This was just too cute to pass up posting on here!

If so, what are you doing with it when you take it down? If you did not buy a tree that can be planted, have you thought about how you are going to dispose of your tree? Our local Wildlife Resource Agency has offered us a better way to dispose of them. They are taking the trees and making fish habitats to them in different lakes and waterways.

Check with your local Wildlife Resource Agency and see if they are offering the same thing, it’s a good way to share the joy of Christmas in a new way! Not only does it give the aquatic wildlife a new place to live, eat, and enjoy.

Don’t live where there is a large body of water, or your Wildlife Agency isn’t offering this program. Then here is another idea,, chipping the tree. Some counties are offering to chip your tree and turn it into mulch. Another great way to give back to Mother Nature, after she has so kindly given of herself!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year, and may all your dreams come true, or at least those that are closest to your heart in 2010 (we do need dreams to continue, so let’s not get greedy and get ALL our dreams coming true LOL)

Cloud 9 Ranch

While Nathan is out today, working on the barn extension roof, I’ve been working on sewing projects. Today, I was able to finish off another set of place-mats. I’m having more fun making these, and am going to make pot holders to match! And I’m finding more and more material that will make great sets, and already have two more prints picked out, and have to go pick it up.

So, why am I making all these things? Simple, I want to be able to have a decent inventory come spring when I am doing offline events. And taking the cold months to make them, so that I don’t go completely crazy. For those of you that don’t know, I hate the cold! So, along with doing some sewing projects, I’m still busy making jewelry.

I’m also using a new online shop to sell these hand crafted items from! It’s an extension of Diamond M Sales Western and Native American Gifts, but I also wanted to keep it somewhat separate. And, should you visit, please bare with the mess, as I work to organize and clean up the images some. It’s hard to get good pictures when your working by yourself!

Here is a photo of my latest work:

For more information on ordering your custom Place-mats, visit our Shop It store!

Yesterday, being Christmas Day, was a very quiet one. We awoke to rain, not exactly what we need in our saturated yard, but I’m not really complaining, as we can use all the wet we can get after the past couple of years being so dry. The sun did show it’s glorious rays, and we spent some time out on the front porch that Nathan just finished.

I had promised Nathan I would not do any “work” yesterday, so I “played” with a crafting project I want to get done, and played on Facebook, while Nathan got the living room ready for painting, and played with the horses. It was way to wet for me to be outside wondering around the yard.

From 2009-12-26

The dogs stayed out most of the day, and Boo Boo ended up getting a bath because she looked like a mud pie! But, that is okay, she loved it all the same. Boo Boo and Henry are getting along great, even though he is a pain in the butt and likes to aggravate her and Grayson both.

From 2009-12-23

So, from our family, to yours, we hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and wishing you a prosperous New Year!

Okay, so call me crazy. I have until Jan 4, 2010 off from work, and what do I do? I went shopping today. Not for presents, but for crafting supplies! I ended up getting some beads that I have been wanting to make things with, and some more magnetic clasp (gotta love those magnets!). It took me half an hour to go just 10 miles, thanks to all the last minute shoppers out. Town is crazy, drivers are rude, and I just kept smiling.

I finally get off the main roads, and on to our nice, quiet road home, which is actually a state highway. There is a fabric shop on the way home, that I have been dying to go into since they opened earlier this year. I had been staying out, because I don’t need any more “projects” to do. I keep pretty busy on my own.

As I was driving towards the shop, my truck started slowing down, I’m thinking to myself, “I really don’t need to go in there”.  The truck turns into the parking lot, almost on it’s own accord. Okay, I give, I’ll leave my money in the truck and just go look around”.

It’s a neat little shop, with all kinds of older items. Reminded me of a nicer flea market / consignment shop. Really cute stuff, I told the man working I could get into a lot of trouble in that place! He laughed as he showed me around. Some adorable old-timey Christmas stuff that you just don’t see any more. Quality stuff, that can’t be found.

Then, we came to the fabric section of the shop ~ OMG ~ I’m in HEAVEN! They have such a great selection of meterial, and so very helpful! As I’m walking around, I start getting all kinds of neat ideas for different things I’m seeing. From Placemats, pot holders, aprons, pillows, blankets, purses and so much more!

I spied a piece of material that I just had to have. Not for me, but for a very special friend, who will absolutely love what I have planned for it. It’s the one gift I want to give this year, even if it does get to her late! Barnyard animals, including horses, cows, chickens, and sunflowers! The moment I saw it, I knew I had to get it. At first, I thought about some pillows for her, but then, I thought it would make some neat place mats for her table, and her babies will love it too!

From 2009-12-23