Cheshirepat, there is an easy to follow, step by step lesson in the on board lessons that tells you how to make a custom quilt(much easier in 8 than 7). You can design the blocks in any size combination you want. I have made quilts from designs I created this way. it is was really helpful.
I think you can also photograph your fabric and use it in your block design but I haven't gotten around to trying that yet.
Murphy224, there was a bit of discussion on this when they first offered the upgrade. I found it much easier to find things but not everyone did. Most things are easier to find instead of buried in menus and functions that are down a level are under more obvious spots. I haven't even got through the lessons yet and have found pretty well everything I have thought I wanted to use. If you go to EQ ,product support, EQ8 and look up videos, there are some basic intros to some features. You could see what the new version looks like and if it seems helpful to you.