"Kat Bytes      August'14
the monthly newsletter for StudioKat Designs

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click HERE

 
to pick up one of our retired patterns at a DEEP discount price!
 
Testimonial
of the Month
"Too bad you don't collect reviews on your patterns. I just finished the Quattro and i've got to tell you - it's the 1st decently engineered bag pattern I've ever gotten from an indie designer, and besides that... it's gorgeous! Thanks!"  
Peg

 
Here's July's most popular posts from our FACEBOOK page!
From 7/8/14--
From 7/20/14--
From 7/20/14--
a beautiful backyard fairydoor
To check out our FaceBook page- 
 
Here's our Show Schedule for 2015!
Sept 10-13- AQS Quilt Week
                   Chattanooga, TN
 
Oct 25-27- International Quilt
                  Market/ Houston
 
Oct 30- Nov 2- International
                       Quilt Festival/
                       Houston
Come out & see us!
Hello and Welcome-
So... it's been one whirlwind of a summer for us. First we went on our sweet Aegean vacation, and now we're fresh from AQS Quilt week in Charlotte...getting ready for AQS Quiltweek Chattanooga. And in between all that, we released our new pattern... the Wrapsody! So don't mind us, we'll get back to work while you proceed! Enjoy!

If you have comments or suggestions about our Newsletter, please feel free to do so at info@studiokatdesigns.com
 
 
 
Can't see any pictures?
 
 
 "Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
Congratulations to Susan Mautte of Eureka Springs, AR. She was the winner of our July contest pretty much from the outset, and no wonder, her Guardian was spectacular! Susan wins a $25.00 SKD gift certificate and a permanent place of honor on our website. (Click here to see Susan's winning entry.) The REAL contest last month was for 2nd place, and our eventual winner was this fun & fluttery Quattro by Kathy Warner and remember, you'll get another chance to support that entry in December for our 4th annual "Battle of the HOM 2nd's"!

So...are you ready to see this month's entries?
We've got a bevy of 12 beauties to share with you this month, so without further adieu, check out this month's nominees, then cast a vote for your favorite. 

(To see BIGGER shots: Click on each individual image)
 
 
Kicking it off this month we have Donna Petruso of Dundee, MI who's back with another Boho Baguette. This one is fun and flowery and Donna says she made it for her friend!  :)
 
Enisa Durakovic of Slovenia is also back with this spectacular Gadabout! Enisa tells me that she crafts her bags from imitation leather which definitely complicates the construction just a bit. I find the stitching she has added to the exterior very interesting, and just imagine, Enisa has to type EVERY step of our instructions into "Google
 
Translate" in order to use our patterns!  WOW! And you KNOW I love her polka-dotted bias tape! Here's a peek at the underside of this bag.
And Kathy Kondo of Anaheim, CA made this Baggalista to show her loyalty to her beloved Anaheim Ducks when they were playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs recently. Can't say if this bag influenced the game outcome or not, but Kathy said she got  LOADS of compliments & I can see why! Here'a a look at the back.
 
 
And this sophisticated Quattro was created by Margie Laferriere. She said that she embroidered this design and THEN decided that it needed to be on a purse! I'm SO glad she did!  :)  Here's a closeup of the embroidery.
 
Karen Wetherall of the UK created this pieced summer Quattro. She told me she pieced this look together with fabric from her mom's vintage fabric stash and it really gives this bag and English Country garden look! Here's a peek at the main compartment.  
This Harmony Handbag was submitted by Sandra Wilkinson of Sydney, Australia. I was impressed to find out that Sandra embroidered the Gingko leaves on the solid portion of the bag front to match the main fabric!
 
This Uptown Saddlebag was created by Kathy Warner of Hubbard, OR. This colorful fabric is from Timeless Treasures. And here's a peek at the full-length main storage area. LOVE this bright interior, don't you?
 
And this Vervalise was created by Eddi Engstrom of Phoenix, AZ. Her plan was to give this beauty to her granddaughter for her 8th grade graduation. I think the green binding really elevates the look of this bag.
Shirley Allen of NJ named this Quattro, "Roses Are Red". She accomplished this extraordinary embroidery with designs from BFC Collections. I REALLY love that Shirley used red zippers to complete this look and the heart beads she added as a zipper pull are very special!
And this Quattro by Sylvia Russell of Kamloops, BC has a VERY interesting exterior. Sylvia applied a "chenille" finish to the pouch area which to my knowledge is a first for our patterns! Here's a peek at the interior.
 
Pat Ross of Ontario, Canada said that she waited to make this Quattro until she could find a special fabric for the front panel and once she did the rest just fell into place. She made a wise choice, no?
 
 
 
And last but not least, here's a Quattro with a flair for the dramatic! It was created by Joyce Hykes of Newark, OH.
OK, ready to vote now?
 Only one vote per MONTH, per email address.
    
 
Blog with us!-  A Work in Progress
 
Last month we concluded the ninth edition of our popular Purse Pattern Chronicles, and this month we're busy preparing for the show season! And if you're new here, and you want to catch up or if you missed any of the posts from last month, don't worry, they're all listed below.
 
 
 
Bobbin Around the Web-  Little Quilt Company
  Kim Shaeffer wear MANY hats! She designs patterns for Little Quilt Company, fabric for Andover Fabrics and has partnered with C&T Publishing to publish several quilt pattern books featuring contemporary folk art designs. I think you'll find her work delightfully refreshing! Some of my favorites are her Christmas Countdown pattern, the Runner-Riot pattern and her Black & White, Bold & Bright book. But check it out for yourself, and I think YOU'll find some favorites too!  :)
 
 
'HOT'Links-of-the-Month'- GREAT offers from our sponsors
Immedia Print- We print patterns and MUCH MORE! Click here to see our various services.
FaveQuilts.Com- This month's FREE ebook- Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids
Platinum So & Sews- featuring NEW Christmas fabrics and FREE USA shipping!
The Quilt Pattern Magazine- Click HERE to read about our Small Kennel Quilt Team!
All DunnDesigns.Com- Download Special! Half-price special extended for 3 more weeks!
PinPeddlers.Com-Beautifully made quilt & sewing related pins pins, charms & MORE!
 
 
 
 
Many of you know that we just got back from a fabulous vacation trip to Greece & Turkey, and I know most of you could care less about our vacation pictures, and believe me, I completely understand... but for the benefit of some of you who REALLY want to see them, just click this link, or the book at left to check them out!  :)
 
Website Spotlite- Mixi Heart
 
Michelle Jensen is a longarm quilter, pattern designer, graphic artist, and the driving force behiind Mixi Heart, which offers a variety of patterns (some free, and some for sale) that touch a WIDE audience. They include home decor, children's items and wearables.
 
 
Two to View-
 
 
I think you'll LOVE our cat-video of the Month featuring an unlikely duo! Click HERE to get started (and don't worry... NO ONE gets hurt here!)
 
 
 
Literally one of the best commercials I've seen lately! Click HERE to watch.
 
 
 
 
This month I'm sharing an adorable Circular Quilted Placemat tutorial brought to you by Imagine Knats.com!
Enjoy!
 
 
 
Quote of the Month- 
 
 
In memory of an amazing woman.
Rest in peace Ms. Angelou.
(Click the image to see a larger view)
 
A Beginner Project-  A Fat-Quarter Apron
 
 
If you're new to sewing, or know someone who is, here's a fun Apron tutorial to make, brought to you by PrudentBaby.com!  Enjoy!
 
 
Techie Tutorial of the Month- Controlling Who Sees Your Facebook Posts
 
If you have a large number of Facebook friends, it's likely this list includes people who are actually distant acquaintances. Shouldn't you decide if you want EVERYONE seeing all of your Facebook posts? To change your settings, simply follow the steps below.
First....  Locate your Privacy Settings
1.    On your Facebook home page, click the down arrow on the top-right part of the screen.
2.    From the menu, choose Settings.
3.    You will be brought to a page titled General Account Settings.
4.    In the left column, click Privacy.
5.    You will be brought to a page titled Privacy Settings and Tools.
Then...  Adjust "Who Can See My Stuff"
1.    On the Privacy Settings and Tools page, under "Who Can See My Stuff," next to "Who can see your future posts," click Edit.
2.    You will see an image that looks like the status update box. Click the down arrow at the bottom of this image.
3.    Select who you want to be the default audience for your posts (remember, you can change this each time you post). Then click Close.
4.    Click the other links in this section and follow the instructions to adjust past posts.
 
As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
 
 
Click image to see a larger view
 
New Word of the Month-  Viewlexia
(vyü-lĕk'sē-ə)  (n.) Temporary dysfunction in which a novice digital camera user puts their eye very close to the LCD screen as if it were the viewfinder in a conventional camera.
 
Cats in the News- Cat Paradise
A man in California has spent $35 000 turning his home into an amazing cat paradise. He's the owner of 18 cats who may now be the happiest cats in the world! The renovations include a spectacular and complex cat walkway. There are also miniature cat stairways, spiral ramps, crawling spaces and a ventilation system designed to keep the cats healthy. To read more and see LOTS more pictures, click HERE.
 
 
 
Cat Picture of the Month-
 
 
Click image to see a larger view
 
May 1, 2014--- Sun Sentinel
At Once Upon a Quilt, a small shop in Florida, the recession wasn't necessarily a bad thing. During a time when many businesses were struggling, Lisa Stevens doubled the size of her quilt store to offer a wider selection of sewing machines, fabric, instructional books and expanded classroom space to accommodate more customers wanting to learn the ins and outs of sewing...Sounds GREAT, doesn't it! To read more- click HERE!
 
 
Monthly Trivia-
 
Today is Sunday, the 10th day of August and the 222nd day of 2014. There are 143 days remaining in this year. Today is also the birthday of a very unlikely duo. Both are flamboyant & unique individuals who are totally passionate about their craft and I've been an ardent fan of both for a long,long time!
Ian Anderson, (born 8/10/47) longtime front man & musician for Jethro Tull, a progressive rock band you may or may not have heard of from the 70's. Ian's perhaps best known for being one of the first to incorporate classical instruments (such as the flute) into his arrangments, for playing said flute while standing on ONE leg (see the original logo for Jethro Tull at left). 
Betsey Johnson (born 8/10/42 in Wethersfield CT) is an American fashion designer best known for her feminine and whimsical designs. Many of her designs are considered "over the top" and highly embellished. She also is known for doing a cartwheel at the end of her fashion shows (which I love).
And if today is also YOUR birthday, here's a great big "Happy Birthday to YOU" from all of us at StudioKat Designs, and if today is not your birthday, you can celebrate the day anyway by doing a few cartwheels (if that's within your repetoire), or by clicking HERE to watch an old video clip (from 1976) of Jethro Tull performing one of my favorites!
 
 
Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer not to no longer receive these updates, please see the links below to manage your preferences.  Thanks for your support and best regards!
 
 
Why Not Pass along the FUN?

 
 
Note to other webmasters: If you want to use an excerpt
from this newsletter in your publication, please ask me first.
StudioKat Designs, www.studiokatdesigns.com
137 S Hemingway Ct
Advance, NC 27006
1/866-409-8634