Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Critters & Bugs - EQ Giveaway

It is the Critters and Bugs blog hop and I want to give a big thanks Bea Lee for all her hard work and time she put into this hop. I also want to give a big thanks to EQ for their support and programs they have to help all us quilters. 

 I just got my EQ 7 not that long ago, so I am only learning how to use it.  It seems as every time I am on, I learn something new.  I would recommend this to EVERYONE that quilts.  I use to get out my graph paper and spend hours, drawing and figuring out size and dimensions of the blocks that I wanted to make.  Now, I just look in the block file on my EQ and I can design any block!   I love to design my own quilts.  And I know the more I learn this program, the easier it will be. 

OK, Critters.....I decided to make a Barn Quilt, my own style and add farm animals to the barns.  So I went to the blocks and picked which ones that I wanted.  I also altered a few.

 Here is a star block that I found.  I then added extra lines in the corner blocks. 




I chose the colors that I wanted to make my quilt from their fabric file.  You can scan your own fabric into the program so that way you see exactly what you are making and how it will look when completed.  But unfortunately,I do not have a scanner.  So at this time I match their fabric to what I want to use the best I can using the fabric that is with the program.
Here is the sample as to what I came up with as far as blocks.  (each block is 8 inches)


Then I drew all my barn blocks.  I wanted a different barn in each corner.   Here are two of my drawings.  (because I do not have a scanner I took a pictures, sorry they did not turn out so good.)  The blocks for on the barns were common blocks from EQ.  Each one is a different size to fit onto the barn.  Since I used simple blocks, I did not need a pattern for them.


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I got out my scraps, I love using scraps and hunting for the right piece when I applique.  I then went by the directions on my Steam a Seam II and put all my barn blocks together.   Then I found pictures of animals on the internet.  I did a copy/paste method to my word perfect program.  I made them the size that I wanted then copied them onto white fabric to use in my appliqued barn blocks.




OK, time to make my barn blocks and show you my critters. 





What do you think?  The blocks on the barn were made and cut to size.  I did not have a 1/4 inch seam around the completed block for I pressed them on Steam a Seam carefully and appliqued them on by machine to my barns.




I added flowers, grass, rocks, etc, with my chickens, cows, sheep, and a black horse.



I appliqued them on by machine using monofilament thread and the blanket stitch.  That way my stitches would not be seen when the quilt was finished.  When I was finished appliqueing all the pieces on, I trimed the blocks to 8 1/2 inches square

Then I made my center.  Since I had all my barns, I made a farm house.  But wanted it was back in the early 1940's.  So first I did the background, the sky, field, and grass. 


This applique I did not make a drawing on a paper.  I just drew my pieces on the Steam a Seam for I knew just want I wanted.   I added a 38 Chevy pick up truck to the driveway.....


Oh, and of course hung some quilts on the wash line.


Then added an old red wagon and sat it in the yard


Then I added a 1940 John Deer tractor to the field.



Everything was also appliqued by machine like the barns.

I put everything all together, and quilted it carefully on my machine to accent the positive.  (the clouds, field, grass, etc.)  I then quilted in the ditch in the blocks.


Total size is:  33" X 33"

I also want to add that EQ not only helps you with blocks for large quilts, but baby quilts, wall hangings of ALL sizes, Table toppers, any shape or size quilt you can come up with.

Why, even Mug Rugs. I never made one so I just had to make a Mug rug for my tea when sitting on my porch doing hand sewing this spring.  I used one of their cute patterns.  I started by cutting out 5 - 2 1/2 inches square blue daisy printed fabric, 4 - 2 1/2 inch squares white fabric, and a 6 1/2 inch light blue square.  



Then proceeded to sew them together to make a nine patch and sewed it to the light blue square.



  Then I copied the pattern of the Butterfly and Daisy (the size I wanted) and made an applique for the plain blue side of my Mug Rug.   I appliqued them on by machine.


 
Then layered, and quilted in a grid pattern.


I know Butterflies are bugs....but they are the prettiest bugs I have ever seen.

OK, I know I cannot brag enough about EQ.  They have not only EQ 6 or 7, but MANY other programs that are great to help all us quilters.  Including quilting designs.  Oh, they are GREAT!

The Electric Quilt Company were so very kind.....they gave me this DVD of Quilting Designs, Volume 5, to GIVEAWAY.  OH, YEAH,     It has over 800 designs and 10 Quilting Videos!  It will guide you though the designs whether you hand quilt, machine quilt, or use a long arm machine.

To enter.....that is easy, Just be a follower and leave me a message.  Do you have EQ? what do you love best about EQ?



I will be in another hop starting tomorrow, but I will continue this giveaway through April 30th.  On May 1st, I will go to random.com and pick a winner.


Now that you have seen mine, come join me in checking out the rest on this blog hop.  You will find the list below:


Beaquilter (Summer Animals)
Janesquilting (Critters and Bugs)
Seamstobesew (Summer Stuff)

Friday April 26th
SewCalGal (Critters and Bugs)
Electricquilt

If you missed any of the other blogs this week, go to Beaquilter and you will find the schedule...DO check out all the Summer Animals, Critters & Bugs, and Summer Stuff.  You will have fun, for sure!  So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy......


                                  



Hay, also don't forget there is another hop going on.... "SHAKE YOUR POM POM'S.....this one is sponsored by PigTailsandQuilts.  So Shake your Pom Poms and Cheer all your fellow bloggers out!!

HAVE FUN AND HAPPY QUILTING EVERYONE

To get special designed quilts or to see my gallery, check out my site at: http://janesquilting.com

37 comments:

Amy said...

Love your cutie little mug rug! :). Butterflies are one of my favorites.

Marian said...

Well, I love love love that wallhanging. Really really cool.

Marian
http://www.seamstobesew.com

gtcoursey said...

So much work in your wall hanging. It's great!!! Yes, I have EQ and am just learning how to use it.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Oh my ...loving that farm quilt...and your critters are too cute

Gene Black said...

Since I have EQ Stitch in addition to EQ, I love the embroidery part best. However, I love the ability to "try out" color schemes AND the ability to draft blocks.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a neat wall hanging and your mug rug with the butterfly and flower is precious! I have EQ and love it!

beaquilter said...

fun blocks and quilt

Tammy said...

I am a follower. Great projects to make. what great technology we have available to us today for quilting & sewing.

Charlene S said...

Darling project. Yes, I have EQ7 but am still learning to use it.

Debbie Rogowski said...

cute use of your program, no I don't have EQ7 but I enjoy watching.

Sallie said...

Love your farm quilt! Thank you for sharing! I have EQ7 but need to learn to use it.

Virginia said...

What I enjoy most about EQ is there is always something new to learn. It is more powerful than first glance. Great quilt and tutorial

Debbie P said...

This is a very cute mug rug!! Thank you for showing the designs and how EQ can help make it easier!! I do not have EQ but after following this hop and learning all about the different features, it will definitely be on my shopping list!!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I love butterflies as well...cute mug rug.

Rosemary said...

Love your design. I don't have EQ and was hoping that you had a pdf or something that would help. Otherwise, it super. This has been a fun hop and I have pdf's for everything but yours ... so far. I'll just make a little barn for that block. Thanks .

Anonymous said...

I have followed you. The thing I like best about my EQ7 is how easy it is to visualize quilts with it...and to show others what you are "picturing". It used to be just in my head, but now I can translate it so that others can see it!

DeAnna said...

Great mug rug and quilt! I love all the little "extras" you added to the quilt. I'm a follower and I have EQ7. Not very good at it but I'm still learning. Thanks for offering the giveaway!

hueisei said...

I love your blocks..
I like to have a chance to win a EQ. Thanks

Bonnie58 said...

Love the blocks. They are great,. i don't currently have EQ7, but it is on my wish list for Mothers day.... so i would love to win the add-on software. Thanks for sharing

bonnielarson58@gmail.com

frosew said...

I guess what I love about EQ is the support the company offers, the fact that I can be as creative as I want to be, and that there's a wonderful group of EQ'ers out there that are also very supportive and willing to share...like you. I absolutely love your farm wall hanging and mug rug. Wonderfully inspiring! Thanks!

Sewgirl said...

Sweet quilt! One of the things I like best about EQ is the ability to do designing on the computer before I even cut one piece of fabric. I will make multiple versions/colorways/layouts of a quilt before I start to work on it, just to tweak it the way I want. i also love that you can preview the fabric quantities and get an idea of how much fabric you'll need for the project.
Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

barbara woods said...

would love to win thanks for the chance

Cheryl Greenleaf said...

Yep, butterflies and lady bugs.
I love EQ7 too!

Thank you for sponsoring this Blog Hop giveaway.

Nancy said...

Thank you for letting us know how you use EQ.
Also, I have taken digital photos of fabric (like when I am at a fabric store) with my camera and added it to the Fabric Library and no need for a scanner.

Nancy said...

Thank you for letting us know how you use EQ.
Also, I have taken digital photos of fabric (like when I am at a fabric store) with my camera and added it to the Fabric Library and no need for a scanner.

krisgray said...

I don't have EQ but since I've learned that you can draw and use photos, it just might go on my Xmas list.

Rina Mason said...

I don't have EQ but have learned so much about it during the hop that I think I may have to get it.

mary mahoo said...

Amazing, as always Jane! Love your "barn quilts". Your creativity never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for sharing.

Kd Brown said...

Love your barns and especially the kritters and implements. I have a new copy of EQ7 that I need to spend some time experimenting with. You gals all make it look so easy and fun! I am a new follower as WeimerMom.

Cecilia said...

I really like the ability to change colors on a quilt design. It really helps when I'm trying to decide on the color combination I want. Thanks for sharing your barn block and for the giveaway.

Karen Propes said...

I don't have EQ so I can only be amazed from what I have seen on the hop. I now want one so badly, but it at the top of my wish list. I love your farm scene. I fell instantly in love, thanks for the tutorial you provided and thanks for the chance to win.
ncjeepster@aol.com

KT said...

Beautiful Mug rug!! I hope I win. Thanks for the chance!! I don't have EQ but I think I want it after this hop!

Karrie said...

I'm a follower, but I don't have EQ. I would love to get a copy one day.

Gladys said...

I love your quilt! It's so beautiful! And little mug rug is so cute! Thanks for sharing with us! Have a nice day!

Kris Jacobson said...

Love your barn quilt. Gets one to thinking

Karrie said...

Thanks for the chance to win. EQ is super cool to let you giveaway a copy in a giveaway!

Kathy ~~~ said...

I have EQ6 and still learning. Love the mug rug! Thanks for chance to win.