Blog | Page 273 | n*Studio

Whatevers #9 or Having a Ball

Are you ready for the 9th Whatevers? If you missed what the Whatevers is all about…check it out here.

Click here to see what Cat made out of this photo and which story she tells

Click here to see what Vicki made out of this photo and which story she tells

Here is my take on it

Having a Ball

Nobody ever knew what Margriete was doing behind her closed studio door. All she would ever reveal was that she was having a ball.

Her Name: Margariete – sister of Marco

I wanted to play with something totally different – and I had sooo much fun – I can’t even tell you :) Putting this old Sachertorte box to a whole new thing together was just cool. I am not so much about assemblage usually and I am having a hard time working in with boxes…but this was different. There is so much I used- but probably is only making sense to me …and Margariete ;) Paperclay, wire, tissue paper, scraps of technique papers, spray paints, found objects, …

the canvas on the wall is a miniature of my “Free Your Creativity Canvas” and I made the lightbulbs on the left with resin and Amazing Mold Putty. I posted a tutorial on how to work with it a couple days ago.

Here is the original of the canvas which I taught many times in Australia, the U.S., Canada and many other countries- still one of my faves :)

I love playing with our whatevers- it is such a great way to just let the phantasy carry your creativity :)

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

Here is how it works if you want to play along:

Vicki, Cat 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 – just right click on it to safe it to download and show us your version of The Whatevers.
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 andshow 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 post in the comment section .
You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

You can grab the blinkie here if you want to add it to your sidebar

Nat

The Whatevers #8 or …Take That (nathaliesstudio.com)
Make your own Molds (nathaliesstudio.com)

Nat

Comments (10)

vickichrisman

March 17, 2013 at 2:05 pm | #

I love it! Hey.. we both did something really different this month. funny! This is an amazing piece Nat… very cool!

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mjmarmo

March 15, 2013 at 9:21 pm | #

How clever! I love all the details!

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Pearl Maple

March 15, 2013 at 8:01 pm | #

Great assemblage for your story, she looks like a fun personality

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Riikka

March 15, 2013 at 6:48 pm | #

Really amazing! Love the idea and the finished project!

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Catherine Scanlon

March 15, 2013 at 3:00 pm | #

OH MY, I love the way you created this box — so very cool! Is it a candy box?? I couldn’t tell. I think maybe Cordelia is going to have something to do with your poison next month, he he he lol!

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Deborah Pierro

March 15, 2013 at 2:18 pm | #

Your whatevers assemblage is really good, Nathalie. I’d like to see more assemblages from you, but all of your art is great!

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Gunvor

March 15, 2013 at 1:18 pm | #

It’s awesome! But what about the poison? ;)

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- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 15, 2013 at 1:20 pm | #
  
  hehehe- Gunvor…who knows the poison might come up in a later whatever again ;)
  
  Reply
Sue Clarke

March 15, 2013 at 12:06 pm | #

Margariete looks like she is having a blast. I wonder about the mystery of the poison that she stores in her closed studio door. Are you trying to tell us something Nat? LOL

Reply
- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 15, 2013 at 1:19 pm | #
  
  LOL- maybe the poison will be part of a different Whatever ;)
  
  Reply

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Making Your Own Molds Tutorial

Mold Mold Making Tools and Equipment

Ever since coming back from Winter CHA 2013 I am obsessed with my new found product – which is actually not brand new – Amazing Mold Putty by Alumilite.

I used one of my first resin figurines made with a mold on this layout you saw a couple weeks ago

And here is now a video showing you how I made this mold- it is quite long with 20 minutes…but it is a several step process – I hope you enjoy it :)

[vimeo 61658300 w=400 h=300]

If you need the direct link because your browser or mobile device are acting weird, here you go :) https://vimeo.com/61658300

There are lot’s of amazing ideas and tutorials that go way beyond my basic video on the Amazing Mold Putty Blog– check it out.

What comes first to your mind to make a mold with when seeing this video?

Have an awesome day!

Nat

Looking for more free tutorials by me? You can find more here!

Nat

Comments (12)

andrenesmith

April 14, 2013 at 1:41 am | #

You find the coolest things!! I would love to make letters with the molds and use them to spell out a project title. How cool would that be? Have to think about how to get them thick enough….Feel free to figure it out and demonstrate it for us….

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Diana

April 13, 2013 at 1:42 pm | #

i totally saw this at CHA and it is one of those things that i wish i had of had enough time to go back and play with!! i must find a distributor!! thanks for your video demo!

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Debbie

March 18, 2013 at 12:01 am | #

hahaha…you made me laugh…”okay, if you want to mold a house, it might take a bit longer”…hahaha, thank you for giving me an extra laugh today, going to bad happy now ;-)

Amazing tutorial as always..have to look around to find me some of that cool stuff now :-D Thank you for sharing! xxDebbie

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Laura S

March 17, 2013 at 8:50 am | #

Hi Nathalie, I’m going through CJS withdrawels, so getting to see a video of you being creative was super nice. The molds are so cool. I emmedialtely found my self glancing around my studio for things I could cast. Thanks for sharing!

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Jean Marmo

March 14, 2013 at 1:35 am | #

Looks like so much fun!

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Estella Magnuson

March 13, 2013 at 6:39 pm | #

Thanks for the video, great information. I’m going to try it in some small birds once I get my hands on the mold putty!

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Kathy Gledsdale

March 13, 2013 at 1:10 pm | #

A wonderful video, nice to hear your voice to put to your photo! It will be interesting to see if the mold putty is any cheaper than the Ranger one, which is really expensive in the UK. The background of your layout is stunning, how did you go about doing it please?

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Tineke

March 13, 2013 at 11:34 am | #

Hi Nathalie. Great stuff! Thank you so much for the video. Would love to work with this product. Do you know if you can buy it already in Europe? Big hug XXX

Reply
- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 14, 2013 at 9:56 am | #
  
  Tineke- I think there is – you might want to google it in your language ;) I had for Germany some results at jewelery making stores.
  
  Reply
Nurse Ratchet

March 13, 2013 at 10:58 am | #

Morning Nat, I have some beautiful buttons I am hoarding, this product would be perfect to recreate them…still gonna hoard them though……best go and scrap the snow off my car…

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Michelle Guest

March 13, 2013 at 9:50 am | #

I can hear the video, but cannot see it.

Reply
- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 13, 2013 at 9:53 am | #
  
  Where are you watching it- might be either the browser or your device. As it is a longer video you should watch it on a desktop computer not a mobile device. I have no problem seeing and hearing it on all browsers on my mac including Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome ;)
  
  Reply

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I will tackle that…eventually or…n*Studio Reorganziation

Flea market Letterpress Letterpress Cabinet

This letterpress cabinet makes me extremely happy. I found it…or let’s say it’s content at a flea market. I will show you more pictures soon…as it is right now a big task to clean this up and it also goes along with reorganizing my studio…I think my friend Julie might be very happy about this ;)

So there… I put it out into the World Wide Web…now I really need to get going…It seems like such an enormous task right now- LOL.

Tell me about your studio/place where you get creative.

Huge hugs

Nat

Über*Media is my series of online workshops that is dedicated to different kinds of media that cross a variety of materials. I also teach project based online workshops which you can find here.

Nat

Comments (12)

Lorraine aka grannypoppy

March 12, 2013 at 6:35 pm | #

I laughed when I found this poster. It seemed like something we all do. Then when I read your blog, I knew you would relate to it, too. I hope it opens for you :) I’m off to do some organizing! LOL!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/11282_507672375945136_211222770_n.jpg

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petyvic

March 12, 2013 at 5:37 pm | #

As the nest is empty, am using my daughters room (18×15!) and has created a working area around the perimeter, but everyday i make changes so as to turn the area more comfortable. In the center of the room, i placed a square table and there i start the projects painting and spraying, doing the dirty work…..After the end of each scrapping day, i take 10 minutes to return materials to its place, so next time i am not crazy! That is the key! Now i am recovering from a surgery, so my hobby has almost all my time!…

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Carrie

March 12, 2013 at 4:28 pm | #

I’m glad to read that I’m not the only one whose craft space is a disaster area! Though mine is probably the most shameful mess, since it’s in a room where we just stash all the stuff we don’t have room for anywhere else. I have grand plans for organizing it, though. Soon, when I have some time to myself and am not working overtime so much, I’m going to get it all straightened up and organized!

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Kathy P

March 12, 2013 at 4:25 pm | #

My space is a total mess, in need of a complete do-over! When we moved into this house, I took over the smallest bedroom. I was in such a hurry to get scrapping again after a long hiatus when most of my goodies were packed up, that I didn’t really put a whole lot of thought into my room. I just ran to IKEA and got shelves and cupboards and supplemented gradually with an ever-growing array of plastic bins, rolling drawers and boxes. Now, my room is just packed wall to wall (my DD gets claustrophobic in there!), and I am not using the space well. I need to get in and toss so much old stuff, which I find really hard to do. And now that we are thinking of moving to our ‘retirement’ home, I am just focusing on what I will do there to make it GREAT! Of course, you know how that will end…….still too much stuff in too little space, and another way to create a mess! But I am going to try to get it much better!
Can’t wait to see what you do with your new find!

Reply
willieburgscrapper

March 12, 2013 at 3:05 pm | #

My space is completely out of control right now. I’ve been “reorganizing” since early January but it’s taking longer because I’m looking for good small space storage solutions and it just seems like that’s not something marketers have caught onto yet. I need more modular options since I don’t have entire walls available. Most stores only offer organization systems that are clunky and made with cheap easy to break materials- your letterpress cabinet is dreamy- enjoy!

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rains

March 12, 2013 at 2:25 pm | #

I just reorganized my art space using the advice from Julie’s “reorganization week” posted on the side of her site. That was SO helpful! I’m sure you know her hints, or know your own; I’m just putting that out there for others who are about to reorganize.

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Yvonne Williams

March 12, 2013 at 1:35 pm | #

I craft on dining room table. I have started craft room in spare bedroom, but it still has stuff from former occupant (youngest son, not completely ready to fly the coop) so no table in there, but it is also sadly in need of organization. Slowly but surely…..

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Christy S. (@PaperScientist)

March 12, 2013 at 1:15 pm | #

I have my first ever creative space. It’s a little odd though. The place we rent has a built in desk in a walk in closet. It happens to have a french door to let in some light. Not awesome but better than not having a space to create in. I am in the process of reorganizing it right now.

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Sue Clarke

March 12, 2013 at 12:01 pm | #

I usually create on my kitchen or dining room table but I do have a craft room (it’s just filled with supplies and so I can’t get to that table)! It’s way over time to do something about that though.

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Kathy Gledsdale

March 12, 2013 at 11:26 am | #

Sadly I have to work on the dinning room table, so I have to clear a space to eat as well. Crafty stash is fighting to get out of the cupboards and spill onto the floor and there are boxes in three of the bedrooms! My poor husband!

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Linda Tieu (@tortagialla)

March 12, 2013 at 8:29 am | #

I agree that cleaning up the studio and organizing is a HUGE task. I think it might be easier to target little bits at a time… this drawer, this desk, this shelf. I feel like I’m constantly trying to organize as I learn what works better… good luck!

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Michelle Guest

March 12, 2013 at 6:48 am | #

Currently I create on one side of my bedroom- about a 16′ wall space. I have shelves full of paper holders & some white wire cube shelves full of containers… Also, some white storage cubes from michaels (love these because they look so clean & neat)… Along with a table. I also have 1/2 of a 2-car garage full of shelves of supplies along with 2 large work tables. I have been a scrapbooker for 16-17 years & I have too much stuff! I’m now adding art/paint supplies into the mix.
**Beautiful new piece you bought!

Reply

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Stockholm Scrap and Pearl Event – April 6-7, 2013

Convention Mixed Media Scrapbooking Stockholm workshop

So happy to announce that I will teach at the Stockholm Scrap and Pearl Event in Sweden.

It is a Scrapbooking and Jewelry Making Convention, wheret 1,000 crafters can be seated each day!

The place is nothing less than the Annex at the Globen Arena. So excited. I will teach 3 Prima workshops

April Saturday 6: Portrait of a Lady

Always wanted to learn how to draw a portrait? Join Nathalie Kalbach in this fun DIN A4/Lettersized Canvas Workshop and learn how to draw a portrait in a short period of time. You create a Portrait in your favorite colors and make it a one of a kind home decor item either for yourself or as a beautiful gift. Furthermore you will learn heaps of Mixed Media techniques with gesso like: how to create a background, add texture, stamp, paint and use it for altering. Learn how to use fun fine art paint media like the Derwent Artbars, how to layer and tie elements together and explore how to change up embellishments and make them fit your unique piece of art. And the best? All the techniques can be used easily in future Mixed Media and in Scrapbooking Projects.

April Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 (this class on Sunday is fully booked) : Be Awesome Be a Book Nut

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 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.

Nathalie Kalbach 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. Accompanied by beautiful Prima paper, flowers and stamps, 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 as a home decor item.

You can sign up here. I would love to see you :)

Have a wonderful day

Hugs

nat

P.S. If you’d like to take one of my workshops but cannot attend in person – why not check out my Online Workshops here !

Nat

Comments (5)

Sofia

March 11, 2013 at 11:06 am | #

We are looking forward to se you there :))

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petyvic

March 10, 2013 at 6:27 pm | #

Wishing you the best performance! It seems to be a great opportunity for you to continue improving more and more your artistic stream!

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Anne Kristin Tandberg

March 10, 2013 at 5:59 pm | #

JUHU – I will participate in both classes – lucky me!!!

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Jean Marmo

March 10, 2013 at 3:33 pm | #

Looks amazing!

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Nurse Ratchet

March 10, 2013 at 3:03 pm | #

Do not hesitate…Nat is a fantabulous teacher and loads of fun!!

Reply

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I wish I was at Capri right now…or…Prima March BAP

Mixed Media Prima Stencil

I am so done with winter – really…I want sunnnnnnnnnnnn…. ;) No wonder I was longing to do a very summery layout for this month’s Build a Page at Prima.

I only used a couple of the honeycombs in the Prima Stencil and used a mixed of Ranger Distress Pains and Dylusion Ink Sprays. Here is the sketch this layout is based on:

I love the Branch and made it a bit more my own by adding gesso and paint :)

Prima Supplies:

Sunrise-Sunset Collection „Del Sol“ #960001

Sunrise-Sunset Collection „Sun Burn“ #960025

Engraver Collection Clear Stamp #563042

Lifte time Collection Branch #565572

Art Stencil 12×12 #922368

Resist Alphabets Stripe #564094

Labelle Flowers Surfside #565831

Junk Yard Findings #891664

Chalk Fluid Pads Fall Leaf #891262

Other Supplies:

Ranger Dylusions Ink Sprays, Ranger Distress Paints, Ranger Archival Ink, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3DFoampads, MyStik Permanent, Liquitex Gel Medium and Gesso

Hope you have a sunny day :)

hugs

Nat

Not Your Ordinary Dolls…or Dresden Doll (nathaliesstudio.com)
Roadtrip or…Prima Prima (nathaliesstudio.com)

Nat

Comments (10)

Carmen Lucero

March 11, 2013 at 2:57 am | #

Love the orange and blue together, Nath! I still have to get my hands on that awesome stencils!

Carmen L

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Cindy Gay

March 10, 2013 at 4:25 am | #

Very pretty colors and a creative design!

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Nurse Ratchet

March 10, 2013 at 1:58 am | #

It was spring like here in Toronto today. Really love your fab layout!!

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Gunvor

March 9, 2013 at 6:56 am | #

Lovely! We need more summer here as well

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Sue Clarke

March 8, 2013 at 4:09 pm | #

I like what you did with the branch and of course you made it your own.
Snowing here so I’m ready for some summer as well!

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ScrappingCorner

March 8, 2013 at 3:43 pm | #

You amaze me Nathalie! Love what you did with this sketch. I’m doing mine soon! But it won’t compare to yours, for sure.

Lorena
http://www.ScrappingCorner.ca

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petyvic

March 8, 2013 at 2:38 pm | #

Such a beautiful selection of colors! these “cheers” me!

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Jean Marmo

March 8, 2013 at 1:40 pm | #

These colors are so striking!

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Cyndi

March 8, 2013 at 11:43 am | #

Love this! I would really like to try to do something like this. You are inspiring!

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Gerd Anderson

March 8, 2013 at 10:08 am | #

Thanks for the inspiring Summer input!

Reply

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Where young people go to retire or…Sternschanzia

Hamburg Portlandia Sternschanze

A couple months ago Dina and I had a fun conversation and she introduced me to Portlandia. She mentioned she had put a bird on something and just called it art. She explained to me that this is from Portlandia. Portlandia is a satirical sketch TV Series in the US playing in Portland, Oregon. It shows in a of course over-pointed way the life in some pockets that each city has – up and coming neighborhoods. places that no-one before wanted to live, and then kind of get artsy and fun….then popular.

Portlandia can be everywhere – it is actually right here, where I live in the Sternschanze in Hamburg- LOL. That is probably why I laugh so much about this series – It is hilarious. I love my neighborhood-I do …but I also love to make fun of myself and us the people who live here. It is colorful, different, provoking and inspiring…sometimes stupid, sometimes nerve wracking…sometimes just plain funny

When I watch this video about the “Dream of the 1890s” and I think of all my friends and people around here that have beards right now, wear suspenders, ride weird bicycles and …

[vimeo 36293215 w=400 h=300]

Or when I walk somewhere to run errands in the morning and see some people “working” on their laptops out-side in front of a cafe, and when I go home later in the evening- they would be still there. EVERY day! We have more cafes when you can imagine. I guess this is “where young people go to retire”.

Or in Portlandia you see this video about the “2 Girls 2 Shirts” Store- and when my husband and I saw it we yelled out loud “1 Girl 1 Sweater” because that is pretty much the store right across of your house.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Utb7Vxmp0]

Point of this? No point…just showing you a little peek into my neighborhood and if you sometimes think I am weird – LOL- I am just the product of my environment – ;)

Have a gorgeous day

hugs

Nat

Comments (10)

cal8007

March 11, 2013 at 3:02 am | #

Mh, gonna have to check that program out, it might turn out to be El Paso, TX, where I live, because there are many weird people here too LOL!

Reply
annie!

March 7, 2013 at 6:26 pm | #

I’ve never seen Portlandia…probably because I live in Colombia…but I’ll definitely look for it now when I visit the States. Your girl portrait is fab!

Reply
Marsha.

March 6, 2013 at 9:54 pm | #

<3! For Portlandia, but even more for Sternschanze. It's awesome!

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Lisa Flaherty

March 6, 2013 at 5:17 pm | #

I loves me some Portlandia! Great post, Nat, and sounds like a fun and interesting community you live in! Cracking up about you and your husband and the “1 Girl 1 Sweater!!!” Too funny!

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Sue Clarke

March 6, 2013 at 4:50 pm | #

Never heard of the show but it looks funny. Two girls two shirts is a hoot.
I just came back from a week in Orlando, FLA were many folks go to retire and many go as tourists. So interesting to see the retired folks driving around slowly and the vacationing folks rushing to have fun in the theme parks.

Reply
Michelle Guest

March 6, 2013 at 4:30 pm | #

Every place we live ends up emprinting something into our makeup for us to carry as a part of ourselves… &… If we move we take that something to a new area… Its what makes life interesting!
*cute post*

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Mary Hutchinson Hicks

March 6, 2013 at 4:26 pm | #

I’ve never even heard of this show, but will definitely check it out! The videos really made me laugh – thanks for sharing!

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rains

March 6, 2013 at 3:02 pm | #

we love this show too. It’s so interesting to hear you have the same type of town there.

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mjmarmo

March 6, 2013 at 12:56 pm | #

Sounds like a creative and fun place!!

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Laura b

March 6, 2013 at 8:00 am | #

I love the show portlandia. Yes, it is over the top, but that’s what makes it so funny! My family just doesn’t get it, but I do!

Reply

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Yellowstone inspired Texture Canvas

canvas Yellowstone National Park

I created this canvas inspired by Yellowstone. Yellowstone is probably my favorite National Park. The nature, the colors, the wildlife, the texture – EVERYTHING. I want to go back there! I often create the backgrounds inspired by the photos that I want to use or the emotions I think of. It might sometimes not be so obvious but here I think it is like almost a slap-in-the-face-obvious- LOL. The texture of the ground here and there, the geyser colors, the forests, the burned wood stems.

I used a lot of Kroma Crackle – my favorite for making super huge crackles – to achieve a lot of the texture. It took me a while to create this canvas as the crackle alone took about 3 days to fully reveal. But oh it was so worth it texture wise for me :) Especially for pieces I can and want to take a long time with, I love to use Kroma Crackle now.

I also used Liquitex Acrylic Paints and Professional Spraypaints as well as Acrylic Inks. I also used some Stampendous Fragments and Princeton Catalyst Blades and Wedges to create some texture on the edges. Lot’s of different stuff and many many layers. This is a 12×16 inch canvas.

The leaves are from Julie’s Crafter’s Workshop Template- love that stencil a lot. It was fun…I am not exactly where I wanted to be though…I want MORE texture … I keep working on it and definitely share with you ;)

What is the most fascinating national park for you in the world?

Huge hugs

nat

P.S. – don’t miss out on my new Über*Media Online Project Class “Discover”– Space is limited

[vimeo 60751181 w=400 h=300]

Nat

Comments (19)

Lee-Anne

March 12, 2013 at 4:54 am | #

This is beautiful! I love the colours! My favourite national park is Banff National Park.

Reply
cal8007

March 11, 2013 at 3:08 am | #

The most intriguing park in the US for me is the Redwoods in Northern California. There are trees as high as a sky scraper and as old as Methuselah. Dense greenery, moss, and awesome fauna. Took tons of pictures, but they don’t give the reality credit!

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Rose

March 5, 2013 at 8:24 am | #

I love this… the colors, the textures… everything! Gorgeous!

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Rose

March 5, 2013 at 8:23 am | #

gorgeous… love this … the colors, the textures … everything! =)

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rains

March 4, 2013 at 11:13 pm | #

Have only been to Yellowstone. We go to Montana a lot. I loved it and really feel your canvas gets it!

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suzannebouchard

March 4, 2013 at 10:33 pm | #

What a wonderful creation Nathalie! it is outstanding! i love the textures the colors and the way you were inspired by the photo.!

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Kathy P

March 4, 2013 at 4:19 pm | #

Your work is SO inspiring, Nat! Got my ‘Discovery’ link, and went out yesterday and got my canvas. Interesting that here in PA all the 12×12 canvases do NOT come with those separate stretcher bars! AND cost $9!!! So much for things being cheaper in the U.S.!
The blues here really set the tone for the snow and the fire-damaged trees. We are NP members and are trying to visit them all! My faves so far: 1) Yellowstone; 2) Everglades; and 3) Arches.

Reply
- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 4, 2013 at 4:22 pm | #
  
  9 Dollars???? That is insanely costly! But I do have to say I realized that canvas prices are much more than in Germany. I will try to find a source next time in the States where canvases are cheaper. Love Arches too…Everglades are still on my list :)
  
  Reply
samara

March 4, 2013 at 4:10 pm | #

oh Nat….this is OUT OF THIS WORLD gorgeous! I don’t think I have seen a more gorgeous blue page! It is radiant!!!!!!!

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Kathy Gledsdale

March 4, 2013 at 3:30 pm | #

Truly wonderful! Love it big time!

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mjmarmo

March 4, 2013 at 2:44 pm | #

Glacier NAtional park was just amazing! LOVE your texture!

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- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 4, 2013 at 4:29 pm | #
  
  oh that is so on my wish list!!!
  
  Reply
Cyndi

March 4, 2013 at 2:22 pm | #

Absolutely gorgeous!

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renate widera

March 4, 2013 at 1:31 pm | #

Hallo I Love YELLOWSTONE my husband and kids too, we visit Yellowstone in 2003 I have to find the pictures we did there… Love your work Greetings from germany

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Nurse Ratchet

March 4, 2013 at 12:01 pm | #

What a wonderful way to start a week…looking at your magnificent canvas….I,have much to learn!

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Rob Keogh

March 4, 2013 at 11:51 am | #

Hi Natalie,
In the USA, my favourite is definitely Yosemite, I absolutely LOVE it, apart from the beauty, it has an almost palpable feel to it. In Australia, Kakadu National Park is fabulous as is the Great Barrier Reef.

Love your canvas and all of the gorgeous texture.

Reply
Michelle Guest

March 4, 2013 at 7:55 am | #

I was going to ask about the leaves but as i continued to read i saw info about the stencil… I love how the leaves look! Also, circles both background & foreground. Texture is wonderful too! Very striking photo.
I’m learning from you… Thanks! Michelle

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Liz

March 4, 2013 at 7:50 am | #

LOVE the canvas! And you must have been thinking of more than one National Park, right? LOL…. I haven’t been to Yellowstone yet, but YOSEMITE is my favorite!
We have to do coffee soon… It’s been ages!

Reply
- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 4, 2013 at 10:08 am | #
  
  LOL- what was I thinking? Changed it.
  Yes to coffee! Miss you!!! Email me and let me know if there is anytime soon you are off!
  
  Reply

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New Über*Media Project Class: Discover Canvas

Acrylic paint canvas Mixed Media whimsical workshop

Wooohooo -new class in the house. In difference to the usual Über*Media Classes that are all about techniques and certain media- this is a project class.

In this online video workshop I show you how to create a fun and whimsical mixed media canvas. You will learn some fun techniques using acrylic paints, book papers, gel medium, embossing powders and more, to turn a blank canvas into a wonderful unique and personal home decor item. On top you receive some fun tracing stencils and other items in the mail for you to use during the workshop. In 2 1/2 hours of video material, I show you all the steps, talk about my creative process, let you get into my head on why I use certain things and some basic design rules regarding mixed media. You will learn a lot about the media I use in this class which enables you to take this knowledge further and use it in future projects. And on top…you can learn in your own pace , at home ..even in your jammies.

This workshop is aimed for beginners to intermediate scrapbookers and mixed media Artists.

Watch the video for some more peaks of the workshop

[vimeo 60751181 w=400 h=300]

Check out the details about the class, what you need, what you get and the sign-up info here.

As I this time I will send out custom-made tracing stencils with the that Crafter’s Workshop made for me especially for this workshop- the space where you can get these included is limited.

Hope to see you in class

Huge hugs

Nat

Comments (7)

cal8007

March 11, 2013 at 3:14 am | #

I hope this workshop will be available in the future, so I can sign up for it. I’m in the middle of an art class, but would love to take it when my class is over in April.

The preview looks like fun!!

Hugs,

Carmen L

Reply
- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 15, 2013 at 7:34 pm | #
  
  Hi Carmen- it will be available as long as I have the stencils :) Right now it is looking still good for April to take it. I hope I will see you then :) huge hugs nat
  
  Reply
Laura E.

March 6, 2013 at 6:54 pm | #

Natalie, super excited to join you! love your work! Just signed up! Yay me!

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andrenesmith

March 2, 2013 at 5:36 pm | #

I am all about the jammies!!! LOL. Cant wait – love your classes.

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Francesca

March 2, 2013 at 1:01 pm | #

Ich liebe deine canvas und deine workshops sind immer weit weg für mich. Ich habe mich angemeldet. Ich freue mich riesig !!!

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mrburg

March 2, 2013 at 7:44 am | #

Hi Nathalie

I went to sign up for the class but paypal all came up in german – so not sure if this is secure or not. Marg

Reply
- Nathalie Kalbach
  
  March 2, 2013 at 8:51 am | #
  
  hi marg, it is because i am in germany. endless emails with paypal how to change that, but it is not easy on a blog. but it is secure. it is just that you country appears in german. many others signed on secure over the last two years. if you rather want to email me directly do so at nathalie(dot)kalbach(at)gmail(dot)com
  i would love to have you in class, nat
  
  Reply

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Does she know that she forgot what she once knew?

Many of my readers know that I once in a while write about my great-aunt Margot, who is 93. I am her caretaker and she had to move into an elderly home after a severe stroke and heart attack last summer. She is an awesome woman and I write about her because she is a huge part of my private life. So once in a while I share.

This week I went to visit aunt Margot, it is always a quite long trip as she lives about 4 1/2 hours away from here. When I arrived she was still taking her nap after lunch and so I had my usual meeting with the nurses first to talk about how she is doing, what her needs are and so on. So one of the nurses, who is organizing a lot of the social activities told me that aunt Margot is doing well, is very much-loved and that she is participating in a lot of those events. And then she told me that at a music gathering they took out my aunt’s guitar as she was talking so much that she wants to play guitar. And that aunt Margot was sitting there all of a sudden and didn’t know anymore how to play, and how she helplessly let her hands sink, the guitar still on her lap and said “I don’t know…I don’t know how to do this anymore”….and how this made her really upset. The nurse told me I should rather pack the guitar and take it with me as to not have this happening again.

I cannot even tell you how sad this made me. It felt as if someone had punched me hard into my stomach – I instantly started to tear up and I think that of all the things she has forgotten the last couple months, this made me the saddest. Ever since she was a teenager, she had played guitar. Her guitar and her- inseparable. There are gazillions of photos of her and her friend – later with her husband – doing bicycle tours – the guitar on the back -photos of her playing – memories of mine of many many family parties of her playing her guitar.

The photo above was taken at a friend of mine in 1996 where she just picked up his electric guitar and started playing. Just the thought of how she must have felt in that very moment made me sad.

So I went into her room and after lots of hugging and talking and laughing – I realized her guitar case in the corner. She followed my look and then she said: “ohh we had a thing last week and I played guitar – we had so much fun!”

I looked at her and she was all happy and told me of the songs she played and how she still knows them all and the lyrics to the songs too.

How can I have possible taken the guitar case with me at this moment?

What can I say…I just hope that she really doesn’t know that she forgot what she once knew!

have a wonderful day

hugs

Nat

Comments (37)

julie

March 20, 2013 at 7:41 pm | #

Bless you for being such a good caretaker. So glad you left the guitar with her. I take care of my 90 yr old disabled mother. What upsets them one day may be a favorite the next day. There may even be days when you aunt remembers how to play. I keep lots of things stashed in the closets near where she sits during the day so they are handy on days that she wants them and out of sight on days when she is having a hard time.

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cal8007

March 11, 2013 at 3:29 am | #

Oh Nath, I can really relate. My aunt is 88, has never married and lives alone, and my uncle, her bother is 86, a widower, and no children, and lives in an assited living facility. My uncle started forgetting things last year and my aunt and I were worried for him because he was forgetting to turn off the water in the sink or to turn off the stove. He wasn’t eating right and was very loenly. I got him to go to a adult day care, but when he started forgetting to take his medication, my aunt and I decided it was time to get him more help. We were fortunate to find him an excellent assisted living place and now has a companion who loves to dance as much as him and spends every week doing that during happy hour. It’s so nice to see him enjoying life once again. Now, my aunt is beginning to forget things too and I find it very sad because she’s been the family historian and knows all the dates when everyone was born, etc., and reached different milestones. I keep telling her to write things down so I can pass it along to the family before she forgets everything. Such is life, Nath. We just have to take one day at a time and do the best we can to help each other out. Love your story, thanks for sharing!

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Jan

March 7, 2013 at 7:28 pm | #

What a beautiful story, and so honored that you shared a piece of your heart with us. Your aunt’s story has stayed on my desktop ever since you sent it out, I read it every few days and see so many different things each day. One day it’s the devotion and love, then it’s a lesson on how we all will lose precious memories too, the next time it is a story of an amazing life lived & beautiful memories, then I see the art that her life has created in you…..a new lesson each time! It’s staying there for a bit more time so I can continue to savor it! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Love your site & art & pieces of your life.

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Sue Clarke

March 6, 2013 at 4:43 pm | #

I always love reading about your Aunt. Yes, how sad but how much hope that she thinks that she had a good time playing it. Maybe just seeing it gives her pleasure! Hugs.

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marjiekemper

March 4, 2013 at 8:47 pm | #

What a blessing that she forgot, that she forgot. I went through this with my Mom and I so feel for you, Sweetie. Hugs! xx

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artquiltgirl

March 4, 2013 at 3:59 am | #

Such a lovely story about your love for your aunt…made me feel so good. Sorry about the guitar, but it was a lovely story and so heart felt. Thanks for sharing!

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Laura S

March 2, 2013 at 7:48 pm | #

Thank you for sharing such a tender moment. Bless you for taking care of your sweet Aunt and going to visit her. It is not easy making decisions for others; be it a child, friend, or a loved one. Follow your heart and with time and prayer, your answers will come. Keeping you and your Aunt in my prayers.

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mjmarmo

March 2, 2013 at 4:49 pm | #

I am sure that was difficult for you. Your aunt sounds like such an amazing person. She is lucky to have you in her life!

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Robinn G

March 2, 2013 at 6:26 am | #

Thanks for sharing about your aunt. What a beautiful and sad story about a wonderful lady! I hope she can remember how to play!

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Sherri Sinclair

March 2, 2013 at 5:25 am | #

I love the stories of your aunt, she is so pretty. I would leave her guitar. Sounds like she doesn’t remember being upset and for that I am grateful.

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Sue

March 2, 2013 at 1:35 am | #

You know Nat, sometimes taking something away, like her guitar, may end up not doing what the people think it might. Your aunt may see that empty space one day and remember that her guitar used to be there. She told you that she was playing the other day right? even tho’ she had forgotten how to, her memory was of playing it and having a great time singing and so on. I would leave it sitting in the case in the corner of her room and let her be happy with thinking that she had had such a wonderful day. Who is it going to hurt. This is just my opinion and I am no doctor by any means but …
hugs and thanks for sharing your stories.

Reply
- Sue
  
  March 2, 2013 at 1:36 am | #
  
  Oh and I love the pictures of her and her friends! Really nice black and whites!!
  
  Reply

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