Art Journal

Aligned Stars or … The Whatevers

the WHATEVERS 2 A

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

Click here to see what Cat, Vicki, Martha and Cuchy made out of the photo and which story they tell.

Here is my take on this month’s photo:

NatKalbach_AlignedStars01

 

“They knew their stars were aligned as long as they were able to keep away the evil forces of world politics”. NatKalbach_AlignedStars02

I worked in a smaller art journal this time and also changed the format. I wanted to see how I like it. NatKalbach_AlignedStars04 It was fun – I think it is a different way on approaching an art journal page.

NatKalbach_AlignedStars03

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

WhatevernatKalbach

You can play along with us and share your story with the Whatevers- just link it up so we can see it :)

 Loading InLinkz ...

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.

 

 


Two Button Have a gorgeous day!   Nat LogoBlogSignature nSupplies


Nat

Comments (4)

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I love reading the stories that go along with the Whatevers creations.
    Especially that they are all so different. TFS

    Reply

  • Catherine Scanlon

    |

    I love the Hand Journals — though sometimes find the one I have a bit on the small side. Your colors in the background are great — looks like Winston and your Man coordinated their outfits this month, LOL.

    Love your colors!

    Reply

  • Martha Richardson

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    Love how you used the new journal…is this story about anyone we might know???

    Reply

  • Cuchy

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    the stars and the planets should be aligned for them :)
    powerful colors. I love it!

    Reply

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Frog Dog Studio May Mixed Media Kit

I was so stoked when Tina Walker from Frog Dog Studio send me an email and told me that she is going to include my StencilGirl Products Typewriter Stencil and my Stampendous! Wired Stamp Set in her May Mixed Media Kit.

May 2014 MM Kit

 

I had fun playing with the kit too – and especially loved trying out the Fresco Finish and the Vellum Book included in the Kit. I used the Wired and the Mish Mesh (not included in the kit) Stamp Stet on both art journal spreads.

NatKalbach_MMDoor01

 

The Journaling says: Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping it will transform into a door…just walk through the door.

NatKalbach_MMDoor02

I used the mixture of my own acrylic paints and the Fresco Finish with my Stamp Templates and stamps. I especially love the matte chalky look of the Fresco Finish.

NatKalbach_MMDoor03

 

I used the Oil Pastels also included in the kit on the dress of this image that I had cut out of a catalogue. I love the mixture of oil pastels and acrylic paints. Just make sure to use the oil pastels last as you won’t be able to add any other medium on top of the oil pastel and journaling wouldn’t work either on there!

NatKalbach_MMQuietly01

 

Journaling: Sitting Quietly doing nothing, Spring comes and the grass grows by itself.

NatKalbach_MMQuietly02

 

I had used the Oil Pastels on a page of the Vellum Book and then cut out circles which I applied with Gel Medium to the my art journal page. I used the Prima Chalks to stamp through the Typewriter Stencil – so easy to use those with stencils and get a nice and crisp image – and I also used them partly on some stamp images.

NatKalbach_MMQuietly03

 

It was fun playing with the kit – you can purchase the May Mixed Media kit including my Typewriter Stencil and the Wired Stamp Set (I also used the Mish Mesh Stamps which are not included in the kit, I apologize, due to a misunderstanding I thought that one was included and did not see my mistake until it was too late to switch my projects ;) – I am sure you can imagine other stamps on the pages too :) ) at Frog Dog Studio.

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (6)

  • katie smith

    |

    I love these! Especially the first one!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Looks like a fun kit and I really like your art journal pages Nat.

    Reply

  • Tina Walker

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    Thank you, thank you, thank you! Just love what you created with the May kit! You rock Nat!

    Reply

  • Sanna

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    Beautiful projects! I was thrilled to see your stencils and stamps in the kit!!! :) Love, love, love them :)

    Reply

  • Riikka

    |

    Looking really good! <3

    Reply

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All That We Are Art Journal Page

NatKalbach_AllThatWeAre01

 

All that we are is the result of what we have thought – Buddha

NatKalbach_AllThatWeAre02

 

This page started out as a demo page at one of the Artvergnugen Workshop Demo Pages, I had created a simple background with acrylic paints and used my Stamps and the included templates with acrylic paints. I later hand cut out wonky circles, layered them on top of the spread and sprayed over with Liquitex Professional Spray Paints. While the Spray Paint was still wet, I lifted off areas with a paper roll and scratched off parts with the brush end to reveal more areas of the background again.

NatKalbach_AllThatWeAre03

 

I liked the result but it looked a bit flat so I added some more dimension and interest by using the Derwent Artbars – water-soluble wax bars – in different colors around the circle patterns. I love how the Artbars pop off the acrylic paint. It was a fun, easy and fast spread, especially since the background was already there and saved my day having me feel I did something creative when I spent most of the time with paperwork.

Here is the list of what I used:

nSupplies


I wish you an amazing and creative day

Nat

Nat

Comments (7)

  • NANCY

    |

    Love your background. What was the color of the base of the page?. Did
    you cut out the circles to make a stencil and spray yellow?
    Keep up your beautiful work. I really enjoy following you.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      Nancy- the base is a background that looks like everything you see that is yellow. Then I cut out circles, masked off areas with them and sprayed over with the beautiful Blue Liquitex Spray Paint. I love to do this whenever my background doesn’t really speak to me as smaller parts of it are more interesting than bigger :)

      Reply

  • Tracy

    |

    Such great colors! The Buddha comment is really a good one. I actually thought of s song by Pink when I read the post title. The song’s called “Are We All We Are.” Great spread! I want those stamps!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I just got this stamp set in the mail yesterday and will share something that I create with it if I feel it is ‘worthy”. :-)

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      All you do is worthy!!! Cannot wait to see what you do with it.

      Reply

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Goals & Dreams – Art Journal Page

NatKalbach_GoalsDreams01

 

Once in a while I find it a good idea to write down my thoughts about my goals and dreams…otherwise it is all just big New York Cheese Cake in my head ;) It helps to put things in words…- I just started writing in the swirls of my Arabesque Stencil and went wild where to finish my sentences, connecting things that might not make any sense for others to see.

NatKalbach_GoalsDreams02

 

It was a really nice and fun process- I enjoyed taking the time thinking about this- you can mix up private and business goals and dreams…sometimes they go together anyway ;)

nSupplies



Have a beautiful day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (5)

  • Nurse Ratchet

    |

    FabUlous!!

    Reply

  • Jackie P Neal

    |

    Your stencil is perfect with your choice of colors Nat! Beauteous!

    Reply

  • Tracy

    |

    I tend to shy away from the fancy scroll/floral stencils and stamps, but the color combination you used is fabulous, especially against the black!

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

    |

    amazing page!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Pretty cool how the spaces worked out just right for little journaling/dream spaces. I picked up your antique car stencil at my LSS last week and I’m itching to play with it.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Become Your Dream – Art Journal Page

NatKalbach_BecomeYourDream01

 

Become your Dream – it’s up to you!

For this art journal spread used layered stencil- like my crackle stencil and the Cityscape Stencil by my friend Julie – on top of each other and used Liquitex spray paints. I really love how the background pops out with those darker colors sprayed on top.

NatKalbach_BecomeYourDream02

 

I sprayed on top again with a lighter color using my Circuit Stencil and also did some marks using markers (they are called markers for a reason, aren’t they? snigger)

NatKalbach_BecomeYourDream03

 

I love the results when you use acrylic spray paints- I am so happy about the weather getting better now so I can use them more.

nSupplies



Have a beautiful day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (4)

  • Denise spillane

    |

    Love these pages. Great stencils

    Reply

  • Tracy

    |

    A nighttime cityscape, the love the bright colors against the darker background colors. It looks better with just a bit of black, but with blues and greens. Those stencils are incredible!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    The circuit stencil is so much more versatile than I had thought it would be. Nice combo and I love the strong, vibrant colors that you get from spray paints Nat.

    Reply

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Social Media … or Grumpledump Art Journal Page

NatKalbach_SocialMedia01

 

It’s the century of Social Media! We are all so freaking happy and authentic – oh yeah!

NatKalbach_SocialMedia02

 

Don’t get me wrong- I love Social Media as you can tell- but sometimes…sigh .

NatKalbach_SocialMedia03

 

I used some popping Liquitex Acrylic Paints on the Creative Palette and did some mono printing using the templated included in my Wired Stampset. This was a warm up page in my art journal which looked pretty much stupid weird unfinished- but when I sprayed the teal color over it – everything somehow looked fab and the colors popped even more.

That is why I love an art journal – it can be whatever you want it to be. It can be your art mournal, grumpledump book,  encouraging book, experimenting journal, journal journal…or all of it…which is pretty much what mine is  – this page is a grumpledump page ;)

nSupplies



have a wonderful non grumpledump day ;)

Nat

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Nat

Comments (2)

  • Tracy

    |

    The teal and green are fab together, and I love the stamp print. Grumpledump is awesome, fits purfectly with the mood of the page!! :P

    Reply

  • Linda on the Prairie

    |

    Grumpledump is such a wonderfully rich descriptor, almost as rich as the page!

    Reply

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Artvergnugen at The Ink Pad in NYC – Dates & Themes for May and June are up!

NatKalbach_ArtvergnugenAd

The new dates for Artvergnugen at The Ink Pad in New York City are up for May and June (April is already sold out- there is a waiting list) :

  • PanPastels! – May 9th
  • Wax & Oilbars! – June 27th

It starts the moment you sit down, an experience that is distinctly Art Journaling. A quick exhilaration, a sense of control, the art media’s surprising responsiveness as if they were simply an extension of you.

There is a word for this creative experience: Artvergnugen ! Artvergnugen is what makes your journal a piece of art.

Join Nathalie once a month and play each time with a different art medium or supply. Learn techniques, tips and tricks to take your art journaling further and turn it into Artvergnugen.

You will have to bring basic supplies – list on The Ink Pad Website – while Nathalie will bring the art medium/supply of the month for you to share. Sign up for as many of the sessions you want but be quick – space is limited.

Have an amazing day

nat

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Nat

Leave a comment

The Evil Look or…The Whatevers

the WHATEVERS 2 A

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

Click here to see what Cat, Vicki, Martha and Cuchy made out of the photo and which story they tell.

Here is my take on this month’s photo:

NatKalbach_TheEvilLook01

 

Martha shot her new son in law another evil look just to ensure he understood her earlier whispered message during the rehearsal dinner: “If you ever make my little girl cry…I make you regret the day you were born!”

The little girl and her husband lived happily ever after!

NatKalbach_TheEvilLook02

 

When we saw this photo we all laughed hysterically- I think it is too funny and it reminded me that I actually do have a photo of my great-great grandmother with a similar evil look – she was known as someone who was absolutely humorless – LOL.

NatKalbach_TheEvilLook03

 

I love the little orange here and there peaking through the blue. Loads texture here.

NatKalbach_TheEvilLook04

 

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

8679631767_6e963c9135_o

 

You can play along with us and share your story with the Whatevers- just link it up so we can see it :)

 Loading InLinkz ...

 

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

 

 

Here is what I used for the art journal spread:



Have a gorgeous day- no evil looks though ;)

 

Nat

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Nat

Comments (5)

  • Cuchy

    |

    LOL good advice… or better warning.
    I heard my father telling the same words :)
    Love the “new and colorful porch”

    Reply

  • Vicki Chrisman

    |

    Super fun Nat! I always LOVE how you use COLOR!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Funny how many folks in the older vintage photos look miserable. I guess it was just a sign of the times. I assume that they didn’t have many pics taken so they wanted a “serious” one to display.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      LOL Sue- I think it might be also because they had to wait forever? I am not sure- but I guess I would have looked miserable too ;)

      Reply

  • Catherine Scanlon

    |

    Haha, my husband calls that the evil eye! Love the story and the orange does look GREAT!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Dare to Be Different or Blog Hop with Catherine Scanlon

Today I am playing along with some other wonderful designers in a blog hop with my friend’s Catherine Scanlon’s Stamps. I am so proud of her for having her own designs out and I loved playing with them in my art journal.

NatKalbach_Daretobediff01

 

You can see all of her fabulous stamp, stencil and die cut designs in the AGW Catalogue here

Catherine Scanlon Designs SNEAK Peak

 

I used her Annie Paisley Stamp for the background and I loved coloring it in on a piece of music sheet to make one design stand out going along with my sentiment. I also used the Clara Paisley stamp on the right hand side as a nice playful border.

NatKalbach_Daretobediff02

 

The background was spray painted and I colored in the music sheet after stamping with Derwent Inktense Blocks.

NatKalbach_Daretobediff03

 

Cat also has two wonderful prices to give away on her blog so make sure to hop along here and check out the other projects that were created with her stamps today:

Thank you so much for stopping by and have an amazing day!

Nat

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Nat

Comments (16)

  • Laura Strack

    |

    Love this art journal page, Nat. Love the intensity of the colors and the stamp design is so fun! Great Hop. Thanks for sharing your mad skills!

    Reply

  • Carol

    |

    Seriously, I don’t know what to say about your artwork other than incredible. I’m in awe of your use of colors and look forward to seeing your next piece of artwork.

    Reply

  • Helen Markee

    |

    I love your colors and the use of the paisley stamp. Thanks for the inspiration

    Reply

  • jean marmo

    |

    Wow – love the color and how you used the stamps!

    Reply

  • Kathie

    |

    hi nat! love the colorful art journal page that you created. thanks so much for sharing! its been fun being a part of this blog hop with you. cheers!

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

    |

    is an amazon page!! love the colors

    Reply

  • Kathy P

    |

    Love the look you have achieved by coloring in just ONE of these cute stamp designs! Great pages!

    Reply

  • Vicki Chrisman

    |

    Beautiful, colorful design as always from you Miss Nat! Love the saying too! Very Cool!

    Reply

  • Sarah lynch

    |

    Really cool background effect & love the stamp!

    Reply

  • Martha Richardson

    |

    Fabulous journal page Nat…the colors and GREAT QUOTE! Love the repetition of the stamps.

    Reply

  • Shirley

    |

    Love the colorful pages! Cat’s stamps are a great addition in black. I just love a bit of black in any project. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  • Jackie N

    |

    Beautiful Nat! And you always – dare to be different! thats one of the traits of you that I adore!

    Reply

  • Catherine

    |

    What a great and colorful journal page. I didn’t notice at first how you added the stamped border on the right, but its super sweet surprise ! I love how you layered the stamps on top of my favorite colors! Thank you Nat for playing along, and for your friendship over the years, it’s been a long time!

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

    |

    Hi Nat, love your journal pages. Nice design and my fave colors. Fun hop

    Reply

  • Jennie Atkinson

    |

    What fabulous colours and I love the way the background music paper just peeps through here and there. A stunning page! I am so thrilled to be part of this blog hop with you all x

    Reply

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