Blog: Art Journal

Upcoming in March: Workshop in Oklahoma!

ArtRulesWorkshopNat

Just a short reminder that I am teaching March 4-6, 2016 – Art Rules- Art in Translation – at My Heart’s Fancy in Edmond, Oklahoma – there are still a couple seats open and it is one of the few in-person workshops I am teaching this year due to the book:

“Let’s explore several master artists and get inspired by their artwork and techniques to create wonderful and unique art journal pages.Whether it be Andy Warhol’s cheating technique or Rothko’s amazing color combinations, there are many different Master Artists whose masterful skills can serve as a starting point for your own artwork.  Find out what you like and what works for you.  Learn about opacity and layering, colors, troubleshooting, mixing materials, making your own tools, creating backgrounds and patterns.  We will work with acrylic paints, inks, markers, wax bars and other paint media to create dimension and texture.  We will make the most of stencils, stamps, mono printing plates and generic tools to make our own mark.  Get ready to Rule Your Art Journal!”

Class hours:
Friday, the 4th: 4 pm to 8 pm
Saturday, the 5th: 10 am to 6 pm (1 hour for lunch)
Sunday, the 6th: 10 am to 2 pm

More details and Sign-Up Information here

 

I am looking forward to come back to Maura’s store and see many familiar faces again and hopefully some new ones too :) It was such a blast last time!

Have a beautiful day you all!

 

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Jenny Petricek

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    Workshop sounds great! I wish so much that you could come and teach in Wisconsin!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      That would be fun Jenny! If you ever hear of a place in Wisconsin- let me know :)

      Reply

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More hours or …. In My Art Journal Today

AJ_MoreTime_NatKalbach01

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see!” John Burroghs

Apparently I didn’t find the day too short to repeat myself but was at the same time not concentrated enough to write everything grammatically right in my art journal spread -LOL – can you spy it? Oh man, embarrassing but …oh well… here you go … the real deal;)

I played with different greens and yellow and orange acrylic paint and stamped the city shape using the pattern art of my Urban Scribble foam stamp with purple as a nice contrast to the orange. I applied the paint with a brayer to the foam stamp- goes quick and easy.

AJ_MoreTime_NatKalbach03

As you can see in the WIP (Work In Progress) Picture above I added a little border to my stencil in the set with duct tape as to prevent over spraying when using the stencil with spray paint. Here I just added paint to the surface, then placed the stencil on top and rubbed areas of paint off with a baby wipe – at other spots I stenciled through the stencil.

Urban Scribble Stamp Set

For the Journaling I used a bamboo sketching pen and black acrylic ink- I love to write with the pen …so much, that I like to double my words ;)

AJ_MoreTime_NatKalbach02

What would you do if you had more hours in the day?

Here is a list of the supplies, I used for the art journal spread above.

SuppliesCJS



Nat

Comments (2)

  • Joi@RR

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    No one can make a skyline look like you Nat. This is just INCREDIBLE. The background is sooo YUMMY and the colors so BRILLIANTLY FABULOUS. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this and your urban scribble. No – can’t see any mistakes at all. GORGEOUS to me. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY sweet Nathalie. You are dear to me. ❤❤j

    Reply

  • Kim Collister

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    Loved your post and your journal pages! Great Color!
    XO

    Reply

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Be Strong, Smart, Brave Enough or …. In my Art Journal Today

BeStrong_natKalbach01

“Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it”

Very true and this year I will be brave enough to ask for help when I need it…hope I will be smart enough to know when I need it ;)

BeStrong_natKalbach04

I have tried out some new supplies for this art journal spread. Well – my new Elephant Set also counts as new :) I painted the background with several soft body acrylic paints and then applied the copper acrylic paint with a brayer onto the solid Elephant Foam Stamp side. I stamped the elephant and let it dry. I cleaned the Foam Stamp with a baby wipe and later throughly cleaned it with water. I stamped with archival ink applied to the Elephant Rubber stamp on top. I added some white dots with a Fineline applicator filled with a mixture of white soft body paint and acrylic ink.

BeStrong_natKalbach02

As the Elephant has the quatrefoil blanket, I pulled out my new metal Stampendous Dreamweaver Quatrefoil Stencil for pattern repetition. I applied the Metallic Copper Dreamweaver Paste through it. Oh how yummie!!! It is shiny and beautiful and dimensional and oh so scrumptious – I might have fallen in love with the paste :) I also thought Michelle Ward’s Maltese Stencil would be a good pattern fit and spray painted with two different colors through it . For the journaling and some mark making I used again the Fineline Applicator – one filled with white and one filled with black acrylic paint+ink.

BeStrong_natKalbach03

I love the rich colors – not my usual color palette but I really liked playing with it and I think I will use it again :)

What new supplies have you tried out recently?

Here is a full list of the supplies I used:

SuppliesCJS



Nat

Comments (5)

  • sally

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    Please describe the “white signo pen” and its uses.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      It is a white gel pen that works wonderfully on acrylic paint.

      Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    Heheheh – well Nat – there is no doubt you are SMART enough – no question there but…. brave enough… when it comes to asking for help – that’s a tough type of bravery! I am not good at that either – at all. OR accepting it graciously!!!

    LOVE your journal creations. Your elephant just makes me smile every time I see him!!! And he looks so elegant – like royalty – this time. Must be that yummy dreamweaver paste!!! Your colors are so intriguing too. It’s just a really great project. LOVE IT. j.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love the texture and the copper. Not a new supply, but I’ve been using my white Signo pen all week.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Sue! Oh I love my white Signo Pen too – never goes old :)

      Reply

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Song Bird or… In My Art Journal Today

NatkalbachSongbirds01

Free after E. E. Cummings “My head is a living forest full of song birds.”

I made this page based on a background that to be honest was really really bad. The colors were just awful on the spread, so I used some gesso here and there to tone it down and then I layered my new frond masks which are part of my new Bird StampSet on top of the background. You can pop the fronds out of the plastic and that gives you a stencil and masks in one :)

Bird

I then used Carbon Black and Parchment Spray Paint and sprayed over the masks, which revealed after lifting them, the really cool colors and designs. I used a brayer to layer some white paint on top of the foam stamp and the patterned and the solid side to stamp the birds onto the spread.

NatkalbachSongbirds02

An easy way to make something nice out of a really ugly beginning :) And a great way to start the day with a little art journaling warm up.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments about the new stamp sets- I am so excited! They are being shipped right now to the Brick-and-Mortar stores and they are already available at some Online Stores. I will list the stores as soon as I have an update from the Stores. I will also have them soon available on my website for you to purchase direct if you cannot buy them locally. I cannot wait to see what you are doing with them and I am also excited to share some more projects and tutorials with them soon :)

SuppliesCJS

 


Hope you have a wonderful day- with or without song birds in your head ;)

hugs

Nat

Comments (5)

  • colourfly

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    Liebe Nat, Ich finde deine neuen Stempel so supertoll…. Kann eskaum erwarten diese zu kaufen!!! Ich hoffe, dass sie auch in good old Germany zu haben sind?!
    Die Journal Seite ist super!
    Ganz liebe Grüße, Sabine

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      vielen Dank Sabine! Ja- in Deutschland sollte es sie auch geben – ich poste sobald ich weiß, welcher Shop in Deutschland sie führt :) Liebe GRüße in die Heimat :)

      Reply

  • Jenny Petricek

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    Love this spread, Nathalie! I love the dark background and the colorful fronds that pop out in front of it!

    I appreciate that you explained the process of how you arrived at this particular background. Sometimes the most delightful surprises come from adding to and covering things that we weren’t happy with originally!

    Reply

  • gloz

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    Hi Nathalie, Thanks so much for leaving a comment on my blog. I am really enjoying my Creative Jumpstart 2016 and I have decided to use it as a new diet ploy for myself! I tend to nibble all night long in the winter, there-by gaining weight. But of I am doing art projects between 8 and midnight, I can’t eat at the same time!

    Reply

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Upcoming In-Person Classes

This year I will not be able to teach as much as in the past years, as I am writing my book (which is exciting and scary at the same time :) ) But here are a couple classes that I will be teaching in the next couple months in person. I would be super thrilled to have you!

January 31st, 2016 – Mixed Media Printmaking in NYC at PRATT – Manhattan Campus

PrintmakingPrattSpring

February 7th, 2016 – Raw Canvas Staining in NYC at PRATT – Manhattan Campus

RawCanvasPratt

March 4-6, 2016 – Art Rules- Art in Translation – at My Heart’s Fancy in Edmond, Oklahoma 

ArtRulesWorkshopNat

“Let’s explore several master artists and get inspired by their artwork and techniques to create wonderful and unique art journal pages.Whether it be Andy Warhol’s cheating technique or Rothko’s amazing color combinations, there are many different Master Artists whose masterful skills can serve as a starting point for your own artwork.  Find out what you like and what works for you.  Learn about opacity and layering, colors, troubleshooting, mixing materials, making your own tools, creating backgrounds and patterns.  We will work with acrylic paints, inks, markers, wax bars and other paint media to create dimension and texture.  We will make the most of stencils, stamps, mono printing plates and generic tools to make our own mark.  Get ready to Rule Your Art Journal!”

Class hours:
Friday, the 4th: 4 pm to 8 pm
Saturday, the 5th: 10 am to 6 pm (1 hour for lunch)
Sunday, the 6th: 10 am to 2 pm

More details and Sign-Up Information here

April 8-10, 2016 – Mixed Media Circus Art Journaling Adventure with Nat Kalbach & Julie Fei-Fan Balzer – at Artified in Wichita (Victoria),Australia

More details and Sign-Up Information here 

April 15-17, 2016 – Mixed Media Circus Art Journaling Adventure with Nat Kalbach & Julie Fei-Fan Balzer – at Darkroom Door Art Studio – 1h north of Sydney, Australia

More details and Sign-Up Information here

 

Hope I will see some of you at any of those workshops! I always love seeing you in person!

Have a wonderful day!!

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Linda on the Prairie

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    I am so excited that you are coming back to My Heart’s Fancy in Oklahoma! That will be the best weekend of 2016.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe- cannot wait to see you again, Linda!!! We are going to have loads of fun!!!

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I would love to meet you in person Nat!
    Maybe I’ll put the workshop you do with Julie in Australia on my bucket list. Wising you a creative day and how exciting about your upcoming book!!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      That would be a hoot to have you – Julie and I would be so happy to see you :)

      Reply

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Bada$$ery ….or In My Art Journal Today

Instead of a New Year’s Resolution I, amongst many others, pick a word that I try to live by in the new year. Last year it was light. Well…that didn’t work out too well to be honest. It was as if 2015 was Opposite Year just that I didn’t get the memo ;)

But …I have high hopes for 2016 – It is going to be an awesome year – I know it!

NatKalbachBadaW01

Now my word choice might sound harsh to some , please don’t feel offended by it – that is not the intention behind it. I have no plan on being a rude or mean person, no worries! I just feel like I have to take more action in several parts of my life, instead of waiting for others to come to me, be more firm in some ways and to some people, stop procrastinating and seize the day,  take opportunities without questioning myself too much or what others might think of me and also …just finally feel more at ease with myself. I think I can call it summed up “Badassery” – LOL

NatKalbachBadaW02

I felt pretty badassery scratching the work into wet spray paint …hahaha- see how “far” this word takes me ;) I also obscured some of my writing around my feelings and thoughts by spray painting and painting over it. I made some marks with stencils, brushes, self made foam stamps, palette knifes and dripping. I think the beautiful decayed houses and graffiti I admired in Buenos Aires last month influenced this page a lot.

NatKalbachBadaW03

Do you have a word for 2016? And did you visualize it in your journal or sketch book? Share with me if you want- I would love to see it!

Here are the supplies I used for this spread

nSupplies



Nat

Comments (10)

  • Andrene

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    EEK!!!! I love the elephant!! Cant wait to get it and use it with your elephant stencil which is one of my faves! All of the sets are fantastic and will definitely find a home with me!

    Reply

    • Andrene

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      Sorry! For some reason this posted under the wrong blog entry!

      Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    Heheheh – I love this post… even read it to hubby who also keeps up with you thru me Nat!!! We both were totally laughing and saying YES YES YES…. you got it… sounds GREAT – you go girl!!!!

    Loved your journal page too – it’s soooo fun.

    I don’t have a word. I have never done that before…. and I have thought and thought and thought but I just don’t have one. I have been a giver ALL my life… in fact find it hard to receive. I’m not a gracious receiver at all!!! So… I thought of the word FAVOR… because for once… it would be so fun to see something I did succeed (like to seel a painting – heheeheh) or for some tiny dream of mine related to my art to come true. But then I decided that sounded so selfish!!!!!! And I have no respect for selfish people so I threw Favor out too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW… I’m overthinking!!! Anyway – enough rambling!!!

    WE LOVE YOUR WORD….. j.

    Reply

  • michelleward

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    Awesome page Nathalie. And great word for you. Taken with the spirit intended. I don’t do word-for-the-year, but if I did I might swipe yours :)

    Reply

  • Donna B.

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    Interesting you chose that word, Nat. For many of the same reasons, I’m going to choose the word “Movement” for me — but not only for the reasons you meant, but also, my word means that I have to get out there and exercise as well. Let’s hope our words work for both of us!!

    Reply

  • Gayle

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    I was slow deciphering that word, then looked it up! YEAH! LOVE IT! Here’s was a great definition: “Engaging in seemingly impossible activities and achieving success in a manner that renders all onlookers completely awestruck.” Now that’s a tribe I definitely want to be a part of. All the best in living out your marvelous word.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love your word and not sure what mine will be this year.
    Leaning towards SIMPLIFY with a focus on getting rid of many physical belonging that are taking up too much space in my house and getting in the way.

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    I love your word and your spread. Very cool. You are badass and always inspire. Happy New Tear my Badass Teacher and friend (FB). You are great.

    Reply

  • Jenny Petricek

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    Gritty textures and great color combo! A perfect way to ring in 2016!

    Reply

  • Kelly Belton

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    It ‘s a great word Nat – always empowering!

    Reply

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Winding Down the Year: My Top Ten Creative Results 2015

It has become a tradition of mine and other blogger friends to wind down the year with some  Top “insert number”- Lists of work , posts and photos, before the year ends. It makes me go back and look at what I have done and accomplished and it also makes me dwell in memories. Too often we forget about the things we did and accomplished throughout the year- often just bashing ourselves for not fulfilling all the wonderful new year’s resolutions from last year.  Maybe this makes you wanna do it too – if so – share :)

In no particular order here my personal faves of my art journal pages and paintings:

1. High Line – Mixed Media Painting

I fell in Love with the background a soon as I had it laid down, causing quite some struggle to let go and go ahead- but that is why I like it the more :) Not my usual color scheme, but one that I am glad I plaid with.

2. Good Bye – Art Journal Spread

I love the grungy yet romantic feeling of this page and I had a good time getting some journaling out in an obscured way.

3. Stay Out of The Drama – Art Journal Spread

I loved playing with different media and my Stampendous Stamps and Stencils and the drama of the red dress…the only drama which you might wanna get into ;)

4. Reality – Art Journaling Spread

Speaking of Red …This one is also one of my favorites, I did a lot of collaging in the background and I just love how this one came together.

5. The Real Weird Magical Person – Art Journaling Spread

I made my own building stencil and layered it and did positive and negative imagery with it – I love the bold black and the almost translucent magical person ;)

6. Girlfriends – Art Journal Spread

This is another page that I really like- I like the journaling in the middle of the spine – and the difference yet similarity of the pages. Also some white space…which I know, is unusual for me.

7. On My Way Home – Art Journal Spread

HA- I guess I really liked my building stencil…which btw is based on the Jersey City Powerhouse. I do love the background and how the building really is prominent in here.

8. Finally Be You – Art Journal Spread

It is kinda scary but kinda cool – and I love the texture and layers.

9. State of Mind – Art Journal Spread

hahaha- I know I am a weirdo, but this one just makes me laugh every time I see it. I guess…the title is fitting ;)

10. 2 Tallest – Mixed Media Painting

This is a bigger painting, so it doesn’t translate well as a photo on a blog. I like the colors and I achieved what I had in mind when I was going for only a small city skyline. I had a good time creating it.

What I learned:

I definitely took more of the things that I explored in my art journal onto a canvas. I also did more hidden or obscured journaling which I find a great exercise in the morning to start the day and also do something creative. I also learned that starting off with playing in the art journal before continuing painting on canvas, freed me up and made me ready to start. A good habit to keep.

My goal for 2016:

My goal for 2015 was working in general on way bigger surfaces- but that didn’t work out too well. I really want to make an effort to do that in 2016 …a bit hard in a small studio space, but I will figure it out. I also just want to paint more …when I looked at my work in 2015 I realized that I did pay less when I actually thought I had, not a big surprise given that I was traveling madly for workshops this year and an art journal is bit more handy to lug around ;) Cross fingers 2016 will be the year of bigger paintings

Hope you had fun joining me in winding down the year. If you did it too- share with me- I would love to see your best of list!

I hope I see you at Creative Jumpstart– starting tomorrow and wish you all a

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!!!!!

love&hug

Nat

Comments (3)

  • chesley

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    Nathalie…do I see Stencil Girl in your future? As you designing stencils…buildings, in particular? I would love to have asset of these….very awesome work!

    Reply

  • Jenny Petricek

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    Beautiful, gorgeous pages–each and every one is so inspiring! I think it’s amazing to look at the pages of art journals, and to see the ways in which artists try new techniques, color palettes, and styles. Thanks for posting all of them!

    Reply

  • Joi@RR

    |

    HAPPY NEW YEAR Nat.

    Oh how I loved seeing all of these. Each one is special in a different way. My very favorite is the first one – the high line. You are so right – that background is spectacular. And the buildings – they just put me in a state of awe… I love everything about those buildings. But you know how much I love your buildings.. Your building stencil is sooo great – I so enjoy when you use it. And the large painting is stunning – WOW.

    So after we leave the buildings…. it gets harder but… I believe my next favorite – you won’t believe it…. is “state of mind”. It reminds me of me!!! I used to be so concerned about being “right” and “proper” when in reality – I never was… I am just so “weird”! BUT, I finally realized – that’s ok. It’s me and I can’t change it!! So – this journal creation really speaks to me. And… that’s one thing I love about you Nat – you are just YOU – and I like YOU too!!!

    And then….next fav – “stay out of the drama”. Sheer perfection there – the background – the gal – the sentiment – it’s just says it all in such a fabulous way.

    Each one of these is just wonderful in it’s own way… such a GREAT way to start my New Year – seeing your FANTASTIC creations. Thanks bunches. Wishing you a BLESSED, HAPPY, PROSPEROUS and BRIGHT 2016 with LUSCIOUS SURPRISES along the way!! Hugs. j.

    Reply

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Action Today or … In My Art Journal Today

ActionToday01

My wonderful friend Karen posted her quote on her facebook page and inspired me to create this journal spread:

“Be in action today to create the tomorrow of your dreams” – Karen C. Auld. There is so much truth in this- love it!

ActionToday02

The colors were inspired by the flowers that are blooming again on my deck …it is crazy warm here for this time of the year!

actionInspo

I painted the background with different shades and tones of green and then used a spray painted stencil to create a reverse imprint on the spread. It was a quick page- but it felt good to get the hands messy and enjoy some beautiful colors.

ActionToday03

the poor girl looks a bit pale- I think she needs some action ;) I used pencils and markers as well as some other pens for her.

I will post the supply list at the end!

—– On another note! I am coming back to Sweden – Stockholm for some workshops next year – May 27-29, 2016 – woot woot!!!! —-

Check out the announcement and classes here if you are in the area – I would love to see you!!!!

 

I taught at this event a couple years ago and it was amazing – I am looking forward seeing some familiar and also some new faces again!

…….and here as promised the supply list for the art journal spread –

nSupplies



I wish you a gorgeous day!

Nat

Comments (1)

  • Joi@RR

    |

    What a neat project. I’m sure that my take is totally off the wall but here it is. The background is so light and airy and cheerful – so fun. But the figure is so much darker, grungy, hooded… stagnant looking. Then your sentiment…. tells me that there are opportunities and dreams to be had but only if we are not stagnant – only if we don’t lose hope… and for me… only if I dare to dream!!!!!! Great message here – thank you Nat!!! j.

    Reply

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Oh Hello or … In My Art Journal Today

NatKalbach_OhHello01

Oh Hello! “If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello!”

I liked this quote – I said goodbye to a couple things last month and apparently what I thought to be a terrible thing, opened new doors :) You never know, right. But I do believe that everything happens for a reason and that “everything will work out” in the end. Hey – if we hadn’t had that optimism what else would be left sometimes ;)

NatKalbach_OhHello02

For this page I collaged some book paper onto the surface, painted it, then covered some areas with masking tape and wax, painted over again, heated the wax, removed it, removed the masking tape and painted some areas again. Love the peeled paint effect. Makes me really happy! You can see a whole list of supplies on the bottom of this post.

……

Don’t forget to sign up for Creative JumpStart with a total discount of 20 Percent if you sign up with a coupon code:

CJS2016web1

You get 25 videos for just $45 (USD) for a limited time if you sign up before December 31, 2015 at 11:59 pm (EST)! After December 31st, 2015 it will be 50 USD.

But wait – it gets better: as my valued reader, you’ll get $5 extra off today. Just use this coupon code during checkout:

cjs2016

*This is a limited offer valid from 10:00 am Dec 4, 2015 to 11:59 pm EST on Dec 11, 2015.

 

—–

nSupplies



Have a wonderful day!

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Joi@RR

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    What fun – the tape and wax – really made this creation unique Nat and of course – LOVE the orangish colors!!! I bet you are missing having Julie close by and I truly do hope saying goodbye brings some new hello’s for you – for sure! j.

    Reply

  • Jenny Petricek

    |

    Great page! Love the vivid colors and the subject matter! :-)

    Reply

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