Visual Designs by Chris

Chris Durnan

Join My E-letter List!
For Fun Files & News!

This is an email list with general updates used from to time. If you want an email every time I post, please enter your email on my Subscribe to my Blog form on the lower left or at the bottom of every post. 

Archives for May 2010

Using a Freebie

By

This is my example of the weekly Card sketch at Let’s Scrap.  The paper is really old, DaisyD’s. I created the Hello circle sentiment in Photoshop elements using a template by Learn-Create-Share. The butterfly was designed by Shelly’s art and cut with my Craft Robo. The circle swirly thingy was designed by Chris Durnan and part of the freebies for the November 2009 sketch challenge.   You can find them in the forum: Here’s the link  November 2009.

I think it turned out pretty cute.   What do you think?   

Rosalie

Safari Park!

By

This post today is dedicated to my Aunt Elise. I love her whimsical house. And especially loved this little trio of turtles she has. I was going to find something to trade her for the turtles, but most of my home decor are pieces from our travels and/or cowboy related. My hubby would not have a smile on his face to see one of his collection gone. woops. So until I find that perfect piece. I thought she would appreciate these pictures.

This is a park near where we pick up our bountiful basket every other Saturday. My son loves to walk the safari trail. these are all bronze so in the summer 110 degrees they will be blazing hot, but this walk in the safari was not to bad and so could include some monkeying around.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. I love this. It just makes me smile that they aren’t just bronze statues, but are also positioned to be eating the trees and playing in the trees. I think next time I might see if I can go back and take some different angled pictures.

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.

National Versatility Ranch Horse Assoc Clinic Weekend.

By

This past weekend I had the pleasure of watching my hubby ride. He was competing in a National Versatility Ranch Horse Association Clinic and competition. It was close to our house. So we took two trucks so I could take the patio umbrella and set in the second one. We were up off the ground and could see better as well and had our own imported shade. It was very nice. My kiddo was happy that we had “setup camp”. Luckily the weather was nice and a little breeze if you didn’t stand in the sun. I felt for those out in the sun all day working this event. First pictures and then I will post my review on a new event that is coming along and gaining interest.

Here my kiddo is helping the guy setup the banners. This is actualy a banner from our Uncle Bryan. So my kiddo was carrying it you can just barely see his hat hidden there.
My hubby would come around the backside of the arena and hang out with us. There were not alot of spectators. more on that later. but my kiddo would run to meet up with him as he came back to the truck. Lots of water was needed to make it throughout the day. By the end of Sunday, my hubby figured he had been in the saddle 18 hours. I think this should go in the logs for riding time. WOW.
We were waiting for events to get started and my kiddo thought it was cool to jump off the tailgate because there was a slight hill so the jump was a little taller. My biceps were working overtime pulling him up everytime he jumped. We were having fun just hanging out and soakin’ up the fresh air.
Some friends of our showed up to add some smiles to the day. By about 2 pm Mom and Uncle Bryan were just not entertainment enough anymore. So luckily these cutey patooteys and Tio showed up.
I do love that my kiddo loves to smile! It just lights up the world for me.
I caught this in the mirro of our friends truck. I thought it was pretty cool as he watched the riding going on.
This is just before the last competition for Confirmation. (Oh and my hubby let his horse fall asleep during the confirmation part hahah. I had to laugh over this because they all looked Dad on their feet at the end of the day. If I were the horse I woulda snagged a nap to.) The kiddo, dad, Rosie(horse) and Uncle Bryan walking down to see what was going on.
This is my oh so proud of Dad son. I think he looks to me like “Look what we got” haha. When I asked him what the best part of the weekend was. He said “when Dad got his ribbons of course” Well duh. It was awesome I will say. He works hard at riding and taking care of maintaining them here at our home. So this is a wonderful perk.
So that was our happy smiles. It was alot of learning for my hubby and working the classes. And he really did well at the cutting which he got a first place ribbon in for his division. It is my understanding that this is a newer event and they are trying to make a go of it. It might be just here in Arizona it is trying to take hold, but I have to say as I was sitting outside the arena. Two other cars came to pull up next to us. It was held at a pretty well known arena for the area. So I can imagine folks come and watch the happenings all the time. I have to say I know they do because I ran into another friend I havent seen in years there and she said she just came to see as well. But both cars left. One even said wow this is boring. One decided to go after they had stopped by to get something. So unless the organization and the tempo is picked up for the amount of events being packed into one day, it will be hard to gain alot of spectators. I think spectators are important to events because it builds that base of the event. I asked some of the participants if the length was normal. And they all agree that after you were exhausted and just plumb done and needed to drive home a very long distance the end was always very long and alot of waiting. I think we waited about an hour and half from when the last event was done to get any winning decisions etc. So in that respect the actual participants have to have the stamina to wait hours on end.
From a horseman’s wifes standpoint. If they can better run items to run a little more simultaneously. For instance they had a split arena. Or even compact some of the items a little more. there was a few items that seemed to be just patterns and not alot of go. Push some of this together and figure out how to get it done in 6 hours instead of 9 plus an hour and half for judging tabulation and you will probably come up with an interesting event. The overall experience and skills and talents your horse has to have. Well Wow. I can sit and watch horses all day and there were some fantastic horses. A Boomer horse even and had great style and confirmation. My hubby knew alot of the pieces of the events but learned to put them together and work with them. And the participants themselves were all really helpful. So I must say I really liked it.
I was told another one was being planned for the fall. I hope so. Over the summer we would just explode in the heat of the day. But fall would work and I believe we will be going to another event in between.
The BBQ night was great to just sit and listen to folks that are truly passionate for their horses and living life to it’s fullest. When you can bring people together with similar passions it is really a wonderful environment to be around. And my kiddo didn’t watch a lick of tv Sunday. He played a little gameboy for about 15 minutes. But mostly hung out with me until our Uncle Bryan and friends showed up after noon. We layed on the back of the truck in the shade in between horse events and he told me stories. He “bugged me” and I got to listen to him giggle and he got excited every time his Dad was riding over. I read my book a little and listened to the breeze rustle the tree leaves. I also got to watch my hubby work on something that he loves and also see him win something for all his hard work. This is to me a great day. Truely, I love my life.
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.

Boots are good for most anything

By

In our house boots can be worn with just about anything. Especially when you
promise Mom you will clean the trash out of the truck if she buys you a new
movie. When we got home my kiddo thought he could come up with some extra
negotiating power. AHHH. Not so. The deal was made and that was one movie of
the Warner Brother's Looney Tunes (Old school cartoons they are awesome!)
for one cleaned out truck. So this was the trash bag after a very dramatic
child said it was "unbelieveable" how much junk there was. I am pretty sure
I will have to go through the book to make sure there are no library books,
water thermos etc. But for now the truck is cleaned out for the weekend and
the little boy is watching Elmer fudd and Bugs Bunny go at it.

So this week feels like it has been just jam packed. I am looking for a
trainer for my bike to sit on so I can pedal away. My hubby mentioned just
welding some metal together to make the stand. So that might be the route we
go. We shall see.

Well It's almost the weekend. Tomorrow is the GRAB BAG Reveal for May. I
can't imagine how anyone who goes, camping, hits the beach, or visits the
park would be unhappy with this one. It is just jammed full. Run on over to
the store tomorrow and see all the files revealed. And check our newsletter
for finished products.

Have a wonderful and happy weekend!! We have plans to do lots of horse
things! Woohoo!

Enjoy!
Chris
http://visualdesignsbychris.blogspot.com

www.visualdesignsbychris.com

Membership Club $10 for 20 plus files SVG GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT

Layout using CD00703 – Family Tree

By

Once again Chris has outdone herself with this wonderful file. Another goodie as part of this quarter’s QMC! I had this photo of my children, son-in-law and my hubby which was taken just after Gary and I had celebrated our Wedding with family and friends in May 2007.
 
I have added styles and textures in Photoshop CS3 to the cutter files to add dimension and used a digital scrapbook kit I designed.
 
Thanks Chris!
 
Cheers, caz

The weekend Miles of Adventures…

By

We started out our weekend “miles of adventures” on Thursday night. We headed to Phoenix to see my brother, sister in law and nephew. We had a wonderful time sitting around the fire and relaxing. My brother has this really cool fire pit he made. I like it because it burns propane. So I didn’t smell like smoke when we were done. Very nice conversation and time well spent.

Then Friday a.m. we headed to Flagstaff in order to see my cousin graduate from NAU. We went to the ceremony and then celebrated with eats in the hotel room and then on to the restaurant for dinner. The ceremony was very nice. Towards the end my son was done done past done, but once he got back to the hotel and hit the pool for a break and jokeed with everyone he was good.

Then we packed her up and headed back home on Saturday in time for me to do my AHA Moment. So after the AHA Moment we came home and vedged. Then we got up Sunday for Mother’s Day. Mother’s day at my In-Laws. My Mom was on a plane to the beach. She loves the beach so I am glad she got to go.  But we hit the concrete beach around the pool for the morning and then for my Mother’s Day gift…. We went to a local nursery and bought flowers and planted them all around the patio. It looks beautiful. I am short a few, but I’ll take some pictures to post later in the week. It was fantastic to spend time with my two guys. I really couldn’t be the Mom I am without my husband. He supports me at every turn. He knows just the time when I need some “quiet time” of my own. He understands when I just have a mental break down for one hormonal reason or another. He helps with everything and I’d like to think I help him with everything I can to. He knows when to saddle my horse for me and when to let me do it. Also, he giggles with me at my totally corny dumb jokes and oohs and ahhs over paper creations I have made. So without him, I would be an entirely different Mom. So when it comes down to Mother’s Day I love to spend the time with them and just cherish one more happy memory of planting flowers and buying the biggest tomato plant I have ever seen. hahah. More pictures later in the week, but for now Here are the graduation ones. they are Cousins, Aunt and my Guys and just family. Love my life.

Enjoy!
Chris

so yeah my camera was no good for the long distance shots so I just put it away.
my kiddo was getting burnt out by the end, but he did well all things considering.
My tall cousins. Well I am the shortest of all the cousins. but first born so that has to count for something
My cousin the graduate and my kiddo. yes when we hit hotels for big celebrations. We just decorate and throw a party. haha. always fun.
My cousin and her Mom. (My Aunt)
My hubby and I. He went shopping for me before the trip because I was at a loss of what to wear. he came home with about three outfits all a size smaller then I would have bought and they fit. HE Rockes. Take me to Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo Convention Centers to shop for three days. no problem. Put me in the mall here and I slowly start to hyperventilate and pace in place by doing this weird rocking thing. hahaha. So yeah. My hubby is awesome. He knows me well.
And my Sister on the left (with baby bump) My Cousin and me… Not sure what’s up with my windblown crazy look, but some pay for good windblown tussel like. I jsut have that need a brush naturally look in this pic. haha.
Well hope you Enjoyed the pics! -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.

My Aha Moment

By

So my weekend was filled with adventures! And the first one started on Wednesday with an email from the ad company for Mutual of Omaha. You know the ones that are doing the Aha Moment Tour. They had read  my blog and were going to be in Tucson and wanted me to come on down and share my “aha moment”. I was slightly nervous, but really I think this is way cool. It will probably end up on the website and not be in the national limelight of a national spot, but hey I couldn’t ever compete with that little green lizard dude that is on everything. I was asked because I post to this blog and it must have made an impression somewhere.  Very Cool!
The Aha-Moment as describe on their website is… a moment of clarity, the aha moment is a defining moment where you gain real wisdom – wisdom you can use to change your life.
So I didn’t tell many about this because I didn’t want to freak out with nerves, but with the support of my loving and wonderful hubby I made plans to be back in town in time to do it. Apparently they posted an ad in the paper as well during the weekend. I got the impression there wasn’t alot of response. I wouldn’t have ever had the opportunity to do it if they hadn’t emailed it. I called my hubby when I got the email and read it to him and asked.. Do you think this is spam? He laughed and told me to setup a time to do with them. So here I am on the outside of the Airstream. (Another first for me because I have never been in an airstream. much less an airstream that is a full studio with recording and sound equipment. )

This is afterword with my kiddo. And of course the picture below is our “crazy” picture. The other day my son told me that our pictures were boring with just smiles. So I told him we could fix that if he could smile for me first in a good picture. So he did. (Wow he is getting tall as I look at this picture).
So yes I may look like a dork below, but if I can get one good picture then life is good. (I will eat those words)
OKAY yes. I am eating those words as he couldn’t shake the “crazy photo” look. haha.
And here is the whole airstream.
So many have asked me what my AHA moment was. I think I will wait for my email from them with the clip. THen I can post it. To tell you would just be anticlimatic.
Things I learned from thinking about what an aha-moment could be. I realized my life is made up of them.  Times when I just paused and had to think AHHHH I get it now. They have directed me in many directions, but I think alot of lifes AHA’s became very clear to me when I met my hubby. I started really paying attention to my decisions and how they would affect me instead of just living in the here and right now. Or instead of just doing something because I am supposed to.  I am truly blessed with my life and every day is something to cherish. No matter the trials on some days. I still have to get through today to get to tomorrow. Who knows what will tomorrow will bring. I am sure it will be fantastic.
Was I what they wanted after I was done? After they read  my blog and contacted me.. Well I don’t know, but I sure was hyped and jazzed afterwards. And they asked me questions kind of in an interview style. And I kept trying to not look at the camera and just at the lady who stood under the camera. The lights were glaring and my right eye seemed to weep a little. Might have been the lights. or it might have been because I had a big cheesy grin going. All I know is Kait was super nice, Dave was very easy to talk to as the “man in the booth recording” and the other two guys which I didn’t meet were quick to smile and help us take our “crazy pictures” Thank you to them for being such a great group of easy going people.  I was their last one because I requested the last time spot. I think they were done and ready to get on the road.
So when it is up I will post it for you to see!
Until then… Well if you’re reading this I would be interested in your “aha- moment”
I have found this very interesting to think about.
So I asked my hubby what kinda of aha moment he had as I was pondering what to say on our drives (because really I wasn’t sure what the heck I would do, but didn’t want it to be to rehearsed and from my heart) His made me choke up… He said hiswas when he realized he wanted to be with me. I would have to agree with him because it definitely changed our lives together and we have gained alot of wisdom together.
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.

1st one gone.

By

Picked up the kiddo from school today and he was running and super excited. He was so proud to show me his first tooth had fallen out after eating lots of apples!! Woohoo! Enjoy! Chris
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Deep Fried What? .. fun at the Fair

By

so we went to the Fair in one of our many days with some friends. We had tons of fun Aunt Heidi wasn’t there so I felt obligated to stand in with pictures. Definitely not as awesome as her pics, but was a ton of fun.
The rides that were the hit seemed to be the big tall slides. This was the shorter of the two. After this one my hubby said the kiddo would have to make it up on his own for the next one. It was very windy and he could feel the slide shimmying in the wind. Watch the sky in the pics and you will see how the sky changes, by the end of the night it was raining and we were freezing and headed home, but it wasn’t 110 and was still a ton of fun! Here are somore more ride pics.
My hubby professed this one as DUMB with only two skeletons what a waste
This one below I am not quite sure how manly the purple mouse is on the roller coaster, but my son professed this as one of the “BEST” rides
And this was the younger brother. He was very intent on the fresh lemonade. And very good it grabbing it. Cutey. He is one of the HAPPIEST babies I have ever seen in my life. Probably cause his parents are so fun. He just couldn’t help it. haha.
And this was the double the size of the first slide ride that the boys ran up and road down on their own.
Lots of giggles and smiles.
So then it was food time.
AND THEN THIS HAPPENED!

What is it you ask? Well my hubby disappeared in looks for something sweet and he came back with the deep fried cookie dough. This however is a deep fried moon pie. this is all that was eaten and when I looked at it I wanted to gag. and yes that is powdered sugar because why not add sugar to …

So what did this do?? Well the pics tell the story… Our sons were now like little bouncy balls.
They are really good kids so it wasn’t so crazy… but…
Haha I found it quite amusing that I could see the change in the kids in the pictures after food and sugar.
I have more pictures of elephant rides, rock wall climbing etc etc  that I will post tomorrow.
For now I am back to working on some files.
Enjoy!
Chris