Pattye Duffner's Blog

Merry Christmas From The Duffner Family

 Merry Christmas

 And a Rockn' New Year

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!

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

 
 

07: Handmade Holiday Bed Pockets

Trying to figure out what to give a sister that has everything…  I made her and her husband a little something she could fit between her mattress and box spring.  It holds 2 magazines on each side as well as her glasses, ipod, tissues, paper pens, remote control, even a flashlight if needed.  This was super easy to make after a lot of planning.  I am not sure what I enjoy more about making these goodies, the planning and figuring out how it will all come together or the fabrics or the actual sewing???  I took the width of their mattress and added 24 inches to each side.  Sewed up an 18” fabric band.  Folded up the ends to make the pockets and stitched the seams to finish it off.  This would even be fun to make for a college student… If you are interested in more detailed how to let me know and I will make one.  Christmas countdown…

Christmas Decorations Made By The Kids

 

Even the kids are getting into the Christmas spirit and making their very own handmade Christmas decorations…  Stinging popcorn was Ella’s favorite while Quinn made orange pomanders.  We decided to make them at his class Christmas party, they were very simple.  Each child gets one orange, white plate, toothpick, 1/4 cup of whole cloves, ½ yard of ribbon.  Wrap the ribbon around the orange first and tie off a knot; let the extra ribbon hang on the sides.  Poke the orange with a toothpick first and then insert the clove.  They can do simple straight lines, cover the orange completely if they want, or write your name with cloves, or even shapes like a poinsettia flower.   You can tie off the extra ribbon to make a hanger or leave alone. 

 

06: Handmade Holidays Photo Gifts

 

Making traditional books digitally is easy enough.  I used snapfish and shutterfly to make several calendars and photo books for presents.  I am hoping the in-laws will like them as much as I do.  I am having a hard time wrapping them up to give away.  I may need to make additional ones for me J 

Merry Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

This year our Christmas card included a family crossword puzzle.  One side had the custom puzzle and the other side ha the key.  I have made these before for birthday parties but I thought it might be fun for Christmas this year…  You can make your own here.  Merry Christmas to you all.

 

Ornament Fun

I want to share with you the fun ornaments I have made in the past as well as some new ones for this year…  Today I will start with one of my favorites.  This was super simple to make.  I took all of the babies old wooden blocks simply added and eye screw and a colored ribbon.  We have several dozen of these little guys hanging on our tree.  Give it a try!

Greetings

This is our Christmas card photo from 2005 and now I am on the search for doing the most creative Christmas card that I can think of…  This one is funny, putting tape on the kid’s mouth and saying “Silent Night”.  Makes me laugh but seems a bit to rough for even me.    A few things I need to include are the photos (or photo) of the kids some how and not traditional.  I want this year to be funny and creative.  Those are my only requirements.  If you have seen something or have a grand idea for my 3 little ones please do share.  I do have something up my sleeve and of course will be sharing as soon as the Christmas season approaches us but like I normally work I need to be sure.  Thanks so much for your thoughts and I look forward to seeing your works of art as well!    Just e-mail me [email protected]