nathalie-kalbach

On The Flip Side – Canvas

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My new canvas “On The Flip Side” – Jersey City in the background and “our” Lady Liberty . Why “our”? Well…it is in our yard and faces New York…go figure ;)

What a symbol this statue carries, how much hope and how many dreams are connected with it – amazing.

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I can see her from my studio window and from the deck and it makes me always happy… What a view when I had my brand new green card in my pocket and we looked for an apartment…it was like a promise for good times to come. So far there are very good times… maybe Lady Liberty is my token of luck ;)

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I played with a different background this time and I like the outcome a lot.

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Have a wonderful and promising day !

Nat

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Comments (10)

  • Kelly Belton

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    Wow Nat, I really love this. The colours are beautiful, the painting is beautiful. I think you’re on to something with that Lady Liberty inspiration thing- it really seems to work for you! This is my favorite. More please!

    Reply

  • Gina Sismilich

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    Nat – that is a fabulous painting! Really love it

    Reply

  • Laurie Hunt

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    Hi Natalie. I don’t leave comments all that often but I’m out in the “blogosphere” always with an eye on what you are doing. I have to say that I am loving your recent canvases of your jersey city home. I especially like what you’ve done with this one. I agree this new background is a keeper. But then I’m a sucker for blues and purples! Lady liberty is also an American icon that I love. I remember seeing her as a kid being amazed that she was green and not shiny brass or copper like the little replicas that I had seen!

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    Wow Nat, this is so beautiful! It is sort of the view my dad had from his office in the twin towers. No he wasn’t there for 9/11 he had already passed but I know he would love this painting. Maybe even more then me, that is up for debate. I sure love it.

    Reply

  • Kathy P.

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    This is so awesome, Nat, and I am thrilled that you have ‘fallen in love’ with our lady….she is truly something special. I am jealous that you can just look out your window and see her every day!

    Reply

  • Brend

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    Love the Statue of Liberty ! I love taking out of town visitors on the Beast cruise (it’s a 30 minute high speed boat ride)for an up close view of her and the skyline.

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    is a stunning work!

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  • Sue Clarke

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    How awesome is that for a view to wake up and create to!
    Thanks for sharing your canvas…nice one.

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    This is so beautiful, Nathalie! What an inspiring view you have from your studio. No wonder your art just keeps getting more gorgeous.

    Reply

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designed by n*Studio features: Judi Kauffman

One of the things that make me really giddy is when I spy someone using my new stamps by Stampendous or also my Stencils with StencilGirl Products :) So I thought once in a while I would feature the work of those wonderful talented people with a new Series called: designed by n*Studio features:…..

And today I feature: Judi Kauffman

Judi and I met several years ago at CHA and ever since I have been blessed by her friendship, advice and honest opinion in many fields of my artistic life. I am super stoked that Judi played with my stamps and templates – and she even wrote a tutorial for the cards she created. Here is what she has to say and more about herself (Judi has no blog- so leave some love here for her)

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About Judi:

Judi Kauffman wears, and has always worn, many hats at the same time. She is a designer, writer, and teacher who has worked in the craft industry for over 25 years. She has also been a graphic artist, art director, photo stylist, illustrator, and weaver. She has an undergraduate degree in printmaking and a master’s in fibers. Judi’s projects, articles, and reviews appear in a wide variety of magazines, she works for several manufacturers in design and product development. She is a frequent guest artist for Elizabeth Craft Designs, Walnut Hollow, StencilGirl Products, and other manufacturers. She has also written five books (alas, all now out of print).

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Thank you for inviting me! My project: Cards made with nothing but rectangles! But there are other options for stamped and stenciled Shimmer Sheetz: Mat and frame your creations instead of using them for card fronts. Incorporate pieces into art journals and mixed media projects. Stamp and stencil with alcohol inks formulated for non-porous surfaces instead of paint (StazOn). Stitch the layers instead of using adhesive (set the machine to 5-6 stitches per inch, or use a piercing tool and hand-sew).

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1. Stamp and stencil three 5” x 12” pieces (one package) of Fire Opal Gemstones Shimmer Sheetz using acrylic craft paint (shown: Primary Yellow, Sea Breeze, Metallic Bronze, and Traditional Raw Umber – or choose your own combination).

2. When the paint is dry, cut 2 of the pieces into thirds, each piece measuring 4” x 5”, for six of the cards.

3. Cut the remaining piece into assorted smaller rectangles, at least 5 of which are sized at 2.5” x 3.5”.

4. Cut a piece of cardstock measuring 9” x 5.5” for each card base (make seven). Score and fold in half (card size: 4.5” x 5.5”, folded at the left).

***Use double-sided adhesive strips for steps 5, 7, and 8.

5. Center and adhere a 4” x 5” Shimmer Sheetz rectangle on six card bases. Center and adhere a 2.5” x 3.5” piece of solid color cardstock on the seventh card base.

6. For added texture, emboss some of the small rectangles with Lots of Dots embossing folder, lightly sand to tone down the shine and highlight the dots.

7. Mat some of the small rectangles onto solid color cardstock, leaving a narrow border.

8. Arrange and rearrange the pieces, layering them as shown or as you prefer. Attach the layers. (Use the last couple of scraps for the seventh card.)

9. Using strong-hold Tombow Power Tabs to secure embellishments (found objects, beads, gems, charms, fibers).

10. Cards with low relief, unbreakable embellishments can be mailed in standard envelopes, others should be delivered in person or mailed between sturdy cardboard in a padded envelope.

Note: Shimmer Sheetz is reflective and difficult to capture in photographs, it changes color depending on the light and angle at which it’s viewed! Fire Opal is my favorite, but there are over 20 other choices (including sampler packs).

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Thank you so much Judi – I so love how the stamps and stencils pop off those gorgeous Shimmer Sheetz – make me want to play with those instantly! I love the cards!

SUPPLIES Judi used for the Cards:

Stamps and Stencils – N*Studio by Nathalie Kalbach in Wired, Grunge, and Mish Mesh (Stampendous!)

Surfaces – Fire Opal Gemstones Shimmer Sheetz, one 3-sheet package (Elizabeth Craft Designs, www.ecraftdesigns.com); Assorted solid color cardstock

Paints – Americana Acrylic Paint in Sea Breeze, Primary Yellow, and Traditional Raw Umber; Dazzling Metallics Metallic Paint in Bronze (DecoArt)

Adhesives – Double sided adhesive sheets (Elizabeth Craft Designs); Power Tabs (Tombow)

Other – Lots of Dots embossing folder (Elizabeth Craft Designs); Machine for embossing (Big Shot, Cuttlebug, or other); Stencil brush; Assorted embellishments; Craft knife, gridded ruler, cutting mat

Here are the n*Studio Stamps  Judi used:

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thank you for visiting today- have a gorgeous day
Nat

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Comments (18)

  • Tracy

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    I think I have that butterfly :P I’ve never worked with shimmer sheets, but I love that change of colors from different angles. I love the patterns you made with the stencils, stamps and inks. And I really like the cards with the gem and the butterfly. I’m not usually one for blig, but it’s the perfect complement. And the dice you used, so cute! (I’m a rpg girl, too:P)

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    Amazing artistry, Judy. No wonder Nathalie respects your opinion. You’ve created some gorgeous work. Thank you for sharing and for your step out. I can only imagine the beauty in person.

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    • judi kauffman

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      Thank you for the kind words. Shimmer Sheetz really is amazing in person. I like all of the colors and all three coatings but Fire Opal and Amethyst are my absolute favorites!

      Reply

  • Kelly Belton

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    Just. Beautiful. Wow.

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  • Debbie L.

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    These works are absolutely beautiful Judi. I am motivated to get out some paints, stencils and Shimmer Sheetz. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful work with us.

    Reply

  • Mary Beth Shaw

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    Judi, Judi, Judi – I didn’t know you had dogs!?! Just another reason I need to visit you :)
    This work is absolutely stunning. STUNNING. Beautifully done.
    Hugs, my friend.

    Reply

  • Denise

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    Such vibrant colors and combinations Judi!! You really rock those stamps and stencils. Great cards!

    Reply

  • Seth

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    Great new feature Natalie. I have had the pleasure to have also met Judi at CHA. I really admire her “many hats” as well as her artwork. Great use of your stencils here!

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    Natalie, what a great idea for posting. Judi, your artwork is amazing. I love the depth of color and texture. Each piece is stunning.

    Reply

  • Darla

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    Judi’s art is always an inspiration. I love the combinations and colors she used on these.

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  • Holly Young

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    I love the texture and depth you’ve achieved in your projects. The colors are so vibrant! Very pretty!

    Reply

  • Brenda

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    I am not familiar with shimmer sheets but yours look fab! Just another thing to add to the wish list:) Looking forward to seeing more of cards!

    Reply

    • judi kauffman

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      Brenda, Shimmeer Sheetz is waterproof, colorfast (garment-quaity) Mylar so it can be used for projects like these cards as well as to make embellishments for art quilts, mixed media – and I’ve made custom sequins for clothing, too. Nathalie included the link to the company in the supply list.

      Reply

  • Bibi Lindahl

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    Wow, love these cards! I’ve used Shimmer Sheetz a lot, and I think the use of these stamps with acrylic paint shows yet another cool use of those Sheetz. I know the cards must be even more stunning in person when you see the shine of the Shimmer Sheetz come through between the paint. Very cool stamps, by the way. The one that looks like a sunburst looks really cool on the cards. Well done, both of you! :-)

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    amazing work!

    Reply

    • judi kauffman

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      Thank you. The stamps and stencils make it so easy and so much fun.

      Reply

  • Cheryl

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    I like these designs – a lot! I’ll be looking for more of Judi’s art. Also, being a dog lover – I’m curious – are those Affenpinschers in the photo with Judi?

    Reply

    • judi kauffman

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      They’re standard poodle puppies. We’ve had standard poodles for 38 years and have been so happy with all three. I love dogs in general!

      Reply

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Girls in Style or…The Whatevers

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Are you ready for the next photo of the Second Round of Whatevers? If you missed what the Whatevers is all about (basically they are photos that my friends and I found on flea markets etc. and that we give a new life and story) or want to see all the past photos and takes…check it out here.

Click here to see what CatVicki,  and Cuchy made out of the photo and which story they tell. Martha cannot participate this month- we are thinking of you hon- get better soon!

Here is my take on this month’s photo:

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“They were united by their love to create art and their extremely exquisite taste of bathing fashion. Nobody could deny that they were a fine group of women!”

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I had a great time creating the background with some collage elements. And this month’s photo made me also laugh big time :)

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And here is the photo for you in case you want to play along this month:

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Link up you projects with this photo here:

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Here is how it works

    • Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Martha and I 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 to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!

 

    • 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 artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER

 

    • Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show 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 we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.

 

 


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Have a gorgeous day!

Nat

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Comments (4)

  • cuchy

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    extremely exquisite taste… NO DOUBT!! HAHAHAHA
    Colourful as we are :)

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  • Cat

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    I love the background!

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  • Sue Clarke

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    Cuchy had way too much fun with this one.
    Fun photo to work with Nat.

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  • Vicki Chrisman

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    Very Very cool Nat!!!

    Reply

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About Two Faced Witches and Bouncing Bows

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I found this picture that we used in our first Whatever again (The Whatevers is a Storytelling Project where friends and I use found photos with unknown background stories) – and somehow I used it up for this new story :)

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“Glen was the first person in his family to recognize what a two-faced witch his sister was…she was pretty good in hiding her evil self behind the big bouncing bow”

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here are some of the supplies I used:

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Have a gorgeous day!

Nat

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Comments (2)

  • Amante del Papel

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    Amazing page!

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  • Sue Clarke

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    I just love how you manage to put an evil twist to the Whatever photos.
    Nice way to reuse this pic.

    Reply

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Photos of the Acrylics Demystified Workshop

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It was such a great and fun day teaching my Acrylics Demystified Workshop for The Ink Pad in New York City. As with most of the bigger group workshops it took place at the Westbeth Community Room which is the perfect location for those kind of workshops- huge space, lot’s of light, outdoor space and a little kitchen included.

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We talked a lot about Liquitex Acrylic Paints and Acrylic Inks and Markers. About art supply labeling and the main groups in acrylics.  And then started playful by pooling, puddling and stringing with Liquitex Pouring Medium and String Gel. I showed how to make acrylic skins and demonstrated several possibilities of using them. Perfect way to get over the White Canvas Horror :)

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Then we sculptured our way up using Liquitex Flexible Modeling Paste -look at Karen’s awesome canvas on the top right and then we explored the possibilities of making your own glazes and playing with layers, translucency and colors in collages.

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We used Ceramic Stucco, Super Heavy Gesso, Natural Sand played with different Transfer Techniques and it was fun to see how all these little techniques and informations sparked a load of creative ideas for future work and exploration in the heads of my wonderful smiling students.

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Lastly we did a bit spray painting with Liquitex Spray Paints in the end to cool down outside  .

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To finish the workshop off I asked everyone what their favorite Acrylic was and which techniques. I was happy to hear that about everything was mentioned at least once with some clear winners on the Liquitex String Gel, Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso and the Liquitex Gel Medium & Varnish and for the techniques Glazing, Texture Creating and Painting with Newspapers 

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thank you girls for such an amazing and fun workshop day . An extra thank you to Linda Brun from Norway who was on vacation in NYC and when she heard I was giving a class signed up. This really touched me especially since she has taken a couple workshops with me in Paris, Belgium and Norway already…so she totally knew what she got herself into ;) Thank you for spending your vacation day with me!!!

 

I wish you a gorgeous and creative day

Nat

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Comments (6)

  • Ellie

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    Nat do you teach this class on-line? I’d be interested in learnng more about acrylics from you.

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    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Ellie, it is in the planning- keep an eye out for it on my blog :) I will announce it there!, Nat

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  • Amante del Papel

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    I hope one day, took one of your workshop!

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  • Sue Clarke

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    Are you sure that Ms. Brun didn’t come to NYC just to take the course with you? Now that would be a compliment! Looks like you ladies had a splashing good time.

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    • nathalie-kalbach

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      LOL Sue – I am sure there is more to see in NYC when my workshops ;)

      Reply

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Courage is the quiet voice or Art Journaling Page

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“courage does not always roar. Sometimes Courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘ I will try again tomorrow'”

Mary Anne Radmacher

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This is so true on so many levels – sometimes this is the hardest to find the courage to try again…but I am on it , trying every day ;)

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I used the Creative Palette by Stampendous and one of my templates in my Signature Stamp Sets with Stampendous and did some Mono Printing for the background. The letters are old Rose Mokka letters from my stash – the company does not exist anymore- but boy did I love those letters and hoard them. Time to use them up ;)

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Have a beautiful day filled with Courage!

hugs

Nat

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Comments (2)

  • Amante del Papel

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    Your pages are amazing! and the phrase so true!!!

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  • Sue Clarke

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    I actually used some of those letters (recently) that you sent me ages ago with your paper line. I especially like how you used the white pen to make the letters stand out. It’s been so long since I’ve done that that I had almost forgot that “trick”. Have a colorful day Nat.

    Reply

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About Sparrows, Pigeons and other Sayings

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“A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the roof…as we Germans say!”

Sometimes it is good to remember that ;)

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this is another quick art journal page fulfilling my urge to create something on a very busy non-studio day. I created the background with a brayer and Acrylic Paints, stamped over with some white acrylic paint and added the little bird that was a left over from one of my classes at the Ink Pad. Albert’s pants got a new pattern by applying a thick Liquitex Acrylic Marker…using them more like a stamp.

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And there you go…funky Albert with a huge sparrow in his hand ;)

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Thank you for swinging by and have a gorgeous day

nat

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Comments (2)

  • Amante del Papel

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    this is so great!

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  • Sue Clarke

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    Hope you have a gorgeous day as well Nat.
    I just played in my art journal and thought of you since I used one of the templates that came with the stamp set.

    Reply

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I Regret Nothing In Life or … in my Art Journal

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I regret nothing in life except what I have not done.
Coco Chanel

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No reason to drown in a sea of blue ;)

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Lot’s of layering blue acrylic paints, spray paint, stamping, stencils, gesso and then starting over again.

Do fun things today!

Nat

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Comments (3)

  • Denise spillane

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    Beautiful!

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  • Amante del Papel

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    I love blue, is amazing!!!

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  • Sue Clarke

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    Now these are the colors that come to mind when I think of your work.
    (Not that I don’t also enjoy the variety of the other colors that you use. Like reds and orange.)

    Reply

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designed by n*Studio features: Chris Lim

One of the things that make me really giddy is when I spy someone using my new stamps by Stampendous or also my Stencils with StencilGirl Products :) So I thought once in a while I would feature the work of those wonderful talented people with a new Series called: designed by n*Studio features:…..

And today I feature: Chris Lim

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I met Chris in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she was taking on of my Mixed Media Classes. I was blown away by her talent and I have been following her ever since. I love her style and I am happy she is using my stamps. chris has no blog, so please give her some love here :)
The stage is hers:

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Hi! My name is Chris Lim, a mother to three grown up boys and a grandmother to my 3 year old beautiful granddaughter.

Basically, I am a scrap booker/paper crafter who loves all things beautiful. My style, to many who have known me, is more of shabby chic. Being an avid crafter, I began to explore beyond paper crafting. I now enjoy creating with different mediums and elements. As such I have gone beyond my ‘shabby chic style’. The current ‘in thing’ for me now is painting doll faces with big eyes and long lashes. I hope my work will inspire other crafters.

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I love Chris’ very femine and intricate style !

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Love how she ties everything together and uses all kinds of different embellishments and materials on this canvas.

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And here is a beautiful Scrapbooking Layout where Chris used my stamps and stencil template:

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I love the hint of grunge in the background- wonderful! Thank you so much Chris for sharing your work using my stamps with me!!

Here are the n*Studio Stamps used:

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have a fantastic day!
Nat

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Comments (6)

  • lily

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    Lovely canvas! Looks like some spiritual happiness to me :-)
    and the layout is awesome too!
    And as for Nat: really like the idea of showing work of some of your “users” :-)

    Reply

  • Suzie

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    Wow, Chris, your creations are stunning! I love that they are feminine & pretty with just a hint of grunge mixed in. Really, really fabulous!

    Reply

  • Kathy

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    Lovely! Great design!

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    It’s a great, great artisc, fantastic projects!

    Reply

  • Kathy

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    Gorgeous designs, Chris! I love your artistic style, using all these different mediums so well! A feast for the eyes!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Beautiful work Chris. Thanks for sharing it with us. I like how you used the stamps in the background of the layout.

    Reply

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