StudioKat News                   March 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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"I subscribe to many newsletters, but yours is the only one I read and click on many of the links. I look forward to it every month."
Mary Ann McGrath

Hello and Welcome-
It's March, and if you're thinking that probably means we're close to a new pattern release, you are RIGHT! We delivered all our print items to the printer a little earlier this week, so everything is "GO" for an April 8th launch of our new design, "The Guardian". We've included plenty of info about it and LOTS more goodies below, but FIRST, here's a cute little video of my grandson enjoying a rare occurence in Charlotte, NC.... SNOW! Click HERE to watch, then we'll get started!
 
If you have comments or suggestions about our Newsletter, please feel free to do so at info@studiokatdesigns.com
 
 
 
 
 
 "Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
Congratulations to Patti Kish of Aurora, CO, the winner of our February Handbag of the Month contest! She wins a $25.00 SKD gift certificate and a permanent place of honor on our website. Click here to see her fabulously feline Carolina CarryAll!
 
February's contest was a blast, but March promises to be a tight race, so without further adieu, check out this month's nominees, then cast a vote for your favorite.

(Click each individual picture for a larger view)

First up, isn't the fabric on this stunning Uptown Saddlebag fabulous? Noreen Saukko of North Pole, AK is a longtime customer of ours and she says she picked up this fabric on Etsy! Normally I would say it might be impossible to find a zipper that would look good with this fabric but the black & white striped zippers look just right, don't cha think? (Here's further evidence on the Bag back.)
 
And Catherine de la Cruz of Santa Rosa, CA has also made LOTS of our handbags but says that this sunrise Baggalista may well be her favorite of ALL of them. This is actually a shot of the Bag Back, but I'm CRAZY for the way Catherine pieced it! Here's a shot of the Front Flap, also expertly pieced!
 
 
 
When I first saw this floral Boho Baguette created by Wanda White of Charleston, WV I didn't think this was one of our designs, but then Wanda explained that she preferred the look of her bag with the top scalloped edge turned down and buttoned in place. You like?
 
 Lucille Burgess of Chester, CA said she found the main fabric for this Lollapalooza at a home decorating store in Reno & combined it with the brown suede cloth print for this ingenious combo look! (Here's a great side view.) Lucille also made the complimentary beads which match so perfectly and added that although her fabric choices made the construction a bit challenging, she has truly enjoyed carrying it.
 
 
 
 
 
A self-described beginner, Liz Flynn did an awesome job making her Trifecta, which is one of our toughest patterns! She was so pleased with the result that she made a matching wallet to go with her new bag!  :)
 
 
Kay Hersh of Highland Heights, OH is a fabric fanatic with a particular penchant for Amy Butler prints as you can see. She chose one of my favorites to use in this inspiring Harmony Handbag. I think this bag would even make Amy smile, don't you?
 
 
Eileen Weston who lives way up in the far north of Scotland usually makes her bags from quilt scraps but bought these purple and green batiks especially for this delightful DittyRoo. She used our strip-piecing tutorial to fashion the exterior and here's closeup of her piecework and the Bag closure. Great work, Eileen!
 
 
OK, ready to vote now?
Just click on the link below to cast your vote.
 Only one vote per MONTH, per email address is allowed.
 
Think you've got what it takes to win?
To enter our"Handbag of the Month" contest,
just attach your jpg or gif image to an email and send it to: info@studiokatdesigns.com.
 
 
 
The 1st Annual Purse Insert
of the Year Contest!
You asked for it and it's coming SOON! In June we will have our very 1st Purse Insert of the Year contest. So use the contact info above to enter YOUR Purse insert TODAY!
 
Blog with us!-  A Work in Progress
Did you miss any of the Blog posts from last month? If so, don't worry, they're all listed below.
 
 
 
Bobbin Around the Web- Studiodgm.Com
Danielle Gori-Montanelli is an extraordinary fiber artist who works primarily in felt. Included in her work are quite honestly some of the most fabulous pieces I have ever seen. Take your time and check out her many products or feast on the beauty of her work in this gallery. But here's the best part, you can click HERE and watch her creations walk a runway in France. They are all just delughtful! 
 
 
Coming in April to StudioKat Designs- our NEW pattern
  At long last we are ready to announce the imminent release of the newest bag in our pattern line, the Guardian. It's a medium sized bad featuring a zippered area in the front which folds down to reveal a terrific area to store credit & loyalty cards. The Guardian is roomy and tall enough to handle all of your everyday items including your iPad! And here's the big news... This bag is the very first in the world to feature a separate pocket perfect for concealed carry! The holster (pattern included) is
velcroed to the inside of this area and your weapon (which can be accessed from the right or the left side) can easily be removed with one hand by simply pressing a button-release buckle.
Not interested in concealed carry? No problem! This separate hidden area can also be used in other ways, like for medications, personal products, cameras, iPods,passports, cash, mace, pepper spray and MUCH MORE! We've been blogging about it for weeks now, but if you missed those posts, look for the ones prefixed with PPC7. The official release date for this pattern is April 8th which coincides with our next newsletter! I'm excited and I hope you are too!  :)
 
 
'HOT'Links-of-the-Month'- 
      check out these terrific offers from our sponsors
EmmalineBags.Com- a new Canadian handbag designer
Immedia Print- We print patterns and MUCH MORE! Click here to see our various services
PursePatterns.Com- Click HERE to check out this month's pattern bargains!
Material Girl Quilts- Robert Kaufmann's collection "Field Notes" in stock! Click HERE to see it!
All DunnDesigns.Com- Click here for a discount on the "Sunshine Girls" pattern
Oliver+S- Put these cuties in your handbag
 
Website Spotlite- Izzy & Ivy Designs
 
If you're in the market for clothing patterns for children, then Izzy & Ivy Designs is a site you may want to bookmark. I love this funky little play outfit and how cute is this little hat? There's also some pretty cool FREE tutorials available by clicking HERE, and while you're here, don't forget to check out the Blog!
 
 
Video of the Month- Bear Surprises Camera Crew
This is a REALLY clever video and I think you'll love it!
Click HERE to watch
 
Blog of the Month- Scientific Seamstress.Com
Carla Hegeman Crim is a molecular biologist turned patternmaker who nowadays spends her time doing interesting experiments with fabric. (Gosh, that's an all-too-familiar handle!) You can click HERE to see a display of her products. I love this Stripwork Jumper, but this Twirl Scallopini skirt is pretty awesome as well! And while you're on Carla's site, don't forget to sample a few of her blogposts!
 
 
Cat Video of the Month- An Easter ?Bunny? Video
Click HERE to check out this seasonal treat!
 
Cat Picture of the Month-
 
 
Click image to see an enlarged view
 
Quote of the Month- 
"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who won't do anything about it."  Albert Einstein
 
Tutorial of the Month- A Crafter's Apron
Is it an apron or a toolbelt? I can't tell, but either way its fantastic! It has  It has one level of pockets for pencils and pens and a second tier of pockets holds larger tools like scissors and pliers etc. Plus there's a patch pocket with a snap closure for tiny items like fabric erasers, thimbles, and pencil sharpeners and a felt needle catcher heart for pins and needles! Just click HERE to get started!
 
 
 
As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
 
 
Click image to see an enlarged view
 
New Word of the Month- "Touron"

(tü'rŏn)- (n.) A very annoying and possibly stupid tourist.

 
 
Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, is perhaps best known to tourists as the site of a dozen buildings designed by the iconic American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. And now a community of feral cats who call the campus home will get their own Wright-inspired homes.
College officials are referring to as “community cat cafés” (because they’ll be places where weary ferals can rest their paws and enjoy some food and fresh water). Click HERE to read more.
 
 
Wouldn't it be great if you could unload some of that stash of yours and get some cash for it? Well, now you can! Fabric Recycles (in Kansas City. MO) is a resale shop for crafters. Buttons, thread, yarn, notions, fabric, patterns and books fill the shelves. The way this works is that you bring your leftover craft or sewing supplies, and Fabric Recycles pays cash for them.
Interested in reading more? Click HERE.

 
 
A FREE Computer Tutorial- How to Edit Your Facebook Cover Photo
 
 
Here's a new feature available for the first time this month! Let me know if you like it?
(click on the image for a larger version)
 
 
On your Facebook timeline, your small profile picture is the one that your friends see next to your name everywhere on Facebook. Your cover photo on the other hand, is the horizontal image at the top that gives you a chance to feature an image that represents who you are or what you care about. Here's how you do it!
1. Log in to your Facebook account and go to your timeline.
2. Hover over your cover photo.
3. Click "Change Cover" at the bottom-right of your cover photo.
4. Pick one of the options from the pop-up menu. "Choose from Photos" lets you  pick a photo from facebook, and "Upload Photo" lets you select a picture stored on your hard drive. You also have the option to Reposition  or Remove your cover photo.
5. Make your photo selections and save your changes.
The best Facebook cover photos are original images you took or created yourself, but you can use soome of Facebook's stock photos if you like.
 
Monthly Trivia-
 
Today is Friday, the 8th of March, the 67th day of 2013. (and there's 298 days remaining)
And if at some point in your life you were a "Monkees" fan, it may please you to know that today is Mickey Dolenz's 68th birthday. WOW! Can you believe that? 
It was also on this day in 1859 that Kenneth Grahame was born. Yeah, I didn't recognize that name either, but he's the genius that
wrote one of my all-time favorite children's books, "The Wind in the Willows". 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, you can celebrate the day anyway, by checking out this Monkees video, one of the few that featured Micky Dolenz as the lead singer. (Were they actually playing their instruments? You be the judge.) Or if you have a little more time, you can watch the FULL-LENGTH movie version of "The Wind in the Willows" from 1995.
 
Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
 
 
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StudioKat Designs, www.studiokatdesigns.com