Back in 2015, I came across this image of a tulip antique quilt (circa 1900) on the internet.  I suspect I saw it on either Pinterest or Ebay.  At the time I drafted the quilt in Electric Quilt 7.  However, I would actually draft it much differently today. 

​I will share the new and improved drafting of this quilt in today's video.

In the video, I will share:

• how to rotate portions of a quilt image to aid in tracing
• Using the brush stroke
• Using the ellipse tool
• Using a leaf shape

​Seriously -- the drafting of all these elements is super simple with the powerful tools in the applique worktable.

Here are the blocks and quilt from the video.

One thing I hear over and over again is -- I didn't know you could do "that" using Electric Quilt 8.  One thing that holds us back from truly using Electric Quilt 8 is just not understanding that this versatile software can help you create any type of quilt.  I think you will be inspired by the quilts created by Tech Know Quilter members using Electric Quilt 8.​

Tech Know Quilters is a membership program focused on mastery of Electric Quilt 8.  We have members at all stages of their Electric Quilt journey.

If you would like to join this amazing group of quilters, you can sign up for the wait list here.

Julie Pedersen  I took the 1 block quilts and we created a block using a picture and straight edge shapes. Then we took those shapes and changed to to multiple triangles. For the class, I did Reno, one of our cats. Then for this challenge, I did Mia, another of our cats. (I think I have a thing for cats' eyes.) 

Zdenka Nemethova  I also managed to finish this Valentine quilt - I drew it in EQ first. I put a heart block from EQ block library in the corners (paper-pieced). Only with the skills I gained during the Kari´s classes I was able to do it. Cannot imagine I could do this a year ago. Thank you, Kari 

Dorothee Ilgner  An applique block plus the finished pillow using the design.  Also check out the Dandy Lion!  I love to play with words.  Here is my furry gentleman.  

Patricia Hansen  Here is a foundation block I made after doing the loon in class.  Plus the quilt I made from it.  The original photo was taken in New Mexico in December while on a photo trip. These birds are quite large, but very graceful and beautiful fliers. 

Candy Huddleston Favorite projects from Introduction to PolyDraw classes.

During the Olympics I have been cheering for Jessie  Diggins.  Jessie is a cross country skier and the granddaughter of a former client of mine.  Jessie has been representing Team US on the cross-country team at the Olympics this year.  You can read more about Jessie here.

Feel free to import my block for tracing your own skier foundation pattern.

I would love to see pictures of your block.  Please feel free to post on the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Are you interested in making your own cards?  Check out my blog post where I share how I created these two cards and how you can purchase the kit for next month.

Stampin' Up has announced that the next Paper Pumpkin will be Beyond the Horizon.  Check out how the designs were created for the kit.

• This month’s kit contains enough elements to create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs—and 9 coordinating envelopes. This all-inclusive kit includes printed card bases, die-cut paper pieces, embellishments, adhesive, and more!
• The Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin Kit includes a Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin’ Spot!
• This kit’s stamp set is perfect for any occasion. With sentiments that say “thanks”, “hello”, “thinking of you,” and so many more, you’ll be able to use this stamp set year round.
• And if you thought one stamp set was great just wait--t his month’s kit comes with a BONUS stamp set for FREE!  That’s two stamp sets in one kit! It’s our way of saying THANK YOU to you our Paper Pumpkin subscribers.
• That’s not all! This kit perfectly coordinates with the New Horizons Suite Collection in our January–June 2022 Mini Catalog Which means even more exclusive elegant watercolor designs curated by our in-house artists just for you!  (I've ordered both the stamp set and the paper.)
• Card size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" (10.8 x 14 cm)
• Envelope size: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
• Coordinating colors: Bumblebee, Calypso Coral, Evening Evergreen, Misty Moonlight, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Pale Papaya

Two Ways to Purchase

There is less than ten days to lock in on free Sale-A-Bration product.

You may also make any other purchases of Stampin Up products while you are on the Stampin' Up website.  If you purchase Stampin Up product (including Paper Pumpkin subscriptions) using my host code during February 2022, you are eligible for a special thank you gift from me, plus purchasing bonuses from Stampin Up.

Being a quilter, I really love the look of stitched lines around a shape.  It could be one of the heart shapes from today's tutorial.  Or a square, rectangle or even oval shape for stamping a sentiment.  Learn my process for adding those stitched lines to your shapes with an exclusive tutorial for those purchasing with Host Code  W7FGRTYW.  You must use the host code when checking out with Stampin' Up to be eligible for the bonus. 

Safari Celebration was the kit for February.  I just received it in the mail today.  Here is a quick video on the projects designed by Stampin' Up.

Here are a couple alternative cards I created from the Safari Celebration kit.  I was excited to be able to create an "adult friendly" card from the kit.

Instructions:

1. Cut card bases from the kit in half. 
2. Then cut one piece on the diagonal.  Trim 1/4 inch off the horizontal and vertical edges.  Save these for the inside of the card.
3. Cut black cardstock  5-1/2" x 8-1/2".  Fold in half.
4. Cut white cardstock  5-1/4" x 4" for inside panel.
5. Use Versamark to stamp "You are Fantastic!" on vellum piece from the kit.  Heat emboss with black embossing powder.
6. Add Vellum and smaller leaves with glue dots.  Add larger leaf with dimensionals.
7. All other stamping done with Rich Razzleberry ink from the kit.
8. Add green ribbon (not in kit) to card front.  Add pebbles from kit.

Instructions:

1. Cut 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" black for card base.  Fold in half.
2. Cut 2 pieces white cardstock 5-1/4" x 4".
3. Stamp leaf using Rich Razzleberry on one piece of white cardstock.  Some at full strength and some stamps offs.  By stamping a second time you are able to create a lighter image for additional texture in your card.
4. Adhere diagonal cut (from previous card) to white cardstock.
5. For additional texture, use an embossing folder.
6. Stamp "you did it!" on tag from kit.  Trim and fit under diagonal cut piece.  
7. All stamping was done with Rich Razzleberry ink from the kit.
8. Glue on leaves and add elephant with dimensionals.
9. Add pebbles from kit. 

My all-time favorite Olympic sport is Ice Dancing.  I love the intricacies of the step sequences and how in sync the partners must be at all times.  I was mesmerized to see Zachary Donohue and Madison Hubbell perform in the rhythm dance portion of the team event.  And then Madison Chock and Evan Bates in the free dance.

​I took up figure skating in my mid-40s and am a member of a social ice dance club -- so I can appreciate how hard this sport is.  Even the patterned dances I am working on are a challenge to stay on time and in sync with a partner.  Full disclosure -- there are no twizzles, lifts or throws in social ice dance.  But there are a lot of three turns and mohawks.

​I drafted two figure skating blocks using Electric Quilt 8.  The first is an ice dance couple.  And then, I found that by eliminating the guy, I was able to create a female figure skater block as well.

​Feel free to trace my blocks to create your own figure skating foundation patterns.

My video tutorial will share with you how to draft the ice dance block.  You will note that the biggest challenge in creating your own foundations is figuring out efficient sectioning.  My blocks frequently go through a fair number of iterations, until I find something I am satisfied with.

Feel free to share your blocks in the Learning EQ Facebook post.

Each month I challenge those in Tech Know Quilters to apply what they learned during the last month.  They can share a project from a lesson or an original design applying the concepts they have been learning in Tech Know Quilters. 

Tech Know Quilters is a membership program focused on mastery of Electric Quilt 8.  We have members at all stages of their Electric Quilt journey.

If you would like to join this amazing group of quilters, you can sign up for the wait list here.

Here are some favorite projects created from classes taken in December.

I love quilting and enjoy spending a great deal of time every day creating virtual quilts using Electric Quilt. However, I decided I needed to spend a little bit of time away from quilting to explore expressing my creativity in a new medium.

So, this last year I have taken up card making.  I am finding that card making allows me to play with different colors and textures.  Some of the same things I love about quilting.

I have become hooked on Stampin Up and have watched a ton of You Tube videos where demonstrators share various techniques to create works of art in their cards.  I've purchased a fair number of stamps and the entire collection of current ink pads (because who wants to be missing a crucial color in the midst of card design).  

I was so excited when I discovered that Stampin Up offers kits -- which they call Paper Pumpkin.

Paper Pumpkin is a monthly kit that includes all the supplies necessary to create a series of cards around a different theme each month. 

​Just like in quilting I found it easy to feel overwhelmed by some of the projects I found on YouTube.  Paper Pumpkin solved that overwhelm, because  everything you need for your project is included in your monthly art box. All you have to do is open it up and get started. You’ll be able to make cards, treat bags, and so much more from this monthly subscription.  It even includes the envelopes for mailing your cards.

Among the items in each Paper Pumpkin monthly craft kit is a set of reusable rubber stamps. So after you’re done creating your monthly craft, you’ll have a valuable stamp to add to your collection. You even get a free clear stamping block with your first craft box. Plus, you get a different color small ink pad every month as well.

The January kit was Kisses and Hugs.  The Kisses & Hugs Paper Pumpkin Kit contained trifold heart-shaped cards.  The printed gold foil designs added a timeless touch to these cards that you could use year-round as this kit isn’t bound to just Valentine’s Day—it works for all love occasions like anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, or those “just because” days.

I made one of each of the cards following the instructions in the kit.  (There were enough supplies to make 5 of each.)

These were beautiful, but I really wanted to see what else I could design with the remaining supplies from the kit. 

To add to the kit, I decided to draft a series of hearts in Electric Quilt 8.  And then transferred the designs to Cricut Design Space to save time cutting everything out.  My free video this week will take you through the process of drafting a group of hearts using Electric Quilt 8 along with the transfer process.  Bonus --  there are two options for transferring the designs.

 No Electronic Cutting System:  If you don't have an electronic cutting system (Cricut, Silhouette, or Brother Scan and Cut), you could still print out your hearts created in Electric Quilt on cardstock.  Just color everything white in Electric Quilt 8 before printing.  And you will want to turn on outline patches.  Then use your favorite paper snips to cut the designs (never use those fabric scissors for this). :)​

The extra piece of software I used for creating the SVGs is Inkscape.  Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's free and open source. 

Inkscape can seem overwhelming to use when you open it for the first time. However you only need to use a couple of tools within Inkscape -- so this really is a piece of cake. You can download Inkscape here.

Inkscape will allow you to create an SVG file which may be used in any electronic cutting system (Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Studio, or Brother Canvas Workspace).

So what is an SVG file?  An SVG file is a graphics file that uses a two-dimensional vector graphic format.  Unlike raster formats such as JPG, GIF, and PNG, an SVG image remains crisp and clear at any resolution or size.

The first two alternatives primarily used supplies from the kit.  The only items added were card stock and ribbon.

The remaining cards used some pieces from the kit -- but I added some of the Electric Quilt designed hearts (cut out in a variety of cardstock).  I also had some fun with both heat embossing (the sentiments) and dry embossing (the added texture to the paper).  Notice that I even cut some of the EQ hearts from some of the card stock in the kit.

I still have a lot of extra supplies from the January kit.  I will be doing some additional playing this week before mailing off my Valentine day cards.

If you would like to start card making, I suggest starting with Paper Pumpkin.   You don't need to think through a huge list of supply options to figure out what you need first.  Everything you need to get started will be in your box.  Subscribe by the 10th of any month to receive that month's kit.  The first box will even include a mounting block that will work with all the stamps.  

Stampin' Up offers both monthly subscriptions and prepaid subscriptions.  In both situations, you can pick the months you want to participate.  It is super easy to opt out of a month that doesn't interest you.

Stampin' Up prices for Paper Pumpkin will be going up on March 1st.  As a result the prepaid subscription is a great value.  Essentially you are pre-buying a number of boxes at the current price.  Then you can decide which months to apply them to.   Click on the links below to purchase any prepaid subscription.  The prepaid subscriptions are non-renewing unless you elect to renew.

You may also make any other purchases of Stampin Up products while you are on the Stampin' Up website.  If you purchase Stampin Up product using my host code during February 2022, you are eligible for a special thank you gift from me, plus purchasing bonuses from Stampin Up.

Being a quilter, I really love the look of stitched lines around a shape.  It could be one of the heart shapes from today's tutorial.  Or a square, rectangle or even oval shape for stamping a sentiment.  Learn my process for adding those stitched lines to your shapes with an exclusive tutorial for those purchasing with Host Code  W7FGRTYW.  You must use the host code when checking out with Stampin' Up to be eligible for the bonus. 

Tutorial will be sent to you the first week in March.

This quick video will walk you through the check out process.  Make sure to enter the host cost ​W7FGRTYW when checking out.  This will ensure you are eligible for the free Inkscape tutorial on adding stitching lines.  This will also explain how to add your Sale-a-bration rewards to your order.

Please feel free to send me an email with any questions on your Stampin' Up order.  I can be reached at Kari.Schell@onpointquilter.com

If you use Electric Quilt to design either the hearts (or another image) for cardmaking, I would love to see your designs or cards.  Feel free to post in the Learning EQ Facebook group using this link.