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Last week I covered how to draft a snowfall block in EasyDraw. This tutorial will include some tips for creating complementary blocks for those setting triangles and setting corners. I even talk through how to adjust the block if you want to modify after reviewing the piecing options.
Here are the blocks and quilts from the video.
Kari's Snowfall Quilt in Electric Quilt
This quilt would make a perfect table runner. The quilt finishes at 15-1/4" x 38".
If you would like to learn even more ninja tips for using EasyDraw, consider the Introduction to EasyDraw or EasyDraw Kaleidoscope classes. These classes are available to Tech Know Quilter's members, an exclusive online training program for Electric Quilt owners. You can learn more about the Tech Know Quilters and sign up for the wait list here.
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Having lived all my life in either North Dakota or Minnesota, I have a fondness for snow -- with the exception of having to drive in it. I even enjoy shoveling my driveway after a fresh snowfall.
In my Master's group in Tech Know Quilters, I used the December 2020 free fabric collection from EQ to design snow-like Dresden blocks. First Snowfall by Hoffman, is a beautiful collection of whites, blues, greys and even pale greens. Make sure to downlod the collection from the Do You EQ website. The collection even includes some Ombre fabrics. In this tutorial, I will share my approach for drafting the "snowfall" block. You may find it useful to import the block image shown here for tracing. 
Snowfall Block by Kari Schell
Since this block is comprised of squares, half square triangles and flying geese units, there are lots of possibilities for coloring the block. Or for simplifying the block by deleting some extra lines. I would love to see how you decide to make the block your own.
Piecing the Snowfall Block
,When piecing a block, I will frequently modify the cutting charts from EQ to use my favorite tools and rulers. For this block, I will modify the cutting instructions to use both the Tucker Trimmer 1 and Wing Clipper from Studio 180 Design. I love using over-sized piecing trim down techniques as it results in accurate pieced blocks.
Here was my modified rotary cutting chart from the video. 
Notes if using Specialty Rulers:
In 2020 I joined a couple of memberships to expand my own crafting capability. I also found it useful to have an opportunity to experience the online learning experience as a beginner. In addition to learning new skills, the experience is helping me enhance the experience for beginners in Tech Know Quilters -- my online program for Electric Quilt 8.
Learning Inkscape
I purchased a Cricut Maker in 2020 principally to work with fabric. I quickly learned that Cricut Design Space is fairly basic software and as a result it can be a challenge to create your own designs with it.
I found that those who wished to create their own designs are using software called Inkscape. Inscape is a vector graphics program that is free. There are versions for both MAC and PC. And it allows us to convert a pdf document into a svg file. You can read more about Inkscape and download a version here. SVG files can be used by all the major cutting systems including Silhouette Cameo, Cricut Maker, and Brother Scan n Cut. This means if I have any of those systems, I will be able to cut out Electric Quilt blocks and quilts that are printed to a pdf file. The Inkscape class I am taking is from a company called SVG&Me. Greeting Card Design
I stumbled across another membership toward the the end of the year on learning to create your own greeting cards. The instructor is big into Stampin' Up products. But I have been challenging myself to take her concepts and apply them to the tools I already have -- Electric Quilt and Cricut Maker.
Today I will share how I used the concepts I am learning in the Confident Cardmaker membership to design my own card using Electric Quilt 8. The video is focused on creating the EQ card design.
Here is the card/quilt from the video.
2021 New Year Card design in Electric Quilt by Kari Schell
After creating the EQ design, I saved it to a PDF file. Imported the PDF into Inkscape. Deleted the stuff I didn't need and saved it as an SVG file. The SVG file was opened in Cricut Design Space and I cut the necessary pieces for my card.
I used glitter cardstock and added a few embellishment in the final card. 
2021 New Year Card Created by Kari Schell using EQ8 and Cricut Maker
I hope this inspires you to design some non-quilt items using Electric Quilt.
Shoot for the Stars with EQ8
Are you just getting started with Electric Quilt 8 and need some help?
Shoot for the Stars is designed to get you started with Electric Quilt 8 through training delivered straight to your inbox. This series includes 14 short (ie. 5-10 minute) videos delivered over the course of a month allowing you to learn the basics of this complex program in bite size increments. The class is currently on sale for one week at $30 (regular $49). Join now.
If you have been thinking that 2021 is your year for mastering Electric Quilt 8, now is the time to subscribe to the TKQ Wait List. There just may be an opportunity to lock in at 2020 prices before the end of the year. But you must be on the wait list to hear more.
Christmas Quilts
I've always loved making Christmas quilts over the years -- sometimes from purchased patterns and sometimes my own designs. Here is my collection of quilts (photographed in 2005).
Sharing Student Successes
In a year filled with a lot of challenges for all of us, I love celebrating the successes of people in my classes. Seeing their drafted quilts just makes me feel happy. Enjoy the virtual show.
Tech Know Quilters Masters Challenge
Who has a roll of jelly rolls strips and are struggling with what to do with them? Jelly roll strips are 2-1/2" x width of fabric. So if you don't have them, they are super easy to make from your own fabric stash.
TKQ Masters members were challenged to design a quilt that would would be 2-1/2" strip friendly. Here are their quilts.
November Tech Know Quilter Show
Tech Know Quilters is a membership of Electric Quilt 8 owners who are mastering Electric Quilt through online training. At the end of their November class, they were encouraged to apply what they learned during the month of November.
Tech Know Quilters is open to new members only a few times a year. You can sign up for the wait list here and we will notify you of the next open enrollment period (which just may happen next Monday). I love having people at different stages of the EQ journey submitting designs. I am so proud of this group of quilt designers.
Foundation Friendly Christmas Mystery Quilts
1,300 EQ users joined the free two week challenge to draft a foundation friendly Christmas project. Here are some of the quilts from participants in the challenge.
A few started to play with the blocks before the reveal and came up with some amazing designs.
Karen Copstead
A few even got started (and finished) piecing their quilts.
Judy Dunlap
Kari Schell -- using plaids and stripes
Kari Schell Marches de Noel 10" squares
The videos from the Mystery will be available for viewing through the end of December.
If you have been thinking that 2021 is your year for mastering Electric Quilt 8, now is the time to subscribe to the TKQ Wait List. There just may be an opportunity to lock in at 2020 prices before the end of the year. But you must be on the wait list to hear more.
Foundation Friendly Christmas Wrap Up
Here are a few designs from the mystery that were shared on social media this week. You can check out more of their designs in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
A Time for Joy Quilt
I searched the alphabet blocks and found a couple that I thought might work.
After some playing, I realized I couldn't nicely just add the candy cane stripes. So I decided to just start from scratch and create the "O" and "Y" blocks in EasyDraw.
My video tutorial this week will share with you how to draw these candy cane blocks for yourself.
This quilt was colored using the Henry Glass Believe fabric collection.
Would you like to piece this quilt. Click on each image to obtain a download of the foundation pattern printed from EQ8 (9 inch finished size)
Sashing Foundation
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