Checker Open House 2010

Hi Quilt Fans!  I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 62nd Checker Open House this weekend!  How cool to meet some great quilters and presenters!  I attended several workshops and learned many new techniques!  Here is a re-cap of Day 1!

The first session was a class on the new EQ7 quilt software.  

 I learned how to add and edit any image to add it to a quilt.  It is so easy to import your images into the program and then you can do all kinds of things to enhance and even use effects to change the photo completely.  After you make your changes you can then print them on fabric and sew directly into your quilt using EQ Printable Fabric Sheets!

The second session was presented by Karen Montgomery and she told us all kinds of ways to host events in our quilt shops!  I will need to improvise since I don't have an actual shop, but I got some great ideas.  She also had several products that she demonstrated for us, including the Creative Grids Quick Trim Ruler and the Creative Grids 60 Degree Triangle Ruler.

The Strip Easy Table Runner uses this ruler.

Here are some other cool patterns she designed and The Quilt Bear carries them all!

The third session featured Sue Hausmann who gave us many tips for selling and also demonstrated several rulers and tools.  The Quick-Easy Mitered Binding Tool makes mitered borders a breeze!

The final speaker of the day was the fabulous Eleanor Burns!  She had everyone laughing hysterically and presented her new book Quilt Block on American Barns and several quilts made from the book!  What a hoot! She had a roomful of quilt shop owners singing and laughing!

Afterwards, Eleanor stayed and autographed her book.  I had to get one and a picture!  What a wonderful lady!!

Stay tuned for Day 2 update!!!