My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Amazing Owls!

Greetings, Wonderful Blogging Friends!
It's time for a brand new challenge 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!

and guess what?

I am the sponsor with my pretty Great Horned Owl Set! The set contains 17 JPG and PNG images in black and white, and also with sentiments.

I'll be giving this set to one three of my blogging friends as well, so if you are interested, just say so in comment and I'll randomly select a name on March 31.


For the month of March, join us at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies by uploading an "Anything-Goes" project as long as critter is the focal point of your project. The team has all kinds of inspiration and a variety of styles to view, so take a look!

My inky rendition depicts that period of time just after dusk. I can hear softly hooting owls in the trees talking to one another, the chirping of happy insects announcing the full moon, croaking toads and frogs in search of goodies, and perhaps even some "night owls" doing their crafting!


I printed out The Great Horned Owl digital set TWICE. 

One owl was fussy cut to make a mask. The other was colored with Copic Markers. This is one of the colored images included in the digital set.
After die cutting a circle and placing it on top of the owl mask, I used distress inks in Black Soot, Blueprint, and Stormy Sky to create a night sky.


The frame process:
(if you are reading this on my personal blog, click on the photos to enlarge)



  1. Applied a double sided Adhesive Sheet to black cardstock, leaving "rough" protective layer in place.
  2. After die cutting shape, I removed the protective layer and burnished in Black Microfine Glitter (if you prefer, use black glittery EP instead).
  3. I distressed with VersaMark Ink here and there and applied a gold-and-black Chunky Opaque embossing powder.  Then I added a bit of chunky Black embossing powder on top of the gold color, to tone down the gold. Glittery green embossing powder was also used in the distressing process. Heat a little at a time so it does not melt the double sided adhesive sheet.
  4. I die cut some white fun foam in the same shape, and edged it with a black Sharpie marker. The black frame was then adhered to the fun foam for dimension, using Double Sided Tape.


    I thoroughly enjoy "distressing" with glitters and embossing powders!
    frame close up:

    The set comes with a leafy twig - great for framing or using around the branch. Because this set was once available in rubber, I embossing the twig with more Green embossing powder to give the leaves a night time appearance. Any twig stamp will work.

    The sentiment was stamped with Nocturne VersaFine Clair and heat set with Black Detail embossing powder. It was distressed with the same colors as the sky background.


    The Handmade paper was dry embossed and distressed with 3 colors of mousse.



    Finished Card:




    Stamping Hugs,


    49 comments:

    Crafting Queen said...

    Wonderful card and love the iamge.

    Wendy L said...

    Fab Donna, coloured beautifully too xxx

    Mrs A. said...

    Absolutely beautifull. Your creaion is amazing. Hugs Mrs A.

    cotnob said...

    A beautiful card Donna, such a gorgeous owl and fabulous frame - your embossed background is perfect.
    Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
    x

    Shona Erlenborn said...

    Love your embossed frame - it is so pretty with the night fall scene. Your owl is spectacular (though I can't get the link to work). Thanks for this inspiration! Beautiful work Donna!

    Jackie T said...

    Hi Donna this is a stunning card. That owl is just magnificent. Take care. Hugs Jackie

    pam said...

    Hi Donna, love your gorgeous card, what a magnificent bird, fantastic colouring and perfect finishing touch your beautiful embossed card.
    Hugs Pam x

    cuilliesocks said...

    What an amazing card Donna, the owl is magnificent, wonderful colouring and such a fabulous frame, love it, Kate x

    Inkyfingers said...

    What a gorgeous scene, Dee and the frame you created is just awesome! Love that sentiment too... and so very true!
    Hugs
    Carol x

    NanaConnie said...

    I love the card, Donna! In fact, I adore the whole set, black & white and all the pre-colored images. Thanks so much for sponsoring us at 2CCC this month. We were thrilled to work with the set. :-D

    Donna said...

    Stunning card, the owl is amazing!

    Verna Angerhofer said...

    What a great owl set and I love the card you created. I know I am certainly interested in this set. I do love owls.

    Jane Willis said...

    An absolutely stunning card Donna, so much technique combined to make a wonderful work of art. I love your owl image and would definitely be interested in the set.

    Sue said...

    Hi Donna, Fab card.

    Hope you are having a good week. Sue

    KarinsArtScrap said...

    it's a fantastic and gorgeous card Donna
    Gr Karin

    Lori m said...

    Donna this is just stunning, you make such beautiful cards, hugs, Lori m

    KT Fit Kitty said...

    Wow, Donna, your creativity and talent know no limits! It is so immpressive that you designed this magnificent stamp set! Your card is gorgeous! Thank you for generously sponsoring the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies challenge - you are awesome!

    Conniecrafter said...

    Wow is that ever cool, that background you made for him is outstanding, love the leaves stamped all around, the cool embossed background to mimic owl feathers and how you did the framing is just spectacular, totally Awesome!!
    I would love a chance to have this set :)

    Becky said...

    Beautiful card.

    Linda Simpson said...

    This is stunning Donna, I love the owl and gorgeous way in which you have framed him. Gorgeous sentiment and beautiful backing paper.
    Hugs
    Linda xxx

    Chris said...

    Magnificent owl, fabulous frame and stunning background, this is absolutely gorgeous Donna, and so generous of you to be giving one of these beautiful sets of digis away as well as sponsoring the challenge.
    xx

    KraftyKoolKat said...

    This is so gorgeous Donna. The background is awesome, the frame is really beautiful & your colouring technique is jaw dropping.
    Hugs
    Cathy
    xxxx

    Anne Buckingham said...

    Doesn't he look wise. I like the colors you used,it does give it a night time dusky look. Quite attractive. The frame is spectacular.

    Sue said...

    This is fabulous Donna, and a great tutorial, I love how you've made the moon and the frame looks amazing, I bet it has a great feel to it too. Take care and have a very happy month, Sue xx

    Leslie Miller said...

    This beautiful owl must have been at Sparkle and Sprinkle. Heck, you can put my name in the drawing for it! You did a lot more for them than I ever realized. It would have been nice if they had categories per artist like some sites do. I looked once over there, but didn't find anything like that. Well, anyway... you have a beautiful card today with an awesome nighttime background. Stellar job on this, Donna!

    Patti J said...

    Donna, I can’t express how impressed I am with this stunning set. You are amazing! Thank you so much for sponsoring us this month! I will use this set often! Your card is absolutely gorgeous! I love the circle of clouds, the frame, and of course, the image and sentiment! Beautifully done, dear friend!

    Karenladd said...

    Oh, this is such a wonderful image and card Donna! I would love to win a set. Had to chuckle at your "night owl crafter" comment...because I am definitely one of those! The masked moon background and the wonderful texture on your frame really complement your beautiful owl.

    Karen Dunbrook said...

    such a majestic looking card, such great details and added interest.
    Hope you have a great wknd
    xx Karen

    Aimeslee Winans said...

    Donna, your owl is amazing and your frame is dazzling as is you night sky. Wow! xoxox

    Beebeebabs said...

    Wow such a beautiful card - love the image and great colouring thanks for sharing. Have a fabulous weekend!!!

    Kathyk said...

    Fab make, love the sparkle - I've a pal who would love that image too!

    Happy Saturday

    Kathyk

    Donna Phelan said...

    How Majestic!!! That owl is magnificent!

    Sue said...

    Donna, this isn't just a card, it's a project!! Love everything about it, including the background paper, the way you framed the beautiful owl. The colors are all wonderful and of course that sparkle on the frame and gold too. Wonderful card, piece of art really....Fabulous.

    Hugs
    Sue

    crafty-stamper said...

    Absolutely stunning card Donna fabulous texture and brilliant owl which I would absolutely love
    Carol x

    Shelly Schmidt said...

    I am speechless- your owl is absolutely gorgeous! Your card- is amazing- love the coloring and the frame is so gorgeous! I love the texture on top of the gorgeous EF! I am quite the birdwatcher- many folks are seeing owls right now- I hear them at night, have only seen one- I would LOVE to see another!

    Margarets designer cards said...

    Wonderful card, I love your owl and the sentiment

    Mel C said...

    Wow, your card is awesome and I love owls!

    brenda said...

    Sorry to be such a delayed visitor, not really sure where my time has gone the last few days, great card anyhow.

    B x

    *Vicki* said...

    It's so stunning Donna and thank you for sponsoring the challenge! :)

    Mac Mable said...

    Wow...What a stunner of a card. The owl image is amazing and I love what you did with it. Great distressing on the frame and it sure draws your eyes into the stunning owl and the background and the moon. I love the idea of your scene making being just after dusk Donna x. Glorious card with faublous techniques too x.

    Dr Sonia S V said...

    Donna...love the embossed background and the gorgeous frame...awesome
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

    Pia S said...

    Beautiful glitter and shimmer, and I’m truly impressed by your owl. It looks very much like one irl. And I so love how you made a night scene for him too. This card has a wow factor!

    Monica said...

    This card is a masterpiece, Donna. It is so rich and warm and beautiful. You are so talented and your love of card making shines through.

    Lovely sentinent too.

    Love,
    Monica

    Karen Page said...

    It occurred to me that I had not seen your post for this special occasion of you sponsoring 2CCC. I'm not quite sure how I missed it, though I am woefully behind in email as we've been camping so much recently. I just wanted you to know that I want to be you when I grow up! You took a beautiful image and created what I saw in my head but was unable to make real. I'm glad that you are still crafting while stepping back as your talent would be sorely missed!

    sarascloset said...

    This owl just blows me away! Such a gorgeous card and perfect coloring on your owl! Love everything about this!

    KT Fit Kitty said...

    I came back for a second look and I realized I forgot to say - Yes, I'd love to win! Thank you, Donna! You are a generous soul! The world is crazy at this time, so please stay healthy!

    creationsnz said...

    Your owl is fantastic, but then so is your card. I love that heavy metal look and the moody scene. Thanks for sharing your art. CarolG

    Monica C. said...

    Donna, you knocked this one out the park!! What a beautiful card. Thank you for the directions on how you made that frame.
    I entered the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies challenge yesterday and admired your owl there. Thank you for a second opportunity to win him.
    Hugs Monica

    Chrissy said...

    He is a stunning bird Donna and coloured beautifully and I LOVE you card design..

    Luv CHRISSYxx