StudioKat News            November 2009

 In This Issue-

Mochi Mochi Fiber Art             Pink Fig patterns                Lorraine Torrance                    The Moscow Cat Theatre         Fare Compare.com                 Cody the UPS Cat                     1154 Lill Studio                       God and Dog               CouponWeb.com

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Hello and Welcome-
As it turns out, October was a REALLY busy month & it went by in a whirlwind! Quilt Market was wonderful! I wish you all could have gone, but here's a little slide show that will give you a  taste of the "fantasticness". (If you look closely, you just might recognize someone in slide 42!)
If you are a follower of our blog, then you might recall that one of my favorite exhibition quilts at Market featured the zodiac wheel, and coincidently, I found an interesting blogpost concerning this very quilt, along with some very excellent close-up shots. You can check it out here, but then come on back & we'll get started! 
If you have comments or suggestions about our Newsletter, or this format, 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 the web version
 
Feline Quote for September-
"Cities, like cats, will reveal themselves at night."  Rupert Brooke
 
 
Bobbin Around the Web- Mochi Mochi Fiber Art
 
Here's one of my favorite finds at this year's Quilt Market! The inspired quilt patterns of Mochi Mochi Fiber Art are interpretations by designer Bergen Rose of paintings by artist Keiichi Mishimura. The fact is, these patterns really don't look like quilts at all. Click here to see a short slideshow of the new patterns for 2010. To truly appreciate how wonderfully Mr. Rose has translated the original painting to fabric, click here. You'll be impressed!
 
 
 
 "Handbag of the Month" Gallery-
Nothing brightens my day more than receiving pictures of the beautiful bags you all are creating! It seems everyone is enjoying our "Handbag of the Month" contest, so jump right in & check out these pics, all received in October, & then cast a vote for your favorite. The owner of the handbag receiving the most votes at the end of the month wins a $10.00 SKD gift certificate. Jindra Katzerova of the Czech Republic was the lucky winner in our October 09 Handbag Contest. Click here to see her winning entry, a traffic-stopping Lollapalooza which has also won a permanent place of honor on our website! 
Remember, I would just love to open up my email & see a bag that YOU have created.      
To enter the"Handbag of the Month" contest, just attach your jpg or gif image to an email and send it to: info@studiokatdesigns.com
 
   For some reason, we had only four entries this month, but they are FABULOUS, and here they are....
 Judy Dove of Great Britain  submitted this awesome Lollapalooza! Judy says she pieced the exterior by using curved strips of various fabrics and joined them with bias tape. She added that this embellishment technique was a lot of work, but oh so worth it! I agree don't you? The back of this bag is equally awesome as well, just take a look!
 
 
 Patty Benzing has been a busy girl indeed! She made this amazing Boho Baguette for her sister. You can see a closeup of her Native American embroidery by clicking here. You can also see the matching wallet and checkbook cover she also made her. I wonder how closely related one must be in order to get on Patty's gift list?
 
 
 
 
 
 
Patty created this Lollapalooza combining black fabric with a corduroy print & a complimentary turquoise. The combination proved to be lovely!
 

Patty says that this Harmony Handbag is one of her favorite bags. She used a very dark navy fabric with a orange butterfly printed lining. As a final touch, she added butterflied embroidery to the exterior. You can see the front of the bag by clicking here.
 
 
 
OK, ready to vote now?
Just click on the link below to cast your vote.
Only one vote per day, per email address is allowed.
 
    and come back next month to see who the winner is! 
 
Blog with us!-  A Work in Progress

Would you enjoy seeing what happens behind the scenes as new patterns are developed? You can enjoy an insider's scoop by subscribing to our blog, "A Work In Progress". And don't worry, you can catch right up with everyone else by clicking on the posts from October 2009, listed below. 

 

 
 
 
Website Spotlite- Pink Fig Patterns
Is it any surprise that as I walked the Quilt Market floor this year, i did so with a new appreciation for children's clothing patterns, and there were plenty to choose from. The Pink Fig patterns were some of my favorites. The stylings and fabric choices harkened back to a favorite era of mine and it was fun trying to imagine making something like this for my future grandson. Click here & scroll down for a quick view of the pattern offerings. You can also enjoy a photo gallery look by clicking here.
 
A Cool Place to Shop- Lorraine Torrence Designs
 
If you're looking for wearable art patterns with a sophisticated, contemporary style, then you need to visit Lorraine Torrence Designs. You can use your quilt-making and patchworking skills without lookiing like you're wearing a quilt! While you're there, check out the "Needle In A Haystack Vest", the "My Favorite Things Vest", or my personal favorite, the "Artist's Vest". 
 
Video of the Month-  The Moscow Cat Theatre
All my life I've been told that cats are impossible to train... they do only what they want to... they please only themselves. You've probably heard these things too, but evidently this is not a common belief in Russia.  Check it out- The Moscow Cat Theatre is a travelling show of cats that perform amazing tricks for Vladimir and his daughter Maria, who combine their love of cats and stage to create a captivating act!                                   
 
You Might be a Redneck if...
You carry your cat to the Vet in a carrier that looks like THIS!
 
Blog of the Month- Film in the Fridge
Here's a fun blog for you to checkout. It's titled Film in the Fridge, though I'm not exactly sure why. Ashley (the writer) specializes in quilt making and has an entertaining writing style. She also has some very interesting free tutorials available here, like these, for patchwork napkins, a reusable market bag, and fabric chain links. You can also shop in Ashley's Etsy store by clicking here.
 
Quote of the Month- 
"All things are difficult before they are easy." Thomas Fuller
 
Your Cat Might Own You IF-
he "insists" on a fancy Saturday morning breakfast consisting of an omelette made with eggs, milk, salmon or trout!
 
Surf HERE for Neat Info- Dare to Compare
  Go to FareCompare.com to find a variety of tools to help you get the best deals on your upcoming flights. Use the search function to compare fares on various airlines, then sign up for an alert that tells you when those prices drop. You can also get video insider tips, like this one that helps you avoid hidden airline charges. Be sure to look at the US Domestic Fee Chart to help you figure out the ever-changing fees associated with baggage, both checked and carry-on.
 
 
New Word of the Month-  Clickulate   (klĭk'yü-lāt')
Repetitive and nervous clicking of the mouse in a fervent attempt at making a webpage load faster.
 
Cats in the News- Cody the UPS Cat
Cody the Cat is safe at home at last after an unexpected trip from Dallas, TX to Woodstock, IL in a UPS box. (It was no surprise to me that Cody is a tuxedo cat!) Click here to read the full story sent in by alert reader Erica Lineberry of Raleigh, NC (other wise known as my daughter).   
 
Love Handbags?- 1154 Lill Studio
  It's almost the gift-giving season, and if you'd like to give or get a handmade handbag this year, yet don't have the skills or time to create one yourself, why not check out 1154 Lill Studio and do the next best thing... design your own bag and let someone else make it! First- choose your exterior shape, then pick your fabrics. Or if you'd rather ditch all that and just pick up a ready-made Lill bag, click here for a complete selection.
 
Sewing Tips- 
Always check the remnant table when in your fabric store, you will find some great bargains. Often times you can combine like colors in prints, stripes and plain fabrics into an outfit, and all from the remnant table.
 
Music to make you SMILE-  God and Dog
My best bud Mary sent me this wonderful God and Dog video, which is a real life song (by Wendy Francisco) with animation. If you've ever loved a dog, or been loved by a dog, you'll be as charmed as I was! Click here if you're interested in hearing other free songs by Wendy. You can also read about the thoughts behind the "God and Dog" song by clicking here
 
 
Did You Know?-
that the only place in the universe where a flag flies all day, never goes up or comes down, never flies half-mast and does not get saluted... is the moon.
 
A Cool Internet Activity- Cut Costs with Coupons
Before you go grocery shopping, make a quick stop at this money-saving site. CouponWeb is filled with printable coupons for popular food & other household items from hundreds of the world's best-known brands. Simply click on the offeres you'd like to print & take the coupons to the store to redeem. Save a dollar here & there, and it quickly adds up- almost like printing free money with your home computer... only it's legal.  :)
 
Laugh Lines-
A kindergarten pupil told his teacher that he found a dead cat.
"How do you know that the cat was dead?" she asked.
"Because I pissed in its ear and it didn't move," answered the child.
You did WHAT?" the teacher exclaimed.
"You know," explained the boy,"I leaned over and went 'Pssst'!, and it didn't move."
 
Surf Here for FUN!- Body of Knowledge
Sure, you know the basics. But there's probably much you could still learn about the brain, skeleton, heart & digestive track. Here you'll find a virtual body map with narrated tours. Test your knowledge with games like building a skeleton or organizing your organs. It won't lead to a medical degree- just a better understanding of human anatomy.
 
Monthly Trivia-
Today is November 5th, the 309th day of 2009. In terms of US political history, some pretty important things have happened through the years on this day. John F Kennedy began his political career by getting elected to the US House of Representatives on this day in 1946. And in 1968, Richard Nixon won the US Presidency by defeating Vice President Hubert Humphrey & third party candidate George Wallace.
 
It turns out that a lot of well-known folks have laid claim to November 5th as their birthday as well. There's the ethereal  Art Garfunkel (with or without Paul Simon), the notorius Ike Turner (his version of Proud Mary really is the best in my estimation), the femme fatale Vivien Leigh (frankly my dear....), the ever-so-cute Peter Noone (of Herman's Hermits), and everybody's grampa, Roy Rogers. And if today also happens to be YOUR birthday, here's a great big "Happy Birthday to YOU" from StudioKat Designs. And if today is not your birthday, here's a great big "Happy Trails to YOU"... until we meet again of course!

 

Well, that's it for now, so until next month, remember!
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever!
 
 
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StudioKat Designs, www.studiokatdesigns.com