"Kat Bytes"      Sept '13
the monthly newsletter of
StudioKat Designs

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Look what we've been posting on FaceBooK lately!

 
 
Why not join the conversation?
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And here's what we've been pinning on Pinterest!
 
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Testimonial
of the Month
"Your newsletter is my way of keeping up on things and I enjoy trying new things and techniques. Living in a small town in the high country of Nevada does not have many opportunities like this, so keep them coming!"
Leonore Rush

Hello and Welcome-
So... we just got home last night from a fabulous Italian vacation and I'm just a wee-bit jet-lagged, but regardless of how I feel, I really don't have time to lounge around. It's time to get ready for the Quilt Market/Festival, I've got a party to plan for my parent's 60th wedding anniversary and oh yeah...we're releasing our new pattern, the Cosmo Convertible... 
TODAY!
So whatcha say? Shall we proceed?
If you have comments or suggestions about our Newsletter, please feel free to do so at info@studiokatdesigns.com
 
 
 
Click the button if you can't see
the images in this newsletter-
 
 
 "Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
Congratulations to Norma Horrell of Roseville, CA who was the come-from-behind winner of our August Handbag of the Month contest! She wins a $25.00 SKD gift certificate and a permanent place of honor on our website. Click here to see her incredibly embellished Quattro!
 
The weather may be cooling off but the competition sure hasn't, so without further adieu, check out this month's nominees, then cast a vote for your favorite. And if you'd like to find out MORE about a particular entry or see  extra info & pictures, then just click the button below!

(Click each individual picture for a larger view)

 
 
 
 
 
A feline-friendly Guardian by Viera Kubalova of Braitislava, Slovakia
 
 
 
 
 
 
A handpainted Uptown Saddlebag, also by   Viera Kubalova of Braitislava, Slovakia
 
 
 
 
 
 
A delicatably cute Quattro by Louella Wilkins of Hampden, ME
 
 
 
 
 
 
An embroidered Quattro by Ann Rowley of the UK
 
 
 
 
 
 
An equestrian-themed Quattro by        Mary Dinkel of Scottsdale, AZ
 
 
 
 
 
 
A delightfully delicious Harmony Handbag by Janice Zolnierowicz of Acton, CA
 
 
 
 
 
 
A colorful Guardian by Dawn Unruh of Fort Nelson, BC, CANADA
 
 
 
 
 
 
A bluesy Guardian by Venla V of rural AZ
 
 
 
 
 
 
A blingified Quattro by Colleen Pollack of Duncan, OK
 
 
 
 
 
 
A travel-themed Baggalista by Dale Whyte of Santa Cruz, CA
 
OK, ready to vote now?
 Only one vote per MONTH, per email address.
    
Now it's YOUR turn 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
 
 
 
Blog with us!-  A Work in Progress
Have you ever wondered what goes on during the run-up to a new pattern? Now you can peek behind the scenes at StudioKat Designs, by signing up for our blog! And if you're new to our blog, or if you missed any of our posts this month, don't worry, you can find them ALL below. 
 
 
 
New at StudioKat Designs- It's HERE! The Cosmo Convertible
 
 
It's FINALLY here!
We've been blogging about it, and sharing pictures on FaceBook, and pinning posts to our Pinterest page and the day is here at last!
Today we are pleased to announce the release of our newest handbag pattern, the Cosmo Convertible!
The Cosmo is actually THREE bags-in-one. You can carry it as a shoulder bag, and you can also reconfigure the straps to transform it into a Backpack or you can add strap extensions to carry your Cosmo cross-body style.
For more info, plenty more pictures and to purchase your copy, just click HERE. If your preference is a Pattern & Notions Kit, you can make that selection as you check out, or you can just choose the notions you need for yourself in our Sewing Supplies Department
And don't forget to download the FREE color pictorials. They might come in handy as you make your bag!
 
Also NEW at StudioKat Designs- A Charming ZipperPull
 
In a recent post on our Blog we shared that we were working with the Pin Peddlers to develop a very special charm & Zipper Pull. So many of you were so kind as to help us choose the color of our very first official StudioKat Designs Charm and here it is at last!
To be quite honest, the vote was quite split between the light green background, the white background, and the lime green background which we eventually chose, and you can see at left.
We decided on this color since it is within the "official" color scheme of StudioKat Designs.
This zipper pull can easily attach to any zipper via a cool lobsterclaw, making it possible to move the charm from bag to bag. But don't fret...if this item is successful, we'll add more background colors in the future! Click HERE to get yours.  :)
 
 
Bobbin Around the Web- Bird Brain Designs
Bird Brain Designs is a sister act. Robin's the "Ruler of the Roost" and Tina's the " Keeper of the Coop".  
You'll find all sorts of 'crafty" items on their website and I think you'll really enjoy shopping there. There's counted cross-stitch, pin cushions, wool applique and much MUCH more! You can even download a few FREE projects while you're there!
 
 
'HOT'Links-of-the-Month'- check out these GREAT offers from our sponsors
PursePatterns.Com- Click HERE to check out this month's pattern bargains!
Material Girl Quilts-Check out the Fall denims and corduroys in terrific colors and prints!!
TrishStuartDesigns- Please visit Trish's FaceBook page!
FashionableFabrics.Com- Type KAT5 for 5% off ENTIRE order (expires 9/16/13). Click HERE.
All DunnDesigns.Com- Type KAT2 to get a 10% discount on 3 Fat Quarters & a Duck
Immedia Print- We print patterns and MUCH MORE! Click here to see our various services
FaveQuilts.Com- Down your FREE copy of How to Make Halloween Costumes!
 
Website Spotlite-  Bluefig, Inc.
A full range of attractive high wuality wheeled totes and accessory bags. Do you bring your precious sewing machine with you to classes and retreats? Then you need to check out these beautiful totes that will have you transporting your machine in comfort AND in style! And while you're here, check out the embroidery project bags and the totally cute Notions Bags. My favorite is this adorable Crafter's Tote!
 
 
SmileGram-
 A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan.
She asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and Bleeding, what would you do?"
A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."
 
Video of the Month- Gabe ROCKS!
His name is Gabe and he is one SMART bulldog! Click here to watch!
 
 
Quilters are everywhere, they may be right in your home.  (Yikes!) They definitely hang out in in quilt stores and congregate at quilts shows.  They quilt for good causes and the people they love but their image is sometimes not as favorable as it should be.  Quilters rock but not everyone realizes it.  Maybe quilting isn't viewed as cool because unlike singing or dancing, it's not something we do in public.  Well, honey, that image is about to change because Karen Nyberg is quilting above us.  That's right, go outside and look up.  Way up. That's where Karen is quilting.
Karen Nyberg has been on the international space station since May 29th and will return home to her earthly quilt studio in early November.  (click HERE to continue reading....)
 
Cat Video of the Month- How to Exercise with your Cats
So I've been trying to get back into the habit of exercising and maybe i just need to try THIS?
Click here to begin!
 
Blog of the Month- Imagine Gnats
Rachael Gander is an all-around crafty lady, fabric enthusiast, blogger, and designer with an incredible (and perhaps, at times, compulsive) desire to express herself.  She shares sewing projects, tutorials, and inspiration,along with crafts and projects she makes with her girls AND she sells her original sewing & embroidery patterns in the imagine gnats shop, my favorite of which is her "Sewing Sayings" embroidery pattern. (SO cute!)
 
 
As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
 
 
Click image to see an enlarged view!
 
 
Have you ever toyed with the idea of ordering labels stitch inside your handmade items, especially the ones you give as gifts? But they're so danged EXPENSIVE, right?....WRONG!
Click HERE for an easy, schmeazy and CHEAP way to make your own! 
 
 
 
Cat Pic of the Month-
 
 
Click image to see an enlarged view!
 
New Word of the Month- Eyelidology
(ī-lĭd-ŏl'ə-jē) (noun) The study of one's own eyelids. Sometimesconfused with sleeping in class.
 
Cats in the News- Clever DIY Cat Beds
When they’re not eating, patrolling their territory, washing or helping you pack for your summer holiday, you’re likely to find your cat(s) asleep - it’s their favorite pastime.
So the good folks over at Simon's Cat have been looking at how people have been making their cat's nap-time a talking point with a DIY cat bed, like the one at right which was made using a hollowed out computer monitor. (it's as good a use as any other I can think of for these monstrosities!)
Click here to read the rest of the post.
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you're planning on traveling to a new destination soon then maybe you should first travel to Stay.com to help plan your vacation. I went here to get restaurant recommendations before traveling to Italy and it was a BIG help! (We should be currently winging our way back home as we speak! Have a good thought for us?)
You can choose from 120 cities and then create a customized city guide with a map to take with you. Check out hotel, restaurant, and sightseeing recommendations. Plus, sign in with Facebook and see which of your friends have been to that city.
 
Monthly Trivia-
Today is Monday, September 9th. It's the 252nd day of 2013 and there are 113 days remaining in the year. And if today is your birthday, you share your special day with actor/comedian Adam Sandler, (one of my favorites), and here's a great big "Happy Birthday to YOU!" from StudioKat Designs.
And if today is not your birthday, all is not lost. You can celebrate your day anyway by listening to a classic Adam Sandler song, like maybe the Hannukah Song, or the Turkey Song, because the holidays will be here before you know it, speaking of which... it's time to get started on holiday sewing projects, and might we suggest that there could be a few folks on your list that would like a new bag for Christmas?  :)
 
Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
 
 
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StudioKat Designs, www.studiokatdesigns.com