StudioKat News                    July 2012
 In This Issue-
Such Designs.Com
Sew4Home.Com
QuiltMyPhone.Com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
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Hello and Welcome-
Remember what I said about the weather being so delightful in June? Well, June is gone and sweltering July is in its place and I just don't get aloong well with 90+ degree days! And since it looks like that's all we'll be having for the foreseeable future, why not grab a tall glass of something cold and refreshing and settle down with this month's edition?
And here's another idea- why not kick it off with a "cool and refreshing" video of my favorite guy?
Enjoy this month's newsletter & in the meantime, you can find my INSIDE in front of the air conditioner!
Thanks for your continued support!
If you have comments or suggestions about our Newsletter, please feel free to do so at info@studiokatdesigns.com
 
 
 
 
 
 "Handbag of the Month" Gallery-

 
Guess what?
Our Prize pot just got sweeter! Now the winner of our contest gets a $25 gift certificate, AND ALL other entrants  receive a 20% discount coupon good towards any future purchase on our website!
Thanks to everyone who participated in last month's contest! And guess what? Our winner, Pauline Walters of Raglan, New Zealand, wasn't decided until the very last day! You can see her beautiful Lollapalooza by clicking here. She wins a $25.00 SKD gift certificate and a permanent place of honor on our website. But don't feel too bad about the other entries, because starting this month, EVERYBODY who entered our Handbag of the Month contest got a 20% discount coupon, good toward anything on our website!  :)
 
So... Are you ready to see the July entries?
(Click each individual picture for a larger view)

 
 
Even though Susanne Rodian is from Stockhom, Sweden, this incredible Quattro has a decidedly oriental flair. The red accent color really highlights this beautiful print. You did a fantastic job, Susanne! Even the back is incredible!
 
Patricia Kery of Springfield, PA has had this floral print in her stash for some time now. (She said it was waiting for this Quattro to come along.)
The complimentary colors she chose are just perfect and click here to see the incredible texture she added to the pouch area with double-needle pintucks! It adds an extra special touch to an already outstanding bag
 
 
 
 
This eye-popping DittyRoo was crafted by Pam Watkins, a fellow North Carolinian hailing from Madison, NC. Pam said she had a lot of fun making this bag and loves carrying it!  Great job, Pam!
 
And this Harmony Handbag in "Laurel Burch" was created by Maenad Widdershins of Bellaire, TX as a gift for her son's math teacher. Maenad said she was a huge Laurel Burch fan (as am I) and always is a regular customer. She used a pink from her stash for the interior as well as another coordinate in the "Flying Colors" collection. I'm betting that teacher flipped when she saw it,!
 
 
Sharon Bock of Woodstock, IL says that this is her "summer" DittyRoo. She fashioned it light weight denim and seersucker. And how in the world she found pink nylon webbing to match the seersucker is beyond me, but it's the perfect touch! 
I love it, Sharon!
 
The bright & beautiful Encore Purse Insert is efficiently organizing a living-room "nest" area. Tamsyn Mihalus of E Lansing, MI says it's perfect for storing her chair-side essentials for sewing, knitting & crocheting. She added that the fabrics "called out" to her in a quilt shop in Frederick, MD. (Nice to know that happens to other folks as well!) Here's the back.
 
 
 
This was a first-attempt Quattro for Glenda Smith of DeSoto, MO. She purchased all of her fabrics from Connecting Threads because when she saw the fabrics online she immediately thought how fantastic they'd look as a Quattro! She was RIGHT!
 
 
 
Carol Tillis of St Petersburg, FL said her first impression of the Quattro was that it might be hard to make, but she says she became a true believer when it all the pieces fit  together like a glove. (The color pictorial downloads were really helpful to her as well.)
Tamsyn's daughter appropriately named this bag "Sun & Stars", and took all the pics. Here's the back
 
 
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.
 
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.
 
Bobbin Around the Web- Creative Sewlutions
My neighbors across the aisle at Spring Quilt Market this year (click here to see their booth) were the girls from Creative Sewlutions. I really liked the the selection of quilts they brought with them because they were somewhat contemporary and anything but ordinary! Among my favorites were "The Apex" & "The Boxtrot", but you can see lots more examples in the Gallery.
 
 
 
 
 
Feline Quote for July-
"There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat.."  Tay Hohoff
 
Blog with us!-  A Work in Progress
Enjoy an insider's scoop on 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 last month, don't worry, theyre all listed below. 
 
 
 
'HOT'Links-of-the-Month'- check out these terrific offers from our sponsors
 
Straight Stitch Society- "Feed the Animals" Coin Purse- so cute!
Trish Stuart.Com- Trish has a NEW pattern! -  "Morning Glories"
PursePatterns.Com- The Bookin' It Book Bag pattern
All DunnDesigns.Com- "Square One"- a download special!
The Material Girls- has one of the best selections of Aboriginal fabrics online!
 
Website Spotlite- Such Designs
 
I first noticed Carrie Bloomston's designs at Spring Quilt Market. I was so impressed with her whimsical work that I just had to find out more. It turn out that Carrie has been an artist all her life and even has formal education in the field. Lucky for us, she went back to sewing when pregnant, calling it "some sort of hormone fueled, divine-feminine-wisdom thing". And now she's  designing patterns her own company, Such Designs.
Here's a few of my favorites;
And while you're out on Carrie's site, you might check out her Blog and her oh-sew-cute Lego Sewing machine tutorial.
 
Video of the Month- A Rescued Baby Hummingbird
I love this heart-warming video of a baby humminbird that was rescued! 
Click HERE to enjoy it!
 
As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
 
 
(click image to see an enlargement)
 
Lucky for you cats out there, us humans can be trained. It might take a little work, but with some time and these step-by-step instructions, you will have us walking on a leash in no time.

Just have patience with us. We're only human
Now click HERE to watch Kodi the kitten's 7-step guide to walking humans.
 
Blog of the Month-  Sew4Home.Com
Sew4Home is a daily website dedicated to stylish home décor sewing. S4H offers FREE beginner-friendly sewing projects that are designed to appeal to all levels of capability for "to-die-for"results. Here's a few of my favorites:
a Toaster Cozy, a Denim Craft Apron, & a Friendship Cuff Bracelet. You also might enjoy the very comprehensive Sewing Glossary.
 
 
Quote of the Month- 
"Even in the dictionary, academics comes before athletics." William A. Welker
 
Look What I Found OnLine- A FREE little bag pictorial
 
 
You've heard of a tutorial? Well here's a little PICtorial to help you make this adorable little patchwork-style bag, and the best part is...
It's FREE!
 
New Word of the Month- Blinknesia

(blĭngk-knē'zhə)  (n.) A case when someone leaves their blinker on for a while after they have turned or used it already.

 
Since July is a month in which we celebrate our nation's birthday, I think its only fitting to run this article from the US Navy detailing how cats have served our nation's sailors.
Sailors and cats have a special relationship that dates back thousands of years. It is likely that the ancient Egyptians were the first seafarers to realize the true value of having cats as shipmates. In addition to offering sailors much needed companionship on long voyages, cats provided protection by ridding ships of vermin. Without the presence of cats, a crew might find their ship overrun with rats and mice that would eat into the provisions, chew through ropes and spread disease.
Click here to read article and see the pictures.
 
 
 
Fun Finds-  Quilt My Phone
 
Quilt My Phone is a company with a mission to expand the reach of quilts in popular culture by putting quilt-inspired cases on all of your gear! You can get one for your phone, your laptop/tablet, or why not give a quilt-inspired journal as a gift? OR, you can even upload an image of your OWN quilt (or maybe your grandmothers?) to create your own one-of-a-kind case!  Neat, huh?
 
Fashion Trends for Summer 2012- 
Pulling off the nautical trend without going full-on "sailor" can be a bit tricky, but some summery wardrobe staples never fail to get the point across stylishly.  Sunglasses, belts, bags, and more – these simple yet stylish pieces add the perfect dose of nautical inspiration to any casual seasonal outfit, letting you embrace the trend without going overboard (pun intended)! You'll look and feel undeniably summery, but no one will be asking you to take them out to sea (unless, of course, you have a friend with a yacht)!  
 
 
Cat Picture of the Month-
 
 
(click image to see an enlargement)
 
Monthly Trivia-
Today is July 8th, the 190th day of 2012. (There are 176 days remaining.) And I would also be willing to bet that you didn't know that it was on this day in 1966, that the Beatles returned London from their Far East tour. George Harrison, obviously worn out, was quoted as saying, "We're going to have a couple of weeks to recuperate before we go and get beaten up by the Americans." I guess it was tough being  Beatle. :(
There were also three very well-known entertainers that were born on this day, but not in the same year. Kevin Bacon, whose best claim to fame may be "The Kevin Bacon Game", was born on this day in 1958. He shares his special day with Angelica Huston (1951) who I loved best in "Lonesome Dove" and country music star, Toby Keith (1961) who I enjoy listening to, as long as its just singing. (I'd rather he keep his political opinions to himself, but then I feel that way about most every public personality.)
And if today is also 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 with any number of long cold drinks (considering the sweltering heat), but if your raising a glass of beer today, don't share it with your horses as Mr. Keith suggests!  It's a cute video though!  :)
 
Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
 
 
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