StudioKat News                 October 2010
 In This Issue-
The Heart Holder- a free giveaway
Victoria Jones Collection
Bloomin' Minds 
The Wooden Wagon
FEED USA
Household Product Safety

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for October's 'Pick of the Month
 
 
for October's 'Pick of the Month
 
 
for October's 'Pick of the Month
 
 
for October's 'Pick of the Month
 
 
for October's 'Pick of the Month
 
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Hello and Welcome-
There's a nip in the air that lets me know that Fall is finally here, and I say, not a moment too soon! As a matter of fact, I'm so pumped about Fall, that I have a little 'show & tell' for you. The 'show' is a cool video of my little grandson that's SURE to start your day off great!...and the 'tell' is about our new give-away for Market this year, which is a fun zipperpull with our logo on it. We love it so much that we'll send you one for FREE with any pattern purchase during the month of October 2010. Just type the words FREE ZIPPERPULL in the Comments Section as you checkout online to get yours, and then let's get started!
 
If you have comments or suggestions about our Newsletter, or if you just feel like telling us something, please feel free to do so at info@studiokatdesigns.com
 
 
  If you're having trouble reading this email- Click HERE for  web version
 
Feline Quote for September-
 "Perhaps it is because cats do not live by human patterns, do not fit themselves into prescribed behavior, that they are so united to creative people."  Andre Norton
 
Bobbin Around the Web- Victoria Jones Collection
The Victoria Jones Collection of patterns are hawaiian-inspired clothing and resortwear for men, women AND children. The 'Classic Hawaiian' patterns include mummus, hawaiian shirts and even a wedding dress. The 'BeachWear' patterns include beach coverups and other loungewear, and there's a whole web page dedicated to just 'Mummus'! If you're going on a cruise or an island vacation this winter, then this site is a MUST SEE! 
 
 
 
 "Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
There was a LOT of action in our
September Handbag of the Month Contest!
Thanks to everyone who participated in last month's contest! The winner was Cindy Weeks of Fredericksburg, VA. She wins a $20.00 SKD gift certificate and a permanent place of honor on our website. Click here to see her winning entry, a coffee-shop inspired Harmony Handbag.
 
The October Handbag of the Month contest promises to be just as exciting, so without further ado...Check out this month's nominees, then cast a vote for your favorite. 

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
 
      And HERE are the fabulous entries for this month...
(Click each individual picture for a larger view)

 
 
Erica Stopczynski of Port Ewen, NY created this terrific Presto Purse. (Here's how the back looks.) She says she gets TONS of compliments on it and i can see why!
 
 
Erica loved her 1st Presto Purse so much, she created this summery version, complete with flamingoes!!! Here's how it looks on the flip side. Don't you just love Erica's zipperpulls?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diane Rhodes of Monroeville, PA pieced together her Trifecta exterior with 2 Starr Fire charm packs. Isn't it amazing? I especially love the way she matched the stripes on the front to the ones on the back. You can see this real well in this side shot. And the purple interior solidifies the whole look. Diane said that she made this bag with an extra long strap for a very tall friend who has a color burst on her business card!
 
Here's a very creative Encore Purse Insert, submitted by Marilee Glover of Virginia Beach, VA. She said that rather than embellish the Insert (since it would be IN her bag), she jazzed it up with colorful zippers (from Zipperstop), AND having different color zippers really helps her find things inside her purse. GREAT!  
 
 
 
And here's the first DittyRoo that's been entered in the Handbag of the Month contest so far! The 'master' behind this 'piece' is Mary Molner of Pacific, MO. Mary said she followed the instructions in our DittyRoo embellishment tutorial and 'it worked out like a charm'.  She loved the process so much that she's making plans to make another. Let us SEE it when you do, Mary!
 
 
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.
 
Blog with us!-  A Work in Progress
You can enjoy an insider's scoop to what's happening behind the scenes at StudioKat Designs, by signing up for our blog, "A Work In Progress". If you're new to our blog, or if you missed any of the posts from December, don't worry, they are all listed below. 
 
 
 
New at StudioKat Designs-The Heart Holder
a free pattern giveaway from StudioKat designs
  OK folks- we're releasing a NEW free pattern- just in time for the holiday gift-making season! Since it's little 2" X 2.5" envelope which you can pin to y our shirt or lapel, I'm calling it a Heart Holder. It's the perfect place to store little pictures, prayer requests, reminders, or anything else you want to keep close to your heart.
It's a quick and easy gift which you can easily whip up with mere scraps of leftover fabric, and embellish with beading, cording, buttons, and other trim items. Just click on the links below to get started on a great gift idea for teachers, family and friends.
                  Heart Holder pattern template
 
Sponsor 'Picks-of-the-Month'- 
Crawford Designs- "Trellises" Jacket with Bag
All DunnDesigns.Com- Dolls & Dollmaking Supplies
Londa's Creative Threads- Creative Jacket Journey DVD
Material Girls Online store- Hard-to-find African fabrics
 
Website Spotlite- Bloomin Minds
Looking for a quick and whimsical project for yourself or to give as gifts? The patterns at Bloomin Minds more than fit this description AND they're fun to make in the process. You can choose among the NEW patterns, or browse amongst the other patterns, including embellished sweatshirts, table mats and runners and MUCH more! And prior to starting your project, you might want to check out the helpful tips!
 
 
A Cool Place to Shop- The Wooden Wagon
  I always feel cheated if i don't shop in a toy store or two around Christmas, and here's a really good one. I really enjoy looking (and playing with) handcrafted toys, and I think children do too. Since I have a little boy on my list this year, I love the wooden trucks and cars, but these wooden blocks would be fun to play with and I've ALWAYS loved 'pretend-play' toys. (I've played many a grocery store game i my life!)
 
Video of the Month- Say Your Prayers
This video is adorable and this dog is precious. Thanks to my Aunt Carol in Houston, TX for sharing this with us! Click here to view!
 
Blog of the Month- Made
 
 I ran across this blog (in case you didn't notice, they're currently celebrating the color yellow) the other day and I think you'll enjoy it. It's one of those blogs that you can literally spend hours exploring. First of all, there are LOTS and LOTS of tutorials, about everything under the sun. Secondly, there are some very interesting recipes, most of which have to do with my favorite thing to eat, and thats dessert! And lastly, Dana ( (the writer) does a terrific synopsis of each installment of my favorite program, Project Runway. If you're a 'Runway Roadie' like me, then you'll enjoy Dana's weekly Runway Rundown!
 
Quote of the Month- 
"Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes!  Jim Carey
 
Look What I Found OnLine- Best Airline Seats
Flying on an airplane can be uncomfortable for many reasons, not the least of which is a bad seat! Seat Expert can help solve that problem, by providing information about the best (and worst) seats available for a particular flight. Just type in your iarlone, flight number and date of departure. You'll see seat maps identifying the best and worst seats, so you'll know what to request before you book. Need more info about seats or flying in general? Just ask the Seat Expert!
(I sure am glad that I did, because when I plugged in our assigned seats to Houston this month, I found out that we had 2 of the worst rated seats on the plane. Now that we've changed, I found that we have 2 of the 6 best! YIPPEE!)
 
Cat Video of the Month- Fishing for Kittens
If you love Conan the kitten, then you'll be pleased to know that he's back and he has learned to LEAP! Click here to view!
 
Today's families are increasingly designing pet-friendly features into their homes. Check out this article (originally feaured in the NY Times in July 2010), which details a few of the most ingenious ones! (I simply MUST have a set of these stairs for my boys! They would LOVE them!)  
 
New Word of the Month- Blinknesia (blĭngk-knē'zhə)
a. (n.) A case when someone leaves their blinker on for a while after they have turned or used it already.
 
Handbags in the News- Fashion that Feeds the Hungry
CBS News correspondent Michelle Milller reports Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson have managed to turn handbags into a necessity in the struggle to feed the world's hungry children, one handbag at a time. To read the full article, featured on CBS in February of 2010, click here. And for even MORE info about the Feed Bag program, click here.
 
 
Don't you just HATE it when you pull out an old pattern and you find that it's so wrinkled that you can't possibly use it? Hey- don't panic, check out this cool video tip on how to rejuvenate it
 
As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
 
 
 
 
Click picture to see an enlarged view
 
Did You Know?-
that month's that begin on a Sunday will ALWAYS have a Friday the 13th in them?
 
A Cool Internet Activity- Household Product Safety
There's a reason people put locks on cabinet doors when there are small chidren around: household products can be dangerous to them. But, don't forget, they can be dangerous to you, too. This database provides information on potential health effects of many common products (from cleaning supplies to personal care items) as well as handling and disposal recommendations. Search using your own keywords, or browse by category or product name.
 
Laugh Lines-
Why do they put braille on the drive-thru ATM machines?
 
Cat Site of the Month- The World is Your LitterBox
 
I love this funny blog written from a cat's perspective. I particularly think you will enjoy  this little entry concerning Cats & Vampires. If  you've ever had a cats, it will surely hit home!
 
Surf Here for FUN!- Curb Your Caffeine
If you're like most adults, you probably drink some combination of coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks each day. While these beverages can give you a boost, too many of them can be harmful to your health. Did you know that the Mayo Clinic's "caffeine content" site recommends no more than 500 - 600 mg of caffeine per day. This helpful site also shows you the amount of caffeine in many popular brands, including foods and medications you might not have considered.
 
Cat Picture of the Month-
 
 
 
 
 
Click picture to see an enlarged view.
 
Monthly Trivia-
Today is October 6th, the XXth day of 2010. There are XX days remaining, and here's the deal... after an exhaustive search for fun trivia about this day, I just couldn't find ANYTHING  fun, interesting or inspiring that's ever happened on October 6th. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, but don't worry, I found something even better that's especially relevant to the month of October, involving two of my favorite things, and that would be cats... and pumpkins... Interested? Just click here to view it!
I did find however, a trio of beautiful gals who were all born on this day (in different years, of course). First off there's Rebecca Lobo (in 1973), a Connecticut native, (like me!) and one of the WNBA's original players, along with former 'Bond-girl' Britt Ekland (in 1942), and Hollywood starlet (and Clark Gable's love interest), Carole Lombard (in 1908). And if today is 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 enjoying this great Fall weather, or by shopping for a little pumpkin for YOUR favorite cat(s)!
 
Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
 
 
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StudioKat Designs, www.studiokatdesigns.com