StudioKat News             December 2012
 In This Issue-
 
The "Battle of the 2nds" contest
Serendipity Studio
Puffin & Co.
The Sewing Loft
Denture Your Dog
Totorial- Weave a Zipper Purse
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Join the conversation
on
 
 
Customer Comment
of the Month
"You have THE BEST newsletters. I especially look forward to the dog and cat links!"
Carolyn H

Merry Christmas and Welcome-
It's December and you know what THAT means! It's time for a brand new StudioKat Designs Calendar  featuring "Your Almost Daily Purr" of course! But seriously, this is the Christmas edition of our newsletter, & as usual, we've had quite a few inquiries as to when our 2013 Desktop Calendar would be available for purchase & even though it was nip 'n tuck for a while, we're proud to finally be able to say,"It's Here!"
You can check it out by clicking here, but first scroll down and grab your coupon code to get FREE WORLDWIDE shipping on your entire online purchase!
But first! Here's a little video to get you in the mood for the holidays, featuring my grandson (of course!) 

So whatcha say? Shall we proceed?
If you have comments or suggestions about our Newsletter, please feel free to do so at info@studiokatdesigns.com
 
 
 
 
 
 "Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
Thanks to everyone who participated in last month's contest! The winner was Shirley Allen of Mayslanding, NJ. She wins a $25.00 SKD gift certificate and a permanent place of honor on our website. Click here to see her winning entry, a fabulous Quattro!.
 
This month's contest is always one of my favorites because it's about 2nd chances! That's right! It's tiime for our ANNUAL BATTLE of the 2nd's! We've rounded up ALL the bags that came in 2nd place this year and ONE of them will become the winner of this month's contest. So without further ado...Check out the nominees,  see of one of your former favorites is there, then cast your vote!

(Click each individual picture for a larger view)

 
When Linda Arsement of Lake Charles, LA saw our Quattro pattern, she knew right away that it would be the PERFECT "Mardi Gras" bag.The shiny front pocket area is a Mardi Gras mesh she found at Hancock's which she combined with various other bright & bold Mardi Gras fabrics to get this creative look! Great job, Linda!
 
This expertly pieced Baggalista was created by Lina Martel of Advance, NC as a SURPRISE Christmas gift for her mother-in-law. (check out this adorable video to see the reaction.) She said her MIL is obsessed with being organized so the Baggalista seemed like a perfect choice. (Here's a peek at the back side.)
 
First, there's this lovely springtime Quattro which was created by Theresa Leonard of Phoenix, AZ. She combined two coordinating batiks with this gorgeous Laurel Burch print to make a very striking bag! I like the corner flower embellishment and the decorative stitching & buttons on the pockets. I'm sure she'll be noticed wherever she goes carrying this beauty!
 
 And I can imagine that Carol Tata of Au Gres, MI can carry her stunning Bellagio Bag with virtually anything she wears. Carol said she likes everything about her new bag and plans on making another real soon. As you can see, its just as pretty from the back and here's a shot of the roomy interior!
 
 
 
 
 
Michelle Flaugh of Florence, KY said that zippers don't scare her a bit and that she was actually excited at the prospect of adding five to her Baggalista. She added that even though she's been making bags for years she really felt she was able to use her creativity with this particular bag. Michelle plans on trying the PortaPocketsPLUS for her next project after a little hand surgery. Good luck with that Michelle. We wish  you the best!  :)
 
 
Carol Tillis of St Petersburg, FL said her first impression of the Quattro was that it might be hard to make, but she says she became a true believer when it all the pieces fit  together like a glove. (The color pictorial downloads were really helpful to her as well.)
Carol's daughter appropriately named this bag "Sun & Stars", and took all the pics. Here's the back.
 
 
 
This Carolina CarryAll was created by Laurie Dewey of Midland, MI.
The fabric she chose is happy and summery, especially the wonderful yellow lining!
 
This stunning Quattro was created by Sylvia Gerber of New Holland, PA for her daughter who picked out the fabric. I must say I'm crazy about the fabric and the way Sylvia centered the print over the pouch area, but since it was decorator fabric, she said it made the sewing of the seams more difficult than usual. Here's a peek at the interior and the back side!  
Anki Arvmyren of Sweden said that this bold Baggalista is a gift to herself! She chose this pattern due its practicality and already had the Amy Butler fabric in her collection. (Click the links to check out the side view and the back.)  Anki said she would really enjoy carrying this bag on her summer holiday and on her first trip to the Houston Quilt Festival this Fall!  
And Sylvia Gerber is back with a fantastic winter Boho Baguette. She wanted a holiday bag and thought this little number would be fun to carry while Christmas shopping.  :)
It's plenty roomy on the inside for everything she'll need while shopping and the back is just as cute as the front. I imagine she's the talk of New Holland, PA, don't you? I especially love the cute tassels she added!
 
 
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.
 
Blog with us!-  A Work in Progress
This month's posts featured an "Insider's" look into The Fall Quilt Market. Did you miss any of them? If so, or if you're new to our blog, it's easy to catch up since theyre all listed below. 
 
 
 
Bobbin Around the Web- Serendipity Studio
Serendipity Studio released their 1st design in 2001 and are  continually striving to produce inspiring new designs that make for fun and enjoyable projects. (The picture at right is a glimpse of the way their booth looked at Quilt Market!)
Some of the patterns I like the best include The Diane Kimono Dress, The Torii Tunic, The Fashion Formula Skirts. And while your on this site, don't forget to visit Kay's Blog for helpful project tips.
 
 
A Holiday Gift for YOU- FREE shipping in December!
 
 
December is the perfect time to stock upon sewing suppliesfor those cold winter days ahead because 
NOW you can get
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING!
Just type SHIPFREE in the coupon code as you place your online order and you'll get FREE shipping ANYWHERE in the world!
(but just like 2012, this offer will expire on 12/31/12)
 
 
'HOT'Links-of-the-Month'- 
      check out these terrific offers from our sponsors
PursePatterns.Com- Check out the Ditty Bags pattern- It's ByAnnie!
Material Girl Quilt.Com- Great new fabric by Hoffman- Bali Chop Flower & Grass Sunset
Oliver & S- Checkout the NEW wallet pattern!
 
Website Spotlite- Puffin & Co.
Puffin & Company offers a variety of beautiful and innovative crafting tools for Cross Stitch, Needlepoint, Quilting, Knitting & MORE. (Pictured at right- their Fall Quilt Market booth)
The Puffin Craft Strand Separator is the only product of its kind on the market today. With a Puffin, tangles and frustration can now be a thing of the past, and it works on a wide variety of thread types! To see video demonstrating how quickly and easily the Puffin Craft Strand Separator will divide your floss or other craft strands, CLICK HERE!  I also think the Scissor Pals would be a great gift for the quilter on your gift list!

 
 
 
There's something extra special about this little video.
The ducks in this piece had been rescued from appallingly cramped conditions and when they finally got a clean "bill" of health it was time to introduce them to their natural habitat.
But it wasn't quite as easy as one might think!  Click here to check it out!   :)
 
Cat Video of the Month- Kitten/Mirror Fight
We've all seen an adorable cat/mirror fight, haven't we?
But THIS one might just be the best one yet!
Click here to watch!  :)
 
Blog of the Month- The Sewing Loft
Using the knowledge and experience Heather Valentine gained throughout her career, she created The Sewing Loft. You'll have lots of fun perusing through the patterns and tutorials presented on this site, all of which have a unique point of view and I think you'll especially appreciate Heather's desire to reduce our environmental footprint and above all enjoy playing like a child!
Here's a few of the tutorials I liked best!
 
 
 
Quote of the Month- 
"A budget tells us what we can't afford, but it doesn't keep u s from buying it."
Willaim Feather
 
Look What I Found OnLine- Denture YOUR Dog
 
 Check out Denture Your Dog for guaranteed grins! Simply upload a photo of your dog and add your choice of teeth, costume, background and text-to-speech message. Then SHARE your crazy canine creation on FaceBook or other popular sites!    :)
 
New Word of the Month-  Petrophobia

(pĕt'rə-fō'bē-ə)  (n)  The fear that one will have to pay for the single cent over-pumped at the self-service station.

     
    As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
     
     
    Click image to see an enlarged view.
     
    Tutorial of the Month- Weave a Zipper Purse
     
    Have you seen the purses and tote bags-- usually in airport gift shops-- that were woven out of seat belts? That was the inspiration for this purse woven out of zippers. Coats & Clarks created this cute little purse by weaving all-purpose zippers together.  Use the colors shown or select your own color combination. I think it's adorable!
     
    Just click here for the instructions along with some color pictures!
     
     
     
     
    Houston, TX- Members of the French Patchwork Guild attend the International Quilt Festival Houston every year, but this week's show is the first in nearly 20 years to host an exhibit of French quilts.
    "We are very lucky we have made very good work," said guild president Catherine Bonte, here for the fifth time. "For European people, Houston is the most important contest of the world.".....
    Click here to read more
     
     
    Tuxedo cat Henry, who stars as Henri the Existential Cat in a series of cat videos, won the first Golden Kitty People’s Choice Award for the short film Henri 2, Part De Deux. His director, Seatttle resident Will Braden, picked up the award at the Internet Cat Video Film Festival in Minneapolis....
    Click here to read the complete article and
    Click here to see the accompanying video!
     
     
     
    Cat Picture of the Month-
     
     
    Click image to see an enlarged view.
     
    Monthly Trivia-
    Today is December 8th, the 343rd day of 2012. There are only 23 days remaining in this year and only 17 until Christmas! YIKES! (And the only thing I've done so far is decorate my tree!)
    Today is also a special day to 3 influential music artists! Avant garde singer Jim Morrison (aka the "Lizard King") was born on this day in 1943, as was Gregg Allman(1947) and the ever-controversial Sinead O'Connor(1966).
    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 listening to these song selections, which just so happen to be among my favorites by today's birthday celebrants.
    But while you're listening, I'm heading downtown because I have a lot of shopping to do!!!
     
    Well, that's all for this month,
    but we want to take this opportunity to say
     
    MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours!
    We appreciate your support & wish you and your family
    a peaceful and restful holiday season!
     
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    StudioKat Designs, www.studiokatdesigns.com