August 2008

The StudioKat Designs Newsletter
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HELLO and Welcome!-It's August & true to form, it's hot as blazes here. But that's a perfect excuse to stay in the house where it's cool, and sew... and read a newsletter of course. I've got some fun stuff for you today & a nice surprise, because today is the day that we are releasing our new design, the Harmony Handbag, so what cha say we get started?!?
Also, especially for the convenience of our friends at Pattern Review & AOL, all of the hotlinks are listed in order at the bottom of this letter, and as always, if you prefer, you can go to www.studiokatdesigns.com/aug08.htm to see the online version of the newsletter.

Feline Quote for August-
"The clever cat eats cheese & breathes down rat holes with baited breath." W.C. Fields

New on my Website!-
Ray Martel of Advance, NC (otherwise known as my Dad), sent me this cute little video of a kitty boxer.

If you check out this month's issue (Sept 08) of Creative Machine Embroidery, you'll notice that I'm finally a cover girl... well at least my Gadabout Bag is! Rebecca Kemp Brent featured our pattern as she created a gorgeous Indian-inspired bag that's perfect for travel. Check out an excerpt from the article by clicking here, or read the full story by picking up the magazine which is on newstands NOW!

There's been a lot of jockeying for power during July for the throne of "RolyNester Queen". On July 3rd, Karen Dishion of Fountain, CO knocked off Deb Richey of Huntsville, AL when she made EIGHT beautiful RolyNesters, all with fun & funky linings. Then on the 20th, Sherry Ray of Daingerfield, TX returned the favor, with a complete set of TEN Roly's. (The smallest item in the picture is a lipstick to give perspective to the picture.) Sherry's set could even be called "green", because all of them have recycled zipper closures!

"Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
I love seeing the beautiful handbags you all are creating, and I'll bet you do too! It seems everyone is enjoying the new Handbag of the Month contest, so jump right in & check out these pics, all received in July, & then cast a vote for your favorite. The owner of the handbag receiving the most votes at the end of the month wins a $10.00 SKD gift certificate. Joan O'Malley of Newton Falls, OH was our lucky winner in the July Handbag Contest. Click here to see her winning Odyssey backpack, which has also won a permanent place of honor on our website!

                            And now...Here's this month's entries:
Beginning with Rosemarie Nettle of Romulus, MI. Here is her glitzy Kizmet Klutch, which is sure to add a touch of glamour to any outfit. Don't you agree?

Next we have a show-stopping Harmony Handbag submitted by my most faithful of testers, Peg Rice of Westport Island, ME. Peg always chooses such great fabric combinations!

And here is a truly special Vervalise, which was made by Susan Flamey of Eureka Spring, Ark. I am so impressed by the way Susan matched her bias tape to the pattern on the flap of her bag. It's extraordinary! Here's a peek at the inside of her bag!

And last but not least, Sue Thomson of Dorset in the UK sent me these extraordinary pictures of her incredible Trifecta. (Click here see the beautiful interior.) Sue embroidered her exterior with a Susa Glenn design that was developed especially for the Trifecta purse.

And last, but certainly not least, here's a sumptuous Harmony Handbag sent in by another of my testers, Arlene Stream of Loveland, CO.

OK, ready to vote now? It'll be a tough choice, but just click on the link below to cast your vote.
Only one vote per day, per email address is allowed.

Come back next month to see who the winner is... or better still...

Click here to join studiokatdesigns
Click to join the StudioKatDesigns Chat Group!

Join the StudioKat Designs Chat Group at Yahoo!We're experimenting with a new chat group for those of you who want to give and receive feedback about the Handbag of the Month entries, or anything else you've made, even if it's from another designers pattern! Any pictures you want to post will need to be pre-approved for now, (don't those rediculous porn spammers make you crazy?!?) but don't let that stop you from enjoying all the benefits of enjoying the company of a whole bunch of like-minded new friends! Just click here & you can get started!

New Product Spotlight- Bifocal Sunglasses
My best friend Mary turned me on to this cool product, (not that I would need these myself mind you... heh heh heh). Isn't it annoying when you can't read with your sunglasses on? Now you can turn your favorite pair of sunglasses into reading glasses. No more wearing two pairs of glasses around your neck, or even worse... on your face! These stick-on bi-focal lenses are easy to applu to any style glasses with water. It's a GREAT solution to expensive prescription bifocal sunglasses!

New at StudioKat Designs- The Harmony Handbag- our newest pattern!
We are excited to tell you that today we are releasing our newest pattern in the Bags w/Panache Handbag Collection, the Harmony Handbag. The Harmony is generously sized but surprisingly lightweight. The unique interior features a pocket cup that can accomodate a water bottle or umbrella. The magnetic snap closure secures your valuables while the exterior zippered pocket provides quick access to critical items.
But here's the best part, many of you have requested that we design a bag that can be used with your favorite pattern, the PortaPockets Purse Insert, and the Harmony is designed to collaborate perfectly with the PortaPockets, transforming your bag interior from a jumbled mess to organized perfection.
The Harmony retails for $12.00 but from now thru Aug 31st, you can take advantage of a special $2.00 off coupon we are making available to our loyal newsletter readers. To redeem your coupon, simply type SKD19 in the coupon code box at checkout when you shop online, or write the word SKD19 on your check when you order by snail mail, or mention this offer when ordering by phone.
So order your Harmony Handbag today, the only handbag designed to work in perfect harmony with your PortaPockets Insert!

Get your FREE pattern! Satisfy your sweet tooth with a yummy (and FREE) cupcake pattern download made available to you from our friends at the FabShop Network, in honor of National Cupcake Day (which is right around the corner). Just click here to download your free pattern.

Quotation of the Month-"A new government study has found that the average American car weighs 500 pounds more than it did ten years ago. However, this is only true if the average American is sitting in the car!" Conan O'Brien

Your cat might own you if... you microwave his food... worse yet, if you make it from scratch!

Surf HERE for Neat INFO!- The Maze Craze
It may sound corny, but making your way through a corn maze can be a wonderful bonding moment for families. This increasingly popular form of agri-entertainment is spreading across the globe, so chances are good that there's one near you. To find a corn maze this fall, check your local newspapers or better still, click here for an online list which contains listings for nearly 200 locations in five countries, as well as helpful tips on how to conquer the twists and turns to make your way to the exit.

New Word of the Month-Alpopuck
An empty dish pushed around the kitchen floor by a dog trying to get the last morsel.

Love Handbags?- Elaine Allerton- felted textiles & accessories
Check out this website & you'll see some stunningly beautiful handbags, sure to attract compliments & attention on your special occasion days. I love the fact that many of these bags feature detachable & interchangeable corsages. My favorite is the "Absolute Essentials" bag. Which one is yours? I also love the luxurious brushed mohair scarves. Pick the woll color that best matches your style!

"Catsite" of the Month- NJ Fat Cat Hits the Talk Show Circuit
For all of those who think my Jeter is a fat cat, please check this out this story sent in by alert reader Erica Lineberry of Raleigh, NC (my sweet daughter!). Recently, a 44-pound cat was found lumbering the streets of New Jersey, seemingly homeless. Camden shelter director Jennifer Anderch says an older woman who recently lost her home came forward saying she abandoned the tubby tabby because her house was foreclosed. The shelter has been caring for the cat - who became a local media sensation this week and was dubbed "Princess Chunk"! Upon closer examination, this princess is actually a prince, and you can see a picture of Him by clicking here.

Sewing Tip of the Month- Stitch your machine's decorative stitches onto a piece of fabric & you will always have a ready reference of how each design actually looks when it's stitched out.

Did You Know?- More people study English in China, that speak it in the U.S.

Surf here for FUN- Wonderful World of Watermelon
Nothing goes over better at a picnic than a big, juicy slice of watermelon. Not only is watermelon delicious, it's also versatile, nutritious and relatively inexpensive. The National Watermelon Promotion Board website offers great recipes, carving tips, games & activites for kids, and fun ideas on how to make watermelon part of a healthy diet.

Laugh Lines- thanks to Judi Graf of Tyler, TX for sending me this cute little joke.

Johnny's mother looked out the window & noticed him 'playing church' with their cat. He had the cat sitting quietly & he was preaching to it. She smiled & went about her work. A while later she heard loud meowing & hissing and ran back to the open window to see Johnny baptizing the cat in a tub of water. She called out,'Johnny, stop that! The cat is afraid of water!' Johnny looked up at her & said 'He should have thought about that before he joined my church!'

A Cool Internet Activity- The Road Best Traveled
Let's face it, vacations are expensive, and lots of Americans won't get to take one this year. This summer, consider making a car trip that's more about the road itself rather than the final destination. Selected roads throughout the U.S. have been designated America's Byways, based on natural, historic, or cultural qualities. No two are the same, yet all reflect something uniquely American. The National Scenic Byways Program website provides maps & directions, ideas on stops to make, photos, visitor informations, & links to related travel sites.

Question of the Month-
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons???

Monthly Trivia- It's my bet that you may not know that August is "Happiness Happens Month", so named by the Secret Society of Happy People to remind us that despite global & personal chaos, happiness still happens. The society's goal is to recognize & express happiness, & also to quit raining on other people's parades.
If being happy is a learned behavior, (and I'm increasingly convinced that it is), then many of us would do well to take steps to 'unlearn' it, & this website is a good place to start. For example, I was delighted to learn that there are 31 different types of happiness. Click here to download a fun word-find puzzle that uses all of them.

Pitcher Roger Clemens is probably a happy guy today, since today is his 46th birthday, as is NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, and actor Billy Bob Thornton, who won an Oscar for his role in SlingBlade, (a movie that my husband thinks is hysterical, but I've never quite understood). And if today is your birthday as well, then 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 doing a puzzle, watching a baseball game, taking in a NASCAR race, or maybe by simply ordering a nice big plate of 'french fried taters', which of course are best eaten while watching SlingBlade. On second thought, and in view of the fact that we want to make 'happiness happen' this month, I think you'll enjoy those taters a lot more by sharing them with a friend and skipping the movie!

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

My newsletters are copyrighted.
If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it. As a matter of fact, it would actually tickle me to death if you sent it to everyone you know! BUT- Please don't send just paragraphs of it here and there, because the authorship info is what usually gets left off in the process.
Better still, why not let your friends know that they can sign up for the newsletter themselves at http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/newsletter.htm?
(Note to other webmasters:)Authorship credit is the only payment I receive for this endeavor, so if you want to use an excerpt from this newsletter in your publication, please ask me first.

HotLinks- (in order of appearance)

StudioKat Designs August 08 Newsletter ONLINE: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/aug08.htm
NEW on my Website:
         A Kitty Boxer Video: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/BoxingFan.wmv
         CME Cover (Sept 08): http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/CMEcoverSept08.jpg
         CME Excerpt (Sept 08): http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/CMEstorySept08.jpg
         Deb Richey's EIGHT RolyNesters: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/queen2.jpg
         Sherry Ray's TEN RolyNesters lined-up: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/sherrynestersclosed.jpg
         Sherry Ray's TEN RolyNesters nested: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/sherrynestersopen.jpg
Handbag of the Month Gallery:
         StudioKat Designs Handbag Gallery: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/winfreestuff.htm
         Joan's winning Odyssey from last month (July): http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/poll19.jpg
         Rosemarie's glitzy Kizmet Klutch: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/poll21.jpg
         Peg's show-stopping Harmony Handbag: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/poll22.jpg
         Susan's special Vervalise: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/poll23.jpg
         Sue's incredible Trifecta: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/poll24.jpg
         Susa Glenn's Trifecta embroidery design: http://www.susaglenndesigns.com/Glories_Dragonfly_Embroidery_p/30100.htm
Cast YOUR Vote: http://pub43.bravenet.com/vote/vote.php?usernum=3657359974&cpv=2
Join the StudioKatDesigns Chat Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/studiokatdesigns/join
NEW Product Spotlight: http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/bf34.html#
My Newest Design: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/harmony.htm
         the Harmony Handbag: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/smhydrafront2.jpg
         interior view, water bottle in pocket cup: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/smfoliagepocketcup.jpg
         PortaPockets Purse Insert: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/portapockets.htm
         Interior closeup w/PortaPockets in place: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/smfoliageint.jpg
         Harmony& PortaPockets, the perfect duo: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/smfoliageduo.jpg
FREE CupCake Quilt pattern: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/cupcake.pdf
The Maze Craze: http://www.cornfieldmaze.com
        corn maze locations: http://www.cornfieldmaze.com/site_list.html
        corn maze tips: http://www.cornfieldmaze.com/visit_howtoconquer.html
Elaine Allerton: http://www.handmadesussexhandbags.co.uk/default.aspx
         beautiful handbags: http://www.handmadesussexhandbags.co.uk/products.aspx
         luxurious scarves: http://www.handmadesussexhandbags.co.uk/scarves.aspx
NJ Fat Cat Story: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/31/national/main4311445.shtml?source=search_story
Wonderful Worlf of Watermelon: http://www.watermelon.org
         great recipes: http://www.watermelon.org/watermelon_recipe.asp
         carving tips: http://www.watermelon.org/watermelon_carving.asp
         games & activities:
http://www.watermelon.org/kids_games.asp
         healthy diet:
http://www.watermelon.org/kids_ideas.asp
America's National Byways:
http://www.byways.org
Secret Society of Happy People: http://www.sohp.com
         31 types of happiness (a puzzle): http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/Puzzle.doc
Roger Clemens: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Clemens
Jeff Gordon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Gordon
Billy Bob Thornton: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bob_Thornton
Sign up for Studiokat Designs Newsletter: 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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