These adorable owls from the Lawn Fawn “Mom + Me” stamp set reminded me of a preschool song called Five Little Owls. There are lots of versions of this song but basically they repetitively count down the owls to help teach little kids how to count. So cute!
The version of the song that I printed out on my computer and added to the back is:
5 little owls, on a branch by the shore, one fell off, then there were 4.
4 little owls, high in a tree, the wind blew hard, then there were 3.
3 little owls, none of them knew, a raven took one, then there were 2.
2 little owls, sitting in the sun, a raccoon came along, then there was 1.
1 little owl, in the setting sun, flew off to the forest, then there was none.
I pulled out an old manila tag and used blending tools to ink from light to dark with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean and Chipped Sapphire to create the look of a sky at dusk.
Then I die cut delicate branches from wood veneer paper (that has been in my stash for about 2 years!) using the branch from the Diemond Dies Cherry Blossom Branch and Flowers Die Set. I love the texture of the wood veneer and the look of real wood that using it gives the tree branches. PS: I find cutting delicate dies like this is much easier (esp. with thicker paper like this wood grain paper) with a metal shim die cutting plate, like this one: CottageCutz Universal Shim Plate Die Cuts.
I then die cut –oh I don’t know a– a bazillion little oak leaves in the small and medium sizes from the Diemond Dies Mini Leaves Die Set from hand made paper that I inked up in advance with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Evergreen Bough and Pine Needles. Individually die cutting and gluing in these little leaves was a bit tedious, but the end results were so lush and totally worth it.
The focal point owls I colored up with the following Copic colors: Dad: E11, 21, 23, 25, 29; Mom: E21, 11, 97, 99; Kids: Y11, Y23, YR24 and E33 All the beaks and feet were colored with Y15 and Y38. What I think totally made these owls pop were the little white dots I added to their foreheads and wings with a white Gelly Roll pen. I had just watched “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” this past month, and I think I was channeling the beautiful henna body art. 🙂
I hand fussy cut (for scene projects I don’t like the white border that is left when you use the coordinating dies with most stamps) and inked the edges of the five little owls. I tucked in the owls nestled in the leaves of the oak tree, leaving the left side of the tag blank because I wanted to be able to add the title of the song that inspired the whole project.
I stamped out the title using a Michael’s $1.50 bin Studio G wooden alpha set and then just inked the edges of each word with more Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Salty Ocean. Lastly, I decided to add a crescent moon to the scene using the third smallest circle from the Diemond Dies Circle Nesting Die Set to cut out a shimmery golden moon from a scrap from my paper scrap box. Lastly, I added a tag topping bow with some ribbon and lace scraps from my trim scrap bag.
Remember, my readers can get 10% off and free worldwide shipping on any orders of $35 at Diemond Dies by using the coupon code “thankskristina” at checkout.
The following is a process video of creating this tag:
This tag is being entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Inspired by a Song Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Anything Goes Challenge
Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge
613 Avenue Create Anything Goes Challenge
Penny Black Anything Goes With Stamps and Dies Challenge
Whimsy Stamps Anything Goes Challenge
Not Just Cards Anything Goes Challenge
Crafty Girls Creations Anything Goes Challenge
Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge – WINNER
Amazing details and layering! What a delightful tag! So glad that you join the fun over Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge!
Awww thanks so much Virginia! I had so much fun crafting this tag. 🙂 It got a little tedious cutting out all those little leaves, but the end result was totally worth it. 😀 lol
Wow – your tag is amazing. The blending on the background is awesome. I love the lush leaves and the darling owls. Thanks for stopping by 613 Avebue Create.
Thank you so much Sheila! It got a little tedious cutting out all those little leaves and gluing them down, but every time I got some leaves in place I could see it coming together so it kept me going. 🙂 TF Stopping By! Hugs, Kristina
gorgeous tag! the little owls are so cute! Great colors and design! Thanks for joining us this week on Simon Says Monday Challenge Blog! Barbara
Thank you so much Barbara! Isn’t it funny how a little tune can get stuck in your head? This was a fabulous challenge!!! Thank you for the extra motivation! Hugs, Kristina
An adorable tag with all the little Owl’s, many thanks for joining us at Penny Black and More challenge.
B x
Thank you so much Brenda! This was a tag made with lots of love. TF your kind and encouraging words! Hugs, Kristina
The tag is such a wonderful array of color tones and texture. The wood veneer makes lovely branches, the wee owls are cute and your poem made me smile. Thank you so much for joining our 220th challenge at Word Art Wednesday. Your creation is inspiring and very beautiful. Blessings, Carole
Thank you from the center of my heart, Carole! I so enjoyed crafting this for my friend. I hope it brings a smile to her face. 🙂
CraftyPaws, This wonderful tag won a top 3 honor at Word Art Wednesday. Blessings,
Carole Robb Bisson
DT Member
Thank you so very much Carole! I was so humbled and thankful when I saw that this was one of the chosen projects. I really love your wonderful encouraging and inspiring blog. Thanks again and big hugs, Kristina
Lovely tag, those owls are just so sweet.
Thank you for sharing at Penny Black @ More at Allsorts February challenge and good luck x Susan x
Thank you so much Susan! This tag was certainly a labor of love. 🙂 I hope my new crafty friend enjoys it. TF stopping by and your encouraging words! Hugs, Kristina
This is just fab, gorgeous little owls. Thank you so much for joining us this time at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends. Good luck and hope to see you again soon. Andree {DT Lil Patch of Crafty Friends}
Thank you so much Andree! It was a tag made with lots of crafty love. 🙂
Lovely colors on your owl tree! I like all the special little details, like the printing and layering. It is a wow card.
Oh thanks so much Vicki! It was truly a labor of love. Usually die cutting and inking is pretty quick, but the sheer quantity of leaves really got a bit long. LOL But I think the end results were worth the extra love and care. 🙂 TF stopping by and taking the time to leave such a sweet and encouraging comment! Hugs, Kristina