Pattye Duffner's Blog

Update with Pillow Covers

 

I put some of these goodies in my etsy shop... easy updates to a room by adding COLOR! 

Merry Christmas From The Duffner Family

 Merry Christmas

 And a Rockn' New Year

Thankful

 
 

Happy Thanksgiving From our Turkeys to yours!

Ella Sings For Autism

 

At the Autism walk in Orange County Ella sang the National Anthem again for the 3^rd year.  She did so well, looked great and had fun.  Any mother, father, grandparent, loved one out there with a little one with Autism please know there is HOPE.  Ella is proof of early intervention.  Proof of hard work (both her and us).  Proof of never giving up the fight.   

 

1st Birthday Happy Holden Robot Birthday Party

    

Halloween 2010

 
 
 
 
 

Football Baby... bring it on!

 
 Quinn is 105 (with pads), center of his team, only 9, plays HARD, learning a ton, wants to WIN and best of all LOVES football.  I always say "I am a fan of Quinn what ever he chooses to play I will be there to root him on." 

 

You are learning a ton about life and football right now little one.  I am so happy you have found passion for something.  I am so happy your attitude and work ethic are something your coaches always coment about.  I am so happy your my little line man.

Happy Holden 11 Months Old

 

Game On! Braeden's 1st year at Flag Football

 

1st day of 4th,2nd and 1st grade

 

10 Months Old and still HAPPY!!!

If you ever get a chance to meet this little (well HUGE) guy, you will see why everyone calls him "Happy" not Holden.  Last week in the store a lady walked by and said "that baby is sure happy", Ella quickly responded "well that IS his name, Happy".   I would like to think all my children are happy but this one has a smile that will light up any room...

 

 

My School Lunch Bag

 

A friend of mine and I have started a lunch service business.  Please come and check it out on our website www.myschoollunchbag.com  or find us on facebook and become a fan  here!

 

If you are a teacher or have a student in the Yorba Linda, Placentia, Anaheim Hills area we have the lunch for you!  We even have an adult menu for the office and teachers. 

back to school in style

 

I used this pattern and made way too many of these skirts out of left over fabric from pervious projects.  I am not much of a clothing maker, I do love to sew but I always say I can only sew a straight line.  So when I do something you know anyone can do it.  I followed the pattern and it worked!!!  I added some covered button hair ties for a little girl’s matchy matchy complete outfit.  And let me tell you at 8 Ella is being so kind and saying she loves them and wants to wear one on the first day of school.  I scored a point here…

 

The Facts

 

The facts of having a large family (I really do not think it is large but most people do)… We buy 6 gallons of milk at a time (that is all we can fit in our fridge), they can eat 14 waffles at one sitting (the kids alone), I need to drink a ton of coffee to get thru the day (3 cups at a time),  I sometimes wake up the baby in the middle of the night just to get some alone time with him, you always have someone to play with, we now drive a 12 passenger van, having a girl to do nails with just makes my everyday, watching Quinn play football is the highlight of my week, every family has a clown (and by these photos you can clearly see who our family clown is), seeing curls on Davis makes me happy, out of all the library books we borrow we have only lost 1 (pretty good odds) and finally to share this life with Jerry has made every diaper change and vomit cleanup much much much more enjoyable. 

  

Baby Holden 9 months

Beach Party

 

Davis’s birthday party was a blast…and easy.   Having friends and family meet at the beach for a day of fun was on the plan.  And a day of fun was had.  Davis loved having his family and friends around him and I loved the celebration.  Happy birthday my big boy.  You have brought so much joy into our lives.  You are a special little boy that is smart, funny and charming.  In 2 years you have made this world a better place by just being in it,

Baby Holden 8 months old

Ella turns 8! One sweet party

With 4 brothers you are truly the princess not only on your birthday but everyday.  Happy 8^th birthday princess Ella. 

    
 

You plan your own parties, make all the decisions and run the show.  I love that about you.  You wanted an all sweets party this year.  Paper invites attached to large lollipops hand delivered to your friends was the beginning of a sweet day.

 

I made small pink cakes frosted in white for all the girls to decorate, aprons with candy fabric and a table full of your favorite sweets.  Happy Birthday, I love the person you are.   

 

The Great Park

If you are local or plan on coming to Orange County anytime with children we found a new treasure… The Great Park is a must see.  Tips: go early (if the wind picks up they close the balloon ride).  Bring snacks and maybe even a board game (we had 1 ½ hour wait).  And do not forget your camera!  Everything is free and let me tell you it is worth the wait!

 

 

Braeden took a while to warm up to being 400 feet up in the air.  But the other 4 kiddos loved it.  Davis held onto Jerry and would not let go for anything.  Ella's face had an endless smile.  Quinn wanted to go higher.  And Holden woke up from a nap high in the sky!   
 
  
 

Baby Holden 7 Months Old

Now you see why we call him "happy".  Boy you are such a blessing and a bright light in our everyday.  Thank you God for baby Holden! 

That Crazy Lady!

Empty school room in Michigan. (Google/LIFE)

 

Friends and family I am calling on you to help me make positive change in schools across America.  I have put my money (and image) where my mouth is.  I have made a video and posted it online for the audition that will help schools.  Please go HERE and see what I am talking about.  Vote!  Leave me a comment too; I would love to hear from you.

 

Pass it along too!  The more votes the better! Facebook? Twitwer? Email?.

 

 

Happy 9th Birthday Quinn

Quinn wanted a football party... so you know when your kids are little and you rent a clown (or other party fav) at 9 I guess the thing to do is rent a coach!  Let me tell you Quinn's football coach took off work, ran the entire party, and even brought a gift!  What more could a 9 year old want?  After the party he even told me "this was the best party ever".  SCORE!  That is all I want to hear... Here are the details and the invite.

Made these on elements and printed 2 on 5x7 photo paper.  Cut down the center to get 2 invites out of 1 print.  Also made a flyer with "tailgate party info".  All additional info that would not fit on fun ticket! 

 
9 favs at 9! 

1. Riding bike 

2. Collecting football stuff 

3. Watching tv 

4. Playing video games 

5. Mom   

6. Dad

7.  Brothers and Sister

8.  Math

9.  Sleeping

Happy Birthday My Big Boy, Momma Loves You!
 

Baseball/Softball

Baseball and softball has come and gone... Here are some highlights!!!

baby holden is 6 months already

24 lbs, 9 jars of baby food a day, sleeping 9 hours at night!!! happy holden, happy momma!

Happy Easter 2010

Pocket Pillow

Making a pillow case with a pocket on the front is fun for the kids to add some goodies… flashlight, batteries, book, journal, pen, slippers what ever!  This has been a birthday party gift for a few little ones.  Could not be easer!

Baby Holden is 5 months old

His nick name is Happy!  Everytime you see him he will be smiling... He is the most adorable 5 month old on earth!

Mario Party Birthday Party: Happy Birthday Braeden!

 

Kicking off the event with a postcard invite mailed out to his favorite friends. 

 

For Braeden’s 6^th birthday bash he wanted a Mario Party Party!  We had traditional birthday party games with a twist.  Ie: 

Hot potato with Mario music and using “bull dog”  pin the wii remote on braeden (painted an outline of him sitting with his hand out) kids made paper wii remotes and pined them on.

Gunny sack races with bags in the symbols of the Mario Bros characters hats… M  L  etc.   Simple cone hats and a bit of paper crafting turned them into themed hats. 

Braeden worked weeks ahead of time making all the decorations that we hung on the windows.  Hand made drawings off all happenings in the Mario Party world. 

Mustaches, Kettle Korn and Shave Ice topped off the party that would not be completed with out a fabulous cake!

How to make a dress out of 1 yard!!!

 

 

 

 

The One Yard Dress

Materials needed:

1 yard of fabric

Thread

Ribbon

¾” elastic

Top of dress

Fold down ¼” and finger press

Fold down an additional 2” and finger press to make casing for elastic

Pin and sew

Bottom of dress

Cut to desired length

Fold up ¼” and finger press

Fold up an additional 2” and finger press to make hem

Pin and sew

This is where you can get creative with the bottom, add ribbon trim etc.

Sew up side seam

Insert elastic with safety pins to hold into place

Add ribbon for straps

 

4 Months Old and Just Adorable...

If I say so myself!

How to make a modern baby (or big kid) quilt

 

This modern baby quilt was made for Holden before his arrival.  I have finally finished a tutorial on it so here you go…

I started with 11 different fabrics in bright and fun colors and scales.  Cutting them into 2.5”, 3.5” and 5.5” wide strips.  Random is the key to this quilt.  No order, no direction, no wrong way! 

Sew together

Cut into 6” wide panels. Flip, sew, flip sew…

Cut 6” sashing from another fabric

 

Quilt as desired.  I had it quilted f a local quilt shop with using variegated thread and an adorable star pattern.

Bind your quilt with yet another fabric! 

 

273 and counting

273 blankets in 2 weeks... countless e-mails to coordinate all of it... 91 volunteers...728 hours of service...273 babies will feel comfort because of your generous donations of time and materials.  91 people celebrate at disney for a day!  Way to go!  Binky Patrol is going to deliver in So Cal...

 

I am expecting a ton more this is only the beginning... stay tuned. 

18 Months

Davis is still a baby too, so I wanted to update with an 18 month old photo of our little tonka tuck tuff boy! 

Robot Valentine

Another Valentine idea!

Braeden loved making these.  He even came up with the words...  Happy Valentine's Day  
 

3 Months Old

So Blessed!  Smiles from ear to ear...happy Holden

SWAMPED!

I am more then swamped right now… please excuse my absence for blog world for a while.  The “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.” program has kept me so busy with the Binky Patrol.  If you want to visit Disneyland or Disney world this year and would like to donate your time to the Binky Patrol please look into it!  There is more then likely a Binky Patrol near you. 

 

I do have a couple of fun sewing projects (a quilt for baby Holden and a valentines skirt for Ella) to post about.  As well as baby updated photos (I know you all love that) and our home made valentines.  I will be back soon!

Valentine Fun

Quinn’s valentines were fun to make… I saw them somewhere and remembered I had to do them when he was big enough.  We took a book of Mad libz and cut out each page rolled them up and tied them off with a note that reads, “You have mad skilz!  Happy Valentines Day Quinn"

 

How fun these would be with coloring pages or word searches too?

 

2 Months Old

Baby Holden is 2 months old and he is such a delight.  He is a blessing to this world and I can not wait to see how he can bless others.

She Did It Again!

 

Ella grew out her hair and donated it!  She has a head full of hair that grows so fast.  Last year she donated 10 inches to locks of love in the spring and now in the winter she has cut and sent off another 8 inches to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.  She loves her new haircut and so do I.  Jerry on the other hand is getting use to it and was very shocked when she came home from the salon.  It reminds me of when she was younger.  When ponytails and braids where difficult to keep in.  In hopes for someday it to be long enough to style etc.  But knowing what I know now, she has got enough hair for several people.  And she is willing to share it.  Thank you little Ella for being so kind and being so you.

 

Happy New Year!

Davis John

Ella Ann

Braeden Jack
 
 Quinton Robert Baby Holden

From our family to yours.  May God bless you... Love the Duffners
 

Christmas this year...

I gave myself a little break from crafty-ness.  Next year we will be back into full swing!  Merry Merry, Pattye

And I Think To Myself...

What A Wonderful World.

 

Merry Christmas Love The Duffners
 

One Month

Ok I did this for Davis so I guess I will be doing it for Holden too.  He is 1 month already and here is his latest photo.

 
We are all adjusting well and loving life with our new addition. 

Happy Birthday Jerry!

I love you...

Gift ideas

Getting ready for Christmas around here includes party planning, Santa’s lists, and crafting, shopping, card making along side the every day jobs.  Having a new baby in the mix too!  This year I am going to find 1 thing to make and hopefully it will work for a number of gifts.  Teachers, nieces, friends, sisters etc.  While I am searching I wanted to share some of  years past handmade holiday ideas…   Hopefully I will get on schedule soon, running behind this year!

 

handmade crayons

letter blocks

 

chalk board mat

personalized score cards

 
 

Could not be easer ruffle apron

 

Having a ruffle foot for your sewing machine can make a quick gift.  A ruffled apron for the holidays can make kitchen duties a bit more fun. 

·   Cut the skirt piece 23” x width of fabric (mine was 44”) two times.

·   Attach 2 pieces together (this makes center seam)

·   Finish edges ¼” under on three sides (leaving top unfinished)

·   Cut 6” x width of fabric two times for waistband.

·   Fold waistband in ½ sew edge and flip thru for finished edge. 

·   Attach skirt to waistband with ruffle foot. 

This turned out so easy and cute I think I may try to make some children’s ones for the next birthday party Ella is invited to. 

It is possible to make without a ruffle foot, simple hand ruffle before attaching to waistband. I like to start in the center and work my way out from there.

Welcome God's Blessings

Momma and baby are doing well... Thank you for all the blessings and kind wishes.
 

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

Growing Holiday Fun

This year again we planted our own pumpkin patch and we were successful! 8 large ones and several small baby pumpkins… This is my kind of plant water and watch grow.  It was fun to see them take over our front yard and for the kids to pick their favorites.  I hope we can continue this for years to come.

 

 

Better Pack my bags...

With a couple of visits to the triage this week regarding the baby and my health I better pack my bags.  We are doing great and just waiting, but spending 9 hours being monitored with no interruptions and schedules to follow I realized I am NOT ready to bring home our new baby.  Today I am set to pack our bags and get ready.  I found some wonderful checklists on a site called The Cradle.  If you know anyone that is expecting no matter how far along they are printing off these 2 lists, what to stock up on and what to pack for the hospital, will be helpful for when it comes time to pack their bags.  If you like checklists like I do you will love all the options they have for every trimester, before and after checklists…  everything.