Blog: Stencil Girl Products

Do What Makes You Happy … or In My Art Journal

NatKalbachDWMH01

Here is one of my pages of the Art Journal I showed you in my Flip-Thru Video recently. As promised I will show some pages in more detail.

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I painted the background with a light grey acrylic paint and then started layering up some stencils, stamps and templates with different colors – going from light to darker colors.

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I used a cosmetic sponge to apply acrylic paint through the Elephant March stencil but to have a better contrast of the elephant versus the busy background I also traced the stencil after the paint dried with a black pen. In the blanket I used different acrylic marker colors and blended them over the stencil with my finger.

I applied the chipboard letters with Gel Medium – since this is the best way to make sure they stick and stay. A fun and colorful page – made me happy ;)

nSupplies



Thanks for coming by and have a wonderful sunny day!

Nat

Comments (3)

  • Amante del Papel

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    THis elefant is absolutely amazing!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    My plan is to do much that makes me happy today as I’m 50 today!
    One friend is taking me out to lunch and my family is taking me out to dinner. The weather is perfect and life is good. I do so love these words and plan to do a page in my art journal using them. Now why didn’t I think of going back over the stencil with marker after the paint have dried.

    Reply

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On My Mind Art Journal Flip Thru

I finished this art journal filled with quotes and things on my mind in a very short period of time. I thought I would film a little flip thru it .

If you do not like the music, just mute it and play your own ;)

On my Mind ArtJournal Flip Through from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

 

I will show some of the pages in the next couple weeks in detail and also explain how I made them. Hope you like this little flip thru

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (17)

  • Kim T

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    I’m new to your site, via Julie Balzer … so glad I signed up, this is AMAZING, loved everything and agree with others, the music was perfect and the journal … so inspiring, beautiful, edgy and I want to learn how to do that! Many thanks … !

    Reply

  • anadeisabel

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    Dear Nat, thanks a lot for this video. So marvellous pages. Looking forward to a more detailed approach to the how to… Regards,

    Reply

  • JoAnn

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    Loved it, including the music. Great way to start the day. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  • Milagros

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    It’s fabulous, beautiful!!! thanks Nath for this video. Hughs

    Reply

  • Carol

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    This was fabulous and the music was perfect. All of the quotes were great too and the images!…. I could go on and on. Do you have a video showing how you make your journals?

    Reply

  • Jennifer Palmer

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    Wow Nat
    That was so good I don’t need a chocolate fix today lol
    You really are amazing in your art
    Thanks for the flip thru
    Jenny from Tassie

    Reply

  • Gunvor

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    Thanks for sharing your art journal! The pages are absolutely fabulous!

    Reply

  • Laura

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    I really enjoyed this flip through and admire both you and your work.
    Also, I have a craving for marshmallows on skewers after one of the pages! :)

    Reply

  • Joan von Metzinger

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    Natalie, your journal was really uplifting for me!! You have done amazing work and are an inspiration to us that are amateurs learning to better… Thank you for what you offer us in your blog and sharing on a regular basis. Xxoo

    Reply

  • MaggieM

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    Such a cool journal, Nat! I love all of the colors…loved the page with the lady sitting in the innertube with “you decide”, just terrific! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing creativity:) Hugs, Maggie

    Reply

  • jenirae

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    I LOVE your journal. It really made me smile and I feel inspired! Thank you!

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    is absolutely amazing!

    Reply

  • Barbara Albrecht

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    Loved the flip-thru! Thanks for taking time to show us your journal. Can’t wait to see/hear how you created your spreads.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Nat, I did not like the flipthrough, I LOVED it!
    Watched while I had my morning cereal…perfect music for it.
    The “time” page and the “not trying to be perfect” page caught my eye a great deal. Thanks so much for sharing this with your fans.

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    So very cool! Thanks Nat! How did you get those photos down?! I know it wasn’t just a bunch of fussy cutting! Lol. Looking forward to your commentary :)

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    So very awesome! I just love your style….had to watch twice and know I will go back for more! Thank you for sharing these amazing ideas with us through your journal!

    Reply

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designed by n*Studio features: Riikka Kovasin

One of the things that make me really giddy is when I spy someone using my new stamps by Stampendous or also my Stencils with StencilGirl Products :) So I thought once in a while I would feature the work of those wonderful talented people with a new Series called: designed by n*Studio features:…..

And today I feature: Riikka Kovasin

I met Riikka several times online and offline as my student in my Mixed Media classes and it has always been a delight to have this super talented girl. I love what she did with my stamps and templates so without further ado..here is what Riikka has to say and show herself :)

me

Hello there! I am Riikka Kovasin. I’m a mixed media style scrapbooker from Finland. I adore getting my hands into paints and mists! To me the process of creating is equally important than the finished page. I think that scrapbooking is a form of self-expression and I’m creating pages partly because of that and partly because I want to document our lives to my two children.

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I was fortunate enough to meet Nathalie during an event by her and Birgit Koopsen in the Netherlands. There I got the chance to see her stencils live and bought myself one of them. I immediately fell in love with the crackle stencil and now I only regret that I didn’t get other designs, too! I’ve used the stencil in several projects already and my husband was inspired by it when he was designing his guitar. In these projects I used it to make an embossed piece of vellum.

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I like how versatile the pattern is and how you can create a subtle effect with it or go bold. It goes perfectly to vintage style, but can also be used in modern ones!

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When I first saw Nathalie’s stamp designs I knew I had to get some! They are so perfect for backgrounds and layering! They’re unique in their designs and have a lovely mixed media feeling in them.

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I love the circular designs and my absolute favorite is the stitched style circle.

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And who wouldn’t like something extra – I love the fact that all the sets include a stencil, too!

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I used the extra stencil in the other layout to create the background and the “Wired” stamp set in both layouts and the cards.

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Thank you so much Riikka, I love how you used the Crackle Stencil on the vellum and the beautiful colorful way with embossing powders you used the stencil in the Wired Stamp Set as well as the Stamps. Gorgeous!

Here are the n*Studio products that Riikka used:

nSupplies




thank you for visiting today- have a gorgeous day
Nat

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Nat

Comments (5)

  • Kripa

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    Love the Los and d card too. You work magic with ur supplies riikka

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Hello, Riikka! Love what you have done in today’s post! You’ve made me decide that I must have those stencils!!!! Thanks for your inspiration!

    Reply

  • Riikka

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    Thank you so much for having me here Nat! <3

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    Love how Rikka used your Stencil and stamps. Love the texture and color on the vellum. Beautiful! Love seeing all the wonderful artist using your awesome stamps and stencils. It is so inspiring.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Great cards and I love the LO’s too!
    I just used one of Nat’s stamps to do a background page in my art journal (the long one that looks like a weaving).

    Reply

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Goals & Dreams – Art Journal Page

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

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

nSupplies



Have a beautiful day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (5)

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    FabUlous!!

    Reply

  • Jackie P Neal

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

    Reply

  • Tracy

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

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    amazing page!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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

    Reply

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Become Your Dream – Art Journal Page

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Become your Dream – it’s up to you!

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

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

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

nSupplies



Have a beautiful day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (4)

  • Denise spillane

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    Love these pages. Great stencils

    Reply

  • Tracy

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

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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

    Reply

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Elephant Collages or…how to play and transform

NatKalbachCollages

Last week I was playing with some collages for the upcoming workshop where I will co-teach with my sweet friend Julie Fei-Fan Balzer at The InkPad. The class is sold out – sorry – there is a waiting list.

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As you might know I love elephants- hence the Elephant stencil I created for Stencil Girl Products.

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I played with lot’s of paint and also the What’s The Point Stencil here as well as with some of my new Stampendous  stamps.

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And with mostly the same materials I created this collage – which looks totally different

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I used also Jamie Dougherty’s beautiful Bloom Girl Stamp in the collage- can you see where? :)

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That was fun – I am going to do more of those. I mounted both on a wooden canvas – which was a tip by Julie.

Which one of the two do you like better?

Here is a list of some of the things I used



huge hugs

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Nat

Comments (15)

  • Marcia

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    The elephants are STUNNING. I love the intense color, the layers, all of it.

    Reply

  • giseladeister

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    Ich liebe Deinen Elefanten. Leider hat ihn hier niemand.
    Beide Werke sind sehr schön, aber der Elephant ” Play” gefällt mir am besten.

    Reply

  • darlene

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    Now that I see this work I’m extra happy that I have the elephant stencil. Excited about your new mesh stamps too. This is beautiful work. Sounds like a wonderful workshop.

    Reply

  • Caroline Duncan

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    These both are outstanding and so gorgeous!!! I cant pick one to be my favorite… I think they look terrific together. Now the elephant stencil is on my must have list!!! LOL Congrats that your Ink Pad class is sold out! Maybe you’ll come down to NC or VA, closer than the Ink Pad and I’d be there in a flash!!

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    Love these. I love everything about them. The colors are yummy and so much texture. I have the elephant from club and will try some of this. I want to make my guest room black and white with accessories like your elephants bright and beautiful colors!

    Reply

  • jackiepn

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    Both elephants are gorgeous- but I have to admit- Transform is my FAV! I love that colour combination!!!

    Reply

  • Mary K. Parker

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    Love colors of play best, but overall I like transform. The elephants eye is closed in play and that just looks more restful instead of playful…unless he’s playing hide & seek.

    Nope I didn’t see the doll stamp, I did like how it looks like they have rough skin though.

    Reply

  • Donna Sullivan

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    Love Play! But the use of polka dots on both are so much fun!

    Reply

  • andrene

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    Both are fabulous in their own way. I love the details and the bloom girl stamp in the elephant on Transform. But my eye is immediately drawn to the Play canvas each time I look at them. I think its because of the more subtle details in the elephant and background and the softer colors. Very pretty!

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

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    Wow, I didn’t notice the stamped image for what it is until you pointed it out. Very clever use of it. I am more drawn to the one on the left…PLAY because of the colors. I really like when you use these colors in your art. The pink is just too bright for me even though I do like the title of TRANSFORM. Kinda amazing how you can get such different results using the same materials.

    Reply

  • ddhurlbut

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    Your “transform” canvas is my favorite but they are BOTH beautiful! I love elephants too, got to get that stencil now, you’ve inspired me once again Nathalie! Thank you.

    Peace,
    Donna

    Reply

  • Janet

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    I love your elephants. Sophie’s eye works perfectly on the one! Beautiful textures and layers!

    Reply

  • jessicap1972

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    really lovely canvasses you did make. I and also my son love the elephant stencil.

    Reply

  • Sabine

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    Nice work, Nat!
    I like the “play”-painting better because of the colours. The pink one is a little too bold for my liking.
    Bit as I like elephants really much I would take both of them and hang them to my walls :-))
    Sabine

    Reply

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The Grass is Greener Where You Water It or…PanPastel Metallics

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The wonderful people at PanPastel sent me three pans with their new metallic colors to try out and since it is not a big secret that I really love PanPastels, I was looking forward playing with them.

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I created a PanPastel Background and then layered here and there some Parchment Paper over it with Matte Gel Medium. This also sealed the background, so that I wouldn’t have to use any fixative. On top the the texture that was created with the parchment paper I added some of the metallic colors . Then I layered my Arabesque Stencil over it and sprayed with Spray Paint.

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I also used the PanPastel Metallics for accents on the drawings on top of the acrylic markers. I love how you can achieve nice sparkly accents- although…it is so hard to photograph and capture this.

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I almost wish it was make up as those colors are so nice but let’s face it…I might be better painting on paper then in my face ;)

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Here are the supplies I used for this art journal spread

nSupplies

have a gorgeous day and don’t forget to water your own grass today :)

Nat

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Nat

Comments (9)

  • Mary C. Nasser

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    Nathalie, I absolutely ADORE these pages and seeing your process!
    Think I’m in trouble (in a good way!) because Pan Pastels come in metallics now! :)

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    Love this post…I was in need of a good laugh! Thank you. You’re too funny. Love that quote and I so want some pan pastels. I haven’t invested in them, yet, but they are on top of my want list. I know I will love them and from what I’ve read, they are a great bang for your buck. Got to get them soon!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love the quote and the page but wish that I could see the sparkle/metallic more.

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    You are too funny about painting your face. Love this page and I am going to get some metallics soon. I have to get my colors and play. The sentiment on the page is so true!

    Reply

  • Michell H.

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    Love this Nat!! Great sentiment and wonderful composition! Leaving comments has gotten really hard on my iTouch- I’d leave love on every post otherwise. you are kicking booty!

    Reply

  • Kirsten Alicia

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    Gorgeous page, love the stencilling & colours. I do not need metallic PPs… I do not need metallic PPs………

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Very cool pages, Nat—-love that quote, and the sparkle and texture! Thanks for the push to get out my pan pastels and play!

    Reply

  • Gerd Andersson

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    Just love this page! Your Arabesque stencil and the PanPastel Metallics are a must have!

    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

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And here is how I created this

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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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