"Kat Bytes"
the monthly newsletter of StudioKat Designs
Issue #178  May  2020
 
So... it's time for another monthly newsletter! Have you noticed how sometimes quarantine time seems to fly by but most time... its just a slow, steady drip of one day after another that endlessly looks the same.
But last week there was FINALLY a significant changes for us! Our daughter finally agreed to let us come visit with our grands. She's been worried (overly) about us being in that "age group of concern" so this was a break-thru moment for us. But as good a day as we had, (and it was wonderful), I'll never forget my 10yr old grandson giving us a bear hug & exclaiming how
 
great it felt to "touch us"!! Sealed If I ever needed proof that even the youngest among us are seriously being affected by this time of isolation, this certainly drove it home!
So as you in your respective states or countries, (and we in NC) begin to take our first tentative steps toward reopening, remember to calculate the risks before you leave the your home and be safe out there!
And speaking of safe things, its ALWAYS safe to read our newsletter & among this month's highlights is a newly retired/discounted pattern, AND a very important annoucement about a new product we'll be launching in a week or so!
So thanks for joining us this month!
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                           Can't see the pictures? Click HERE to see the "web version"
 
May 2020 "Eye Candy"
The bags you see below are among those that customers have shared recently on either our FaceBook business page, our Instagram feed or on our Group page on FaceBook. So thanks to EVERYONE! They were ALL great but here's a few of my favorites!
(For LARGER images: Click on each individual pic)
Let's kick it off with this beautiful Walkabout Wallet which Cathy Giunta said is her favorite pattern. Cathy said she finally made one for herself to replace her old one!

Dawn Eratt said that when she saw this fabric she felt it was crying out to be made into a bag, so she used it for her 1st Sling Along of 2020. She added that she'll soon have one to match every outfit she owns! (Makes sense to us!)
 
Dale Whyte created this gorgeous Sling Along as a travel bag for a friend taking a trip to Italy! I can only imagine how fun it was to carry a bag like this on a terrific vacation. What a wonderful gift!
 

And who could ever believe that this is the first of our bags that Carrie Wells has ever made? She did SUCH an outstanding job on this Baggalista!
So after making SEVEN Sling Along's Dawn Eratt decided to make another Flaptastic... this time this one is for herself! She said she's very happy with how it came out (and so am I)!

 
Tracy Williams made her Gadabout into an adjustable crossbody bag. She loves it and says that this design works well with panel prints!
 
And I LOVE the bold and dramatic fabrications that Nancy Anderson chose for her SlingAlong! She said that the instructions were very detailed and easy to follow.
 
This is Kristy Fink's 1st Gateway and I love it! Kristy says she's getting a LOT of sewing done with of Sewcial isolating. Now she just needs somewhere to go to show off this beauty! 
I totally fell in love with Jo Lacy Fowler's Packlet interior (although the exterior is pretty special too)! She customized her elastic slots for the special makeup items she like to carry! 

And finally, Kim Mill's made this "bird bag" for a friend but this Sling Along is modeled by her beautiful daughter. She says she's so glad to have some fun projects to do to keep from going stir crazy while maintaining her sewcial distance!
(For LARGER images: Click on each individual pic) 
 
Trending on our Website this Month-
Just in case you missed any of our posts this past month, you can easily catch up with the rest us because they're ALL listed below!
And now... Check out the "Oldie but Goodie" from our Archives
2/28/2013- Braiding- An Easy Bag Embellishment Pictorial
      You can find this and many other bag embellishment techniques on our website by clicking here!
 
TWO for your Viewing Pleasure-
 
Can you stand one more surgical mask video? This one is EASILY the funniest video I've seen in some time!
Click image or HERE for a larger view.
 
So many of us (myself included) have learned how to use video calls during this quarantine that I thought you might find this parody on a video conference call humorous! Laughing
Click image or HERE for a larger view.
 
Coming REALLY Soon! - the Side Slinger
Our new pattern will be releasing in a week or so & we want to make sure that YOU are aware of it's availability before anyone else, since we know that its our Kat Bytes subscibers who are our most loyal customers!
So... be on the lookout for a special email blast from us in the next few days, complete with a time sensitive $3.00 discount coupon good toward the purchase of our new pattern, the Side Slinger!
Please Note--- Only our mailing list subscribers will be receiving this discount offer in their inbox so if you're reading this newsletter on FaceBook or Instagram, then you only have a short while to sign up and get in on this offer!
{Click HERE to sign up!)
 
 
Quote of the Month-
 
 
Click image or HERE for a larger view.
 
 
Email is a to-do list you don’t control. It’s an open protocol, and anybody who can get hold of your email address can impose on you and demand attention in your inbox. And since email is like the Wild West of communicating, mistakes abound. Here are seven of the most common that you’re probably using when you email someone:
{Click HERE to read more}
 
 
 
Cat enthusiasts know the feeling. You’ll be sitting down, waiting for your kitty to curl up next to you when all of a sudden they present you with their behind. Sometimes it smells like the litter box, making the whole situation even more unsavory.
But cats really aren’t trying to gross you out — in fact, they’re trying to be nice...
{Click HERE to read more}
 
 
 
The disappearance of fabric stores is probably not a shock to outsiders — in the age of fast fashion, who still makes their own clothes? But sewing garments at home is — surprisingly — not dead. While fabric stores of yesteryear are falling off the map, a new industry is rising up to meet the modern demands of young “sewists” — and these businesses look quite different than your grandma’s fabric shop. {Click HERE to read more}

 
Going... going... and almost GONE! - the Boho Baguette!
Wow! It sure doesn't feel like it's been over eleven years since we released the this pattern, but today we're sending the Boho Baguette pattern into retirement.
This is STILL one of most favorite bags to carry but I created it during an era when BIG BAGS were king and even though there are still applications where its absolutely a great choice, we have since designed totally different bags that more appropriately address the needs of the modern woman, (such as the Sling Along and the Everyday Attache.)
So... we're sending this cutie to the retirement home but if you would still like the chance to pick up a copy (at half-price), click HERE.
There's only a limited quantity of these patterns available & when they're gone.... they're GONE. And please note- we do not provide support for our retired patterns.
 
 
Join the May FabShopHop!
 

It's not too late to come FabShop Hop with us for a chance to win amazing prizes!

Read the How to Hop guidelines and the Rules of the Game then click HERE for the List of Shops.
Psst! We're on the list! Wink
 
Come See Us at a SHOW!
 
Our Upcoming Show Schedule is as follows:
 
International Fall Quilt Market 2020- Oct 24-26, 2020 - Houston, TX  
International Fall Quilt Festival 2020- Oct 29- Nov 1, 2020- Houston, TX   
 Road to California 2021 - Jan 21-24, 2021  - Ontario, CA
Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival 2021 - Feb 25-28, 2021 - Hampton, VA
AQS Quiltweek Paducah 2021 - April 21-24, 2021, Paducah KY
 
 
 
So... thanks for reading our newsletter!
 
If you liked it, why not forward it to a friend? or email me some love? And if you’re seeing this newsletter for the first time, you can subscribe here to get it in your Inbox next month! So bye for now & until next month (on or about the 15th)! 
StudioKat Designs, Inc.,     1-866-409-8634,    www.studiokatdesigns.com