Tagalong and Postcards

Aimee over at Adventures and Pursuits is hosting a few postcard swaps. I am in group 3 for this round. I send out 49 Florida postcards, one to each state. Then, 49 other people will each send me a postcard from their state. I thought Robbie would get a kick out of receiving post cards from all the states. I know I love postcards.

Mandy and I went to Walmart today to pick up my new glasses, get some groceries, and of course to pick out our postcards.  I picked out 60 Florida cards that looked fun. I like to keep extra postcards to add to swap packages (when I remember lol). I always grab the shark one you see here. I used to have a t-shirt that said "Send more tourists. The last ones were delicious" lol. I loved that shirt. I will be slowly addressing these. Florida is scheduled to mail out at the end of May. Each state mails at a different time so we should receive a postcard a week.

April's Schnibble Tagalong is all quilted, bound, and washed. I just did some straight line quilting. Nothing too exciting because I couldn't decide on the color of thread to use. You can  see here   why mine looks different from the pattern.

I love the fabric on the back. I've noticed that I am drawn to circle things lately.

Another bright Schnibble done. I wonder what next month's pattern will be. At least we don't have to wait very long.

EQ 7 is coming!

I know I have posted twice already today but I just HAD to add another post. Have you heard that EQ 7 is due out this June? You can already pre-order it from I Have A Notion.

 

Quilts, Blocks and now PHOTOS!
Digital cameras will become a quilter's best friend. EQ7 has dozens of ways to turn everyday photos into quilt ­­art images. Or crop and edit scanned fabrics right in EQ7 in minutes. And that's just the start!

New Activation Policy
You'll never run out of EQ7 activations! Activation and deactivation is as easy as two clicks of the mouse. Install on as many computers as you like and quickly transfer activations from computer to computer. This new policy gives you complete freedom to manage your own activations — and no dongle to worry about!

Easier than ever for new users
EQ7 is the most user-friendly full-featured quilting software yet.

• Complete user manual
• 22 printable full-color PDF lessons (115 pages)
• Point-and-read info on each tool – now linked directly to Help topics
• 10 videos targeted for beginners
• 67 “How do I?” topics: printable stepped-out instructions for doing everything from printing English paper-piecing templates to drawing a New York Beauty
• Built-in Help buttons are everywhere, targeted to the task you're doing
• New block tools for creating original blocks instantly without drawing
• Blocks size themselves – just drag and drop on the quilt

Includes tons of user-requested new features
Exactly the same friendly interface, plus loads of new user-requested features.

• 5000 copyright-free blocks
• 5000 new scanned fabrics, plus grayscale textures
• 120 new pre-designed quilt layouts
• Snap blocks to a Quilt grid
• Instant border blocks with greatly expanded Auto Borders
• Print multiple photos on fabric
• Create original fabric designs from photos, then print on fabric
• Mirror and use myriad symmetries on photos
• Use dozens of artistic effects, making everyday photos look like watercolors or Impressionist paintings
• 79 new features in all

Netbook compatible
Works on netbooks as well as laptops and desktop computers.



Sounds pretty darn good to me :) I love the idea of more fabric choices and also the English Paper Piecing designs.

We have a winner!

I let my daughter choose a winner this time. She has chosen lucky Gin from Mom in the Wilderness!! Congratulations Gin!! I've sent you an email on how to claim your prize. I am so jealous lol.

On My Design Wall

First off I have to say that I am just thrilled to have any kind of design wall. Good thing I don't make very many large quilts though. There is an empty piece of wall between my daughter's bed room door and the garage door that is just around the bend from my sewing area in the living room. Awhile ago I thumb tacked up a piece of cotton batting and now I have myself a nice area to try out different block arrangements. Before this, I had to lay the blocks on the kitchen floor and see if they looked OK. For me it's better to look at the blocks when they are hanging on the wall instead of the floor.

This is what was on the wall yesterday:

I played with the placement of the blocks for the quilt for a fellow blogger.  Did you click the link? You didn't think I would ruin the surprise did you? I think the balance is pretty good. After everyone's suggestions, I decide to go with a dark sashing. After trying out a few different fabrics, I decided on a maroon color. It brings the color out of the blocks nicely.

I also played with a layout for an I Spy quilt. A few months ago, I took some blocks from an I Spy Swap that I was in and cut them into 4.5" circles. I then sewed them down to a 6.5" white block. Then they sat, and sat, and sat until I had this idea of adding a bunch of different colored squares to them in a checkerboard fashion. I think I like the way they all look together. From a distance all the circles remind me of planets.


Later this morning we are heading out to the local Farmer's Market to check out their fruits and veggies. We're all really craving some fresh produce and yummy fruits. I've been looking for some nice yellow squash and zucchini but you can't really buy those at a supermarket. Plus, I would rather buy local and fresh than something that has been shipped from far, far away.

I also need to do some regular grocery shopping. Hopefully there will be some time later in the day to start sewing these tops together.