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Foam Stamped Ho-Ho-Holiday Cards

Last week Kim and I got into the holiday spirit a little early and made some stamped cards with my newest ArtFoamies.

We had some craft paper card and envelope sets, my ArtFoamies foam stamps, a whole bunch of acrylic paint, brayers, and some deli paper or palette paper.

First Kim used my Broadway Positive Negative foam stamps and made a few cards for Thanksgiving – one of my favorite upcoming holidays (hosting again this year woot woot!).

We didn’t limit ourselves to the typical holiday colors – here I am doing a card with my Valley Road Positive Negative set and just decided to go with purple. Why not?

We overlapped and mixed colors and here used my Central Avenue Positive Negative stamps for a modern card. Maybe it’s a snowflake or Christmas ornaments or just festive and fun :)

We went a little nuts and both made enough cards for just about everyone on our lists. Here I layered up the Downtown Positive Negative stamps and used a bit of metallic paint.

I love how intricate this design is. Maybe I will go back to this card as I got a bit too much paint on the stamp. It will not go to waste.

Kim chose an unusual arrangement for this card using my Exchange Place stamp and some mauve and purple paint. She could write a personalized message in the corner when she’s ready to send.

It was easy to stamp out a bunch at a time.

Kim lined up the edges of a few cards and stamped them at once to get the designs moving off the edge of the paper.

In the end I decided to add a message on this one (stamped with my Van Vorst Positive Negative stamps), using an Opount envelope addressing guide.

I dressed this one (used the Grove Street Positive Negative stamps) up with a bit of black pen to look like an ornament.

At the end of our play date we had made a bunch of cards for all the upcoming holidays! It was quick and easy and took a little of the stress of the season away knowing we have them ready to go!

Here are some of the supplies we used (some are affiliate links):


Hope you enjoyed our HO-HO-Holiday playdate :) We already have some fun project lined up for the December one.

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Sue Clarke

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    I especially love the one that is a purple ornament.
    Fun fun fun creating right there!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Sue- it was super fun and so easy too – stress free holiday card making in this case :)

      Reply

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She wished she could go back ….

“She wished she could go back to her younger self and tell her “It’s ok, to be weird, you’ll be fine” ”

This was a demo page from a class and I blocked in some color here and there and stamped with my new Exchange Place ArtFoamies Stamp. I added some stenciling with translucent acrylic paints using my Versailles Stencils – love how this turned out. I added some stamping with my Embroidery stamps to add some more even mark making using different colors of Archival Ink Pads- love those.

I painted the lady with acrylic paints neopastels and used some of the neopastels also here and there on the spread and scratched some writing into it.

I like how the lines of the Exchange Place Stamp and the floral Versailles Stencil work together.

Here are the supplies I used:


Hope you enjoy this page- have a wonderful day!

Nat

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Each Day is a New Adventure – Josefine Fouarge

  

Hello my friends and welcome to a project by my Creative Squad! This month’s theme is all about trying something new, so today we have an art journal spread by Josefine Fouarge who is trying out some spray paints for the first time. She rocks my Batik Pattern 1 foam stamp, Mini Batik Pattern 3 foam stamp, and Santa Fe stencil along with our theme: Each Day is a New Adventure – Be adventurous this month and try something new in your art-making! Use a new tool, medium, or technique that you’ve been meaning to try for too long now. Go on a new adventure TODAY!

Welcome to a new Creative Squad post. This month’s topic is “each day is a new adventure” and we are trying new techniques. For me that means working with spray paints. I got a few sample sizes during a shopping spree at a local art supply store and never had the courage to try it.

Thanks to this topic I finally did and I really like the result. But let’s start at the beginning. I used the Santa Fe stencil to create the first layer of the background and sprayed some yellow and pink paint all over it. Yes, these are definitely messy.

Usually I create one sided pages in my art journal, but there was so much paint left on the stencil that I turned it around and created a negative impression.

Then I started decorating the background even further. I used yellow and red Liquitex acrylic paints to stamp some more patterns around both pages. The Batik Pattern 1 was partially stamped at the edges of the page and the Chain Link stamp at the inside of the border.

Then I went a little nuts with the leftover paints. I added a few marks using the Cross Circle stamp and I blended the red and yellow around the edges of the page.

The pages needed a little more contrast, so I decided to paint something with a contrasting color. The Jade Impasto paint was perfect, so I thinned it down a little and stamped parts of the Mini Batik Pattern 3 into the middle of one page. I have always seen a face in this stamp, so I tried to create one. Well, it turned out as an alien :)

In addition, I outlined a few of the patterns on both pages with the same Jade color. Still not finished, I stamped a few Star Tag stamps, the Mailbox stamp, and added some handmade marks. Now I was happy and finished my page with a feeling of success.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my little experiment :)

Thank you Josefine – love your page! In addition to her art journal, Josefine used the following supplies (some are affiliate links):



Play along with us too: 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 next  “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.

Nat

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Inspired by: Birmingham, England Part 2

Now- are you ready for my favorite part of the trip with Birgit Koopsen to Birmingham? Well ….lemme show you :)

this awesome fox put together with different parts of plywood was around the corner of our AirBnB. We went one of the two days we spent in Birmingham to explore the neighborhood of Digbeth, which we had heard was fun.

We entered Streetart and Graffiti Heaven – we couldn’t believe the many many awesome and different inspiring walls !

Loving the colors here and the lettering

Look at Birgit going :)

Wherever we turned there was something

This one was ne of my favorites – the colors the background- LOOOOOVEEEE

The patchwork fish – such a great inspiration to use collage paper

The colors again!

Look at the amazing giant stencil below

beautiful

More awesome stencil work!

And this one …another patchwork- so so so amazing!!!!

Funky stuff – also very inspiring colorwise

I mean come on…..stooooooopppp it

This one in different grey tones and pink and magenta- LOVE

weird attempt of a selfie- but there you go ;)

old warehouses and parking lots

This one is funny

These were everywhere

Loe the color blocking and the face

Hilarious with the open door

Can you tell we already had fun …but wait

We found this little graffiti store and they offered workshops – so we went in and asked how long in advance you have to book to take a graffiti workshop. The answer was one week. We made a very sad face and told them we were leaving the next day …and so they took pity on us and arranged for us to come back a couple hours later and we slipped into these painting overalls and learned lettering with a spray can ….

Look at me…I look like a bumble bee hahahaahaha- it was hilarious and so much fun!

We learned a lot- including that we need a LOOOOOOOOTTT of practice – and that working on a large scale with your spray paint can and trying to control it makes your hands hurt.

Our teacher had us battle too – we had to both write color in 10 Minutes – we almost lost it laughing because he would yell out “POLICE” every couple minutes. Be assured though, this wasn’t an illegal action, we were in a little outside shop that belongs to the store.

OH man – look how sad this looks LOL

But I still love it

BTW …Birgit cheated she sprayed with two cans – -hahahha- just kidding.

It was such a fun and great afternoon with this spontaneous workshop – I will never forget it. I think you can easily see why this was my favorite day in Birmingham.

Thanks so much for joining me on this little Inspiration trip- hope you enjoyed it :)

Nat

Comments (6)

  • Textile Ranger

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    Last year I got to go to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and they are starting to build up a collection of murals. I think they want to be Birmingham when they grow up! :) I was sad this wasn’t about Birmingham, Alabama, because that would be easier for me to visit. But I was glad to see so much great art. Thanks for putting them together in this post.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love the tie one as it made me smile. How fun to get to do the workshop at the last minute. POLICE!
    The Native American one is my favorite as well. I can reach in and feel the rocks.

    Reply

  • Jill

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    Wow! So much fun. Looks like the two of you had a great time. Amazing place.

    Reply

  • Joanne Howard

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    Wow! So much to look at! The two of you were hilarious! Nat you look like a gansta with your arms folded in your red coveralls! So cute!

    I have to go back and look at the pictures again since there was so much to see in the details. Thanks for posting these!

    Reply

  • Laura Weed

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    WOW! There are some serious artists in Birmingham! Some of those just blew me away! This has definitely become a “must see” vacation spot now! The graffiti class looks like the MOST fun! That writing style is so unique and those pieces just always look like so much work. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pieces with us!

    Reply

  • Bea

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    I enjoyed this a lot. Creepy, hairy hand spider…

    Reply

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Go and Grow – Art Journal Spread

Grow through what you go through ….still wading through it LOL

I do have to say I love how this turned out …I did the lady with a bamboo sketching pen and then added the textured background with sepia ink and the Cardboard RubberMoon Stamp Set. Don’t I wish I looked that elegant with a hat …but alas…I do not ;)

Then I colored the lady and stamping in with some watercolor and added the Stroll Through the Hood Set 1 and 2 RubberMoon sets in black with ink.

Using my new Van Vorst Positive and Negative ArtFoamies Stamps with acrylic paint, I added a ground on the bottom picking up the green color from the lady :)

Here are the supplies I used for this Art Journal Page:


Hope you are having a very wonderful day!

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Karen Bearse

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    Very unique & different I really like it. Cool sketch

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Inspired By: Birmingham, England Part I

Before teaching in Coventry, my sweet friend Birgit Koopsen and I met in Birmingham to spend a couple days there and hash out some fun plans :)

We had rented an airBnB in China Town and we made good use of being so close to many wonderful restaurants.

Some fun street art around on our way to the Birmingham Art Museum

I loved the statues in front of the museum

It was an interesting museum for sure – small section with different themes and we were looking for things that would inspire us.I mostly saw patterns and texture that day -but see yourself

Loved the black and white drawing of the city.

And those little Pharao figurines as well

as the remains of this beading- how cool is that.

The hieroglyphs  – I am thinking of incorporating some of those symbols into my art journaling and then

check out this amazing frame! Isn’t it a piece of art by itself?

This was from a wooden wall- if I recall right -loved the bright and happy painting on it.

The industrial part of the museum – look at those chandelier fixtures- so cool.

The museum has a wonderful tearoom in which we enjoyed a really yummie High Tea

Wonderful tea, sandwiches etc. and we spent quite some time in there

Look at the funky modern High Tea display- loved that going along the industrial theme.

The mosaic on the floor was gorgeous but

looking up revealed a not so shabby view as well.

We walked to the Birmingham Library and we loved the facade –

Can you say stencil?

We also loved the inside of the library

and spent some time in the so called “Knowledge Lounge” in which you could hang out and read papers etc.

But look at this foyer

I thought it was beautifully done

We also followed this advice below…

although when walking downstairs ;)

On the top floor we found the Shakespeare room, which was lovely

and we enjoyed some modern architecture views of the city as well.

This is such a cool facade as well. Hope you enjoyed the little stint to Birmingham – more to come soon :)

 

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Joanne Howard

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    Wow! What inspiration! Every picture had something to drool over! Speaking of drooling, love the red Coach saddle bag! Lol Excellent choice!

    Hmmm high tea, one of my favorite things. Thank you for sharing your journey!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      LOL- it is my fave bag…well- besides a small floral bag that I just got- Love bags :)

      Reply

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Which Direction?

I was thinking about how so many times in our lives we have to rethink the direction we want to head – always so tough , so many questions, so many uncertainties.

For this art journal spread I sketched the lady on the left with acrylic ink and a bamboo sketching pen, and colored her in with watercolor. The right lady is on a piece of painted deli paper which lets the background show through.

I added some stamping with my Stroll Through the Hood RubberMooon Stamps and stamped with acrylic paint and the MidTown ArtFoamies Stamp Set as well as the Mini Manhattan Positive and Negative Stamp set.

I sprinkled some golden ink over the spread and added the journaling. I do love how this turned out.

Different from my usually super filled pages- but still funky :)

Here are some of the supplies I used for this spread


Nat

Comments (2)

  • Joi@RR

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    Love this one Nat. Your gals are so abstractly done – in a great way and then the buildings are more “solid” – stabilizing. Love that some are black/white too. And the Mini Manhattan stamp is perfect symbolism for the “which way” – and perfect in the varying colors to show different choices. This is one that would be great on a huge canvas – so symbolic and the type of art that speaks! You always inspire me. Have a blessed holiday season. Xj.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you so much Joi! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season as well!!!<3

      Reply

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Photos of my Workshops in Maryland

Last weekend I was back at  The Queen’s Ink in Maryland to teach two classes to two wonderful and super talented groups of ladies!

Saturday I taught my Art Rules- Art Journaling class and we talked about several wonderful artists and let them inspire us to pursue different styles and techniques.

Look at those gorgeous windows in the classroom – The Queen’s Ink is located in an old Mill and it is just an amazing facility.

Lot’s of color and pattern coloration in this class and lots of super sweet and happy smiles

And look- is Lea hugging her self made foam stamp?

Tough to get a photo of the group- but here they are.

Loving this colorful Mid Town City scape by Kitty creates in this picture.

And in the front seeing a lot of those little n*Studio products made my day – I tell you, it never gets old.

More wonderful smiles

some sketching and stamping

Lot’s of layers later

still smiling – woot woot :)

Look at the gorgeous page by Peggy- lots of doodling and color- LOVE

And at the end of the day a sweet photo with some of the gorgeous ladies with my book Artful Adventures in Mixed Media.

On Saturday I taught my Mono Print Painting class. We started with the basics of mono printing

made our own stencils

and printed more and more

and then went full force into Mono Print Painting.

Loved seeing the different approaches to the technique – so much fun

 

I think I see a face in this print -but what do you see?

and this is really cool!

And Janene and Lea holding up their books to me …they know what makes me jumping up and down – LOL

Thank you to all of the students who came to the classes- it was so great to spend creative time with you!!! I hope I will see you again! Thank you also to The Queen’s Ink, Katie, Lea and Terry for having me and taking so good care of me.

If you want to join any of my In-Person Workshops a list of them is posted here. I will be teaching a lot of fun workshops in Salem, Oregon at Runaway Art and Craft Studio – December 2 -3, 2017. On January 17 (Mono Print Painting) and January 18(Artrules) I will teach my first couple workshops of the year returning to A Work of Heart in San Jose. I hope I will see some of you there! Have a wonderful day!

Nat

Comments (2)

  • JoAnn

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    Looks like everyone had a great time – hope to take one of your classes soon.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      I would love to have you JoAnn!Have a gorgeous weekend!

      Reply

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