God Bless America

I hope everyone had a safe and fun 4^th of July. We sure did. It was full of laughter, food, friends, family and lots of Fun. I even snuck in a little antique shopping and crafting! The photos I used for my craft project this weekend are of my Grand-Baby’s. The pictures are a couple of years old; I just never got around to making a layout for them. So since they were visiting I got them to help me put this layout together. They enjoyed helping. They enjoy crafts as much as I do.

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I used the Cricut cartridge ‘Stand and Salute’ for my sentiment and for the background and fireworks at the bottom I used ‘Artbooking’ one of the Cricut Cartridges produced for Close to My Heart. (Pssst! I hear that Cricut and CTMH are coming out with a new cartridge soon! Stop back by later this month for more details)   

The layout came together pretty easily after I put a new blade into my Cricut Expression. That’s a must for intricate cut designs. I started out using an older blade and first it didn’t cut through very well and I ended up having to re-cut a lot of it by hand and then it more or less started chewing out the design instead of cutting it. I finally gave up and replaced the blade and re-cut the background. It cut like butter the second time around. I’m going to write the date I replaced the blade on it’s edge so I can see how long it lasts. How often do you have to change out your blade?

I'm going to enter my layout in the challenges listed below. Stop by and check them out.

They all have fun challenges that help keep those creative ideas flowing.

Die Cut Divas 

Bitten by the Bug 2

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog (FCCB)

Tuesday Throwdown (don't you love that name?)