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Chris Durnan

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Archives for January 2011

My bb menu and ramblings.

January 17, 2011 By Chris Durnan

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Bountiful Baskets this week…

My menu for the week. This week I got a mexipack and a regular basket through Bountiful baskets. 

So my thoughts on using it up.

Saturday night we had friends over so we bbq’d.
So dinner was roasted butternut squash, hamburgers, chicken sausages and fruit salad.

(Cooking extra butternut squash for a second dinner)

The Butternut squash

3 from the basket, peeled, seeded, chopped in chunks tossed in olive oil a pinch of sea salt, thyme and half a pinch of nutmeg. Wrapped in tin and thrown on the grill too cook.

Gottaeatallthefruit Fruit Salad with a dollop of coolwhip on top.

BB fruit –

1 package of blueberries,

3 peeled, cored and chopped apples,

2 ripes pears, peeled, cored and chunked,

3 kiwis, peeled and chopped

tossed with a can of crushed pineapple (so the apples wouldn’t brown and the pears wouldn’t. The picture is actually from the next afternoon. The little bit that was left in my kiddos green bowl. and the fruit didn’t brown yeah!)  served with a dollop of cool whip for those who wanted it.  ( The whip cream is not included in the pic because the kiddo wanted to do another picture with whip cream and a blueberry on his tongue. NERD! and he giggled and he giggled after his suggestion because he made me roll my eyes. double nerd!)

Also we grilled the green chiles for on the burgers.

Sunday – leftovers (fruit salad is gone and waiting for the asian pears
to ripen for lunches for the kiddo for this week.) sO in honor
leftovers I will just let us go at it as we must.
After Sunday I just need 4 meals because Wednesday is a leftover day.

So Here are 4 meals that I can make depending on the time and energy I have left that day…
I will bake the chicken one night and bake extra so i can use it for the second night. so depending on the order of meals the first time I cook chicken I will double bake it.

Meal 1 – asparagus roasted and baked chicken (asparagus cleaned up and
tossed in olive oil and sea salt and cooked in the oven on a cookie
sheet) Chicken recipe: just going to bake as simple as possible so we
can have canned cranberry chutney with it and serve the leftover
butternut squash. I could grill but the oven will be hot. and if the
oven is hot. Gluten free pineapple upside down cake
 yummmm….

Meal 2 … chicken (from baked extras cut into chunks) and added to
noodles tossed with olive oil, fresh tomato or tomatillos, parmesan
cheese and maybe grilled onions.. kind of a mix what veggies will work
with noodles and chicken night
Meal 3 … wilted spinach and fish grilled in tin or baked in
parchment paper with some green onions fro mexipack and fresh garlic
from mexi packwith lemon from mexipack

Meal 4 …Cheesy Sausage Zucchini Casserole (swapping in grey squash
for the zucchini and will probably use real cheese not processed depending
on what is on hand)
Or I might do stuffed zucchini. modifying this recipe to use what I
have on hand. and also to make it gluten free. I have a few slices of old udi bread I will throw on the counter chopped up in the a.m. and let it dry out to use later in the day. and possibly instead of spaghetti sauce use some canned tomatoes I canned last summer and blend it smooth and add oregano and spices.

Canning plans…

I love to can. And there is a bag of pears. So I am thinking I should
look for a recipe for these. I find pears very easy to work with
canning. I also have some cranberries left in the freezer that maybe if
I can I could use those up as well. I made cranberry apple relish and
my guys totally loved it. so to make two small batches would be good.

kiddo love… This is the week we are back to the marble jar. Giving
the kiddo the chance to earn extra items and pick up his items. If I
pick them up, I get his marble. if he does, he gets one of mine. So
need to be a bit more dilligent in this. Monday we have off for MLK
day. (My sons comment after learning about Martin Luther King Day and
the reasons and the history… His comment .. ” Well I am glad that is
all figured out because I really like **.” a girl from his class he
thinks is really cool. Me too. I am glad it is figured out to and there were
strong enough folks to stand up for what they believe.

Crafting plans…
I have a few files that are in conversion state and ready for the qmc.
also, I am working on files for the sketch challenge, I cut a possibly
valentines day card for my hubby which needs finished. and I have an
idea for one for my kiddo. so hopefully finish those up.

Home Happiness…. Fly Lady.. I am not an intense fly lady follower.
However I like how the house is broken down. I have taken to telling my
hubby the zones for the week. and I find I work on them a little of the
time. And he does to. Which is just awesome. So this week is the main
bathroom and holiday leftovers. We started on the main bathroom already
on friday. But need to fix a few things and restack the towels for the
kiddo as they end up in ours. as for holiday leftovers. hmm… we are
mostly down. so I have to think through this item. I have been trying
to work on our bedroom a bit each weekend. It seems to get so much
thrown into it. So will continue on with that. Also, the habit for
January is Shine Your Sink. My hubby has been pitching in with that
alot also so I find myself jumping right in with him. if the dishwasher
is full and clean I want it empty so he can help with the shining. This
is working great. We recently repainted our kitchen so we are also
working on putting the trim backup around the windows. I am considering
cutting the vinyl that says. This Kitchen is Seasoned with Love. But
havent sold myself on it. I thought it might add a touch of me to the
space.

Quote I saw that I really liked.. ‎”Most people never run far enough on
their first wind to find out if they’ve got a second. Give your dreams
all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of
you.” – William James

Well for now that is my ramblings. Talk to you soon. Have a fantastic
Monday! and a mahvelous rest of the week!

Enjoy!

Chris

Chris Durnan, designer at www.visualdesignsbychris.com GSD KNK WPC AI SCUT SVG 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.

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Soooo tired…

January 14, 2011 By Chris Durnan

It has been one of the weeks where I feel like I am wading in water. Trying to get everything done, but it all takes to long or there is so much more to go through. Wew.

 

This weekend we have minimal plans so I hope to ride horse, craft some, sit in the Jacuzzi, hang out with the handsome hubby and cutey patootey kiddo, and send out the newsletter for the store. Oh we do have a bowling birthday party. So that should be fun! But if I could get a little sleep in there. That would be nice… soooo nice…

 

Okay and you? Any plans? Sorry so slow on my blog. As happens it gets set aside while I work on other things. I have been jotting down little kiddo stories to post. Soon I hope.

 

Well for the most part I wanted to say. Have a fantastic weekend. Squeeze someone you love in a hug. Ponder nature and how it all continues on in such a beautiful way. And I hope you share lots of smiles and happy moments with a loved one.

 

Enjoy!

Chris

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Christmas Thank You Card

January 9, 2011 By Chris Durnan

Had a creative morning.  Made six of these thank you notes.  I had my Wishblade and Cricut cutting at the same time.  I created the card from the Joys of the Season cartridge.  Used the card feature and the holly cut at 5″.  Can I say that I think the card feature is my favorite of all of the features!  I combined the card with a title from VIsual Designs by Chris.  #CD00177 is Thanksgiving Titles 2 but I just used the “THANKS” part of the title:  
http://www.visualdesignsbychris.com/store/product.php?productid=16864&cat=0&page=1
 
I colored the holly with Copics YG03 and YG63.  Added two lighter and one dark jewel.  I used 2″ and 2 1/2″ circles to create the red around the holly circle.  Cutting the 2″ first and then the 2 1/2″.  The depth of the punches would not allow a perfect circle in a circle but I decided I liked the offset look better anyway.   It looks as if it layers behind but actually lays right on top.  It still needed a little something so I cut a 2 1/2 circle from black diamond dust and backed it from the inside.  This led me to cut the title in black.  Added a sheer green ribbon.  I didn’t recognize the clearance tag so not sure where I got it.  Be sure to burn the edges of the ribbon after tying so they don’t fray.   
 
Here’s a tip:  I cut the title on heavier cardstock and only at 3/4″.  I didn’t want to cut too many times to mangle it – the Wishblade has a tendency to do that on me – so I cut it and then sanded the back of it lightly and it helped to separate the lettering from the background a little more cleanly.
 
~Angie~ (Missouri)
~I am blessed!!~

Visual Designs by Chris Creative Team Member
http://www.visualdesignsbychris.com

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hand made Flowers

January 8, 2011 By Chris Durnan

Hello all,   I had a crazy fall and finally had a little time to finish this layout. 

Let’s scrap sketch
bazzill cardstock
patterned paper Bo-Bunny
Fonts 2 peas Essential and Fragile
flowers Visual Designs by Chris –  Our cutting machine make flowers so easy.   Just cut a few shapes and size and layer them up.   Easy Peezy! 
Misc. twine and buttons.

Enjoy!  Rosalie

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January 6, 2011 By Chris Durnan

I know there are many members all over the groups for my QMC. So I want to make sure everyone gets their files downloaded and try to remind everywhere I can.  If you are a Oct-December member of the Quarterly membership club, please visit the forum or 4shared to download your files.

 

If you are ready for the Jan-Mar membership it can be found in the store for $9.00 until Sunday and then will be the usual $10.

http://www.visualdesignsbychris.com/store/product.php?productid=17727

 

 

Thank you to all those repeat members. You help support me which in turn helps support my family.

 

Below is the checklist for Oct-Dec which has now been closed, but jump on in and get those files if you had joined. They will be available til mid-Jan for download. Great deal for 9 or 10 dollars depending on if you’re an early bird and caught the deal. Lots and lots of cuts!

 

Enjoy!

Chris

http://visualdesignsbychris.blogspot.com/

www.visualdesignsbychris.com

 

 

Oct-Dec Checklsit

 

Chris’s QMC Oct – Dec 2010 Master list of files

1. CD00752 – Pictures with Santa –   
2. CD00770 – Halloween with Sparkle –  witch, hat, scarecrow, skull all sparkly!
3. CD00773 – Car Set –  3 classics
4. CD00771 – Pull Up A Set –  
5. CD00774 – Card Set Holidays 2010 774 –  
6. CD00775 – Holiday Card Set 2010 775
7. CD00776 – Snow Clothes –  
8. CD00777 – Winter Mittens & Hat Border & Jumble –  
9. CD00778 – ATV No Road, No Problem –  
10. CD00779 – Hiking – lots of cuts..
11. CD00797 – Football –  Title and Runner with ball
12. CD00781 – Turkey Cards or Turkey Table set
13. CD00799 – Tree Branch Collection with words  
14. CD00780 – We are Thankful –  Frame & Table Place Cards or card

15. CD00783 – Snow Fort –  
16. CD00784 – Game Over –  Football with flames
17. CD00785 – Freedom Eagle –
18. CD00786 – Holiday Sparkle –  Mistletoe, stocking, ornaments, bow .. all with sparkle touch
19.CD00789 – I’m Your Huckleberry –  Title & extra Cuts
20. CD00787 – Skatin’ Snowman –  
21. CD00790 – I Believe, Vinyl Intentions –  perfect for etching, on a tile or a holiday scrapbook cover
22. CD00788 – Journal –  Cover and title page and tabs
23. CD00792 – 2011 year of the rabbit –  start your year off now!
24. CD00793 – Ornate Weeping Flower Corners   
25. CD00794 – Frame matte Family Joy  – Perfect cut for in a picture frame as the matte for a gift.
26. CD00791 – 2011 slanted jumble   – Bring on the new year!
27. CD00796- Ornate Design 796 –  Lots of uses to fill the page or add to a card. Also great for etching
28. CD00798- Nothing to it.   – title and cuts
29. CD00795 – Bundled Up –  He’s warm cute and snuggly

 

http://www.visualdesignsbychris.com/744/

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New layout created using files from QMC

January 6, 2011 By Chris Durnan

This layout uses a few files from the last QMC that Chris magically creates every quarter. Chris designs the most amazing files but I really like her “Sparkle” files. This layout uses CD00786 – Holiday Sparkles and CD00790 – I Believe .
 
Styles and textures have been added to the cutter files to add dimension and interest.
 
cheers, caz

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January Grab Bag 2011..me me me me

January 2, 2011 By Chris Durnan

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Another great year ahead… wohooo!! I am very excited for 2011 and all it may bring to us.  Hope everyone had a Happy  New Year!

me me me me me… I am one of the designers in this month’s grab bag. I love to collaborate with the other designers on a serious of files that just go so well together. A bunch of files ot help you create those cards needed throughout the year. These files would also be great in many other uses.
Visit the store HERE to grab it!!
Enjoy!
Chris

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  2  7  0

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.

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Puppy Love is Real!

January 1, 2011 By Chris Durnan

You know I love using bits of Visual Designs by Chris’ files to create layouts.  On this one, I used two and then some other mixed in media.  I used the hearts from #CD00654 The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home.  BUT, because I am a frugal scrapper, I was using scraps and didn’t get a large enough piece… uggghhh….  so, the heart to the right had the edge cut off.  A popped up punched heart easily fixed that.  Whew!  And added a little texture to the layout.  Then I used the “LOVE” from #CD00690 Love the Arts.  I could not totally ungroup the files to just get the word so I cut it as close to the bottom of the WB screen as possible and then trimmed it out.  Love it!  Puppy is cut using my Quickutz Star alphabet.  “is Real!!” are stickers from Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby).  Bling:  heart and butterfly bling from a gem pack in the $1 bin at Michaels.  A few little gems on the punched heart are Paper studio.  The swirly bling is Prima.  Drew in the butterfly antennaes and wrote Valentine’s Day 2010 at the top with a black 01 pen from Prismacolor.  My favorite black pens ever! 
 
Happy New Year to everyone!

~Angie~ (Missouri)
~I am blessed!!~

Visual Designs by Chris Creative Team Member
http://www.visualdesignsbychris.com
(all images are cut using the Blue Wishblade)

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