Which Accessory Works with the Cricut Explore?

In my Facebook group, Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space, I often see questions about all the different Cricut accessories. It can be a little confusing as to which accessory goes with which machine. So I made a handy dandy little chart to help!

***note: all the Cricut blades will fit in all the Cricut blade housing units. The newest Cricut blade, the Premium German Carbide blade is the most durable and longest lasting. But if you have extra blades from older Cricuts, they will fit in the Explore blade housing unit. {click photo to enlarge}

Want more great tips like this? As well as inspiration, tutorials and a true Cricut crafting community? Then come join me in https://www.facebook.com/groups/CricutLoversGuide/.

Pattern Scale and Image Info from the Beta Preview of the Changes to Design Space

Beta Preview * * * subject to change before release

With the new pattern fill, you will be able to scale the pattern to fit your project. Here is an example of the same image, with the same pattern just with the scale of the pattern adjusted. Once you have selected your pattern, you select edit at the bottom of the Layer Attributes panel and then you can adjust the scale of the pattern. Pretty neat!

There are also some other features that members of our group have been asking for and that will be included in the update {the release date has not been announced}. One is that when you go to the design canvas, the grid lines are automatically "On". You can turn them "Off" by clicking the same little white square in the corner of the canvas.

The other is being able to identify what cart or font was used in a project. You will be able to click on the "I" for the image number and cart name. Kudos to Cricut for listening to their users! 

Even More Info on the Beta Previews of Changes Coming in Design Space

Remember * * * Everything we are showing you is from the Beta Test version and changes may be made before the actual release

My crafty friend Narelle, who calls herself the NonCrafty Crafter, has posted a great video showing more of the changes coming to Design Space. Be sure to visit her blog and check out her video!

The Non-Crafty Crafter

You can also view her video and see all our screenshot sneak previews in our Facebook group. . . come join us!

Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space on Facebook

More on the Beta Preview of Pattern Uploads for Design Space

Beta Preview * * * changes may be made before the updates are released

So what can you do with these patterns? Fill your images and text! 

You just add your image to the design canvas or type your word. Then click on the image/text like you normally would to change the color and you get the new screen to add a pattern! Change your image/text to Print and the Pattern options will open. choose your pattern and BAM! Your image or text is filled! 

Beta Preview of New Features for Design Space!

Beta Preview Information * * * Changes may be made before release

So many exciting upgrades are coming to Design Space! Although there is no release date set at this time, Cricut said I could share with you some of the changes you can expect. You'll see from this preview, Cricut has been listening to it's customers! 

There will be some changes to the way the design canvas looks when you open Design Space. You'll notice the Layers Box has changed. It's more than "a pretty new face" but I'll get to that in a minute! The big change is in the Upload Images button. It looks the same but when you click it. . . magic!

You now have a different upload screen. There is one button for Image uploads and one for patterns! Yippee! The Image upload takes the guess work out of uploading images. You no longer have to choose between basic upload or vector upload. You choose Image and Design Space "knows" what type of file you are uploading by the file extension. And Pattern upload is for patterns! All those digital papers and such you been getting for free and never really got to use in Design Space.

When you choose image upload, you still browse your computer to find your image. You "clean it up" with the wand and eraser. But when you get ready to save your image. . .you now get a preview of your image as a Print then Cut file or a Cutting file! No more unchecking that little box on the save screen!

With pattern uploads, you also search on your computer for your pattern and when you get ready to save, it is saved in the Layers Attributes for you to use with images and text.

I've got so much more to show you! But doesn't this look great so far?

If you're wanting to go ahead and start gathering digital patterns, check the Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space group. We'll have info on a trusted site that has 2 bundles of 100 patterns each . . . for FREE! How cool is that?

Land of the Free because of the Brave design

The Design Space file for this design is available in my Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space Facebook group. Come join us!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CricutLoversGuide/

I've seen a similar design all over the internet and have been unable to find the original designer. Since several people have asked for the file, I decided to use the original as inspiration and design my own file in Design Space. I use the Eyes Wide Open Font and an arrow and flower images from the Cricut Image Library and a heart from the free Insert Shapes option. I was able to use the Hide Contour feature in both image sets to use on the single arrow and the flower I wanted. I use the Slice feature to cut the arrow in pieces and the Weld feature to the words to make them cut as one image.

I've often seen members of my Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space FB group asking for various designs they have seen. And I've wondered why they don't just jump into Design Space and make their own. I hope this will encourage and challenge people to try their hand at designing!

Even though it's too late to use this file for this 4th of July, I'm sharing the file. If you would like the file, become a follower of my blog {if you aren't already following me} and post a comment with your email address. Remember, you will need to have the cutting rights to the Cricut images, either by owning the cart and having it linked to your account or purchasing the individual images. File share ended.

Hope everyone has had a happy and safe 4th of July this year!

Cricut Releases an iPhone App for Design Space

It's ready and waiting for you iPhone users! A new Cricut Design Space app for your phone!

And, there is an update to the Design Space iPad app that adds 3 new features! Hide Contour, Insert Shapes and the camera to project your design onto your project!

Don't wory android users, Cricut is developing android apps as well. Here is a video from Ashish Arora  giving an update on what's happening with Cricut :

Cricut Update Video