Tag Archives: Tags

I need a tour guide

I need a tour guide

When most of the world is sheltering in place during the Coronavirus Pandemic, many artists and crafters are basking in creative time. I, however, am having the opposite experience. 

Because of a plethora of personal reasons, I have had little creative time. Plus, when I finally do get time to head up to the art studio, I either am too tired, or have faced a massive creative block. I need a tour guide to get me through this.

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Expanding Christmas Journal Part 2

Expanding Christmas Journal Part 2
Expanding Christmas Journal Part 2

This Expanding Christmas Journal is brimming with tags, magnetic enclosures and deep pockets so that you can store almost unlimited Christmas memories, photos, ideas or recipes.

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Because the tutorial for the Expanding Christmas Journal is so detailed, I decided to break it up into two parts. In case you have not seen Part 1 of the tutorial at Gypsy Soul to learn how to create the album base and the surprise fold-outs,I thought I would first provide a recap of the book. If you have already seen Part 1, then continue below for the rest of the tutorial. Read the rest of this entry

A new approach to altered tags–three dimensions

A new approach to altered tags–three dimensions
A new approach to altered tags–three dimensions

 The lifelike qualities of the Architextures mixed media embellishments almost demand a new kind of altered art tag.

You can see my unique answer to that call on the 7gypsies blog.

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Getting rusty

Getting rusty

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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.

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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

A little birdie told me Mother’s Day is drawing near

A little birdie told me Mother’s Day is drawing near
A little birdie told me Mother’s Day is drawing near

For moms of young kids, Mother’s Day can be difficult. I bitched for years about not being able to enjoy the “holiday” because it meant racing around trying to honor my mom, step-mom as well as my mother-in-law before she passed away. At least my husband would help my kids give me a gift–I know single moms have it harder.  .

Losing my Dad and nearly losing my mom this year gave me an attitude adjustment. Immensely grateful my mom is still with us, I am determined to relish this day. Read the rest of this entry

A riot of spring colors–butterfly tag tutorial

A riot of spring colors–butterfly tag tutorial

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The promise of spring is here in the Northland with budding lilac trees and shoots of green forcing their way through the still frozen earth. After months of bleak winter landscape, the vibrant colors and textures of spring are truly a rebirth. My three-dimensional butterfly tag is meant to reflect the wonderful assault of color that spring brings. Please visit the tutorial on how to make this fun take at the ColourArte Blog.

 

Paper-Calliope-CA-tutorial-122330 Read the rest of this entry

What’s on your bucket list

What’s on your bucket list

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What’s on your bucket list? My first post with Canvas Corp was on mine!.

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Life suddenly began whizzing by for The Husband™ and I. And, to tell the truth, it sometimes feels like there are a lot of missed opportunities.

As parents of kids with unique needs, we put many of our dreams on hold. Year after year, we avoided activities that required babysitters. We embraced staycations and we usually juggled far more stress than we could imagine. Yet, I would give anything to have my kids be little tykes again so that I could better appreciate that precious and fleeting time. Read the rest of this entry

Tag someone sweet with this mixed media Valentine

Tag someone sweet with this mixed media Valentine

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Have you completed all your Valentines cards yet? Don’t run out and buy those perforated factory-made cheapos just yet. You still have time to stun someone special with a dazzling creation.

And if they don’t ooh and ahhh with enough appreciation? Well then you can retaliate by keeping all the chocolate for yourself.

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Adding some color into winter days

Adding some color into winter days
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.

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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.

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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