Saturday, September 10, 2016

Craft Barn's alpha letter O meets AJJ heading back to school


Today we are stopping off at the Craft Barn to see their latest alpha letter, which is O.  Thankfully there are no twists, because I needed to be able to find a word that would fit nicely with Art Journal Journey's Back to School theme.


A couple of weeks ago, when my friend Kathy was here, I told her about my Back to School theme.  And of course, I didn't mention anything other than I needed ideas and maybe I'd buy some scrapbook papers or napkins to fit that specific theme while we were shopping.  I knew it was safe to tell her, because her circle of internet friends are far different from mine.   In fact, all her internet friends are on Facebook and Pinterest, two places I never visit. 

I mention all this because she got out her phone with its fantastic and fast wifi and showed me tons and tons and tons and tons (get the picture?) of owls on Pinterest.  

For some reason, her idea of back to school involved owls!

There were entire categories of owls for learning, for being bookish, for reading, and even for decorating everything from a book cover to a wall hanging to an entire classroom.  Teachers use owls because they are apparently easy to draw.  So what, I asked, is this fascination with owls and education?  

From what I can learn via the internet, in many cultures, owls are associated with wisdom.  Some cultures also attribute owls to knowledge, some even believing that same knowledge is sacred, while other cultures see it as clairvoyance.

With that in mind, I couldn't believe my eyes when a couple of days later, 

I received a letter from Kathy with owl assemblies that she apparently put together from punches put out by Stampin' Up.  I laughed because they are really not my style, but decided to keep them in case I needed a "different" kind of post toward the end of the month.  Now I'm glad I saved them and glad my friend sent these "cute" owls.

So I proudly give you my bookcase filled with bookish owls.  I admit I got a bit busy with my stamped background.  I also used green cardstock for the book shelves and books cut from a magazine for the owls to stand on.  Originally, each owl was to have its own stand, but I ran out of real estate before I ran out of cute owls.  I also confess that at least one of the stamps was slightly harmed in the making of this entry.


One thing that really surprised me was how many different owl types and designs of owls there are, especially when I found this coloring page on the internet.   WHOOOO knew?

For the previous Craft Barn challenge,  I visited everyone again.  It's a reciprocity thing!  I'll be checking out all the latest entries, too.  Won't you?  Seems owls are popular for the O word, just as they are for the classroom.

And since I'm hosting the Back to School theme at Art Journal Journey this month, I invite you to join us there, too.

21 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

This is a fantastic page with your wise and bookish owls, thanks for another GREAT page for AJJ! It was so kind of your friend to send you those owls. Woohoohoo to youhoohoo, have a fun day! Hugs, Valerie and Susi

Unknown said...

Здорово! совы выглядят охранниками книг))))

chrissie said...

You can't go wrong with owls. I have lots of different ones in my house. A money box one-some candle burners-a really lovely stuffed one my daughter made, oh, the list is endless so I had better stop.

Your page is wonderful and the story of how you got those owls is great.

Love Chrissie xx

sheila 77 said...

Great owl page and a very entertaining blogpost too. How kind of your friend to send you owls. Yes, owls are perceived to have wisdom and who knows, maybe they do. They certainly look very intelligent and where better for them to perch inside than in a bookcase.
I've been away (just back) and haven't yet contributed to your AJJ theme which is a wonderfully inventive theme and I'll be on it as soon as I can.

sheila 77 said...

Dear Elizabeth, thanks so much for the welcome back, it warmed my heart.

My name is Erika. said...

That must be why they say wise old owls and why Winnie the Pooh's owl friend was the one who gave advice. I love owls so I think your page is great Elizabeth. They are kind of cute owls, but they are fun, and it helped you combine 2 themes into 1. I actually like this page. Its is playful like back to school would be for kids and it works for the letter O. :) Hugs-Erika

Helen said...

love the owls, and your latest back to school entry.

Crafty Claire said...

A lively fun page, you can't go wrong with owls. They look like a really cheeky bunch.

Rita said...

Cute! :)

Craftyfield said...

What a superb page Elizabeth! I love the background, the "real estate" and those cute owls... So lucky you've got such a dear friend. And the owls are not just cute, they are fun and well designed!

kaybee said...

Love this and how it all comes together! Cute owls, books, colourful background - nothing else needed! and I hope the slightly harmed stamp is recovered now! :D

Meggymay said...

I love your wise and book loving owls. We were always told that owls were wise birds, no reasons were ever given as to why or how they were wise. As kids I think we were like sponges and accepted what we were told. Its a fantastic page and the owls are so cute and colourful.
Yvonne xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wise owls, cute owls - an altogether lovely page for both craft barn and AJJ! Are owls wise? I don't know but I do know they are fascinating! Great colouring page you found too! Hugs, Chrisx

Anne O said...

Hi Elizabeth,
What a lovely entry! And what an informative blog! Like you, I was glad there were not twists! I had to complete mine quite quickly. Haha! Best wishes, Anne

Julia said...

Great to be able to use those owls and I really like the idea of having them sit on the books on the bookshelves. A very interesting stamped background too. Lovely work.

Scrapmate said...

What fun! The owls may not be your style but you have created a page in your own inimitable style.

Linda Kunsman said...

LOVE how this page came about and it is a delight to view too!

Elaine said...

Love your owls on their books - just goes to show you should never throw anything away!! Here in the UK, we know them as Wise Old Owls!

hazel said...

A wonderful page, the owls are fab and I love the story of how your page came about.
xxx Hazel.

Mickie said...

Lovely page with a lovely story. Thank you for entering The craft Barn Alpha/Dictionary Challenge and good luck for the draw xx

maggie said...

Your wise owls have so much character and a brilliant idea to stand them on books. Your page came together beautifully.