day 10 group 2

ACHOO. mary claire sent along a tissue cozy. love the brass charms and festive stripes. look at the adorable shrinky dink and vintage map packaging.

day 9 group 2

all the way from bean town. liz sent a long this fun card holder. pull the ribbon and your business cards, photos, or credit cards pop up. fun jackson pollock inspired recycled ink cards. thanks for the modern stationary and the card holder.

day 8 group 2

i accidentally opened out of order, oops. rachel made felt and pearl necklaces with a lovely cream ribbon. i have the perfect scooped neck top to wear this with. thanks rachel!!

She's crafty She's dynomite ....Day 9 Group 1

Alice made these adorable fabric trees for day 9. Ok Adam is pulling me off the computer... something about getting ready for his Aunt's Christmas Eve party.
* is that an original Ron Wever in the background?

Snail Xmas - What? Day 8 Group 1

There is no way this photo is going to do this print justice. There is such a delicate softness that one could only see in person. Glad so many frame shops are having sales, I cant wait to get this on the wall. This diptych is from Jodi and Elliot in St. Louis. Jodi has a great eye. A few years back she took portraits of my sisters and I for my parents as a Christmas gift. Thanks Jodi and E

ps. snail xmas is the title of the print. if you look close there are snails on the trees.

Dont Judge a Book by it's Cover Day 7 Group 1

So I must confess when I opened this gift, I thought, What cute bracelets! Holly clued me in that these were bookmarks. Tasha from Highland, IL made these cute marks to hold your place. I still may wear mine as a bracelet.

Where did we leave off? Day 6 Group 1

No whining here... these wine labels are fabulous. What a unique way to jazz up that hostess gift or that last minute (what do I have on the wine rack) birthday present. The set included 4 labels that wrap around any bottle of wine and a little tag to add to and from.

Many thanks Anne!

Hope this pic isnt too dark. Please feel free to upload other pics.

day7 group 2

Maggie sent along this matted classic Polaroid photograph. love the composition and the red and green. did you know that they no longer make Polaroid film and there is a movement to save Polaroid. thanks for giving us this endangered/soon to be extinct gift. i am going to buy a frame tomorrow. i have the perfect spot picked out!

day 5 and 6 group 2

day 6. i made earrings for everyone. i found these petite top drilled pearls and was inspired. they remind me of snowflakes. hope everyone likes them.

day 5, we opened up stitched felt ornaments. beautifully crafted. thank you donna mae.

A beautiful thing is never perfect Day 5 Group 1

I think we're almost caught up. This tin of beautiful magnets arrived from Christine. The classic black and white design should match any kitchen. I loved the quote on the inside lid. How true.

" A beautiful thing is never perfect" Egyptian Proverb

I have very few Christmas decorations, so I tried to use what I had as props. If you have better pics please feel free to upload them.

Pick a Card any Card...Day 4 Group 1

A fun assortment of cards from Amy. Does anyone else think its interesting that both groups had handmade cards for day 4?

Catching Up Day 3 Group 1

Who has a snow day and lots of time to spend on line? I do!!! So I've taken some time to snap a few pics and get this baby back on track. Day three was my worry package. Everyone in group two has had their packages for weeks. I kept counting mine and watching the mail. I was number 1 so I skipped that day. Day two the terrarium and hmmm.... where was day 3? But just in the nick of time, Theresa's package arrived. These charming ornaments with hand-cut papers and tedious soldering are the perfect addition to any tree. Oh and the packaging was so cute to boot!

*I wish I had mad photoshop skills to put the photos side by side.

Backing up to Day 2 - Group 1

I think I may be one of the few that received her gift from FLA in one piece. Tracy sent ahead a caveat that her 12 days gift may not make it, but mine did!!! So this sweet little succulent is going in my window with the most sun. I will try to find my green thumb and not kill this dainty thing. I've been eyeing the terrarium's on etsy lately, so it's fun to get something you want without asking. Thanks Tracy.

cute cards day 4 group 2

anne sent along these cute cards for day 4. i love the happy birthday card. what a treat these will be to send and receive. thanks anne!

Checking in from snowy Marion, IA

Just wanted to show off another variety of this adorable bag!

pretty posies! day 3 group 2

Dawn (Hopper) Busher crocheted these darling flowers. I pinned mine on on the way out the door this morning. Thank you Dawn.

It's in the bag! day 2 group 2

kristi (orlet) dickens sent along darling sewn bags in vintage fabrics. how did you have time? i think the consensus is that the bag will make the perfect lunch bag. we will be the envy of the lunch table. let us know if you have found another way to show off your adorable bag. thanks kristi

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS....

Group 1 -
In my mad dash to get these out the door, one of my students was a gem and took some pictures of my final packages.


I found these fun recycled envelopes on etsy at pickalapoopa
She was such a kind seller, offering to hand deliver here in Chicago. Made from recycled materials this seller's attention to detail is amazing.


Well I hope everyone is staying warm. Here is Chicago we went from 50 to 8 degrees in less than 10 hours. There is also a nice blanket of ice.


Cant wait to open #2!

*Please let me know if anyone besides Beth, had to pay additional postage! I used the automated postage machine and thought all envelopes were created equal.

Day #1

On the first day of the Midwest 12 days Brooke made for Group 1 little ceramic gift tags.

These would be cute as ornaments as well.

Day 1 - Group 2

Here is the stash!

Our barista gillian served up a treat, a great coffee cup cozy for those necessary caffeine trips.

Countdown Clocks

Checking in from Chicago

So, I have finally got my ducks in a row, so to speak. I got my holiday cards in the mail(check). Found these super cute cards from SpringOlive at etsy.
With any luck 12 days gifts are going out Monday (check). I told myself, I wouldnt put this off and here I am sending all 12 out priority.

I am making a run to Michael's for clear glass ornaments. I think I am glutton...I agreed to make 54 ornaments for the board of my school. Why do I agree to these things? Well at least I have 3 classes of eager teenagers that will help.
We have had our first few days of snow and super cold weather here in the Chi. Not enough to call off school, but enough to raise the question, why do I live here?
So, Adam (bless his heart) is washing the lovely mixture of salt and snow melt off my car and then we are off to run more errands on this freezing Sunday?

What about you? Have you completed all your Christmas chores? I still need to shop but am convincing myself that my procrastination is waiting for my trip to NY with Holly and Tracy to shop. We'll see. I just cant seem to get in the shopping mood.

Group 2...the bookends

#1 & #13 packages went in the mail on Tuesday.  Hopefully some of you have already received them.  But for those that haven't, in the spirit of sneaking and peeking, here's what's comin' your way from Paige and I...

Paige's little bundles of cuteness:

And my not-quite-as-cute-but-i-sure-hope-you-like-'em bundles.  Er, sacks. Whatever.

Merry merry! --Gillian

Group One:

Day Twelve is on the way! YEAH!

Cheers,
Holly

#9 coming at you from Beantown

Hello 12-day creators,
Keep a look out! Number 9 coming at you all shortly from Boston, MA!!! New England is representing!

I have already received some gifts in the mail and I am super excited! Now I hope I can wait them out and actually open them on the given day!

Best,
Liz

Lucky #7

All set for my St. Louis delivery this weekend!  

Can't wait!

Maggie

All boxed up and ready to go!

Yes, I'm a huge dork! I'm excited to share with Group 2 that all my gifts are done and ready to go. How is everyone doing?


Best Wishes,
Dawn

tree trimming

these would be fun to make. i like the unfinished folksy look. has anyone else been hearing Christmas music on the radio? I am getting ready for silver bella this weekend and then it is full steam ahead on the 12 days.

*does anyone have a preference for her gift number? I will assign them soon. speak now of forever hold your peace.

December 1st deadline for creating. Items will be shipping around this time.
-Beth

Too many ideas!

I don't know about you guys but I have too many ideas (5 so far) for the 12 days gift exchange. It's so hard to pick just one! In the meantime, if you're looking for sometime different. Check out The Soap Queen. She has some great tutorials on soap-making and handmade lotions! Fun! Later, Dawn

http://soap-queen.blogspot.com/2008/11/gift-series-snowflake-soap-tutorial.html

new music

12dayers,

i updated the blog with holiday music!

i was starting to get into the spirit puting it together.  i think this will inspire me to finish making my gifts.  

this might just be the best christmas mix ever!

i hope you enjoy!

claire 

okay, more ideas and inspiration

these are found here and here.


these were on martha.

someone make these!

pimp stitch looks like a fun blog. hope everyone is getting crafty.

Need an Idea?

A cute office clip 'upgrade'!  This is from the April 2008 issue of Country Home magazine!   - Mary Claire

tag, you are it

i have already started to think about my packaging. i picked up these little tags this past weekend from le papier studio. i hope to use them but who knows what might strike my fancy as the end of November draws near. check again below to see any changes to the group lists. happy creating.

-beth

Sneak Peak for Group 2

Hello ladies!  Here is sneak peak of what's to come from me.  I am so excited to see what everyone comes up with this year!  Cheers - Mary Claire

ready, set, go

and the groups are:
group 1:

brooke williams
theresa fuesting
amy peffer
christine kroeze
anne joswiak
tasha roe
jodi hertz
alice mcullen
kim haynes
claire williams
tracy pickford
holly williams

group 2:

gillian nelson
kristi orlet
dawn hopper
anne carpenter
donna mae linden
beth williams
maggie evans
rachel jager
liz mearkle
mary claire allen
jodi axel
jessica lipkey
paige reed