Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #16: Fourth Of July Pinwheel

This week's challenge at FCCB is all about Independence Day:  Create a 4th of July project adding a star shape.  I LOVE the 4th of July.  It just brings back memories of being a kid, having swimming races and coin dives at the neighborhood pool, eating fried chicken (that was a tradition every year) and then going to the river to watch fireworks and play card games until it was too dark to see anymore...all with family of course, which was the most important thing. 

In honor of this holiday, I wanted something that was whimsical and fun, but still incorporated the tradition red, white and blue.  A pinwheel fit the bill perfectly!  This pinwheel was made with Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL).  I found a FREE .svg file HERE and just added my own twist.  Instead of a double flower center, I added a blue star (to meet the challenge criteria) which I cut from my Cricut A Child's Year cartridge.  You can't see it very well in the photo but the center is stamped with "Happy 4th of July" (CTMH).  The papers used are from the Blue Ribbon collection by CTMH. 

This project is really simple.  The hardest part was locating my small drill bit!  :)  You'll need the following supplies:

wood dowel (with small hole drilled in one end)

craft wire

2 small beads

glue/Terrifically Tacky Tape

eyelets/eyelet tool

ribbon

There is a video tutorial on the page with the .svg download (linked above) on how to make these and it's pretty simple to follow along with.  Hope you enjoy this project!

Be sure to check out FCCB's Design Team projects over at Fantabulous Cricut...lots of fun 4th of July projects to feast your eyes on!  To be eligible for this week's prize, link up your own 4th of July/star project by next Sunday!

Have a creative day!  :)

Layouts From My Scrapbooking Retreat!

"Sleeping Beauty" (Based on an original design)

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!!  In honor of NSD, I want to show you some recent layouts I made on a scrapbooking retreat with friends.  I actually finished the Mess Maker's baby album...woo hoo!  There's only one layout that didn't have a Cricut cut on it (the baptism layout was a kit by Close To My Heart)...and I got to use SCAL for the first time on several of them!!!  Can I tell you how awesome it is?  It's lets you cut ANY true-type font or dingbat...the options are endless!

"oh BABY"

"The Hat"

"Daddy's Girl"

Baptism (pg 1)

Baptism (pg 2)

"My Baby Has Plagio" (pg 1)

My Baby Has Plagio (pg 2)

"Fishy"

"Thankful"

"New Year's Eve"

"Learning To Walk"

"First Plane Ride"

"Vacation in Vegas'

The first layout pictured ("Sleeping Beauty") was inspired by one that I clipped out of an old scrapbook magazine and unfortunately I don't have the author or magazine issue available. :( If this layout looks familiar, please let me know who the original designer is so I can give them proper credit! :)

Hope you enjoy National Scrapbooking Day!

The New Love Of My Life...

Okay, so maybe that title is a little dramatic for the subject matter, but OMG I finally joined 2009 (now that it's almost over!) and purchased Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL)!!!  I can't believe I didn't get this sooner....UNBELIEVABLE!!!  My BFF the Cricut is still my first love, but this new program is definitely a close second!

Most of you reading this probably already have this program to go along with your Cricut, but if not, let me tell you something....YOU MUST GET IT!!!  :)

Developed and sold by Craft Edge, this program allows you to cut ANY true-type font that you download to your computer.  That means you don't have to buy any more font cartridges (I'm sure this won't stop me, but it's a good thought anyway!).  You can also cut true-type dingbats and have 1,000s of images to cut as well (again, with no cartridge!).  AND, as if that weren't enough, you can trace an object or modify your own artwork for cutting!!!

Can't wait to get started on my custom cutting (after the holidays of course!)...and share my new creations!  Be on the lookout for new SCAL projects!  :)