My Studio Is A Much Better Place

Today was spent re-arranging the wire baskets that I use for my fabric stash and supplies. I now have a space for my sewing machine, computer and printers. I almost have everything back in the studio bit I am running out of storage space. I wish I had a room all to myself and not just a few feet in the dinning room. Someday after my sons finish school they will move out and I will get a room all to myself.

Tomorrow we will be spending the day at Great Lakes Naval Base with my sons NJROTC unit. We will be going out on Lake Michigan in an Assault Craft and having on BBQ on the beach. My son's unit does this 2 - 3 times a year. I went once last year and had a blast. As you can see from the photos we will get wet.
This is what the Assault Craft looks like.
This is my son talking to a fellow cadet.

Have A Great Weekend!

Debbi
dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)
©2006 - 2007 DubiQuilts

Todays Project - Clean My Studio

This is how my studio (dinning room) looked back in November 20, 2006 and the set up is still the same as of this morning. Now it is time to empty, rearrange and clean my studio. If you do not hear from me please send out the search team and save me. I hope to have everything back in its place by the weekend. I wonder how long it will be before the studio is a mess again.

Off to dinner and clean some more.

Debbi
dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)
©2006 - 2007 DubiQuilts

March Journal Quilt

This is my 12 X 12 X 12 Quilt Studio March Journal Quilt. My theme for the year is Family Tree. This month is the S****r Branch Two. This branch is DHs Mother's Family.

Click here to see January and February Journal Quilts.

Photo top left are DHs Grandmother and her sister. Middle top photo is DHs Great Grandparents and their children. DHs Grandfather is the youngest and is sitting on his mother's lap. Photo is from 1901. Top right photo is DHs Grandparent wedding on November 23, 1927. Bottom left is DHs grandmother. Middle photo is DHs Great Grandparents and their children, DHs Grandfather is youngest boy. Photo is from 1913. Bottom right is DHs Grandparents on September 1, 1960.

12 X 12
Fused and Machine Quilted
Commercial Fabrics
Scanned Photos
Printed Treasures Inkjet Printable Fabric Sheets
Sulky 40 100% Rayon Thread
Wonder Under Fusible Web
Cotton Batting

Details - DHs Grandfather is the youngest son and is sitting on His mom lap.

Back of Quilts

I will be adding names and dates at a later time.

Debbi
dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)
©2006 - 2007 DubiQuilts

WIP - Wednesday 03-09-2007

I have been offline for the past 3 days, because of hardware problem so I am trying to catch up.

I am making a few quilt tops for Quilt Studio Quilt of Valor Female Project and these are the fabrics I am going to use.
I have over 100 email messages and over 500 blogs to read. I hate being offline for such a long time. I wish I could say I did alot in my sewing room but I spent most of the time dealing with caffeine withdrawals headaches.

Thank-you everyone who left comments about my wooden spools and Shamrock Wall Quilt.

Now it is time to read emails and blogs. I will try to comment as time permits.

Have A Great Day and Weekend!

Debbi
dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)
©2006 - 2007 DubiQuilts

February Journal Quilt - Finished

This is my finished 12 X 12 X 12 Quilt Studio February Journal Quilt. The theme for my Journal Quilts is Family Tree. Click here to see January's Journal Quilt. This month is the B****e Family Branch One. The Photos are DH Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Aunt and Dad. The older photos are from the early 1900s and are tin plates. The other photos are black and white. I scanned all the photos and tin plates with my Epson CX4800 ink jet 3 in one scanner,printer and copier. I was surprise how well they all scanned. I am having a problem with the black cartridge so I used my HP7350 to print the photos. I wanted to do crazy quilt blocks and use the stitches on my New Home, Memory Craft 8000 sewing machine.

12 X 12

Fused and Machine Quilted

Commercial Fabrics

Scanned Photos and Tin Plate Photos

Printed Treasures Inkjet Printable Fabric Sheets

Sulky 40 100% Rayon Thread

Wonder Under Fusible Web

Cotton Batting

Tin Plate Photo - Great Grandma Bertha

Tin Plate Photo - Great Grandma Bertha and Great Grandpa Wilhelm's Wedding

DH's Dad, Aunt, Grandma and Grandpa

This is the back and I will be adding names, birth, death and wedding dates.

Have A Great Day!

Debbi

dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)

Emails, Blogs and February Journal Quilt

Today I read and read emails and blogs. It was well after 2:00PM when I finished.

I also finished my Quilt Studio February Journal Quilt. My reveal date is Wednesday so you need to check back to see what I did.

I was also behind on reading the US mail. I did get a package from Julaine from Julaine In Fiberspace blog with pieces of Tyvek and Angelina --Thank-you! I always wanted to try both but did not know where to get small samples.

I also got a package from Joanna from SerenityisBliss blog with Joanna's hand dyed cotton and silk fabrics -- Thank-you! As soon as I saw the fabric on Joanna's blog I accepted the challenge. When I opened the package today I knew just what I was going to do with the fabrics. I did my sketch today and now I have to cut the fabrics. Joanna gave me enough fabric to make her a postcard and I will also have enough left over for a small art quilt. I may use the same design for both. I am also going to use Julaine's Tyvek and Angelina on these projects.

Tuesday I am going to work on my siggy blocks so I can get them in the mail this week. I have 5 packages to mail by the end of the week. With the bad weather here in Chicagoland I will have alot of sewing and studio time.

Thank-you everyone who has commented the past few days about my postings. I will get back in the comment routine for your blogs on Tuesday.

Until then I Hope Everyone Has A Great Evening!

Debbi

dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)

Use the Stash Challenge and Journal Quilt

These fabric have been in my stash for only one years. I decided to cut 1/8 yard of each fabric for Judy's February Use The Stash Challenge. I am using the fabric in my 12 X 12 X 12 Quilt Studio February Journal Quilt.


This is going to be a busy weekend. On Saturday # 2 son has a NJROTC Drill Meet. This meet is a home meet so DH and I will be working at the meet. We have to leave early because #1 son also has a gymnastics meet.

Today I am going to finish the cushion straps for my client. I wanted to go to bed early tonight because the alarm clock will be set for 4AM but the drill meet setup is at 8pm tonight.

Have a Great Weekend!

Debbi
dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)

WIP Wednesday 01-31-2007

I am working on Valentine Post Cards. Some will go to Walter Reid Hospital for injured service men and women. Other will be gifts. I will be using the floss and beads I purchased last week on some of the cards. This one is made with commercial fabrics that I had in my stash and the bat is Peltex. I also have cut my bright hand dyes. Another stash buster project.

Over the weekend my husband got 4 boxes down from the attic. All four boxes are filled with photos and old papers from DHs family. Almost all of the photos are loose have no names or dates. DHs Grandma did make albums that have names and dates. These three photos have no names or dates. DHs grandma was a quilter and made a lot of hand stitched towels, table cloths, and pillow cases but this is not her.


Unlike my family who lost almost all their important papers and photos in a flood DH has papers and photos going back to the 1800s. What history I have is also limited because my

great-grandparents and grandparents left Russia and Poland with only the clothes on their backs.

I am working on my February 12 X 12 12 Journal Quilt for the Quilt Studio Challenge. January was titled "Family Tree" and February is DHs "Grand Parents Branch".

Have A Great Day!

dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)

Today Is My One Year Blogiversary

I can not believe one year ago today I wrote my first post. I never dreamed how much fun I would have blogging, how many new people I would meet, how my quilting would change and how much I have learned.

From the bottom of my heart I want to say Thank-you to everyone who I have met during my blog journey through out the world.

As I look back at my posts from the past year and the journal of my life I am filled with great sadness. The year started out like any other year peaceful and then it all went to hell. My husband lost his job, my son blew out his knee requiring two surgeries, and my mom after a 6 week battle lost her life to lung cancer.

The joy in my life is what I have accomplished with my sewing, quilting and art. I have learned new techniques, I have participated in block swaps, pincushion swap and many charitable projects. Eight of my doggie paper pieced blocks with be turned into a quilt that will hang in a new Humane Society building in Michigan.

I am a member of Quilt Studio an online blog group created by Debra Spincic. Currently I am participation in the 12 X 12 X 12 Journal Quilt project. This summer, fall and winter I will be joining the 40 Quilt Service Project.

Another part of this group is the Quilter's Lounge which I am not participation in but I have made many changes to improve my health. The members of this group are a great inspiration to me and I have stopped drinking a 12 pack of Diet Cherry Coke per day and have replaced all but one can of Diet Cherry Coke with four to five bottles of water a day. I am working on improving my diet and getting more exercise each day.

This year will be filled with milestones for myself and my family. My twin brother and I turn 50 in February, our oldest son turns 21 in March and our youngest son turns 16 in April.

Even if I am sad most days I have a lot to be thankful for and I always remember some others have it much worst then I do.

Have A Great Day!

Debbi

dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)

WIP Wednesday 01-24-2007

Another practice quilt for my next 12 X 12 X 12 Quilt Studio project. I am not sure what I am going to do with this little piece but it needs to be quilted. The white lines are from the Clover White Marking Pen I got from Mrs. Goodneedle. This is a very cool marking pen.

Have A Great Day!

Debbi

dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)

January Journal Quilt - Finished

My January Journal Quilt is finished.

12 X 12

Hand Dye Cotton Muslin

Commercial Fabric

Scanned and Printed Images on Printed Treasures Inkjet Printable Fabric Sheets

Fused, Hand Quilted and Machine Quilted

Aida 11 Count Cross Stitch Charles Craft Classic Reserve Fabric

Hand Stitching with floss

Name List
Part of hand stitched name and flower.
Back with pocket for copies of important papers and photos.
Here are the steps to making this journal:

1) Scanned scrapbooking paper and downloaded to Photoshop Elements. Changed some of the colors with Photoshop and printed on Printed Treasures Sew-On Inkjet Fabric Sheets. Fused the back of these sheets with Wonder Under. Cut and fused together to create a 12 X 12 background. Fused Top to cotton batting.

2) Fused Wonder Under to my hand dye fabrics. Cut tree and leaves shapes fused to background. Hand stitched background around of tree and leaves with 3 strands of blue variegated floss. Free hand machine stitched the tree trunk and branches. Drew lines on leaves with black, brown and rust Micron Pigma pen.

3) Stitch names on cross stitch fabric with 3 strands of orange variegated floss. Fused to back of cross stitch fabric and fused to background. Stitch 4 corners with 3 strands of black floss. Glued on cotton flower.

4) Printed name list on my hand dye fabrics. Fused to background.

5) Sewed fabric pocket to right side of back. Fused top with batting to back.

6) Fused binding and machine stitched.

7) I need to print label and fuse to back.

Each month I wanted to learn and use new techniques. This month the new techniques I used are scanning scrapbooking paper and changing the colors in Photoshop, printing on Printed Treasures Fabric Sheets, hand quilting with floss, using Wonder Under and doing a fusible binding. The most important technique was I FINISHED A QUILT.

Have A Great Day!

Debbi

Small Steps

I am moving very slow with my 12 X 12 X 12 January Journal Quilt. Each month I wanted to try new techniques and with the holidays I did not start my journal until the beginning of January. I am not sure I will finish by my reveal date but that is OK with me.

I have completed 10 red string blocks and have 10 blue blocks to go. I am really enjoying making these blocks because it gives my mind a time out break. After I finish the 20 blocks for the Heartstring Quilt Project I am going to continue making blocks and will save them for later. I hated having UFOs and now I do not mind having them.

Last night was the Parents Meeting and Awards Night for my sons NJROTC unit. My son and his cadet mate just received awards for participation in unit activities. They both are standing at attention and I asked them to smile.

Have A Great Day and Have Fun!

Debbi

WIP Wednesday 01-03-2007

Quilt Studio - Wednesday WIP - 12 x 12 x 12 "Family" Journal Quilt

This is the sketch for my January Journal Quilt
This is my January Journal Quilt. My theme is Family and I am starting with a Family Tree. The area to the right of the tree will have a list of all our names and birth/death dates. I will add a label in the green area under the tree. After that I am not sure what is next.

Have A Great Evening!

Debbi

What I Did the Past Week - Sleep and Sleep

I am so lost I do not know where to begin. I spent last week sleeping most of the days. My husband was home all week. He also spent most of his days sleeping, thanks to the pain pills. He was able to pass 2 small kidney stones on friday night. He still has 1 big one and few smaller ones. If he does not pass the big one in the next few days he will have surgery later this week. In the 21 years that we have been married he has only missed a few days of work and now he has been home 6 days.

What have I missed the past 2 week (To-Do-List When I feel Better):
1). Quilt Studio - WIP from last week - I did nothing but sleep

2). Quilt Studio - 12 X 12 Challenge - I need to read about this because

I want to join. Maybe my theme will be stars or heart using different

surface materials each month. My hand dyes, paints, fabrics and other materials.

3). Quilt Studio - 40 Quilts Service Project
4). Decide what to do with Octobers Judys Leaf Challenge - Who to quilt the top
5). Finish Novembers Judys Challenge
6). Red, White, Blue Honor 9 patch blocks
7). Finish wall quilts from class in October

Thank-you everyone who have left comments and well wishes the past few weeks. You all are great friends!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week I feel much better and will be reading blogs and leaving comments.

Have A Great Day!

Debbi