Kat Bytes- the May 2017 issue

Kat "Bytes"

the StudioKat Designs

monthly Newsletter

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Testimonial

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"I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your newsletter! I get so inspired by seeing what others are making using your patterns and since I have 3 house cats I love your cat (and dog) article & videos!"

Sheila Lazarus

California

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Issue #142---------May 2017

By the time you read this intro, we'll have fiinished out 2016-17 show season & we'll be ready to spend some serious time in the studio working on our new pattern for Fall! (Click here to see our progress so far!)

So welcome and enjoy this edition of Kat Bytes! I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day honoring, spending time with, or remembering your Mom!

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Can't see the pictures?-- Click HERE

"Handbag of the Month" Gallery-

Congratulations to Suzie Tate of Millican, TX!

Her "Triple Play" was the winner of our April "Handbag of the Month" contest pretty much from the outset, but just click HERE to see how incredible her bag was! She wins a $25.00 SKD virtual gift certificate PLUS a permanent place of honor in our Handbag Gallery.

BUT...it's a new month and time to reset for a new contest,so just scroll down to see this month's entries!

We've got EIGHT fantastic entries to share with you, so check 'em out then click HERE to cast a vote for your favorite.

(For LARGER images: Click on each individual pic)

Cheryl Maass of Goodyear, AZ is back with yet another butterfly-themed Quattro! And I love the little matching zipper pulls that Cheryl adds to the zipper pocket in the back! :)

And here's a yellow polka dot Gadabout by Mary-Lou Wightman of Surry, BC, Canada. This is Mary-Lou's 2nd Gadabout. She says she loves making this "fun" pattern and she used a bold lining this time out!

And how do you like this bright & cheery Walkabout Wallet that Alma Lou Annab made? She said her quilting group did a lesson on flying geese & the blocks were the perfect size to use for her wallet's exterior! :) Click here to see the equally impressive interior!

I love it when I find out about unusual materials being used to make bags from our patterns, so I was very interested in the Quattro that Millie Ortego of Opelousas, LA. She used metallic vintage barkcloth for hers & said our tan/white ministriped zippers were the perfect compliment for it!

And Jeanet Thorn of Denmark has found yet another use for our Quattro design. It seems she's an avid knitter (in addition to a bag maker) and has found that our Quattro works splendidly to store and transport her knitting supplies!

Madelyn Prosachik came by our booth at AQS Quiltweek Daytona Beach to show us her stunning Spring Quattro! It looks fabulous against our batik tabledrapes, no? She said she's totally pleased with how it came out and is having a blast showing it off!

And Marcia Lunz of Milwaukee, WI used a leather-look vinyl in the construction of her Baggalista! She too stopped by our booth in Daytona Beach to show us her handiwork and I loved seeing her bag!

And finally, here's the Walkabout Wallet that Anne Hendley created using Laurel Burch fabrics. Anne said that she loved carrying her wallet to Europe this past summer and used RFID fabric in the construction to protect herself from ID theft! :)

OK, ready to vote now?

Only one vote per MONTH, per email address.

From the Website-

Ok Folks! Just in case you missed it, we've just started our FIFTEENTH cycle of our most popular blog series, Purse Pattern Chronicles. All posts in this series will be preceded with a PPC15 notation. And if you're new here, and you want to catch up or if you missed any of the posts from last month, don't worry, they're all listed below.

April 1- April 2017 Handbag of the Month
April 6- AQS Daytona- The Quilts
April 11- On the Cutting Edge
April 15- Ask Kat: How Easy is it to Alter a Pattern?
April 19- PPC15: The Inspiration
April 23- Ask Kat: Are the Handbag of the Month Contests Fair?

And now... Check out thie "Oldie but Goodie" from our Archives

Feb 1, 2013- Ask Kat: Which Purse Insert Will Fit in MY Bag?

Here's a Challenge for ALL StudioKat Designs Sewists!

GREAT NEWS!

The Road 2 California Bag Challenge was such a success in 2016 that it'll be BACK and better than ever for the 2018 show! The prizes are BIGGER and this time you can use whatever fabric you choose! Click HERE to get details and to check out the prize list to see who this year's sponsors are! (You just might see someone you know!)

And here's the deal, after being the recipient of

so many pictures of ooutrageously gorgeous bags that many of you have made thru the years, I'm thinking that the winner of this contest just might be one of our loyal readers!

It might even be YOU!

Cat Picture of the Month-

Click image or HERE for a larger view.

Support this month's Newsletter Sponsors-

All DunnDesigns- Click HERE for a FREE bag embellishment lesson!

SmileGram-

Click image or HERE for a larger view.

Bobbin Around the Web- Chickadee Charms Design Co.

I first saw Janet Ludwig's work at Quilt Market in Houston last Fall and if you're looking for a large selection of fabrics, patterns and kits with a spirit of the American West then Chickadee Charms would be great place for you to start!

Among my favorites are The Woodlands Sampler, and The Steadfast Steed, but don't forget to check out her cool selection of western-themed fabrics like this grouping featuring horses!

TWO For Your Viewing Pleasure-

Here's a little bird that can teach us a lot about enjoying the little things in life.... like a lovely sheet of scott towel! Click image or HERE to watch it.

Working at home can be greatly complicated by having to do so with one or more cats present... Click image or HERE to see why.

A Cute 'Tute'- A Little Garbage Can Bag Holder-Upper

I don't care how hard we try... after a while ALL wastebaskets get so they're just plain ol' UGLY! We can put one of those disposable plastic bags from the drug store in 'em but that's not a whole lot better, is it? Well here's something to solve that problem! It's a little "garbage can bag holder-upper" to the rescue, and what makes it even better is that there's a FREE tutorial available HERE!

Quote of the Month-

Click image or HERE for a larger view.

Techie Tutorial- How to Stop Those Annoying RoboCalls to Your Smartphone

According to the FCC, there are nearly 2.4 billion robocalls made to our smartphones every month. That’s more than 7 calls per person! At best, the calls are frustrating. At worst, they’re robbing us blind. So what can we do about it once and for all? Click HERE to find out!