General Announcements

A Farewell to 2016

Hello 2016,

you have been such a strange year. I had high hopes for you! My word to live by with you was “Badassery”. I intended it to mean that I take more action, be more firm, stop procrastinating and seize the day, take opportunities also …just finally feel more at ease with myself. Well …partly I succeeded. Being the most wonderful one, that I accomplished a long time dream of mine and wrote a book …in English (yes, that was pretty Badassery for a Kraut, or so I think) and I cannot wait for it to be out in 2017. I took opportunities and worked a lot this year …maybe too much. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed working, but I felt as if for every step I moved forward …I moved three steps back. But the steps I leapt forward were some of the coolest ever and I am excited about those and I need to remind myself to think of those instead of the steps back. It is a dance after all.

But, unfortunately, 2016, you took “Badassery” to a whole new meaning,  you really kicked my behind …and many others. There is a German word that sums up my feelings for you in general, 2016 , it is called “Weltschmerz” – literally translated “World Pain” – it means – a feeling of melancholy and world-weariness – . So many terrible things happened around the world, some of them just recently -and you could feel the pain everywhere. …and so I am saying farewell to you Badassery aka 2016 – with some relief. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Be sure I choose my word for 2017 wisely …that I learned, 2016!

Yours truly, not so badassery

Comments (6)

  • susan debourguignon

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    yep, i am ready for 2017, too. enough of the pain to last. these last couple if years have seen such tragedy in our world … why can’t people just be kind? that’s my word for 2017 – kind. that’s what we need. but, for folks like us, badassery was a fine word, too. nathalie, i look forward to your new book!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      I love “kind” as a word too Susan- that is a wonderful word! Happy New Year to you!!!

      Reply

  • jjflair

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    Ah, Nat, I was just thinking about “Weltschmerz” the other day! Yes, let’s stuff that away when we shut the door on 2016. I love how how described life as a dance with steps forward and steps back. :) Wishing you a wunderbar 2017 full of creativity and disco, tango, salsa and swing!!

    Reply

  • Dee spillane

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    I couldn’t agree more! 2016 was badass in a bad way. You were in a great way. Loved the start with Jumpstart. I think that and several things kicked off my creativity and Jumpstart was key. I did more art. But it was such a hard year too. So long 2016, glad to see you go! Hello 2017 great start with Jump Start.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe Thank you Dee -seeing you again in Texas was a highlight for sure for me too! Let’s rock 2017 :)

      Reply

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Happy Holidays

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Comments (12)

  • Mary

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    Have a lovely festive season.

    Reply

  • Dee spillane

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    Happy holidays Nathalie and family. Hugs and all the best.

    Reply

  • JoAnn Campisi

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    Wishing you and your husband the merriest of Christmases and all the best in the New Year. Thank you for all your creativity and inspiration??

    Reply

  • Jean Goza

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    Wishing you a very Happy Holiday and New Year. Thank you again for all you do. You’re amazing!

    Reply

  • Linda Faber

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    Wishing you all you wish for in 2017. You are a bright and happy spot in my artistic life and I thank you for all the gentle teaching and encouragement. Looking forward to JumpStart in January.
    Merry Christmas too.
    Linda Faber

    Reply

  • rebeccavt

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    Merry Christmas to you and your family Nathalie!!! And wishing you all the very best for 2017!
    big hugs

    Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    What a gorgeous tree and centerpiece. Love the tea pot and cups – so homey!

    Merry Christmas to you too dear Nat and to your hubby as well.

    Thank you for another wonderful year watching you create and SUCCEED! I am so proud of you!!

    Praying that 2017 is even better in every way for you and yours.

    All my love, j.

    Reply

  • Nancy Faulls

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    Merry Christmas Nat! Thanks for sharing your tree.

    Reply

  • Roberta S

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    May all the blessings of this special season be yours, and wishing you and your family continued peace, health, love, and joy throughout the new year year ahead. LOVE your stuff!!!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Back at ‘ya Nat!
    Thanks for another year of inspiration and eye candy.

    Reply

  • Deborah Pierro

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    Nat–Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous 2017 to you and your hubby! –Deb

    Reply

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HO HO HO Holiday Sale and …. It’s MUG Season

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Last Saturday I had a blast at the Jersey City Holiday Market where I introduced my new mugs printed with my artwork.

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They were a huge hit and sold out …but don’t worry, I restocked them already :)

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The mugs are oversized mugs with my artwork. 15oz , dishwasher safe and hey ….don’t you need one for this season? I mean…it is MUG- SEASON afterall ;)

Check them out in the shop where you can also find some new prints, cards, stamps, stencils and DVDs.

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I also added gift certificates  for that special person who might want to take an Online Workshop like Creative JumpStart 2017 with 27 artists including me or get some fun art supplies.

Use this 20% Off Coupon Code during checkout – HOLIDAY20  – Dec.8th to Dec. 15th (11.59pm EST)-physical products only!

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Have a wonderful holiday season! Hugs

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Good Things Just Keep Happening – Michelle Rydell

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Today, Michelle Rydell from my Creative Squad is sharing a stunning art journal spread using this month’s theme: “Good Things Just Keep Happening.” I invite you to join me and my Creative Squad this November, in the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, to remind ourselves to be thankful for even the smallest things. Every once in a while it feels nice to slow down and recognize the good stuff that’s all around us. What Good Thing happened to you today?


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One thing I can always count on to make me feel happy is nature. My hubby Michael and I went to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park in October. The mountains are gorgeous that time of year, and the Elk are in their rut (mating season), so you can see them out and about in large numbers; and hear the bulls bugling. We’ve fallen so in love with the elk and the mountains, that we’ve made this trip three times.

For my page, I decided to use just one stencil – Buenos Aires – and experiment with different ways to use it. And, I decided to make the page as a tribute to the beautiful, beloved elk:

Here’s the way the spread looked before I started. On the left is part of a fold-out Jayhawks poster, and on the right is a magazine page that I had previously painted on…

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I started with a coat of yellow acrylic paint…

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After the paint set for about a minute; I rubbed a baby wipe thru the stencil on the right side of the page; and then sprayed some mist through the stencil on the left side to balance out the colors…

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Then I did some all-over stenciling with acrylic paint in orange and pink, and let that dry completely…

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After that I put a coat of turquoise over the whole thing; let it sit for a minute; and then rubbed a baby wipe through the stencil again; only this time I just used one little part of the design, to create circles to let the warm colors show through…

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A little doodling with a white paint pen here and there…

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I printed out a pic that I took of one of the elk, sized to fit the page; and then got another idea…

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I wanted to represent a harvest moon behind the elk; so I took a large circle I had previously cut out of a sheet of cardstock; and used it to make a large red backdrop for the moon…

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Then used the Buenos Aires stencil to add an orange and pink pattern…

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I fussy-cut the elk, pasted him onto the page, added a mound for him to stand on; and finished the page with a quote that sums up my feelings about nature. Here’s my finished page…

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What a glorious, beautiful page!  And I love how Michelle used my Buenos Aires stencil in so many different ways to create different effects in the layers of background.  In addition to a photo printout, card stock, and some glue, here are the supplies Michelle used to create her page – some links are affiliate links:

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Play along with us! I love to see how you interpret our monthly themes. Email me how you used my stencils and stamps with the theme and email me an image – I would love to share your projects in my “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.

Comments (5)

  • Sharon Fritchman

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    Fabulous journal pages, Michelle! I love your creativity! Just amazing!!!!

    Reply

  • Marit

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    Just fabulous Michelle! LOVE the big ‘moon’ with the pattern!

    Reply

  • Jean Goza

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    Wow! What a stunning page.I love all the color and the elk. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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n*Studio + StencilGirl present: Latin Impressions

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I am super excited that I have six new Stencils being released today with StencilGirl Products.

Let me tell you a little bit about those stencils

n*Studio and StencilGirl Fall Release: Latin Impressions from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

The Creative Squad has been busy with the new stencils as well, check out their amazing projects:

Here is Michelle’s beautiful book mark using the Santiago Stencil.

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And Tina did a really cool Faux-Encaustic project using the Santiago Stencil as well.

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Marsha did these super cute colorful wood block houses using the Buenos Aires and the Toledo Stencil.

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I hope you like my new Stencil Designs! Which one is your favorite?

The Stencils are available in the shop now and …don’t forget there is still the Website Launch Party on and you get 20% off in the Shop and on Online Workshops – use the Coupon Code NEWNAT20 when checking out!

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Have a wonderful day!

 

Comments (5)

  • Jill

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    Can’t wait to get my hands on these babies! I absolutely love your journal pages.

    Reply

  • stresso

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    Woo hoo! Loving these. Congrats on the release

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you so much Stephanie :) have a wonderful rest of the week! Nat

      Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    COMPLETELY AWESOME – love them all. And so excited for you Nat. Great projects from all the design team too. Just WONDERFUL. Xj.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you so much Joi! They are really fun to work with and I love the creative squad’s projects a lot too :) Nat

      Reply

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New Website Celebration

I’ve “Creatively JumpStarted” things around here! I am so excited :)

I wanted to redo the look and the accessibility for my website for a long time and we have been working on this for two years. I hope you will love it as much as I do.  We’ve completely redesigned nathaliesstudio.com to make your experience even better. In addition to improving my online workshops, like Creative JumpStart, we’ve made it even easier to learn, find inspiration, and to shop for your favorite n*Studio products on my website.

Celebrate the launch of my NEW Website and
Enjoy 20% Off in the Online Store and Online Workshops from October 27 – November 6, 2016!

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Cruise around a little bit and let me know what you think. Thank you for your support!

Comments (8)

  • Gunvor

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    I love your new look! Fresh colours and really easy to navigate so I can find all the wonderful inspiration you provide.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Yeah- glad you like it and the navigation too , Gunvor! have a wonderful day! Nat

      Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Michelle!!! Have a wonderful weekend my friend – at last the sun is nice to us today here in Jersey ;)

      Reply

  • stresso

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    looks fab! congrats

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Stephanie, so glad you like it :) Wishing you a wonderful weekend!nat

      Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    Wow – so colorful. Looks SUPER Nat! j.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Joi, so glad you like it :) Have a wonderful weekend!
      nat

      Reply

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Today is the Day – Marsha Valk

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Today, Marsha Valk from my Creative Squad is sharing two brilliant projects to help us get organized!  She is using my new Santa Fe, Batik Pattern 3, and Buenos Aires Tile foam stamps, and this month’s theme: “Today is the Day.”  I invite you to join me and my Creative Squad to stop procrastinating and to make today the day you finally tackle that artsy thing you’ve been meaning to get to for so long.  Start that new project you’ve been planning for months.  Try out that new product you bought ages ago.  Experiment with that new technique you read about last year.  Try it!  Today is the Day!


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Today is the day that I got organized and ready for 2017! I know it’s still early days, but my first try-outs with the new Art Foamies ended up as covers for a couple of Travelers Notebooks and that inspired me to create new planner dividers for my Filofax planner in similar patterns.

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I bought a Silhouette cut-file to cut the tab dividers months ago, so this was the chance to finally put that to use too. I cut the tab dividers from sturdy cardstock and then I stamped black acrylic paint patterns onto them with the Santa Fe, Batik Pattern 3 and Buenos Aries Tile Foam Stamps.

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Once the paint was dry I applied spray ink in rainbow colours on top of the patterns so that I could have 8 tabs in rainbow order. I hadn’t really used my spray inks in a while and it was fun to get inky again!

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I took the new divider tabs for a test run first. I like to print handy stuff like school holidays on the back of my tabs, so I did that first before I laminated them all. I used A5 pouches for the two dividers without tabs and A4 pouches for the ones with tabs. I just trim the excess after laminating.

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Marsha just made organization look really awesome!  I love how she used black paint to make the stamp designs extra bold against those beautiful ink colors.  Here are the supplies Marsha used – note that some of the links are affiliation links:

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Maybe you will even play along with us -I would love to see how you interpret our monthly themes. Email me how you used my stencils and stamps with the theme and email me an image – I would love to share your projects in my “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.

See you next time for another project from the Creative Squad!

Comments (4)

  • Dee

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    Love these, the black makes things pop!

    Reply

  • Michelle Rydell

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    Great idea Marsha! I love how the bright colors really made the designs pop!

    Reply

    • marsha.

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      Thanks Michelle!!

      Reply

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Happy Blogiversary n*Studio!

So I can’t quite believe it, but I am celebrating 10 years of blogging on n*Studio.  The actual anniversary happened last month and I spent a little time looking back through old posts and projects and sometimes laughing and sometimes cringing.  As you may know, I started 10 years ago  while I was still working as a paralegal and some of you readers were here through the time when I was transitioning to being a full time artist.  It was a big change but the whole process has been an amazing and rewarding experience, filled with new opportunities, colleagues, and friends!  I want to thank every one of you readers who tune in and I am totally looking forward to many more years of blogging with all of you!

In honor of the occasion, I am super excited to offer you a Happy Blogiversary Sale!  Between now and July 31st 2016 at 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time (yes with the help of modern technology it is a very precise time) you can enjoy 20% off online workshops (like Creative Jumpstart 2016), DVDs, and select items (including all the stamps and stencils) from the n*Store online.  The sale prices are reflected in the store now.

In the comments below, I would love to hear how long you have been reading this blog and if you are a blogger yourself, how long you have been blogging.  And as always, please share with me the mixed media, craft, and art journal projects that you’ve created using my stamps and stencils!

Comments (20)

  • Gayle

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    I started following your blog when you had your first Creative Jump Start. I found several of your techniques worked great for fabric which is what I use in my art. I have purchased most of your stamps and stencils but I see a few I don’t have. Hmmmm…..

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Wow Gayle- that is a long time! Thank you for all your support and I love that the techniques can be used universally. If you can, share with me what you created using my stamps and stencils – I always love to see it!!! Have a wonderful weekend !

      Reply

  • Chris

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    Congrats on 10 years of success on the blogosphere. May you have many more as I love your work and products and I hope to take more classes from you, especially when you are in Oklahoma. On a more personal note, I hope your family in Germany is safe. Please stay strong and creative as we need your talent in these trying times.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      thank you Chris! It was so wonderful to meet you in Oklahoma and thank you so much for your support! Thank you for you wonderful thoughts on this day- my family is safe. Thank you for thinking of them. Loves and hugs, Nat

      Reply

  • Joi @RR

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    WOW – CONGRATULATIONS NAT!!! The big 10 – SUPER INCREDIBLE!!!

    You WON my heart the minute I found you – thru your art and with your adorable personality. I consider you a FABULOUS Mentor – in fact, you were my very first mentor when I began painting/blogging. That was two years ago this coming fall. And in Jan. I took my first CJS class with you.

    So I’m a newbie – more or less. BUT… I feel like part of your family. You have always made me feel special and welcomed me into the fold. Lots of folks don’t have that gift but you just have a super big heart and care so much about all of us. And I care about you too – you are just a DELIGHT to me. So be assured… I will be here for the next TEN years – watching, learning and admiring YOU dear Nat. BIG BIG HUGS. j.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe – Joi, thank you so so much for your wonderful comment- I always love your comments, you are so wonderful and write the most beautiful things- you always make my day! I am glad to know you dived fully into painting and blogging- keep it on!!! Thank you and big big hugs right back at you :) Have a wonderful weekend!- Nat

      Reply

  • Dee Spillane

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    Not sure how long I’ve been following, maybe 6 years? You were still in Germany when I started following. Hugs and congratulations on your blogiversary!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Dee, so happy I was able to meet you several times in the past couple years! thank you for all your support!!! Hugs, Nat

      Reply

  • Angie

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    I first met / took class from you at Create Texas- my FIRST EVER classes and artsy getaway. I’ve always been one of your greatest fans and LOVE your cityscapes as well as stencils. I have to say, though, that your stamps are my every time I create go-to materials! MY FAVS!!! I’ve loved getting to know you and brag that I have a fabulous artist friend! Keep inspiring us! Love ya bunches!!!?

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Angie!!! So glad I met you in Texas- it is always so much fun to see you in TX or Oklahoma and I love our pre-class outings :) Thank you for being such an amazing support and friend!!! love ya right back :)

      Reply

  • Janet

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    Congratulations on 10 years!
    I found you about two years ago through Julie F-B’s blog, and joined in on CJS in 2015 (and this year). I really have enjoyed getting to know you through those and through your blog. You are an incredible artist and such an inspiration in many ways.
    I hope to meet you in person someday, and look forward to your inspiration over the next 10 years!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Janet, so great to have you and thank you for your kind words! I hope too we will meet some day- it is always fun to meet fellow artsy friends in person :) Nat

      Reply

  • Eeva Hall

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    Happy 10th year blog anniversary. I think I have been following you from the start… I moved to Hamburg 2003 so it was before you started your blog :) .

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe – Eeva! I miss our fun days in Hamburg- that was such a great group. I love that we kept in touch over the years and seeing your beautiful kids grow up through your photos! I hope you still have some time to create – and thank you for all your wonderful support over the years!!!

      Reply

      • Eeva Hall

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        Yeah it was so much fun back then :) . I try to create from time to timem sometimes I do a lot and sometimes less. I recently was guestDT for Ciccis Shop here. That was fun and I felt very creative while I had due dates for my 4 assignments :)

        Reply

        • nathalie-kalbach

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          that sounds like super fun!!! YEAHH and congratulations on your gig for Cicci!

          Reply

  • Gunvor

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    Happy blog-anniversary!
    I don’t remember when first laid eyes on your blog but you were still living in Germany and had just started your transition to full time artist.
    I started rubberstamping 16 years ago and started my first blog 11 years ago but after being inspired by your work I turned from scrapbook towards mixed media with my stamps and inks. And now I can’t remember when I last bought a piece patterned paper …
    Looking forward to the continuation of your journey!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Oh Gunvor- so wonderful to see you! I remember when we met at a workshop in Sweden – it was so much fun! I am so happy to hear you are fully indulging in the Mixed Media Mess :) thank you for being such a wonderful supporter for all those years and I hope I will see you some time again in real life!!!, Nat

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Happy Blog-Anniversary Nat!
    I think that I’ve been here for most of it.
    Great journey and it continues…

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      I think you have Sue!!! I am looking forward to your comments every time i post and even though we never met I feel like you are a an old-time friend. Whenever you are not posting- I worry – LOL- isn’t that weird ;) I am like- I hope Sue is on vacation and everything is good with her. In any event- thank you for all your support sue!!!!!! Big hugs,Nat

      Reply

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Happy Holidays!

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Comments (3)

  • Jenny Petricek

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    Happy holidays to you and yours! Looking forward to following your blog often in the New Year!

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Right back at you , Nat! Have a very merry Christmas—can’t wait to ‘play’ with you starting Jan. 1st!

    Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    Happy Holidays to you too dear Nat. Looking forward to spending time with you SOON – eheheheheheh – can’t wait – CJS is just around the corner!!!! BIG HUGS….j.

    Reply

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