Pattye Duffner's Blog

Birthday Cards

For birthday cards I have been caring on this tradition of pre making large, laminated, bound cards that the guests at the party can all sign.  This is a fun way to get all of your family and friends to sign one card and you can discard (or re-use like I do) all of the birthday cards when you are ready!  I make a 2-page 12x12 card with miscellaneous photos from the year along with patterned paper (scraps) and solid cardstock.  I always include how old they are turning and get it laminated and bound before the party even starts.  I then tie a permanent pen to the corner and pass it along at the party.  You can even make it and leave it by your front door for the month so when you get any guests for the month of the birthday kiddo you will have all of there wishes.  My kid’s love looking at the previous years and our friends and family even look forward to signing them every year.  I started this tradition at there 1^st birthday for each child… I will have quite a collection I am sure!

Peaceful times

The grape arbor is done!  I am so excited to share with you the new arbor for the grapes that I baby in my backyard.  It is a peaceful time of day when I go out there and water them and in the summer when I eat them I enjoy every min of it.  This probably sounds so silly but I actually enjoy these grapes!  Now we have an arbor that is safe and beautiful to look at.  I truly open the window jus to look at it.  We have been doing some renovations to the top section of our back yard for over a year now and I cannot wait to share the details with you.  First is this one.  If you remember my photos of them in bloom last summer along with a recipe here you can see the difference.  We put the kids wooden sea saw and balance beam under it for now but I am really considering putting our hammock under it instead.  I have big plans to even maybe put a candle light dinner under there for my hard working husband someday. 

Jelly Roll

Have you heard of the latest craze in quilting??  It's the Jelly Roll, and NO it is not a donut!  This is much more exciting than that!!

This kind of Jelly Roll is made out of fabric (that got your attention, didn't it?!)  And not just any fabric...each Roll contains 40 perfectly cut 2 1/2" strips of fabric...perfectly coordinated from a collection of Moda fabric!!  Retailing around $30.00 each.

Imagine creating a quilt without even having to cut your own strips!! WooHoo!!

Lots and Lots of quilt patterns are built around 2 1/2" strips.  I had to get my hands on one and I got one for my birthday!  I was so excited!  I have started the quilt and here is the pattern I am doing for my first one.  It is the Dick and Jane Collection.  Vintage inspired fabrics with colors that will be perfect for the new baby boy!  Now I need your prayers to get it done in less then 10 weeks in time for the baby.

Got Game?

What a great idea.   For a nature-inspired game of checkers, why not gather up some black and white pebbles and use them instead?    You can even paint a crown on the backside so that when you get “crowned” you can simply flip the rock over!

Star Wars Birthday Bash

The 3 again birthday went well.  Thank you to all the good wishes!        

We played Darth Vader Bowling, had a bounce house, pin the buttons on Darth Vader, and a version of Hot Potato but with a Sat Wars Figurines........ The party favors were Bubble Light Sabers!    I hope this inspires you for your next birthday bash!  I am off now to start the details for Quinn's 7th birthday.  BMX Bike Riding Party...

Hope

As another school year comes to an end all of the meetings to see how our little girl is doing and how well she has done come into our faces again.  Is she ready for Kindergarten?  Mainstream or not?  With an aid or not?  IEP, OT, Speech, PT, PE all these abbreviations I had no idea about until Autism became apart of our lives.  3 years later we have the news she is ready for a typical kindergarten class.  We are so blessed with this little girl.  This week on CNN they are talking a great deal about autism.  Please take the time to read and watch the valuable information.  Please pass on the link to anyone you know that may be interested.  There is a TON of HOPE out there.  Have Faith J