A few months ago, inspiration struck when I realized how much potential crafting material was being wasted with the unused cardboard boxes that always seem to be flowing through our office. With such a neat texture, I wondered, ‘What, oh what, can we create using cardboard?’ Shortly thereafter, I stumbled upon these beyond adorable ornaments at Anthro made out of, you guessed it… cardboard! So, I set out to create a cardboard owl ornament, and I must say, I’m completely smitten with the final product (just look at those beady little eyes and tiny twig feet!) Of course, we’ve got a downloadable template and step-by-step instructions for you to create your own little guy, all after the jump.
- cardboard
- 3-inch Smoothfoam egg (available at Hobby Lobby)
- printable owl ornament template (download here)
- X-acto knife or scissors
- gold, brown and bronze glitter
- spray adhesive
- straight pins
- 2 black beads
- orange marker
- hot glue gun
- thread
- Print owl template. Cut out stencils, trace onto cardboard, and cut out individual owl body parts.
- To create textured owl belly, cut five 2-inch long strips of cardboard, about 1/2-inch thick. Peel back top layer of cardboard to expose wavy middle layer.
- Spray foam egg and all cardboard cutout pieces (except for the beak) with spray adhesive, and cover with glitter on one side only. Cover the ‘tail’ piece of cardboard with glitter on both front and back.
- Referring to the images above, hold egg upside down, and use straight pins to secure the tail, then the wings, then the ears into the egg.
- Use glue gun to secure wavy strips to owl’s belly.
- Color beak orange, and glue just above owl belly. Place eye circles above beak, thread straight pin through black bead, and press through center of eye circle.
- Cut 5-inch long piece of thread, and glue ends between owl’s ear and head to create hanging loop.
- We found a couple tiny twigs outside, and glued them to the bottom of the owl for feet.
oh my gosh! HE IS ADORABLE!!!
In love with this idea, Chanel! And it’s not too terribly intimidating either!
Just might have to give it a-go myself! 
{love} owls too! what a perfect little DIY! we have a cute little owl in our must have gift post coming out in a few days. happy holidays ladies!!!
He is the absolute CUTEST!!!! I’m obsessed!
this is beautiful. owls for everyone!
Chanel, what a clever title for this post and what adorable idea! I can see this customized into so many color schemes
Thanks so much – Camille was the mastermind behind the title and I thought it was just too perfect. And I totally agree – how pretty would this ornament look in shades of blue, purple and silver?
Just adorable! Now I just need some time to make one:)
Owl love for sure! So darn cute in all its glitter…
totally gorgeous plus I love the idea that it’s recycled & re-purposed. I also keep scraps for later activities, I just can’t find myself throwing great paper
Adorable! I just completed decorating a tree at a camp in Maine and I was missing some of the sparkle (I was doing a complete woodsy theme). I think this owl is going to be perfect! Now i just need to carve out a little time to make one or three. Thanks for posting this!
Happy Entertaining!
Linda
I’m in love with these. I saw them at the store and they’re even better in person! The turtle one is so cute!
Chanel – I think you’ve heard your next DIY challenge!!
This is adorable and amazing
Happy Holidays and Best wishes