Tuesday, November 30, 2010

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.

30 comments:

AubreyB said...

Pick me! These are super cute!

Rebecca Woolston said...

if I win, I would cover the world in owl stickers.
but if I did win, you would choose someone else. so here is to the lucky woman (I assume) to receive the owls!

Margaret said...

Lovely little critters! Looks like you had way too much fun creating them.

Tara said...

Open to all international friends??? Am I one of the 10? If not, could you make it 11? No giveaways are EVER offered internationally.
ooooooooh I would take care of these cards and love them.

(Sorry about your "crappy" day yesterday. I've found it best to set my expectations extremely low...then I'm never disappointed. :) I'm glad someone else hates to leave the house with 2 kids as well. Such a pain. Unless of course its a walk...I'm capable of a walk.)

Endless Days and Northern Nights said...

oh my heart. so cute! woot woot pick me!

Mandi said...

pick me. I like the name Winslow too. . .hmmm I am having a baby tomorrow! the owl is darling, all of your work is darling.

Sarah C. said...

Woot Woot is right!! I laughed out loud when you wrote "all three papers together. united." You go girl. You go winslow.

My Owl Barn said...

Thank you so much for inviting me for the giveaway. I adore those ceramic mama and baby owls. Your inspired owl illustrations looks great! I'll direct my peeps over to your blog to enter the wonderful giveaway. Thanks again :)

Unknown said...

Love them! Especially the "woot. woot." So cute!!

- -rxndr! said...

oh my these are adorable. :) and happy birthday to winslow :p
found your blog via Myowlbarn :D

alpineavery said...

You never cease to amaze me!! I love the woot woot owls!!!

erin said...

Glad things are better now at the Wood house! Your last post sounded like a super crummy day. Oh my... cleaning up barf AND poop in the same day?! Aaaahh! the joy of motherhood, right!? haha. Sounds like you handled it like a pro though.
So, back to this post... those owls are darling! I love them. glad you are letting us international people in on your drawing! :)

emily snyder said...

after reading becca's comment, i'll be kind too - even though i started writing "me, me , me. vote me!!" i have a beautiful owl woot woot card on my mirror, but it would be lovely to have the cards and seal them with the stickers. . . .

The Tengelsens said...

Adorable! You are so creative!

Becker said...

I will always comment in hopes of winning a wonderful Melissa design. So, soc it to me. Woot.

a pair of pettijohns said...

shut the front door. TOO TOO CUTE!

everything you touch turns to gold. you amaze me, creative friend. simply amazing.

big fat owl hugs to you and yours!

Jon and Brittany said...

These are so cute!! Bekah directed me to your blog and I am grateful! ;)

Ashley said...

I feel bad seeing as how you have already graciously stocked our household card needs when Max was born but they are so cute I will dare to be selfish and cross my fingers. Good luck to me!

Anonymous said...

I love the eyes best. Winslow, perfect name for an owl.

the cummins said...

I wonder HOO will win! Melissa, you never cease to amaze me with your creativity. I heart Winslow.

Lyssa Beth said...

Oh you. You know how to get me excited over an owl. I loved seeing the owlution too ;)

BETH said...

Funny, funny girl.
Owls are sort of creepy to me, but yours are extra not creepy and I would like to write some notes on your nice paper.
PS Grace and I just made an owl crinkle toy for Adam for Christmas, it sort of has sad eyes.

The Girl said...

I would love to win these cute cards! Nice work Melis.

Kajsa said...

ao cute! i love how they turned out, your stuff is always so cute! and i would love to win something :)

Dayvisson and Kelsi said...

Way cute Melissa! I'm always amazed by your cool creations!

Nicole said...

Oh those eyes! Too creative you are, Miss Melissa! And I am so very happy for you that you pulled through a rotten day - good for you. Sometimes, life is all the "strength" training that we need.

Thanks for letting us all play along and hope for a slice of your creativity!

Jessie said...

Woot woot, I want to win!

Kate said...

Oooh, I love the owls! You are one talented woman Melissa!

Brian and Elizabeth Shelley said...

SO SO CUTE!!!

Erin said...

This is the thing, Melissa, and I'll just say it straight: I am kicking myself for not getting to know you better when we were within yelling distance, as opposed to blogging distance now. Because you are a witty gal, and I gravitate toward the wittsters. I was reminded of you a few minutes ago when I was perusing fatquartershop.com and saw your fabric line. And I thought, "Wow, so big-time, someone's selling her fabric!" So I jumped on Facebook and then here to find you. Anyway, happy day, happy pre-Christmas! In the least yearbooky way I can manage saying it, you're cool.

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