What a hoot! This adorable owl is a super QUICK and EASY DIY wood slice project for fall home decor or any time of the year.
His name is Charlie.
Why Charlie? He's named after the New Zoo Review, a kid's program from the 70's.
I first discovered the New Zoo Review when I had to come home sick from school one day in Middle School. I had the flu and had barfed all over my locker in the hallway and surprisingly had been sent home (no idea why) and it just happened to be on tv that afternoon.
I was in love.
Sure, I was probably a bit old to be watching a kids tv program, but I loved its simplicity and the theme song and somehow it made me feel better.
"It's the New Zoo Review, coming right at you . . ."
Can I admit something pretty embarrassing? Besides having barfed on my locker in Middle School?
When I broke my arm in August, I had a day long pity party for myself where I laid in bed, drank chocolate milk, ate crunchy Cheetos and watched a couple "episodes" of the New Zoo Review on my laptop. They were really just little snippets that people had taped off their tv sets, but I pretended they were full versions.
And it did make me feel better!
Sometimes it just takes a little nostalgia and babying to get you back in gear. And an owl.
On arm news, I have been officially released from therapy and am 90% back to normal (as if I have ever been normal). I just need to work a little bit more on my fingers to get them moving like they should. Believe it or not, just typing on your computer is not considered therapy. Darn it!
How To Make A DIY Wood Slice Owl
Supplies
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
- 1 Large wood slice - 10" x 15"
- 1 Sawtooth picture frame hanger
- 2 5" wide jar lids
- 2 Regular mouth canning jar lids with bands
- 2 Pop bottle caps
- 1 Serving Spoon
- 2 Forks
- 1 Branch
- E6000 Glue
- Stain or Danish Oil (optional)
If you prefer to make smaller owls, just scale the lids to the wood slice size
Instructions
It's really just a three step process (one of which is optional, but I didn't want to be all "hey, it only takes two steps" and then you think I'm bragging ) :
1. Stain (optional)
If you want to give your owl a bit of color, you can use a stain to darken the wood slice. I used the Watco's Danish Oil that I had used on my Mid-Century Modern Chair Restoration in the spring.
This is a totally optional step, you can leave him with the natural wood look if you like.
2. Attach Picture Hanger
Before you start putting on your owl parts, attach a sawtooth picture hanger on the back of the wood slice.
3. Glue
Glue your branch toward the bottom of the wood slice and then glue the forks over the branch (as if he's holding on for his dear life).
Glue the spoon to the middle of his forehead as a nose/beak/mouth.
This is where it gets tricky. Just kidding, there's nothing tricky here.
Glue your large lids to the wood.
Take the canning lids out of the metal bands and flip the flat lid part around so the prettier side of the lid shows and glue that on top of the larger lids.
Then attach the pop bottle caps.
Hang your owl up and give him a fitting name.
You don't have to use Charlie (because let's face it, you're probably either too old or too young to know about the New Zoo Review).
Hootie is another good one from Hootie And The Blowfish (I maybe showing my age again).
Woody? He is made of wood after all.
Any other good owl names out there?
Other projects you may enjoy:
Repurposed Vintage Snack Set Owl
Autumn
Pam! I am in love with Charlie! He is adorable! We will be making us a Charlie! So cute!
melinda
He's a cutie for sure!!!
I just realized that the spoon was his beak. duh!!
M : )
Dianne
Pam, I love Charlie! What a wonderful DIY! Next thing you know there will be Charlie clones all across the US.
Hugs,
Dianne
Tania
SHUT UP!!!! This is so freaking adorable!!!!
Tania
Vickie
Charlie is pretty darn cute, Pam! I never heard of that TV show, but I'll check it out to see if it's just escaped my memory like so many other things from my past. I'm glad your arm is almost healed, too! And I'm extra excited that I was able to open your blog and leave a comment in no time at all! Several new appliances were installed from our cable company for our wireless router and I hope it keeps working. Have a good evening!
Pam
Yay for the cable company!!!
Barbara
Sure do remember that show - my KIDS watched that! So now you know - I could be your mother.
Charlie is a HOOT! Such a great way to upcycle those lids and silverware. I love it. He'd be cute on my deck or the tree nearby. I love your old rake and that you decorate it and use it inside! Another great craft from you, Pam.
Pam
Ah, thank you Barbara! You're so sweet!
Jenny
Glad about your recovery! I enjoyed hearing about how nostalgia helped you out of a rough time! I love many old TV shows and TCM movies. Or after a horrible week at work, I will read a Nancy Drew book as a treat, and you know what? It works, just like your show did for you!
Pam
Nancy is an old friend of mine too. Love those books!
Debra@CommonGround
super-duper cute Pam! Love the vintage rake and Bittersweet, too!
Pam
Thanks! I tired that bittersweet in probably five different places in the house and I finally just threw it up on the rake and that's where it's stayed. It's simple, but it works 🙂
Merri Jo
Charlie is not only adorable, but I am once again amazed at your clever, creative vision!! I can implement just about any idea, but I would never to put the elements together.
I bet it feels great to have the cast off--& I hope your work at therapy will return full strength and range of motion really soon!
Merri Jo
oops * I would never THINK to put....
Pam
It sounds strange, but I never realized just how much I used that arm until I couldn't use it. I won't ever take having two good arms for granted again 🙂
Elizabeth@ Rustic Maple
That is so darn cute! Nostalgia is good sometimes 😉
Michele @ The Vintage Vixen
Pam, I love this owl!!! It is so inventive and creative, not to mention adorable!!! And I think babying yourself every once in a while is an absolute must!!! When I have my down days, I make myself some soup, some hot chocolate, get under the covers and watch episodes of "Mr. Rodger's Neighborhood" and wish I was a part of the land of make believe. Works like a charm every time!!!
Pam
Oh, Mr. Rodger's is another good one!
Laurie
Love love owls! This is very clever. This may be a silly question, but I live in South Florida, Where do you get the wood slices? Lately I have seen a lot of DIY crafts with wood slices. Thank you for sharing.
Pam
You can find them at the craft stores usually in the same aisle where they sell wooden crates and dowel rods. I've seen them at Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Crafts and Michaels.
Laurie
Thanks!
Jan
Charlie is a cutie!
Sandy
Love Charlie he's a hoot. Made me laugh. Thanks for such a great tutorial
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
I love this so much, Pam...it would be such a cute gift for owl-loving friends, too. We need one here...he could go with our big plaster robin that we have in the porch...his name is Pecker...for his broken beak, of course. Pinning...
Pam
Oh, and he was so easy to make it was ridiculous! I'm sure Pecker would love a companion 🙂
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
Pam this is the cutest DIY ever!!!! I remember the New Zoo Review!!! Charlie is soooo adorable and creative.
Kris
Pam
Yay! At least there's two of us who remember them 🙂 Loved Henrietta Hippo too!
Michelle Burkett
I absolutely this owl and I also came up with another name that I think is very fitting. Mason or Macy if you wanted to make it more girly. You could either draw some eyelashes on or use a set of false eye lashes for a more dramatic look. I think that would be so cute
Pam
That's a cute idea. And I love the mason jar reference as a name!!!