March 2006

The StudioKat Designs Newsletter
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HELLO and Welcome!- It's the Merry Month of March! What?!? You thought May was considered the merry month? To be truthful, that's what I always thought as well, but read on, and I think you'll find several reasons why MARCH should really be the TRUE merry month! So let's get started!
As always, if you prefer, you can go to http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/mar06.htm to see the online version of the newsletter.

Feline Quote for March-
"Cats have an infallible understanding of total concentration- and get between you and it!" Arthur Bridges

New at StudioKat Designs-The PRESTO PURSE pattern is here!
This new design had an interesting development phase. A close friend was describing her favorite purse, which included an exterior ID pouch for her driver's license and a few credit cards. It also had a large exterior cash pocket where she liked to store bills AND coins. In this way, she could leave her cumbersome wallet at home, freeing her up for carrying more important packages! She just loaded the cards and cash she needed into the exterior pockets, and everything she needed was at her fingertips in a flash. The idea intrigued me, and I have had more pre-release interest expressed in this design, than any other so far. You can check it out here,and here's the deal. You can purchase the Presto Purse pattern at a low introductory price of $10.00, for the entire month of March. This promotion is only for the month of March.
The Presto Purse is available as a single pattern, or as a KIT, which includes the pattern, 2 zippers, 50" of strap webbing, as well as enough clear vinyl for THREE ID Pouch windows!

A Cool Place to Shop!- Sublime Stitching
If you like embroidery, especially on specialty items, like clothing, towels, tote bags etc., then you're gonna LOVE Sublime Stitching.Com. They specialize in reusable iron-on embroidery patterns of all kinds of things you won't find any other place! I especially like the "Catarama" package, because of the cool kitty faces and poses. Another of my favorites is the "Craftopia" package, which is full of sewing emblems. They even sell stitching kits which include everything you need to get you started. Go ahead, check 'em out. I think you'll agree, "this sure ain't your Gramma's embroidery!"

A Byte of Chocolate- CandyUSA.org
LOTS of chocolate was purchased in February in celebration of Valentine's Day. The big question, however, is how do you tell what's in the center of those pieces of boxed candy without biting each piece in half? (Doesn't that hack you off when people do that?) The answer is....and i swear I am NOT making this up, is that each candy manufacturer has its own code. For one manufacturer, one swirl with one loop may mean caramel; for another, one swirl with one loop may mean butter cream. Don't believe me? Then you need to head over to CandyUSA.org for answers to everything related to chocolate, PLUS some great recipe ideas! Have they cracked the secret codes for each manufacturer? Well they probably have, but they aren't talkin! But it sounds like a DELICIOUS... I mean excellent research project for a term paper or a family project, doesnt it!?!

Love Handbags?- StudioKat Designs Inventory Clearance
You may or may not know this, BUT... I have to make a LOT of sample handbags, in order to perfect each pattern that I produce. I make handbag samples to test fabrics types, to test purse features, and to be able to provide samples to various distributors to display at various trade shows, in order to promote my patterns. As any good designer can tell you, samples sell patterns!
Periodically, I have to freshen up my storage closet, to make room for new designs and new samples, and that time is now. SO... I'm having a handbag sample sale. If you're interested in picking up one of my handbags at a GREAT price, then check it out! Some may have been sent out to a trade show or two, they are not soiled or stained in any way, nor have they ever been carried. They are being sold as is, so have fun shopping!

PlayTime- The 2006 World Baseball Classic
March means, it's time to start thinking of Baseball Season in my house! THIS year, March means a special treat for baseball fans! The 2006 World Baseball Classic is being held this month. There'll be 16 teams, including rosters from Cuba, Japan, China as well as 400 superstars such as Derek Jeter (my favorite), Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemans,and Andruw Jones, to mention a few! If you love baseball, it's a great way to get ready for the regular season. You can get lots more information at www.worldbaseballclassic.com.

Did You Know?- World's Largest Ball of Paint
Some people collect baseball cards as a hobby, others sew or do crossword puzzles. Mike Carmichael and his wife, Glenda, from Alexandria, Indiana, have been applying coats of paint to a single basebll since 1977. What started out as a nine-inch circumference baseball wieghing less than one pound is now 119 inches around, has been coated with over 19,000 layers of paint, and weighs over 1,800 pounds! If you are in the Alexandria area, stop by the "Ball of Paint" Pavilion, ( I promise I am NOT making this up!), located on the Carmichael's property to apply a coat of paint yourself! Admission is free.

SKD Promotions Update- The Fashion Shop Hop!
If you enjoyed the FabShopHop in January, then you're gonna LOVE the Fashion Shop Hop in March. That's right, there's a new hop in our step this time. Some of the best independent Fashion Design shops in the country have signed on, YOU'RE invited to check 'em all out! Two sewing machines will be given away, along with countless other e-certificates. Just go to www.Fabshophop.com for a list of shops and other details! Come one, how many times can you go shopping in your jammies without raising an eyebrow?

Laugh Lines-
One day at the veterinarian's office where I take my cat, a man & the receptionaist were verbally sparring over a bill. After a few moments, a technician came to her co-worker's defense. "Sir... do you know what happens to aggressive males in this office?"

"Catsite" of the Month- Chocolate Cats.Com
Cooped in the house with antsy kids who have nothing to do? Check out Chocolate Cats.Com and you'll find some really neat and FREE Cat-related puzzles and games which you can download and print. Fun for you, the kids or BOTH!

A Fun Place to Surf- www.happynews.com
Happynews.com covers many of the national, international, entertainment, and sports stories that the big news services cover. However, Byron Reese, founder and publisher of the website, says his site's take on the world, is more representative than the negative view commonly seen on TV, or in the newspapers. Recent headlines have included "Average Gasoline Prices Drop 25 cents." "Post Hurricane Rita Weather Helps Crops," and "Mosul is Policing It's own". Is network news making you "down in the dobber?" Try reading Happynews.com.

Monthly Trivia- Up until now, I thought that "MARCH MADNESS" was the most interesting thing happening in March. But... since my beloved WFU Demon Deacons have let me down this year, I've been forced to seek out other interesting things about March, and lucky for me, it was EASY! For instance, I bet you didn't know that March is internationally known as, "Mirth Month". It's focus, is to use the merry month of March to show people how to turn their Maalox moments into more mirthful ones. Along these lines, March is also "National Optimism Month", to encourage people to boost their optimism. Did you know that research proves that optimists achieve more health, prosperity and happiness than pessimists? (Check it out at www.jesthealth.com) So use this monthlong celebration to practice optimism and maybe turn this new outlook into a delightful permanent habit!
March 1 is birthday to one of my favorite actors, optimist extraordinaire, Ron Howard, who is 52 years old today. Ron is best known for his roles in the TV shows, Andy Griffith and Happy Days.
William M. Gaines, born in 1922 and founder of "Mad Magazine", is also celebrating his birthday today. Known for political satire and humor, "Mad Magazine" was extremely popular in the 60's and 70's, which probably explains why I loved it so.
Today is also the birthday of Roger Daltry of The Who, and while Roger isn't really noted for being optimistic or uplifting in any way, listening to The Who is something I enjoy, so I included it anyway! :)
And if today is YOUR birthday, here's a great big StudioKat Designs Birthday greeting to you! Hope you have many more! And if today is NOT your birthday, you can still celebrate today by making a determined effort to be optimistic. It might help to watch a few episodes of "Happy Days", or go to the library and dig out an ancient copy of "Mad Magazine"! But if all else fails, just lock yourself up in a room and listen to Roger Daltry belt out a few verses if "My Generation"! That should do it for SURE!

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

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HotLinks- (in order of appearance)

StudioKat Designs Mar06 Newsletter ONLINE: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/mar06.htm
The Presto Purse by StudioKat Designs: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/presto.htm
Sublime Stitching: http://www.sublimestitching.com
        Catarama Package: http://www.sublimestitching.com/catarama.html
        Craftopia Package: http://www.sublimestitching.com/craftopia.html
        Stitching Kits: http://www.sublimestitching.com/kits.html
CandyUSA: http://www.candyusa.org
        What's in the center?: http://www.candyusa.org/chocolate/faq.asp#code
StudioKat Designs Inventory Clearance Sale: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/handbag.htm
2006 World Baseball Classic: http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/index.jsp
World's Largest Ball of Paint: http://ballofpaint.freehosting.net
The Fashion Shop Hop: http://www.fabshophop.com/hopmain.asp
Chocolate Cats.Com: http://www.chocolatecats.com/fun_page.htm
Happy News.Com http://www.happynews.com
Health Advantages of Optimism http://www.jesthealth.com/frame-articles.html
Email StudioKat Designs:info@studiokatdesigns.com
Sign up for StudioKat Designs Newsletter: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/newsletter.htm

StudioKat Designs * 137 S. Hemingway Ct., * Advance, NC * 27006 *
(336)416-1799 * toll-free at 1-866-409-8634 *
info@studiokatdesigns.com
www.StudioKatDesigns.com

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