At the Baltic Sea event I taught a Scrapbooking – Layout class. I only had 1 1/2 hours for this and that made it a challenge for me- LOL. I usually do not teach workshops that short- especially since mixed media related workshops need way more time and…I do usually not teach Layout classes. But hey…sometimes it is fun to do something different- and I was told the students liked it It was also a good way to start the workshop event since most of my students NEVER did anything Mixed-Media related…so I started slow and then had them bath in paint full force by sunday- LOL.

So …here is the layout…I had three samples- so the students could see how choosing different ways of colors effect the layout differently.

We used Ranger Dylusions and Distress Paints in many different ways incorporating different techniques for different effects.

And now…what does Farbtupfer mean? mmmh – interesting enough I cannot find a real word for this in English – It means spots of color or specks of color – which wouldn’t make a good title for a workshop in English- LOL.

I tell you, sometimes the challenge for me is finding a name for workshops that would work in both languages and it is not always possible

have a colorful day

Nat

Related articles

• My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials: 6. Spray Paints (nathaliesstudio.com)
• Workshops at Scrap N Crop in Malaysia – how about a tour? (nathaliesstudio.com)

Thank you all for your amazing and wonderful words about my move to the U.S. As some of you stated, it is a scary yet pretty exciting thing ahead. I have been a bit tense the last couple weeks as there is just so much to organize and do for the move, and one of the things that totally relaxed me for a couple of days was my workshop event at the Baltic Sea. Walking at the beach in the morning for a couple of hours was one fo the best things I have done for just calming down and actually also getting my mantra back into my head “Everything will work out perfectly” .

The crazy background is a result of several things that I was showing in classes or where I tried things out in my art journal page. Lot’s of layers and different paint media and materials, tied together with my new Circuit Stencil and Crackle Stencil

I usually do not use photos in my art journal- but somehow this was telling me I should because the photos in this case would speak more to me then the background or the journaling and remind me on how relaxing this all was

Are you using photos in your art journals?

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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• Take a Shower Art Journal Page…or Negative Circuit Stencil (nathaliesstudio.com)
• Baltic Sea / Ostsee Scrap Event – Photos (nathaliesstudio.com)

I did a layout using the stencil with Dylusion Spraypaints.

I love oldtimer cars  and I love how you can use it also for more male oriented layouts as well as on art journal pages in the background. Especially when it is the 6×6 size. I will show more samples as soon.

I used the photo before. It totally cracks me up. My great-uncle Hans is in the background, in the front is a friend of him and my aunt Margot with a fishing rod and then…hahahahahah- I tell you what- I didn’t even notice last time I used the photo …my aunt is sitting in the car!

So why would you take a photo of two dudes on a fishing trip, the car placed in the picture and have the wife sit in the car? LOL. Makes me crack up!

Hope you like it Here is what I used for the layout:

Oldtimer Stencil S122	Dylusions Ink Spray Calypso Teak	Dylusions Ink Spray Melted Chocolate	SAby3L Permanent Dots Adhesives	Prima Engraver Calligraphy	Teresa Collins Vintage Finds
Ranger Distress Stain Picket Fence	Global Art Tags	Prima Resist Canvas Alphabet	SAby3L – Black Foam Tape	Nat’s Stash…old/vintage/fleamarket	Liquitex Acrylic Paint Marker

Huge hugs and have an amazing day

Nat

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We are moving to the States in September. More specific we are moving to the East Coast to New Jersey where lot’s of our family and friends are located. I am super-duper excited. It will be an interesting ride for sure- LOL- because even though I probably traveled about 30 times or more to the States in the last 20 years, it will be different to actually live there. My husband is also excited as this means for him going home. We are already preparing things for months now and the biggest parts are yet still to come. I will for sure share here and there some of this new adventure – and I hope you wish me luck and enjoy reading how the Kraut goes U.S.

Huge hugs and have a wonderful day

Nat

Crazy cool I am totally excited and psyched that I was invited to teach in Malaysia next March at Scrap n Crop. We will have lot’s of fun with some awesome Mixed Media Workshop at their Art Retreat March 22-23,2014.

As this is quite a distance to travel for two days of teaching- I would love to combine this with a workshop tour in either Asia and/or Australia. I had an amazing time teaching in Australia in 2011 and I know already who to contact to come back as they already hinted they would love to have me back  and I know that usually us teachers are just silently setting everything up…and I do this too but I thought hey-  why not ask out loud for help and tips from my readers that might come from Asia and Australia. Because who knows better than you !

So here is my shout out for Help ))

• If you are a shop owner or an event organiser and you would love to have me there – please contact me and let’s check if we can make it possible
• If you are a reader that knows a store that might be interested in having me – please let me know which one it is or if you know the storeowner, maybe tell them about my plans and ask them to contact me

Thank you so much !!!

huge hugs and have a wonderful day

Nat

Are you ready for the 9th Whatevers? If you missed what the Whatevers is all about…check it out here.

Click here to see what Cat made out of this photo and which story she tells

Click here to see what Vicki made out of this photo and which story she tells

This photo is actually indeed a family photo and I even know who those people are…but I do not know the story behind the photo …so..well…I gave it out to see what everyone comes up with as a story

Times Are Changing

Grandfather was always non approving. Him and grandma had just no patience for the young people. “Too young and full of nonsense”. But grandpa was loosing his fearful influence – Matthias and George didn’t care that he thought the new car was a useless purchase. Their business thrived. So clowning around with the bottle of wine at the family shoot was just their way showing grandpa that his say was over.

Their names: Matthias and Georg – Wilhelms grandsons

I played with my new Oldtimer Stencil and Spraypaints and Markers.

And here is the photo of this month’s Whatever for you:

Here is how it works if you want to play along:

• Vicki, Cat and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you – just right-click on it to safe it to download and show us your version of The Whatevers.
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artwork you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an art journal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us andshow us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate post in the comment section .
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

You can grab the blinkie here if you want to add it to your sidebar

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have a wonderful day
Nat

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I used Acrylic Paint with the Crackle Stencil – it such a quick and fast drying way to apply crackle to paper. Then I colored the background with Distress Inks.

Sometimes a blurry photo of a special event unfolds a variety of wonderful memories . 

I also used some Stampendous Fran*Tage Embossing Powder- I so love it!

I used a zipper and threaded in the Prima Zipper Embellishment and also cut and divided part of the zipper and attached it on the layout.

I distressed the photo even more by using the Prima Distressing Tool.

Crackle Stencil L169	Prima Fairy Rhymes Collection	Teresa Collins Vintage Finds	Stampendous Frantage Vintage Embossing Kit	Prima Typo Zippers	Orange Zipper
Prima Lyric Stamps	Archival Ink Black	Distress Ink Pad Mustard Seed	Distress Ink Pad Spiced Marmelade	Distress Ink Pad Fired Brick	Ink Blending Tool
Liquitex Heavy Body Artist Acrylic Paint	Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paints	Prima Distressing Tool	Tiny Attacher – Stapler	Liquitex Ultra Matte Gel Medium	Palette Knife
SAby3L Adhesive Sheets	SAby3L – Black Foam Tape	Nat’s Stash…old/vintage/fleamarket

Have a wonderful day!
huge hugs
Nat

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Don’t forget to sign up for Birgit’s and my Artfusion Event in The Netherlands! The Early Bird Offer runs out on May 15, 2013 . We have only three more spaces available for the whole weekend and a couple more for the sunday workshops.  Here is the info again!

Artfusion Mixed Media Event in Utrecht in The Netherlands

SATURDAY, JUNE 15:

9.30 – 13.00 – Season Canvas Workshop by Nathalie Kalbach

In this Workshop with Nathalie Kalbach, you will create a stunning and unique canvas that will be a wonderful home décor item.

Learn how to create dimension and texture with tissue paper, items of daily life, acrylic paint, lace, burlap, and gesso.

Learn how to reveal the interesting and eye-catching texture with acrylic paints and acrylic inks and add some fun stamping techniques on top.

We will be adding lots of layers and dimension to make this a spring, summer, fall or winter canvas… just as you like. All the techniques can easily be applied to future projects.

14.00 – 17.30 Embossing and Beyond Mini Album Workshop by Birgit Koopsen

SUNDAY, JUNE 16:

10.00 – 12.30 Mixed Media Meets Scrapbooking, a layout workshop by Birgit Koopsen

13.30 – 16.00 Chalk on The Wild Side Mini-Album Workshop by Nathalie Kalbach

Artfusion – Early Bird Packages:

Sign up before May 15 -2013 and the packages will be as followed

Saturday Package: 2 Workshops including lunch, drinks and snacks – 85 EUR

(signing up after May 15 – 95 EUR)

Sunday Package: 2 Workshops including lunch, drinks and snacks – 85 EUR

(signing up after May 15 – 95 EUR)

Weekend Package: 4 Workshops (2 on Saturday/2 on Sunday) including lunch, drinks and snacks – 160 EUR

(signing up after May 15 – 190 EUR)

On Saturday evening we also have a room available for those of you who just can’t stop and want to crop for a couple of hours.

You can sign up by emailing Birgit to  info@birgitkoopsen.nl  She will sent you the information and the requirements. Until upon payment you are on a waiting list. Your space is secured once your payment was received.

We are very much looking forward to see you for some Artfusion 

Birgit & Nat

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Here are some pictures of my morning stroll to the beach – it was awesome -almost no one at the beach – sun shining already – calm and relaxing. I walked for two hours and it totally relaxed me – good way to start then off the workshops

It was awesome to meet my sweet friend Andrea again and to meet Barbara for the first time. Here is Andrea in action teaching

and here I am with  Dani, the organiser and Barbara

We had lot’s of fun all together during a photo shooting session that Andrea had during her workshop – with some nice accessories- LOL

After that we had to eat the biggest, yummiest home-made oven fresh cream puffs with a cherry sauce filling I have ever seen in my entire life…went right on the hips

It might have been the sugar high that made me pulls some pretty hilarious faces while teaching…I have no other excuse actually

We used lot’s of yummie Liquitex Products and thank you Liquitex for sending me some of the Liquitex Professional Spray Paints and Professional Markers – they found some happy winners

and here are some canvases from my Season Texture Class

and of the Be Awesome Be a Book Nut class. Of course I forgot to take pictures of my layout class (I will never learn-  LOL)

And last but not least a picture of our wonderful group!

Danke Mädels- es hat super großen Spaß mit Euch gemacht!!!!

There is nothing better when a great relaxed creative workshop weekend!

Huge hugs

Nat

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As always I am a bit slow with the news, partly because I need to understand first what is going on – LOL- but nonetheless, as some of you might know Google Reader will close down in a couple weeks – and so I moved all my blogs over to bloglovin to read there from now on. And if you want …you can

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

or if you want to follow rather with other readers go here

or…if you want an email when I post (usually every second day) you can subscribe by signing up on the right in the sidebar “Get the n*Studio Blogposts via Email” That way you never miss a post at all.

Thank you for following my blog- I love to have you!!!

Huge hugs

Nat