Visual Designs by Chris

Chris Durnan

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A bowl of beauty…

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Recently, I attended an estate sale and this little bowl just called out to me. It says it's hand painted and has a signature.  I just think it is beautiful. Looking at it makes me smile. In my world, a whole set of mismatched plates that are beautiful would make me happy.  I know this also would spin untold chaos into my Handsome Hubby's world. So I tend to hold back. He likes his matching balanced sets. I am always moving things here or there. Repurposing containers etc.  My hubby has to live with enough chaos with me that I do my best to keep it contained.   And he manages with it awesome. He even bought me this little bowl when he saw me oggling it.

I have been hitting the thrift stores in search of a set of candle stick holders. The ones that hold a single candle maybe at the dining room table. I haven't found them yet, but I do have the other pieces for my project. So soon I will find them. Recently, I mentioned the project to a person at a party and the idea of just going to walmart was thrown out there. I had to giggle. I am on the hunt for them now and when I find them and I finish the project it will be like the finishing of that hand painted bowl. I can just imagine finishing so much detail and then turning it over and giving it a final look. The bowl sits on my counter in need of a purpose of which I will find one. It is so pretty for now I will just stare it and soak it up.

A few things… I am ready to come back from a hiatus on the qmc and have some files gettin prepped. So if you want to still grab Lori's fantastic files, it is down to the wire. So zip over to the store and join. She really packed some great files in for only $10. Wowser.

Next the newsletter went out. You can find the link on my facebook page and there is a file offering from Ileana. Woohoo. and then she has a challenge to get another file in the forum. Woohoo.

And now I am off to get my kiddo and give him lots of hugs. Have a wonderful weekend! Be safe and Enjoy!
Chris

Next to you Freebie File

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I have added this freebie today. You can download it here. The password is iagreetou723. If you downloaded our previous freebie this month, you probably won’t get asked for a password.  The legal mumbo jumbo is that by typing in the password you show agreement that the terms of use for this file are personal and you are not to pass it on or around the web. 

This file comes in a high resolution JPG and PNG which you can use for digistamping. And it comes in black not the orange shown here. It also comes in a cut file in AI GSD KNK WPC SVG & DXF. This file would be great cut in vinyl and I plan to cut it in vinyl for the front of a card for my hubby and our anniversary. shhh. He doesn’t read my blog. So no worries. haha.

You could use this file to participate in Sue’s fall challenge. She has some great file donations for the winner. You can get more information here. and it is wide open a fall challenge. Awesome.

I saw this quote posted yesterday.. it made me just smile. I love these books. I hope it makes you smile to.

There is a voice inside of you



That whispers all day long,


I feel this is right for me,


I know that this is wrong.’


No teacher, preacher, parent, friend


… Or wise man can decide


What’s right for you–just listen to


The voice that speaks inside.


~Shel Silverstein

On to Life…. So my little big kid gave me his 6 line paragraph story for the newspaper yesterday afternoon. It was typed out and he had sources listed. Teachers he had talked to at school about bullying and students etc. He even listed one from his Religious Education class to “get the full story” . And he was proud that he spelled source correctly because it is a spelling word this week. So then we spent twenty minutes talking about the difference between source and resource. Love my life!

Have a wonderful day!

Enjoy!
Chris

To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page. My files in the store can be located here. Thank you for stopping by!

We have a new designer… Welcome….

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I want to say welcome!!!

 

Welcome to Ileana of I Scrap Designs. I was thrilled to hear from Ileana that she wanted to join the “More” team. I have known Ileana for some time and I think she has phenomenal style and her files cut just beautifully. Just the perfect candidate I would hope for for the VDBC “More” Team.   This makes her a perfect addition to our store. Ileana is jumping right in and we are so happy to have her join us.

 

Some of things she is jumping in to right away. Ileana is preparing to offer a freebie file, a challenge, signed up for grab bags and more. Lots going on here. She has lots of files already loaded to the store!

 

First, here is her Blog address. … I know many have it bookmarked, but if you don’t it is a great one to add to your file bookmarks.

 Ileana’s files sell here . And don’t forget to add her to your facebook read list. I have a feeling this lady is going to keep us busy and here is a good indicator of this below. (and we always want to friend those facebook pages just before the October Anniversary Party! Woohoo)

 

Here is the info for her Challenge which starts on the 16th. (The day the newsletter goes out a file will be included. ) And yes I am leaking some info here I am sure, but I just am so excited I wanted to get it out there. So don’t forget to grab the freebie and participate and then you …. Sorry just read below. Yeah! The more participants the more we want to jump in and keep offerings challenges and freebies. Our goal at VDBC is always to get your cutting and not just collecting.

 

Newsletter Make and Take Challenge by IScrapDesigns

(9/16/2011 – 9/30/2011)

In the September 16, 2011 VDBC Newsletter, there will be a Big Frilly Corner freebie.

Your challenge is to make something with the Big Frilly Corner and post a picture of your project in the gallery.  Then come back to this thread and post a link to your picture.

Once you have done that, I’ll update this thread to mark your project as completed and then I’ll send you a private message with a link to the Big Leafy Corner.

This challenge ends on September 30, 2011.  At that point, all the participants will be entered into a random drawing for another free file of the winner’s choice from the I Scrap Designs store here at VDBC.

 

Yeah and Welcome Ileana!!!

 

 

On to life…

Do we all know yet that I have an amazing son? I am more and more aware of this every day. And Yes I am bragging. We all know this and I am biased. Yesterday when I picked him up from school he said. I need to speak with the Principal. I thought okay. (My hubby had warned me) He promptly walked into the office and said “May I please see Mr. G?” the lady said. “Well honey he isn’t here is there anything I can do”. My son went on with how we need to have a student run newspaper and he wants to be hired and he just needs to get a camera and he can write very well and his Mom will check the spelling. As she reads all the time. and when can he start. The lady at the front was just a little flustered because she was trying not to giggle.  Everyone in the office was smiling. This was not my kiddos first walk into the office with his latest ramble. He gets this from Mom I am sure. Anyways. She explained that there is a newspaper club and for 3rd grade he can join. So next year. I said great. He said thank you very much. We walked out…. And he said “that is just ridiculous. Everything is 3rd grade. I am ready now. I will be over it by 3rd grade. Ridiculous.”  And so he has decided to just write for the paper his Dad writes a column for. haha. Love my kid. He enlightens me and regularly reminds me to do stuff now and not wait for some day! Someday, you never know, you might be over it.

 

And here is a big hint for you… Make sure you are registered at the form (brown button at top)… I am working on a freebie and Ileana has one coming out in the newsletter. These two  freebies will be  downloaded from the special spot in the forum! Yeah. Enjoy!

 

Have a wonderful day!
Enjoy!

Chris

 

PS thank you to those who continue to pray for my family members. My Cousin’s son, Adam, who is in Second Grade and dealing with Bacterial Meningitis the week before he was supposed to end Chemo for Brain Cancer. And also my husband’s cousin, Maire, who is having Brain Surgery on this coming Tuesday. She has two beautiful children and family who need our prayers.  I believe in the power of prayer and I thank all of you who do as well for adding them to your prayer list.

 

Bring on the Cheesehead!

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Dusting off some old files and adding them to the store.
I love to watch football and since the season is in. I am offering this file at $1.69. for Tuesday 9.13.2011. Normally this collection is $3.29. A great Wisconsin Proud file! Love the Green whether it be John Deere or the Pack.

Included in this set of files are a G jumble, a letter G, the outline of Wisconsin with three layers, “on the 8th day God created …”, and a circle listing Cheesehead, Wisconsinite and Packers Fan. Enjoy!

Enjoy! – Chris
PS. The Anniversary Party is coming… the Facebook and blog follower challenge will be on again this year. Make sure you are listed on both. Just another helpful tip before October 15th when we plan to party in the Forum! Enjoy!

To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page.
My files in the store can be located here. Thank you for stopping by!

Wet Monday Morning! Yeah!

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Pretty proud of my son this past week. We talked about a birthday party he wanted to attend. We know this little girl loves horses and her favorite color is pink. We didn’t know what kind of toys she has already. So my son said he would really like to make her a magnet board. (Yeah. My addiction lately. So Saturday Morning we hit Wally World for this white square magnet/wipe board.) and on Sunday morning we cut the letters and the horses out and put everything together. My son glued all the letters and I put the vinyl on the board. He attached the magnets to the back of the letters. Which was some magi-card blanks that I picked up somewhere along the way in life.  The red tag we used on the package when wrapped and my son signed the back of it. He had a great time at the party and was glad he went. Reilly is one of the little girls that came to his birthday. So he thought it was important to attend hers. He was really happy she liked it. And his crafting Mom was super happy that he wanted to make something to give. All in all lots of fun!

Well It’s a Monday and what a great way to start the week! With Rain!! Most would think I am crazy, but living in the desert I love rain. I pray for it and when it happens you might see me out running around in it just to get wet and laugh. It is even better when my son is with me and the hubby is looking on at us and smiling. If there is no lightening, Dancing in the rain is the best!!! Of course by mid afternoon it will probably be over 100 and hot and muggy. I am hoping for cloudiness all day, but I can already see where the sun is trying to poke through and heat it all up. Warmed up wet horse stalls. Oh yucko. but for now I will just enjoy the pitter patter and a very wet border collie who wants me to come out and play in the rain. haha. So off I go. Have a wonderful day!
Enjoy!
Chris
To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page. My files in the store can be located here. Thank you for stopping by!

Roadway Monogram magnet Board

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Labor Day Weekend was super busy for us. We have lots of birthdays in my family and my Handsome Hubbies. I made this gift for my 4 year old Nephew. It is a magnet wipe board that I added vinyl to. The cars were little party favors that I added magnets to that my hubby had in his tool room (Thanks Hubby).

I used gorilla glue to adhere the magnets to the cars. I saw a picture frame with cars on a letter similar to this, but I knew there was no way my nephew would look at a picture frame of a car. And because I am enjoying decorating magnet wipe boards .. well the idea was born. My brother was thrilled that his 4 year old son has a wipe board for his goals. haha. I had to laugh. My goals as mother of a 7 year old is teeth brushed, clothes on straight and right side out, and a happy smile as the kiddo walks out the door. As my Brother mentioned goals his son R pulled out the pen and traced the R. hehe. Here he is playing with it while Mom waits with another gift for him to open. Was fun.

Here is the little party favor car with the magnet on the bottom. These were some heavy duty magnets. I am gonna be on the lookout for more. and they were the perfect height so the tires didn’t scrape.
And here is Mom and son after the party started to wind down. Waterslide fun! We had so much fun hanging with family and visiting. It was a good time.

I am working on the rest of this Alpha for other Roadway Monogram Magnet Boards. I already have a few little ones  I can create the same style for. and I have a few more cars I could magnetize. My mind is swirling with ideas for the holidays.

And my review of Gorilla Glue! I love it. I found it super easy to use and quick to adhere. Perfect because my son was paitently anxiously waiting for it to dry so he could test the cars out. fun fun.

Enjoy!
Chris

To get quick fun updates of things going on, you can join my facebook page.
My files in the store can be located here. Thank you for stopping by!

Newsletter out and a new freebie

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Our September newsletter went out today. You can visit it here. The biggest thing with this newsletter is we have moved our freebies to download from the forum. In an effort to make it easier on our members of the forum. You can visit the forum with the password posted in the newsletter and download. You have to login and get the download in our files section. There is no cost. Just a visit.

 

Hope you enjoy the freebie as I am working on a set of these files.  The next one will soon to post.

 

It’s Labor Day Weekend!! You know what happens in my family on Labor Day Weekend. Birthdays Birthdays. Of my Mom’s 5 grandchildren, 3 of them have birthdays this weekend! And my twin cousins also have a birthday this weekend. So it will be lots of fun and family time. Also, this evening I hope to get out and kick up my boots and do a little dancing. We have been busy busy and so this will be a nice little quiet time with my hubby. I am so looking forward to it.

 

It’s Friday and I am busy putting out all the little fires that could come up over the weekend. I am on my way to get those done and find a cute outfit to wear.

 

Have a wonderful day!  And safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend!

Enjoy!

Chris

 

PS If you don’t want to miss any of this set, I will also be posting updates on my facebook fan page. HERE

 

Enjoy!
Chris

Sale & CT Special Projects Answers

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Creative Team Special Projects Questions
These are the questions I have received regarding my short team of Creative Holiday Cards

1) Yes I will give you the files to work with. and they can be multiples in one project.
2) Yes you can do just one card.
3) Yes I will email you the agreement before you look for a file. just email me. Easy peasy.
4) Yes I will have future Special Projects Teams, but the more you participate in, the more I am likely to choose you in the future.
5) No, you do not have to use holiday files. You can use a piece of any file to create a Holiday Card.
6) No, I am not sure how many will be on the team, but really would like to send out some files by the end of the weekend. I have already accepted on person’s request to join.
7) all finished projects from CT Special Project Team Members are due by october 15th.
8) yes, if a file is missing the SVG in the listing I can convert and send it to you as well. I am in the process of adding SVG to all of them. but with over 800 files it can take some time. 🙂

Thank you for considering!

Also, for those who just want to create this weekend. I have set all my digital cutter files for sale for 30% off this weekend. More details here.

Have fun! Enjoy! Chris

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I needed a retirement card for a co-worker. I knew immediately that I had to make this card with Chris’s retirement file. You can find it here. It cut like a dream! And my co-worker loved it. Thanks, Chris!

Sussann

Digi-Cutter Files offered in SCUT, GSD, KNK, WPC & AI (SVG) at www.visualdesignsbychris.com

https://www.visualdesignsbychris.com/3014/

CT Special Projects – Holiday Cards

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cdurnan

Hello Creative People!

I am looking for a Special Projects Creative team. This is for holiday themed cards. And by Holiday I mean any holiday within December.

If you celebrate Christmas or Hannukah or Kwanzaa or just like to make fun beautiful winter cards, I am open to many ideas. See the information below and if you are interested,

please contact me. Thank you. And if this is not one for you, I will have a few more special projects CT that will be coming up in the future. If you want notice of these join my yahoo group, Visual Designs by Chris or my facebook page for notices.

Enjoy!

Chris

CT Special Projects – Holiday Cards

Subject – Holiday Cards

Requirement – Hasn’t been posted anywhere before, includes one of my digital cutter files ( I will send you the file of your choice), has to be a card representing the Holidays.

Can be religious in nature, can be silly and fun, or thought provoking and meaningful, Must agree to “Agreement for Special Projects Creative Team” (which I can send on request or will after your application. It just says basically you plan to complete your commitment to this Special Projects Team
and that I can use the photos of the projects to promote my digital cutter files.)

Time Frame/Due Date – Due by Oct. 15th

Needs: Photo of Project (high resolution) and list of Method & Supplies used emailed to Chris Durnan.

Special notes: You may post the project on your blog, website, galleries after they have been posted to the Visual Designs by Chris blog.
This is to help me to showcase some of my files for holiday card making. The photos may be used in other materials or locations throughout the web. And credit will always be given to the creative team member.

Application: Please send:

Two photos of card projects you are most proud of you have done in the past

and one choice of a file you would like to have sent to you to work with from the store of Chris Durnan’s files

Also, please include your email address to reply or send files to,

your user name at the VDBC forum (if you have one),

and your blog or website (if you have one)

And please send me the number of projects you think you can commit to before October 15th.

(This give me an idea of how many spots to limit the Special Projects team to.)

Number of CT spots: Limited.

Applications due as soon as possible as I will start sending files as soon as I find the creativity I am looking for for this project. And I am looking for a few different styles to showcase.

End of Creative team Special Project: October 15th, 2011

Thank you for your interest. Any questions let me know.

Please list CT Special Projects in the subject line of your email to ME.