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StudioKat News October 2011
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In This Issue-
NEW additions to our notions line
SewFun patterns
Leila & Ben patterns
ModaLissa.Com
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Click here for info about making your own GREEN Cleaning Products!
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Customer Comment
of the Month
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"Your grandson is just a big chunk of deliciousness... love your patterns & styles! I have my first one ready to cut out, it's just that my real job gets in the way of all the stuff I REALLY want to do!
Marcia Green
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Since it's October you must know we've been working our tails off trying to get ready for the Fall Market in Houston. Our new pattern, the Baggalista has had an excellent start so far, (thanks to many of YOU), so we're anticipating a good show.
We've got loads of fun stuff to share with you this month, but before we get started, you might want to click here to check out how my grandson has learned to enjoy all of this rainy weather we've been having, then hurry back and we'll get started!
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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 Helaine Eckstein of Bradenton, FL. 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 beautifully embroidered Carolina CarryAll.
Our October Handbag of the Month contest features SIX Quattros, a SideKick and an Encore Purse Insert. 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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Karen Armour of San Diego, CA told us that this classic Quattro was her 2nd StudioKat Designs bag. She chose this Hoffman fabric because she wanted something cheerful for summer that would get "grungey" over time. Here's a peek at the back and look how easy it's going to be to find things inside against this beautiful lining!
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And I'll bet Jackie Abel of Watertown, SD got quite a reaction carrying this delightful Quattro, don't you. She said she purchased this BEFORE she had this purse pattern in mind, but it looks to me like these fabrics were destined to be a bag! :) |
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Deb Ingersoll of Springboro, OH wanted to make a bag for Fall that celebrated Fall color, but was still classy, and after seeing this Quattro, I would say, "Mission Accomplished!" Here's a closeup of the side pockets and a peek at the zippered closure.
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| This Encore Insert was whipped up by Gertrude Ezell of Butler, PA who says that she's using a 2nd Encore as a sewing organizer next to her machine. The front pouched area holds her scissors & the CC slots are perfect for her machine needle cases. GREAT idea Gertrude! I wonder what goes in these elastic pouches? |
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And Sherlyn M has been a busy gal in Colorado Springs! She says she had so much fun paper piecing the front & back pocket areas, that she also made a matching cell phone cover and billfold! |
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When Sonya Bankester of Stapleton, AL went digging thru her stash for this Quattro, this plum trio literally fell out of the cabinet. She personalized it with a large pink "S" & substituted braided leather handles for the fabric covered webbing handles. Great job, Sonya! |
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| Darlene Lindsey of Owasso, OK wanted to go a little 'wild' on this Sidekick for her Mom, but since her Mom fell in love with the cover bag, she went with the black & white. I LOVE the pop of color in the interior, which looks all the more beautiful on this interior shot, and this view of the checkbook area! |
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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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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. |
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Sponsor 'Picks-of-the-Month'-
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Feline Quote for February-
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| "Prowling his own quiet backyard or asleep by the fire, he is still only a whisker away from the wilds." - Jean Burden |
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We've had SUCH a great reaction to our new notions line and we have many of YOU to thank for that! And now we want to tell you that we have added TWO MORE items to our line...
- rectangular metal loops (in a brass or a nickel finish)
- a rectangular loop/slide buckle combo (in brass or nickel)
Just like many of you, we got sick & tired of the flimsy excuses for bag hardware we were finding in stores, so you can bet our loops and slides are high quality metal that will compliment your creation beautifully! You can check em our here. |
But here's the deal, many of you have asked why they can't find our notions in their favorite stores, and the simple answer is, it just takes time for the word to get out. Our hardware has been picked up by several distributors, so if you'd like to have the option of purchasing these supplies locally, we'd be thrilled if you mentioned their availability the next time go shopping!
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Jenn Lopez is a wife, mother (of three) & a former video game developer but now she designs sewing patterns for Babies and Moms. All of her patterns have easy-to-follow instructions and detailed illustrations. From quilts and toys for baby to stylish diaper bags and accessories for Mom , Sew Fun patterns make beautiful gifts for baby showers and cherished handmade keepsakes for all the loved ones in your life! Jen has some great FREE tutorials on her site and has just released a new bag pattern.
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My sister sent me this cool video of two foxes playing on a trampoline and though I know precious little about foxes, I never ever suspected that they were THIS playful. Click HERE to enjoy! |
Leila and Ben are two moms who make handmade sewing and crochet patterns for modern kids.
All of their patterns are made with the beginner in mind and feature step-by-step instructions and clear photographs to make your projects a success! It' not often that you find a site that features BOTH sewing and crochet patterns but I like the variety here... if only I could crochet! How do you think this little cap would look on my grandson?
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And thanks to Patty Dunn (and a host of others) for sending me this adorable video of unlikely duo... a sweet kitten and a fericious pit bull... well, not really ferocious! Click HERE to watch. |
Lissa is the marketing goddess for Moda Fabrics, and as someone who attends every quilt event of substance in the free world, her blog is a travel journal of what's happening at Quilt Market and other big-time events in the sewing industry. I especially enjoy her writeups about the Quilt Market, which Lissa has conveniently collected in this folder. |
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"Success is falling nine times and getting up ten." Jon Bon Jovi
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New Word of the Month- Scandroid
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(skăn'droid') (n.) The folks who work long hours in the checkout lines scanning the items people buy.
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The New York Times- September 14, 2011-
A calico cat named Willow, who disappeared from a home near the Rocky Mountains five years ago, was found on a Manhattan street and will soon be returned to her family.
How she got to New York, more than 1,800 miles away, and the kind of life she lived in the city are mysteries.
But thanks to a microchip that was implanted when she was a kitten, Willow will be reunited in Boulder, Colo., with her owners, who had long ago given up hope. ( Click here to read more.) |
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Cat Picture of the Month-
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(click image to see a larger version)
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Think you've seen it all? Check THIS out!
A new hand bag has been launched which will enable cell phone users to charge their phones while traveling. The bag could be used to charge any electronic gadgets. Moreover, in dark surroundings, opening the bag will activate optical fibers attached to the inside of the bag which will give a diffuse glow and assist in the search for keys, purse or other objects of vital importance. (Click here to read more)
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Thinking about teaching a youngster to sew? Here's some FABULOUS tips for sewing with kids and a terrific site with some great beginner patterns for kids (including boys)of ALL ages, like this "Owl Softie" pattern. Wendi Gratz says that she's on a mission to teach people to sew and her patterns are designed especially for beginners. |
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As a passionate blogger, Tamar is also a style-conscious and single 30-something living in New York City. Here, she playfully chronicles her dating life along with all of the complications of owning a cat. Not wanting to scare off suitors who may not be feline-lovers, she finesses her way with style and grace wearing her "cat-hair-free black clothing like a badge of honor." Her mission? To not be a stereotypical "cat lady." And to that we say: mission accomplished! |
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As 'Funnie' as Real Life-
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(Click image to see a larger version)
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Today is October 7th, the 280th day of 2011 (there are 85 days remaining).It's almost time for this years Christmas shopping season to begin... or are you one of THISE people who already have it finished? Well if your were on the scene in 1983, you might remember that it was on this day that the Cabbage Patch Kids made their debut, and were the cause of many a toy store stampede. My Mom bought one for my daughter and tried her best to convince her of how cool they were, but Erica just never bought it (maybe because they were so ugly?) Today is also it seems, the birthday of several charismatic men of strong will and even stronger ideas. Talent scout extraordinaire, Simon Cowell, is celebratiing his 52nd birthday today along with Desmond Tutu of South Africa, an outspoken opponent of apartheid. Even former (and possibly the future) president of Russia, Vladimir Putin will also be enjoying birthday cake today 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 perhaps celebrate the day anyway with a little Karaoke? Who knows, you just might have The X Factor!!! |
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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