Midwest 12 Days

2011 Day Twelve

2011-12-27T16:50:00.000-08:00

Beth made us all a pair of elegant wintry earrings perfect for a party or everyday!

What a wonderful way to end this years Midwest 12 Days; thanks Beth!

2011 Day Eleven

2011-12-23T22:38:00.000-08:00

Brooke mixed up a blend of spices and herbs to make Herbs de Provence. Can't wait to use this. She made the label and jarred each mix. Thanks Brooke.

2011 Day Ten

2011-12-23T22:28:00.000-08:00

Holly made this monthly calender with chalkboard paint and a clip board. Each day of the month is printed in a different font and the month can be chalked in below. Thanks Holly.

2011 Day Nine

2011-12-21T19:41:00.000-08:00

Dawn made this fun bracelet. I have been wanting to try this project. I wore it today. Kids loved it. Thanks Dawn.

2011 Day Eight

2011-12-21T19:36:00.001-08:00

Theresa made this ornament from vintage book pages and crystals. I love it. Thank you.

2011 Day Seven

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

I sewed up these cute little organizer wallets for day seven.

Hopefully it helps us keep all those to-so lists a little more organized!

Tutorial found here.

2011 Day Six

2011-12-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

On the sixth day of Christmas my girlfriend gave to me....

two super cute embellished dishtowels!

Kelli sewed these up for us and I know all of our holiday baking is going to be that much sweeter using these!

2011 Day Five

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Tasha sewed up these adorable felt matroyshka doll ornaments;

could they be any cuter?

Dosvedanya little ornament!

2011 Day Four

2011-12-18T17:00:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous reclaimed leather leaf earrings courtesy of Kristi!

These are such a great design; I know we will all wear them often.

Like maybe even today...and tomorrow..and...well you get the idea!

2011 Day Three

2011-12-17T20:36:00.001-08:00

Juli Ann wowed us with her embroidery on day three;

creating these beautiful and inspiring reminders for us all!

2011 Day Two

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Becky made us a scrumptious coffee mud scrub that smells divine, along with a

lovely peppermint lip gloss!

The gloss is super emollient and the mud scrub is going to be such a great pick me up!

2011 Day One

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here we go!

12 Days 2011 Day One!

Beth M. made this really charming paper flower hook!

The petals are from an old book and have a really nice sheen to them.

It makes a wonderful crinkly sound!

I have to be honest, I really want to use this as a Christmas ornament; it's so pretty!

flashback: 2010

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe these great gifts were from a year ago; time sure does fly!

wrapping ideas

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

A few ideas in case you are stumped on how to wrap your awesome handmade gifts!

Confetti Wrapping

Paint Chip Boxes

Yarn Wrapped Boxes

flashback: 2008

2011-11-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

These are just half of the gifts swapped back in 2008!

Just about one month to go for 2011; are you ready?

need an idea?

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Washi Tape Magnets via Twirling Betty!

idea help

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Make a wrap bracelet via Honestly...WTF

flashback: 2007

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Just five short years ago we celebrated the first Midwest 12 Days gift exchange!

{I apologize for the missing photo; I didn't seem to take a picture of my own gift}

I know I still have and use every gift (well, except the candy; I ate that)!

2011 Twelve Days

2011-10-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that this is our fifth year celebrating friendships and handmade gifts via our Midwest 12 Days gift exchange!

2007 was our first year; we started off with one group of 12. In 2008 the blog was born and we expanded into two groups of twelve. 2009 saw us grow into four group, which proved to be too much to handle so we went back to one group for both 2010 and 2011!

Over the next few weeks we'll be taking some trips down memory lane with mosaics of past exchanges and we'll also try to inspire you with some new ideas for this year!

Kicking things off is this cute bookmark tutorial from little lovelies by allison!

day 11 group 2

2010-01-03T14:32:00.001-08:00

Dawn made soap. I have already opened the green grass scent. I wish you could smell how good these scents are...Thanks Dawn.

group 2 day 10

2010-01-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

liz sent along this little bundle of baubles. I have been wearing this ring non-stop. Thanks Liz!!!

Day 9 group 2

2009-12-23T09:14:00.001-08:00

Lisa sent along these pictures for day 9. I have this darling flower on my coat already. Thanks Lisa!

Group 2 Day 8

2009-12-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

yum, yum, clementine clove coffee liqueur. I am going to bring this over to my sister's holiday party. Thanks Beth L. Love the packaging!

Group 2 Day 7

2009-12-21T13:26:00.001-08:00

Snowflakes are flurrying around and this one showed up on day 7. This delicate snowflake was sent by Jodi. Thank you!

Group 2 Day 6

2009-12-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

Angela, this is making me think about summer in the middle of the cold-gray winter. What a darling garden apron and seed packet. I thank you and so does my bare yard.

Group 2 Day 5

2009-12-21T13:18:00.000-08:00

Becky sent these festive feathered headbands...love the crystal detail. I put this one on immediately. Thanks Becky!!!

Group 2 Day 4

2009-12-21T13:13:00.001-08:00

it's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas. This cinnamon stick adorned votive nestled in pine greenery smells wonderful. Thanks Anne!

group 2 day 3

2009-12-21T13:08:00.000-08:00

Erin sent us this fun headband perfect for holiday parties. Glittery buttons that sparkle sewn to an elastic band...Thanks Erin.

2009-12-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

Group 3 - Day 4

This sweet little pouch came in handy as I was going out.... Thank you Kara! The perfect size for lip gloss keys and ID.

2009-12-16T20:54:00.001-08:00

Group 3 - Day 3

This Snowflake Garland is my new favorite thing! Im still looking for the perfect spot. Thanks Tasha!

Group 2 Day 2

2009-12-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

Yo, Yo, Yo...Merry Christmas from Iowa. (Jessica...I hope you weren't waiting to blog this. If so, delete and add your own) If you only knew the story of a dog named Lucy and the needle Jessica used to sew these...

Group 2 day 1

2009-12-16T19:07:00.000-08:00

Day 1...let the unwrapping begin. Melissa made these darling accordian folded books. Love the ribbon.

group 2 loot

2009-12-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

Group 4 - i will be posting one gift each day under this Post!

2009-12-15T20:38:00.001-08:00

# 8- Kristi Orlet, Edwardsville, il.

glittery snowman on red craft paper

a charming cutout ceramic snowflake and a star magnet!

#7- Robin Springer, O'Fallon, Il.

Angel gift wrap

a festive peppermint snowman lollipop pin!

#5- Tasha Hock, Shafer, Mn.

Gold tissue wrapping paper

an elegant red and gold hand-dyed silk scarf!

#4- Beth Maue, Highland, Il.

clear bag with a sparkling green tag!

a fun little bracelet of grey buttons!

#3- Theresa Fuesting, Glen Carbon, Il.

peppermint box

an adorable felted bird ornament!!

#2- Leslie Wulff, St. Louis, Mo.

black and hot pink tin box

a beautiful black ribbon and jeweled bookmark!!

#1 Leslie Townley, St. Louis, Mo.

lovely faux bois packaging!

inside was this cute Christmas owl!

Day 2 - Group 3

2009-12-15T19:34:00.000-08:00

Go Ask Alice

Go Ask Alice, how she made these super cute ornaments. Alice from St. Louis made these adorable ceramic and what appear to be an assortment of shrinky dinks and sequin ornaments. Cant wait to deck the halls with this beauty.

Day 1 - Group 3

2009-12-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

Smitten Mittens

How sweet are these adorable mittens from Elayne?

What a fun way to start off Group 3 with these warm fleece handmade mittens.

Cant wait to open day number 2!

Group 4 all in!!

2009-12-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

Love,

Claire Williams St. Louis, Mo.

ready, set, go....

2009-12-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

gifts are in the mail...counting down the days until we unwrap gift #1.

(group 2, gift 12)
-Beth

Gift Idea

2009-10-22T16:50:00.001-07:00

Someone really needs to make these!! - MCA

Round 3 and 4 Groups

2009-10-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

2009 and we have grown. We are up to 4 groups this year which means we get to welcome some new 12 dayers. Look forward to more posts soon, in the mean time...here's a little inspiration.

fabric flower tutorial

basket tutorial

betz's nests.

that's a wrap

2009-01-08T18:45:00.001-08:00

thanks to all that participated in this years 12 days. looking forward to 2009. we are very likely going to have 3 groups with all of the interest we had this year. look for an email in early October!
Happy 2009!
-Beth

day 12 group 1

2009-01-08T18:41:00.000-08:00

holly made these quilted trivets but they look too pretty to sit a hot pot on. concentric circles of great patterns and fabrics. thanks holly.

day 13 group 2

2009-01-08T18:35:00.001-08:00

you read right, 13 in this 12 days of Christmas. the more the merrier. paige made these darling felted, i'm calling mine a fairy house, ornaments. look at the tiny door and button window. too cute. okay, okay, i am going to have to get a tree next year, too many handmade ornaments that need to be put on display. thanks paige!

day 12 group 2

2009-01-08T18:30:00.000-08:00

jessica made these fun colorful magnets for our group...they remind me of candy. i have enough to put on the fridge, in my studio and i might brave taking some to school although, i think they might quickly disappear. thanks jess. and a practical way to send them along...a baker we can use again!

day 11 group 2

2009-01-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

a pretty necklace of swirled blue and clear glass on a silk cord. earrings to match. thanks so much for this contemporary jewelry. we are going to have the best accessories for 2009!

Day 11 Group 1 - Flower Power

2009-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

How sweet are these tulle broaches by Claire Bear? Something about these reminds me of Molly Ringwald's dress in Pretty in Pink. I love the assortment of the packages as much as the gifts.

Day 10 Group 1 - Where did we leave off...?

2009-01-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

These were the holiday hit in the Lou. So many of the girls from the group were wearing these around town. I believe they are all a little different. Thanks to Kim from the Ok state.

day 10 group 2

2008-12-25T12:26:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-25T12:20:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-25T12:12:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-24T12:42:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-24T12:32:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T17:05:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T07:50:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-17T19:21:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

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

pretty posies! day 3 group 2

2008-12-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-16T16:19:00.000-08:00

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....

2008-12-15T06:54:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-14T20:27:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-14T18:05:00.000-08:00

Here is the stash!

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

2008-12-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

Countdown Clocks

Checking in from Chicago

2008-12-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-05T11:11:00.000-08:00

#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

2008-12-02T23:27:00.000-08:00

Group One:

Day Twelve is on the way! YEAH!

Cheers,
Holly

#9 coming at you from Beantown

2008-12-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

All set for my St. Louis delivery this weekend!

Can't wait!

Maggie

All boxed up and ready to go!

2008-11-22T14:03:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-09T14:24:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-11-05T13:48:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-02T23:46:00.001-08:00

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

2008-10-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

these are found here and here.

these were on martha.

someone make these!

2008-10-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

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

Need an Idea?

2008-10-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

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

tag, you are it

2008-10-07T19:40:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

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