Tag Archives: summer

Summer at the shore–an altered art miniature beach scene with bait and snack shack

Summer at the shore–an altered art miniature beach scene with bait and snack shack
Summer at the shore–an altered art miniature beach scene with bait and snack shack

Nothing defines summer more than a sunny day at the beach–the sound of waves hitting the sandy shore, wooden docks, children laughing and cold drinks.

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I captured an idyllic summer moment by making a miniature scene with realistic water and sand, a bait and snack shack and an old wooden dock that is actually made from paper. Read the rest of this entry

Welcome to our cottage on the lake–sorry no synchronized flushes

Welcome to our cottage on the lake–sorry no synchronized flushes

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Next year will be the 75th anniversary of our family’s cottage and I thought it was high time to acknowledge our family’s long history with this humble yet special place on “da lake”.

Humble is not some half-hearted attempt at being polite. I literally mean humble. Our little log cabin has been flanked in recent years by McMansions haughtily looking down from climate-controlled alfresco kitchens and his and her en suites complete with synchronized flushing.

Betsy Skagen of Paper Calliope

That’s Me! On the back steps of The Cottage.

While I might not object to a few upgrades to our cottage–like being able to take a shower some place other than in the basement with chipmunks dashing in to sneak peeks at my lady parts, I cannot imagine replacing it with some giant lake home.

Our cottage has too much character, heart and history–from the open loft guaranteed to cause concussions in any adult over five feet tall, to the six-foot wide longhorn steer horns above the table that my grandfather acquired somewhere in Texas, to the 1960s retro motel towels that my uncle “borrowed” when he traveled the state with his construction crews.

Bobber-girl by Betsy Skagen

I bet people in alfresco kitchens don’t let their kids stick fishing lures in their swimsuits.

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Celestial Pinwheels for spring’s evening breezes

Celestial Pinwheels for spring’s evening breezes

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It is almost magical: a warm spring evening, a light breeze and a starry sky. These celestial mixed media pinwheels remind me of this special time.

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Here is where you can see my tutorial on how to make pinwheels. 

These pinwheels kind of makes me want to skip out on all my work, make up some lemonade and go sit on my porch swing right now. Ah, but I have a lengthy blog post to write. Of course, I could just send you over to my tutorial

…and then…

…I could just…

 …play hooky…

 

 

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

Pink rabbit noses and roses abound in this tunnel book–but be careful, not all bunnies you meet are sugary sweet

Pink rabbit noses and roses abound in this tunnel book–but be careful, not all bunnies you meet are sugary sweet
Pink rabbit noses and roses abound in this tunnel book–but be careful, not all bunnies you meet are sugary sweet

 

 

 

 

I am not sure why I had never made one before, but I am here to tell you that making tunnel books are a whole bundle of fun.

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Ahoy there!

Ahoy there!

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Ahoy everyone. Please check out my nautical craft Brie by the Sea over at the Robin’s Nest. I promise, there’s nothing fishy about the link. (See what I did there?)

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Spring has sprung with these 7gypsies boxes

Spring has sprung with these 7gypsies boxes

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While the dark days of winter were still upon us, I made these fun spring pop-up boxes. I also had a little fun with the concept of spring as I played with using different types of springs to make the surprises “pop”.

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Prima summer cone tutorial

Prima summer cone tutorial

 

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Awhile back I posted several different Prima projects. Today, I want to share with you how to make the paper cones. They are relatively easy and a super fun way to decorate your home for summer or for different holidays.

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Something’s abuzz with summertime cones

Something’s abuzz with summertime cones

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Lately, I’ve been having lots of fun making ornamental cones that I can use to add seasonal decorations to my home. I’m particularly pleased with this summertime cone feature over at the Robin’s Nest.

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