EQ8 Software and a Little This and That
New Year’s Eve we stayed up to usher in the New Year. I had thought we might be doing some babysitting for a certain young man but the happy family stayed in. Safe and warm – that is a good thing! Since I had time to play online, of course I took a look at Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8) software. I had been meaning to purchase it for months and just hadn’t taken the time. They were having a sale! Imagine that – 25% off. So I jumped at the savings and downloaded it.
Now I just have to figure out how to use it. I would like to create the basic pattern for the jigsaw puzzle quilt we have started on the UFO list. I don’t know when I’ll have time to sit down and figure it out, though. It’s not all that intuitive, at least at first glance. ~shrug~ If anyone has any tips, I would be happy to hear them!
300th Post Coming Up
On Monday the 15th, our 300th message will post. I think that’s pretty darn cool, and worth noting. Who knew I was such a blah blah!
New Quilt Bloggersers Blog Hop
I am hoping to join in with the 2018 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. Registration opens February 1, and I will sign up then. The hosts include Jennifer of Dizzy Quilter, Beth of Cooking Up Quilts, Tish of Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Sandra of MMM! Quilts. I would be honored to be mentored by any of these wonderful ladies. This hop is slightly different as the focus from the mentors is on the blog, and making it better. Constructive criticism is also welcome and I am always happy to improve! My fingers are all crossed – and that it makes it difficult to type (!!) – that I may participate.
Valentine Blog Hop
We are participating in another blog hop soon. Carol from Just Let Me Quilt is hosting the hop called Put A Little Love In Your Quilt.
The hop runs from February 5th through February 8th. Our day is the 8th. I would like to have a small mug rug pattern for you to enjoy, if I can figure out the aforementioned EQ8 software. ~eye roll~ If that doesn’t work out, we will be having another giveaway in February because . . .
One Year Anniversary
Our blog turns one year old on February 11th! We will be having a giveaway of some Amy Bradley patterns, but I will share more information about that later. I want to thank all of you who have read or are following our blog. I know that you have other things to do, like quilting!
Our Linky Parties can be found by clicking the link for more quilting fun – check out what our friends are up to. Like/follow us on our Facebook page and you can share your latest project. We would love to see them!
Congratulations on your new quilting software! I just upgraded from EQ7 to EQ8 and the newer version is even easier to use. I recommend that you go through the built in lessons and video tutorials that come with the software. When you open EQ8, and you see that “What Do You Want to Do?” screen, click on LEARN on the left side of your screen. That will take you to where the lessons and video tutorials are located. After going through them and following along step by step, you will be in really good shape! Feel free to reach out to me or to EQ support if you get stuck — they are really good. 🙂
Hi Rebeca!
Thank you SO much! What . . . I have to take my time and learn . . . I can’t just jump in and do?! I’m one of ‘those’ people who don’t always read directions . . . hanging my head. I will certainly do that and really soon because I have all these patterns in my head that need to get out. ~smile~ Roseanne
Congrats on the new software! I’ve had fun with EQ7 – I’ve been putting off the upgrade, but I should probably just do it. There is a Facebook group called “Learning Electric Quilt” that has some good information.
I look forward to getting to know you better during the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop!
Hi Jennifer!
Wow – I never thought about looking on FB for EQ8! Thanks for that tip!! Oooh, I am so darn excited about the New Blogger . . . just cannot wait to get started. I look forward to getting to know you better too. Thank you so much! ~smile~ Roseanne
Roseanne, Oh so much exciting news! Congratulations on all your upcoming achievements. For the short time that we have been blog friends I can see you having enough to post about for years to come. 🙂
Hi Cindy,
Yup, I’m a real blah blah. HAHA! I really enjoy blogging and especially the people I have ‘met.’ ~smile~ Roseanne
🙂
Once you figure out EQ8, you’ll love it. It makes playing with layouts so much easier than pen/paper. Have fun!
Congrats on your Blogiversary! As for EQ8, it’s pretty simple to learn – just start playing. The creators provide a really good, thorough instruction book, help files, and videos. Plus there are classes you can take, so don’t give up!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for all the tips! I would love to take a class – I am definitely a hands-on learner. I tried to jump ahead and figure things out on my own . . . and that didn’t work too well. ~smile~ Roseanne
Woot! Woot! on the upcoming birthday! I love the way you write 🙂 …”that makes it difficult to type…” LOL. I just ordered EQ8; like you I dillied and dallied. I found EQ7 NOT very user-friendly (I’m a Mac easy-peasy girl and it was basically just a Windows platform). I’ve heard this one is better. Tish and I are going to work together on it, maybe do some posts…she’s very good with 7, and got 8 over Christmas too, so she will be an excellent teacher. Thanks for the shout-out for the hop – yay for you hopping on our crazy train, I mean learning experience. 😉
Hi Sandra,
I’m a MAC person too – Windows – blee!! That is just the BEST news about you and Tish – and posts about it! If I just had lots of spare time . . . oh, the things I could do. I am beyond excited about New Blogger – what if I don’t get in??!! I will be so disappointed. But 2/1 will be here before you know it, and I’ll be stalking the registration. HAHA! ~smile~ Roseanne
I purchased EQ8 during the sale too! I am busy writing my first pattern. I love it! But I had quilt wizard design software before and they are very similar. I just couldn’t design my own blocks with it and it wasn’t user friendly. Every time you wanted to change the layout you had to start over! Anyway, there are tutorials on the eq8 website and you can also search for anything you want to learn how to do. It’s pretty fun to play with, I could sit for hours!
Hi Shannon,
I knew you were my hero for a good reason. First postcard, then your latest project, and now EQ8! Girl, you provide me with so much motivation. Okay – deep breath – I can learn it. I can. ~smile~ Roseanne
I have EQ7 and seriously debated upgrading to 8…maybe next time (if ever) they have 25% off! I’m sorry I missed that! Good luck with the program and keep up posted on what you think about it. I participated in the New Bloggers Hop several years ago and learned so much. You’ll enjoy it! It’s a wonderful way to learn and meet all kinds of like minded people!
Hi Jayne,
It really was a fluke that I found the sale – and they were almost giving it away, right?! I am SO excited about the New Bloggers . . . it will be fabulous. No doubt. ~smile~ Roseanne
I’ve been thinking about getting an EQ program, but haven’t taking the dive yet. The blog hop sounds fun, and I’ll be looking forward to yours and Vicki’s post!
Hi Wendy,
I had seen someone had an affiliate link for EQ but couldn’t remember who. I stumbled upon one on NY’s Eve so I thought that was a sign!! HAHA I’m happy to give someone a commission for my purchase, and I lucked out finding it right then. ~smile~ Roseanne
Yes, I saw those floating around too, and gave it some serious thought. I’m still thing on it.
I know many people who have purchased the various EQ programs over the years and then never use them. You simply have to make the time to learn the program, that’s the answer. Of course that’s easy for me to say, I don’t have any of the programs! Happy stitching this week.
Hi Gretchen!
HAHA – you are correct! I do just have to make the time, and go through the tutorials. I actually started to go through one . . . and the problem is I tried to do my own thing instead of just learning the lesson. I got frustrated and confused and haven’t returned to it – AND that took about 3 hours. So, enough of that – I can learn it, and all in due time. Thank you for telling me exactly what I needed to hear!!! ~smile~ Roseanne
Congrats on your EQ purchase. The EQ blog has lots of tutorials as does Kari Schell at onpointquilter.com. I am still learning and I had EQ7 for 3 years, LOL Just not enough time for everything.
And I just signed up yesterday for the heart blog hop too-another blog friend mentioned it and I jumped right in. I saw several familiar names on the list, including yours!
Hi Vicki,
No kidding about there isn’t enough time for everything! I’m glad you are doing the Valentine’s blog hop too. I drew out (by hand – HAHA) a little mug rug for the hop yesterday on my lunch hour. Now I just find the motivation to sew it! ~smile~ Roseanne