This is a "read only" newletter. Please send replies to the department listed in the letter. An UNSUBSCRIBE link is at the bottom.

SEWING TIP FROM EILEEN SWYMER, PENNSYLVANIA
If you are making a Christmas dress or even pajamas for a child, use some of the scrap fabric to make an ornament. You can choose a very simple shape like a stocking or a heart, add a little lace or trim, and if you feel ambitious embroider the child's name and the date. I did this quite by accident many years ago when the scraps I had from making my daughter's dress were perfect for an ornament I wanted to make. Every year we have the pleasure of remembering that dress when we decorate our tree.

SEWING TIP ABOUT ZIPPERS FROM RUTH ANN ROBERTS
When putting in a zipper, I put fusible thread in the bobbin, then sew down both sides of the zipper ONLY (NO FABRIC OR GARMENT) with the right side down, using large stitches to expose more "glue." Then take the zipper and press it to the garment. Let it cool a few minutes . Then you never need pins to hold it down and it never shifts while doing the final topstitching. I hope this helps out some of your readers with this sometimes intimidating step.

HISTORIC SEWING SNIPPET: FROM The Delineator, August, 1922
"The simple art of applique has many staunch supporters; women who are indifferent to tedious embroideries or those too busy to yield the precious minutes of their hours find it the quickest way of putting color on clothes or linens.

This design offers a wide variety of fruits and flowers-thoughtful flower faces, blue bells or graceful poppies, and a French basket full of flowers. The fruit motif is often useful for various household linens. Aprons or housedresses are more becoming with the touch of such flowers, particularly on pockets, and children's clothes need their vivid color. The pocket motifs are used a great deal on children's rompers or dresses. These designs may be worked in outline embroidery if one prefers."

Dear Friends,

Please remember that January 9, 2002 (that's two days from now) is the last day to renew or sign up for the Internet Machine Embroidery Club at the special price of $49! January 10, 2002 the price goes to the regular price of $59 for the year! We have had a tremendous response for both renewals as well as new members! Thank you so very much. I promise we have the best year ever for you!

We have some great sales in the next part of this letter also. Don't miss them! The baby dolls are on sale for the first time-and for one week only.

We have a new inspirational essay on the web site. Just click on the cross to read. It was written by Marjorie Major's father in 1935. Marjorie Major Feist and her daughter Penny Anderson went with us on our London at Christmastime Tour in 2000. Penny is a Martha Pullen Husqvarna/Viking Licensed Teacher.

My New Year's resolutions are two fold. One is to become more spiritually healthy and that involves more Bible reading, devotional reading, prayer and thinking on the things of God in my personal life and in my business life. The other is to become more physically healthy. I danced for 40 minutes to an aerobic tape in the den this morning between 5:10 and 5:50. It was lots of fun. You would probably laugh if you could see me dancing to my tape in my aerobics shoes and socks and my nightgown.

I go to the gym with a trainer for an hour this afternoon. I have decided that I can only afford a trainer once per week so I have to do the other 2 or 3 hours on my own. I know I can do this; I just have to have discipline. As of today, I am quitting the sugar; that will be hard for me. I have been off of caffeine for over two years.

I have just watched "Martha's Sewing Room" on our Alabama PBS station. The show was about the Wild Ginger Software pants with no side seam. The pants are one of three women's patterns from the Martha Pullen line by Wild Ginger. The pants with elastic in the waistline (and no side seam) can be made in just 12 minutes-from start to finish.

You take your measurements, put them into a regular computer (with the Wild Ginger CD inserted), and print out the pattern pieces on a regular home computer printer with 8-1/2" by 11" (letter size) paper. Cut out the pieces, tape them together matching the lines, and cut out your pants. After your pants are cut out, it only takes 12 minutes to be ready to wear them out the door. Call 800-547-4176 ext. 2 to order!

I received a phone call this week from Linda Ferguson of Tacoma, Washington. Linda came to our Pasadena school and is coming in September to become a Martha Pullen Viking Licensed Teacher. She purchased the Wild Ginger pants pattern from us while in Pasadena. I asked her to call me when she made her pants and give me her evaluation.

She told me on the phone, "Martha, these are the first pants I have ever had in my life which fit." She made the darted, zipper, waistband version which I might add takes longer than 12 minutes to make. She also added, "When I purchase pants at the store, I have to come home, immediately take them apart to alter them before I can wear them. After making these pants which fit perfectly, I don't think I will ever purchase another pair again." She has promised to model them at the Puyallup Show during my fashion show.

I am so excited that next Friday our second Martha Pullen Bernina Licensed Teacher program begins. We have a very excited group of individuals who will leave, after one week of instruction, as Martha Pullen Bernina Licensed Teachers. I am thrilled about their coming and we have a very intensive and fun filled week for them. For two nights I will conduct business seminars. Many of our Martha Pullen Licensed teachers have gone on to teach extensively as well as branch out into other areas of sewing. I have received word this week that one of our licensed teachers has written a book, which will be marketed on one of the national television shopping networks. Another has written that she has been chosen to teach at the national sewing machine convention.

We believe that some of the world's most talented sewing individuals come to our licensed teacher programs and we are proud of each of them. We pray that one of our missions is to inspire each licensed teacher to be all that she/he can be and to go way beyond "thinking in the box" for their lives and their sewing careers. Many of our licensed teachers have done and are doing just that. We have lots of time to talk about and both of my seminars at night are devoted to the business side of sewing. We want everyone to leave Huntsville knowledge about how to plan to build a career in sewing.

We are beyond excited about coming to Orlando for our Martha's Sewing Market, January 24, 25 and 26! It is hard to believe that the time is almost here. There are a few places left in the sit and sew pre class on Tuesday, January 22. Wednesday's sit and sew is full. If you want to get a place in Tuesday's sit and sew, please call Diane Bradshaw at 800-547-4176, ext. 109 immediately. The daily, hourly schedule for the FREE classes is on the web site. (The classes are free after you pay your low daily admission fee of $15.) You can print it out to begin planning which classes you are going to take on what day. We will have a printed brochure for you when you arrive in Orlando.

For those of you who pre-ordered your tickets in December, they were mailed last week. For any of you who are planning to purchase tickets at the door, we have plenty of places and we will open the ticket office at 7am each day. Don't forget that classes begin at 8am.

The Huntsville School is almost here also! The dates are February 3-10, 2002! Most of the classes are filled but there are a few vacancies in a few of the classes if you want to call. I am thrilled that my missionary daughter-in-law, Suzanne Crocker will be here taking classes. Four of my granddaughters will be in the kid's school. The schedule for the February school is on the website, http://www.marthapullen.com if you would like to look at it.

We have the first announcement about WHEN registration for the July 21-28, 2002 school will be. Registration will begin at 8am (CST) on Friday, February 15, 2002. If anyone asks you what you want for Valentine's Day, your answer might be, "A trip next July to Huntsville to 'lace camp'." The schedule will be on the web site http://www.marthapullen.com as soon as it is completed. This will probably be late January. PLEASE CALL EARLY to be assured of getting the school of your choice.

The printed brochure will be in the March, Sew Beautiful magazine; however, we will not wait until that gets delivered to begin registration. Those of you who get this e-mail newsletter get the first opportunity to sign up for everything from Martha Pullen Company since we come to your home on a weekly basis. I'll let you know when the July school brochure is on the web site. WE WILL NOT TAKE ANY REGISTRATIONS for July UNTIL FEBRUARY 15.

Here is a secret. We have a few, very famous, teachers who have never taught at our school. One is from Canada and one is from the US. Gloria McKinnon, Australia's authority on crazy patch and embellishment will be back to teach for us in July. She has not taught at our school for many years and we are excited about having her. You know we will have our most popular school teachers back with bells on! Here is another hint. We will have one school totally devoted to serging.

The new Sew Beautiful shot on location in France is the most beautiful issue we have ever published, I believe. The silk fabrics featured from Martha Pullen Company in this issue are flying out the door. If you want some, please call pretty quickly after you read the magazine since it takes months to get more made. We have gorgeous tatting in all widths and in white and ecru for those of you who prefer a more tailored lace. The cover dress is absolutely beyond description for the older girl. We have similar Swiss embroideries to make this dress; however, to work on more of a budget, please choose from the fabulous Victorian embroideries and Victorian batiste rather than the Swiss ones.

Speaking of Sew Beautiful, the features, "What's In Your Closet?" will begin with the next issue. We will be featuring many garments from many of you who submitted things for the What's In Your Closet request. Many of the talent search winners will be featured throughout the year, also. We are still running our special price of $23.99 for a whole year of Sew Beautiful-that's 6 issues. You can subscribe on line at this special price. Don't forget we have a SECURED web site for all orders.

I know many of you have printed out the free pattern instructions for the antique redwork quilt which are found on the web site. Many of you have purchased our reproduction of this quilt in redwork which is available to IEC members on a CD for $49. Any non-members can now purchase this CD for $90.

Please send me your sewing tips and recipes! My personal address is marthap@marthapullen.com I love hearing from you. It is a great honor for me to be invited to your home each week. I thank you.
May God Bless You,
Martha

SALE SALE SALE
SEW BEAUTIFUL SUBSCTIPTION SALE EXTENDED:ONLY $23.99 FOR A YEAR'S
SUBSCRIPTION! CALL 800-547-4176 ext. 116 - SUBSCRIBE (at this sale price of $23.99) ON LINE!
http://http://www.marthapullen.com/sewbeau/pmag.html

SALE SALE SALE SALE- TO THE IEC FOR $49!! IEC (Machine Embroidery
Internet Club) SALE PRICE ($49) GOOD THROUGH JANUARY 9TH
The time is now to renew or subscribe to the IEC! For January's "design" you will get not only one design but also two more for a total of three designs. The machine embroidery Internet Embroidery Club is truly something to save for future generations. All three of the alphabets (one for 2001 and two for 2002) are historically correct and from my personal collections. Each month you ALSO get sewing articles and pictures, reproduced from old sewing books and magazines. Each month you ALSO get antique poems from my collection znc antique pictures from my antique print searches around the world as well as from magazines dated as early as the 1800s.

Beginning this year, you ALSO get one hand-tinted antique picture (to download) from my collection of black and white books from the 1800s. Each month you ALSO get SALE prices on regular Martha Pullen Company merchandises and during the year our new machine embroidery CD's members' price is $49. SPEAKING OF VALUE, your membership for 2002, if you join before January 9, 2002 is only $49. You may download at least 1 beautifully digitized machine embroidery design; some months you will receive 2 or 3 designs, rather than one.

PLEASE JOIN NOW TO GET YOUR DISCOUNTED PRICE! Sign up at our SECURED web
site (http://www.marthapullen.com/EmbroideryClub/index.html)

SALE SALE SALE - GOTZ BABY DOLLS : One Week Only! January 7-14, 2002 ONLY! 20% off!
21" dolls regular price: $79 (Sale price this week, $63). 16" dolls regular price :$59 (Sale price this week, $47). We have just received our second shipment of these gorgeous 21" and 16" baby dolls and I am signing and numbering each of them. 800-547-4176 ext. 2 (shipping is extra)

SALE SALE SALE SALE- MARTHA'S FRAMES CD-ONLY FOR IEC MEMBERS AT THIS TIME! Please go to the web site to see the newest, most adorable "Martha's Frames" CD. Some say it is the most adorable machine embroidery CD that we have ever done. You still have time to get the CD and embroider around your favorite little one's picture (after transferring it to fabric) and give it for a special Christmas gift. Please go to the web site to see pictures and close ups of this cutest CD ever.

http://www.marthapullen.com/EmbroideryClub/framecd/clubCD4.html shows the frames CD! It is available, at this time, only to IEC members for $49. It is available to non-IEC members for the regular price of $90.

SALE SALE - NEW REDWORK MACHINE EMBROIDERY CD (Martha's Redwork Quilt, Circa 1920) shipping NOW! It is our first quilting CD and it is our first CD in the larger, 5" by 7" format. This CD is a copy of an antique child's quilt I purchased many years ago. It is fabulous and you will be able to purchase it for $49 if you are a member of the IEC. Non IEC members can purchase it at the regular price of $90. It really pays to join the IEC, we believe.

Please go to http://www.marthapullen.com/EmbroideryClub/index.html to sign up for the IEC. NOTE - The designs are exclusively for 5 x 7 or larger hoops - there are no split designs for this CD.

MARTHA'S SEWING MARKET IS NEARLY HERE---Orlando, Florida, January 24-26, 2002 at the Tupperware Center. Your LOW daily admission price is only $15! After you pay your admission, all classes and events are FREE! Classes begin at 8am so please get there early. As some of you know, admission to this many classes, plus a fashion show for three days costs as much as $140 at other shows around the country. Our Martha's Sewing Markets, in Orlando and Arlington, are the bargain of the century, we believe.

Please call Diane Bradshaw at 800-547-4176 ext. 109 for any additional information. Complete details of the market and the LOW hotel rates available in Orlando are on the web site. There is still time to register for the Tuesday, January 22 sit and sew with Kathy McMakin and me. Each of us will teach a half-day class. There are a few places left in the Tuesday class; Wednesday, January 23 sit and sew is filled. We are so excited about the market. http://www.marthapullen.com/market/mmkts.html

- MARTHA PULLEN LICENSED TEACHER WEEKS - The next machine groups and dates are as follows: Bernina, January 11-17, 2002; Viking, February 15-21,2002 (full); Viking, June 24-30, 2002 (full); September 6-12, 2002; Janome, November 17-23, 2002; Pfaff, January 9-15, 2003. Call 800-547-4176 ext. 108 to get more information. Or visit our web site, http://http://www.marthapullen.com/LicensingPages/teachlic.html

- MARTHA'S QUILTS BOOK ($19.95) IS A RUNAWAY BEST SELLER! It has 17 quilts and other quilting projects and tons of techniques. There is a quick serger quilt for those of you who would like a quilt, which can be finished in about 4 hours flat! http://store..marthapullen.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=1370&category_id =2 to see

- SCHOOL OF ART FASHION IN HUNTSVILLE: February 3-10, 2002: go to http://http://www.marthapullen.com/schools/School.html to read schedule. 800-547-4176, ext. 105 to sign up. Some classes are full but there are a very few vacancies in others.

TO CONTACT US: 800-547-4176 ext. 2 or 256-533-9586
To contact one of our departments, choose from this list:
orders@marthapullen.com; subscriptions@marthapullen.com;
embroidery@marthapullen.com; editorial@sewbeautifulmag.com
schools@marthapullen.com; licensing@marthapullen.com;
markets@marthapullen.com; marthap@marthapullen.com (MY PERSONAL ADDRESS)

LETTER FROM Carla Scherbert (California) describing her experience here at the Martha Pullen/Pfaff Licensed Teacher Week last year. Copied from the Martha Pullen Fan Club website.

"Last year, I decided to expand my business a little by teaching since I didn't think sewing full-time would make enough money to allow me to quit my corporate job. Well, I signed up for Martha Pullen's licensing class for heirloom sewing for Pfaff (I've been sewing with Pfaff machines for 25 years.) even though it was expensive, and the trip out to Alabama would also be another expense. However, I felt that I could really benefit from first class instruction and an entire week devoted to sewing with no other distractions around. Additionally, I'd return as a licensed teacher for Martha!

My week in Huntsville, Alabama was like heaven!!! I still dream about the wonderful time I had and the terrific friends I made. Martha is an absolute doll. What you see is what you get with Martha. I don't know if any of you have ever met her or have spent any time with her, but she is the most warm, wonderful, caring, giving person you could ever imagine. It all comes through when you meet her live.

She is just a dear, dear person, and I will always feel close to her as I'm sure all of my classmates do also. She even personally emails us to see how we're doing. Can you imagine that with her hectic schedule??? I don't know how she does it ... and her STAFF - a sweeter, more knowledgeable group of women you will never meet anywhere. We all cried together when it was time to leave (at Martha's home having a farewell graduation barbeque).

I learned lace shaping (again) and of course several different ways of applying lace to fabric. We did the famous christening bonnet (new version), a nine block heirloom quilt, an Australian Window Pane linen towel with drawn threads, a gorgeous embroidered and heirloom stitched pillow with another window pane of organdy, 2 blouses - one serged, one on the Pfaff, a christening gown, we even did thread painting with free motion embroidery, and on, and on ...

I can now teach 12 different classes (although the free motion embroidery was not my best class). It truly was an experience of a lifetime for me. I'd love to take another licensing course for another machine like Viking or Janome if I could afford it."

LETTER FROM OUR SON, JOHN, WHO IS A MISSIONARY IN BENIN, West Africa - John and Suzanne are here in the US on stateside assignment until late July 2002 when they will return to their home in Benin.

"What God is Doing among the Ditamari /Tamberma people of Benin and Togo , West Africa"

"Recently God has been moving among our people that has brought much cause for rejoicing. Campus Crusade for Christ came out and dubbed the Jesus film in the language of our people, Ditammari and I have just received a copy. We are looking forward to using this strategic tool to reach out to our people. God is moving on the hearts of His people in the US to help supply copies of this video. Our team has entered into a partnership with a former ministry of First Baptist Church Atlanta, the Bible Training Center for Pastors, BTCP, for training pastors and leaders.

Several leaders in our region have expressed a desire to be trained using these materials. These can equip them to better reach their people. We have received many copies of a series of Bible stories from Global Recordings in the heart language of our people. These, combined with a hand crank cassette player , will be strategic in beginning a ministry of the Word of God in an estimated 90 villages in Benin and Togo among the Ditamari/Tamberma people that have no church.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is considering a possible partnership with Chronological Bible Storying leaders who are illiliterate in West Africa . They would memorize a series of Bible stories, begin telling them in other villages, and after successfully completing the program, receive a certificate. This has not been realized yet, but we are overjoyed at the possibility.

Southern Baptists and the Society for International Missions have entered into a relationship with the national church to record and produce the first Ditamari language radio broadcast. These will be a series of Bible lessons with a possible chronological Bible storying programs in the future. They are in the process of being recorded and will soon be broadcast.

Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville , Alabama will be coming to Benin, West Africa, in November 2002 to partner together in training leaders for mission evangelism, strategic evangelistic outreach, and medical ministry. After Whitesburg's ministry in Togo in 1999, leaders of the Baptist Convention of Togo repeatedly thanked them for their partnership. After this ministry, Baptists in Togo gained a reputation as people who care. We glorify God and give praise to Him for what He is doing among our people so that many of the estimated 195,000 Ditamari /Tamberma will have the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Please pray that in this ministry God would equip the Ditamari /Tamberma team "...in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:21"
Have a Wonderful New Year,
John Crocker
Strategy Coordinator, Ditamari/Tamberma Team


SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK

Matthew 18: 21-22
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I
forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

The perfect number is seven. Peter asked our Lord if one should forgive seven times when someone sinned against him. Our Lord answered that one should forgive seventy-seven times. It seems to me that means that we should forgive and not even keep up with the number of times we forgive someone who sins against us. The Bible says that God has forgiven all of the sins of believers who have repented. If God has forgiven us then we should not be guilty of non-forgiveness of those who sin against us.

Peter refers to "brother" in verse 21. I believe Peter means "mankind" with the word brother. From my own experiences in my own family and in my circle of friends, I believe there is more non-forgiveness with real family members than I would like to believe. After Amberly wrote me the letter below, I thought I would beg and plead for all of us to forgive all family members who have "wronged" us. The Bible says we must forgive everybody seventy-seven times. If you would like to read further about forgiveness, please go to the web site, click on the inspirational message section, and read my ideas about forgiveness.

SWEET LETTER FROM AMBERLY ABOUT HER PARENTS

Thank you for urging your readers to make peace with their parents and family members while they are still living. Both my parents are now gone and though we had good relationships, there are a few things I wish I'd said to each of them.

Daddy passed on in '96, and I lost Mother last year. Her last months were the most precious. I know you cherish each moment you have with your mother. It breaks my heart when I hear a friend complain about her mother, I want to shake her until she understands how short time really is. I realize I am fairly young to have lost my parents (I'm 26), and most of my friends really don't know what they have, and won't for some time now, but please keep telling your readers to cherish the time they have, it doesn't last forever.

LOW FAT COOKING IDEA FROM ZOLA WEBSTER
Zola and LaVerla Webster went with us on our London trip in 2000.

My husband has to be on a very low fat diet. It keeps me going to find different things to cook. We have always liked chili particularly in cold weather. I have found that making it with ground turkey breast and adding no fat beef bullion makes it taste more like the ground beef chili that we have always liked. Then you can go ahead and add all the seasonings you have been used to,

HISTORIC RECIPE FROM The R.T. French Company, Mustard Makers, Rochester, NY (cookbook copyright 1900)

Saratoga Salad
Allow one cup of diced celery to one quart of cold boiled potatoes, diced, and two onions chopped fine. To half a cup of French's Cream Salad Mustard add sour cream until the mixture is of the proper thickness (about half a cup of the cream is generally required). Add salt to taste and mix thoroughly.

The above dressing will be found delicious on tomato and cucumber salads, or cold sliced tomatoes, cold lettuce or other green salads, and will be improved if seasoned with French's Paprika and lemon juice, or a few drops of cider vinegar to taste. A little of French's Paprika is always an improvement.

MODERN RECIPE
Easy Chicken Breast Bake from Martha Pullen's Files

1 four ounce can mushrooms
1 tablespoon Wyler's instant chicken bouillon
4 chicken breasts
Margarine
Celery salt
Pepper
Salt
Tarragon leaves
Basil leaves
1 can cream of chicken soup

Mix juice of mushrooms and instant chicken bouillon. Butter or spray with
Pam the bottom of the casserole dish. Sprinkle the bottom of chicken breasts with celery salt and pepper. Dot margarine on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with tarragon leaves and basil leaves; spoon on canned chicken soup. Add one half of bullion/mushroom mixture. Cook one hour in 350-degree oven uncovered. Add rest of bullion mixture and mushrooms. Cook for 15 minutes more.

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