Mixed Media

Sore Today, Strong Tomorrow or… Card

NatKalbach_SoreTodayCard

 

I made this card for my trainer Kim at the gym. We had a little surprise party for her since she is leaving and we all had a great time with her. In fact…she was a great motivator and kept me sane right after I moved from Germany. She is a big reason for being able to deal with homesickness a lot…having a daily goal to go to the gym and socializing with her and other neighbors has been good for me. Glad I will still see her though for kickboxing workout (yeah man…LOL…I am doing it …it is good for me ;) )

The saying on the card is actually by my trainer- I love that one…it can be adapted to many other things too ;)

NatKalbach_SoreTodayCard02

 

It was a pretty big card…we all had to sign…while eating bagels, cream cheese and biscuits…hello carbs and love handle adding food  – LOL :)

Here is what I used for the card

nSupplies



Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (1)

  • Amante del Papel

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    FAntastic Page!

    Reply

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Everything is Gentrified Canvas

NatKalbach_EverythingisGentrified01

 

I was working on this canvas for quite a while- I had a love-hate relation ship with it while I was working on it- it was a very demanding project.

The street is partly what you see when you go out on my street, a neighborhood in Jersey City which years ago was a totally different neighborhood. Jersey City has not the best reputation …which reminds me on my old hood in Hamburg, Germany. When I  moved there my family would call me every time something bad was shown about it on the news (about every other day) worried if I was ok. Today it is a thriving and gentrified area, unfortunately driving the “old” people out of the neighborhood as they cannot afford it anymore. People like me are part of the problem. Jersey City reminds me a lot of my old hood how it was 15-20 years ago.

I think about these things a lot when I do my art – I love to create projects showing houses or neighborhoods. Things change…for the better and for the worse- there is no black and white.

Deep eh? Oh well…LOL – take a closer look then at the canvas ;)

NatKalbach_EverythingisGentrified02

 

I want to create a couple more of those canvases in a series.

NatKalbach_EverythingisGentrified03

 

I mostly worked with Liquitex Acrylic Media and touched it up here and there with Derwent Artbars. Here is a small list of come of the supplies I used for this Mixed Media Canvas.

nSupplies



Wishing you a wonderful day :)

Nat

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Nat

Comments (16)

  • Janene

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    I think this one is very special. I love the colors, the lighting, the mood of it. I was surprised to read it was a hard one for you to do. It does not look overworked in any way. I love it.

    Reply

  • Mary K. Parker

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    this one is great. At first, I thought it was a forest.

    Reply

  • Marjie Kemper

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    Love your gorgeous colors, and those posts at the bottom of the steps (stoops?) look soooo cool.

    Reply

  • Ursula

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    Klasse, – ich denke, es gibt genau die Stimmung wieder …………….. und ich hoffe, du hast es im Mai dabei. Es passt super *hüstel* ;))
    LG Ursula

    Reply

  • Jeanne Kelly

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    This is an amazing piece! I love your choice of colors and the architecture is just right. Love it! I would like to see the series when you are finished!!

    Reply

  • Heidi

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    WOW! I really love this… the color & the style… this is really a beautiful piece.

    Reply

  • Kathy Gledsdale

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    So lovely, boy I would be thrilled if I could paint something like this!

    Reply

  • Sherri Scott

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    What a beautiful canvas, should be in a museum

    Reply

  • Caroline Leplat

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    I so love this canvas. I would buy and put it on my wall without hesitating.

    Reply

  • Barb

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    Wow, this is beautiful. I am thinking that New Jersey, just like Germany, should be the next exhibition of your work.
    Barb
    North Carolina

    Reply

  • Mary W

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    Really good art AND pretty to look at too!

    Reply

  • Rebecca

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    Ooo I love the feel if this, street scenes are great, super work
    Happy craftin
    Rebecca

    Reply

  • Karenliz

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    WOW this is gorgeous! I can’t wait to see more.

    Reply

  • jackie

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    Wow Nat- I love these pieces you are creating- just gorgeous!!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Wow Nat, you’ve crossed the line and are now doing ART in a major way. Please take this for what I mean. You’ve always done art with paper and more but you’re mixed media and such has reached a new level IMHO/ Hugs, Sue

    Reply

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designed by n*Studio features: Cheiron Brandon

NStudio-Features

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

And today I feature: Cheiron Brandon

cheiron

Cheiron has been stamping and making cards since she took her first card making class in 2004. She has been published in Paper Crafts Magazine and teaches card making classes at The Ink Pad in NYC and One Little Spark in Little Egg Harbor, NJ .  Recently she has started art journaling and loves mixing those techniques into her cards. By day, she works in the financial district and loves coming home at night to relax at her craft table.  She lives in New Jersey with her husband Paul and their adorable rescue dog Big Boy.

And here are Cheiron’s amazing cards using my stamps and what she wrote about them:

house card by Cheiron Brandon_

 

I am always looking for different ways to use my stamps and I thought it would be fun to use them on cards. For the first one, I used the shapes to create a landscape to fit my tiny house. The circle became a “sun”, the dots “clouds” and the mesh type stamp was stamped in two different greens to create the “grass”. I used the stencils that come with the stamp sets to create the patterned paper that I cut the house out of.

 

in my heart card by Cheiron Brandon_

 

For the second card I used the burlap stamp and embossed it with some tan embossing powder. It is the perfect stamp to ground an object on a card without adding a lot of bulk.  The little heart was cut out of some scraps that I had made into a collage.

work of art card by Cheiron Brandon_

 

For the last card, I created “a work of art” by using Distress paints in dusty concord, evergreen bough and tarnished brass to paint directly on the stamp. A simple greeting makes it complete.
I love using these stamps in my art journaling, but am also glad that they are so versatile that card makers can use them as well.
—–
Thank You Cheiron for sharing your wonderful cards with me. I so love how you used the in so many different ways, creating backgrounds, whimsical landscapes and grounding totally related to the sentiments on the cards. LOVE!
Please check out Cheiron’s Blog– she posts heaps of inspiring projects there and I am sure you will enjoy it!

If you have done something with my stamps or stencils I would sure love to see :)

Here are the n*Studio Product Cheiron used:

nSupplies



Have a wonderful day!

hugs

Nat

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Nat

Comments (14)

  • Krista b

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    I love the burlap stamp and the embossing idea. I just added to my list! So happy to see your new products. Best of luck!

    Reply

  • Wida

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    Fabulous collection especially the second one, I love that gold texture in the background

    Reply

  • Gigi Desine

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    As you know Nathalie, I lOVE LOVE LOVE your roulette, round stamp…..it is so versatile, as we see by the card above….I never would have thought to use it as a sun!! Too cool! Thanks for introducing a new artist, great idea by the way……TTFN

    Reply

  • JJ Bolton

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    Love Cheiron’s creations! So much texture and detail! I have to say my favorite is the heart card. The burlap stamp on the teal paper is amazing! Just beautiful!

    Reply

  • Tessa Wise

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    Love these cards! Such a cool mix of textures! I’ve been eyeing these stamps at my local store- I think I’ll have to pick them up next time I’m there!

    Reply

  • Connie C

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    Great cards and I love the burlap stamp. It’s on backorder at the Stampendous web site. Are your stamps available anywhere else?

    Thanks…
    Connie C.

    Reply

  • Miriam Prantner

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    Loving these cards, what a great range of possibilities! The scene created on the first is so sweet, especially love how she created the sun, and I just LOVE that burlap stamp on the second. The last really is a work of art!

    Reply

  • Jocelyn Olson

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    Wow! Cheiron’s cards are amazing!! I love the different techniques she used. I’m off to pin that awesome heart/burlap one!

    Reply

  • Emily Leiphart

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    I love all three of these cards, Cheiron! Just wow. Each one has such amazing detail and creativity!!

    Reply

  • Jingle

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    These are awesome!!! I love the middle one super tons!

    Reply

  • Susanne V

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    Great stamps and so versatile!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love how she made it a sun. Nice and bright for a long winter.

    Reply

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Encrusted Shrubbery

NatKalbach_MixedMediaCanvas01

Encrusted Shrubbery is a Canvas I did for CHA for the Stampendous booth using my stamps but it is also a new workshop for the next couple of months – it is so much fun do do!

NatKalbach_MixedMediaCanvas02

I will leave you with just a couple pictures of the canvas today – hope you like it :)

 

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NatKalbach_MixedMediaCanvas04

NatKalbach_MixedMediaCanvas05

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I will also teach this workshop among others at the  CREATE Mixed Media Retreat in New Jersey – so thrilled to be part of it :)



Have a gorgeous day
hugs
Nat

P.S.  I have been pretty sick last week coming at a really bad time with one of my best friends visiting from Germany and having a workshop. I tried to tackle all…but… – I know some of you are waiting for emails and I also have to take care of the giveaway winners for CJS- it will all come- no worries but I am happy for your understanding that sometimes life  or the flu just gets in the way :)

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Nat

Comments (8)

  • Kathy Gledsdale

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    So sorry you are poorly, get better very quickly. Fabulous canvas. x

    Reply

  • grandscraperona

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    Hope you are feeling better…flu is in America USA, almost everywhere!…tomorrow is another day…dont worry!

    Reply

  • Cath Sheard

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    Ugh :-( Hope you are starting to feel better. Busy and sick at the same time sucks…

    Reply

  • laurajo

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    I do love this canvas. Love all the texture and metal. So very cool. Aw, so sorry you’ve been sick. Fix yourself a Hot Toddy – Lemon Juice, Honey, and a good shot of Whisky! If it doesn’t rid the bug, at least you’ll feel better wink wink. Spring and warmer weather is on the horizon. Thank goodness.

    Reply

  • Gabrielle Fabian

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    Love this, such great color and texture!! Please come to Create – West Coast xx
    Gabrielle

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I especially like the colors and the metal embellies on your canvas Nat.
    Take care of yourself and get some rest, the other stuff can wait.

    Reply

  • andrene

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    This canvas is so cool!! Love all the texture. Take care of yourself!

    Reply

  • Ruth L

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    I love the canvas with your stamps, and all the details. It looks great!

    Reply

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Love…It’s in the little things

NatKalbach_LoveShadowbox_01

 

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!

How about a funky Love shadowbox today?

NatKalbach_LoveShadowbox_02

 

I whitewashed the wooden canvas with gesso – as I wanted to have the wood grain still peaking through and then stamped right onto it and used the template in my stamp set with different acrylic colors. I also included some of my old beloved Hambly Rubons and some Prima Washi Tape. I cut out some of of my stamped images for the stems and stamped also on cork again – I just love the look of acrylic paint on cork. I put a supply list for you below.

NatKalbach_LoveShadowbox_03

Lot’s of Love to you!

nSupplies



hugs

Nat

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Nat

Comments (6)

  • Cindy Gay

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    Love the layout Natalie!

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    Those stamped cork flowers are too cool. Happy Valentine’s Day!!

    Reply

  • Jan B

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    Okay, that is SO stinkin’ CUTE! Love the color, the dimension and, yeah, the acrylic on cork.

    Happy Valentine’s Day! :)

    Reply

  • Michelle

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    Girl!! This is fabbo!! Love your new stamp designs- congrats!! Keeping it moving over there! So glad for you!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love the paint on cork. And I recognize that couple from The Whatevers.

    Reply

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designed by n*Studio features: Adrienne Ford

NStudio-Features

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

And today I feature: Adrienne Ford

Adrienne 043

Adrienne is part of the Stampendous! Designteam and when I saw her amazing work with my stamps in the catalogue I fell instantly in Love with her colorful yet grungy style.

 

AdrienneFordUncle01

 

It all just comes naturally and organic together- I love it!

AdrienneFordUncle02

I love how Adrienne also includes threads and fabric and even enhances the tactile look of the stamps

AdrienneFordadventure01

 

I also love how she makes the photos blend so perfectly with the background- AMAZING

AdrienneFordadventure02

 

And I love the hint of color here and there which makes the black stamped images pop out even more

AdrienneFordFamily01

 

And…her kids are so adorable!

AdrienneFordFamily02

 

Thank you Adrienne for sharing your amazing work with my stamps with me!

Make sure to visit Adrienne’s Blog for more inspiration and if you have done something with my stamps or stencils I would sure love to see :)

Here are the n*Studio Product Adrienne used:

nSupplies



Have a wonderful day!

hugs

Nat

Nat

Comments (10)

  • Ursula

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    Schick, schick :) – und endlich gibts die Stempelchen auch hier in good old germany in meinem LieblingsShop zu kaufen :)) Werde ich sie also auch bald testen können – Jepp
    LG Ursula

    Reply

  • Amante del papel

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    I want this stamps there are so amazing!!!

    Reply

  • Jackie P

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    Glad that you featured Adrienne’s art- so very cool~ and yes, her children are adorable! I have my stamp set picked out and on the TO BUY list!
    Nat, Can you tell me what colour tea/or green or turquoise that is that you used on your banner at the top of your page? I simply adore that shade! It POPS!!!! “)

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      I assume – since I never keep track of my colors that I use ;) – that it was Liquitex Cobalt Teal- if that is the one you are pointing too ;) In any event- these are all Liquitex Colors.

      Reply

  • darlene

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    Cool to feature artists Nathalie. I definately am crazy about your new stamps as I like the raw, organic look…and I’m fascinated with what Adrienne did using them.

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    Adrienne is a true artist! Wow, love the way she blended her photos into her background. The stamping is amazing and all the texture, perfect Layouts!

    Reply

  • jjflair

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    “Whoa,” I said out loud, “She is badass.”
    And, my hubby came over to see what I was looking at, and he agreed. And, we stared in awe together and had a great convo about art and style and texture and media. Super inspiring! Thank you!!

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    FabUlous art…fabUlous stamps!!

    Reply

  • Misty

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    Adrienne is amazing!!! Those layouts are gorgeous and oh so unique!

    Reply

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Elephant Collages or…how to play and transform

NatKalbachCollages

Last week I was playing with some collages for the upcoming workshop where I will co-teach with my sweet friend Julie Fei-Fan Balzer at The InkPad. The class is sold out – sorry – there is a waiting list.

NatKalbachPlayCollage01

 

As you might know I love elephants- hence the Elephant stencil I created for Stencil Girl Products.

NatKalbachPlayCollage02

 

I played with lot’s of paint and also the What’s The Point Stencil here as well as with some of my new Stampendous  stamps.

NatKalbachPlayCollage03

 

And with mostly the same materials I created this collage – which looks totally different

NatKalbachTransformCollage01

 

I used also Jamie Dougherty’s beautiful Bloom Girl Stamp in the collage- can you see where? :)

NatKalbachTransformCollage02

 

That was fun – I am going to do more of those. I mounted both on a wooden canvas – which was a tip by Julie.

Which one of the two do you like better?

Here is a list of some of the things I used



huge hugs

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Nat

Comments (15)

  • Marcia

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    The elephants are STUNNING. I love the intense color, the layers, all of it.

    Reply

  • giseladeister

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    Ich liebe Deinen Elefanten. Leider hat ihn hier niemand.
    Beide Werke sind sehr schön, aber der Elephant ” Play” gefällt mir am besten.

    Reply

  • darlene

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    Now that I see this work I’m extra happy that I have the elephant stencil. Excited about your new mesh stamps too. This is beautiful work. Sounds like a wonderful workshop.

    Reply

  • Caroline Duncan

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    These both are outstanding and so gorgeous!!! I cant pick one to be my favorite… I think they look terrific together. Now the elephant stencil is on my must have list!!! LOL Congrats that your Ink Pad class is sold out! Maybe you’ll come down to NC or VA, closer than the Ink Pad and I’d be there in a flash!!

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    Love these. I love everything about them. The colors are yummy and so much texture. I have the elephant from club and will try some of this. I want to make my guest room black and white with accessories like your elephants bright and beautiful colors!

    Reply

  • jackiepn

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    Both elephants are gorgeous- but I have to admit- Transform is my FAV! I love that colour combination!!!

    Reply

  • Mary K. Parker

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    Love colors of play best, but overall I like transform. The elephants eye is closed in play and that just looks more restful instead of playful…unless he’s playing hide & seek.

    Nope I didn’t see the doll stamp, I did like how it looks like they have rough skin though.

    Reply

  • Donna Sullivan

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    Love Play! But the use of polka dots on both are so much fun!

    Reply

  • andrene

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    Both are fabulous in their own way. I love the details and the bloom girl stamp in the elephant on Transform. But my eye is immediately drawn to the Play canvas each time I look at them. I think its because of the more subtle details in the elephant and background and the softer colors. Very pretty!

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

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    Wow, I didn’t notice the stamped image for what it is until you pointed it out. Very clever use of it. I am more drawn to the one on the left…PLAY because of the colors. I really like when you use these colors in your art. The pink is just too bright for me even though I do like the title of TRANSFORM. Kinda amazing how you can get such different results using the same materials.

    Reply

  • ddhurlbut

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    Your “transform” canvas is my favorite but they are BOTH beautiful! I love elephants too, got to get that stencil now, you’ve inspired me once again Nathalie! Thank you.

    Peace,
    Donna

    Reply

  • Janet

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    I love your elephants. Sophie’s eye works perfectly on the one! Beautiful textures and layers!

    Reply

  • jessicap1972

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    really lovely canvasses you did make. I and also my son love the elephant stencil.

    Reply

  • Sabine

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    Nice work, Nat!
    I like the “play”-painting better because of the colours. The pink one is a little too bold for my liking.
    Bit as I like elephants really much I would take both of them and hang them to my walls :-))
    Sabine

    Reply

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Simply BOLD or…Grunge Stampset

This is another layout which I did for the Stampendous! CHA booth to showcase my new Stampset Grunge.

NatKalbach_Bold01

 

I know….pretty unusual for me, right? I do love the simplicity though- as my emphasis was on my word of the year: BOLD – I needed a statement like layout ;)

I used as said the Grunge Stampset

GrungeNatKalbachGrungeTemplate

 

and the included free 2 piece template.

NatKalbach_Bold02

I used the stamps and the template with acrylic paint – my favorite way to use stamps and those stamps are just perfect for it.

Here are the few supplies I used:

nSupplies



Wishing you a gorgeous weekend

hugs

nat

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Nat

Comments (8)

  • Eniko

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    I love the directness of this layout, Nat! Wonderful colors & that footwear is perfection!

    Reply

  • gunvor

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    Fabulous page! Love the simplicity and the colours. I can’t wait till I get those stamps – I think they’ll go really well with ink too!

    Reply

  • Kirsten Alicia

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    Fantastic page!!

    Reply

  • Pitchoune57

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    so beautiful page, bye from France
    Pitchoune

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I like this simple LO. I assume that these are your shoes. It’s been a while since you talked about your love of shoes on this blog.

    Reply

  • Louison

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    I love your page; so beautiful!!!

    Reply

  • nurse-ratchet

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    I have yours stamps and they ARE amazing!!

    Reply

  • kat82ren

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    I want your stamps, there are amazing!!!

    Reply

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Whatevers Round 2 #7…or Weird But Happy

the WHATEVERS 2 A

Are you ready for the 6th photo of the Second Round of Whatevers? If you missed what the Whatevers is all about or want to see all the past photos and takes…check it out here.

Click here to see what Cat, Vicki, Martha and Cuchy made out of the photo and which story they tell. (I will add the missing links later- since I am at CHA we couldn’t get all links together ahead of time )

Here is my take:

SwNatKalbach01

Journaling: Some People thought they were a weird couple, but they just had a fun and wonderful time and he carried her on his hands.

SwNatKalbach02

The tutorial on how I made this and what I used is part of Creative JumpStart today :) So if you signed up- check it out at noon EST :)

SwNatKalbach03

 

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

Whatevers7NatKalbach

 

Here is how it works

  • Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Martha and I and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
  • Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
  • If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
  • There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
  • There is no rules on the length or the form of the story– it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
  • There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
  • Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
  • These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
  • If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
  • You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

 

Two Button

thank you :)

Nat

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Nat

Comments (7)

  • Cat

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    Love the texture, it looks super amazing!

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    I have to do this. Late for this month but I will do one for next month fun!

    Reply

  • cuchy

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    Just seen your tutorial at CJS. Cool!!
    Love the embroided pieces on your page.
    weird?? nahhhhhh

    Reply

  • Martha Richardson

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    Love the colors and stitching…aren’t we all a little “weird” ?

    Reply

  • Vicki Chrisman

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    Very cool with the addition of the stitching Nat! Love it!

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

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    Wonderful and I can’t wait to make a LO with this pic.
    One of these days I’ll even post the ones that I make.

    Reply

  • Ruth L

    |

    Love your “weird couple” story Nathalie!

    Reply

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