DIY Owl Handprint Art (The Perfect Gift for Grandparents!)
Do you know what Sunday is? Sunday is Grandparent’s Day! The Cs have been blessed with two sets of phenomenal grandparents, so we definitely wanted to do something to honor them and say “Thank you!” for all they do.
A few years ago, I made these pieces for my mom and mother-in-law for Mother’s Day using Connor’s footprint:
Since that was pre-Caleb {and also pre-blogging– HELLO grainy iPhone pic!}, I have been wanting to make something that incorporates both of the boys, and I finally got around to it with this project. This time, I planned to use the Cs’ handprints to create little owls and add a quote about grandparents’ wisdom to tie it all together, making it the perfect gift for grandparents.
If you would like to make your own DIY Owl Handprint Art, you will need:
- Scrapbook paper
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Quote of your choice
- Tape & Scissors
- Frame, if desired
Step 1- Make the Handprints
The handprints will be the foundation for the rest of the design, so I put those on first. I chose BLUE paper to match the decor in the grandparents’ houses. Instead of letting the C’s slosh their hands around in paint, I used a paintbrush to apply paint to one of their hands and helped them gently press it onto the paper.
Are those not the cutest little hands you’ve ever seen?! Love those sweet chubby fingers! <3
Step 2- Build the Owls
Next I began adding parts of the owl step by step.
1. I drew the branch freehand, cut it out, and used the super-complicated “tape donut” method to attach it to the page. 😉 I used tape rather than spray adhesive or glue because I liked the 3-D look, like the pieces were popping off the paper.
2. I cut ovals in two different colors for the wings, layered the smaller oval on top of the larger oval, and attached them to my piece.
3. The eyes came next. I traced three different sized circles– dark brown for the largest, white for the middle layer, and black for the smallest– and layered them. Then I used a hole punch to punch out the smallest white circle and added it to the top of the stack.
4. I then added the little details– beaks and feet made with orange construction paper and teeny tiny little hearts.
Step 3- Add a Quote
I couldn’t find the “perfect quote.” I wanted one about wisdom since I was using the owls, and I thought there would be an abundance online, but none of the ones I found was just right. So <confession time> I made up my own.
I figure if anyone asks me where I got it, I can just say that I “saw it on a website somewhere,” and I won’t even be lying because it’s on my website and I have, in fact, seen it. 😀 It says, “Grandparents have cupboards full of cookies, words full of wisdom, and hearts full of love.”
I used picmonkey.com to format it the way I wanted and printed it out on cardstock. Then I added a layer of tan scrapbook paper behind it, cut it into my desired shape, and added it to the picture.
Step 4- Frame It!
You don’t have to frame it, but I definitely think it makes it look more polished. I just went with a white frame and a white mat to set off the darker colors in the DIY art. I’m loving how it turned out!
I love how their thumbs ended up looking like little tail feathers and that their fingertips kind of created “ears.” I think it will be fun to have this piece to look back on and remember how little they once were!
They’ll be able to hold their hands up to it a few years down the road and see how much they’ve grown. And the grandparents will always have a reminder of their very favorite little people, which I know they will cherish!
Have you ever turned handprints or footprints into art? What did you create?
I love how cute and personalized it is and that it’s for the grandparents too!
the quote is perfect too! 😉
the blue projects from the other hostess are pretty too! 🙂
hope you are having a great week Abby!
Thank you, Ingrid! You are sweet! I hope you’re having a wonderful week, too!
~Abby =)
Love it! It’s is a very tastefully done project for the grandparents! I may have to steal for Christmas!
You are going to laugh- I actually thought the blue theme was this past weekend- and I had been racking my brain for blue ideas- and could not come up with a single one! But now I’ve discovered I have a couple more days 🙂 Happyness!
Yay! Just throw together whatever blue you have in your house! You can do it! 😉 Hope to “see” you on Sunday!!
~Abby =)
I hope you take credit for that quote; it’s beautiful! Such a cute project too. I love handprint art, the perfect way to make grandparents melt! 🙂
Aw, thank you friend! It was fun to put together. I hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Their grandparents are going to love these so much! This little project just melts my heart. I need to be better about doing this kind of thing with my kiddos 🙂
Thank you, friend! I hope you’re right! I’m excited for our blue link up! It’s coming up so soon!!
~Abby =)
Love it!! Grandparents are going to absolutely love this!! When my girls were younger, we made handprint wreaths, feet angels, hand turkeys, etc… I loved doing hand art with them. Great idea!!
Thanks, Crystal! I loved that the kids were so proud of it. They couldn’t wait to point out their hand to grandma and grandpa! So cute! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Oh my goodness, the handprints with the owls is so cute! Great idea! (Thanks for checking out my blog)
Thanks so much, Jen! I loved checking out your canvas projects! Thank you for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Okay this is seriously one of the cutest projects EVER Abby!! So amazing:) I LOVE the sweet little handprints… awwww.
Aww, thank you my friend! It was fun to make with the boys. Gotta preserve those handprints before they get any bigger! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Okay, this is really stinking cute! I’m pinning for next year (when I don’t forget Grandparents Day)! Thanks for sharing!!
Girl, I think this is the first year I’ve remembered since my parents/in-laws became grandparents! And this time I just happened to come across the date at the right time, lol. Thanks so much for pinning! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
So, I once more slacked off and forgot about Grandparent’s Day. I’m pinning this though in hopes I may be able to whip something up pretty quickly! Can you just send me reminders about all upcoming important days and include a craft project with each?! haha!
Lol! I forget like EVERY year! I happened to run across the date a few weeks ago and was finally in time! I have total confidence in your fast crafting abilities. You can do it! 😉 Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, friend!
~Abby =)
These are so cute! AND I love the quote! Perfect to tie it all together. It looks fabulous all framed up. Thanks for sharing with us! Hugs and have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks, Bethany! The kids got a kick out of getting their hands painted, so it was a fun project to do with them. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
The owls are so cute! And your right it is a great gift for grandparents. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you so much, Heidi! They were a hit with the grandparents. Yay! Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday!
~Abby =)
Those are super cute! Pinning to remember later, and now I need to rack my brain for a project. because this challenge looks like fun!
Thank you, Megan! I hope you’ll join the fun! Even if you have a blue project from a while ago, come by and link it up tonight! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
~Abby =)
The owls are so cute! You did a great job! If you like to link up come over to Craft Frenzy Friday at http://www.craftdictator.com!
Thanks so much for the invite, Cara! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Oh what a cute idea, I just love it!!! Pinned, and thanks so much for sharing this at my link party!
Thank you, Jessi! You’re the best! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, my friend!
~Abby =)
Those owls are adorable! I always have big plans to make handprint art with the kids and never get around to it 🙁 It’s just such a cute way to preserve the size of those little hands. I recently came across a hand tracing of my now-4-year-old when she was only a year old, and I almost cried at the sight of that tiny hand!
Aw, thank you my friend! It took me until Caleb was 2 to finally get around to this one, so I totally hear ya! They grow way too fast, don’t they? Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Awe, I wish I had done something like this when the kids were younger! These are both such sweet ideas!!
I linked over from the Practically Functional Link Party where I am participating too with Sympathy Card and Free Sympathy Cut File and would love it if you’d stop by.
Hugs, Antonella 🙂
Thank you so much, Antonella! Popping over to check out your posts now! Have a great Sunday!
~Abby =)
Oh my goodness! These are the cutest things ever!! I am definitely making these with my two boys!
Awww, thank you, friend! The boys couldn’t believe I was actually putting paint on their hands on purpose, lol! It was definitely a fun project. Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Totally PRECIOUS! XO, Aimee
Thank you so much, Aimee! It was fun to make with the boys! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Darling! I’ve got two little girls, so this would be a cute project for them to do.
If you’re interested, I’d love if you shared these at my Show & Tell party going on right now. https://www.gingerlymade.com/2013/09/show-tell-43.html
Thank you so much, Ginger! I bet your girls would love it. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I LOVE, Love, love the owl handprint art. I think the grandparents really would too. Thank you for sharing. Pinning!
Thank you so much, Audra! It was a hit! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)