Category Archives: Altered art

Heads may roll when you go to the zoo

Heads may roll when you go to the zoo

Coming to you straight from my vacation dockside are these zoo tags.

GSL-Zoo-tagsl-by-Betsy-Skagen-0123

First there is the Pretty in Pink flamingo nestled within his cage. The` second tag features Mr. Tiger.

GSL-Zoo-tagsl-by-Betsy-Skagen-0144

In addition to using the amazing GSL chipboard, both of them feature some of my newest digital image releases–At the Zoo #1 and In the Garden – Bird Cages.

GSL-Zoo-tagsl-by-Betsy-Skagen-0151 Read the rest of this entry

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams

Eleanor Roosevelt’s statement, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” is so powerful in my life right now that it inspired me to make this mixed media piece.

While mixed media in its strictest definition is not one of my strongest skill sets, I am always trying to learn more and improve little by little.

I am pleased to say Gyspy Soul Laser Cuts was kind enough to feature this work on their blog.

GSL-Moon-Girl-by-Betsy-Skagen-0271

Read the rest of this entry

Part 2 Tutorial on making the Never Ending Book plus secret forgotten pages

Part 2 Tutorial on making the Never Ending Book plus secret forgotten pages
Part 2 Tutorial on making the Never Ending Book plus secret forgotten pages

Have you ever felt something similar to a panic attack? Writing Part 2 of the Tutorial for the Never Ending Book certainly brought it on for me. First, I misplaced my notes. This book is ginormous, so if I did not have my notes, there would be no way I could recall how to make the pages.

After searching through my my messy office and then my even messier studio, I finally remembered I had written Part 1 of the Tutorial while sitting in a hospital waiting room. I looked in my book bag and  found my notes. Phew!

GSL-Album-by-Betsy-Skagen-094246

Read the rest of this entry

It’s here! Part 1 of the tutorial for the Never Ending Book

It’s here! Part 1 of the tutorial for the Never Ending Book

GSL-Album-by-Betsy-Skagen-092238

In my last post I introduced you the Never Ending Book. Filled with flaps and fold-outs, the book is absolutely ginormous. Because of its magnitude, we are breaking it down into a few blog posts. You can explore a fun overview of the book here.

This is Part 1 of the Tutorial, in which I show you how to make the cover, book foundation and some of the pages. Read the rest of this entry

This is the altered art album that never ends

This is the altered art album that never ends

GSL-Album-by-Betsy-Skagen-092002

This is the book that never ends. It goes on and on my friends. Betsy started it, not knowing what it was…

Sorry, not sorry for that little earworm. But it perfectly describes this extensive album I made. Designed to hold photos or other scrapbook mementos, this album featured on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Blog offers page after page of surprise pockets, flaps, folds and hidden pages.

GSL-Album-by-Betsy-Skagen-092014

Because this book is so big, I am just going to give you an overview of it in today’s post. Then, in later posts at Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, I will provide tutorials on how to make the book. Read the rest of this entry

Getting rusty

Getting rusty

Rust-tag-by-Betsy-Skagen-

Remember when rust was considered a bad thing? Now altered art enthusiasts cannot get enough of it. In fact, we even try to turn not-metallic things to rust. All the elements on this tag are paper, yet adding some paint techniques to Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Lock and key really makes them appear rusty.

Rust-tag-by-Betsy-Skagen-114118

I wanted to share this tutorial which was recently featured at Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. I learned the basics of this faux rust technique from watching tutorials by Andy Skinner. I took his basic technique and adjusted it to my own whim and supplies on hand. Of course, the snark is pure Betsy Skagen! Read the rest of this entry

Breaking news: E. Bunny reveals how he delivers that Easter candy

Breaking news: E. Bunny reveals how he delivers that Easter candy

Easter-Wagon-by-Betsy-Skagen--12

The chocolate eggs and jelly beans have all been delivered (and probably eaten) by now, but I’m certain many of you are still wondering how Mr. Easter Bunny gets all those baskets delivered on Easter Morn. He certainly doesn’t have the benefit of flying reindeer.

You can put all your wondering to rest because for the first time in the history of Easter Baskets, Mr. Bunny aka Peter Cottontail recently revealed to Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts just how he gets those candies to you.

Easter-Wagon-by-Betsy-Skagen-

Read the rest of this entry

Look who is hosting Easter Tea

Look who is hosting Easter Tea

GSL-Easter-Tea-final-by-Betsy-Skagen-120118

Easter may be right around the corner, but even Peter Cottontail takes time now and then to enjoy the spring air in his outdoor kitchen and serve his friends tea, carrots and jellybeans.

GSL-Easter-Tea-by-Betsy-Skagen-165553

Those not indulging in treats relax outside listening to the babble of the water fountain and smelling the blossoming flowers. Truth be told, I’m frustrated with this project because it is sooooo much cuter in person, than it appears in photos. I simply could not photograph it well. Gah!

Read the rest of this entry

This is me

This is me

CCB-Wishes-by-Betsy-Skagen-161423

Canvas Corp has the spotlight on my Artist Trading Block today.  “Wishes” is an altered art sculpture about my past and present. It is me. The little girl in the photo is me around four years old. I was wearing a big hat, facing a big world, and had big wishes and big opportunities in front of me. Read the rest of this entry