Nov11

Shine on misfit!

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Have you ever felt like a misfit?

Today I pay homage to the king of misfits and an entire genre of misfit art. Rudolph has been on air (and in the air) for more than 50 years and he is still a misfit. Then there is Steampunk–how can a genre that combines Victorian fashion and 19th century steam-powered industrial machinery with technology, sci-fi and fantasy not be a misfit?

I hope you check it out at the Altered Pages blog. In the meantime I hope everyone who feels like a misfit can soar as high as Rudolph. Shine on!

Nov4

2015 guest designer for Gina’s Designs

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

2015 guest designer for Gina’s Designs

Here in the U.S. we celebrate Thanksgiving during the month of November, and I am overflowing with gratitude this month because Gina’s Designs asked me to serve as their 2015 November Guest Designer. Read the rest of this entry →

Nov3

Adding some color into winter days

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Adding some color into winter days

When the beautiful colors of fall have disappeared, the scenery can get sometimes pretty stark up here in the Northland. I try to add as much color as possible indoors and out to my winter days.

You can see how I decorated my lilac trees last year. If only the snow always stayed that pretty! I can tell you that is not going to happen when you live in the heart of the city.

This year, I have already begun working on adding some indoor color. Here is a mixed media tag I made this week full of rich, vibrant color. I shared the tutorial on the ColourArte site. I hope you check it out. Read the rest of this entry →

Oct31

Oh so hip artist trading block–part two

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Oh so hip artist trading block–part two

Please visit the wonderful gang over at the Robin’s Nest to see the tutorial for Part Two of the Mid-Century Artist Trading Block, celebrating the marvelous mid-century.

Oct30

Oh so hip artist trading block–Part one

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Oh so hip artist trading block–Part one

I’m back with another artist trading block–this one celebrating the marvelous mid-century. Read all about how to make it over at he Robin’s Nest.

Oct28

Pastels and embossing ink make a nifty background

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Pastels and embossing ink make a nifty background

Paper-Calliope-for-Altered-Pages-Royal-Card-1

I use a nifty technique with pastels and embossing ink to create backgrounds for greeting cards over at Altered Pages this week. I hope you drop by for a visit. I will send you lots of air kisses if you leave a message there.

Paper-Calliope-forAltered-Pages-Royal-Card-Tutorial--Card--12

I used the technique to make this birthday card, which I already gave to someone special. I hope she liked it. Here’s some more backgrounds I made. It’s kind of addicting.

Read the rest of this entry →

Oct20

I only have (dragon) eyes for you

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

I only have (dragon) eyes for you

With Halloween coming, all the witches and wizards need to make sure they are amply supplied with toes of frog and eyes of dragons (sorry Mr. Shakespeare). I got busy in my studio and brewed up this altered art concoction for the folks at ColourArte.

Great stuff you will need

Radiant Rains: Sunburst, Spanish Moss, Ginger Peach, Ocean Wave, Teal Zicon
Twinkling H20s: Kiwi, Lemondrop and Hopeful Honeysuckle from the Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Set
Silks Acrylic Glazes: Spiced Pumpkin, Olive Vine, and Azurite
White cardstock
Off-white cardstock
Black marker
Ranger Inkssentials Crackle Accents Precision Tip, 2-Ounce
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Vintage Photo
Pebeo Gedeo Crystal Resin, 150ml
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 4-Ounce
Journal
Old photo cover
Chipboard
Three-dimensional adhesive dots
Utility blade

Oct14

Christmas is on my mind (apparently something a little less saintly is too)

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Christmas is on my mind (apparently something a little less saintly is too)

I know Halloween hasn’t arrived yet, but I really love making Altoid altered art Christmas ornaments. (Now if I could only figure out how to use up all those mints!).

Please check out my tutorial over at Altered Pages for this Mid Century Retro Altered Art Altoid Tin Christmas Ornament.

What the hell is reflected in that lid????

Could this be craft porn taken to new extremes? I swear I don’t have naked men lounging about my studio admiring reflections of their love rods in my craft supplies. Really I don’t!

How do you know I’m telling the truth? Because if that were happening, there certainly would not be so much crafting going on.

Oct7

Check out this boo-ti-ful Halloween tag

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Check out this boo-ti-ful Halloween tag

You know the expression, a day late and a dollar short? Well since I’m eight months late with my 12 Tags of 2015, it’s a good thing you can’t put a value on art or I would be short a whole wad of moolah.

I may be late, but I sure as heck had a lot of fun creating the Tim Holtz August 2015 Tag. To see the tutorial for what ended up being layer upon layer of Halloween goodness, please visit my post on Altered Pages.

Oct6

Coffin’ up some more Halloween goodness

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Coffin’ up some more Halloween goodness

I’m coffin’ up some more Halloween goodness over at the ColourArte blog today with this Pile of Bones Treat Coffin. I hope you stop by and leave a little love.