Tag Archives: Vintage

Apr13

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

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Betsy Skagen

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 →

Mar25

What’s on your bucket list

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Betsy Skagen

What’s on your bucket list

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

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 →

Feb29

Meet my hipster great-grandparents

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Betsy Skagen

Meet my hipster great-grandparents

Check out the beard on my great-grandfather! Isn’t he quite the hipster. Too bad the rest of this photo is somewhat frightening. I don’t know if my great-grandparents, Sven and Caroline, were terribly stern, but they certainly appear so.

I decided to have a little fun with my ancestors by creating mixed media frames and then sprinkling the photos with whimsical and brightly colored flowers.

To learn how I did this and to learn more about Sven, Caroline, and twin boys Arvid and Harold, please visit my tutorial at the ColourArte blog.

Great Stuff

Twinkling H20s: Iris Petal, Mystique, Kiwi, Blue Bayou, Hopeful Honeysuckle, Passion Fruit, Lemon Drop, Pewter
Embossing folders
Old family photos
Golden Crackle Paste
30PC Color Your Own White Paper Flowers
Tim Holtz Layered Stencil, Cargo
Prima Marketing Prima Designer Stencil, 6 by 6-Inch, Crackle
Beacon Zip Dry Paper Glue
Golden Traditional Gesso Jar – Black
Kraft Core Metal Cardstock

Jan18

I love my word nerd friends so much that I made them an altered art Valentine tag

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Betsy Skagen

I love my word nerd friends so much that I made them an altered art Valentine tag

As a former journalist and business writer, I have many friends in the editorial world. While our party animal reputation may not be on par with–oh say, the Kardashians–we still know how to have a good time. For example, can you think of anything that creates more rollicking merriment than a little word nerd banter?

Indeed, we are a boisterous and bawdy bunch.

Please go see the tutorial on the ColourArte blog.

Read the rest of this entry →

Jan13

You spin me right ’round–like a Valentine carousel

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Betsy Skagen

You spin me right ’round–like a Valentine carousel

I don’t think there’s any sweeter combination than Valentines and merry-go-rounds–at least if you exclude the food category. Everyone knows there’s nothing sweeter than a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

This carousel features glittering lights, prancing horses in perfect pastels and mid-century sweethearts all dolled up for the holiday. Read the rest of this entry →

Dec16

Angels we have seen on cards

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Angels we have seen on cards

I have a few angels at my house. By a few I mean a whole tree full.So I guess you could say I have a fondness for vintage angels.

You can see the tutorial for this mixed media card, which features vintage angels, today at the ColourArte blog.

Read the rest of this entry →

Dec1

Cool, Chill, Retro altered tins

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Cool, Chill, Retro altered tins

Retro images, altered tins and Christmas. Could life get any cooler? I hope you check out all the chill details over at the ColourArte blog. Besides, it will save me from having to think of any more cold-related slang.

Nov30

Create holiday hostess gifts with paper and old ornaments

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Create holiday hostess gifts with paper and old ornaments

I love making these hostess gifts using cardstock and old Christmas ornaments and ephemera. Please check out today’s tutorial at the Robin’s Nest.

Nov18

Smoochy smooch! These kissing reindeer will brighten you holiday decor

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Smoochy smooch! These kissing reindeer will brighten you holiday decor

I have been loving my stint as the 2015 November Designer for Gina’s Lasercut Designs as it has challenged my creativity in new and fun ways.

This week my tutorial features this Kissing Reindeer Standing Dome. I will be forever grateful if you visit Gina’s Designs and leave a comment on my tutorial post there.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa. xoxo -Betsy Read the rest of this entry →

Nov11

Shine a little more light

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Betsy Skagen

Shine a little more light

So this is the quickest blog post ever. Why? Because I’m too busy doing the happy dance since I’m so delighted to be back for a second week as the November 2015 Guest Designer for Gina’s Designs!

Here’s a sneak peek of the holiday lantern I made. It may look like a rusty red metal lantern, but it is made from chipboard, vellum paper and the magic of paint.