VisualDesignsbyChris.com

Hello and Welcome.

I have jumped space to my new blog at
www.visualdesignsbychris.com

Please join me there for more updates and freebies.
I am still creating digital cutter files, printables, project life and more...

Following the creative path and loving every moment of it..

Enjoy!
Chris Durnan


See you at Visual Designs by Chris

Conversations with a 9 year old... cutting a man in half

This morning the question that gave me pause:

Can I cut a man in half?

Ahhh... my mind says just wait. But I am thinking it through. He was digging in his room. Lots of digging. We were talking pinewood derby for Scouts. Competition is steep, but not that steep.... hmm. I'll just pause...

MOM, Can I CUT A MAN IN HALF?

Now I just give the pause outloud. "Ahhhh. If you are a doctor.... potentially"

You never know in this house. My husband and I do alot of crafting, building, fixing. They also watch Dr. Who which in itself makes a Mom think twice. And my son is no different. He will pull things apart adjust them make them different. Sooo... there is a good definition for "man" I know there is. My child however has not thrown it out for me to grasp onto.

And out of the room he comes staring intently and carefully and very focused. Holding a little plastic green army man...

"Or we could burn the bottom off" he says this with a considering tilt of the head.

My response.. "Yes. I think you can cut a man in half! Let's not burn it. Maybe something you can do with Dad." As I smile and he lines it up on the counter and looks at the angles of the little green man. Soon to be half a man, but for a good cause.

Looking forward to this years derby car. Has alot of thought going into it. I bought 4 different colors of paint and new paint brushes per D's request. Also, there is conversation about dremmeling door lines out. And now green army men. And lots of planning. :)

I love the creativity of it!

Love my life.

Enjoy!
Chris

Disney countdown & printable

One our gifts for D was tickets to Disney. Here is a countdown calendar I made for his box. He had a map of Disney compliments of Aunt Becci, $25 Disney Card, and a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. Recently the comment was made that we may never go again and he went when he was 4. sheesh. So now we go when he is 10. Should be fun!!

The countdown calendar is printed on white card stock and I printed out three sets of them for the three sets of numbers. I also printed out a few for the very bottom that said! Excited for Disney etc. 

Here is a download link for it. The password is iagreetou which means you agree to download for personal use.

I didn't get any great photos in the making. However, it is a piece of chipboard cut in half. And 3 pieces of black ribbon bridging over the top of the two pieces of chipboard. Then I put red cardstock over the two sides covering the black ribbon. (you can kinda see it in thie bottom picture a little) and used my crop-a-dile to punch holes in the little cards and add the binder rings. It was a quick last minute project to add. Luckily I found some Disney stickers in my things to add to the front and a black and white ribbon.

Enjoy!
Chris

Camo Reading Pillows for the nieces and nephews

In an effort to have a homemade Christmas, I searched and searched pinterest. I came across a few pillows for gifts. All had different elements. Here is mine.

The Traveling Reading Pillow with a flashlight. 

I purchased the pillow forms on sale at Joann's woohooo! The 12x12 was 2.00 a piece. so happy I walked in. I bought 8 of them. Made a test run for my son D and then 5 more for my nieces and nephews and all in varying colors of camo. Then I made 2 more for my other nieces (pictures to come). 

I took the opportunity to purchase books from Scholastics for my son's teacher. I purchased in November. I put a remind in my calendar for October of next year to purchase more books. You can't beat the price and it always helps the teachers stash of books in the classroom. Win Win.

My pillow actually has a flap folded up underneath on the bottom into the back. So my Sister and Sister-in-law can take them off and wash them. The camo pillows all went to ages 6 and under. So I knew traveling in the car or camping would end up with some dirty pillows. 

They all have handles and I went to the dollar store for lights and found carabiner flashlights attached to the handle on top.  The lady at the dollar store looked at me like I was crazy when I wiped out all 9 flashlights they had. I didn't want to end up with a broken one and they were the perfect size! So I grabbed them all. 

When they were opened almost all of my nieces and nephews sat down and started reading right away. Hopefully this will be a useful gift and homemade. yeah! 

And recently I was told another Digi Camo Pillow was needed for my BIL. Perfect for camping evenings. Love it!

Enjoy!
Chris