Thursday, April 21, 11:00 am:

Hallelujah...as of 15 minutes ago, all of the packages of U.S. HSTs have been put in the mail. All names have been checked off our spreadsheet and they are now in the hands of USPS. I hope they all arrive safely & soundly, and maybe even by Saturday if all goes well!

Now I wonder what I will do with all my extra time? It's been a fun, interesting ride and I have made many new friends, though maybe some will only be through email..it has been priceless and I thank you for all the help, the support, and the EXPERIENCE!!

Clara is working on the International packages, so she can provide an update on what's happening with those.

Shirley,

I bought EQ when it first came out and upgraded along several times. I never used it much - you know about finding time. I then bought EQ5 and played a little bit. The knowledgeable ladies at my Bernina quilt shop told me when I asked, that EQ7 was much easier to use and that they recommended that I just purchase that. Now, I know they are a retail establishment, but the owner is a personal friend and I trust their advice. I think you'd be smart to skip the upgrade and get the latest and greatest. I'm looking forward to learning about mine, too. In this area, there is a group that meets once a month and plays with EQ. I'm thinking about joining in on that - might be lots of fun to see what everyone is doing. We all know that we learn from others. Check to see if something like that is going on in your area.

Good luck with it and let us know![/quote]

Nancy, you are a dear SoTTT sister. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. I did send an email to EQ asking if there will be an EQ8? coming out in the near future, and they said it took 3 years for them to produce EQ7 which came out in the summer of 2010, so a newer version isn't in the near future. So EQ7 is the latest and greatest for now. Your suggestion about finding a local EQ group is terrific. I'll look into it. Thanx much

sforster395 wrote:
Shirley,

I bought EQ when it first came out and upgraded along several times. I never used it much - you know about finding time. I then bought EQ5 and played a little bit. The knowledgeable ladies at my Bernina quilt shop told me when I asked, that EQ7 was much easier to use and that they recommended that I just purchase that. Now, I know they are a retail establishment, but the owner is a personal friend and I trust their advice. I think you'd be smart to skip the upgrade and get the latest and greatest. I'm looking forward to learning about mine, too. In this area, there is a group that meets once a month and plays with EQ. I'm thinking about joining in on that - might be lots of fun to see what everyone is doing. We all know that we learn from others. Check to see if something like that is going on in your area.

Good luck with it and let us know!

sforster395 wrote:
Rosemary is correct in suggesting to turn the upper "right-hand" HST. You have many wonderful options for pinwheels and borders...although it sounds like you know what you want to do now. This IS YOUR design...we can offer help, but in the final analysis it's your quilt.

This is a question for those of you who have EQ7: I bought EQ5 when we were in the midst of closing down our business and didn't have much time to learn to use it. Would it be best to just skip it and upgrade to EQ7? I've read mixed reviews about it being not as user friendly, but the newer features sound wonderful! I would love to be able to draw my Sue's and the guys on the computer than on paper, but I don't want to spend months learning how to do it! I'm open to any thots. Thanx!

sforster395 wrote: Personally speaking I would say upper right hand block, the upper right hst of the pinwheel, not lower right, might want to be rotated.

Also I wonder how it would look if you made the central pinwheels with the same dark colour, ie all reds, or blues, or purples?, but that is just me messing around with your design wall I can definately see the makings of a bright red pinwheel, a green pinwheel, several blues/purples and a yellow one if you go with the matching the pale colour instead. But don't mind 'm just waiting on the postman

Teric wrote:
Teri, I like your pinwheel block arrangement...so pretty and colorful. My eyes might be going from reading all the posts in this chapter, but you might want to check your center pinwheel in the upper right-hand block...I think the lower right HST needs to be turned to complete your pinwheel. Not being critical here...just helpful. I also l-u-v looking at your signature -- it suits you in your profile photo -- so pretty!

Debbie I just bought EQ 7 too. I'm signed up for the beginner class on QU next month. Can't wait to start. I need to take the time just to sit and play with it before then. I would like to make a quilt of my own design for the "Little Beauties" I received yesterday but if I can't wait that long I'll probably make Edyta's medallion quilt from the cover of her book.
Donna, I love both your designs but I think I'm leaning to the one with the striped border too. When the quilt is done you won't care anyway. It will beautiful and you will love it.
Happy days!

Roine

I received my hst's. What beauties. I had several without names. i enjoyed seeing where they all came from. I received one with a boomerang on it, so I know where that one came from. A cleaver ideal whom ever sent it. a special big THANKYOU to all that made this happen. It's my first exchange. a big one indeed. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Margo wrote:
Thanks, Margo. I was raised in a "children should be seen and not heard" environment, so I've been doing just the opposite in my adulthood

Thanks for adding your profile photo Shirley! So nice to "see" you!!

Just a Pun, "no pun intended" Terri I love your "Trip Around THe World" quilt

No, thanks! Those we have plenty of, especially of the fire variety!

printmaker wrote:
Thank you, Jackie. I'm glad it's done and I look forward to seeing your profile photo real soon! Wish I could send some of our excess Oregon rain down to you! The ants have no where to go and are coming in the house via our garage (where much of my fabric stash is stored right now) to keep dry! Maybe I should tell them to take a trip to Texas!