Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Wow Wednesday already.. that means tomorrow is the start..

If you are wondering where I am ? What I am doing?? then you haven't been to the forum lately. I am adding, making changes, posting tips on the upcoming drawings and getting ready to celebrate! Make sure you stop by my blog tomorrow and see what there is to offer and visit the anniversary thread in the forum.

Wooohooo!!! Should be a fun Party!! Tons and Tons of Giveaways.
Enjoy!
Chris

Monday, September 28, 2009

Hello to Monday...

well my next few days will be jammed pack! And I have started some of the upgrades and changes in the forum already to prepare for the Party coming at the end of the week! Woohoo!!

I know the designers are preparing to for their giveaways as am I. So this will be a short and sweet post reminding you to join the forum and get logged in and post a few times so you are ready for drawings and giveaways.

Also a little tip from me to you... Visit the forum thread about the anniversary overview and you will start to see little details pop up so you can be ready and prepared. I am really impressed with all the giveaways and prizes we have come up with!!

A little on life.. My MIL is still holding her own. We are still lifting her spirits up with prayer. We look forward to some progress over the next few days. Lots of love and family around. that's it for now.

Have a wonderful day!
Enjoy!
Chris

Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

an update...

Thank you to everyone who stopped by yesterday and said a prayer. My MIL made it through surgery and woke up this morning demanding when she could go home. We spent some time avoiding the questions because it will be a bit of a stay for her. Let the nurses deal with that question. I just wanted to say thank you. I'm headed back up to the hospital. Thank you again to everyone!

Enjoy!
Chris

Friday, September 25, 2009

No Boring Die Cuts...

I will be in and out some today. If you find a moment in your day and can say a prayer for a phenomenal lady in my life, my Mother-in-law, I would appreciate it. As she goes in for major surgery. Thank you as always for being a part of my life and taking those moments to extend your prayers.


If I am not back to post today, have a wonderful weekend! I hope you find some time to craft. If you are looking for something to do. Darcy is running this weeks challenge and it is alll about jazzing up your die cuts. So don't forget to try that one. She has some phenomenal ideas for you! And already some awesome entries. So check it out under Weekly Challenges in the forum.
Enjoy your day!
Chris

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

the 8th QMC has hit the store... on special for a short time.

Hello to everyone. Now is your chance to get the QMC for a gonga deal. In the past I have offered Early Bird Files, but this time around I am offering an Early Bird Special. If you purchase the membership when it first hits the store you can get it for $9.00 I decided to go this route this time because our one year anniversary is coming up... and I have files prepped to give away for that. So I thought this would be win win for joining members. Thank you as always for joining!

Different this time around I will be offering 6 file types instead of 5 for every file.

Have a wonderful day!
Enjoy!
Chris



Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can
.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Oh the animals... But first Happy Celebration..

In case you didn't know our anniversary is coming up. I am surrounded by a phenomenal group of people and there will be lots of ways to win items and have fun. I appreciate everyone around me who has helped me this year and joined me in the store this year. I could never say thank you enough We are celebrating with Lots of Candles instead of just one because there are so many I interact with everyday you all warm my heart and makes my day. So don't forget to join the forum and post a couple of times so you can get ready to enter in all the drawings.


And now on to our crazy animal weekend. Here are a few this is our Border Collie Freckles. She has a frizbee that we throw for her. She loves to run. run. and run some more. She jumped up to grab the frizbee out of the air and caught it around her head and then wouldnt let me take it off. She just ran around happy happy that she had it to chew on and shake her head. It was cute so i had to shoot some pics. And yes that is our firepit wood and the fort or the "condo" as our horse shoer calls it. One day we hope to put flagstone in this area as a patio, but it is one of the many things on a list of t0 do's. It is getting nearer but I am still searching for a source of flagstone. And have to have some water pipe and cables run underneath first. So it is almost a work in progress but right now just a thought in progress as i think through and watch for rental coupons for ditch witchs and other items.

And on to Freckles.. She looks like Astro from the jetsons. I told my hubby this and officially I dated myself. haha. She is just so much fun to watch run around. Eddie and Judy totally blessed us with their generousity and letting us have her. Half the time when she runs she doesn't even look like she touches the ground.


And you would think I could get it off of her right here but she only let me take her picture and then would run off. My boys are in the house getting ready to go. I wish I had had a camera for the jump it was a huge jump in the air and when she hooked it she spun around like where did it go then did this weird jump happy dog dance and ran around faster then can be. It was fun!



And on Sunday. We saw this guy trying to cross the road. So we stopped and put him back on the side of the road. So he wouldn't get hit. He probably thought "DAMN now I have to walk all that way again", but with the traffic on that road on the weekends he woulda never made it. So seldom do we see the desert tortoises. I have seen pet turtles out in the desert and the neighbor down the road had an abandoned boa constrictor in her horse barn once. When you live on a dirt road lots of folks think you can drop things off because you dont want to take care of them anymore. It is very sad.
And then this picture below is the rescue team. haha. Yes that is a darth vader costume from a few Halloweens ago. My son is in full Halloween preparation and has even given me blueprints for decorations and the likes that he has hand drawn. We were on the way to Grandma's and honestly Grandma and Papa won't mind the costume. And I firmly believe in picking my battles. Walking into a grocery store in a darth vader cape not a major battle. Finding your library book in a room that looks like the entire squad of storm troopers faught in. A battle. And Darth Vader's accomplice is pretty handsome if I do so say so myself. Love that guy. His look is why did you get out of the truck with a camera on the side of the road?? hahaah Isn't it?and then when we got to Grandma's ... when we went to leave this guy which was larger then average backyard lizard here sat in front of the door. My Son opened the door and bent down and the lizard was an arms length away and the guy didn't move. Didn't even care that there were 4 adults looking at it and talking and moving about 20 inces from him. One with a camera. My son closed the door after Papa said. "If you let it in the house you get to find it. " The Rescue squad didnt have their vader rescue costume on so we decided to leave him there and go out the front door.
And as for the Tilapia farming. It is going good. I have not had any floaters. I am going to have to seek out a source for food. I want to make sure it isn't something that ads color or something we don't need to ingest. My son sat with me and watched the tank yesterday evening and said. "what are we gonna do with them all" "I said we are gonna grow them in this tank and then when spring comes throw them in the stock tank and then we will fish for them." He looked at me very calmly as he punched holes in my details and plans... His first comment which came with an incredulous look was... "Are they gonna get any bigger?" I had to giggle because right now they are just teeny (some are smaller then a pencil head) and then his next comment was "We don't have a lake to fish here MOM!" The look was totally Well DUH! I said "that's okay we'll put them in the stock tank and pull the boat over and we can sit in the boat and cast off the side into the tank. It'll be kind like being at the lake, but not." He sat there quietly for a few seconds and mulled over the picture in his head and said to me... "That's ridiculous" and walked away shaking his head. He left the room and I could not stop giggling. I told my hubby later and then we couldn't stop giggling either. So I look forward to the day they are big enough to pull the boat over to the stock tank and see what my son has to say then. haha. I am sure it will be MOM you are ridiculous. But Hey it will be worth it to see him laugh at his silly Mom and enjoy the moment. Totally worth it.

Well that is animal kingdom for us last weekend without the riding horses included. Hope you enjoy my random family life stories and more.
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Enjoy!
Chris

Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Back to Monday! some weekend crafts.

What a great weekend! We spent it very busy and got lots done and had tons of fun. I am gonna spread out the pictures so you aren't stuck here all day reading my ramblings.

First on Friday we had parent teacher conferences... It went really well. My sons teacher was very positive and kept saying he has achieved this and mastered this and is mastering this and needs to master this. and a few other things... so we walked out and my son says to my hubby and I "Did you hear that??? I am a master!" and my hubby and I giggle at eachother while he walks between us both in hand and grinning from ear to ear. We know that truly for some that would be the end of it, but we know my son is a Star Wars junky and for him to "master" something is truly a light saber moment. too cute. But he is doing well and listens to the teacher and conducts himself well in school. So it was a great start to the weekend.

Then we went ranch sorting on Friday night and Saturday a.m. did some cutting practice. I got to ride and hold herd at the cutting practice so that was lots of fun! I fit the "pit crew" description on Friday nights when my guys are going every which way. So getting to ride and not worry about it was fun. Friday night my hubby did awesome. He is so much fun to watch! A friend of ours came to watch and is interested in giving it a try as well. Pretty awesome.

Then Saturday noonish we came home and veg'ed we watched an online horse auction and the horses we picked as the best of the group went for a pretty penny. So very nice to watch the auction in air conditioning tho'. I think my son was thinking we were nutz, but he got over it. Then he and Dad ran to the store and came back with some steaks for the grill. (love my hubby) He cooked them up and we watched a movie. not one I would normally pick but just silly called Surfer Dude with Matthew McConaughee.. is that how it is spelled? I am not sure.. but either way.. It was a good no brainer... literally no brainer movie.. that my hubby and I veg'ed on the couch together some more.

Before the movie I had time to do a few crafts. Carmen who is a member of our forum posted some pictures of a pumpkin she decorated on her facebook page and I really liked it. So I got a few of those carveable pumpkins from Michaels. And saved mine for another day this week to do. so I could work on one with my kiddo. My son helped me cut the Happy halloween vinyl and put the glittery foam stickers I had bought all over the pumpkin. It was a fun and easy project for him to do. And his Grandma was very happy. I think it lifted her spirits and he was proud to have it for her. We picked up this Angel for Grandma's collection about a month ago at Hobby Lobby. I love it. I told my hubby if he didn't take it to her this weekend I was gonna kidnap it permanently. So we took it to her. She is holding a pumpkin, but I think will make it through thanksgiving.










I thought he did a pretty good job. I had to peel and stick the words, but he had fun putting on the vinyl. We have enough glitter stickers left for another project if anyone has any ideas. I thought cards, but I am not sure that will go over well with the kiddo, but maybe we'll make a few and work on our letters while we write out the envelopes for mailing.

And next. I wanted to play with my Jolee's hotfix heat gun. So I did so on a small blank canvas bag they had in the Halloween section at Michael's. This is going to a close friends daughter in two weekends. One of those friends you have picked as family because you just love them so much. I have time still to go through my stash and fill it with paper and pens and scissors. I will try to take another picture with it full. She is also in Kindergarten this year and loving the writing and homework and more. I hope she likes this. I am getting the hang of the heat gun and almost ready to graduate up to a few more interesting things. I had one booboo on the bottom right, but my hubby said he wouldn't have even noticed it. so I am gonna scrape it to get the little glue off. I have learned to have a thin pair of tweezers close by when doing this just in case one gets stuck you can push it out easily. But otherwise I think I am getting the hang. So I think there will be more projects as well with the crystals attached.


I am gonna save those pictures of the crazy animals in our life and birthday party pictures we went to for later in the week. So have a wonderful rest of the week and until tomorrow...
Enjoy!!
Chris

Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SVG SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


Freebie downloads in our forum.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

So much going on today... Grab your favorite drink and have a seat....

Hellllo Hellllo!!!

I have quite a list of items I am working on so here we go. I'll just list a few for now ....

First the Challenge for last week is over. I have put the names in the random generator for the winning participatant in our NEW weekly challenge at the forum and will announce that person hopefully by the end of tonight (like the title says. lots and lots going on here.. haha) Okay and so when you head over there the next thing to do is... Look at this weeks challenge by Tina. It has something to do with this picture below... you can find the details HERE.


Second... Did you head over to the forum or your 4shared link and download the QMC files?

The last one is up. So jump on in and get them downloaded before the deadline. Here is the list of files you should have:


1. Puppy Love Word Book -- CD00556
2. Bone Jumble and Frame -- CD00557
3. Computer Class -- CD00555
4. Teddy Bear Sleeping / Pencil -- CD00559
5. Birthday Bear and Apple -- CD00562
6. Bless Us O Lord -- CD00560
7. Foodie Words -- CD00564
8. Cookie Sweet Pack -- CD00567
9. Cozy Kitten -- CD00569
10. PURRRFECT Word Book -- CD00568
11. Flames -- CD00570
12. Flames or Tattoos 2 -- CD00572
13. Confirmation -- CD00571
14. Cowboy -- CD00573
15. Cowgirl -- CD00575
16. Spring Swirls -- CD00577
17. Ringlet Border -- CD00578
18. 1st thru 3rd Grade -- CD00595
19. 4th thru 6th Grade -- CD00596
20. Happy Ghost -- CD00592
21. Ready for a Wicked Ride? -- CD00594
22. Halloween Cupcake Wrappers -- CD00590
23. When Pigs Fly -- CD00589
24. Mine is Chocolate -- CD00588
25. A Sign of Genius -- CD00591
26. Ladybug -- CD00593
27. Laugh Out Loud -- CD00597
28. SOOO Big -- CD00598
29. Random -- CD00602

And YES the next Membership is coming to the store. probably sometime next week. I already have had lots of requests and searches for it. So it is a coming. WOOHOO!!

3rd on to life..
Hey so you know I am always into something new and different. So here is my latest. I have a neighbor who does 4H and raises other animals for it and she also has a Tilapia tank. Which she harvests and they have fresh fish. well she called me a week or so ago and said ya know. you seemed interested and I have a ton of teeny baby fish do you want some. I of course chatted with the hubby and said sure. I know he thinks I am crazy, but I, also, think he thinks it's neat and I know this is why he loves me. So here are some pictures of my fish tank with little teeny Tilapia that will live there til next spring when they will go out in the big tank. Gives me time to find a pump and some other items. They are really cool to sit and watch because they just zoom around the tank in bunches. And there are definitely different sizes. hopefully you can see the little white blurs. Well that is my new adventure. My kiddo is excited to have a big tank like the neighbor and thinks my fish tank looks like a beach. He now wants his to look like the beach to. very cute! Love that kid and the hubby for letting me try new and crazy things. My Dad told me when I talked to him that one day I'll be old and gray and my son will say "Remember that time you decided you were gonna be a Tilapia farmer. " hahaha. My Dad has been pretty nostalgic when I talk to him lately. Very cute.


I better get back to it. A ton to do before the weekend. Hope your ready for a great weekend! I know I am .
Enjoy!
Chris



Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Challenges due today and Coughs Coughs!

First let me remind you that my weekly challenge for a Halloween themed project using one of my files is due today in the forum HERE. We have some awesome awesome entries if you want to just peruse them and get inspired. Loving all those who jumped in. Thank you!

Another weekly challenge will be posted if you want to see what is coming up! keep an eye on our challenge section of the forum.

And next I wonder how much I am gonna get done today. My kiddo had me up almost all night checking on him. He has a very croupy cough, but I also think he has a mild fever. ugh. So he is home today with me. And because of this I am sitting here with a clipon tie on my shirt because I was told if I am gonna be working I should be wearing work clothes. Alas, I don't think it match my tshirt, but whatever works. I am off to look for some cold medicine and breakfast for my guy.

Have a wonderful day!
Enjoy!
Chris

Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

just some yada yada

Well today was interesting lots of little things to do and keep busy. We had to run to the pet store. My son figured out while he was there he could jump up and down and giggle at the white mice with the red eyes and they would run faster and faster...this also made the clerk run faster to. But it was fun. I had to get some water plants for an aquarium. More on that later when I get it together. There is always something new going on here.

I also had to switch around the schedule in the afternoons. Doing homework was getting to late and there were so many distractions. So we switched it up to earlier in the afternoon and when my kiddo is done he can play. Today it worked pretty well. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

I am working on the last files for this QMC and then we will be moving on to the 1 year anniversary party! Cannot wait. Lots in store for everyone.

I better run. I need to check on a few things and try to finish up some of these files.
Have a wonderful day!

Enjoy!
Chris



Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Monday, September 14, 2009

The weekend and things that might interest you...

The weekends over and now onto the work week. I can already tell it will be a great and exciting week.

This past weekend we went to the Pima County Fairgrounds for an open class horse show. put on by the SAAHA. Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association. We have quarter horses ourselves, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to see some work being done on beautiful horses. and because it was open class there were a few quarter horses there as well. We went to watch Punk Carter. Punk Carter is a past National Cutting Horse Association President and excellent trainer and cutting competitor. So impressive to see him working his horse in the arena. It was one of those typical will it or won't it rain in Arizona nights. Well it did decide to rain. So being the Arizonans who are horse devotees, we got off the metal bleachers and continued to watch and chat and pick the brains of Punk Carter. There are about twenty or so of us just chatting in a close circle with the rain coming down. Not in buckets at first but we were getting a little wet and there is a lull in the conversation and my son says... You wanna know what?? we all look down at him... "You wanna see my buckle?" and he was in his lifting up his shirt leaning his back back and sticking the belly out so everyone can see his buckle. To Mr. Carter's credit he got down on one knee and said "Yes, Yes I do." And he talked with him for a second and my son was beaming from ear to ear for the rest of the night. Afterwards we went to a friends for his birthday and he asked me what we thought of Punk Carter.. I was ready to answer with" I appreciated his willingness to openly share his ideas and how he has gone through life figuring out the next thing to learn about horses and cutting and more"... And my son Piped up with his grown up tone and nodding his head like a seasoned cowboy "He's pretty nice" This is a high rank from my 5 year old when most things his parents do entail patience and waiting. All in all it was a relaxed demonstration of a man's knowledge and my husband and I definitely appreciated his sharing it with all of us.





Great evening for sure!!!!





And now from life here are a few things around the web you may want to check out...





For those with a cricut the new Gypsy will be unveiled in a bundle on HSN on Sept 24th. I may not need it, but my hands just itch to play with it. Here is a page with a demonstration test drive so you can see some of it's features.





Here is Punk Carter's Website in case you want to see. I know I have some horse folk reading my site. If he decides to demonstrate in your town I would highly recommend it. And he has a BBQ Sauce. maybe it would be a good stocking stuffer for my hubbies holiday gifts.





Have you seen one of these???






My friend Lori decided to help me out with some anniversary prizes and this is one of them! Wow Wow Wow. You can see more of her items at www.belovedkeepsakes.com I had these done for my creative team last year and I think they all loved them and really appreciated having such a treasure. Keep an eye on the forum the 1st - 4th of October for all the details.


And for those who are prepping for the holidays here is a site that lists online store codes. This is a great resource... http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/codes/ Yes I might be addicted to the pinching your pennies site after my screaming deal on amazon.

Also, we are winding down our first weekly challenge you have until Wednesday to enter and then Thurs there will be a new one. Hope you can make it in there with a Halloween project. Read the forum for more info.

And that is it for me today. hope you have a wonderful day!

Enjoy!

Chris







Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

July-Sept Closing the doors...



Hello to everyone... if you want in the membership for this quarter I am taking it down from the store on Sunday. Above is a listing of some of the files included for $10.00. I am finishing out the files for the quarter and am ready to move on to the next. I hope you don't miss out. I try to include lots of cuts in my files. So hope you can jump on in there and join. Sunday the 13th of September is the last day for this quarter. Most of the files have a straight SVG file with them, but I, also, include the broken down SCUT file so you can open SCAL software, resize to your needs and cut. It have been imported in layers already for you.

Enjoy!
Chris Durnan

Friday, September 11, 2009

Mutton Bustin' Picture and just BRILLIANT!

First here is a picture of my guys in the pool at my brother's house. This was a swim at about hmm 8 a.m. Yes we jump in the water early here in arizona. My son was anxious and excited to get in the pool. My hubby and brother did lots of throwing the kids around and playing. It was a ton of fun.

And here is the Mutton Busting picture. This was a very quick ride with lots of grandparents in the stands cheering him on. As well as many friends. In the back of the chute on the left is my hubby in the blue shirt and a friend of ours who rides bulls in the black hat. It was a lot of fun and a great time. Next year we hope to stay the weekend. I was glad the photographer for the event got the picture because everyone elses picture was of my kiddo on the ground lookin' to the heavens above. The photographer was a super nice guy and you could tell he really liked what he did which made it even more fun. Originally they were gonna crop the picture so it was just my son, but I told them to back it out so we could see Dad and also get a perspective on how little he is in the picture. And yes this one is going in the scrapbook! Lots of fun.

Correction:
Got a nice little email from my Mom today. She wanted to clarify that she did go to parent teacher conferences when I was young. There came a point when I told her she didn't need to go anymore and she agreed with me. And this was because I was a BRILLIANT child. Just BRILLIANT. hahahaa.. You didn't know you were reading a brilliant persons blog, but you are reading a blog who had involved parents on many levels. I must have not been the trouble child because I still don't remember those conferences. And that whole Brilliant thing is me being dramatic, but if you want to agree with it. I'll let ya'
And on that note my BRILLIANT arm is broken from patting myself on the back. So have a wonderful weekend. Don't forget to participate in the challenge which is due by next Wednesday in my forum. A Halloween themed project made with any of my files!! We already have an entry posted yeah!!!!
Enjoy!
Chris
Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!

And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

This weeks Challenge.... and on to life

Hey Guys. It is Thursday and man it was a quick day yesterday I was in cutter file frenzy. And while I was got three more files together for the QMC which ends at the end of this month.
The files have a decidely Halloween theme for that and there is a good reason for that.. this week we started a weekly challenge. Something to help you get your cutter put into use. Ever person who posts a project in the forum for this challenge will be entered in a drawing. Our plan is to post a challenge every Thursday. Some of the other designers have jumped in and are preparing for weeks ahead. Lots to look foward to.

So this weeks Challenge is a Halloween theme. Post a picture of any project with a Halloween Theme using one of my files. Any of my files. so post the picture and then you are entered in the drawing. And if Halloween isn't your holiday check back next Thursday in the forum for the next weekly challenge.

And for some added inspiration here are a few new files for the QMC members. If you haven't joined yet, I am closing the doors this weekend so now is a good time to jump in especially if you want at least two of these.




If you like these files and don't want to join the QMC, A-OK with me. they will be in the store in not to long.


On to life...

So I ordered a Catholic family children's book. Thank you to everyone in their help with my quest. I got some great emails and advice from Mom's and Grandma's and even a few Dad's I appreciate that. I appreciate the reaching out. And can I say thank you to all those who reached out a hand and understood my need to give my son some important building blocks in life. This was very nice.


Our little one is quite the busy boy the last few days. He just seems to have grown by leaps and bounds. Last night he gave me a piece of paper and said see. "one thousand leaks" and on the paper it says 1000LEX. He was grinning from ear to ear and said. "Look I spelled it huh? Did you see? I spelled it." And he bounced away in just pure happy happy bliss. His theory was correct so I wasn't going to burst his bubble with the spelling error. the point was he jumped into it and tried! Made me super happy. And last night was the night we did double homework on Wednesdays we do twice the homework because Thursday nights my hubby and son "usually" get to go ride depending on weather and the like. This last Tuesday night we did homework on the lap desk in the truck. Some may think this is crazy, but my hubby gets to ride his buckle series and we still have to do homework. So we did it in the truck and I have to say because it was me, my son, a lapdesk and the homework and a light from the truck we got alot of homework done in a short amount of time. And we read a few books. I think just not having the distractions was awesome. I cannot imagine going outside to do homework in the truck every night, but on those nights when there is no focus it might be reallllly tempting!! whatever works right? We have parent teacher conference coming up. And I gotta wonder why am I nervous. I really don't remember my mom every going to one. But for some reason I am nervous. haha.


And here is one more promised picture from last weekend. This is a close friend of ours and my guys. Don't they look like they are having the best time? I still have to get the busting picture into the computer to post, but will soon.




I better get back to these last files for the QMC. Hope you can join in for the weekly challenge. Have a wonderful day!

Enjoy!
Chris


Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Just one of those days ...

We had a wonderful weekend and lots of time together.. which I will share more picture this week. However, today is just one of those days where I am not in the mood to chat to much, feeling a bit overwhelmed by life right now, saying prayers for my MIL, supporting my hubby in his worries, doing homework, working on files and trying to find a few Catholic Thanksgiving related projects I can have my son do. I am trying to instill a little Catholisism in him. (is that a word?) Our local church is not my favorite Catholic church since it changed priest. I just don't relate to the situation nor do I want to even sing at mass when there. Which for me is huge because I love to sing. So we are gonna head in the other direction next weekend and try the other Catholic Church. I appreciate having faith and religion. So even tho' I can't find one that feels like home I want my son to have some understanding and this has been weighing on my mind heavily. So if you have some good recommendations for easy to understand bible pages on the web, worksheets puzzles etc for Kindergarten let me know. My thoughts are wondering and I can't pinpoint them to what I need to do or where I am right at this moment. So I am going to sign off and work on some of those files for the QMC to wrap it up. It is just one of those days, but luckily there is always always a tomorrow. Always a new day to start fresh. yeah yeah yeah. Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Enjoy!
Chris

PS I am on a coupon binge because of my SIL. I found this awesome site...
Called Pinching your pennies. Here is a link to their site. http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/index.php
My SIL uses Coupon Sense, but I just don't think I am dedicated enough to run it. She is having an awesome time using it. and saving bucks!


Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Labor day weekend adventures

So this is the first of our adventures this weekend. Hopefully the picture will come through as I am mobile blogging. Next week I will post the one of my tough kid actually on the mutton. But for now here he is after the jump not a long ride, but his first and he came off happy and excited. When the announcer said to the crowd "are you ready?" My hubby said our son yelled "YEAHHHH" with all his might. He came over to me after the ride and said "I need a bull rope" so I just smiled and said yep. Wew good thing I am not a mom of faint heart. I was nervous but it was more nerves that he wouldn't like it or would freak a little. I just wanted him happy and he sure was. Although the dance was a bust he asked three girls to dance that were "his size" and they all said no so he gave up and went to play with the boys. It was a wonderful day and I got to sit on the stone wall with my hubby, listen to some live music and just hold hands and sneak a quick kiss or two. Almost like we were dating again. A friend commented.." How cute you guys are.. You've been together forever and still hold hands" I had to laugh because it is definitely a natural comfortable habit with this man of mine. Wonderful evening. Hope you had a great day to! I will post the other picture this week. Now let's see what we can get into today! Enjoy! Chris
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Cruising the blogosphere?? need a cutter file ??.

Here are some cutter file deals I have running this weekend. Including a Dirt Cheap Deal..
And don't forget the QMC for this quarter is just about done.. Jump in before the doors close.

Have fun!


Dirt Cheap Deal...




I like Silhouettes, but I love Silhouettes with Sparkle. So I have created 8 individual sets for those animal lovers out there with sparkle. Below is a picture of the entire set. You can go here to see it larger in the store. Buy this one on dirt cheap deal instead of individually and save yourself approx $18.00.




But I am Dirt Cheap Dealing

it this weekend only for $2.69








My Halloween Collection is on sale this weekend to... There quite a few files in this pack.. You can purchase it HERE. for $3.99




Wooohooo! We are starting our Weekly Challenge this coming week and to be entered in the drawing you need to post one Halloween theme project picture using any one of my files. So here is your chance to get the whole set cheapo if you haven't already and work on it this weekend while you have time.






Wow this one is full of lots of Halloween items. Use Click the addition images link below the picture in the store to see the files included and here is a list of them:



CD00141 - 7 Titles included! Lots of fun. Lots of uses.


CD00142 - Halloween Word Jumble, those great words of Halloween all jumbled together, but still easy cutting


CD00143 - Pumpkin Patch Title with Jack-o-lantern


CD00128 - Pitchin' a Fit is filled with 3 titles and a pitchfork. Great for Halloween or other moments!


CD00140 - Happy Halloween with Skull. A title, card Front or accent. Pull it apart or use it together.


CD00139 - Halloween Jumble with Bats, Witches and Cats - OH MY!


CD00116 - 5 Halloween Cards great for Card Fronts, Projects or Artist Trading Cards CD00144 - Candy Corn and Frame No Trick Just Treats


CD00119 - Boo Multilayered title and layered Ghost


CD00114 - Batty Halloween with Card Front, Border and extra bats



There is so much in this collection who knows what to cut first!!! So many titles. So many pieces. It's filled with lots and lots of fun! Enjoy!


FILE IS AVAILABLE IN: AI (SVG), GSD, KNK, WPC, SCUT


Also you can find a few of these Halloween items in the Dollar Deal section of the store!

Enjoy! Chris

Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Friday, September 4, 2009

6 in and 6 out...Next preview of drawing prizes for our anniversary

Well my recipe swaps for this month and next hit the mail. 2 sets of 6 each for main dish and for desserts. I am loving this. I also made a few extras so I can break down the recipes into a couple books for holiday gifts. Apparently I had a shakey hand in the one picture. Sorry about that. But it was fun to do them and now one more page to work on and I have until November 1st to do so. So have to think of some really good ones. And I love love love doing 6 in and 6 out. So no matter how many folks sign up. You still have to only sign up for 6 and you get 6 different ones back. I am not sure how Sarah is doing the swapping but wow. I am glad she is I could never choose who to send what.



So the holiday weekend is here. We have many things happening alot of times family recipes play such a key in gatherings. I am one for always trying a new recipes. Hopefully someones likes what I have sent in.

And sooooo it is Labor Day Weekend. We will be doing a little ranch sorting (my hubby is in a buckle series.. very serious competitors in this one) hitting rodeos, birthday parties and all kinds of things? What are your plans? If you have time for crafting we have lots of things you can download and do in the forum. And this is a good time to sign up for the forum... Here is a preview of a few more things being offered by Heather Huggins for our 1 year anniversary. Getting one of her handmade cards in the mail is SOOOOO Awesome! I know because I have gotten them in the mail. And I have one of them up on my wall still. Woohoo!!! So Heather donated some beautiful cards to give away during our celebration. Don't forget to register at the forum so you can see a schedule of events and fun when it gets posted! And visit Heather's blog to see more of her work and what she has to offer. One of the ways to win some prizes is to add yourself to my follower list right here on the top right of my blog! That is a quick one.





Be safe this weekend... I know everyone liked my tidbits post last Friday. I got so many positive comments on it, but I am running out of time today. So I will see what I can come up with for a post some time this weekend!! Tidbits are awesome. How about you?? Your week in review.. what did you do this week or say that stands out with you?
I better run the dryer just beeped at me... Here I am .. Empty me... Get this done before the weekend hits.. Only 4 more loads to go today and I will be done woooohooo!!!

Enjoy!
Chris

Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


You can download some freebie files in the forum!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

You could win some of them...


Well wow.... I got this box from Karen, our Bingo Hostess with the Mostest and here is a partial shot of some of the items to give away during our 1 year anniversary, Oct 1-4th! Wow Wow Wow. Thank you Karen soooooo much!!!


I will be previewing the items you can win all month. We have quite a few donations from some fantastic and awesome folks. So check back and see what there will be. The best way to get ready for this is to register at the forum and post twice so you are approved. (Get that out of the way) and prepare to enter yourself in lots of drawings.


Just wanted to share!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Enjoy!

Chris


Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


And our cutter file "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

September's Sketch Cutter File Challenge is up


The sketch challenge with die cutter files is posted in the forum. So head on over there to see it. I created some files to help you along, but you can use anything you'd like. Rosalie is back to inspire us and has already posted her take on the challenge and it is cute!!
If this is the first time you have heard of our sketch challenges.. they are in the forum and we have been doing them every month since the beginning of the year. You could go back. Check them out and use them as inspiration to catch up on your projects or for working on some holiday projects.

Enjoy!

Chris


Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com
GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT files for your personal digital cutters for use with scrapbooking, cardmaking and other hobbies. Whatever your creative mind can come up with!

My files work on many machines. Some of them are: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the software involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, Robomaster, DesignMaster and the list goes on..... Enjoy!


My "freebies" are kept in the forum. We add to them as we can.

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