Funny story about this chicken card... The original card shape was done by a gal named Michele who was inspired to create the shaped card by my ol' Whipper Snapper stamp, Rollerderby Hen! You can see her original card here,and two others here. Other stampers saw Michele's cards and made their own: here, here and another by Michele here. Two different people have mailed me cards they've made that are the shape of the chicken card above (though their chicken cards face the other direction). Did they know that the design was inspired by one of my stamps; who knows! But they knew I love chickens, and would appreciate the card. And they were right!
To bring this hen full circle, I decided it was time I sit down and make my own chicken card, inspired by Michele (and ultimately, my Rollerderby Hen)!
I still had some of the October Afternoon paper on my desk, so that's the paper I chose to use. I love the country chic colors and patterns on the paper, perfect for a fat little country hen! I used one of the cards that I received as a template and traced the shape of the hen's body onto natural colored cardstock. Then I traced the shape again, on the backside of the blue/green patterened paper. I cut out a rustic country shaped heart for her wing, and assembled the card. Her comb is a rustic country shaped heart punch (probably the same heart punch Michele used on the original design), and her wattle is a portion of an Anna Griffin leaf punch. I think the shapes work perfectly as a comb and wattle!
I had so much fun with the card, I decided to make a large gift tag using the same papers and hen shape. I sketched out the shapes on the backside of the designer paper, cut them out and assembled the tag using various buttons, ribbons, and even a bead for the hen's eye.
Thank you to the two ladies who sent the hen cards to me so long ago! I love them, I truly do! And thanks to Michele, for finding inspiration from one of my old stamps, and sharing her creativity!
Oh! I LOVE these! I love that sweet paper with the chubby hens...and that tag! Too stinkin' cute! I am SO making these! Dang, I've missed a lot-I'll be here a while...
Posted by: Danielle | October 19, 2010 at 10:20 AM
I just HAPPEN to be one of the lucky recipents of Michelle's chicken cards...it has a permanent place in my hutch! She chose my "secret" gift at a swap in Buffalo NY, and sent me that chicken as a thank you note! What a coincidence!!!!!!
Posted by: Kelly Schirmer | October 08, 2010 at 05:25 AM
Love this post! Your chicken card and tag are fabulous! Very country chic!
Posted by: Beth M | October 05, 2010 at 01:52 PM
Aaaawwwww, Anna!! You brought a lump to my throat, a tear to my eye and a warmth to my heart. You have acquainted us all with chickens created on paper and created in eggs (I mean, who couldn't fall in love with little frizzled Tiny Tim and his adorable Anna made coat because of his too tight frizzling!!) I have a new appreciating of chickens because of you,and who knew there were so many different varieties all with their own quirks and characteristics. Thanks for bringing them to life for we your followers. Hope you had an awesome summer preserving all your produce and if you have pumpkins, I just made the most amazing layered pumpkin cheesecake and also have a recipe for pumpkin bars that have a fantastically decadent layer of butterscotch praline on top!! Let me know!!! Oh, and self saucing pumpkin pudding (with a brandy/orange sauce for the self saucing part--YUUUUUMMMMM!!!)
Posted by: Michele Ghent | October 05, 2010 at 01:09 PM
Bbbbbbbb-gawwwwk! That's chicken for OMG, these are so cute!
Posted by: kathynruss | October 04, 2010 at 02:50 PM
Amazingly cute card and large tag! Isn't it funny how creativity creates ever-widening ripples? I think you started a trend, if you will, with your skating hen. :)
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | October 04, 2010 at 08:21 AM
The neat shade of green is sooooo pretty on these cards! :)
Posted by: Shala | October 04, 2010 at 06:19 AM
Adorable!
Posted by: denise young | October 03, 2010 at 08:54 PM
Oh my goodness Anna! What adorable chicken cards and tag. They're adorable! Love the eyeballs and beaks. Happy Birthday! Is Your Alan going to bake you a cake?
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | October 03, 2010 at 06:57 PM
Anna these are just wonderful, love the homespun feel they have. Totally adorable.
Posted by: Ida | October 03, 2010 at 03:53 PM
*Squeal*! That hen is the queen of the coop! How adorbs!!
Posted by: Holly aka Toy | October 03, 2010 at 03:28 PM
These are just toooooo cute! I'm going to have to make some. I love chickens, too.
Posted by: Susan G | October 03, 2010 at 12:46 PM
just as shabby precious as can possbily be! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Scull | October 03, 2010 at 11:21 AM
The chicken card is just too cute for words..Thanks for sharing & the opportunity to win blog candy.
Posted by: Linda Ressetar | October 03, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Oh thanks for showcasing this chicken card - I LOVE it! I think I need to make some polka dot ones to send to my friends today. I love your blog and all your critters.
Posted by: carol fun | October 03, 2010 at 10:34 AM
this is just lovely! so soft and country and perfect!
Posted by: Kelly Bee | October 03, 2010 at 08:12 AM
Oh my GOSH!! How CUTE are these!! Love Love LOVE them!
Posted by: Denise (peanutbee) | October 03, 2010 at 05:42 AM
Michele is a good friend of mine and she will be tickled to see this.. I have cased her card some time ago.. This is awesome Anna.. I LOVE chickens.. They have a special place in my heart. I had a pet chicken as a little girl that would ride around on my shoulder. Great memories.. Your chicken stamps are my favorite and I have quite a few..:) Super job..
Posted by: Dawn B. | October 03, 2010 at 05:38 AM
Awwwk these are too WONDERFUL !
This is one I am going to have to have a go at. I have a spotted chicken stamp (yours?) that I make cards for children with *Chicken Pocs* which reads. "I hear you have a spotted chicken" outside . " oh-oh It's Chicken Pocs, Sorry. Hope you get well soon." inside.
Have a simple relaxing Sunday, hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | October 03, 2010 at 05:16 AM
These are fabulous! So fun and cute!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | October 03, 2010 at 05:01 AM
Anna, I love the country chic paper used on your adorable chicken card and tag. I relaly enjoyed seeing all the cards inspired by Rollerderby Hen!
Posted by: Kittie Caracciolo | October 03, 2010 at 04:36 AM
OMG!!! These are too cute. Love everything about them. I love your chickens and everything you make with them.
Posted by: Linda Pallmer | October 02, 2010 at 09:48 PM
for the love of cuteness... aren't these just darling? love the card and the tag, Anna! so sweet!
Posted by: Lori Craig | October 02, 2010 at 07:19 PM
Oh how cute! These are wonderful!! The design and shape of the card is just so sweet and the tag would be one I'd never be able to part with. LOVELY!!
I too love that stamp. I made 12 cards for a swap all using this wonderful chicken stamp: http://thimblesbobbinspaperandink.blogspot.com/2010/03/thanks-chickie.html
Posted by: Jennifer Woodward | October 02, 2010 at 07:17 PM
OMGosh! These are just the cutest creations ever!
Posted by: Carol | October 02, 2010 at 06:50 PM