nathalie-kalbach

Winding Down: Top Ten Blog Posts of 2012

toptenblogposts

This was a crazy year for me. The start of the second year having quit my job as a paralegal and as a Mixed Media Artist. Lot’s of fun things happened, wonderful journeys, work opportunities, but also a lot of rejection, self-doubt, self-pity, self bashing. Crazy….

As of my blogging I would say 2012 marks finding my own voice again. I clearly struggled with my blogging  in 2011 and while I want to show my work or tutorials – there is so much more that is on my mind and that makes me me or that inspires my work. I wanted to share this with you and I think slowly in 2012 I found my voice …this is me – whether you like it or not ;)

So here are some of my favorite Blog Posts from last year- they might not necessary be your favorite ones ;) Some are funny, some are very personal, some are inspring…

Use Your Special Dishes or…You Are Worthy!

specialdishes

It was a hard time and it still is a bit a hard time- everyone ever taking caring of a loved elderly family member knows this – this time taught me a lot though and it made me appreciate a lot of things in my life in a different and better way!

7 Weird Facts About Me

7weirdfacts about me

It was fun thinking of weird stuff…(still not told you the weirdest facts- hahahahaha)

 

iDoodle…or The End of the Bee Gees in my handbag

Idoodle

This one makes me laugh because of the music…I am sorry thought that later on one of the Bee Gee’s died…I really didn’t know when I chose my title!

 

Peek Inside The n*Studio – Prepping Workshops

Peekinside

It was fun writing about things, that I first thought would nobody find interesting…but you did…;)

Before I Die I want to…

BeforeIdie

 

It was a post proved by an amazing Video – I loved it – and it inspired me to a canvas that it close to my heart

Thank You Mr. PearCabbage…

mrpearcabbage

Again- I loved this inspiring movie by Drew Dudley and it made me think about people who handed me a lollipop!

Was It Worth Quitting a Well Paid Job…

Wasitworth

A post reminiscing if I did the right decision quitting my job as a paralegal to become a full-time artist

Photos are like a Rube Goldberg Machine

Goldbergmachine

 

What chain of thoughts do photos trigger in you?

My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials

MixedMedia Essentials

 

This is actually a part of a longer series of blog posts and will still continue on in 2013- all about my most favorite tools and supplies to create mixed media projects.

Colors Are Your Friends

Colors Are Yiur Friends

This is another series- which is finished about color theory..or should I say MY color theory? ;)

 

I hope you enjoyed this list- is there any of the listed posts that you as my reader especially enjoyed this year?

Have a wonderful day

Nat

 

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Jenny Palmer

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    Hi Nat
    i am so glad you are you if you werent I wouldnt have learnt so much
    your post on color theory is what drew me to look around your site
    I hope one day i get to meet you [very unlikely but what;s a dream without dreaming]]
    I would tell you it was a great choice to leave your job to do art fulltime.
    I would tell you that you more than any other artist have inspired me
    As you now I havent long ago started my arty journey but thru your classes I have done with you I am no longer scared to try.
    I dont know how to thankyou because your art classes along with my darling husband’s support for doing this pulled me out of a very bad deppression
    so from the bottom of my heart i am so glad you are you
    Jenny
    waves from Tasmania

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Hi Jenny,

      Thank you so much for you wonderful and heartfelt comment! It means a lot to me ! I wish you a wonderful, happy and very creative as well as healthy new year 2013! Huge hugs to you Nat

      Reply

  • Gunvor

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    I’ve enjoyed these and many more of your inspirational, colourful and awesome blogpost this year. Not to mention how much I enjoyed meeting you “IRL” in Stockholm and taking a class for you – such a creative kick! Thanks for everything you shared in 2012 and a Happy, Creative, Colourful New Year to you!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      ahhh- Gunvor- you are such a sweetheart. It was wonderful meeting you!!! Wishing you a wonderful creative happy new year too!!!

      Reply

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Winding Down: My Top Ten Mixed Media Projects of 2012

toptenmixedmedia

It has become a tradition for me to wind down the year on my blog by posting some Top Ten Lists before the year ends. It makes me go back and look at what I have done and accomplished and it also makes me dwell in memories. Too often we forget about the things we did and accomplished throughout the year- often just bashing ourselves for not fulfilling all the wonderful new year’s resolutions from last year.  Maybe this makes you wanna do it too – if so – share :)

This art journal page which I showed with a fun video tutorial is still one of my favorites because of the happy colors and the technique.

This Canvas I created for very dear friends – I had so much fun making it and I am so happy for their little addition to the family.

MiniBook Cover which is part of a class I taught with several other artists organized by Donna Downey- called Internationally Inspired.

Another art journal page- which is actually part of my Über*Media Gesso Online Workshop. It says “Not Reaching for the stars! I am just reaching for my personal star – one that just shines for me!” Pretty much sums up my year.

A canvas which just makes me happy with texture and colors- this one I actually also teach right now as an in-person Workshop- but it is also part of my  Über*Media Acrylic Paint Workshop . I think it might be my favorite class to teach at the moment.

Happy Canvas :) I love it because I made the products just my own.

An artjournal page which is part of the Whatevers Storytelling Project. For this sgraffito background I posted also a technique video .

I sneak this altered project in here- I love it because it was a bit unusual for me- a little Sardine tin.

Also not really Mixed Media- but Altered Book…I love this book. I had a blast creating it with many wonderful heritage picture of my aunt Margot.

This Canvas is probably my absolute favorite of the year. It says: Before I die, I want to become the person that I am

If I look at my Mixed Media Projects this year- I can definitely say that the love for texture got even heavier. I totally embraced texture in every possible way- and I still don’t see the end of it for me. I also seem to like to do bigger statements in my work and there is also a lot of hidden meaning involved in the way I incorporate techniques and materials with a theme or thought. Also pretty clear that I had a little love for bold happy colors this year- lot’s of orange, red and yellow ;)

Which of my posted projects do you like the best?

Huge hugs

Nat

Nat

  • Gypsy Chaos

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    The sardine can captured my attention – I’m leaning towards altered art recently and this is an excellent example.

    I like your “Before I Die” – it is inspiring me to try a different path to finding who I am these days. I don’t have a dream job aspiration – I HAD my dream job for ~15 years, but it’s over now.

    Reply

  • Kelly Belton

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    I love that sardine tin! The altered book cover is beautiful, I’m sure the treasured memories inside are equally so. “Love” is so beautiful – and has inspired me to step away from my tendency to dark and try a very heavily embellished canvas – all in tones of white. As always – thanks for the inspiration Nat.

    Reply

  • SusanJane

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    What an exciting year! I do love all the colors you indulged in as well as the finished results. It is so worth coming to your blog everyday. Looking forward to next year!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I don’t remember seeing the sardine can project and it is super cute. My fav is the one of you and hubby. The use of so much white from you caught me off guard. It’s very romantic. Happy New Year Nat!

    Reply

  • Andrene

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    I cannot pick just one – before I die, summer and love are awesome. A spoonful of texture (the whole album) is one of my favorites – loved that class! And the sardine can is the coolest!

    Reply

  • christinemobuddy

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    I am surprised to say that I love the 1st one using Dylusions. Thanks for sharing…also love before I die

    Reply

  • Sandy

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    I love the Summer canvas. Are you going to have the Über*Media Acrylic Paint Online Workshop again?

    Reply

  • Sandi McLean

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    Hard to pick a favourite! Mostly everything you do inspires me to create something different or to think differently…I would say that is exactly what inspiration should be. Warmest wishes for 2013!

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    Your work is so inspiring! Love the Whatevers page! I see many which use bold bright colors!

    Reply

  • Jenny Palmer

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    Hi Nat
    I love the last one the best “Before I die”
    that always makes me think of what kind of person am I turning into
    hugs and waves from Tasmania
    Jenny

    Reply

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Winding Down: My Top Ten Photos of 2012

toptenphotos

It has become a tradition for me to wind down the year on my blog by posting some Top Ten Lists before the year ends. It makes me go back and look at what I have done and accomplished and it also makes me dwell in memories. Too often we forget about the things we did and accomplished throughout the year- often just bashing ourselves for not fulfilling all the wonderful new year’s resolutions from last year.  Maybe this makes you wanna do it too – if so – share :)

 

In the beginning of the year, right before CHA we did a little road trip and one stop was at Death Valley. It was such a cool trip and the landscape was just unbelievable.

This picture reminds me of the fortune that my great-aunt Margot survived a stroke and heart attack this year. This is a bit after it happened and it shows her recovered so much – it makes me still happy.

While stopping over in New Jersey in July, my brother-in-law took me on a bike ride. I loved it- riding on a Harley on streets in the States is pretty much a picture of freedom in my head…as well as a picture of a couple of friends in Germany I know too ;)

Amalfi Coast – up on a hill after a pretty steep hike – what a reward to see this view.

And another one from the Amalfi Coast – here on Capri. It was an amazing day with hubs – and this reminds me on that…plus- I dislike photos with myself – I prefer being behind the camera – and that one is actual accepted ;)

Memories of having a couple of evenings chatting and spending time together with my husband on a nice terrace in Rome.

This amazing double rainbow photo at Niagara will always remember me on this spectacular view and sight and afternoon with Barb in Canada!

I love this picture of a forest here in Hamburg- a wonderful walk on an autumn afternoon

And that one…I just love the decoration and the reflection in the window. It also reminds me of a wonderful day with my friend Julie in NYC.

Isn’t it amazing all those memories and emotions photos can trigger?…well probably not my photos in you – hahahha- but your own :)

Huge hugs

Nat

P.S. – don’t forget to sign up for CREATIVE JUMPSTART Summit 2013– it starts soon!

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Sue Clarke

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    The Amalfi Coast one is incredible! The rest are pretty good too;-)

    Reply

  • Pearl Maple

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    beautiful collection of images/memories of your travels and adventures this year

    Reply

  • Petrin Diaz

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    I celebrate with you all those beautiful moments, and confirm that photos are the best friends we have any moment to revive happiness! Will start selecting my top 10!…have a nice and productive 2013, filled with God’s love, are my best wishes from PR!

    Reply

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Frohe Weihnachten or Happy Holidays!

In Germany we celebrate Christmas starting on Christmas Eve therefore on December 24. As a kid this means…this is a LOOOOONNNNGGGGGGG day…because you have to wait till it gets dark to finally start celebrating Christmas and also see what Santa brought for you.

As an adult as it gets dark pretty early it means the day is really SHOOoooooRT because the stores (read you have to stock up for 3 days in food etc) will be closed in the afternoon, and then also on the 25th and the 26th- because we celebrate 3 days . It means- while you read it – I am probably standing in line at the grocery store trying to get the last eggs, the last fresh milk and getting our fresh turkey at the butcher. (if you read it later..I am celebrating already with my loved ones :) )

And you know what- I loooooooveeee it! It is so much fun preparing all this for a couple days of festivities. I most likely will meet some of the neighbors and people around, everyone is excited and happy and chatty while waiting in line…what is not to love about this? I love this time…! I will see you back on December 27!

I am wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and those that celebrate Christmas a Very Merry Christmas!

Huge hugs and Love

Nat

Nat

  • marjiekemper

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    Oh, Nat, the colors and textures are just totally pulling me in… LOVE it! And the idea of just giving into the long holiday is very restful… shopping for food here for the holidays is a bit less kind (my dh is the shopper and he will tell you he meets some frightful people in the produce aisles at holiday time!) Wishing you and your honey the merriest Christmas and happiest New Year. xx

    Reply

  • Riikka

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    Merry Christmas and sweet holidays! <3

    Reply

  • Kelly Belton

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    Have a wonderful Christmas Nathalie, from all of your friends in Toronto!

    Reply

  • Nicole H.

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    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to your and yours Nat!! Hugs, Nicole

    Reply

  • Deborah Pierro

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    Nat–Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy 2013! xoxoxo

    Reply

  • Jean Marmo

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    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!! We will be celebrating here later today when my son is able to get home.

    Reply

  • Lisa Flaherty

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    Merry Christmas, Nat!! Stay warm and enjoy all it’s pleasures! :)

    Reply

  • Renee

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    Thank You for such a wonderful post! Makes me feel like I am reading a story book.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  • Madeline Rains

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    Sounds wonderful! I love how so many in Europe still go to market every day for fresh food. Wonderful. Merry Christmas from an organic farm in Georgia, in the US.

    Reply

  • Dara Lynn

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    Merry Christmas to you, hubby, and family….from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Wishing you, hubby and kitty the best Christmas ever!
    And may you have a blessed New Year. Enjoy:-)

    Reply

  • Petrin Diaz

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    Oh, your story is so inspiring! Each place in the world has its own ways to celebrate Adviento, and yours is very special! Lovely! Hope you and your family a joyful time…thanks for describing!

    Reply

  • Anne

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    Frohe Weihnachten und viel Erfolg!
    Liebe Grüße nach Hamburg.

    Reply

  • Cuchy

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    ¡Feliz Navidad!

    Reply

  • MichaelaBM

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    Liebe Nat,
    Ich wünsche Dir und Deinen Lieben ein wunderschönes Weihnachtsfest und einen guten Rutsch in ein tolles, aufregendes und kreatives neues Jahr!
    Liebe Grüße
    Michaela

    Reply

  • Ingrid Steinberger

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    Ich wünsche dir ein wunderschönes Weihnachtsfest und alles Gute und viel Erfolg im Jahr 2013.
    glg Ingrid

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      LIebe Ingrid, das wünsche ich Dir und Deinen Lieben auch! Es war wunderschön, Dich dieses Jahr gleich zweimal zu sehen :) Sei gedrückt, nat

      Reply

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How does he get down the chimney?

I still love this one so much – it is my fave and makes me laugh !

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BwJJdTkvS7Y]

And there you have it!

So, what do you think? How does he get down the chimney?

have a wonderful day

Nat

Nat

  • anja kieboom

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    I never get enough of sesamestreet!!! it is indeed so cute!!! and i joined the january online ‘summit’ what a great initiative!

    Reply

  • SusanJane

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    We could never figure it out since we had no chimney and the house was locked. It was a total mystery. But really we didn’t care because of all the goodies that showed up under the tree.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Thanks for posting that one Nat. I haven’t seen it in a while. I just love the first boy who says that Santa ties the reindeer’s antlers together so that they will fit down the chimney. At our house Santa uses his special key to get in since we don’t have a chimney. Thank you for the beautiful card!!!

    Reply

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Wowsers- Creative JumpStart Summit 2013…but how do I sign up?

CJSLogo_500

Some of you have already seen the huge announcement about Creative JumpStart Summit 2013 yesterday…and if not- you gotta check it out here!

The response in the first 24 hours is overwhelming- THANK YOU , THANK YOU , THANK YOU.

Already 1300 of you decided to join so far. But I also got a lot of questions on how to sign up – because some of you have never subscribed to a  newsletter and I have to admit it is a bit confusing if you have never done it. So I put together this  quick little video that explains how the sign up works. Because: don’t forget you can only get the free Creative JumpStart Summit 2013 videos with their urls and passwords as well win the many giveaways by our Sponsors and JumpStarters if you are subscribed to the newsletter!

[vimeo 56088424 w=400 h=300]

 

So go and sign up here!

We can’t wait for January 2013 – we will have so much fun!

huge hugs

Nat

 

Nat

  • Cheri Condren

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    Excited!! Thank you!

    Reply

  • vicki

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    Thank you so much!

    Reply

  • Theresa Magladry

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    Yay!! You’re doing Creative Jumpstart again this year!!!! THANK YOU!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Creative JumpStart 2013!!!!

CJSLogo_500

Here we go again.  I am so so so excited :)

After last year’s success of Creative JumpStart I decided to organize it again. We had about 4.500 subscribers last year!  It was so much fun! So here is the scoop about it:

January is approaching–a month that is full with promises, resolutions and intentions. A month that for many is following lots of holiday celebrations, family gatherings and other end-of-the-year events.

It’s also time to start creating again. But suddenly there it is for some of us: that lost feeling on how to start. Here is the cure :)

I invited a group of wonderful, inspiring and creative ladies and gentlemen from around the globe in the mixed media and scrapbooking world to join together for the Creative Jump Start Summit 2013. We are coming together to show you some ways to get back into the creative groove and how to get your creative juices flowing. We want to share with you “3 Ways to …” help you jump-start your creativity in 2013.

Let me show you who is participating:

[vimeo 56193517 w=400 h=300]
Here’s what you get and how it works:

  • 1. Throughout January we will share videos showing tutorials to inspire you –
  • 2. You sign up for the Creative JumpStart 2013 newsletter HERE and, in January 2013, you will receive  a daily link and password to unlock the view of the materials as soon as they go live
  • 3. On some days our Sponsors will have a giveaway for you and you will receive two newsletters these days
  • 4. You watch the presentations and you will be hopefully inspired to be more creative—all for FREE! If you like it you can donate to the cause – check it out here.

So come on—get inspiration from some of the most creative people in the community. Only 11 more days till we start :)

What are you waiting for? (Did I mention it’s FREE?)

Nat

Nat

Comments (83)

  • Denise Trottier

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    I’ve been looking for the last video where you said the winners would be announced and haven’t gotten it, is there any way you can send it to me…I really enjoyed this series, thank you so much…

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      The last video says I will announce the winners in mid february. so please be patient!

      Reply

  • Angela

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    Hi
    Thanks for all your hard work creating the Creative Jumpstart. Just wondering how we know who won all the wonderful prizes? Did you contact the winners individually?

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      the winners will be announced as said in the last video – if you watch that you will know ;)

      Reply

  • Cher

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    Thank you for coordinating. This sounds like a great event!

    Reply

  • Dani

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    primera vez que participo de algo asi, no entiendo mucho pero me encanta!! saludos desde Chile

    Reply

  • janet

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    sounds great…. count me in but does it matter if I dont participate every day… time ..you know
    janet

    Reply

  • Diane Warburton

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    I’d love to help advertise the ‘jumpstart’ – is there a little photo thing ( I forget what they’re called) which can go in the sidebar of my blog?

    Reply

  • anna

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    Very interesting and useful tutorials. Every day I look forward to a new technique.Thank you.

    Reply

  • Danielle

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    I have had so much fun viewing the first three videos…and have already learned a lot and have been so inspired!!!! Thank you!!!!!!

    Reply

  • sandeeNC

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    wow, sounds exciting, sorry I missed it last year! Going to go sign up! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

    Reply

  • Sheree Kuhn

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    This is my first online class so I’m clueless in how this works but am so ready to play. I just love art journaling!!!!

    Reply

  • Heather

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    Late signing up for emails as I thought I had already done it DOH! Looking forward to the inspiration. Many thanks

    Reply

  • scrapandstamp

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    Hi there
    I got my email for the first day and none of the links are working. Can you please check your email…
    Cheers
    Sharon Ling

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      check a bit later- it seems as there are a lot of people trying to hit it right now. We have over 4000 subscribers and it seems a lot of peeps trying right now.

      Reply

  • Laurie Kearnes

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    I got my alert that the Jumpstart was starting but I haven’t gotten the daily email like you said we would get with the password and all. I’m so excited but I’m worried I’m missing the video! What do I do?

    Reply

  • Vicki

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    Excited to participate in this year’s jump start!!

    Reply

  • Sandra Lomas

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    Hello Nathalie – i can’t wait to get started. thanks for making this available to us!!!

    Reply

  • lynne

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    Looking forward to the jump start….I’ve been a sloth over the holiday. Thanks!,
    Lynne

    Reply

  • Dee in NH

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    Wow!! Thank you so, so much! Free is exactly what I can afford right now and to have all of you talented people sharing with us is beyond amazing!!!

    Reply

  • Melanie

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    I love to participate. It’s so sweet you do this for evereyone.
    I will wish you a healthy, happy and creative 2013.
    Groetjes, Melanie

    Reply

  • Julia

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    Thank you Nat and all the other artists giving their time, this sounds very interesting and I look forward to it all, thank you

    Reply

  • Mel

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    Looking forward to learning some new things.

    Reply

  • Marie

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    Cool I just sign pu CAN not wait for it to start…..1 1/2 day until…..

    Reply

  • Creative Jumpstart

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    Thank you all for being so excited- we can’t wait!

    Reply

  • Tana

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    Sounds really great!! Thank you, Nathalie!! :) ♥

    Reply

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If Our Tree Could Speak…

treespeak

…well there were a lot of stories to tell…

treetransport

….how the poor thing got carried through a snowy cold day through the city…and then up the fifth floor and then left out for a night in the dark and cold hallway

ornaments

….how the next day it was brought in and all kinds of shiny boxes started to appear next to it

Babushka

…how Babushka said “don’t you worry….I came all the way from New York , my home was Anthropologie and I have a good home here for many years now” and then clonked down and weighs heavy on the branch ever since

bazookaguy

…how Bazooka Guy made a scary appearance but then said…”hey…I am just a good guy representing childhood games of the guy called “hubs” – I will take care of you!”

Canadaeh

…how this thing with a funny accent said “No worries, I am new here too, eh?” and then said something about coming all the way from Canada and being a present from Barbara

Felti

…how Felti from Maine made by Cat, said “Dude, at least you have it warm here!”

Heirloom

…how the shiny dented ball said “uhhh it is nice and airy here, I haven’t been out of aunt Margot’s basement for many many years- I like it – I will shine!”

RURUTGERS

…how the Santa Dude in the Balloon said “We made it to the big ten, RU RU Rutgers” and is waving his big foam finger ever since

SantaMouse

…how Santa Mouse from New Jersey, made by Karen sighed and said “oh no…not again…” dangling from a lower branch and being attacked once in a while by a hairy monster called Niles

Standupbass

…how the Standup Bass constantly pouts because it’s bigger brother in the next room is so much louder

Treelighted

…how cozy and warm and beautiful sparkly it all looks in the evening and how much the tree is enjoyed by the peeps living in this household.

What stories would your tree tell? (go ahead if you want- grab the logo and share your tree’s story!)

nat

Nat

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My Prima Place…Volume 5

Finally you can read the Prima Marketing Magazine My Prima Place online- meaning it is available for everyone for free- weheeee :)

Primaplace

 

I have also a little Holiday Canvas in this issue  – fun and easy and with a little tutorial on how to create it :).

Bildschirmfoto 2012-12-15 um 12.56.04

 

You can find the magazine here

 

What are your favorite Magazines (Mixed Media, Scrapbooking, Lifestyle, Decoration etc)?

Have a wonderful day :)

Nat

Nat

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