I have only used the book and traced the patterns from it onto foundation paper and I have not bought the separate CD.
To be honest I haven't even looked at the CD that came with the book - perhaps I should. I have changed the finished star size to 9" and am pleased with how they have come out. I have posted pictures here on this thread.
If you like pp your blocks I do not think you will have a problem. One thing I did do was to have the book spiral bound - the pages then sit nice and flat.