StudioKat News                   August 2010
 In This Issue-
Accessorize Your Life contest
The DittyRoo- a sneak preview
Grab 'n Go Kits
Baron Bob's
The Crafty Charlestonian
Trip WOW trip videos
Video Catnip
 
August
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Hello and Welcome-
So why is it that the 'Dog Days' of summer are just beginning, but I feel like we've been living in them for 2 months already? WOW, what a summer! (I hope it's been cooler where you are.)
But here's one good thing about a hot summer... it's the  perfect excuse to hole-up in the studio & finish up our new handbag pattern, The DittyRoo.  
 
So whatcha say? Shall we proceed?
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-
"I've always been mad about cats."  Vivien Leigh
 
Sponsor 'Picks-of-the-Month'- 
Australian Fabrics- (perfect for handbags)- Material Girl Quilts
3 Quarters and a Duck- All Dunn Designs
"Catch-it" Frog Kit- Susa Glenn Designs
 
Bobbin Around the Web- Accessorize Your Life!
In honor of National Sewing Month, why not sew up your best accessory idea for National Sewing Month and you could be a lucky winner in the Accessorize Your Life contest. I've checked out the entries in last year's contest, and believe me, I've seen WAY better-looking bags entered in our 'Handbag of the Month' Contest! So get sewing and WIN!
 
 
 
 "Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
There was unprecedented voting in our July Handbag of the Month Contest!
Thanks to everyone who participated in last month's contest! The winner was Sue Hobart of Castleton, NY. 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 beautifully embroidered Trifecta.
 
The August Handbag of the Month contest promises to be just as exciting, so without further ado...Scroll down to check out this month's nominees, then cast a vote for your favorite. 

Think you've got what it takes to win?
Come on! Join in on the FUN! 
    
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 picture to see an enlarged version)

 
Ann Michel of Winston-Salem, NC is ready for a night on the town having created TWO gorgeous Kizmet Klutches
 
Here's a closeup of the lacy brown Kizmet which Ann says matches one of her jackets. (Take special note of the interlocking belt buckle which was used as a closure.) The silver Kizmet was made from "dance/swim wear" fabric.
 
 
 
 
This faux leather Boho Baguette was created by Linda Stokes of St. Petersburg, FL. She offered the following tips when workiing with faux or real leather.
  • use a teflon or a roller foot
  • use paper clips instead of pins
  • use a longer stitch than usual
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nancy Crews of New Windsor, MD calls her Boho Baguette vibrant and summery. I would have to agree.
Click here to see the back side, which is equally beautiful.
 
This ultra-girley Carolina CarryAll was created by Bette Gove of Moneta, VA. She said that when she was all done, this bag 'told her' that it needed some bling. So she found some complimentary ribbon and beads and voila...(here's an embellishment closeup) Bette says she's not really a girley-girl but loves the bag and I do too! Bette was concerned I'd think she was strange because her work 'spoke' to her, but I understand that completely... don't you?
 
 
OK, ready to vote now?
Just click on the link below to cast your vote.
NEW THIS MONTH- Only one vote per MONTH, per email address is allowed.
 
    and come back next month to see who the winner is! 
 
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 July, don't worry, they are all listed below. 
 
 
 
Coming SOON at SKD- The DittyRoo- A Sneak Preview
 
As summer begins to wane, you're probably starting to anticipate all the things that Fall brings... like Football, school, cooler weather, etc. but for us, the coming of Fall means the Fall Quilt Market in Houston can't be far behind, and that means we better have a new handbag pattern ready to unveil, and guess what? We DO! Well... we almost do!
We're putting the finishing touches on our new pattern for Fall, the DittyRoo, in anticipation of the official release with the September newsletter on September 6th. Just between you and me, the pattern will probably be quietly available on our website sometime in late August, if you're in a hurry. Otherwise, you might want to wait to use the discount coupon which will be published in the September Newsletter. For more pictures and info about the DittyRoo, read the blog posts above that are labeled PPC2 (short for Purse Pattern Chronicles) or click here to check out the website.
 
Website Spotlite- Grab n Go Kits
If you've hesitated to take on a wool felt project because you've hated the thought of all that pre-cutting, then you need to check out Grab n Go Kits! 
There's no need to worry about whether you have the correct supplies, because GRAB 'N GO KITS are complete and ready to stitch. Click here to check out the fall/winter products, or here, to check out the spring/summer products. I also found this cool book that explains how to make fabric postcards suitable for mailing. How cool is that?
 
 
A Cool Place to Shop- Baron Bob's
This is the month that students start heading back to college, and if you're looking for a cool & unique gifts for a college student you love, then you need to check out Baron Bob's. I like the Robo Vaccuum, and this funny Crime Scene Towel. And I know that most of you may think that this Giant Tea Cup is a hoot, but I actually drink my tea out of cup similar to this EVERYDAY! (It's a soup bowl with a handle.) I love my tea, but i can't stand constantly getting up to make more & now I know where I can get me a replacement!
 
Video of the Month-  Morning Pee
I know you'll love this video featuring a funny little dog on a MISSION... to claim the entire block as his own!  Click here to enjoy it!
 
As 'Funnie' as Real Life- A Close Up of Your Cat's Brain
 
(Click cartoon to see the larger version)
 
Cat Video of the Month- Kitten in a Vase
Thanks to alert reader Ann Horton for sending us this fun little video featuring a kitten with an unusual fighting style.  (Of course he's a tuxedo cat!)
 
Blog of the Month- The Crafty Charlestonian
So I kinda stumbled across the Crafty Charlestonian the other day and I knew it would be a blog you'd want to visit!
First of all, you'll LOVE all the giveaways, like this one for cool jewelry. Then there's the product reviews, on all types of stuff, like baby products, household items and MORE! But the things I like best are the crafty tutorials, like this one for a DIY infant seat cover, or this one for a too-cute playtable and chairs or my personal fave, a DIY upside-down tomato planter.  Check it out! You'll book mark this one for sure!
 
 
Quote of the Month- 
"Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to."  Harry Emerson Fosdick
 
Look What I Found OnLine- TripWOW trip videos
 
Here's a way to take sharing vacation pics to a whole new level. Just upload a few photos, and the site creates a very cool trip slideshow (with music!) for you to show your entire family and friends. TripWOW even includes a map of your travels and allows you to customize titles and captions. The site is free, fast & easy! And here's the deal, once a slideshow is created, you can easily share it on facebook, Twitter or another social media site. I liked it so good, that I created one for our recent trip to New York. Click HERE to view it!
 
New Word of the Month- Blimpaments (blĭm'plə-mənts)
a. (n.pl.) High-calorie or high-fat toppings one adds to a low-calorie or low-fat food that effectively cancels out all the benefits of eating the healthy food in the first place.
 
Cats in the News- Kittens for Lunch
Thanks to Carol Bedient (otherwise known as Aunt Carol) for sending me this very sweet video (don't let it's title fool you).  Click here to enjoy it!
 
Cat Site of the Month- Video Catnip
 
Is your cat fascinated with movementon your computer screen? Is he constantly buggin you when you are trying to surf the web? Well, it's about to get a lot worse.
 
Video Catnip is a downloadable program that places an interesting 'critter' onto your computer screen. Click here
to check out one of the six different 'critters' from which you can choose. Once downloaded, your critter will move randomly around your screen, providing endless hours of entertainment for your cat. This website promises that your kitty will be good for the rest of his life...  Hmmmm
 
Handbags in the News- Lead in Women's Handbags?
Lead in women's handbags? This is no joke. Click here to read this disturbing article concerning a recent study to determine the lead content in handbags. But you know what? This is all the more reason why we should all be carrying fabric handbags, not the rediculously expensive leather-lookalikes that are currently being peddled to us!
 
Cat Picture of the Month- 'A Spy Among Us'
  
(Click photograph to see the larger version)
 
 
Sewing Tips- Pressing Tips
The rule of thumb is "press as you go." And it's important to remember that you NEVER, NEVER cross one seam with another without first pressing the original seam open or to one side, per the sewing instructions. (ALWAYS press according to the sewing instructions.)

You can minimize the number of times that you have to go back and forth between sewing machine and ironing board by organizing your sewing. For example, you can work on different sections of the garment, going as far as you can on each part UNTIL the instructions tell you to press. Then take all the sections to the ironing board at the same time, and press everything that needs it. 
 
Did You Know?-
Forks, which used to be mostly two-tined, used to be known as "split-spoons".
 
A Cool Internet Activity- Want to Volunteer?
A situation like this year's Gulf oil spill remonds us that there are people in need of help- not just in disaster situations, but in everyday life. Whether you want to assist animals, youth, or the environment, this site can help you find ways to use your passion and knowledge to benefit others in your community. Just use the easy interface to search for opportunities. You can also post information if your organization needs volunteers.
 
 
Monthly Trivia-
Today is August 6th, the 218th day of 2010. (There are 147 days remaining in the year.) It was 65 years ago on this day that an American bomber dropped the world's first atom bomb over the city off Hiroshima, Japan. An estimated 140,000 people were killed.
On a far lighter note, August 6th just happens to be the birthdayof one of the funniest humans ever born, Lucille Ball. I know we're living in a high-def, 3-D, color world now, but it just doesn't get any better than the old black & white 'I Love Lucy' sitcoms. My ultimate favorite episode was "Lucy at the Chocolate Factory", followed closely by the 'Vitameatavegamin' episode, and the 'Italian Grape-Stomping' episode. Wouldn't it be FUN to share your birthday with such a legend? And if today does happen to be your birthday too, here's a great big "Happy Birthday to YOU!" from StudioKat Designs. And if today is not your birthday,NOW you can celebrate the day anyway by maybe lunching at the Olive Garden, or by shopping at the Natural Food Store, or by simply indulging in a box of chocolates. Let them wonder why your smiling!
 
Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
 
 
Why Not Pass along the FUN?
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StudioKat Designs, www.studiokatdesigns.com