A patriotic 4th of July scrapbook layout showing your love for both God and your country. The free cut file is saved in a variety of formats and works with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. The file can also be customized and the layout expanded to a 2-page layout. However, this tutorial shows you how to create this as a 12×12 layout using the Cricut and Cricut Design Space software.
God Bless America 4th of July Scrapbook Layout
Description
From the stars bursting to the rockets red glare, all of the elements on this layout are contained in a free digital cut file. This gives you the flexibility to resize and duplicate elements and create the layout that fits your photos and style. You can even turn it into a 2-page layout.
For quick links to products used for this project, please scroll to the bottom to the Notes section.
Supplies Used
Supplies Used for 1 - 12x12 Layout
Directions for Cutting and Assembling
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Download pattern 5A - God Bless America Scrapbook Layout from the Resource Library at MollyQCreates.com
The cut file is located in the Resource Library at MollyQCreates.com. The library is password protected. If you do not have the password, please complete the form at the bottom of this card and the password will appear in the confirmation message once you hit submit. It will also be emailed to you.
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Unzip the file, save it to your computer and open it in Cricut's Design Space software
If you are unsure how to do this, please view Summer Vibes: How to Upload Zip Files to Cricut Design Space which walks you step-by-step through this process.
Design Space is a free design software which works with Cricut electronic cutting machines.
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Adjust any pieces in Design Space as necessary
Once the file is open in Design Space, you can either make it as is or make adjustments to the pieces. The pieces are sized to fit a 12x12 layout with 2 - double-layered mats sized to fit 4x6 photos. However, you can duplicate, re-size or delete any of the elements to make the layout your own and to fit your photos. You can also expand it to a 2-page layout. However, if you make any adjustments, you may need to adjust the amount of paper used.
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Preparing the file to cut and cutting
After you are happy with the size of the pieces, it's time to select Make It and review the mats.
Initially, Cricut divides this project onto 7 cutting mats. As long as pieces weren't enlarged or duplicated, this project will fit on 5 mats. However, you do need to rotate the rectangles to straighten them, make a few re-arrangements of the pieces on the mat and move the pieces from the second colored mat to the first mat. This sounds more complicated than it is and with a little practice, it goes quickly. The images at the bottom of this step show one possible arrangement of the pieces to minimize the paper used. Warning - as you rearrange pieces, make sure they do not overlap another item. Also, when you move an object to a different mat, the item moved will always show up in the top right corner whether there is already an image there or not.
If you enlarged or duplicated any items, you can still use these steps on this or any Cricut project to minimize the amount of material used.
To move items on the same mat, click, hold and drag the item to where you want it to be. Once you click on an image, a blue circle with 3 dots in it will appear in the top left corner. Select this circle and then select move object.
The following screen will ask you which mat you want it moved to.
Click on the mat you want to move the object to. The confirm button will then light up. Select confirm to complete the move. 
When an object is moved to a mat, it will always be placed in the top right corner whether there is something already there or not. It will need to be moved within the mat so it doesn't cause problems when cutting. Also, when you click on an object, a clue circle with an arrow in a circle will appear in the top right corner. Click on this circle to rotate items. For more detailed instructions, please view the video at the bottom of the instructions or the full God Bless America 4th of July Scrapbook Layout post.
To optimize the white paper, straighten the photo mats and rockets and move items to a position similar to this. The God Bless America shadow layer can be moved on to this layer. 
To optimize the blue cardstock, straighten both rectangles and move the 3 stars to this mat by clicking on the item and then the circle with 3 dots. The America and title shadow also switched places, but this is not necessary to get everything to fit. 
To optimize the red paper, move the God Bless from below the star and rocket on the left to underneath the stars on the right. This step is not necessary to get everything to fit on one page, but does leave you with a better scrap of paper to use in the future. Once you are satisfied with how the mats will cut, start cutting. As a mat finishes cutting and you remove the pieces, stack the pieces that belong together. For instance the white base of the rocket, the blue rocket, the 3 smallest red stars, the yellow flames and the orange flames. By keeping these all together, you’ll be less likely to attach a piece to the wrong item. Note: the 3 smallest red stars, they will appear in a row, are used for the rocket.
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Assemble the layered elements
Now that everything is cut, it is time to start gluing the pieces together. For this, I like to use Hero Art’s Precision Glue. But you can use a Xryron or adhesive of your choice. Start with one pile, the blue rocket, for instance and adhere all the layers together until it is complete. Do not attach it to the background paper at this point. Instead, move on to the red rocket, the star stacks and the title.
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Layer the photo mats
Take the white and the blue rectangles and center and adhere the white piece to the blue piece. Adhere your photos to the white pieces. For this, I use a tape runner like the Scrapbook Adhesive’s E-Z Runner Grand. Personally, I don’t like to use liquid glue on larger areas of paper for fear it could warp the paper. Also, I don’t like to use liquids on papers that will be in direct contact with my photos.
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Arrange the pieces on your background paper and attach
When all of the elements have been pieced together, it’s time to adhere them to the background paper. Select your background paper and layout all of the pieces and photo mats, starting with the largest pieces and finishing with the smallest pieces. At this point, I prefer to use a tape runner. Tape runners allow more time to play around with placement of the pieces while liquid glues become permanent quickly.
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Congrats! Add photos and your layout is complete.
If you have any questions regarding this layout or would like to view it coming together, please watch the video of this process.
Note
Sources for supplies used:
- 5A - God Bless America Scrapbook Layout Pattern/Cut File (the file is saved as a compressed zip file and contains the pattern saved as SVG, DXF, PNG, EPS and PDF files)
- Birch/White Patterned Paper, 12x12 - Simple Stories
- Sapphire Textured Cardstock, 12x12 - American Crafts
- Classic Red Textured Cardstock, 12x12 - American Crafts
- White Textured Cardstock, 12x12 - American Crafts
- Daffodil Color Vibes Printed Cardstock, 12x12 - Simple Stories
- Pumpkin Color Vibes Printed Cardstock, 12x12 - Simple Stories
- Precision Glue, 2 fl. oz. - Hero Arts
- E-Z Runner Grand Adhesive Tape Runner - Scrapbook Adhesives
- Cricut Die Cutting Machine
- Design Space Software, free - works with Cricut Cutting Machines
Project Notes
- The pattern is 5A – God Bless America Scrapbook Layout and is found in the Resource Library
- To obtain the password for the Resource Library, complete the form below and the password will appear in the confirmation text. It will also be emailed to you. It is also at the bottom of each email.
- The photo mats are sized for 2 – 4×6 photos
- The pieces are sized to fit 1 – 12×12 layout.
- The pieces can be re-sized and duplicated to create a 2-page layout or a different sized layout.
- All items used in this layout, with the exception of the Cricut, can be purchased at www.ScrapnTime.com
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