Better late than never, right?

I have to admit that the "hustle & bustle" of the season has run away with me!  I refuse to believe that Christmas is only 5 very, very short days away.  Eeks!!

Some of you might think that my insistance on planning my days/weeks/months is a little OCD.  And, maybe it is.  But, if I don't, this is what happens:  cards don't get made or sent out, Christmas presents don't get purchased or made on time, and I get incredibly stressed out - and melt into a puddle of frustrated tears.  That's not exactly my idea of a "holly jolly" Christmas.

So, first, please let me apologize in advance for the lack of Christmas cards again this year.  Ironic, I know.

Second, if you have an IOU gift coming your way, it should be done by the end of the week.

For those of you waiting to see who wins this month's mini kit, your wait is finally over!  The winner of Midnight Rooster's December mini kit is Angie Gutshall!  Congratulations!!  Please e-mail your contact information to me at mburry{at}midnightrooster.net, and we'll get your mini out to you lickety split!  =)

*hugs*
Michelle

december Midnight Rooster projects and this month's mini kit giveaway

I apologize for being a little late in getting this entry posted - still haven't figured out why my bestie's computer doesn't like my modem - so I have to squeeze in all of my internet "stuff" in before/after work or at lunch.

Below are my projects for Midnight Rooster using Ralphy's Christmas, the Christmas kit.

Here is ornament #1 using the printed paper and chipboard buttons from Jenni Bowlin.

   

Here is ornament #2 using one of the printed papers from Crate and some miscellaneous gems from my stash.

  

I created this card from the "backside" of the Crate paper I used for the ornament above, the Fancy Pants rub-ons, and gems and Stickles from my stash.

I created this gift envelope using the My Mind's Eye paper and ribbon.  I attached the scalloped circle on the back using foam squares so that I could slip the tip of the envelope under the circle to open and close the envelope.

This box is *super* easy to make with the paper from The Girls' Paperie!  All you  need to do is score along the "lines" where the prints meet and fold.  I closed the box using one of the snowflake embellishments, also from The Girls' Paperie.

More December projects coming soon!!

*hugs*

Michelle

 ----------   PART #2   ----------

And, here are my projects using the December kits.  A little out-of-the box for me.  I think that my style might be evolving a little bit.

And, here is this month's mini kit. 

Leave a comment with your answer to the following question for a chance to win.

"What is your favorite holiday tradition that you observe as a family?"

I'll be drawing a winner tomorrow night.  Good luck!!

*hugs*

Michelle

Look at these little cuties!

Someday, I would love to learn the art of needle felting.  There is one crafter in particular whose projects I just absolutely love.  Her name is Lauren Alane, and she makes the most adorable little owls.  Below are her newest little additions.  They are currently for sale here on eBay.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day!

*hugs*

Michelle

some holiday inspiration from me to you

I am really in the holiday crafting mood - which is a very good thing, since I lost my entire crafting weekend to a 3-day long migraine. (boo!)  I flipped through my BOS (book of scraps) and visited some of my fave crafting blogs to find some inspiration and to help get the creative juices flowing.

Here are some of my favorite holiday projects:

Christmas wreath by Amber Packer

embellished hat & gloves by Jennifer Gallacher

Christmas ornaments by Laurie Cinotto

vintage ornament wreath by Whitney Smith

tiny gingerbread house by NotMartha{dot}org

I hope that you were able to find a little holiday inspiration from them, too!

*hugs*

Michelle

Remember to take time to enjoy the season.

This is my absolute favorite time of the year for so many different reasons. First and most important, it is a time to celebrate Jesus's birth and to reflect upon that first Christmas gift. I love listening to and singing Christmas music, both spiritual and secular. (Except for Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. I hate that song.) I love the festive and the elegant decorations. And watching all of the Christmas specials on TV. I love making and giving gifts to the many special people in my life.

It is so easy for us to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of it all. The frustratingly slow-to-stopped traffic of the holiday shoppers. The crowded stores. Rushing here-and-there to all of the holiday parties and school programs.

It is so important that we keep the real meaning of Christmas in our hearts. It is a time of both promise and possibility. A season full of love and hope and joy. This is what Christmas means to me. So, I'll remember to take time to enjoy the season.

*Christmas hugs*
Michelle

Midnight Rooster's mini winner for November is . . .

And the winner is . . .

Corey Jane R.!

Congrats, Corey!  E-mail your contact information to me at mburry{at}midnightrooster{dot}net, and we'll get your yummy little kit out to you lickety split!  =)

*hugs*
Michelle

Midnight Rooster's monthly mini kit giveaway!

Hi, All!  My laptop is still out of commission - one of the reasons why I have been posting so infrequently - so this is going to be a short post.  Below is a picture of this month's yummy little mini from Midnight Rooster!  Post a comment with an answer to the following question for a chance to win this sweet little kit.

What is your favorite thing about fall?

I will be drawing a name and posting the winner on Thursday, so stay tuned!  =)

*hugs*

Michelle

And, the winner of Midnight Rooster's October mini kit is . . .

And, the winner of Midnight Rooster's October mini kit is . . .

Mary S.!  Mary, please e-mail your contact information to me at mburry{at}midnightrooster{dot}net, and we'll that your yummy package to you ASAP.  :)

(btw, I'll be making your yummy taco soup for my parents when they come up on the 23rd! ;)

There was one layout that wasn't included with the projects I posted the other day.  This sweetheart is a very special little girl with amazing parents.  Thanks J & C for letting me use a few of your pictures for my September projects!  (I hope that I left you enough room to journal on this one! ;)

I hope that you all have a terrific fall weekend!

*hugs*

Michelle

Midnight Rooster project reveals!

Well, here they are - my Midnight Rooster projects for October!  I was in a creative rut for most of the month of September, so a lot of sweat and tears went into that final week of the month. ;)  Below are the fruits of those labors. (lol)  Enjoy! =)

Here is a layout using some of my friend's pictures of the St. Joseph County Fair.

 

Here is my altered coffee sleeve and "slopper stopper."

This is a magnetic dry erase board that I altered the magnets for.

 

 

 

And, finally, here is a card that I made using one of the exclusive MR pins from the kit.

 

*hugs*

Michelle

october mini kit giveaway & this month's big reveal!!

as you might have already heard, my laptop has decided to get quirky.  it seems that the video chip (by nvidia) has caused my mother board to sort of short circuit.  i refuse to think about what that might actually mean.  are all of my pictures lost?  were those hundreds of hours of photo editing in vain?  i don't know, and  i have way too much going on this month to even take the time to think about it.  so... i will be doing most of my posting from my computer at work - at lunch and before/after office hours.

first order of business: Midnight Rooster's October mini kit giveaway!! here is a picture of this yummy little kit.

paper

Jillibean Soup - Egg Drop Soup, egg yolk

Pink Paislee - Imagine

American Crafts - Letterbox

American Crafts - Botanique

embellishments

Purple Onion - stamp

Maya Road - brown velvet ric rac ribbon

American Crafts - brown alphabets

milk caps

buttons

Midnight Rooster - handmade chiffon flower

for a chance to win, simply post a comment with your answer to the following question:

"What is your favorite slow cooker recipe?"

to add another fun twist, i will be making the winning recipe and incorporating it into one of my november layouts!  good luck!!  I will be picking a winner wednesday evening.  =)

*******************************************************************************
sooooo, on to part 2 - the reveal!

are you ready?

here is the october main kit, Dorothy's Prep School!

 and here is the add-on, Team Flying Monkeys!

these kits are *so* versatile!  boys, girls, puppies, kittens, the turtle next door...  there's something for every type of layout!  and, speaking of layouts...  check back tomorrow for pictures of my projects made using these super-cute kits!

*hugs*

Michelle