Art Of Living as an Artist

n*Studio moves to the U.S. – CELEBRATION

NatLetsCelebrate

 

In exactly one week we will be arriving at our new home in the U.S. The n*Studio will be packed in the shipping container in the next days and I will be offline mostly. But don’t worry..I have scheduled some fun posts and there will be also a blog-hop coming up with another nice giveaway next week. And then just cross fingers that the phone company hooks us up quickly again in our new place .

NatKalbachMoving

Lot’s of work lays already behind us – from cleaning out pantries, giving away and selling things that won’t fit into the container or are not allowed to be shipped to the U.S. or cannot work in the U.S., to cleaning bikes and shoes as no dirt allowed to be brought in, to lot’s of paperwork, getting the apartment here in shape and find a new renter. Our To-Do List got way smaller but this coming week will be totally insane, making sure the movers pack everything and properly, the labeling for customs , the cat getting a little ride to the vet for the health certificate,

NilesVet

the good bye party tonight and other farewells, packing 6 suitcases  and a cat…well…LOL…let’s stop here …you get the picture and if not..follow me on instagram you will probably get some there ;)

Niles Card

While we are sad to leave Hamburg and our family and friends here- we are VERY HAPPY and excited to move to Jersey City and our family and friends there. One of you said in one of the comments that she cannot at all understand why we move to the U.S. Well..you know when you have a multi-national marriage – one of you always has to leave the country and be further away from their loved ones…and after 15 years I think it is my task now and I am very content and well with it  and I cannot wait to work further on some really fun n*Studio projects there (wait and see) :) Home is where your heart is and my heart goes now to the U.S. plus…the world is so much smaller now…I see my family and friends already again in December and I tell you, if only half of the people come to visit us in the U.S. that said they would, we pretty much do not even feel we moved ;) …so that is not too bad ;)

So………………..let’s celebrate

NatmovesCoupon

 

Offer valid till September 16, 2013 11.59 pm CET. Coupon code must be entered exactly as shown at checkout and is case-sensitive. Final discounts will be displayed within the cart.

To take advantage of this rebate on online-workshop orders with a total over 10USD , here’s what you have to do:

  1. Click on “Online Workshops” in the menu for “Workshops” or on the main Workshops page.
  2. Find the workshops you want to purchase and add them to the cart.
  3. Click on “Cart” when you want to check out.
  4. Enter the code “natmoves” and click “Apply Coupon” to get 15% off on all orders total over 10USD

Thank You for celebrating with me !

Have a wonderful and creative day !

Nat

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Nat

Comments (30)

  • Julie

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    I love that pic of you! I would say, “that is so Nat!” lol – and i don’t even know you!

    Welcome to your new home!

    Reply

  • Mila

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    I wish you all the best in your new stage. There is truth in the phrase “your home is where your heart”. A big hug will follow you wherever you go.

    Reply

  • Geri Pate

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    Safe travels! I believe making any major move in life is, of course bittersweet. I have moved and traveled many times throughout my life all over the globe. I have found moving to be a very spiritual experience–leaving me to always be more grateful for where I just left and so appreciative for I am am moving to. Moving is an end and a beginning, with all the joys and stresses that accompany both. There is a book I recommend, it is one artist/woman’s trek of being filled with wanderlust and then settling down. The story is EXCELLENT and the ART is gorgeous! “WHEN WANDERERS CEASE TO ROAM,” is the name of the book by Vivian Swift. Good luck and God bless you on the move.

    Reply

  • Kirsten Reed

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    Good luck on the move! Having moved back and forth to Germany four times, I feel your pain! Lots to do!! I hope you settle in well in your new city and maybe we will get to meet at an art class or retreat one day!

    Reply

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40 is the new 30 or…You asked

Nat40Bday

Today I am turning 40 and I am looking forward celebrating my birthday with some of my best friends here in Hamburg and my sweet friend Julie Fei Fan Balzer who is here visiting me.

A couple of weeks I had asked you which questions you always wanted to ask me and I collected those and some of the questions I got via email all the time for my F.A.Q site- and here you go -some things some of you wanted to know about me…why not post that on my birthday- LOL.

Q: Where do you live?

A: Right now in Hamburg, Germany…but I am transitioning soon to New Jersey City in the U.S.  You can see some posts about my Strolls around the neighborhood in Hamburg here:

Q: What inspires your art work ? Is it the products ? or a combination of things ?

A: I think it is indeed both. Sometimes when I get new art supplies and try them out it, it totally inspires me to some art work I would have never done. some supplies just make me want to use them over and over again and I get excited – but there are also many other things that inspire me. Often it is a stroll through my neighbor hood, there is so much that inspires me here. But also listening to a song, or reading a book. I love when I stumble over a quote or line in a book/song and it makes me think and this is often then the starting point for my work. Most of my work is very emotional as guided by the emotions and the thoughts I have while creating in my mind.

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Q: Does your creative mojo ever get blocked? What do you do to unblock it?

A: It does! And now the answer is really a weird one. Sometimes it helps to just keep going…with a little “WHATEVER ” attitude and that sometimes turns out to be the best work ever…probably because I let go. But sometimes this fails too or I just feel like I cannot even do “WHATEVER” and then I just go and let it be. I do something totally different. Go out, do something I wanted to do for a long time , clean, meet friends…and when I come home mojo is usually back

Q: How do you get started with a new product and figure out all the ways to use it?

A: I analyze it a lot before I open it. I read all I can find about it, make the necessary connections to products that are the same or similar and then start testing the things that do work with the similar products first. After realizing what the unique features of that products might be, I start experimenting new techniques and check those. It is a long process but I enjoy it and makes me feel I really know the product. If I like it and feel it is a good fit to my work- I use it and I teach with it too.

Q: I would love to know how what for most of us is a hobby became a profession for you. You have mentioned that you previously worked in the legal profession. Please share how you became a professional mixed media artist.

A:Yes indeed I studied law and worked as a paralegal for 17 years. I loved my job – but in 2004 I stumbled across scrapbooking and very soon over Mixed Media Art where my heart is. In 2006 I was asked to teach my first workshops in Berlin, Germany and I have come a long way since then. It wasn’t a light-hearted or fast decision and a lot of work over many years went into this. Over the years my obsession with Mixed Media Art and my teaching opportunities grew so much, that I spent almost all my vacation days traveling to different workshop venues. So in 2011 I decided to take the plunge and become a Professional Artist. I let my readers know back then in this post: Life Changes…And Change is good.

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Q: Do you have any regrets quiting your job as a paralegal and becoming a full time artist?

A: No! But read more about this: Was it worth quitting a well-paid job? Or …Insanity

Q: What were some challenges and/or unforeseen changes you faced making the jump from hobbyist scrapper/artist to pro?

A: There were two major challenges for me. One was fear – you can read all about it here: Thoughts: The key to chance is to let go of fear. The other hardest struggle for me in the beginning was that from having a very structured day and times in the law office going to a way on deciding how to organize self employment. In the beginning often times I would have a hard time starting in the morning – then work till after midnight. Now I start early in the morning and still work till midnight- LOL- so hopefully soon this gets even better .

Q: Are you teaching workshops?

A: Yes I do

In-Person Nathalie Kalbach In-Person Workshops
I teach in-person classes around the world on a variety of topics.

uberMedia		 Online Workshops 
My Über*Media series is dedicated to techniques with different media. I also teach project-based online workshops.

Q: Can I subscribe to your blog?

A: Yes, absolutely. 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. Another option is to sign up through a rss reader for example Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Q: Where do I find things on your website?

A: Check out my site tour here.

Q: Where can I buy your stencils?

A: You can buy all my stencils either directly at Stencil Girl Products or at the stores which I listed extra here under My Products. I also show some projects I created with the stencils  there. So check it out :)

Q: What are your favorite supplies to work with?

A: There are a lot. For more detailed insights with my thoughts about My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials read here. The series is still to be updated. But here is a visual list of the supplies that I use all the time

Q: How do you choose the colors that go together the best in your work?

A: I wrote a series of posts about colors and my relationship to them- called Colors are Your Friends which explains a lot how I choose colors and why for my work.

Q: How do you organize your studio?

A: ahhh tough question…there are several attempts – and probably it will be all different once I moved- but meanwhile I leave you with one of my last organization posts when I bought a letterpress cabinet.

 

Have a gorgeous sunny day!

Nat

 

Nat

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Definitely not Germany’s Next Top Model or…Photoshoot

About a month ago, I had a photo shoot with Andreas Muhme, a great photographer from Hamburg. I wanted to have some new photos for my website since the one that is staring at you right now at the right hand side is a bit outdated and it also feels as if I am the most serious person in the world…which I am not …;) I picked Andreas because I loved his portraits of artists and also his apparent liking in 50s style photos, which as some of you know is something that appeals to me as well. Andreas took a lot of time talking with me ahead of time to get to know me better and I also showed him my studio since we were going to shoot some photos here.

NathalieKalbach_MuhmeShoot01

 

Then we had a whole day where he shot some photos first in my studio and later in his studio. We had a lot of fun! I also learned a lot about me this day.

First of all…since I never really do make up…well at least not a lot…it is actually not a good idea trying to change that on the day of a photo shoot. I am no exception with minimalistic makeup in Germany…but I might be an exception that even putting on foundation is a big task for me ;) After the shoot I actually plunged in and took a little make up course…but I wanted a natural look…which strikes me in retrospective weird..because why all this effort to look natural instead of just being natural…LOL. We women are funny creatures ;)

NathalieKalbach_MuhmeShoot02

 

Second, kudos to Andreas who did an awesome job with that.: I had this weird thing in my head going on between what I wanted the photo show of me… but also I wanted the photo to be me. Well…you know…that is sometimes not easy to get – hahahahaha. Because I am no Germany’s Next Top Model with a natural posing flow in her favorite 50s dress, looking smashing hot without make up but still looking fun and approachable and just like her ;)

NathalieKalbach_MuhmeShoot03

 

Third, what my friends and I would say is typically me…is not what you my readers and students say is me ;) I posted the above picture – which is of course an outtake  but I actually really like this picture just as a snapshot and it made Andreas and me laugh a lot. It was a look I gave him after a lot of shots and commands like : “smile  but don’t squint your eyes”, turn your head a bit”, “can you change your expression?”… – LOL – yes I can! . I showed this picture on facebook jokingly and my friends that know me very well were saying, “This is so you !” and they were laughing with me. But some of my students and readers were saying, what a terrible picture this is and that this is so not me. Maybe because you never saw me frown…also known as Nat’s Thinking-Wrinkle Face…and come one Dudes…you gotta be able to make fun of yourself and laugh a bit too!

NathalieKalbach_WhichOne

 

Besides my studio shot which is on the top of this post- these are my three favorite photos from that day. I know of course already which one is going to be my new professional headshot…but let me know…which one of the three do you think portraits me the way I am the best?

Thank you again to Andreas for a wonderful day and awesome photos and all your patience – LOL- looking forward to our outside photo shoot ;)

Hugs

Nat

Nat

Comments (46)

  • Jeanne Kelly

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    How fun!! I like the muscle photo. Caption “make Art…or else”
    Ha, ha! I LOVE the photo of you in your studio with a paint brush in your mouth – you are adorable !!!!!!!

    Reply

  • marjiekemper

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    What a cool shoot! I vote for #2 for authencity’s sake!

    Reply

  • Sabine

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    The shot in the studio is the best of all of them. It is fun and you look great!
    If I had to choose from the 3 photos below, I would take #2 because the others are too serious for my linking. #2 shows you as the kick-ass funny girl that you are …. as far as I can tell.

    Reply

  • andrenesmith

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    Which is you (the online/blog personality)? Why #2 of course!! Out of the 3 I like #1 the best as a professional photo. But on this post, I LOVE the one of you in the studio. Its is fun and having your studio as the backdrop is perfect.

    Reply

  • Donna

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    It looks like you had a fun time with Andreas and got great photos too! I like #3 and look forward to seeing which one YOU chose!

    Peace,
    Donna

    Reply

  • Bill Auld

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    The studio shot shows your joy Nat. Your joy is who you are.

    Reply

    • Kelly Belton

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      I totally agree!

      Reply

  • Kelly Belton

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    Nat, the studio shot is fantastic! Of the three others I really like #3. It is just a really engaging image of you – and you look like you are welcoming the viewer into a conversation with you. Beautiful!
    (But you know I love the controversial one the best.) I am envious of how natural you are in these photos – fabulous!

    Reply

  • Birgit Kunte

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    Ach nööööö, ich mag das im Studio am liebsten, das bist du sooooo du. Die anderen sind Portrait-Fotos, sie sind schön und ich musste echt schmunzeln bei allen, aber DU bist auf dem Foto im Studio. Ganz liebe Grüße Birgit – und danke fürs michzumschmunzelnbringen

    Reply

  • Gunvor

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    My favourite is the studio picture – I just love all that it´s telling about you and your art. Of the three at the bottom I just love #2. But whatever photo you chose – you rock! And I’m soo looking forward to seeing you in Stockholm in august.

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      I am looking forward seeing soon too!!! We will have lot’s of fun!

      Reply

  • Micki

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    oh oh oh I love the one of you in your studio. LOVE it. You loo natural, that you love to laugh. Plus I like it because it’s a candid shot, not posed. Actually all of the pics are great :-)

    Reply

  • Donna

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    Totally the studio shot!!

    Reply

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n*Studio Organization Part I

As hinted before I am going to write a bit about my progress in re-organizing my studio.

nStudioOrganisation_NathalieKalbach

It is kind of weird:  I studied law and I always worked very structured and clean at the law office. I was known for going through unorganized areas of offices and telling bosses, colleagues and trainees that there should be never never ever a pile of files with unclear content or without to-do-steps. Very german-like telling them they could die in a car accident and I would not know what the heck is going on (believe it or not they still liked me- LOL – or at least that is what I think- hehehehe)

 

Anyway- my studio…total different thing. My studio is a MESS. Not in dirty mess…in “I can’t find the right place mess!”. My friend Julie tried to reorganize me eh the studio a bit going in her organization way when she visited me a while ago- but the thing was…it didn’t really work for me. It worked better and it was a good start but it wasn’t MY perfect organization. Time to tackle this again…because let’s face it…it is my work space an average about 10 hours a day- so…

Let me tell you how I found the perfect storage first…

Letterpress_natKalbach01

When I went to the flea-market a couple of weeks, I found these letterpress blocks which I in itself eyed closely and bought a couple lots of. They were beautifully placed in this array of drawers. I somehow had this urge to ask the nice seller “so…those drawers, what are you doing with those?” To which he replied, that they actually belonged to a cabinet, he didn’t bring to the flea-market but plans to sell too once he sold all the letterpress blocks.

letterpress_natkalbach02

I asked what he wanted for it…and he named a prize that was really low. In fact the price made me think that the cabinet probably looked pretty bad. Despite the fact the price was low, I decided against further inquires, because even the low price was still something I had to chew on about. Imagine me for a whole week thinking to myself how stupid I am, what an opportunity I missed out on and dreaming and researching about letterpress cabinets. My husband the usual very mindful person actually gave me the push “You should buy it- let’s go to the flea market next saturday and see if he is there and try to get it”. And so it was.

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I was a lucky ducky…that is all I can say- the cabinet belonged to an old tool school teacher who loved this cabinet from the 20s/30s and took good care of it. He taught kids how to print letterpress posters and when he retired had to move to an elderly home he had to sell everything. Knowing this background story makes this even more treasurable (is that a word?) for me and I wish he could know that his beloved cabinet got a home where someone equally loves and treasures this cabinet. I also was super lucky that the cabinet fit perfectly into the ONLY possible spot in my room- between a pole and a wall and with still being able to open the drawers which are quite deep without ruining a doorway (also known as “entering the American Zone” or my husband’s studio)

letterpress_natkalbach04

Let’s finally get to the organization part…I probably lost half of you already…but ok…you know I can’t contain my excitement for this. I wish those cabinets would be still built – yes! Because they are AWEsome- this cabinet is mall and look at all those drawers and they are thin and deep. Perfect for storing stamps:

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Perfect with all those tiny containers which were for the metal book setting letters. I filled several drawers with found objects and embellishments. Being able to finally see them…it is like an inspiration drawer…open…spark…take…create!

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Tapes …they lived in a box- some of them untangling, making it hard to control them (I might have control issues- LOL)

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Oh wait…there was chipboard and canvas elements…

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Letterpress, stamp- and lino-carving tools

letterpress_natkalbach09

I do not use a lot of ribbon, but what I knew I would use some time was dangling from a hanger…hated it (I know it is a strong word- but yes…true)

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some of my Prima-Educator stuff…not perfect- but better when I had it before in boxes – I am still thinking about this.

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the die cut tools – perfect… I was surprised to find some of them- ahem ;)

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And as to not leave you with the false thought of a perfectly looking and wonderfully organized super duper power artist studio…here is the rest of my studio. Pretty much looks worse when before- hahahaha – because I started to pull stuff there out of the drawers and had to put it somewhere in between. It is now about organizing the paints and tools I use all the time. I will keep you updated in another post…hopefully soon ;)

letterpress_natkalbach14

BTW – I left the labels of the letterpress on the cabinet because I somehow think it adds to the charm of it…but maybe it might be better to label it with what is in there- LOL.

What do you think I should do – leave the labeling as is?

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (63)

  • lacyquilter

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    What a great find. I would re-label with what is in there. Otherwise, it just wouldn’t be as useful. But you could take the old labels and use them as ephemera or just make a whole scrapbook page with them on it.

    Reply

  • nadya

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    Beautiful find! Definitely keep the labels as is — it retains the history behind the piece, and soon enough you’ll know where everything is. I liked Lisa’s idea to label inside the cabinet. Organizing seems painful, but it’s also a great way to take stock of what you have. And in the end, no matter how gorgeous & roomy our studio is, we end up using a tiny little spot!

    Reply

  • Lisa Flaherty

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    What a score!!! I know what you mean about the old labels and their charm. Soon you will know where everything is without needing your own labels on the fronts of the drawers. However, if you have a cleaning fairy come in who wants to tidy and put some things away for you (not sure if hubs is allowed to cross the border from the American office to the German side… ;) ) but you could put your own label on the top edge of the lip of each drawer face, such that you have to open the drawer a couple inches to see it.

    Looking forward to the rest of your organizing journey! Though, I wouldn’t consider that last photo of your studio messy at all!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Wow…perfect way for you to organize your supplies Nat! I like the old labels, but I would want the items labeled for what is really in them now. Or maybe you can do both by putting a bit of what is stored inside on the outside left of the handle. A piece of ribbon, a picture of one of the stamped images, a found object, etc… I look forward to seeing the rest of your organization of your crafty work space.

    Reply

  • Birgit

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    Hallo Nathalie,
    dein Schrank ist wirklich ein Traum. Ich bin ganz neidisch.
    Ich würde ihn lieber beschriften mit dem, was jetzt drin ist, sonst suchst du trotz der Ordnung innen immer wieder. Ich spreche aus Erfahrung, denn ich habe einen alten Zeichenschrank, der nur 15 Schubladen hat und da zieht man schon dauernd die falsche auf.
    Liebe Grüße

    Reply

  • Laura S

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    Lucky Girl!! No digging through bins or tubs would be wonderful for me. Some cool aged labels would look awesome.

    Reply

  • Karen

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    Gorgeous, gorgeous drawers! You will never regret those. I would leave the labels just as they are – a reminder of where they came from. Your stuff inside will change and evolve – you will get used to where things are.

    Reply

  • Cindy Gay

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    Wow–love what you did! I think you should label it, making your labels to look like the old ones!

    Reply

  • sabelljones

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    Hi Nat, you are so very lucky, that cabinet is amazing!!! I would love something like that in my craft area! Your room doesn’t look that bad. My suggestion is to make it your own and put your own labels on then take the old labels and put them on an art piece about the cabinet! Then you have them for a memento. So great you are sharing your organizational ideas with us, thanks!

    Reply

  • Jackie

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    Nat!! how very cool for you! That is such an awesome cabinet and every artist gal wants one!! Me included – LOL I agree with with you about no labels adds to character, but if you are like me- scattered heehee I would not remember from minute to minute, which drawer held what! thanks for sharing xo

    Reply

  • lynnmcmvt

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    Nat, this story and the fact that it fits where you put it proves you were meant to have the cabinet. What a fantastic find! Give yourself a pat on the back for asking about it in the first place and your hubs a pat for encouraging you to go back and ask again. I would leave the labels, but I have a mind that likes to work ‘in code’; e.g., the ribbon is in the drawer labeled ‘Wrenches’, etc. besides, it adds to the eccentric artist mystique! ;)

    Reply

  • pharmgirl5454

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    WOW! I love this! I’d relabel, but make it look cool and vintage.

    Reply

  • Debbie

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    amazing cabinet, love it! WANT, NEED lol! Well, not that there is any room left in my studio but still hey did I already say WANT NEED hihi…The rest of your room also looks great! Still way cleaner than mine most of the time hahaha…
    I love the old labels on it, but having drawer systems(just small Ikea box thingies) I know it’s a pain when you have to go through 2 or more drawers before you have the right stuff…but maybe I just need a better memory hahaha..just leave is for a while and see if you then still need labels or not…
    xxDebbie

    Reply

  • Barbara Schwartz

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    OK all you commenters. Raise your hand if you’re not truly green with envy. It’s the right day to be that way. I would remodel my house to get something like that. WOW.

    Reply

  • Lorraine aka grannypoppy

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    Your cabinet is sensational! you are right … you are a lucky ducky! Leave the original labels in place, if you can, but slip new labels of what you have in the drawers, in front and then they can be changed as needed!

    Reply

  • Milagros

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    Es precioso Nat, un gran descubrimiento, ojala yo pueda encontrar uno así, es perfecto.
    Yo lo dejaría como esta pronto te acostumbraras a saber donde están las cosas.

    Reply

  • Vicky Brandenburg Day

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    WOW!!! I have CABINET ENVY, LOL! And can I just say I also envy that beautiful light coming in the window behind your desk! My vote is to leave the cabinet as is. I think you have it organized in such a way that you will be able to find things quickly without labeling the drawers! Wonderful find!

    Reply

  • Kathy Gledsdale

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    Wow what a find, you lucky girl. Leave the labels on! What a lovely light room to work in and mess, what mess?

    Reply

  • Michelle Hernandez (@willieburgscrap)

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    Nat you HAVE to keep the old labels! If you ever decide to sell that cabinet they will make it much more valuable- as is any documentation you have from the previous owner- documented provenance is HUGE for antique pieces like you have LUCKY LADY!!!! That cabinet in a NYC (or any large city) antique market would cost well over 4,000 US. The Brooklyn Flea market across the street from me sells the letters for 12 bucks a pop EACH- large numbers like the ones in your drawer are easily over 25. I would make up a chart on Excel (or draw one and make it pretty!) and post it right over the chest- when you use the cabinet enough you’ll remember where everything is and you can chuck the chart (or keep it for the RESALE!!!! And make BUKO BUCKS!). As for your studio being a mess- WHATEVER!!! It looks GREAT! If it doesn’t work for you that is another thing but that space is like lalala dreamland to me. Just the light from the window is amazing!

    Reply

  • SusanJane

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    I used post-it notes on the outside of my drawers for awhile until I was settled in. Things moved around within and between drawers for nearly a year and the post-it’s were the perfect way to have a temporary indexing system.

    Reply

  • Janet

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    I label EVERYTHING because I often find a better place to put things, especially if a certain type of craft item outgrows its drawer or space. I don’t want to waste a moment of “my creative time” opening and closing drawers.

    Reply

  • Valerie

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    Love your “find”…perfect for the stamps etc….I am jealous….

    Great job.

    val

    Reply

  • Sherri Sinclair

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    Love the old labels, put yours beside the old one. And, love that typewriter! Your off to a great start.

    Reply

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I will tackle that…eventually or…n*Studio Reorganziation

This letterpress cabinet makes me extremely happy. I found it…or let’s say it’s content at a flea market. I will show you more pictures soon…as it is  right now a big task to clean this up and it also goes along with reorganizing my studio…I think my friend Julie might be very happy about this ;)

LetterpressCabinet_NathalieKalbach

So there… I put it out into the World Wide Web…now I really need to get going…It seems like such an enormous task right now- LOL.

Tell me about your studio/place where you get creative.

Huge hugs

Nat


uberMedia		 Über*Media is my series of online workshops that is dedicated to different kinds of media that cross a variety of materials. I also teach project based online workshops which you can find here.
Nat

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Where young people go to retire or…Sternschanzia

Portlandia

A couple months ago Dina and I had a fun conversation and she introduced me to Portlandia. She mentioned she had put a bird on something and just called it art. She explained to me that this is from Portlandia. Portlandia is a satirical sketch TV Series in the US playing in Portland, Oregon. It shows in a of course over-pointed way the life in some pockets that each city has – up and coming neighborhoods. places that no-one before wanted to live, and then kind of get artsy and fun….then popular.

Birdonit

Portlandia can be everywhere – it is actually right here, where I live in the Sternschanze in Hamburg- LOL. That is probably why I laugh so much about this series – It is hilarious. I love my neighborhood-I do …but I also love to make fun of myself and us the people who live here. It is colorful, different, provoking and inspiring…sometimes stupid, sometimes nerve wracking…sometimes just plain funny

ghettoblasteronwall

 

When I watch this video about the “Dream of the 1890s” and I think of all my friends and people around here that have beards right now, wear suspenders, ride weird bicycles and …

[vimeo 36293215 w=400 h=300]

Or when I walk somewhere to run errands in the morning and see some people “working” on their laptops out-side in front of a cafe, and when I go home later in the evening- they would be still there. EVERY day! We have more cafes when you can imagine. I guess this is “where young people go to retire”.

streetart

Or in Portlandia you see this video about the “2 Girls 2 Shirts” Store- and when my husband and I saw it we yelled out loud “1 Girl 1 Sweater” because that is pretty much the store right across of your house.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Utb7Vxmp0]

Point of this? No point…just showing you a little peek into my neighborhood and if you sometimes think I am weird – LOL- I am just the product of my environment – ;)

Have a gorgeous day

hugs

Nat

Nat

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Does she know that she forgot what she once knew?

Many of my readers know that I once in a while write about my great-aunt Margot, who is 93. I am her caretaker and she had to move into an elderly home after a severe stroke and heart attack last summer. She is an awesome woman and I write about her because she is a huge part of my private life. So once in a while I share.

margotguitar1

This week I went to visit aunt Margot, it is always a quite long trip as she lives about 4 1/2 hours away from here. When I arrived she was still taking her nap after lunch and so I had my usual meeting with the nurses first to talk about how she is doing, what her needs are and so on. So one of the nurses, who is organizing a lot of the social activities told me that aunt Margot is doing well, is very much-loved and that she is participating in a lot of those events. And then she told me that at a music gathering they took out my aunt’s guitar as she was talking so much that she wants to play guitar. And that aunt Margot was sitting there all of a sudden and didn’t know anymore how to play, and how she helplessly let her hands sink, the guitar still on her lap and said “I don’t know…I don’t know how to do this anymore”….and how this made her really upset. The nurse told me I should rather pack the guitar and take it with me as to not have this happening again.

margotguitar2

I cannot even tell you how sad this made me. It felt as if someone had punched me hard into my stomach – I instantly started to tear up and I think that of all the things she has forgotten the last couple months, this made me the saddest. Ever since she was a teenager, she had played guitar. Her guitar and her- inseparable. There are gazillions of photos of her and her friend – later with her husband – doing bicycle tours – the guitar on the back -photos of her playing – memories of mine of many many family parties of her playing her guitar.

margotguitar

The photo above was taken at a friend of mine in 1996 where she just picked up his electric guitar and started playing. Just the thought of how she must have felt in that very moment made me sad.

So I went into her room and after lots of hugging and talking and laughing – I realized her guitar case in the corner. She followed my look and then she said: “ohh we had a thing last week and I played guitar – we had so much fun!”

I looked at her and she was all happy and told me of the songs she played and how she still knows them all and the lyrics to the songs too.

margotguitar3

How can I have possible taken the guitar case with me at this moment?

What can I say…I just hope that she really doesn’t know that she forgot what she once knew!

have a wonderful day

hugs

Nat

Nat

Comments (37)

  • julie

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    Bless you for being such a good caretaker. So glad you left the guitar with her. I take care of my 90 yr old disabled mother. What upsets them one day may be a favorite the next day. There may even be days when you aunt remembers how to play. I keep lots of things stashed in the closets near where she sits during the day so they are handy on days that she wants them and out of sight on days when she is having a hard time.

    Reply

  • cal8007

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    Oh Nath, I can really relate. My aunt is 88, has never married and lives alone, and my uncle, her bother is 86, a widower, and no children, and lives in an assited living facility. My uncle started forgetting things last year and my aunt and I were worried for him because he was forgetting to turn off the water in the sink or to turn off the stove. He wasn’t eating right and was very loenly. I got him to go to a adult day care, but when he started forgetting to take his medication, my aunt and I decided it was time to get him more help. We were fortunate to find him an excellent assisted living place and now has a companion who loves to dance as much as him and spends every week doing that during happy hour. It’s so nice to see him enjoying life once again. Now, my aunt is beginning to forget things too and I find it very sad because she’s been the family historian and knows all the dates when everyone was born, etc., and reached different milestones. I keep telling her to write things down so I can pass it along to the family before she forgets everything. Such is life, Nath. We just have to take one day at a time and do the best we can to help each other out. Love your story, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  • Jan

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    What a beautiful story, and so honored that you shared a piece of your heart with us. Your aunt’s story has stayed on my desktop ever since you sent it out, I read it every few days and see so many different things each day. One day it’s the devotion and love, then it’s a lesson on how we all will lose precious memories too, the next time it is a story of an amazing life lived & beautiful memories, then I see the art that her life has created in you…..a new lesson each time! It’s staying there for a bit more time so I can continue to savor it! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Love your site & art & pieces of your life.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I always love reading about your Aunt. Yes, how sad but how much hope that she thinks that she had a good time playing it. Maybe just seeing it gives her pleasure! Hugs.

    Reply

  • marjiekemper

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    What a blessing that she forgot, that she forgot. I went through this with my Mom and I so feel for you, Sweetie. Hugs! xx

    Reply

  • artquiltgirl

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    Such a lovely story about your love for your aunt…made me feel so good. Sorry about the guitar, but it was a lovely story and so heart felt. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  • Laura S

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    Thank you for sharing such a tender moment. Bless you for taking care of your sweet Aunt and going to visit her. It is not easy making decisions for others; be it a child, friend, or a loved one. Follow your heart and with time and prayer, your answers will come. Keeping you and your Aunt in my prayers.

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    I am sure that was difficult for you. Your aunt sounds like such an amazing person. She is lucky to have you in her life!

    Reply

  • Robinn G

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    Thanks for sharing about your aunt. What a beautiful and sad story about a wonderful lady! I hope she can remember how to play!

    Reply

  • Sherri Sinclair

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    I love the stories of your aunt, she is so pretty. I would leave her guitar. Sounds like she doesn’t remember being upset and for that I am grateful.

    Reply

  • Sue

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    You know Nat, sometimes taking something away, like her guitar, may end up not doing what the people think it might. Your aunt may see that empty space one day and remember that her guitar used to be there. She told you that she was playing the other day right? even tho’ she had forgotten how to, her memory was of playing it and having a great time singing and so on. I would leave it sitting in the case in the corner of her room and let her be happy with thinking that she had had such a wonderful day. Who is it going to hurt. This is just my opinion and I am no doctor by any means but …
    hugs and thanks for sharing your stories.

    Reply

    • Sue

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      Oh and I love the pictures of her and her friends! Really nice black and whites!!

      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

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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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