Monthly Archives: August 2015

Aug31

Baby-snatching tornadoes and altered art–no really

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Baby-snatching tornadoes and altered art–no really

Today the Robin’s Nest is featuring Part Two of the tutorial of Behind the Curtain–a Steampunk Homage to Oz.

I’m proud of this shadowbox and encourage you to check it out. You can also read how it led to my memory of baby-snatching tornadoes.

I feel a little traumatized

You see, I felt I needed to explain over at the Robin’s Nest why I don’t really like the Wizard of Oz. That led me to explain my family’s long-running joke about how they forgot me during a tornado.

When tornado sirens sounded, my family retreated to the safety of the basement. Only then did they ask one another, “Do you have Betsy?”

Read the rest of this entry →

Aug30

An altered art steampunk homage to Oz

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

An altered art steampunk homage to Oz

“We’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz.”

Good morning. Now you can hate me all day for that ear worm. Actually, now that I typed it, I am kind of hating myself. Truth be told, I don’t even like the Wizard of Oz.

Why then did I create the altered art piece Behind the Curtain–A Steampunk Homage to Oz? Well you will just have to find out by clicking on this link. You will also get the benefit of seeing a fun two-part tutorial (complete with childhood trauma).

Aug26

Because I never want to forget the stupidest game ever

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Because I never want to forget the stupidest game ever

So one thing I learned from the Quintessential American Road Trip I took with my family this summer is that road trips are full of snapshot memories. Some are breathtaking, ~~some~~ too many are frustrating and a few are knee-slapping funny.

For example, it was amusing how for the first 20 hours of our trip, all four adult and near-adult human passengers got obsessed with the STUPIDEST GAME EVER (the dogs could care less). Here’s the objective: to count the most cows.

Yep, that’s it. Read the rest of this entry →

Aug19

Make this cute count down to school banner

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Make this cute count down to school banner

Summer may be waning, but you can still add excitement (and sneak in a little extra learning) to those last carefree days with this cute-as-can-be back-to-school countdown banner.

Your early learners are sure to love the bold graphics and colorful tassels as they count down the days until school begins. Each day features a special school-related activity that can make those yearly tasks a little more fun and help mentally prepare your child for the transition to the school year.

What’s more, you can sneak a little extra learning in by reviewing backwards counting, colors, days of the week and reading.

Read the rest of this entry →

Aug11

Pack your bags for the quintessential American road trip

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Pack your bags for the quintessential American road trip

One reason you haven’t heard from me recently is because my family just completed a quintessential American road trip traveling across Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and South Dakota.

We saw some of the United States’ most beautiful landscapes and national parks including Glacier National Park; Yellowstone; the Grand Tetons; the Badlands of North and South Dakota; and Mount Rushmore before returning to Minnesota, the beautiful land of 10,000 lakes. Read the rest of this entry →

Aug4

Good news keeps on rolling in

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Good news keeps on rolling in

I have even more good news that I’ve been keeping under wraps over here at Paper Calliope. I’ve been asked to join the Altered Pages Design team! I am excited to join this team as they have such a great reputation for fun themes, ideas and products. You can check out both the Altered Pages blog and its Facebook site.

One of the first projects I will be working on is a road trip project–which is perfect timing since my family just finished our quintessential American road trip.

I’m so grateful to the folks at Altered Pages for inviting me to join their team of talented artists.It should be a fun ride!