More Fancy Quilt Stuff Cathedral Windows, Blog Friends' Sewing Projects and Sun Along the Coast

This is my first try at 'cathedral windows' and I'm making more.

This is the first part of my cathedral window process, started with 7 1/2" sq.

Folded in edges 1/2", press.

Folded in half, press. 

Fold in half again, press. The press lines are guides.

Then fold in the corners to center, press.

All corners are folded in. Now fold these corners into the center and press.

Fold the last corner in and press. These squares will be sewn to other cathedral window squares. That's part two, next post.

Looking north from Palos Verdes, Ca, across the Santa Monica Bay, toward Malibu, where the wildfires burned out of control a couple of weeks ago.

North Los Angeles, there were surfers in the small cove below.

Hello from Rancho Palos Verdes! 

Where we have clouds, wind and light rain.

Last week there was a stretch of mild weather and sun. I managed to get some photos of North Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Bay. That's the view I see driving into 'town'.

Last few days I've been working on more Cathedral Window blocks, a little here and there.

I'm in no hurry, this is for fun, 'tis the season to be merry!

I enjoy the hand work. It reminds me of when I learned to sew. 

I learned to sew when I was 14, and I loved it. First I sewed an apron, then a blouse, then a jumper etc. It was everything fun, color, fashion, the excitement of process. I kept sewing for myself and then for my little ones as they arrived. Then things got busy and all I had time for was dreaming about projects. And time passes and the art quilt thing got hold of me and still has me.

As I was saying I like sewing, the planning, the process and Cathedral Window blocks are that to me right now. 

I have blog friends who also like to sew and I love their projects. Julie @ justjulielou recently made a gorgeous dress. You must see it! She's made a lot of other projects too, beautiful finishes.

And Bernadette Banner has enjoyable videos on You Tube  showing her historical costume projects.

She hand sews most of her work. Her attention to detail is amazing. Her enthusiasm is catching.

She's just finished an historical reproduction of a dress fashioned after a garment in a painting in the Washington National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC . Then she went into the gallery and made a video of the garment next to the painting with her sister modeling it. Brilliant.

How fun is that!

And that Friends, is what's happening on the rancho.

Where I'm taking time to be thankful and merry.

Hope you have a good week, I'll be by to visit!