n*Studio | Artful Adventures

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Artful Adventures // BeautifulDay

It’s my turn on the n*Studio blog today! Which means that it’s time to share last month’s project with you here!

Artful Adventures

Last month the n*Studio Creative Squad worked with Nathalie Kalbach’s new book Artful Adventures in Mixed Media (aff. link), to help find inspiration as we travel (or roam around the neighbourhood).

I didn’t leave the country this summer, but I did have a couple of artful adventures in Amsterdam. I documented one of them in my Traveler’s Notebook.

Read the how-to in this post on Nathalie’s blog: Artful Adventures – Marsha Valk

Curious about my project for September? Head on over here: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Marsha Valk

Materials used
n*Studio for Stencil Girl Products Amsterdam Stencil
n*Studio for Stencil Girl Products Chicago Stencil
n*Studio for Stencil Girl Products Mesa Verde Stencil

Other supplies:
Derwent Inktense Pencils (I have a set of 36 of which I used: Cherry, Fuchsia, Ink Black, Peacock Blue, Poppy Red, Sun Yellow, Teal Green)
Pentel Aquash Waterbrush
uniPosca markers (black PC-5m and PC-1m)
Sakura Pigma Micron 05

Please note that though some of the supplies were given to me, I will not benefit from any sales generated by the links!

n*Studio | Pattern Lovers Love Patterns

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Pattern Lovers Love Patterns

It’s my turn on the n*Studio blog today! Which means that it’s time to share last month’s project with you here!

Pattern Lovers Love Patterns

Last month the n*Studio Creative Squad assignment was to play with pattern, in my case using Nathalie’s Santiago Stencil and the Embroidery Stamp Set!

And because Harold and I were redecorating the living room, I thought I’d alter a couple of plain white tiles so we can use them as coasters.

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Pattern Lovers Love Patterns

Read the how-to in this post on Nathalie’s blog: Pattern Lovers Love Patterns – Marsha Valk.

Curious about my project for July? Head on over here: Free For All – Marsha Valk.

Materials used
n*Studio Santiago Stencil 9″x12″
n*Studio Embroidery Cling Rubber Stamp Set

White ceramic tiles
Porcelain paint
Cosmetic sponge
(Washi) tape

Please note that though some of the materials were given to me, I will not benefit from any sales generated by the links!

n*Studio | Live Like it’s Spring

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Live Like It's Spring

It’s my turn on the n*Studio blog today! Which means that it’s time to share last month’s project with you here!

Live Like it’s Spring

Last month the assignment, in short, was ‘Create in the Spirit of Spring’, using any of the new Wanderlust stencils.

It made me think of ‘When it’s Spring again I’ll bring again…’ Tulips from Amsterdam! Created in my craft room about 50 km east of Amsterdam… but that’s near enough I think ;-).

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Live Like It's Spring

You can read the how-to in this post on Nathalie’s blog: Live Like it’s Spring – Marsha Valk.

And just in case you are curious about my creative and photographic take on today’s Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge prompt, then head on over to Nat’s blog too: Out and About – Marsha Valk.

Materials used
Stencil Girl Products – n*Studio Amsterdam Stencil 9″x12″
Stencil Girl Products – n*Studio Buenos Aires Stencil 9″x12″
Stencil Girl Products – n*Studio Manhattan Stencil 9″x12″
Stencil Girl Products – n*Studio Mesa Verde Stencil 9″x12″
Stencil Girl Products – n*Studio Santiago Stencil 9″x12″
Stencil Girl Products – n*Studio Toledo Stencil 9″x12″
Copy paper (80gsm)
Drawing paper (Fabriano, 160gsm)
Gelli plate (Gelli Arts, 5”x7” and 8”x10”)
Brayer
Acrylic paint (Royal Talens Amsterdam)
Matte medium (Liquitex)

Please note that though a couple of these materials were given to me, I will not benefit from sales generated by the links!

n*Studio | Let’s Go Somewhere

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Let's Go Somewhere \\ Faux Batik Stamping & Embossing

It’s my turn on the n*Studio blog today! Which from now on means that I’m going to share last month’s project with you here!

Let’s Go Somewhere…

Somewhere exotic… somewhere where there are palm trees… cocktails… and where the women wear beautiful patterned summer dresses in vivid colours!

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Let's Go Somewhere \\ Faux Batik Stamping & Embossing

The assignment was to use the Batik Art Foamies and batik only means one thing to me: fabric.

I decided to create patterned designs using embossing powder instead of wax in an attempt to make my paper look like batiked fabric. I’m not sure I succeeded, but it was a fun experiment!

Here’s the step-by-step video tutorial. There are a lot of repeat steps, to create a multi-layered look!

Materials used
RubberMoon – n*Studio Embroidery Cling Rubber Stamp Set
Art Foamies – n*Studio Batik Pattern 3 Foam Stamp
Stencil Girl Products – n*Studio Batik Stencil

Canson Mix Media Imagine (this is paper with only a light grain)
WOW! Clear Ultra Slow Drying Embossing Pad
WOW! Clear Gloss Regular Embossing Powder
Royal Talens Ecoline (201 Light Yellow, 334 Scarlet, 506 Ultramarine Dark, 578 Cyan, 580 Pastel Blue)
Posca marker (PC-1M black)

Please note that some of these materials were given to me, but I will not benefit from sales generated by the links!

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Let's Go Somewhere \\ Faux Batik Stamping & Embossing

Find the written steps on Nathalie Kalbach’s blog: Let’s Go Somewhere – Marsha Valk.

And just in case you want to see what I have up my sleeve for the March n*Studio Creative Squad theme… Here’s a link to the new blog post too: Say it like you Mean it – Marsha Valk!

n*Studio | Retrospective

Time flies when you’re having fun! Next month marks my one year anniversary with the n*Studio Creative Squad!

There’s a brand new project up on Nathalie Kalbach’s blog today. This time the theme is Let’s Go Somewhere and I even created a video tutorial to go along with it, so be sure to check that out here!

I haven’t shared any of the completed projects I made for the Creative Squad so far, so if you haven’t been visiting my friend Nathalie’s blog, you’re in for a treat!

Looking back on everything I created in the past year, I see some of my absolute favourites among the n*Studio projects. Nat (and her awesome assistant Kim)’s monthly prompts always seem to bring out the best in me.

Nat’s designs are of course also right up my alley, so I truly enjoy working with her stamps and stencils and I think that shows!

But you don’t have to believe my word for it… Take a look for yourself!

Click on the photo if you want to know more about the project, the materials I used and what prompted me to create it. The link will take you to the original blog post on Nathalie’s blog.

Opposites Attract
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Opposites Attract \\ Gelli Prints

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Opposites Attract \\ Gelli Prints

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Opposites Attract \\ Gelli Prints

My City Speaks to Me
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: My City Speaks to Me \\ art journal page

Elephants Never Forget
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Elephants Never Forget \\ Mixed media woodpanel

My Own Drum
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: My Own Drum \\ Mixed media cards

Letter to My Future Self
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Letter to My Future Self \\ Mixed media art journal page A4

Say Yes to New Adventures
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Say Yes to New Adventures \\ Gelli printed accordion booklet

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Say Yes to New Adventures \\ Gelli printed and doodled accordion booklet

Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Say Yes to New Adventures \\ Gelli printed and doodled accordion booklet

From Small Beginnings
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: From Small Beginnings \\ Mixed media scrapbook page A4

Today is the Day
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Today is the Day \\ DIY Mixed Media Planner Dividers

Good Things Just Keep Happening
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Good Things Just Keep Happening \\ Mixed Media Gelli Prints

Return to the Light
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Return to the Light \\ DIY stenciled votive candle holders

Dream a New Dream
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Dream a New Dream \\ Mixed Media Art Journaling Page

Let’s Go Somewhere
Marsha Valk | n*Studio: Let's Go Somewhere \\ sneak peakCheck out my latest n*Studio Creative Squad project on Nat’s blog.

Enjoy your day!