Debi Hubbs Illustration

Myrtle Bee McFrizzle & Ginger Her Cat

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:39:10 +0000

At sea in the summer sunshine
fresh bread maybe even some wine
She has dreams you see
for fish fricassee
While the cat thinks canned tuna is fine.

Owl Art

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:52:14 +0000

The Hooters
A new original and prints now available.

Inspired by Katwise…The Fabulous Dogwise Doodie

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:00:16 +0000

Now that I am designing fabric I feel a big desire to sew all the time. I have a charming machine sitting here. Tons of fabric. I see so many amazing quilts that inspire me all the time to put my sewing expertise to good use. Well maybe not “Good”, but to use. Let me tell you a bit about my sewing experience. Each summer my Mom took me to the fabric store and I would get to pick out an “SEW EASY” pattern. We both entered that state of “shoppers high” that only true gatherers can understand as we shopped the fabric store for patterns and fabric. I was full of anticipation as I would sew those draw-string shorts or stuffed animal, purse, etc. Later, as I pinned the fabric to the patterns I would get her annual uplifting speech…. “Sewing is like life… blah blah blah.” I never heard the rest because I was thinking about flooring that sewing machine into warp speed and putting on my new shorts. Still in a hurry, I chopped most of those triangle thingies off the pattern as I was cutting out the pieces. Oops, another one down! I ignored the iron completely (just as I still do). And then I sat down to the sewing machine and began. The glorious hum started which quickly turned into a whirl and whiz of machine sewing fabric until the horrible sound of thread becoming a birdsnest and the machine winding down to a solid buzz. Then a halt. The lovely speech from Mom again as I was removing the stitches while she tried to fix the machine. Or probably her doing both of those while I tuned out her speech. Over and over. Cut to a few hours later and I was probably riding my horse as my Mom sewed my shorts. It took a full year for us both to erase the misery of my yearly summer sewing lesson and then we would go back to the fabric store again pretending this would be the year I would learn to sew.

But now that I am beginning to grow up I figure it is time to learn to sew. This was the final nudge. I see these cute hoodie/sweater/coats by Katwise. Look how cool she looks.

And I really wanted to make one. But… I need a ton of sweaters, a serger, and lets be honest I needed to know how to use a serger. But does this stop me? NO. I have a bona fide brainstorm! I decide the next best thing is to make a Katwise inspired Hoodie but turn it into a Dogwise Doodie.

A Dogwise Doodie is a hoodie for a dog without the hood and instead has a turtleneck because thats what I have. And isn’t made of sweaters because I only have other fabrics laying around. And isn’t remotely like the Katwise sweater but I still call it that because “Dogwise Doodie” is kinda cute, especially since Pebbles is very wise and likes to dole out fortunes and advice.

And here is how it started. I went to buy sewing stuff. I bought some nice scissors. And I got one of these. Hoping I wouldn’t need it.

*Step one. Cut out strips.

*Step two. Sew strips with no plan. Now this is what I call sewing! La Dee Da!!! I am a seamstress!!! I even found reverse!

*Step three. Perform a fitting. Pebbles is not much help. I decide to cut a shirt down the middle so it fits her better and figure the rest out as I go. I keep sewing strips. I even put ends on some and called them sleeves.

*Step four. Become horrified as the bobbin runs out of thread. And I mean horrified because I don’t remember how to do all of that bobbin business. Truth be told I am using the exact thread that was in the machine and bobbin because I was too scared to try to change it.

*Step five. Find the manual. Look at this happy Bee giving me bobbin and threading directions. He is no help. After some coaxing, begging and threatening, I heard a click as the thread went down in the bobbin area somewhere. I took it as a good sign. Back in business! Sewing is like life. Sometimes threats work.

*Step six. Sewing strips is still fun but when I finish each row I have a few extra threads to cut. Instead of 2, I end up with 3. Sometimes 4. I just tugged those threads off the machine and pretended that was normal.

*Step seven. After a large birdnest size thread ball I admit I have issues below that hood there. I decide to call my Mom. Over the phone I swear I hear her excitement. She is so thrilled to be giving me sewing advice! ha ha! I kinda zoned out on her instructions so I got this guy to help me.

*Step eight. For some reason the machine is working. I have no idea why. And no extra threads. I attached the sleeves and had another fitting. Pebbles is impressed.

But she did say it was tight on her underarms. So I just cut the shirt in half again. And added a racing stripe.

*Step nine. I made some sort of bottom and used the bottom from the cut up shirt for the end of the doodie so I would not have to hem. I hate hemming. Same with the sleeves.

*Step ten. I realize the doodie is kind of ugly and decide I will worry about that tomorrow.
To be continued…

PS (The coolest thing I discovered about making the Dogwise Doodie was it gave me something to do while I wait for the sun to come up. I am such a morning person. But I cannot paint until the sun actually rises. I have no idea why. I have electricity so it’s not that. Just an odd thing. Anyway, this sewing is fun at dark so how nice to have something to do at 4 am besides going to the gym.)

Gum Gum

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:26:23 +0000

Update. I caved and bought this. A 6 foot statue replica from the Easter Island Moai. Some people call him Gum Gum from the movie Night at the Museum.

I just love it. One of those purchases you never regret.

I have been redoing the back yard. At a snails pace really but some progress has been done.
Added a beach… which is so cool.

Fountain…

Still need the grass, palapa tops, and more landscaping. And tikis!

So, I saw some cute tikis at a nursery and the owner said a local man could make me some. I gave her my phone number and asked her to tell him to call me next time he made some. One day I got the call. “Yeah this is Bob. You can pick up your tikis. I live in Guatay.” (Eeks Guatay! The middle of no-where, and famous because this man lives there…

Also famous for being a remote town without laws and random body parts being found on occasion. Ok, a slight exaggeration on the body parts, but they probably just have not been found yet.)

Bob’s directions to his house sounded like a horror film plot. He said, Go to the liquor store, turn left down the road. I live in a cabin. If you get lost ask for Bob…….The Carver. The directions were vague but I guess I could just stop and ask Tiger Man where Bob the Carver lived if I got lost. I began to wonder how fast I could run. As I drove there I went over his directions again in my mind. Turn left on isolated dirt road,

ask for directions if needed,

and you are here….

But what actually happened was I met this nice guy Bob and he gave me these.

Swamp People

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:09:32 +0000

I have been working a lot doing things like this…

and some of this…

and more of this…

After working more than normal I usually like to relax for a day or two. The plan was to lay in bed, eat snacks and enjoy doing nothing. I would watch TV and read. It started out nicely as indulgence is my specialty but next thing you know I was watching Swamp People. When I caught myself beginning the 4th episode of that series I realized it was time to get out of bed and get myself some overalls. I mean why not just wear cutoff overalls everyday? Shoes and shirt optional. The highlight of the show is Theresa, who is Junior’s wife. What a woman. I am very fond of her. She cooks whatever they catch and that is some creative cooking. All of their food is caught from that swamp and she rarely gets to shop the Piggly Wiggly. I heard her saying something about Mud Hen for breakfast but they did not elaborate on that.

One night after Junior finished his dinner he TOLD her to get him some coffee. Well, Theresa was still eating her Swamp Turtle Stew over by herself at the table. And in a Cajun growl she let Junior know she was still eating and that was that. Junior just shut his mouth and shrank down a bit in his chair. I should record that show now that I think about it. Watch a bit of Theresa here. And get a pen and paper because you may want to write down her recipe for Swamp Turtle Stew. I think someone should put Theresa in Martha Stewart’s opening time slot for a hot new cooking show. And I am 100% serious.

http://www.history.com/shows/swamp-people/videos/swamp-stew#swamp-stew

Some of my recipes. Marinated Chicken…

I have been cooking some gourmet food myself lately. Beans. I just really like them.
I cook…
1 can of red beans (rinsed really well because what is that stuff?)
1 small onion
1/2 ish can fire roasted diced tomatoes (and I just waste the rest because I can’t find smaller cans and I’m too lazy to put the rest in a container.)
mushrooms or red peppers or zuccinni if they are easy to grab. If not, eh, no bother.
Brown the onion(and other veggies) in a TINY bit of olive oil. I mean a whisper of oil, you can add a tiny bit of water if you need to.
Add the tomatoes. Stir around.
Add the beans. Cook a few minutes while stirring. Add some some spices.
Then add feta cheese and hot sauce if you like it. I add Cholula.
This tastes great with eggs for breakfast. Or just eat this for breakfast. OK, I realize I am not as creative as Theresa from Swamp People. If you feel like you need to fancy these beans up just add turtle. Or some salad.

Back to my days of indulgence. After getting out of bed I accidentally got hooked on ….. finding my ancestors. I am on ancestry.com nonstop. Oh so interesting! I have started my family tree and cannot believe how cool that site is. It is very helpful and you will realize that complete strangers (but probably somehow related) have done most of your work. I will fill you in with some of my colorful relatives sometime.

Other obsessions:
Traveling. Reading about traveling, reading peoples traveling blogs. Well, this isn’t a new obsession but it is still going strong.
House Hunters International. Along with Big Bang Theory this is my very favorite show.
Dance Moms (Yeah I know, but I can’t stop watching it.)
And I kind of want to buy a house in Hawaii. On the big island. So I look at the homes there everyday and cannot decide on the wet side of the island or the dry side.
And lastly, I am obsessed with Space Bags. I am in love with them really. I redid my closet and space bagged all the clothes I don’t really wear. And I got those cool black velvet hangers. And now I smile when ever look at my closet. Space Bagging is underrated.

Donna Seegmueller Creations

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:22:40 +0000

Donna Seegmueller sent me these images and I had to share them. How cute and what a great idea. Love it! Here is what she did…

Donna: I want to share with you a creation I made using Debi Hubbs design, The Picnic, which I purchased at the Quilt Loft in Albany Oregon during the “sew Oregon” event in October 2011. Using a pattern (Simplicity Quick& Quilted project, 1981) from something I made many years ago, I adapted the design to create a picnic map and two placemats.

I think it will make a perfect Christmas gift for friends who love crows and watermelon.

Plant people

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:10:03 +0000

Recently I visited (with a family member who I am not allowed to discuss on this website but I will volunteer that this certain family member was mildly disgruntled over attending the garden with me but seeing as it was my birthday grumbled along which actually made the garden a bit more entertaining.) Anyway, I like a good plant and clever landscape but when I saw this I was really impressed. I don’t know who made these, or how, and am too lazy to look it up but here they are. Plant people…

A dancing couple.

A high stepping lady.

And I guess when those dancers get thirsty they have a cocktail waitress ready to serve them.

Tudfwich P. Thompson

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:02:43 +0000

I was just going to show you my latest turkey that is one of the stars in my new ecards. Tudfwich P. Thompson. This is him here…

And this is him on a bad day…..

Anyway while I was thinking of names I remembered my alias that I use in order to travel freely and not cause a big stir. (Fame can be so taxing.) I thought I would offer my special system I used to create my alias in case you too want to go about unnoticed. Here is the formula so you can make yours…

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your NEW first name. Mine is B. Example: d e B i B= Doombah

a = snickle
b = doombah
c = goober
d = cheesey
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = dumbo
h = farcus
i = dorky
j = doofus
k = funky
l = boobie
m = sleezy
n = sloopy
o = fluffy
p = stinky
q = slimy
r = dorfus
s = snooty
t = tootsie
u = dipsy
v = sneezy
w = liver
x = skippy
y = dink y
z = zippy

2. There will be two halves of your last name. For the first half use the second letter of your last name: Mine is U. Example: hUbbs = Chuckle

a = dippin
b = feather
c = batty
d = burger
e = chicken
f = barffy
g = lizard
h = waffle
i = farkle
j = monkey
k = flippin
l = fricken
m = bubble
n = rhino
o = potty
p = hamster
q = buckle
r = gizzard
s = lickin
t = sn ickle
u = chuckle
v = pickle
w = hubble
x = dingle
y = gorilla
z = g irdle

3. And for the last step. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name: For example: huBbs= boob

a = butt
b = boob
c = face
d = nose
e = hump
f = breath
g = pan ts
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = head
l = tush
m = chunks
n = dunkin
o = brains
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = doodle
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = frack
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = hiney
z = juice

And now you see how I can go about without causing any attention.

Warmest Blessings,

Doombah Chuckleboob

Look at this!

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:32:20 +0000

I just can’t believe how glorious this quilt is! It’s hard to express how amazing it feels to see a painting of mine eventually turn into something as wonderful as a quilt. And to see so many of my patterns all together in one fabulous piece is so exciting. I really, really, love it. I was hoping it was for sale when I contacted Lorrie Hockett. But darn it, it sits on one of her beds.

Lorrie explained to me that she created it along with Carole Moseley. Fantastic job both of you!

Lorrie said:

My walls are full of quilts so rather than make yours into wall hangings I put them together as a quilt, with the bright colors it is a very fun quilt to have on the bed. I added the plastic eyes, embroideried the names of each block, used fur fabric for the cows and used some decorative stitches on each block for added interest, I like to embelish my projects to make them more unique/individual. your patterns are so fun to sew and quilt, keep them coming!I have entered it in 2 shows and will do some more with it. After the applique’, it was turned over to Carole Moseley to do the quilting.

Carole said about quilting:

I have been a longarm quilter for several years and love doing custom work with no restraints. When I received Lorries quilt I could not believe my eyes. It made me happy the whole time I was quilting it. She is a beautiful quilter and excellent at appliqués. She gave me permission to do what I would like on the quilt. Each block was quilted with what I saw in that block. It was hard not to smile each time I looked at it. Thank you Lorrie for letting me quilt this fantastic quilt.

Latest Obsessions

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:29:39 +0000

Latest Obsessions…

1. Planters 5 Alarm Chili Peanuts. I have been putting them all over my nonfat cottage cheese, my salads, and soup. And in between this I eat them from the jar and then lick the spicy dust stuff off the palm of my hand like a 4 year old would.

2. Easter Island Giant Statue… Need I say more? I just want this really, really badly.

Ok, so it is $995. That is the rub. Also, I kinda want a few of them. Which really sounds expensive. I have unrealistically decided I just may make them myself. Seems like I could make some huge ones in paper mache, add a bit of chicken wire, and then add concrete. Or? That is where I get stuck. What do you put on the outside? Stucco? If you have any ideas I would love to hear from you.

3. Mermaids. Again.

4. My piano. I am becoming a self-taught pianist. I was a bit down the first day or two when I realized I am not a prodigy. And reading music is HARD. Getting my left hand and right hand to do two different things is like tapping the top of your head with one hand and rubbing a circle on your stomach with the other hand and easing on the gas pedal, while saying the alphabet backwards. In Italian. But, I keep practicing, and after 5 days I can now bust out Jingle Bells. I visualize this Christmas I am going to amaze my guests with first having a piano, and second, playing it. I see myself nonchalantly playing tunes like Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirates Life For Me and Song from a Secret Garden.
And the crowd will go wild.