San Buenaventura Mission - Ventura California

I have neglected my blog terribly!  Just too much running around I suppose, but it sure is nice to do that.

Recently, on a visit to Ventura I went to the San Buenaventura Mission.  It is a lovely mission as well as an active Parish.  One Mass each Sunday is still celebrated in Latin.  I attended an English Mass, and then took pictures afterward that I am sharing with you.  I hope you enjoy them, and if you visit Ventura be sure to also visit the mission.

San Beunaventura Mission viewed from the park across the street.



Mission sign



Bell Tower and statue of Father Junipero Serra

Statue of Blessed Virgin Mary in garden

Lovely Courtyard Garden

Altar

Side entrance - See how thick the walls are

Around Los Angeles, Hollywood and Los Feliz

We have had such a great winter this year, and we have been enjoying it very much.  Here are a few pictures I took in Los Angeles, Hollywood and Los Feliz. I think the city is very interesting.

Cute restaurant in Los Angeles

Refreshments on a cart in Los Feliz

Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory - View from Barnsdall



Hollywood - Padlocks of Love?



Sidewalk Cafe - Los Feliz



Los Feliz Apartments

Old Los Feliz Theater



Mural on Side Wall of Theater



Have You Ever Made a Terrarium?

Back in the 1970s I used to make terrariums, and I have been wanting to make one for a while now.  Of course the selections of terrarium bottles back then was great.  I settled for a large canister/cookie jar.  I admit it was much easier to plant than one of the skinny neck ones I used to make.  Now I will have to work on getting the climate control correct so that it can maintain itself.

Road 2 California Quilt Show 2011

I cannot believe how long it has been since I last posted to my blog!  The old saying, time flies when you are having fun, applies here.  I have been enjoying my family and we have been doing things together in this beautiful Southern California weather.

My sister, Jodi, and I have an annual tradition of attending the Road 2 California quilt show.  If you ever have a chance to go, you will really enjoy it.

Jodi and Pallas Road 2 California 2011

I took pictures of some of the art quilts that interested me most, but there are numerous traditional quilts as well.  Click each picture for a larger and closer view.

Best of Show

Another highlight that we look forward to is the vendors.  Jodi is a traditional quilter, but I like to work with antique and vintage textiles.  There are vendors for both of us.  Here are the items I picked up:  vintage fabric, lace and French ribbon.

Treasure Box

While sharing my published wall hanging with a friend at Thanksgiving, she said that she had a large collection of photos and ephemera that she wanted to send to me if I wanted them.  If I wanted them - was there any question?  Thank you so much Gwen.

The package arrived a few days ago.  Want a peek inside?

There are photo albums and tapestries.



Handwritten diaries: 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927 & 1928 -  I believe these are all from the same person.

There are many Cabinet Cards.

Dozens of interesting snapshots.

Lots of ephemera - peering into past lives.

Don't you just love a treasure box?

Fabric Religious Icons

Recently, I sewed a few religious icons.  The images are of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus that are from a Lunagirl collage sheet.  I printed the image sheet onto a prepared fabric sheet.  I used vintage fabrics and other items to create each one.

Christmas Fabric Postcards

I made a few fabric Christmas postcards to send out this year - a little gift and greeting all in one.  There is just enough room to write a short message and address.  I like to make them simple with everything stitched down securely because they travel in the mail better that way.  I have mailed fabric postcards in the past with just a first class stamp.  However, I have had clerks charge the extra 'non machinable' postage which is currently 17 cents.  So, I plan to put two stamps on these to make sure I'm covered.  Since I am going to request a hand cancel, it helps to have the extra postage affixed, and to also mail them early before the Post Office is swamped.