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StudioKat News September 2011
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In This Issue-
The Baggalista release coupon
Soft & Stable discount offer
SKD purrfect handbag notions
Your Almost Daily Purr Calendar
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Customer Comment
of the Month
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"I am still loving this newsletter. When I first open it, I go for all the cat pics, cartoons & videos, THEN I start at the top and look at all the other articles!"
Joan
North Carolina
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WOW! August just FLEW by for us. First off, we enjoyed super fantastic train vacation thru the Canadian Rockies, then we spent the better part of week getting caught up, PLUS all the while we were scrambling to get our new pattern for Fall, the Baggalista ready to release today.
But, before you scroll down to order your new pattern, I've got TWO videos for you to enjoy. The 1st video is a tee-tiny taste of the scenery we enjoyed on our train trip, & then you can checkout my grandson's dance moves in the 2nd video.
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Feline Quote for February-
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| "A cats' hearing apparatus is built to allow the human voice to easily go in one ear and out the other." Stephen Baker |
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"Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
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Thanks to everyone who participated in last month's contest! The winner was Geraldine DeBoer of Anchorage, AK. 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 heartstopping Quattro, complete with a hummingbird embellishment.
The September 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.
(Click each individual picture for a larger view)
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This luscious Lollapalooza was created by Susie of Auckland, NZ who said it took her a while to find the right fabric for this bag, but when she saw this silver & black home dec fabric she knew it would be perfect with some faux leather she has had for some time. But...when a friend saw it, he loved it & wanted to give it to his wife for her birthday... so Susie gave it up! What a good friend, right? You did a great job Susie!
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And Judy Dodge of Vancouver, WA is thrilled with her DittyRoo! She got the fabric at craft Warehouse when they had a group of Oriental fabrics on sale. She just knew it be perfect for this bag. Judy has a feline sewing assistant as well, and here she is! |
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This embroidered Carolina CarryAll was fabricated by Helaine Eckstein of Bradenton, FL. This beauty was embroidered with Susa Glenn's Honeysuckle Folk Art & it's spectacular! Helaine has some very complimentary things to say about the pattern & the instructions. She said the whole process was a pleasure. Thanks Helaine! |
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Noreen added a few personal touches to her bag, such as a padded cellphone holder and a longer strap so she could wear it crossbody. The back is fabulous too! |
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And here's an inspired Boho Baguette submitted by Stacy Koss of Eustis, FL. Citing her daughter as her inspiration, Stacy had a great time making it as a gift for her daughter, which she feels is the best daughter in the world! She says she had such a good time, that she plans on making many more as gifts for Christmas! hmmm... it IS getting to be that time, isn't it?
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This beautiful Quattro was Pannay Guigley's very first attempt at a handbag. She complimented us on the instructions and added that she utilized the online photo help a great deal! The only trouble Pannay's having now, is deciding which bag to try next!
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Janet Guidry of Tampa, FL used our cover bag as the inspiration for her version of our Quattro.
She sais that she fashioned her flower embellishment with the use of zippers and plans on making several other types of embellishments to change her look periodically. GREAT idea, Janet!
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Lesa Bame of Bellbrook, OH put this Quattro/ PortaPockets Insert duo together at a recent sewing retreat. The bags are a gift for her son's girlfriend who likes girly stuff AND skulls! She lucked out finding this fabric for her, didn't she?
Apparently her giftee loves the duo so much, that it is now her favorite, even over her Coach designer bag! Here's a closeup of the PortaPockets front and the roomy interior! |
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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,
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PreOrder a StudioKat Designs Calendar-
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You asked for it, and WE LISTENED!
All our FaceBook fans LOVE Jeter & Joba, our lovable & photogenic studio assistants ( AKA 'Your Almost Daily Purrrrr').
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And now, you can enjoy your own desktop calendar featuring 12 of your favorite photos of this dynamic duo. Our calendar measures 5.5" X 8" and will look beautiful in your sewing area.
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Just click here for more info & to preorder your copy for only $10.95. We'll start mailing the calendars out on Sept 20th (just in time for use on beginning in Oct 2011), but don't delay, this is a limited time offer that won't be repeated until next year!
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It's FINALLY here!
Today is the official release date for our new bag pattern, The Baggalista! My goal for this bag was to create the perfect travel bag, so I figured I better load it up and take it to Canada with me before making this claim, and guess what? The Baggalista traveled like a champion, holding all of my trip essentials, & I always had my camera, video camera & anything else I needed at my fingertips! I especially enjoyed lengthening the adjustable strap & carrying my bag cross-body for extra security! |
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AND- as is or norm, we are offering all of our loyal newsletter readers a discount offer, good toward the purchase our Baggalista. Just type NEWS911 in the coupon code at checkout to receive $2.00 off your pattern, but don't delay, this offer will expire at midnight on 8/14/11. You can use the following links to get more info and also to purchase these notions-
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Many of this month's Blog posts were dedicated to the process of designing our new pattern, the Baggalista. The Purse Pattern Chronicles are always popular and if you missed any of this series or any of the other posts from August, don't worry, theyre all listed below. |
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Sponsor 'Picks-of-the-Month'-
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Material Girls Online store- Goanna & Snake, GREAT fabric for a Baggalista!
PursePatterns.Com- Bali Bag by Aunties Two Patterns (one of our neighbors in Salt Lake City)
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Most of you know by now that we are featuring a fabulous NEW material called Soft & Stable in our new bag pattern, the Baggalista. You can get it on our website as part of the Baggalista Kit and also in separate 29" X 11" sections, which are the perfect size for the Baggalista, but if you would rather purchase it in bulk, Annie Unrein (the mastermind behind Soft & Stable), is graciously discounting all of her BLACK Soft & Stable in honor of our pattern release. Just go to www.byannie.com & use the discount code BLACK KAT to get 10% off any package of BLACK Soft & Stable between now & 9/13/11.
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We're just CRAZY about these new, totally invisible, sew-in magnetic snaps! They're much easier to position and install than the old-fashioned, clunky clamp-in style snaps. And your finished bag will look much more professional with invisible snaps.
We loved using them SO much in fact, that we're making them the flagship commodity in our brand new line of notions. How do you like our new tags?
Ready to try them out? Just click here for more info & don't forget- we would just LOVE it if you let your local quilt/fabric shop know where they can order these fabulous snaps for their shop! |
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My dad sent me this humorous video of a penguin playing ping-pong, which goes to prove the point that regardless of what language the commerical is in, the best TV ads are almost always drink ads! Just click here to watch. |
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As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
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Click image for an enlarged view.
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My sister sent me this video of a nutty black cat playing with an owl and it totally cracks me up. First off, this crazy cat is the most limber animal EVER and I LOVE watching him contort himself trying to catch this owl. But secondly, there's something so sweet about the thought of an owl & a cat being best friends. Click here to enjoy! |
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Coni, a self-described 44 year-old spinster who stitches is hilarious! It doesn't bother me one bit that she's into stitching in needlepoint. I love her sense of humor and I think you will too!
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Before they start the new school year, do your kids need a refresher on some of what they learned last year? Khan Academy is a free and comprehensive e-learning site has videos on hundreds of topics to choose from. Subjects include math, science, history, & finance. Even if your kids are all caught up, you might consider using the site yourself! |
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New Word of the Month- FoxyMoron
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(fŏk'sē-môr'ŏn') n. - A member of the opposite sex blessed with beauty and cursed with stupidity, whose presence causes contradictory feelings of attraction and repulsion.
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ScienceDaily (Aug. 20, 2011) — When a male rat senses the presence of a fetching female rat, a certain region of his brain lights up with neural activity, in anticipation of romance. Now Stanford University researchers have discovered that in male rats infected with the parasite Toxoplasma, the same region responds just as strongly to the odor of cat urine. In other words, this parasite makes infected rodents WANT to spend time near cat odors, increasing the likelihood that they become the cat's next meal. Weird, huh? (Click here to read more.)
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Television shows such as “Project Runway” have helped kids get excited about creating original designs. And sewing is “very powerful in terms of a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem,” said Judy Raymond, who works for the company that makes Simplicity patterns.
It may sound strange, but sewing experts say that technology is making kids more crafty, because they love to post videos and pictures of their creations online to share with friends.
“Sewing brings it back to the softer arts,” says Michael Greenzaid of G Street Fabrics. “They think it’s very cool to make your own pajama pants.”
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Bernadette Kazmarski is the author of this blog, which is at times, funny and at time very sad! The photography is beautiful and if you're a cat -lover in particular, or an animal-lover in general, you should check it out. I especially like this post about her vet that actually makes house calls... you know I NEED a vet like that, since Jeter is banned from the vet's office, unless of course he's sleeping. (Does any one know a vet like this?) |
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Cat Picture of the Month-
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Click image for an enlarged view.
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Today is Wednesday, September 7th, the 251st day of 2011. (There are 115 days remaining in this year.)
It was also on this day in 1914 that the new New York Post Office Building opened to the public at 8th Ave between 31st and 33rd Streets. So what, you say? It IS a big deal, because on the front of this building was an inscription by Herodotus, the free translation of which is... "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." This has long been believed to be the motto of the US Postal Service, BUT, they in fact, have NO motto... but the legend remains. And if today just happens to also be YOUR birthday, here's a great, big "Happy Birthday to YOU" from StudioKat Designs. And just for funsies today, whether it's your birthday or not, let's ALL see if we can somehow work one of the following three phrases into a conversation today.
- "I will survive".
- "That'll be the day". (or)
- " We won't get fooled again'.
EXTRA points if the person you say this too looks at you like you've lost your mind! (If you have a funny story involving this activity, please let us know!)
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Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
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Why Not Pass along the FUN?
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It's never been easier to get your friends in on the FUN! If you enjoy this newsletter and want to forward a copy to a friend, you need only click on this link and enter their email address!
(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.
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