Do you EQ?

I Do (now) and I Love It!! 

If it were not for Darlene (SewCalGal) my EQ 6 would still be in the box.  Not  because I was not excited and not because I didn't want to learn....but because I thought it would take a lot of time to learn how to use the software.  Darlene said, "Kelly....15 minutes a day."  She was right. 

I got this book, EQ6 Simplified, because it works through 6 lessons.  I sort of decided to start this way ....like I'm in EQ6 kindergarten. 

Here is Lesson One

Page One Lesson One

Each sentence told me what to do and had photos too so I would not get confused.  (This should be called the Idiots guide to EQ6....honestly)

Woo hoo, Kelly can read and click!!!

Ok, so Lesson One is the Kaleidoscope.  First I had blank template and the lesson walked me through getting the pattern in each square.  Remember, this is kindergarten for me....so I did only as they instructed.  I learned quickly that I could just take off and keep playing but I wanted to learn each tool so I did my best to stay focused.....although highly tempted to keep investigating all the variations.

Here is my first design, if you will.

I clicked on a paint brush and chose a color/fabric and then just clicked on each area that I wanted to color in.

I have learned the colors don't show up because my camera was too close to the screen.  These should all be the same depth of color.  I found it interesting to change just a few things to see how different the blocks looked.  I could accentuate what ever design I wanted.  I think the person who wrote this Lesson knew how to engage a beginner.  I really picked up the idea quickly by following along in the book and then I just started working/playing.  I'm warning you...don't drink coffee while starting this Lesson.  My heart was pumping and I got excited and if I had had some coffee....I would have been up all night long....no kidding.

A few more changes....and it looks different.

I changed the color pallet and decided to highlight some other patterns in the same template.  Look how cool this one looks.

This is the same pattern but look how different it looks.  You may not like the colors but I'm just learning to use the tools so I just picked anything that would not ruin my eye sight...LOL

Here is is again....different colors.

I decided to play with red and white so I just whited out some of the design and started playing with red and white.  I then thought of trying black in there too.....but my 15 minutes was up. 

I'm hooked.  I know I will continue with my lessons because I want to be able to build on my skills.  Isn't it interesting how different my "quilts" look compared to the photo in Lesson One above....all just a click of a button to preview another option.

I have a very difficult time deciding on fabrics for quilt projects.  I have auditioned and auditioned fabrics and then decided upon a combination.  Once it is cut out....I did not like the way the colors or shapes looked together. (Remember my Sizzling Circles?  I cut out 4 different leaves....all batiks....did not like a single one even though the fabric next to the background looked good at the beginning.)  Not any more....this is like a crystal ball....I can see it first then ....change it around if I want to....try different combinations....never having cut one piece of my lovely fabric. 

Thank You Darlene for the encouragement and Thank You Electric Quilt Company (Sarah :)  for the wonderful software....I Love It!!!

Big Smiles,

Kelly

Electric Quilt 6....DO EQ? I DO NOW!!!!!

This arrived in the mail today from The Electric Quilt Company. Talk about jumping up and down and running all over the house. I'm glad Rick did not have the video camera rolling because I have not even combed my hair or washed my face yet. Yikes :)

IHAN sells EQ6 and I have always wanted the EQ6 Software. You can imagine how excited I was when I learned I had won the software on Darlene's Blog, SewCalGal.

I am so excited to get this software downloaded and start a project....or even just start poking around.  I get to join the EQ Club now and start seeing what everyone else has been doing. 

If I forget to post in the next few days....someone needs to call me.  This could be seriously dangerous.....I get could get lost in EQ Land for days at  a time!!!

Dancing Smiles,
Kelly

EQ 6 Presentation for the Black Swamp Quilt Guild

Andrea Bishop from the Electric Quilt Company was the guest speaker for my Quilt Guild (Black Swamp Quilters). Every picture that I snapped of Andrea was either blurry or got her blinking. So I "borrowed" a much more representative photo of Andrea to post here.

Doesn't hurt to be beautiful if you have to be on TV I guess. She shared that she worked at a video store in Bowling Green, OH. One day she got into a conversation with Penny McMorris and wah lah....here she is with a wonderful career. See what happens when you talk to everyone you meet. You just never know where a conversation will lead.

Andrea is the Webmaster and Software Educator for the Electric Quilt Company. It is clear to see when she pops through all the pages and buttons that she could do this blindfolded. It is wonderfully entertaining to watch. I had to remind myself to take a breath. I was just mesmerized by all the cool things that can be done with this software.

I don't own the EQ6 software but I have lots of customers who do. I wanted to learn about how it worked so I could speak somewhat intelligently about the product when people ask. Now at least I can say I'm more informed about all I don't know. I guess its good to know what you don't know. Is that knowing?

However, I can tell you I was fascinated with all that can be done with this software. I'm not a visual person when it comes to creating. I can not just look at a stack of fabrics and tell you what will look great together or how moving one color may change the entire feel of a piece. Perhaps just moving the blocks in another orientation might just make a nice quilt a real interesting quilt. I can't see those things when I work. For those of you who are like me....this could be an amazing tool. The patterns you make can be printed on your home printer too.

Those who love to personally design their own quilts this would be a mind blowing too. From what I could see, the sky is the limit with what you can do.

Andrea clicked a few times on her mouse and came up with this design. She added flowers between the baskets...and a completely new look.

She added a boarder....there were lots to choose from. I thought it was neat to preview many different colors and borders to change the feel of the virtual quilt.

See how she changed the roof of the house to another design? Very cool stuff.

Someone like me could never look at lines like these and see what is created below. Not in one million years could I see what was created just by looking at lines.

And here is what those lines translated to in a beautiful quilt. I was amazed.

Here is another quilt top Andrea is working on. Absolutely stunning!!! The back was fun to look at too.

(One back space too many and I just deleted the photo of the back...XXXX....starting with a D and ending with a N. OK, lets not sweat the small stuff right? ) If anyone wants to see it...e-mail me.

There are video tutorials associated with the software....I think that was an excellent idea. I'm a visual learner. When I see someone do something and hear the directions....I'm much much much more likely to remember what is being said and then able to replicate the process at another time.

If you are considering purchasing the EQ software I suggest you look at their website. There is a ton....well OK....I'll be honest....three tons of information there for you to review and investigate. Evaluate what type of quilter you are and how you like to work. Afterwards I think you will know weather this is a good investment for you or not.

Where to buy your software....a no brainer.....click here!!!

Hope that helps (a little bit anyway). If you want real help....better talk with Andrea....she's the expert.

Smiles,

Kelly

Thinking to myself: I want to be a Master of Something...Andrea is a Webmaster....I have a Master's Degree....but I don't have a cool title like Webmaster. These days being a Webmaster is like being the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz. I'm not even the master of my dust bunnies. I think Webmasters and those who are very knowledgeable about computers are amazing people with great talent.