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In This Issue-
Toothbrush Rugs
The Unique Spool
Auntie's Beads
Little Birdie Secrets
Story Corps
Holland Cox Handmade Classics
AirFare Watchdog
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Click for more info about
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Got Sewing Questions?
Need some Sewing Advice?
or do you just need someone to shoot the breeze with?
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Have your answer with the click of a mouse... (or cat)!
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could be just what you're looking for!
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May = Quilt Market
This has been our mantra for the past few weeks. For us, it's difficult to think of much else during the month of May, but Quilt Market is over until October, so life as we knew it can resume.
The Market had a positive, upbeat spirit this time, and we really enjoyed Minneapolis. If you've never been, check out this little slide show to get a taste of this fun city!
So whatcha say? Shall we proceed?
If you have comments or suggestions about our Newsletter, or if you just feel like telling us something, please feel free to do so at info@studiokatdesigns.com
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"Cats have it all- admiration, and endless sleep, and company only when they want it." Rod McKuen
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Remember those old-fashioned rag rugs your grandmother used to have? Well, Aunt Philly says that all you need to make what she refers to as a "Toothbrush Rug", is some torn strips of fabric and a toothbrush. There's no sewing involved, and the machine-washable rugs will last for years. Find out how to make one of these quick and easy projects by clicking here. You can also fashion an oval basket using the same technique.
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"Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
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Our May contest was very exciting! Thanks to everyone who participated in the voting and congratulations to our winner, Linda Hamelin of British Columbia, Canada. She wins a $20.00 SKD gift certificate and a permanent place of honorr on our website. Click here to see her winning entry,which is actually the first Boho Baguette that she ever made. And here's the deal, Linda has such fun making it, she's made a couple more. I can't decide whether I like this blue sample, or this stunning black & red one.(Good thing she's not eligible to win again for a year, right?)
The June Handbag of the Month contest promised to be just as exciting, so without further ado...Check out this month's nominees, then cast a vote for your favorite.
Think you've got what it takes to win?
Come on! Join in on the FUN!
To enter our"Handbag of the Month" contest,
And HERE are the fabulous entries for this month...
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Rena Andrews of Dallesport, WA created this lovely Presto Purse. She added beading to the front and back of the purse to provide interest.
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Marilyn Bond of Ontario, Canada is the mastermind behind this lovely Harmony Handbag. I love the color combination here. She liked the result so much, that she fashioned a matching PortaPockets Insert for it. (see below)
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Here's Marilyn's version of the PortaPockets Insert. She says she's amazed at how much she can pack into it, and loves moving it from purse to purse! |
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This vision in silk is the work of Teresa Hodgetts of Tasmania, AU. As far as I know, Teresa is the first person to have made up he SideKick as an evening bag. She accomplished this by purposely leaving off the check register sectiono completely. Here's an overhead view. This is such a genious idea. Great job Teresa. I wish i had thought of that myself! |
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This Lollapalooza has a definite 'SouthWest' flavor & was submitted by Jackie Priebe of Maquon, IL. She created it from fabric in her stash for her daughter to use with a PortaPockets Insert. I think it's pretty terrific-looking! |
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OK, ready to vote now?
Just click on the link below to cast your vote.
NEW THIS MONTH- Only one vote per MONTH, per email address is allowed.
and come back next month to see who the winner is!
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You can enjoy an insider's scoop to what's happening behind the scenes at StudioKat Designs, by signing up for our blog, "A Work In Progress". If you're new to our blog, or if you missed any of the posts from May, don't worry, they're all listed below.
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Most of you know that I love, love, LOVE a great ethnic print, but here's the deal... I have a really hard time finding them locally. So I have learned to let my fingers do the walking for me and recently stumbled across a gem of an internet store and guess what? Their specialty is ethnic prints from Africa, Australia and the Pacific Rim. I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate one of their fabulous sarong pieces into the new bag I am working on. There's also other very unique fabrics, as well as puppets, patterns and jewelry. |
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Occasionally folks write to me about where I find beads for the Boho Baguette, and if you can't find them locally like I do, Auntie's Beads is a terrific little online store with a huge selection of beads at a reasonable price. I think these round lampwork beads would accessorize the Boho in a unique way. And how about this large clay polymer beauty to set off your exterior? |
In honor of Father's Day- I think you'll enjoy this humorous video of various fathers 'helping' to change the baby. (My son-in-law is cedrtainly not like this, but my husband was this bad or WORSE!) Click here to watch. |
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Cat Video of the Month- MORE Conan, the kitten
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Based on the feedback I got last month, you guys enjoyed the Conan videos just as much as I did, and here he is again, and look what he's doing NOW! |
Here's another FUN blog with lots and lots of crafty ideas to try with step by step pictures. How could I resist these adorable "Purse"nality cards? And there's a video demo for making these beauteous paper roses which can be used to decorate packages. And just for the chocoholics amongst us, (count me in) here's a delightful recipe for a non-dairy mousse cake. |
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"All lasting business is built on friendship." Alfred A Montapert
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StoryCorps is a nonprofit organization that helps people share their life stories with friends, family and the community. (Here's a little video that will tell you it all started!)Their site features touching tales that have been recorded through the program, as well as instructions for producing your own. Listen to stories in such categories as Angels & Mentors, Sept 11, Growing Up and much more. Or, learn how to create a keepsake for Father's Day that will be cherished for years to come!
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New Word of the Month- Irritainment (ĭr'ĭ-tān'mənt)
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(n.) Entertainment that makes one irritated.
Example: I hate irritainment like the OJ trial and all those reality shows.
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Daring rodent shows puzzled leopard exactly who's boss by stealing its lunch!
It's not so much snatching victory from the jaws of defeat as dinner from the jaws of danger. Even the imposing presence of an adult leopard at feeding time is not enough to get between this plucky little mouser and a free lunch. Check it out by clicking here.
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If you don't have time at the moment to make a handbag, you might want to check out Holland Cox, where the entire collection is handmade by designer Valerie Williams. Holland Cox is about bright color, bold patterns, and unique silhouettes. The Weekender (pictured at left) is one of my favorites, but I also like these Envelope Clutches. I also found a pretty cool tutorial for a fabric gift bag if you are interested.
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Instead of buying exactly the amount of interfacing that the pattern calls for, buy several yards of varying weights and types. This way, if your first choice doesn’t work, you’ll have others on hand to experiment with.
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Did You Know?- that Coca Cola would be green if coloring weren't added to it?
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What's better than fast meals? SUPERfast meals! If you're looking for great food than can be prepared in 20 minutes or less, check out the wide variety of superfast suppers on the Cooking Light magazine site. Eash category ( pasta, sides, comfort foods, pork, Asian, and MORE) includes 20 recipes that get changed every two weeks. |
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Laugh Lines- the REAL art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment! (Oh, so true!)
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I found this cool story on the Cat's Meow Blog site. Did you know that natural hair and fur is being used to help mop up the oil spill disaster in the Gulf Coast. Read about it here. You can also use this convenient link to get your favorite salon or groomer signed up for the program! What a terrific idea!!!
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Many people are cutting back on expenses during these challenging economic times. But cutting back doesn't have to mean cutting out. Reducing travel costs, for example, can be easy with Air Fare Watchdog. Simply enter your travel request and the site finds all the great deals available. If you're less particular about your destination, check out the Top 50 Fares of the Day. |
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Cat Picture of the Month NEW-
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My Dad's been at it again, thanks this time for this cool cat cartoon.
(Click picture to see an enlarged view and to read the captions.)
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As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
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I know Father's Day is this month, and we want to show appreciation to the dads in our lives, but let's face it, there's truth in this cartoon. :)
(Click picture to see an enlarged view and to read the captions.)
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Today is June 5th, the 156th day of 2010. Can you believe that it was 54 years ago today, that Elvis Presley introduced his new single "Hound Dog" on the Milton Berle Show and scandalized the audience with his suggestive hip gyrations? (You can click here to SEE this historic performance.) It was also on this day in 1977 that the 1st personal computer, the Apple II went on sale. Just think how different the world is now, just because of these two events! It's also a pretty big day in Washington, DC today, and there might be some partying before it's over. Why? Because it's Second Lady Jill Biden's birthday today. She could be sharing her special day with saxophonist Kenny G, financial advisor Suze Orman, and actress Katherine Helmond (Debra's Mom on ' Everybody Loves Raymond'). Wouldn't THAT be an interesting party? And if today is also YOUR birthday, here's a great big 'Happy Birthday to YOU' from StudioKat Designs! And if today is not your birthday, which it probably isn't, you can celebrate the day anyway, by maybe watching some 'Raymond' reruns (one of my favorite shows), or maybe by doing a few gyrations of your own to some fine Kenny G tunes...it's your choice whether you gyrate alone or with someone else! :) |
Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
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