Newsletter March 07-StudioKat Designs

March 2007

The StudioKat Designs Newsletter
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HELLO and Welcome!-It's March! The days are getting longer, winter is losing it's grip (at least here in North Carolina, it was 70 yesterday!), and best of all, March Madness is around the corner. I love March!! I've been real busy this month, and I've got a lot of fun stuff for you, so let's proceed!
Also, especially for the convenience of our friends at Pattern Review & AOL, all of the hotlinks are listed in order at the bottom of this letter, and as always, if you prefer, you can go to www.studiokatdesigns.com/mar07.htm to see the online version of the newsletter.

Feline Quote for March-
"A dog will flatter you- but you have to flatter a cat." George Mikes

New on my Website!-
Just in case you missed it last month, our website was featured in Sew News Magazine! It was a really exciting surprise for us! Click here to read all about it!

Those fun gals at Common Threads in Connecticut have been at it again with another "Sew Fun" Day. This time they were all working on the Vervalise pattern, and here's the results! Good job girls!

And while we're on the subject of busy girls, Peg Rice, (one of my pattern testers), has been working her fingers to the bones! As a matter of fact, the WHOLE FIRST ROW of the "Hall of Fame" page is hers now! Don't you just love her red Odyssey bag?

And finally, enjoy this story and video sent in by alert reader, Robin Smith, of Lehi, Utah. Evidently this couple kept getting HUGE water bills. They knew beyond a doubt that the bills weren't representative of their actual usage, but no matter how they tried to conserve, the high bill continued. Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems- all to no avail. One day the husband was home sick and stayed home in bed, but kept hearing water running downstairs. He finally tore himself from his sick bed to investigate, and stumbled onto the cause of the high water bills. Apparently this was happening all day long when they were not at home. Knowing that few would believe him, he taped a segment of the "problem" for posterity. Now watch the video.

New at StudioKat Designs- The Odyssey pattern is HERE!
Today is the official release day for my new design, The Odyssey. I think you'll really like this new pattern. You can make it a backpack with adjustable side straps providing a perfect fit, no matter what you're wearing, OR, for those times when security is a must, simply reconfigure the back pack straps, convert your bag, and wear it "shoulder style". Alternatively, you can just make your Odyssey a shoulder bag, with a conventional shoulder strap, for an "anything-but-conventional" shoulder bag.
You can keep your valuables secure in two roomy exterior compartments, or use the concealed storage that's sandwiched in-between, boasting an easy-to-reach phone pocket, credit card holders, an ID window, and room for makeup, keys and MORE!
And here's the deal. From now until the end of March, you can get $2.00 off the $12.00 retail price of the Odyssey. Simply type SKD13 in the Coupon Code box at checkout to receive your discount. Or, if you prefer, you can send a check for $10.00 to the address below. (Don't forget to include your pattern request as well as the SKD13 code in the reference line of the check.)

StudioKat Designs
137 S. Hemingway Ct.
Advance, NC 27006

A NEW "Kat trick"! The "Bull's Eye" Trick
Here's the fifth in the Kat Trick series of embellishment technique handouts, highlighting the exterior featured on the Odyssey cover bag. I think you'll have fun with this one, so give it a try? You need to download page 1, and page 2.
And remember, if you hate downloading things on the Internet, or if you're still using a S-L-O-W dial-up connection, just send me a SSAE, along with $1.00, and I'll be glad to send you a copy!

Quotation of the Month-
"A printer consists of three main parts: The case, the jammed paper tray, and the blinking red light!" Dave Barry

Surf HERE for Neat INFO!- Get A Passport Now.Com
In a effort to enhance security and efficiency at U.S. Borders, new passport requirements went into effect on January 23, 2007. All air travelers entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) must now show a passport, even if they are U.S. citizens. The Travel Industry Association recently launched this "one-stop shopping" site to simplify the process for passport applications. It features links to appropriate agencies for U.S., Canadian, and Mexican citizens and explains how and where to get a passport. Check it out here.

Cats in the News-
Alert reader, Peg Rice of Westport Island, Maine, sent in this heart-warming & politically current story of feline tolerance.
"Seems that one week after being born, six baby skunks were abandoned by their mother. Luckily" said the writer, "we had just weaned 5 kittens off of our resident farm cat a day before and hoped she might be willing to take them on as her own. She was reluctant at first, but she let them nurse- a postive sign. Two weeks have gone by and the six little "stinkers" are thriving, and their new Mom couldn't be happier. She has become quite devoted to them, and even carries them around to show off to visitors! Check out the pictures, here .

Love Handbags?- TwoBusyBees.Com
Here's a great website featuring original handbags, wallets, hair pins, clip sacks, brooches, and individually handcrafted from vintage fabrics, jewelry & notions, especially designed for today's moderns. I especially like the clip sacks. "What the heck is a clip sack?", you might ask? Well, I'll tell ya. They are cute little storage packs for cell phones and Ipods, with a swivel clasp for attaching them to belt loops, purse straps or anywhere else handy! A fun little gift for your young person!

Did You Know-February 27th was International Polar Bear Day ?
February 27th is International Polar Bear Day, a great time to learn more facts about our furry friends. For example, the five "polar bear nations" in which the bears are found, include the U.S. (Alaska... and Oswego County, NY of late), Canada, Russia, Denmark (Greenland), and Norway. Explore www.polarbearsinternational.org , to check out common myths and misconceptions about polar bears, see the photo and video gallery, and find out how you can support polar bear conservation projects.

SKD Promotions Update-We're Hopping again in March!
If you enjoyed the FabShopHop in January, then you're gonna LOVE the Fashion Shop Hop this month! That's right, there's a new hop in our step this time. Some of the best independent design shops in the country have signed on, featuring fashionable merchandise in apparel, quilting, and home-dec, and YOU'RE invited to check 'em all out! Two sewing machines will be given away, along with countless other e-certificates. Click here for more information. You can also click here to see a list of all the shops that are participating. You can register anytime for the hop by clicking here. Come on! Get hoppin and sign up NOW!

Surf HERE for FUN!- Hot Recipes for Cold Weather
Gathered here are the 10 favorite recipes for winter meals- hearty comfort foods guaranteed to warm up your spirits on even the coldest days. There's mexican Pizza, Slow Cooker Chicken Curry, Swiss Eggs, Herbed Oatmeal Bread, Monte Cristo Sandwiches, Crock-pot Beef Stoganoff, Indulgent Mac & Cheese, and MORE! If you're not hungry now, you will be, after getting a taste of this site !

Question of the Month-
What happens when you cross a lollipop with a rabbit?
You get a sucker born every minute!

Monthly Trivia- Did you know that March is National Craft Month? What a great time to start a new project, or learn a new craft! For some great ideas, try I-Craft.Com. Better yet, pick a project and teach it to a kid! March is also National Write a Letter of Appreciation" month, to encourage us all to send a letter expressing your gratitude to others, maybe to someone who took a special interest in us along the way?

On a musical note, on this day, 47 years ago, Elvis Presley touched down in Scotland after serving his military time in Germany, enroute to America. Elvis disembarked to talk with waiting fans and then returned to the plane. It was the only time he ever set foot on British soil, as Elvis never performed outside of North America. Interesting!

March 2nd is the birthday of songstress, Karen Carpenter (1950), Desi Arnaz (1917), & also Jon Bon Jovi (1962). They're in good company, since today is also the birthday of one of my all-time favorite authors, Dr. Seuss (1904)! And if today is YOUR birthday, here's a great big StudioKat Designs "Happy Birthday" to you!!! And if today is not your birthday, you can still have a fun day! Just remember...

"Today you are you,
that is truer than true.
There is no one alive
who is youer than YOU!"

Theodore Geisel, (otherwise known as Dr. Suess)

Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!

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