My first altered spoon.... My friend likes sugar skulls, so that was my theme for her spoon. It was a fun swap. I really LOVE how it turned out.

Have a blessed week.
Barb

Albums, Journals, Diaries, Whatever you want to call them....

Happy middle (almost) of July!  I have been looking at several albums that I want to make.  I did start a journal with some various techniques in it and it's looking pretty awesome if I do say so myself!  When it's complete, or more complete, I'll share some of the pages with  you.  I'm playing with gesso and texture paste.  I love the affects of the paste.  It gives it a "lift", 3D look, etc... I've also bought a Gelli Plate.  I want to see how I can make some awesome backgrounds with that. 

The album that I really want to do is this one by Scrapadabadoo's Time Travel Mini Album. It looks so easy and she has the instructions right there on the page.  I just need to find some paper scraps, and who doesn't have paper scraps?!  Get me some medium to heavy weight chipboard and scrap and cover away! 

.... well, I'm off to see what I can find to do this.  Stay tuned to see if I was successful...


{{Hugs}}
Barb

My first watercolor card

I have been taking watercolor classes online and am almost finished with them. I practiced lots before attempting this card. I have really enjoyed these classes, I'd recommend them to everyone.

So, here it is...."Bee" gentle with your comments!

The stamp set is Bee Happy by Our Daily Bread Designs. I have both sets and the dies to match. The ribbon I picked up at a gift shop in Lubbock, Texas earlier this year. I really like it, wish I had purchased more of it. The bees were fun; I glittered their little wings to give them some sparkle and then bent them slightly to look 3-D.

Thanks for looking.

Hugs,
Barb

OMG! It's been how long...

I can't believe it's been two months since I've been here!  WOW, I guess I was busy.

Last weekend I spent it in Austin at an Altrusa conference. We had a great time, learned things and made new friends. If you want to know more about this awesome club, just click here.  It's a club that focuses on community and literacy.

I've also been taking a break from making cards which makes me very sad. I've just been so tired and headaches that are strong again.

Hugs until next time...barb

Great Friday

Waking up in Lubbock this morning after getting hubby 's problem fixed. Yeah! I woke up first, highly unusual, and was on Pinterest and found a new blog to follow. Someone in my neck of the woods.

Today I think we will try to visit the Buddy Holly museum before we head home.

Until later....

Hugs,
Barb

WHAT?

What else can happen? This afternoon hubby 's drain tube falls out of his stoma. Now we are waiting to hear what to do. He is very frustrated about all of this. Saying it's not fair to me. My take is from our wedding vows, "for better or worse"... And, also my daughter is upset over something we told her that we'd heard about one of her friends. Saying we don't know if it's true or not, but thought she already knew too. Parents don't always make the right choices either. It's one of those discussions that we'll be wrong no matter what.  Back to hubby... I'm upset because he's angry over the newest problem. I am ready to sob, but can't.  Can't show that it breaks my heart to hear him so down about everything. He's blaming his doctors, hospital, etc for all the complications that have arisen from day one. I'm praying it will all be resolved correctly. I don't blame them.

Thanks for listening to me...
Hugs,
Barb

VaLeNtInE's DaY has come and gone

Were you ready for the second most romantic day, the first being your wedding day....

I'm tried to get there myself.  Here is one of my cards that I made this year.

It was fun and simple to do. Hope you find some inspiration as I did when I looked at several other cards.

Until next time....

Hugs,

Barb

Hello Friday night! Sitting here in my living room watching the opening ceremonies for the 2014 winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. It's an awesome performance. The figure skating events are my favorites.

Good morning Saturday! I obviously got tired and didn't finish last night!  I woke up this morning with no one home...nice. but, I feel the tinge of a headache trying to start. GO AWAY!

Well I intended to show you a little bit more of my Valentine's day project. I love it.

HaPpY VAlEnTiNe'S dAy

I layered my pretties with glossy accents. Topped off with my flower. I added a magnet to the back of the heart tin so it can stick to the fridge.

Thanks for looking.

Hugs, 

Barb

Greetings from St. Louis, Missouri

I'm here in St. Louis on a three day training and am learning quite a few things to help improve my job. That's always a good thing!

Here is a look at my first tag of 2014. I did it as the front of my son-in-law's bIrThDaY last month. It looked really good if I do say so myself!  Here, look for yourself!

I used what I had at home and followed Tim's inspiration.  I hope I can give you a bit of eclectic inspiration too.

Sneak peek of next time's show and tell:

Until next time....Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,
Barb

Welcome 2014 and I hope to inspire and be inspired.

Hi! I've just revamped my blog and gave it a new look. Once again I'm going to try and keep it going better this year. I hope you will give me a chance, one more time! Thanks for looking my blog's New look.

Hugs,
Barb

It's been quite a year for us here in the Eclectic household! Our summer last year was spent mostly in Houston at MD Anderson with Scott having a surgery to remove his cancer. He is doing great finally! Well I did my first craft show back in November last year, I did okay, but not whoopie! I did some really cute cards from Santa Claus telling of his naughty or nice list. They were really good if I do say so myself. The stamp set is from PaperTreyInk.com This year I have been asked to put some cards in a local shoppe. I am excited and need to get an inventory built. I have not done this before, and figure I have nothing to Well I am off to get this posted and on to my new adventure. And, we have survived the 2013 Blizzard! Worst one since the '80s.

What I got!

After winning my first "contest" late last month... I wanted to let you know what I purchased with my gift card from Simon Says Stamp!  I got the Tim Holtz die Vintage Noel, ODDS & ENDS stamp set, Juniper stamp, and Circle Star stamp.  I can't wait to try them out!  I figure once Easter is over, I'll get back into the mode for a bit. 

I made a really pretty tag for my oldest granddaughter's birthday last week.  She turned 18 and is a senior in high school... I thought she could use it as a bookmark.  I wish I had taken pictures of it!!! :(

I also made one for our minister who is leaving to another church.  His wife loved it!  She scrapbooks some, so she appreciates the homemade cards/tag!  Here is their's:

 

Here is the result of using what Tim Holtz techniques that I like and have practiced the most.  The tag on top turned out to my liking!  I had fun also experimenting with some new ideas on it. 

Well, that's my tag of the week, Barb's style!  Thanks for coming by and visiting me.  Have a great rest of the week.

Hugs,
Barb

Grungy Monday 39: Take one!

This is my first Grungy Monday 39 Challenge from Studio L3.  Every Monday a new challenge is presented based on a Tim Holtz technique.  This past week's challenge was based on Tim's 2009 Christmas Tags plaid background technique. 

Here is my first attempt of making a plaid background.  It was so much fun to do, I see myself doing it again.

 I learned how to ink my felt with the alcohol inks and then glide them over the glossy card stock. Then I stamped my "scratchy" background stamp, bicycle, and the verse.  

The charm on the ribbon is one I had on hand, embossed with red distress embossing powder so I could add some color to my tag.

I stamped and inked the clock and ticket. The clock is attached with a brad, while the ticket is stapled on with Tim's stapler.   Then finished off with some silver beads on the side that I sanded the finish off of the top.

I embossed the bicycle in gold.

Simon Says Stamp is the sponsor of the challenge.   They are a great company! I have found them to be awesome with their Tim Holtz inventory and I can always find what I'm looking for to do his projects. 

Thanks for looking.  It's not great, but it was fun to learn! 

Hugs,

Barb

Embossed Acrylic

I saw this idea on Pinterest, imagine that! If you want to know anything, you'll find it on Pinterest!!!  Anyway, I thought this was such a new idea for my tags.  I made this one for my co-worker's, and friend's, (she's one and the same and love her dearly!) birthday. We don't exchange gifts, just our cards and teach each other new things. 

This is mostly a Tim Holtz tag except the greenery on the right side.  I need to learn to make better notes of what colors that I use on the backgrounds!  I do know they were blues, green and probably vintage photo!  The Eiffel Tower stamp is from Tim's Urban Grunge set.  I have used it so many many times, it's one of my favorites.

 

I found this little scrap of paper in my stash, and who doesn't have a stash?! I thought it said exactly what I needed to go with the background that I picked.  "Have fun! Enjoy yourself." I then adhered it to a facet added it to a safety pin with a "Wish" disc too.



Here is a close up of the acrylic that I embossed with one of Tim's folders.  It really added a bit of pizzazz to the tag.  It was all so easy. 

I hope next time I'll be better at giving you more info on what I actually used!  Thanks for looking.

Hugs,

Barb

February's Tag for the 12 Tags of 2012

My Valentines this year were made to resemble Tim Holtz's first tag of the year.  You can see it here.  I love learning from his site and trying my best to duplicate his work.  Practice, practice, practice!  I have envied his work for awhile now. 

I used mostly Tim's products. I had the pink honeycomb paper in my stash as well as the ribbon and key.  I made several of these and the recipients loved them, at least they said they did!!!  Tags have become my lastest craze.    Here are a couple others that I made too.

This tag I made into a card and gave it away in a box of miscellaneous cards for a fundraiser locally.  It was a card that I really enjoyed making too.  The background took on a leather-look when I inked my embossing folder before I ran it through my Big Kick.  I love the way it turned out.  My bling hanging from the chain is one of Tim Holtz's and his way to "frost" it and emboss it.   Here's a close up of it.



And here is one final picture!  I know you're probably tired of looking at them, but I AM proud of them!  



This is a bundle of my tags that I made for Valentine's.  Now, to make some more for next year.  I want to make several and "build" a tag set for Christmas presents this year. 

Thanks for looking at my special Valentine's tags.  I hope that I may have inspired you to try something outside of your box or comfort zone!

Hugs,
Barb

Superbowl Eve

Giants or Patriots?  Who will you root for?  I haven't decided myself yet, but I have until tomorrow to decide!  No need to rush!  We have been invited to a Superbowl party tomorrow evening.  First one we've been to or hosted in a few years. 

Here is what I've been up to lately.... Making some OSU, Oklahoma State University, blank note cards for an acquaintence of mine.  She says she loves my work. 

Here is the first half of collection 1.

I will take orders if you would be interested in any of these cards... Or, if you are interested in another college or university.  I would be glad to accomodate your alma mater.  These are going for $4 each including a decorated lined envelope too.

I have also been working on some Valentines.  I'll post them next time.  I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone.  I will tell you that they are tags.  I am still hooked on making them since Christmas and I watched Tim Holtz' blog of the 12 Tags of Christmas 2011.  Then took a class at Scrapbook N Such in Wichita Falls to learn how to make the first six tags.  The next class is in three weeks.  I can't wait! 

Well here's hoping that you have a great Superbowl Sunday!  Hope you are gathered with great friends, family and wonderful snacks.

Hugs,

Barb

Happy New Year! Welcome 2012

I hope everyone is having a great day.  Hubby and I are off of work today with our New Year's holiday.  We did some chores outside earlier today and now we are settled down watching some of the football bowl games.  We have had a lazy weekend. 

Here's a quick update on my headaches.... I changed doctors in November and am now seeing one who only deals with headaches at the Baylor Neuroscience Center in Dallas, headache department.  I am doing much better with them and they are fewer and farther between.  He changed my medicines completely and WOW! what a difference it made.  I do still have some headaches, but they are not as bad and I have better emergency medicines. 

I made my Christmas cards this year, but not as many as I would have like to.  I also made a couple of Tim Holtz look-like tags.  I followed his 12 Tags of Christmas this year for the first time.  If you have never seen these, you really need to go to his website and look at them.  They are so awesome.  Here is my version of the tag that I made this year.  I'll do better next time!

  

I hope you like  my Christmas projects as much as I did making them.

 If you want details, please email me since I couldn't get anything written on

here about them. 

I also wish you and yours a very blessed and prosporous new year.   

Hugs,  Barb

Triangle Card

Happy Autumn everyone!  It's the end of September and autumn is finally here.  I love the cool temperatures and the changing of the leaves on the trees. Mother Nature's color palette is beautiful this time of year.  We can use if for our card making backgrounds; and that is just what I did this weekend. We have a very good friend who is in the hospital and I needed to make a get well card for her, and here is what I came up with.  It is also my first attempt at a triangle shaped card.  It turned out a bit small, but I think cute.  I also made the flower myself from scratch.  I got the instructions from a pin I got off of Pinterest!!  So, here it is:

Here is the front of the card.  The tag says "thinking of you." I used three scraps of paper to cover the front, ran through an embossing folder, covered the joining edges with gold satin ribbon then added the flower, tag and butterfly.  Butterflies are my latest craze!  I just can't seem to make a card without finding a spot for one somewhere!


Now here is my homemade flower! It was pretty simple to do.  I cut the shapes from my Cricut using the George cartridge. Now I can custom make my own paper flowers for each card that I want one on from now on. YEAH!  Woo-Hoo!!!!

And, last but not least, is my little butterfly! Isn't she a cutie?  She sparkles and shines!  She has two layers for dimension.  I rollered the top one so it would look like she was flying.

Hope you like my card, or at least get some inspiration from it.  I got my inspiration from Card Creations magazine, they had a section on triangle cards. Thanks for looking.  Have a great week.

Hugs,  Barb

Happy Monday?

Happy Monday everyone!  I'm home with a migraine, had one all weekend.  I've got to call and go see my doctor soon.  But enough about  me! 

My co-worker who is also my friend, and I went to a scrapbook store in Wichita Falls, Scrapbook N Such,  recently and spent the day there taking some super classes there put on by Bazzill Papers.  We learned how to make 9 cards in 90 minutes, an album and 3 scrapbook pages.  We had so much fun learning things and spending the day together doing what we love to do in our spare time.  We both have so much passion making cards, that we went back to the hotel room and spent two more hours working on fine tuning our cards and making another couple more!  We picked up some quick tips and some new techniques.  That is what we hoped for along with just getting away to do what we love to do .... CARDS!

I need to make an auction item for our chamber's upcoming "country fair" which is their annual fund raiser.  I have made a set of cards for the past several years now and included them in a really nice gift box, luggage type looking case, with pen, stamps, and address book.  So, I've got to get inspired to work on that real soon!  It usually will sell for around $50 which makes me feel really good!  I have a couple of weeks to work on them, so get after it....

I will get some new pictures posted as soon as I get my cards made for the chamber gift.  So, stay tuned!  :)

Hugs,

Barb