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March 1, 2010
Events • Sales • Sewing Tips • From Our Readers • Letter from Martha • Don't Miss Out • Scripture • Recipe
We’re Almost Ready for the Spectacular Extravaganza!
Our sponsors for the Pennsylvania Extravaganza March 17-20 are almost ready to greet you! Stony Brook Sew and Vac and Husqvarna/Viking are planning a wonderful time for you at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel, including furnishing top-of-the-line Viking machines for you to play with for four days! It’s going to be spectacular, and I want you to be there to join us for the fun! In addition to four days and several nights of classes, all of your fabulous kits will be furnished, as will four lunches and one evening banquet meal. We will also have a few extras in store for you. Wednesday night will be devoted to wonderful table top clinics, where you will see all sorts of techniques and sewing ideas demonstrated, table-by-table. On Thursday night, I will present “You Can Make Money from Your Hobby” for those of you interested in beginning a business or in growing a business that you already have. Friday night will be our banquet, I will share my 28 years of funny sewing stories and anecdotes. We have six brand new projects for you, and Martha Pullen licensed teachers can add these projects to their course curriculum! There still is time for you to register, but call right away, so everything will be ready for your arrival! Click here for more details and call now to reserve your place at the Extravaganza in Langhorne, Pennsylvania March 17-20!
Call now to register!
1-800-547-4176 ext. 4 |
Make plans now for the 13th annual
Arlington Sewing Market!
This is going to be our best Arlington Market ever! You will want to be at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas May 20-22, 2010 for the time of your life! There are more than 140 seminars from which you can choose – many are brand new this year - all for the daily admission price of just $17 at the door! Prices are discounted if you order tickets before April 30th. Baby Lock, USA underwrites this spectacular market and gives top-of-the-line NEW SEWING MACHINES as DOOR PRIZES at every celebrity event! The winner of the People’s Choice sewing contest also wins a new machine! Click here for more information. |
Make it SEW EASY with our NEW bias trims!
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Save $20 on Beverley Sheldrick’s Little Blessings Book and Silk Ribbon Embroidery DVDs
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We are thrilled that you love Beverley Sheldrick’s Little Blessings book and Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Hand DVDs! At the special introductory price of just $80, this set is flying off the shelves! Regular price is $102.95, so if you haven’t ordered yours yet, click here to save more than $20 on the most breathtaking how-to book we have ever produced! Thirteen gorgeous projects on 144 pages in full-color, close-up photography with easy-to-follow, illustrated directions and a water-colored stitch library! Patterns are included for two dresses, sized from PM to 24 months, five bonnets and a host of gorgeous booties sized from 0 to 3. Beverley’s exquisite flowers, crosses, ribbons and delightful critters are truly inspired! Click here to see some photos from the book. You can order the book alone for just $24.95. Click here to order just the book. With her two educational DVDs, you can do more than just admire her work; Beverley will teach you how to recreate her divine embroideries! In Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Hand I, she introduces the fine art of silk ribbon embroidery, beginning with basic stitches and leading you to render your own lovely bouquets of ribbon flowers. In Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Hand II, this talented, world-renowned designer demonstrates her easy steps for stitching graceful flowers and charming creatures. Order just one DVD for $39.00. Click here to order a DVD separately. You get the best price when you order the set through this introductory offer! Click here to order the book and two DVDs now!
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Save $45 on Vintage Collection Book and CD Sets!
You will simply love our newsletter sale this week: The Vintage Collection book and CD sets priced at just $75.00 each! A bargain at the regular price of $120.00, you save another $45.00 this week! Each set includes two vintage-inspired design CDs and the gorgeous “coffee table” book of garments that inspired them! Machine embroidery design mpc05015 (5” x 7” hoop) on Volume I Disk 1 beautifully duplicates hand stitches on the Victorian Pintucks Dress - pages 84-86 in the book. Six Normandy Lace Patchwork Pillow designs shown on pages 96-99 in The Vintage Collection II are copied (4” x 4” hoop) on Disk 2 of the CD set. And the Drawn Thread Bows Baby Dress on pages 96-97 of the Volume III book inspired two designs (4” x 4” and 5” x 7” hoops) on the accompanying Disk 2. The Volume I Collection includes 53 gorgeous designs. There are 65 designs in the Volume II Collection and 79 in the Volume III Collection. All of the 5” x 7” designs are split to fit your 4” x 4” hoops, so you can stitch out every one of these gorgeous designs – even if you only have the 4” x 4” hoop!
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SEWING QUESTION FROM KATHRYN
I am confused about the terms pin stitching and hemstitching. How are they alike, and how are they different? Are they the same stitch used in different ways?
Answer from Martha Pullen: Kathryn, I am so happy you asked this question. Pin stitches and hemstitches are different stitches on sewing machines that offer these two stitches. All machines do not have them. Pin stitching looks very much like a blanket stitch except that the machine operates in a back and forth motion. The straight outside stitch goes on the outside of the lace or fabric and the “fingers” grab the lace or the hem. Hemstitching (also called wing needle entredeux) has two sides and basically looks like a railroad track for ants. There is no right or left side to this stitch. Please go to your local sewing machine dealer and ask for a demonstration of these wing needle stitches. By the way, you can use a large universal needle, such as a #100 or above, on both of these stitches for a more delicate look. Thanks for asking!
EMBROIDERY TIP FROM ELIZABETH ON THE MPC MESSAGE BOARD
After tracing hand embroidery designs, I use a quick basting stitch by hand to go over the lines. It does take time, but I can tie off my tracing threads, then wash the whole section to erase the markings. Then I have no fear of moving graphite or marking chalk into white threads (I trace with cream threads, so they show up, but won't bleed).
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SUSAN IN RI HAD THE PERFECT DRESS ON HAND
I heard my 2-year-old granddaughter Kaydence talking with a playmate in my sewing room. She was pointing to the different dresses hanging up. One was a birthday dress for Giana, the little girl across the street; one was her baby sister Taylor’s; and the third was hers. She then asked her friend, "Where is your dress?" I have been making dresses for many years and putting them away. I reached into my closet and found a dress that fit her beautifully. Avery was so happy to twirl in that dress! It made me smile to think that my little girl would think of someone else. I am sure that I used a pattern from something I saw in Sew Beautiful magazine several years ago. So many beautiful dresses and so little time to make them all!
FRANCES SEWS JACKETS FOR EASTER
I was so excited when I saw the little jacket pattern in the January - February issue of Sew Beautiful. I knew immediately that I wanted to make jackets for the two youngest grandkids. I used some fuzzy yellow fleece from my stash and decided to line the jackets with satin to the edge to eliminate some of the bulk of the fleece. The embroidered bows are from the Martha Pullen IEC 2009 gown on the front, and I used snaps to close the jackets. Since the bow is already in two pieces it was easy to put one half on the right side and one half on the left side. I embroidered a bunny on the back. I think these jackets will be sweet to wear to Easter egg hunts.
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Dear Sewing Family,
Wow can it be possible that we are to begin our very first Beginning II Licensed Teacher program next Friday? I am beyond excited! I think we have 36 - that’s right 36 - projects for these teachers. Most of them are fabulous for either adults’ or kids’ sewing classes, with a simple change of fabrics. Of course some are for kids alone and some for adults alone. This program has been VERY frequently requested - a new beginning licensed program that includes lots of things for kids to sew. We only have two places in this program if you want to come. It is a five-day program and is only $2000. This includes 27 projects ready for you to teach, your holding (along with MPC) the copyright privileges for these projects, your kits, day and night sewing instruction, a business seminar, half of a hotel room, all of your meals, all of your snacks, a graduation barbeque at our home and more fun than you ever hoped to have. It is always so exciting to begin a new program and especially a new curriculum that people have been requesting for several years. Please call Karen at 800-547-4176 ext 2531 to register for this BRAND NEW beginning licensing program. I thought you might like to see our graduation photos from our Serger I Licensed Teacher program, which was week before last - the Snow Buddies. Call if you want to come. Remember only two places and by the time you get this letter we might be full.
I know you love Sew Beautiful magazine as much as I do. I would like you to take a survey giving us your feedback on our magazine, which includes what you would like to see more of in the pages of Sew Beautiful. Please click here to take the survey and make your requests including informing us of what types of sewing you like best. Thank you in advance for taking this survey.
TODAY IS THE DAY TO REGISTER for our fabulous Pennsylvania Sewing Extravaganza in Langhorne, PA, March 17-20, 2010. Husqvarna/Viking is underwriting this event, and everyone will have a brand new Viking machine and serger to use for the class! I personally cannot wait to get back to the Pennsylvania area to meet new friends and see other friends of many years. We will have great discounts in our retail store which will be open in the hotel. We also invite everyone in the area to come shop even if you are not taking the class. You will get great discounts too. The store will be in the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel and the shopping hours are listed here:
Tuesday 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The store will be closed for lunch Wednesday through Saturday
This is a note to all of our Martha Pullen Licensed Teachers. You are going to be able to hold the copyright, along with MPC, of the classes we are teaching in Pennsylvania. This means that you have SIX new classes to teach along with your Martha Pullen licensed teacher classes. This will be the event of a lifetime I promise. This event is also underwritten by Stony Brook Sew and Vac Stores. Please call 1-800-547-4176 ext. 4 to register for this fabulous event. Please click here to download a complete brochure.
Joe and I had a wonderful five-day get away at Orange Beach last week. We just “ran away from home.” We saw an excellent movie - Young Victoria. It had the most beautiful costumes I have ever seen and was an excellent historical drama about young Queen Victoria and her romance and marriage to Albert. I cannot recommend it highly enough if you are looking for the best of Hollywood.
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After seeing that movie I realized once again how unbelievable it is that the Victoria and Albert Museum in London allowed us to photograph and record history on about 60 of their main pieces. Please if you do not already own the book, The Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, purchase it now. For those of us who love heirloom sewing it is a must for our sewing libraries—for us in the present and for future generations that will love sewing and Victorian techniques and details. This book is gorgeous and records some of the most important pieces from England from this time in history and earlier. The machine embroidery designs we developed from these garments are gorgeous and important since they come from this museum. Here are a few of the pictures of some of my favorite garments from this book.
Click here to order the book alone for $29.95 and click here to order the book and CD set at the discounted price of just $110.00. Regular retail for the book and two CDs if you bought them separately would be $209.95. You save $100 when you buy the set. Please click here to see all of the machine embroidery designs from the Victoria and Albert Museum book.
I pray for our men and women serving in harm’s way and for their families. I pray for their safe return. I pray for you and your family and whatever you are facing this week. You are my true family and I love you dearly and totally appreciate your letting me be a part of your life. You have rejoiced with me personally, have cried with me during difficult times, have prayed for me and our business and staff members, have been so loyal to purchase from us as often as possible, have come to our events over and over, have sent me notes of encouragement, have loved our products, new and otherwise—you truly are my beloved family. I know that. And I will never forget that. Joe and I talked about you, my sewing family, a lot last week. God gets the credit for the success of this business but I put you high up on the list. Without YOU there would be no Martha Pullen Company nearly 30 years later. Without You there would be no new books and CDs. You have loved me and MPC and we love you back. All of us who work for MPC thank you.
God Bless You,
Martha |
March 2010 IEC
 
The long awaited celebration of spring will soon be upon us! Newly blossomed flora embellishes the barren landscape and provides not only beauty but protection and a place to play for the season’s newborn creatures. Soft furry bunnies, tiny baby birds, and colorful butterflies will be rewarded with new friendships as they venture out to explore their surroundings. And what better reward for an embroidery enthusiast who has endured the long winter than two new designs that echo the awakening of creation! “New Spring Bunnies” and “New Spring Single Bunny” are ready to hop to the front of the line and give a fresh seasonal touch to table linens or kitchen décor. And wouldn’t they be a sweet way to announce a little one’s arrival in your family? Use them on pieces of a baby layette along with a name or sentiment that conveys joy and eager anticipation for all that the future holds. While you may have to wait just a short time for spring where you live, you don’t need to wait any longer for these designs. Just follow the link and join the seasonal rejoicing!
Click here to login and download this design.
Not a member for 2010 IEC? Sign up here! |
MARTHA PULLEN LICENSED TEACHER WEEKS
Licensing dates are scheduled as listed below:
Beginning II - Teaching Adults & Children - March 5-11, 2010
Martha Pullen/Heirloom Sewing I - April 13-20, 2010
Martha Pullen/Serger II - July 28-August 4, 2010
Baby Lock II - September 14-21, 2010
Roman numeral designations indicate a collection of curriculum and not the order in which the
licensings need to be taken. All licensing curriculums are stand-alone and have no prerequisites other than a love of sewing and a desire to learn.
For more info, call 800-547-4176, ext. 5 or visit our licensing info page: Licensing Link |
Numbers 11:23 and Psalm 18:33-34
(Numbers) 23 The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short?” You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”
(Psalm) 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Being strong sometimes does not come easily for me, especially when things look very tough. I read over and over in the Bible that my strength does not come from me but rather comes from the Lord. Sometimes I don’t pray enough or read my Bible enough: therefore, I try to depend on myself. It never works. Sometimes I overlook the fact that God is all powerful and that He is sufficient for all my needs. God’s arm is never too short.
When I see direct miracles in my life or in my business, it is always easy to give God the credit. When things are tough in my life - personal or business - I tend to think, “I am not working hard enough or trying hard enough.” In looking at the verses from the Book of Psalms, I am reminded that God did not promise an easy road for any of us. We all have battles to fight and tough times in our lives. I rest assured that God does not leave us alone to fight these battles by ourselves but rather He says, “He enables me to stand on the heights.” I always need to remember that God is sovereign. And His grace is sufficient for all of my needs.
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RECIPE FOR THE WEEK from the editors of Taste of the South, a magazine about the rich food heritage of the South. Each issue of Taste of the South features more than 60 easy recipes, which we know you will adore. It’s published by Hoffman Media of which Martha Pullen Company is a subsidiary. Thanks to their editors for sharing these recipes with us. If you have questions concerning these recipes, please visit TasteoftheSouthMagazine.com, or call, (888) 411-8995. Click here to subscribe to Taste of the South.
Looking for a meatless main dish for Lent. How about pasta shells stuff with spinach and ricotta cheese. For more one-dish recipes like this, see the December/January issue 2010 of Taste of the South.
Stuffed Shells
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Preparation: 25 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Bake: 1 hour 10 minutes
4 quarts water
1 (12-ounce) box jumbo pasta shells
2 (10-ounce) packages chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3 cups ricotta cheese
1 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 large egg, well beaten
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce, divided
In a large stockpot, bring water to a boil over high heat. Add shells. Cook until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
In a large bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, egg, garlic, and Italian seasoning, stirring well. Spoon spinach mixture into shells.
Pour 1 jar marinara sauce into the bottom of a 15-x-11-x-2-inch baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells on top of sauce. Top with remaining 1 jar marinara sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 11/2 cups mozzarella.*
Preheat oven to 350°.
Cover and bake until cooked through, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove cover and bake until cheese is bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
*If you’re making this dish ahead, cover it and freeze it at this point. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before baking. |
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