the evolution of an owl and GIVE AWAY

Thanks for the kind words about yesterday's post.  I've had a few family members call and ask how today was---in comparison to yesterday.  In case you were curious, today has been MUCH better.  We didn't try the gym today (even though I wanted to try my friend's spinning class and zumba this a.m.) but we stayed home and I've been working on Christmas cards.  That's right.  Be proud.  Cal seems to feel much better (glory, glory!) and Tillie is remembering that she is potty trained.  All's good in the Wood house. 

So, remember when I did a fake out with my Etsy store a few days ago?  Me too.  That was awesome.

ANYWAY, during the few hours I had my store up I was asked to do a birthday party invite for her baby boy.  The gal wanted to know if I happened to have an "owl" image instead of the elephant one she saw in the shop.  I told her I didn't, but I'd try my hand with a few and see what she thought.  If she wasn't a fan, she'd go with the elephant.

I know that OWLS seem to be all the rage lately, and it's not like I'm NOT a fan, but I haven't been super PRO-owl either.  It's a pretty bird.  Cool looking, but I'm not about to decorate my house with them---Oh wait...

I bought these a few months ago (before I knew that OWLS were the "it" animal).  I saw them at Hobby Lobby in August with my little sister, Lizzy.  It was love at first sight.  Honestly, I have a thing for darling ceramic animals.  Don't believe me?  Ask Aaron.  He's getting nervous about my new collection.  I'll have to post the new chicken I got on Friday.  Polka dotted and blue.  Oh my.  ANNNNNYWAY, back to the owls.

Here is a picture.  It's a mama and baby owl.  Thank you, Hobby Lobby.  They are perched on top of my entertainment center.  Every time I glance up there, it makes my heart glad.  Don't call me lame.  Sometimes you need happy things to look at, especially after days like yesterday.

So, I had these owls for my inspiration and I got to work.  I thought you might want to see a little bit of my process.  Here's the evolution of the owl. The first one (top left) is not so cool.  I always end up simplifying majorly by the time we get to the finished product.  Next, I did a more stylized to the right.  Then we go to the bottom left.  I quite liked this one, but the gal thought it looked a little too sad for her son's birthday invite.  Good point.  So, we brightened up the eyes and viola! 

In honor of her son (aka the big birthday boy), I'm naming this little guy WINSLOW.  Is that not a perfect little name for this owl?  And, don't you love that name for a little baby/kid/adult?  I know.  I kind of think of Officer Carl Winslow too (thanks, T-G-I-F (Family Matters)), but my love for the name over-rules the image of Carl and Steph-an (aka cool Urkle). 

oh you, winslow.

I changed the contact information, so don't get all wigged out that I gave out their personal information.  Here's how the invite looked digitally in the end:

We also made thank you cards to match.  Here are some actual photographs I took before I sent the package out.

And, then the wheels in my head started turning.  This could be cute stationery for ANYONE (boy, girl, man, woman, baby, etc.).  So, I changed the "thank you" to "woot. woot."  It could be a congrats card, thank you, "hey, how's it going?", etc.  I think the biz world calls that an ALL OCCASION card.  So smart of them...

on pale blue textured paper

gray paper

Then I tried to do a little "STYLING" like Martha...  Well, here's my sad attempt.  Tillie had all her crayons and colored pencils out... we don't have a sharpener... and Bam!  styled.  kind of.

on gray paper

on kraft paper

all three colors of paper. together. united.

little winslow stickers

Anyway, since it's the SEASON OF GIVING (just call me Santa), and everyone loves a good give-away---if you'd like to earn yourself a little mixed 10 pack of the woot. woot. winslow cards + 20 stickers (because I can) = enter a comment.

Win them for yourself or check someone off your giving list.  One vote per person.  And, this give-away is open to all you international friends (I act like there are so many of you, but there's really only like 10).

The give-away will end on Monday, December 6th at noon Central time.  I'll pick the winner at random.

 

So, there you have it.  Go forth.  May the best owl lover win.