ~

Day 30 - AEDM & Nablopomo - Mexican bull & Elton John

The final day in the challenge has arrived!

YAY!!!!

I experienced yet another day of not feeling well but I managed to muddle through.

Today's sketch was of my Mexican Bull ornament. I bought it some years ago at a cheap Dollar Store and it's still a favourite of mine. I think it has character.  It wasn't labelled as Mexican but that's just the feel I get from it, plus the fact that it is on display in my kitchen beside a bottle of tequila.

Pencil-free sketch using Pigma Micron pens and Derwent Inktense pencils in A5 sketchbook.

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 30
click here.

I will probably post again tomorrow just to be on the safe side for Nablopomo being that it's based in a different time zone. Then I will have a day off! I'm quite proud of myself for posting each day in November.

I hope you have all enjoyed visiting my blog this past month.

To my fellow AEDM'ers - as you won't see a daily link on the AEDM site any more, you may like to Follow me so that you can stay up-to-date with my weekly or daily happenings. I'm so happy I participated in the AEDM challenge because it encouraged me to get back to regular sketching and I have also met some wonderful people whom I will continue to visit. I plan to link weekly to the Creative Every Day group so I'll still be around to some degree at Leah's site.

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Tonight, Aaron (my 12 year old son) and I are home alone for the evening as Beau (#2 son) is working very late and two of my other sons, Brad and Reece, have gone to see Elton John in concert.  You may remember me posting this sketch back in May to acknowledge Brad's big win of FRONT ROW tickets!

pencil-free sketch using pigma micron pens in large moleskine sketchbook

Here is a photo I snapped of Brad (on viewer's left) and Reece prior to them heading off for the concert late this afternoon. EXCITEMENT RULED!!!

~ Love, light and peace ~

Day 29 - AEDM & Nablopomo - Bird of Paradise

I've not been well at all today and I think it shows in my sketch below as, by late afternoon, I found it very hard to concentrate.

Earlier in the day, I painted these words on MDF board which I had previously painted white. It's going to be a backing board for a piece of art my 24 year old son recently completed as a gift for a friend.  Beau asked me to paint the words because he felt I'd be more steady-handed than him.

My sketch in three stages

Pencil-free sketch using Pigma Micron pens, Derwent Inktense water-soluble pencils and Uniball Signo white pen in my Moleskine pocket watercolour sketchbook.

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 29
click here.

WOW....one day left in the monthly challenge!!

~ Love, light and peace ~

Day 28 - AEDM & Nablopomo - Tea for One

Hi everyone,

I really didn't think I was going to manage my sketch today as I had a doctor's appointment this morning and then Michelle (daughter) and Mikayla (granddaughter) called in for a visit. It was so lovely to spend time with them. You must get sick of me saying this but I love my little granddaughter SO much! Her smile is infectious.

As for the doctor's appointment, I don't need a back scan as he feels this particular back pain is associated with my gynaecological issues. It looks like a hysterectomy will definitely be on the cards. :(

Before I knew it, late afternoon had arrived and I needed to start the curry for dinner. I don't know how I did it but I actually managed to squeeze in some time for a very quick sketch.

The subject for my sketch was a little 'Tea for One' set. The top half is a little teapot and the bottom half is the teacup hence the two handles. I've always thought these sets to be really cute.

Pencil-free sketch using Pigma Micron pens and Derwent Inktense water-soluble pencils in Moleskine pocket watercolour sketchbook.

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 28
click here.

TWO days left in the monthly challenge!
 I'm excited!!!
It's been fun AND challenging at times.

~ Love, light and peace ~

Day 27 - AEDM & Nablopomo - Chinese garden lantern

Hi everyone!

WOW! Day 27 which means only THREE more days to go! The month has gone by very fast, ailments and all.

My lower back pain was even worse today. It only allowed me short periods of time at the computer or sitting in general. I will most likely be getting a back scan some time this week.

Anywhoo, today, I decided to sketch a Chinese Garden Lantern which was prompted by the fact that I bought a new shrub for our back corner garden. I went for an Orange Jessamine shrub which is very similar to Jasmine with its little white flowers. We have these shrubs in the front garden bed and, when they are in bloom, the fragrance wafts in through the windows. I love it!

I've always liked the look of these Chinese lanterns in gardens. I don't own one but it is on my wish list.

This was a pencil-free sketch using Pigma Micron pens and Derwent Inktense pencils for colour...oh, and a Uniball Signo white pen for highlights. I liked using the double page format so much yesterday that I went with the same idea today.  It's in my Moleskine pocket watercolour sketch book.

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 27
click here.

It was a very hot and humid day...a clear reminder that summer is only days away.  I know I'm in the minority when I say that I prefer our cooler months but that's how I feel.  I hope tomorrow will be a little cooler.

~ Love, light and peace ~

Day 26 - AEDM & Nablopomo - African Milk Tree

hi everyone

after my good health day yesterday, lower back and abdominal pain had me feeling off kilter again today.  if it's not one thing, it's another.....so not fun. i didn't get around to sketching again until afternoon.

another pen sketch was in order.
i was quite excited about doing a double page in the landscape format.

the subject - one of our potted african milk trees

though it looks like a cactus, it is actually a succulent and belongs to the euphorbia family. this particular variety is called a euphorbia trigona.  NOTE - euphorbias are highly toxic.

after the pen sketch was finished, i used my derwent inktense pencils and some AS artists watercolour paints to give it some colour.

and then....the final layer with more details.
pencil-free sketch using ZIG millenium & pigma micron ink pens, derwent inktense pencils and AS watercolour paints in my moleskine pocket watercolour sketchbook.

OH...i also used my uniball signo white pen.
i don't know how i overlooked it but, AFTER i took the final pics, i noticed that i'd neglected to colour the very top right shoot.  it has since been coloured.

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 26
click here.

~ love, light and peace ~

Day 25 - AEDM & Nablopomo - Bali Buddha

i was feeling much better today.

brad (my eldest son) and i went out mid-morning to run a few errands and pick up a few groceries. it was quite a hot, humid day and the promised rain didn't really eventuate. just light drizzle early morning which only added to the humidity factor.

come afternoon, i decided to do a pen sketch of the buddha i have in my bedroom. 

he came from bali and is made from wood.  he used to be a dark brown colour but i painted him aqua.

out came my derwent inktense pencils for a bit of colour

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change."  ~ Buddha

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 25
click here.

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."  ~ Buddha

~ love, light and peace ~

Day 23 - AEDM & Nablopomo - bali fish & migraine

i'm fending off another migraine so this will be a quick post and run

i finished my sketch journal page this afternoon BEFORE the migraine reared its ugly head so here 'tis

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 23
click here.

until tomorrow

~ love, light and peace ~

Day 22 - AEDM & Nablopomo - another fishy post

you may recall that yesterday i started this fish ornament sketch

today i played a little more.
first, a second layer of watercolour to strengthen the colours.

then some shading and detailing with my pigma micron pen and uniball white pen.  this (pic below) is where i ended up today. it's very close to finished and then, i'll just add some journaling to the page.

i can hardly believe we're already at day 22 which means only 8 more days left in the challenge!! i sure hope i'll be able to see it through to the end. i must admit that there have been days where it would have been easier for me NOT to do my daily art due to health issues but the commitment to AEDM has a strong hold on me.  it also has a lot to do with the wonderful people i have met in the AEDM group. they are all so encouraging and supportive and i can't thank them enough.

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 22
click here.

~ love, light and peace ~

Day 21 - AEDM & Nablopomo - fishy sketch

i've been sick all day yet here i am....how's that for dedication or am i just plain crazy?! i'm going to quickly post what i did today and then I'm going to lie down. I'll catch up with blogs tomorrow.

today, while moping around and feeling sorry for myself, i decided to do a pen sketch of a balinese metal fish ornament i own. with the way i was feeling, i could only manage the first layer of watercolours but there will probably be at least two more layers before i'll call it finished.

i didn't notice until afterwards that the colours i used on the fish are very similar to the colour palette i used for my mandala.  i've also noticed that my fish is a little elephant-like and desperately needs some 'snout' adjustment. lol

my subject

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 21
click here.

until tomorrow

~ love, light and peace ~

Day 19 - AEDM & Nablopomo - mandala & inspiration

hi everyone!

how has your weekend been so far?

it's saturday evening here and, so far, i've had a nice, relaxing day apart from the pain in my hands and arms.  if the body pain keeps up, i may have to try a different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablet because i think my body has already adapted to this one.   of course, i am hoping the magnetic underlay will do its stuff within the next month or so.

we didn't get to watch the second part of harry potter and the deathly hallows last night so we will be watching it shortly. i last watched it at the cinema and can hardly wait to see it again.

for my creative venture today i decided to get to work on my mandala

so i first transferred my mandala design to my large moleskine watercolour journal using SARAL transfer paper. it worked a treat.

then i went over the transfer line using my black uniball permanent ink pen

next, the colouring process began

of course, you knew there was going to be green, blue and purple in there, didn't you?! yep...it's one my favourite colour combos. there will be one or two other colours as the progress continues. i'm kinda deciding colours as i go along. i hope to get more work done on it tomorrow.

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 19
click here.

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for inspiration, here are some purple flowers i snapped while walking aaron to school on friday. i don't know the name of this flower but they bloom in lots of clusters on a medium-sized shrub. anyone else know their name?

if you look closely at this one, you will see a bee

and now i will be off to enjoy the movie

until tomorrow

~ love, light and peace ~

Day 18 - AEDM & Nablopomo - cody, inktense & plumbago

it will by a quick post tonight because the boys are anxiously waiting on me so we can watch 'harry potter and the deathly hallows - part 1'. they are hoping to watch 'part 2' straight after so we need to get an early start.

so today i decided to do a quick sketch of my dog, cody
he is a chihuahua/shih-tzu/maltese cross

i started out with a pencil free sketch using a pigma micron pen

then followed up with some colour using my derwent inktense pencils

then the final details and some words

cody turned FIVE on november 10th!
the poor thing suffers severe separation anxiety if i go out and that's even if my sons are at home. he's terrified of storms and loud noises too. i feel so bad for him.  he's like my baby and he follows me everywhere. i love him so much!


i also did some swatches in my sketchbook for my derwent inktense pencils.

it's not easy to judge what colour a pencil is going to deliver just by looking at it so i figured the swatches will be a great reference.

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 18
click here.

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i'll leave you with a couple of flower pics i snapped this morning while walking aaron to school

this is a plumbago flower

~ love, light and peace ~

Day 17 - AEDM & Nablopomo - daffodil & magnetic therapy

aaron was home sick with a tummy bug today, poor thing.

this has been my first whole day at home this week and i still didn't manage a sketch until late afternoon.  i was having a bad body pain day as well as one of those lethargic days.

my darling mum bought me a bio-magnetic underlay and pillow cover for my bed to hopefully help with the pain. she swears it has helped her over the past nine years.  mum took her magnetic underlay off their bed a few months ago and, it only dawned on her a few days ago that, she and dad have been getting a lot of aches and pains since.  needless to say, mum ordered a new magnetic underlay for their bed too.  i'll give it a good month or two before i pass any judgement.

the daffodil was my favourite flower as a child and i still hold a soft spot for daffodils to this day

pencil free sketch using pigma micron pen and derwent intense pencils in pocket moleskine watercolour sketchbook

i found out years later that the daffodil is also the birth flower for march which happens to be my birth month

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 17
click here.

i hope you've all been enjoying a wonderful week!

~ love, light and peace ~

Day 13 - AEDM & Nablopomo - alpaca, crochet & sticks

it's been a nice, relaxing sunday here.

i spent part of the morning catching up with blogs and browsing my reference photos for a sketch subject. i finally settled on a photo that my son, aaron, had taken back in 2009.

an alpaca....too cute!

i started the sketch using graphite pencil but found i was second guessing myself too much so switched to my trusty pigma micron pen and things went smoothly from there on. i couldn't resist adding a touch of colour with my derwent inktense pencils.

and here is the original reference image.

for some reason, the white alpaca in the background makes me think of The Beatles.
 must be that dashing hairstyle - lol

to view the creative posts of other AEDM members for Day 13
click here.

i was quite tickled that paula invited me to participate in a task for the artist's way group that she has been hosting on her blog. check out the post here.

thanks, paula! xo

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i also found time today to do a little more work on my striped blanket throw

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i think my son, aaron, has caught the creative bug because, this past week, he has been busying himself making various items from paddle pop sticks.

he paints them up himself too...very effective all grouped together, don't you think?

i hope you had a nice, relaxing sunday too

~ love, light and peace ~