Quilled Owl Card

Something fun today... just wanted to show you a birthday card I made for one of my nephews last week.
 quilled owl birthday card
Who-o-o would believe it, but owls are hot again after their claim to fame in the '70s. I'm not sure why I'm surprised, considering '80s shoulder pads and '90s neon brights are making a comeback this spring. Perhaps it's survival of the fittest and survival of the flashiest?!

For some crazy reason, I waited until the last minute and only had a short while spend on the card. Ordinarily I don't enjoy quilling with a time constraint, but this Twirled Paper owl was pretty darn cute, not to mention I couldn't imagine young Jake being a tough critic. I decided to give the brown and black fellow a smaller crown and bigger beak. Wish I'd tweaked the crown so it stuck up in feathery tufts, but other than that, I loved Jacqueline Lee's design just as it was - she is so clever. Her book has often been a huge help to me when it comes to making cards for kids.

I used bits and pieces from my craft stash... the chartreuse card stock (chartreuse? that doesn't sound quite right... peridot perhaps?) started life as a folder that came in the mail.
 quilled owl detail
What wasn't neat was that the card stock had a very slippery surface. The nifty glitter gel pen I had planned to use for the lettering smeared right off, so I wound up using an ordinary black ballpoint after a black marker rubbed off also. grrrr Not to mention my favorite Elmer's Clear Glue didn't do its usual good sticking job. Crafter's Pick - The Ultimate saved the day.

And creasing the cardstock caused the color to crack along the fold, leaving a ragged white edge... what else could go wrong?! Luckily some leftover ribbon from another project covered that little disaster.

Whew.... not perfect, but that's okay. I had a good time and was able to deliver the card to Jake's mailbox in time for it to be a surprise when he arrived home from school.

By the way, the message reads:
Who-o-o is 6?
YOU are - that's who!
Happy Birthday!

Ann Martin
Ann Martin

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Comments

  1. Super cute! I agree that owls are making a comeback, but I absolutely refuse to accept the return of shoulder pads!

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  2. Your "who-o-o" card its so sweet!!!!!!

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  3. So cute Ann!!!!!!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs
    Regina

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  4. That is so cute. I bet he loved it. But then again "who" wouldn't?

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  5. hello! i just found your comment on my blog today, and i felt like i'd just had a celebrity encounter! i love your blog, and this owl card is adorable. i hope he had a great birthday!
    =)

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  6. Oh so cute ,I am also going to try making this card.

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  7. Oh nooo, not shoulder pads!!!! Oh well at least my (naturally) Texas big hair will be in style also! lol! Your owl is so cute! And he will love it!

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  8. I absolutely love your blog. I am a paper fanatic. I will definitely contact you when I start quilling. I am always amazed when I come to your site because you and the people you feature are incredible.

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  9. He is very cute Ann. Thank you so much for keeping us updated on all things paper as you do. As a quiller it is great to see new ideas.

    I loved your profile on Maggie too, more so as I had seen a japanese tool in use in the past but couldn't get one. Somehow one has arrived on my doormat in the UK from Japan in 3 days so really pleased!!
    Keep up the good work.
    Jill

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  10. 6! Oh my goodness! doesn't time fly when you are having fun...
    Come and see what I have done, having second thoughts now...
    Rosie x

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  11. I love the owl, Ann! And I'm sure everyone can relate to the story of all the unexpected problems that occur when you are short of time ... in England we would say that "everything starts going pear-shaped" (not sure whether you use that expression in the States!) Anyway, I'm sure Jake will have loved the card. I must try doing some owls myself. Great blog, thanks.

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  12. Thanks very much for your comments - you all are so kind!

    Jill, that's great, I'm so glad you're pleased with the tool.

    Philippa, ha! I wasn't familiar with the going pear-shaped expression, but I like it. :-)

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