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Whatevers Round 2 #4 or Happily Ever After

the WHATEVERS 2 A

Are you ready for the 4th 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.

Here is my take:

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Journaling: He never stopped loving her although she would not even as much as look at him once she turned 15. But he would always say that he was married and that his wife would one day return. He died happily ever after.

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I used Liquitex Heavy Paints and my What’s The Point Stencil to layer up a background. Since my stuff is still in the container I am limited to my wooden alpha stamps which I love so much.

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

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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

 

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thank you :)

Nat

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Nat

Comments (9)

  • Vicki Chrisman

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    loving this Nat.. especially the sketchy sketch around them…. perfect! Amazing background as always!

    Reply

  • Maria Luisa Naval

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    tears in my eyes …I like so much your background colors.

    Reply

  • Cuchy

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    ohhh so sad, but you made him happy for a while

    Reply

  • Catherine Scanlon

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    I love your background Nat — so bright and colorful!! Love your story.

    Reply

  • Martha Richardson

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    Love your take with this photo. GREAT colors on your page!

    Reply

  • Julie

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    Oh Nat! You made me cry! Reminded me of the George Jones song – He Stopped Loving Her Today.

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    I just love where you go with these photos!!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    What a sweet story you have created Nat.
    Happy and sad at the same time.

    Reply

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Sketch Show

NatKalbachSketchShow

 

So…I realized that if you do not sketch for a while it get’s harder…so I will keep on going- LOL

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These are different views from the roof top..well kind of – LOL

nat

Nat

Comments (7)

  • Jackie

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    WOW!

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    Wonderful detail and that little helicopter caught my eye. Glad you are inspired to sketch in your new home!

    Reply

  • Carmen Lucero

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    Yes, so much detail! Love the watercolor!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    The detail on that second sketch is so detailed.

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    What an amazing view!! Is it just yours or do you have to share the deck?? No matter ..the sketches are so fab!!

    Reply

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Coming to the InkPad in NYC

Weeeheee I am teaching a class in two session at the InkPad in New York City in October and November- here is the scoop

Über*Media Layered Backgrounds

   
 


Join Nathalie for this 2-night class where you’ll learn some of her best techniques for backgrounds, layering and more!

You’ll go home with a pocket book über-full of ideas filled with your own work.

Learn about the unique features and possibilities of acrylic paints, wax bars, ink blocks and other media, making this class a true mixed-media experience!

$90. *Please note, this is a 2-part class and will meet on two separate evenings.

Required Supply List

  • Acrylic Paint (8-12 colors, including black & white)
  • Watercolor Paper I recommend: Canson XL 11 x 15 – 140 lbs – bring at least 5 pages (but more is great too – how much you do is up to you)
  • Brayer
  • Old Credit card /or plastic card that size
  • Clear Embossing Enamel or UTEE
  • Versamark
  • Scissors
  • Bristle Paintbrush (1 medium flat)
  • Paper Plate or paint palette
  • Container for Water
  • Baby Wipes
  • Rag/Paper Towel
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Awl or Paper Piercer
  • Seam Binding Ribbon – natural color white/egg white preferrable
  • Heavy Gloss Gel Medium – prefer Liquitex
  • Craft Mat

    Optional:

  • Apron
  • Gesso (white) – we won’t need that much
  • Cosmetic Wedge Sponges
  • Bone Folder
  • Favorite Stencils
  • Magazine (fashion would be best)
Cost: $ 90.00
Date(s):
#1: 

#2: 
Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 7:00 pm to 9:30 pmTue, Nov 12, 2013 at 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.

There is only limited space Please call the Ink Pad to register for classes.
212.463.9876

I would love to see you there :)

Huge hugs

nat

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Michelle

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    Yayyyy!!! This is great news! Sounds like a great class too. I won’t be there for October but maybe next time. :)

    Reply

  • Madeline Rains

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    Man! I got so excited for a second there. I will be in NYC Nov. 3-6 , so right in between!! Oh well. Someday. : )

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    Do not ponder…,do not try to decide…just go and have an amazingly inspiring and creatively challenging, fabulous time . Nat is a joy to be with even for a few hours!!!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Wish that I could attend! I so love that photo of you and how you are clearly en joying working in your studio.

    Reply

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Stencil Test Drive Cascading Frames or…Picture Me Happy

So thrilled to be part again of the Stencil Test Drive featuring Jessica Sporn‘s Frames Stencil for StencilGirl Products.

Stencil Test Drive Logo

Today along with some others I show you what I created using her Frames Stencil.

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Here is my art journal page

NatKalbach_PictureMeHappy01

 

And here is how I created this

NatKalbach_PictureMeHappy02

 

I used some Glue N’ Seal over my What’s The Point and while it was drying

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I used spray paints through the frame stencil on book paper that I had just as a left over from a different project.

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I added some Ink to the top of the artjournal page and let it run down

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I cut out the frames out of the book paper

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and adhered them with a glue stick

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and then I sprayed through the frames stencil again – quite a lot- I wanted to have a more runny and non perfect image

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to tone down the book paper a bit I used some distress stain on it

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and then I used some Distress Ink to pop the What’s the Point Bits and the frames out a bit more :)

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Now go see what the other artists did with the Frames stencil!  But before you do, be sure to leave a comment  by midnight EST 10/13here because Jessica is giving away a Frame stencil to one lucky winner, and EVERY comment in the test drive will be eligible to win.  The more times you comment, the more chances you have to win!

Kristin Van Valkenburgh:  www.TwinkleTwinkleLikeAStar.blogspot.com

 

And for those of you who want a complete list of supplies- here you go:

nSupplies

have a wonderful day
Nat


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Nat

Comments (32)

  • Jessica Sporn

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    sorry I am getting to you so late Nat… Love your drippy, colorful journal page. Thank you for sharing the step out photos and participating in the test drive. With everything you have going on, I am especially honored that you said yes! xo

    Reply

  • Maria McGuire

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    LOVE your bright HAPPY colors Nat! FUN FUN journal page :)

    Reply

  • Debbie House

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    So glad I pulled up your blog today. Loved the frames page you did. So many possibilities and it makes me want to work in my art journal again after an extended period away. I NEED to play.

    Reply

  • Nancy Sapp

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    Always enjoy your blog & love your great ideas with the frames!
    Wish you could pick my name for the frame stencils. I’d love to win them.
    Thanks for the chance,
    Grandma Nancy

    Reply

  • Jackie

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    You are so talented Nat! Love love your bright colors!

    Reply

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Heel Porsche or…Put an Elephant on it

Let me introduce you to my newest little helper…my Heel Porsche :)
NatKalbach_Shoppingbag01

 

That is actually the nickname of those shopping bags literally translated from German. I love my new Heel Porsche. We don’t own a car and the next bigger supermarket is a couple blocks away- close enough to walk but for bigger shopping trips long enough to make my arms feel miserable carrying stuff. I did a lot of research on these rolling shopping bags and finally I fell in love with this Rolser Bag because it folds easily and you can carry it on your shoulder and it also unfolds like a charm. It comes in all kinds of patterns and colors but I chose it so that I could add my own little twist to it.

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I used Liquitex Professional Markers and Liquitex Professional Spraypaints with my Arabesque and Elephant March Stencil on the flap and on the bottom. Here you see it folded together.

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and from the other side- which is the bottom

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It was such a fun and quick project and it also works like perfect – 6 big bottles of Water, a Gallon of Milk, 2 Gallons of Orange juice, and a lot of other stuff…and I had no problem rolling this thing back home on uneven pavement.

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In Germany a Heel Porsche is really uncool- but hey…I think even in Germany that one would work – and actually …I guess with 40 I am kind of over that being uncool-problem anyway ;)

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What image would you put on a Heel Porsche?

Have a wonderful day!

Huge hugs

nat

 

Nat

Comments (26)

  • Rolser

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    Hi Nat!

    I contact you from Rolser, the company that produce your shopping trolley and we are glad with the success that the trolleys have in the US.
    Nat, we are very happy to help you on your day-to-day task!
    Regards ;)

    Reply

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Coming back to Scrappers Cove, NJ – Nov 16, 2013

wohoo – so thrilled to announce that I will be back at Scrappers Cove on November 16

Here are the classes I will teach

Saturday, Nov 16, 2013 
Mixed Media Season Canvas   
In this Workshop with Nathalie, you will create a stunning and unique canvas that will be a wonderful home decor item. Learn how to create dimension and texture with tissue paper, items of daily life, acrylic paint, lace, burlap, and gesso. Learn how to reveal the interesting and eye-catching texture with acrylic paints and acrylic inks and add some fun stamping techniques on top. We will be adding lots of layers and dimension to make this a spring, summer, fall or winter canvas… just as you like. All the techniques can easily be applied to future projects.  Please bring stretched canvas (12×12 to 12×16), 3-4 acrylic paints plus black, white gesso, gel medium, 3D foam squares, brushes, water container, water mister, scissors, and palette knife.
Instructor – Nathalie Kalbach
From: 10:30am – 2:00pm
Cost  $32.00

 Saturday, Nov 16, 2013 
Be Awesome! Altered Book Class   
Dr. Seuss knew it: there is something magic about books. Each book is a beauty in and of itself – a story that leads you into a new world of fantasy. Books also have a feeling of importance to them, such as with a fabric coated hard cover or just the paper itself.  But sometimes a book loses its fascination and ends up at a flea market or at the back of your bookshelf never to be opened again. Why not breathe life back into those books again and fill them with your own stories? You can alter them in a way that these treasures bring unique joy back. Nat will show you how to create either a funky or a simple style altered book. You will learn beautiful folding techniques, such as ways to create pockets for treasures or hidden messages that go along with your story. You will learn how to use adhesive in unexpected ways and learn fun embossing techniques. This book will be a personal keepsake or a special present to a loved one.  What’s more, it can function not only as a mini album but also a home decor item. Please bring an old book, double sided tape, colored embossing powders, scrapbook papers, ruler, pencil, sharp box cutter, trimmer, scissors, and stapler.
Instructor – Nathalie Kalbach
From: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Cost  $40.00

 

 

 

Please call the store (732-745-1000) during business hours, or email info@scrapperscove.com to reserve your space.

I hope I will see some of you there!

Cannot wait!

Huge hugs

Nat


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Nat

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Paper Art Blog Hop

Logo_BlogHop_stamps

Welcome to the Paper Art Blog Hop!

A couple of months ago I saw Stephanie doing some really amazing sketching and the first thing that came to my mind was- wow – she should be doing stamp designs and there she is now with her own amazing stamp sets. I was very thrilled that she asked me to participate in her blog hop today and play with her wonderful Paper Art Stamp Set. I created an art journal page.

NatKalbach_paperArt01

I just layered some acrylic colors and worked them together and then stamped with some Archival Ink and the Paper Art Stamp Set. I loved all the images so I wanted them all on my page about how much I enjoy art journaling.

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I then took my Liquitex Paint Markers and painted the insides of the stamps – it gave them more dimension and added another layer – Love it. Don’t be too afraid that you cover up the stamped image too much- you can always use your finger to distribute it thinner.

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Love those stamps! And you know the best thing…before you hop further – I tell you a secret ;) :

paperart

 

Stephanie gives away one of the paper art stamp collection. Leave a comment on each of the listed blogs and on my blog and let us know how you like the projects and Stephanie will pick randomly one lucky winner. You have time to comment till October 8th, 2013 – midnight EST.

But now…hop on to these super talented girls and see what they created with this amazing stamp set:

Viktoria Klabukova: – http://by-fleer.blogspot.com/
Have an amazing and artsy day!

nat

Nat

Comments (35)

  • Felicia Aaron

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    Nat, this was great fun! I love the opportunity to see other blogs and have a look at all their creative ideas!! Thanks for the opportunity to win such wonderful stamps that would be such a treasure to anyone’s stash!! Thanks!

    Reply

  • Felicia Aaron

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    So glad I found your blog! I love all your colorful ideas! I have already incorporated some of your style in my own journals! Hope that’s okay ;)! LOL!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    Nathalie alway is a pleasure see your pages, are amazing!!!

    Reply

  • Janelle Rourke

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    Oh this piece really “talks” to me. I love the colors and the stamps are just amazing on this. This is one for me to study. Those stamp sets are too cool. Ones I would use alot! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  • Jackie Beeman

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    I love these beautiful stamps, so excited to see your journal pages, and have a chance to win them! Thank you!

    Reply

  • Thea Gringhuis

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    I like the bright collours you have chosen for this project. Also like the stamps.

    Reply

  • hege meland

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    Love your art. I follow you alredy and love all your work.
    Thank for the oppotunity to win the new stamp-set :)

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    Such amazing projects! Love how these stamps can be used!!!

    Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood

DISCLAIMER: This Blog Post contains a picture that some might think of as offensive (I think it is hilarious), if you have a problem with this, you might be better off looking at something else  . Don’t email me to complain, don’t visit my blog anymore because I might post things like this again and for sure do not let your kids look at this !

NathalieKalbach_Strollhood_Logo

 

A lot of times I get asked what inspires me. And one of my key answers is always “a stroll through the hood”. It might be street art, it might be thoughts or feelings connected with certain sights, it might be stuff I find to buy…in one way or the other you might find the photos, the thoughts, the feelings, the colors or anything from those strolls in my art journal, a mixed media project or a scrapbooking layout.

I would love to show you once a month what inspired me while strolling through my neighborhood. I hope you like the little insights into my daily life where I live (this is the first one from my new home in Jersey City, NJ). This is also a wonderful way for me to remind myself on the inspiring things in the hood. Maybe you get inspired by those posts and even invite ME to a stroll in YOUR hood – feel free to grab the logo and leave a comment for me on the post and share!

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Jersey City is oozing with creativity and it really makes me happy to wander around here. I wasn’t even surprised when I read that it shows in a 2011 survey of census data  Jersey City to have one the nation’s highest percentages of residents who work as artists. And now  there is one more ;)

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And it is a 20 min Path-Ride away from Manhattan – I mean seriously- I met my wonderful friend Julie at MoMA and from door to door it took me 45 mins with walking between stations and getting lost and buying a Metro Card…not too shabby, eh? Next time I make it in 35…I hope – hehehe

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There are farmers markets almost every day in close walking distance and I love to discover new or fun things. The purple peppers for example- beautiful. Also the New Jersey Tomatoes- all kinds of colors and forms and boy are those yummie!

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Also very interesting business models around here- LOL- I am not sure if that store would work in Germany-but hey- I love the set up and think it is also very inspirational with the green and yellow,  the circles and the stenciled title :)

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Advertising at it’s best…LOL- love this – I was cracking up!

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I also love all the black iron cast railings in front of the brownstones here- so beautiful and so detailed too.

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About a 20 minute walk from here starts the Liberty State Park – I love this place! It starts with this Marina and this view of Jersey City Down Town and Manhattan.

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Also in the Park is the official New Jersey 9/11 Monument called “Empty Sky” .  It’s short illusion of the twin towers still existing is very emotional and touching.

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While walking further along the Park, my husband and I started talking about our container and when it should come in, we knew it should be in around that day and go to somewhere in Newark Harbor. So we checked on the vessel’s tracking and I kid you not – my husband yelled “It just passed under the George Washington Bridge three minutes ago”…and we were staring right at the bridge at that very moment. So we started running like idiots until we saw the ship coming out again behind the Statue of Liberty – you cannot really see it on the photo – as a cell phone camera can only do that much – but YES it was it. It was quite funny. So the container is in…now it is up to customs on how long this will take to clear. After we got clarified our ship made it, we were able to look at the main tourist attractions again ;)

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Jersey City Skyline to the left, Manhattan in the middle and to the right. Amazing to see these buildings all together.

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I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to photograph the Freedom Tower through a field of sunflowers. The one leave drives me nuts though- hahahha- but I couldn’t get  it over me to take it off (read – I am wayyyyy to short to even reach it ;) ).

I hope you enjoyed the first stroll through my hood here in J.C. and I for sure will keep them coming ;)

have a beautiful day!

nat

Nat

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Be Happy With Who You Are…

and Where You Are Won’t Matter

NatKalbachBeHappyWhoYouAre01

 

I love this saying- and with my move to the U.S. it totally had to be part of my art journal. Drycha from 3rdeycraft.com had sent me some of her amazing little stamps and chipboard embellishment to play with and I had a great time using the rib cage stamp and the heart stamp as well as the chipboard heart. I love anatomical stamps- I know some people find them scary – but hey…it is part of our body :)

NatKalbachBeHappyWhoYouAre02

 

I had sprayed one of the chipboard hearts and then stamped over it with the heart stamp and placed it  into the rib cage. And if that is too graphic…I also did a small little thank you card cutting out a heart of book paper and placing a light bulb chippie stamped with a lightbulb inside.

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As I have only limited supplies before the container comes it was kind of fun to play with my emergency kit and just use a small amount. Here is my list of the other supplies I used with the art journal page and the card:

nSupplies

Have a wonderful heartful day <3

 

nat

Nat

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