Special Announcements

LAST MONTH'S ROSE OF SHARON BLOCK DOWNLOAD HAD BLOCK ERROR
The free download of 800+ Rose of Sharon blocks that we posted in last month's newsletter had a block error in Rose of Sharon (Library 1) that caused the block library to crash during Notecard searches.

We now have new files (put up July 23) for you to download. If you downloaded the Rose of Sharon blocks for EQ7 or EQ6 prior to July 23, please do this:

STEP 1 :
Remove the Rose of Sharon *.blk files from your EQ6 or EQ7:
1) Click START > (My) Computer > (My) Documents > My EQ7 (or My EQ6) > User.
2) Find the Rose_of_Sharon.BLK block file there.
3) Click the Rose_of_Sharon.BLK file, to select it.
4) Right-click and choose Delete.
5) Find the Rose_of_Sharon_2.BLK block file there.
6) Click the Rose_of_Sharon_2.BLK file, to select it.
7) Right-click and choose Delete.

STEP 2:
1) Click START > (My) Computer > (My) Documents > My EQ7 (or My EQ6).
2) Right-click a blank area in the folder window, point to New, and then click Folder.
3) Type Downloads, and then press ENTER.

STEP 3:
1) Download the .BLK files.

If you have EQ6, download them to: (My) Documents > My EQ6 > Downloads

If you have EQ7, download them to: (My) Documents > My EQ7 > Downloads

2) Open EQ6 or EQ7.
3) Click LIBRARIES > Block Library.
4) Click the Link Library button.
5) Click the Add button and type: Rose of Sharon.
6) Click the Browse button.
7) Browse to: (My) Documents > My EQ7 (or My EQ6) > Downloads.
Click OK.
Click OK again.
Click Close to return to the library.
Now click on the Library section and look in the list of EQ Libraries.
Click on Rose of Sharon.

The .BLK files will not open outside EQ. You must save them in the Downloads folder and then link them to the Block Library for them to work. Click here to download one or both libraries:
Rose of Sharon (Library 1) [26.8 MB]
Rose of Sharon (Library 2) [15.5 MB]

Special thanks to Barb Vlack for finding the cause of the "library crash," and to Ann Rutter at EQ for finding which block caused it.

These blocks are for your own PERSONAL use only. They were designed by your fellow EQ users as part of the Rose of Sharon Block Challenge. The Partners in that project have agreed to offer them free to you. The Challenge was designed to assist The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) in their fundraising efforts. In support of the AAQI and out of respect for the designers, no commercial use of these patterns is permitted. Please respect the intent of this project and the efforts of everyone involved.

NEW EQ7 DEMO VIDEOS NOW AVAILABLE
We've finally found time to get some demo videos up so you can check out some of the great features (new and old!) of EQ7! Keep checking back for more videos soon! Watch them here!

REGISTER FOR THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY EQ CRUISE BEFORE AUGUST 15 AND GET A BONUS GIFT

If you're thinking of signing up for this late January cruise, now's the time. Really. The cruise is filling up and we want to save room for you! Sign up now to join us on a 10 Day / 9 Night Caribbean Cruise - January 28-February 6, 2011. You'll have sun and EQ fun with top-notch teachers Barb Vlack & Mary Ellen Kranz and come home knowing more about EQ7 and with small sewn projects featuring your own cruise photos. BONUS: You'll learn how easy it is to take better vacation (and quilt) photos with one of the quilt world's best photographers and teachers: Gregory Case. See more details about this first-ever EQ cruise.

Lessons & Classes

BENNI HARPER MYSTERY LESSON 6: MARINER'S COMPASS
Thanks for your patience, Benni Harper fans. Here's the Mariner's Compass lesson you've been waiting for. You'll get some good Graph Pad practice with Lesson 6!

SIGN UP FOR HOUSTON HANDS-ON EQ7 CLASSES
These all-day EQ7 classes taught during International Quilt Festival in Houston (Nov 1-7, 2010) really do fill fast. So sign up now! See the schedule here. Barb Vlack and Mary Ellen Kranz will teach a variety of EQ7 classes. We're happy to answer questions about the classes or put you in touch with Mary Ellen or Barb ahead of time so they can answer. Registration is handled by www.quilts.com.

Or take EQ7 classes from these two teachers on the EQ Cruise in January.

EQ QUILT UNIVERSITY CLASSES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER
Register now for these excellent online EQ6 classes. Perfect for owners of EQ7 as well as EQ6.

EQ6 Sampler [starts September 3]
Learn the fundamentals of EQ6 software. Skill level: Beginner. This is the first class in the EQ6 series. Four Lessons from Fran Gonzalez, author of EQ6 Simplified (a book that works with EQ7 as well).

EQ6 Appliqué Design [starts September 10]
Patti Anderson will help you master the PatchDraw appliqué drawing tools. Three lessons perfect for EQ7 as well as EQ6. Skill level: Basic knowledge of EQ6 and PatchDraw is required. Patti is the author of EQ6 Pieced Drawing (which is also perfect for EQ7).

AUGUST CLASSES
Looks like all the August & September EQ classes are in California! See them here.

ARE YOU TEACHING EQ?
If you are teaching EQ classes, don't forget to let our webmaster know the date, time and location of your classes so we can list them on our website. And check out our "I Teach EQ7" blog badge.

KALEIDOSCOPE COLLECTORS
All 12 fun free lessons involving EQ and the Kaleidoscope Collection CD are still up. This is a TERRIFIC way to learn more in EQ5, EQ6 or EQ7! Try Months 1 - 12.

PREVIOUS MYSTERY QUILT STORIES AND LESSONS
Learn EQ5, EQ6 or EQ7 by working through our two different Mystery Quilt series: If you are just joining us, start here with Skylights Episode 1 and Skylights Lesson 1.

Then work through the EQuinox mystery, starting with EQuinox Episode 1 and EQuinox Lesson 1.

Show us your quilts! Have you made one of our Mystery quilts? We want to see your quilt or top. Email us a photo and we'll post it in our mystery gallery: Skylight mystery quilts, EQuinox mystery quilts.

News

LINDA ERICKSON'S EQ DESIGN UNVEILED ON BUILDING
A block for all seasons: Linda Erickson, of Sierra Vista Arizona, had the thrill of attending the July 21 opening ceremonies for AccuQuilt's new headquarters in Fremont, Nebraska where her quilt block went on permanent display as a 17' x 17' block on the AccuQuilt building as you can see here. Linda's winning design was selected from 400 entries. We're proud of you, Linda, and all other EQers who entered the contest. Read more here.

HOT NEWS ABOUT EQ-ERS!
We just discovered Mary Johnson came in second place in the AccuQuilt contest! Read all about it.

AUTHOR AND EQ-ER ANITA GROSSMAN SOLOMON INTERVIEWED
We found this recent interview with Anita by Connecting Thread's Karen Johnson and thought you might like it too.

DESIGNING MEMORY QUILTS
Look for Andrea’s article “Designing Memory Quilts” in the August/September issue of Quilters Newsletter. See how EQ7’s new photo features can be used to edit holiday photos or create “Andy Warhol"-style photo quilts. And QN even has a Web extra on their site, showing how to “Slice and Dice a Single Image.”

EQ7 COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS 7
EQ5, EQ6 & EQ7 are ALL fully compatible with Windows 7, as are most of our other software programs. Contact us if you have questions.

ELECTRIC QUILT IS ON FACEBOOK
Electric Quilt has its own Facebook page now, as does EQ the Mouse. Become a Fan of both, and you'll get regular updates when we post something on our blog, or add a new video, or have other news.

EQ the Mouse adores his fans. If you're not yet one, he would love you to "fan him."

To become a fan:
1. Log into your facebook profile
2. Click this link, EQ the Mouse, to become a fan of EQ the Mouse.
3. Click this link, Electric Quilt, to become a fan of Electric Quilt.

FAB FAN FREEBIES
EQ the Mouse announces "Fab Fan Freebies." He explains: He loves his fabulous fans, and will have contests from time to time so he can give out a prize. To be eligible, become his Facebook fan.

Inspiration

TERRIE SANDELIN DESIGNS XMAS IN JULY PLACEMATS
EQer Terrie Sandelin is better known as the author of Miniatures in Minutes. Here she blogs about her windmill placemat designs.

VIRTUAL QUILTER JUDY BUTCHER
We like visiting Judy Butcher's blog often just to see what new EQ quilt she's designed for the day.

DAILY EQ-DESIGNS BY GLYNIS THOMPSON
Want more inspiration? Glynis has a blog too where she posts daily EQ designs. Check out some of Glynis's latest work.

Clubs

WANT TO START YOUR OWN EQ CLUB?
Download our "Planning an EQ Club" PDF file. See what you need to get started, how to organize and get topic ideas. The Mystery Quilt would make a great club project.

New ClubEQ Challenge
ClubEQ is a free monthly challenge organized by EQ-author, Barb Vlack. To participate, send in a project with 1-2 quilts to penny@electricquilt.com that follow the challenge theme and ClubEQ rules. Imagine getting 50 to 100 quilts for just submitting one.

Support

ASK EQ THE MOUSE!
Lazy EQ the Mouse is on vacation this month, so does not have an "Ask EQ" column of questions and answers for you.

MAIL-LIST FOR MAC EQ-ERS
Are you running your EQ on a Mac? Then you may want to subscribe to the free EQonMacs Yahoo group, run by Sheila Williams. For more information, contact Sheila at Sheila@SheilaWilliams.com.

EQ FORUMS
The EQ Forums are waiting for your questions! Visit the EQ Forums and register, then you can ask questions and get answers from EQ staff, authors and other EQ users right on the EQ website.

TECH SUPPORT
A reminder that you can see answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions right on the EQ website:
EQ7 questions
EQ6 questions
EQ5 questions

EQ6 UPDATE
If you own EQ6, download and install the free EQ6 Update which makes EQ6 run faster and smarter. You'll know you're updated if in EQ6 you click
HELP > About EQ6 and see "Build 2."

Contests

NEW CONTEST: GUESS THIS BLOCK NAME

Correctly guess the original name of this quilt block and you may win a copy of Digital Essentials by Gloria Hansen. We'll choose one winner at random from all correct answers. One guess per person please.

To enter, send an email with your guess to our "Contest Contessa" Sarah Shriver:

To: sarahshriver@electricquilt.com
Subject line: Guess this Block
Body: The first published name for this block
Your Full Name:
Your Email:

BETTY NIETFELD WINS "GUESS WHO'S PREGNANT" CONTEST
Betty Nietfeld was one of the 8 people who correctly guessed that it is Sarah Shriver who is newly pregnant. Andrea had her baby boy in late July. And Sarah Shriver is expecting her second child in January 2011. Betty's name was chosen at random from among the others who guessed correctly, and she will win a copy of STASH Spring 2010. Congratulations, Betty!

Other Correct Guessers:
Diane Paul
Carol-Lynn VanNorman
Vicki Terpstra
Phyllis Ripley
Maria Hrabovsky
Mary Kubicek
Leeann Hansen

Number of Guesses per EQ Mom:
Jenny Novinsky – 23
Andrea Bishop - 22
Heidi Kory – 20
Sara Woodward – 15
Sara Seuberling – 12
Sarah Shriver – 8
Jan Nelson – 1

Fabric

DOWNLOAD MORE FREE FABRIC
This month's download, perfectly refreshing for August, is "Limeade." Choose either to download a Library file or a Project file. Be sure to follow the easy steps provided. Then vote for next month's fabric. We take suggestions for future voting options; email penny@electricquilt.com to let her know.

CONNECTING THREADS FABS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD
Connecting Threads has made some of their own fabric collections available especially for EQ6 users as Library files. Find the collections here.

1) Download the file to your Desktop. Extract the zipped file (right-click, then click "Extract All").
2) Place the .FAB file in your My Documents\My EQ6\USER\ folder on your hard drive.
3) Open EQ6 and your fabric library. The collection will appear in your "MY LIBRARY" folder.

MODA FABS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD
Moda has new fabrics available to download as jpeg files, ready to be opened in EQ6.

1) Visit Moda's site, click any brown dot in front of a fabric name, download to your computer (remember where it goes).
2) Go to LIBRARIES > Fabric Library > Import > From Image Files and import the fabric.
3) Add the fabric to your Sketchbook and use it, or save the fabric in My Library (see pages 143 and 144 in the EQ6 User Manual) to use in future projects.

If you need complete steps, EQ the Mouse addresses them in one of his Ask EQ columns.

Show us your work

THE EQ QUILT GALLERY
Check out the beautiful quilts in the "EQ Quilt Gallery." Then send us one of YOURS!

If YOU would like to exhibit, send us a photo of your quilt, plus your EQ project containing the EQ design for this same quilt. Tell us a bit about you, your quilt, your designing, etc. List your website or blog if you have them. Help us show off your designing whether you're a quilting professional or this is your first quilt. Send them to penny@electricquilt.com. We love seeing what you're making and knowing more about you.


Display this blog badge to send others to see your quilt in our gallery.

Freebies

FREE WHIMSICAL WATERMELON TABLE RUNNER

This cool watermelon design was a free Quilt Design Wizard project by Heidi at EQ. We liked it so much we converted it for EQers.

Download an EQ7 Watermelon project.

Download an EQ6 Watermelon project.

FREE CONNECTING THREADS BEGINNER PATTERNS & TUTORIALS
Karen Johnson, one of our friends at Connecting Threads, has created an on-going series of great new how-to-quilt tutorials especially for beginning quilters. A new lesson appears each month. Here's what's up so far:
February: Pinwheels
March: Nine Patch
April: Stars
May: Flying Geese
June: Kaleidoscope

[Editors note: We think July was vacation month as we did not see July lessons.]

And as a bonus, Karen includes free EQ6 project files for each lesson.

FREE CROCUS CLUSTERS BY DENISE RUSSART
Check out Denise Russart's beautiful new free BOM called Crocus Clusters.

FREE FLOWER PATTERNS FROM SINDY RODENMAYER
We love these summery flower blocks designed by EQer Sindy Rodenmayer who generously shares them with you on her Fat Cat Patterns site.

FREE QUILT DESIGNS FROM DEBORAH LEVY
Deb offers you three EQ6 projects to download and use in EQ6 or EQ7.

FREE BOM FROM MOOSE ON THE PORCH QUILTS
Konda Luckau, of Moose on the Porch Quilts, invites you to participate in her free Block of the Month which started March 1. Visit her blog for a new block every 2 weeks. She writes, "I design all my projects in EQ and consider it my right-hand in quilt design." Sounds like fun.

PATTERN SERIES FROM REGINA GREWE
Regina's easy-to-sew Magic Mushrooms continue to grow. Download them as EQ6 projects.

ONGOING FREE CIVIL WAR BOM FROM GUDRUN
Gudrun, from Belgium, has an easy-to-sew 2010 BOM Civil War BOM. See the design here. And get started here.

FREE QUILTED DESKTOP CALENDAR
Diane Anderson starts a whole year of beautiful desktop calendars for you.

FREE VIEWERS
Want to see a self-running show of your own EQ projects? Download a free project viewer:

Download "EQ6 Show" if you have EQ6. It will show any EQ3, EQ4, EQ5 and EQ6 projects you've made.
Download "EQ5 Show" if you only have EQ5. It will show any EQ3, EQ4 & EQ5 projects you have made.

MORE NEW BLOG BADGES & CHANCES FOR BLOG GIVE-AWAY PRIZE

We've made several NEW blog badges for you. (We also take suggestions for new ones.) Display one on your blog, let us know (write Sarah Shriver at EQ) and we may choose your blog to receive a free prize to give away to a lucky reader of your blog.

DO YOU HAVE FREE EQ PROJECTS OR PATTERNS TO SHARE ON YOUR WEBSITE?
Let us know and we'll list you on the Project Sharing page. Just email our webmaster with the necessary links and information and ask for your site to be considered for inclusion on that page.

Next Month...

COMING NEXT MONTH
* Benni Harper Mystery Lesson 7
* A new contest
* More Quilt Gallery Pages