Outer space, all for you!

NASA has a massive library of amazing photos and they are right there for us to use! Read the fine print because there are some restrictions but for the most part we can use them for non-commercial purposes. I have always loved this sort of picture…

This image shows the galaxy Messier 94, which lies in the small northern constellation of the Hunting Dogs, about 16 million light-years away. Within the bright ring around Messier 94 new stars are forming at a high rate and many young, bright stars are present within it – thanks to this, this feature is called a starburst ring. The cause of this peculiarly shaped star-forming region is likely a pressure wave going outwards from the galactic centre, compressing the gas and dust in the outer region. The compression of material means the gas starts to collapse into denser clouds. Inside these dense clouds, gravity pulls the gas and dust together until temperature and pressure are high enough for stars to be born.

This image shows the galaxy Messier 94, which lies in the small northern constellation of the Hunting Dogs, about 16 million light-years away. Within the bright ring around Messier 94 new stars are forming at a high rate and many young, bright stars are present within it – thanks to this, this feature is called a starburst ring.

And the earth from space is also pretty darned interesting!

A hurricane, seen from space.

I was reminded about these free NASA images by John McWade. You should watch his free video about how he made calendars using these images. I read all of his issues of Before & After, published over the last many years. I learned so much about graphic design, text, and layout from him! He is now at Lynda.com and I wish him years of happiness there.

Show and Tell…

Quilt by Teresa Marler, quilted by Donna Titsworth.

Teresa Marler wrote a few months ago asking for permission to enter a quilt she made (quilted by Donna Titsworth) in which she used a few of our design elements. I always say yes but it’s nice to asked.

She just sent a picture of her quilt with the news that she won a biweekly prize at Hancock’s of Paducah. Isn’t it fantastic! I had to look twice to see the Tree O’ Life designs that come our book, Applique Outside The Lines. Very nice indeed!

This is what happens in my Independent Study class…

I spent 5 wonderful days with 23 wonderful women at Empty Spools. Some knew each other before they got to class, but everyone was a friend by the time the class was over. If you ever get a chance to come to an Empty Spools seminar, I’m pretty sure you’d love it!

We all headed home last Wednesday; I got home late Thursday. I meant to upload these photos then, but this was a very busy Easter weekend. (I hope your weekend was as nice as mine was.) Enjoy the slideshow!

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It’s time to celebrate!

This weekend, March 18-20, is International Quilting Weekend and The Quilt Show is hosting a party! You can win prizes and see all of their shows (over 200!)  for free at TheQuiltShow.com. Look for me in shows 611 and 1704. Remember that all the shows are free, all weekend long.

There are $11,000 worth of prizes at The Quilt Show party! Click the image below to enter the drawing.

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And don’t forget to spend time quilting this weekend too :-).

I do love a good review!

Quilter’s Newsletter has written a review of my book, The Quilter’s Practical Guide To Color. I am honored and grinning from ear to ear!

And Sue (who posts as the Crochet Addict in the UK) wrote a glowing review of our book, Piecing the Piece O’ Cake Way. Click here to read it. If you’ve been wondering whether you can the Piecing book or not, this review might help you decide.

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