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

Income expenses from the eyes of a 9 year old

D is working on a badge for Scouts (webelos) that asks him to write down his income and monthly expenses. Well the puzzler is he is 9. The latest nerf gun was paid for by Uncle Bryan.

I like Scouts to be learning and impactful a bunch of empty columns or nerf gun purchases mean nothing.

Instead we discussed when he wants to move out for college and what he wants to have. Dreams and dreams. So we started expensing it.

And then the income column was harder as we figured how many hours he could work with school.

By the time we were done, my child has decided to finish out our guest room, live there and hitch a ride with Dad to the U of A since our office is right down the road. And he smiled and said... "Just so you know... I am never growing up."  

I thought to myself.... Ahh my love. There in lies the puzzle as I watch you grow up every day and try to hold on to every moment in my heart.

 Love my Life!

The photos are from the  Artist Badge for Webelos Scouts. Also, something he is working on this holiday break.

This requires some clay modeling, make an art construction out of anything you can use for constrution.( which of course would be Legos for my son), make a mobile and college that expresses you. We are working on this just after the holidays so that means Legos Legos Legos and happy smiles. 

Enjoy!
Chris

Tips from a past Scout leader... I am no a longer leader, but still get emails from folks asking what I think for fun ideas on working with a project. So ideas are... 

Artist badge is fun for a crafting Mom! and a Lego addicted child. :-) 

#2 is to make a scrapbook of the projects. 

A quick artist scrapbook is two pieces of 12x12 scrapbook paper cut down to 6x6s. A cropadile or hole punch is awesome for a hole in the corner and then a binder ring. Also, I would get some precut letters and ask them to glue the word Artist on the front. A busy opening project for when they walk in the door. 

For the Collage about self. #10

I would bring magazines and scissors and give them one of the 6x6 from the scrapbook above to cover with images that express themselves. this way it is right in the scrapbook. And we used a Lego Magazine that came in the mail. Are you getting the theme here? 

For the primary color which I think is number 4. 
I would give them another one of the 6x6s and have them make color combinations with the three primary colors right on the 6x6. If the scrapbook paper is colored. I would give them a piece of what paper to color on. Lots of fun. 

Those are my thoughts on the Artist badge. Thanks for always asking. 

Chicken Lesson of the day!

My hubby is working away on a brick entrance to the tack room. So the water stops building up and mudding there. It's right outside my studio window. He used brick glue to get the edging to hold before he concreted.. Serious stuff and my ridiculous chicken decide to eat it. So I grabbed her and stuck my finger in her beak. Doesn't hurt really, but she was nottt happy.  Then proceeded to have Greg dig the rest out from between with a stick. Meanwhile with all the excitement she peed down my leg. Yeah exciting around here. Wew. Lesson of the day. Never stick your finger in a chickens beak while holding it. It will get back at you. yick!

Love my life... even with the crazy chickens.

The Chickens for Sale sign was posted a few months ago. I took the photo and sent it to the hubby. I love crazy chickens. :) they come in all sizes and colors. Fun!

Enjoy!
Chris

PL - Santa Claus is Coming to Town ....

Project Life Freebie - 3x4, Gray & Red

I have decided to try and create a Project Life Scrapbook this coming year. That means I will need some pieces for my own use. I thought I would share those here. They are in a printable pdf file. The file is for personal use only. The link can be found here. and the password is "iagreetou" . This means you agree to the personal use of the pdf file. When you type that password in, it is your digital agreement. If you have anyone who would be interested in this item, please send them over to my website and not share it directly. If download numbers continue, I will keep creating.

If you would like this freebie in a different size, please let me know and as I have time I will try to accommodate these requests.

Enjoy!
Chris

Don't forget to join our Facebook Group

Also, you can join me at my Facebook page. 

Warriors T-Shirt

My son has been begging me for  a "Warriors" t-shirt". For my son, A good book is like a good rock band. You read it, you heard it. Where is the t-shirt?

He loves the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. And my son cannot get enough of it. He reads them and loves the characters. This is why one of our kittens is called GrayStripe.

So this was the final product after a merge of many online images and book covers. I made sure to have GrayStripe one of the main characters on the cover. The colors are pretty crisp and the transfer I used worked awesome.

I had some Dark Fabric Transfer by Avery in my stash. I must say it was pretty cool to use. Easy to print on and you don't have to reverse it. Then you peel the back off the material and it is like a thin plastic. After it is peeled you place it on the shirt and then put the tissue paper over the top provided and iron it. It isn't really tissue paper, but seems like it and doesn't stick to the printed material. I created the edging to look worn.

Overall, I can recommend the book series. The Avery Dark Fabric Transfer material and the shirt is from Michael's on sale.

So my Rock Star son can have his Rock Star Book T-shirt. We could be book nerds in this family. Actually we are. I'll admit it. Love my Life.

Enjoy!
Chris


To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page.

So Proud - Webelos Mom

Had to share. My son earned his Webelos patch this last week. Just awesome. He is working really hard on badges and wants to earn as many as possible before arrow of light. He saw a chart of who had earned what displayed at a pack meeting. He stood there and counted what he needed to earn next. Wears me out, but I will do whatever I can to give him the supplies and support to complete his goals.

In order to earn his Webelos Badge, he did a project for the community.
his choice was to collect shoes for a local organization that hands them out during Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and low income. His goal was 20 shoes and with the help of friends, family and his Cub Scout Pack he collected 170 to give.  Just proud.

Below is a picture of him with all his shoes.

They had an arrow of light crossover ceremony also at our meeting. He watched the presentation with enthrallment. He has seen before and it always grabs his attention. I really believe he will ask to be a part of the presenters when he moves onto Boy Scouts if there is an opening.

Love my Life. Here are some additional photos below.
Enjoy!
Chris

D on the left. and Arrow of Light ceremony. 

All the shoes below. 

To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page.

You're the Best Card

Putting together some cards. I had some random printed but mostly blank cardstock and decided to add some embellishments to it. So I added some balloons  and a saying. A little stickles. And my son... well my son's input was the pink flower with the pom pom from the embellishment drawer. Love his help. Make the studio more fun to share in the creative. I lay out the card on the counter and invariably I find something altered or added to my idea. I find it cute and endearing.

Love my Life.

Enjoy!
Chris


To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page. 

Also, we have started a VDBC Crafting Fun Facebook group in lieu of another forum to manage. Join us!

A wreath to bring in some holiday cheer.

I created this for my Nan today with supplies in my craft room. Wow. I need to clean out some supplies. I just kept looking and finding things. I did some close up shots to play with my cameras settings. So you will see little glue wispys. Those wispys will be pulled off by my kiddo on the way to Nan's house.

She is in some need Holiday Cheer in her new place. So we are going to head out and decorate for her. My Sister and her children, My Mom and her children, and I and D. Hoping it will be alot of fun and puts a smile on her face.

If not, we shall chat about how it is just as easy to smile as it is to frown. We had this discussion a few times before, my Nan and I. She gave me the chat when I was little and visiting and now I return the favor.

I never was good at  a bow. I really envisioned a big gold bow. Wonder if my Mom could put one together. I need some kinda bow maker doohickey. And I am definitely not a wreath artist like my friend Sarina. She will knock some wreaths out. In fact she has some of my wreaths from my craft room because I needed space. They sat for years and she gave them some life. Love it!!!

Here's to happy smiles and some closeup pics. You can see me in some of the reflections. ha!

Enjoy!
Chris

To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page.

JOY Holiday Card

I am working on a few cards to send. This one is for a friend who will love the red, black and gold.

I used a red paper that has gold flecks in it. I am not sure you can see them in the pictures, but it's there. I also added a gold glittered sheet behind the square letters which I used pop dots to lift them. A cuddlebug die for the embossed corners and a round cornerer.  Also a black ribbon. I messed up the score on the top so will be trimming the card and attaching it to a 5x7 card.

Wanted to post a craft and was so happy to get one done.

I took multiple photo angles to see if I could catch the glitter of the gold, but flash washed it in some area.s. I hope you like.

Enjoy!
Chris

Dr. Who

This little sign sums up my understanding of Dr. Who. I love that my son and hubby enjoy not only the show, but their time together chatting about it.  With the anniversary coming up, I am looking forward to a Dr. Who marathon when I will be sewing and crafting holiday gifts and listening to their chitter chatter. And deep down it just makes my heart smile. Love my Life.

What's on you weekend or holiday to make list?

Don't forget we opened a VDBC CRAFTING FUN facebook group. Join us. It's nice to have a place to chat again.

Enjoy your weekend!
Chris

Subway Art - November

I posted some November Subway Art in the facebook group. Join us so you don't miss any in the future.
 Perfect for Vinyl, but I cut transparency. Totally fun!

Trying 4shared for the first time in a long time for downloads. I can't help but give away some files. :-) We'll see how it goes.

Here is the group link below.
Enjoy!
Chris  https://www.facebook.com/groups/319182541555348/

#2 - Smile

This post could be miles long. Here are just some from my phones memory card.

SMILE

We love to smile around here and I am surrounded by the smilers and am one too!

Love my Life
Enjoy!
Chris

#1 - Faith

I am catching up on the photo challenge. Here is number 1.

Faith

This is my bible. I earned it at religious education classes when I was in 5th grade I believe. The leader said he would purchase anyone who memorized the books of the bible their very own bible. And they had to be in order. He brought it to me the next week and it also had my name on it. I was very proud and pleased to have my own.

The green tags and the white slips of paper marking verses are in my now husbands hand. At the time written, we were searching for wording for our wedding. I just can't take them out. I leave them in to mark our love from the beginning.

There a few prayer cards tucked inside for loved ones that have passed.

This bible was read to me by my son last week as he is working on his religious emblem for Scouts. We did alot of reading and talking. Since that chat I have seen him pick it up all week and flip through it.

So Faith. This is a typical symbol of Faith. I do believe in a greater Faith outside of the printed word.  Faith in others. Faith in tomorrow by planning on tomorrow. Faith in loved ones that you give them your heart to care for. Faith in life that you will travel your course and make the best choices. Faith. It guides me in a relgious manner, but more so in the every day of life and faith and belief in the good of others.

I am interested to see others Faith photos.
If you have them and want to share, please post in the comments here or on facebook.

Enjoy!
Chris

November Photo Challenge.

Yep I think I am going to try this challenge this November. And post on my blog. That means I will be needing to have my fav food tonight. So Mexican food it is. Woohoo!

If you are going to to, please post the link in the comments on my blog. Or post on my fbook page. I'd love to see.

I need to do some catching up. So off to see what I can come up with.

Enjoy!
Chris

Creating.... Friday File

I created a file for the upcoming KNK USA e-letter.
Here is a preview of it. Felt good to be creative again.

It's my version of a  Halloween or Fall Tree. The owl is completely separate.
I am not converting to a ton of types for this one which freed up some creative time to. :)

Hope you like.

Enjoy!
Chris

To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page.

Gfree kid?

My son as of late has been avoiding flour. For myself, I regularly avoid. We decided when our son was born we would see if my reactions to gluten would pass on to him. Rather than force him into a gfree lifestyle, let it work itself out. I am not deathly ill from gluten like a celiac, but my stomach cramps so hard it has brought me tears.
- My son's slow quest for gfree has started with a simple request... no sandwiches in his lunch or crackers. When I asked him why. He said it made his tongue taste very weird and his stomach hurt in the afternoon. I began to ponder his lunches. In my world, no problem. The next week we continued on with rice crackers, ham slices, cheese, a little container of ranch, carrots, grapes. He was pleased.
-My son has been saying no thank you a lot recently to cupcakes, granola bars, cookies. Sometimes he says yes and I see him take one bite and throw the rest away.
- a little while later, I sent my husband an email which my son happened to see. It was symptoms of gluten allergies. One of these is little bumps on the back of the arm. To the general person, it might be considered acne of some sort. It could be. To me because I've had them before... nutrition deficiency came to mind and that can be from gluten allergy not allowing certain nutrients to absorb into your system. These bumps bug my son. He finds it annoying no matter how small they are and all the different soaps etc. They won't go away.
- when at the grocery store the other night, he told my husband he was going gfree for a bit to see if the bumps would go away. His choice. So we walked down the aisles and he chose things we already do because alot of our house is gfree.
- I am impressed with my son. Over the week he has chosen some items with gluten in them. Most recently he came home from a family evening where he chose the dish with flour instead of splitting one with me that didn't. The whole way home he wiggled and groaned. His stomach hurt.
-recently he was a guest at another house and chose the gluten item and came home and felt horrible.
- today he chose corn tortillas over flour and had little tacos instead of burritos. He cannot stand corn tortillas normally, but he chose to try them again. We also went to an auction for the day and he asked me about their options for food and chose carefully.
- He has a gfree cake mix on the counter. He wanted to make. We try to avoid the box, but sometimes you just want to indulge.
-I don't know where this will take him. But I am willing to follow his lead. (He is the kid that avoids McDonalds and most fast food because he can't stand the salt flavor) I was about the same age when having issues I believe. I hope those around us understand how hard it is to say no to a cookie and let that choice be his own. Try not to sway him because we feel he is missing out. He is quiet pleased to just eat frosting off the top and throw away the rest. He is making the hardest decision ever for a 9 year old and it based on his own feelings of health.
- so I believe I will start making extra gfree snacks to make them available to him at a time of indecision. It's all I can think to help him along the way. And slowly clear out the cupboards of those difficult things. Maybe email his teacher and explain some of this so she understands when he is in indecision. Wait to see what he thinks. I believe so much sickness and health issues in life are food/chemical related. So I am trying to really just see how this all pans out and be supportive in my son's decisions.

Well this is my musing and rambling about our lives. I would be lost without my hubby as he supports the decisions my kiddo makes.  And never flinches when having to read a label or try something new and weird for most. In fact, tomorrow I was told by the hubby gfree pancakes was on the menu for breakfast and he smiled at me as he said it. I just love them both. And I love my life.

Enjoy!
Chris

Science Aftermath

What happens after Scouts Advancement Day? 

You talk your parents into Dry Ice and overseeing your fun with all you learned. 

And then some. 

woops Mom and Dad had to much fun with the Bubbles on the dry ice stuff 

and it become a throbbing mass of bubbles. :-)

 

And you can float a ping pong ball with a hair dryer!!

Good for all kinds of fun. 

I just love the smiles and the inquisitive mind!

Enjoy!

Chris