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PLEASE SEND SEWING TIPS TO mcpullen@marthapullen.com

I want to thank you for sending sewing tips. Everyone loves to hear about ideas from people around the world. We love all types of sewing tips on this newsletter.

SEWING TIP FROM Lillian Menzies

When I make a little boy's outfit with a single back button belt, I usually sew the button through both belt pieces rather than making a buttonhole. On the last outfit I made I stitched a machine sewn eyelet in the top belt piece, cut out the centre with an awl, and lapped the two belt pieces. I then placed the button on top of the eyelet, and sewed it on through the eyelet hole. This allows the belt pieces to easily move with the child without getting skewed. Of course, this method will not work where you want to be able to button and unbutton the belt for ironing or whatever. But I don't find that I need to undo the belt as a rule. For a fussy fabric like linen, that is difficult to press, I'd probably still go the button and buttonhole route.

SEWING WARNING ABOUT USING RUST REMOVER TO REMOVE BLUE MARKS FROM REBECCA WILSON

I so enjoy your newsletter, especially your sewing hints section. This one, however caused me to feel a need to respond... Please be sure to tell your subscribers to carefully rinse out the rust remover. I ruined a dress that my 11 year-old daughter had made by not being careful with this. It bleached and weakened the fabric where it had been left in. What a painful way to learn. I would much rather for it to have happened to something I had made!

LETTER ABOUT MEMORY PILLOWS FROM VERONICA PERRONE

Each week I look forward to reading your newsletter through email. In addition to watching "Martha's Sewing Room" each week, I subscribe to the IEC & Sew Beautiful Magazine and I am thrilled to be part of your sewing family. I especially enjoyed this week's tip from you regarding the memory pillows and stockings. What a beautiful idea! I started a business recently and I am designing birth pillows and personalized theme pillows. Customers provide me with the occasion, hobbies, favorite flowers, colors, etc. that pertain to the person the gift is for and I get busy designing. I am the proud owner of a Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 sewing machine as well as several of your machine embroidery disks. I love all your designs, tips, stories and most of all I am grateful to God for the gift that He gave me...sewing!

TODAY IS THE DAY TO SUBSCRIBE TO SEW BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINE!! GET YOUR FREE INTERNET CLUB WHEN YOU GIVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS!

To subscribe to Sew Beautiful and get your FREE membership in the Sew Beautiful Subscribers Internet Club, click here. Sale price for the subscription PLUS THIS 6 times per year FREE internet club is still only $23.99. Please subscribe for yourself and give a Christmas gift to a sewing friend. This is the gift which keeps on giving.

Sew Beautiful Subscribers Internet Club Designs and Project for October

Note from Martha: This month's FREE Sew Beautiful club has TWO machine embroidery designs to download - one gold scroll and one gold with holly for Christmas; a rocking horse smocking design plate; and a pattern plus lace shaping design for the most beautiful table runner you have ever seen!

VERY SWEET LETTER FROM NANCY HAINES, LONG ISLAND

Each month this beautiful magazine comes and it is the most valuable buy for any magazine. Between the patterns and projects and also beautiful inspiration, we get more for our money than any magazine anywhere! Martha, your message is always a motivator to me to be the best I can be. I enjoy your sharing your blessing through Christ with us. I believe most of us forget on a daily basis to give credit for this great God of ours who loves us and protects us. Besides giving us something to enjoy, something to pick up and just choose a project to involve ourselves in that shuts out all our worries and cares. Bringing beauty into our lives is something you and your staff do so naturally and in so many ways. God bless and thank you for this wonderful magazine and for your school of Art Fashion, my gift to me each year in February. The gals are all so wonderful and such a great place to learn, make heirloom friends and escape for just a little while into creativity.

Note from Martha: Nancy, thank you so very much for writing about our magazine and our school. I have the world's greatest staff and we love doing what we do. Of course, God gets the credit first and foremost. I recognize it is God who has given us our wonderful customers, like yourself and our wonderful staff. I am very grateful for all of our blessings.

Join the IEC for this year (2003) if you haven't already! Know that in just days, we will have the 2004 TWO IEC ALPHABETS ready for you to download and enjoy WHEN YOU renew or join for 2004! Of course they are antique and you just won't believe what we have in store for you! Watch this newsletter for the exact time you can register for the 2004 IEC. I'll give you a hint about the antique alphabets. They are reproductions from an alphabet on a 1920's Quilt! More later! I will let you know when it is time to see our alphabet for this year. I'll give you a hint. IT IS SO WONDERFUL AND TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. We will be ready to take memberships for 2004 by October 31. I'll write you an e-mail when everything is ready for you to see!

LETTER ABOUT THE SEPTEMBER, 2003 QUILT ACADEMY FROM Nancy Goldsworthy FROM OREGON

As a quilting teacher and lecturer, I found your format to be a nice change of pace from the hectic ones we usually set for ourselves at these types of gatherings. There was more time to assimilate the information, before we dove into the next class. Libby Lehman was my main reason for coming and she did not disappoint me. I am in awe of her thread work. She is truly amazing. Thanks again for a wonderful show. I hope to make it again next year.

LETTER ABOUT LOVELY LINGERIE BOOK FROM PAT

My name is Pat, I live in Washington State, I purchased the "Lovely Lingerie" book for my daughter Kristina for her birthday this year at the Sewing Expo in Puyallup, WA. It was the best purchase I made at the entire expo! She has made every thing in the book and is happy that it all fits like a glove because of the Master Patterns. Thank you so much for these designs that make you feel like a real lady and are so easy at the same time.

Note from Martha: Pat, this book has been a best seller since it was published. It has 11 full sized lingerie patterns with 44 pattern variations in sizes 6-28. If you have never made lovely nightgowns, nightshirts, slips, camisoles, robes and pajamas for yourself, you might want to try this book. It has several huge tissue pattern sheets tucked away in the back cover. The patterns are things which "real" people would really wear. My favorite patterns in the book are the super simple to sew: short sleeved nightshirts and the comfortable nightgown with the spaghetti straps. I actually wear the nightshirts as robes. I have several of these nightshirts. There is one reproduction of one of my antique garments which is a real nightshirt with tucks and buttons on part of the front. We have illustrated this antique tucked nightshirt in a short version but it can be lengthened easily for a long nightgown. It would surely be warm made in flannel for the winter. The bo ok is only $19.95 and it is 100% guaranteed to please.

Click here to order!

PERSONAL LETTER FROM MARTHA

Dear Sewing Family,

  It seems appropriate for me, today, to thank the Gotz Doll Company not only for all of the dolls they have produced for us but also for the dolls they have produced for over 50 years. These vinyl "play with" dolls have brought joy to little girls and big girls like me for over half a century. They are sturdy and well-made dolls, bringing creative play to children around the world. Gotz dolls bring magic to a little girl's play. I must quickly add that additional "magic" for a doll of today, I believe, comes from the sewing machine. I know that many of you are sewing, as I speak, the Christmas present of a lifetime using our signed and numbered Gotz dolls and the pattern books which accompany them. We have loved working with Gotz. As we speak, we are researching other companies to make our dolls in the future; however we are going to enjoy knowing that we have some of the last Gotz dolls made in Europe in our warehouse. We do not have too many so please order if you want one or more.

  Our 23" Martha Campbell doll, the last large order of dolls made in Germany, will be arriving soon. More than three quarters of the Martha Campbell dolls are already spoken for. Please call as soon as possible if you want one of these dolls. We will have a sale this week on the "Dress Me" baby dolls which come with an adorable little day gown for her (him) to wear until you get some clothing made. The larger baby dolls, Alex and Sarah, are 21'' long and small baby clothes fit them just fine. Many people use these two dolls to display christening dresses or other special baby attire like "coming home from the hospital" clothing.

  All of the baby dolls come with a beautiful doll dressing book. The doll clothes patterns in this book, 16 garments in all, will fit a small baby or a preemie baby depending on the size you choose. The large dolls retail for $79; the small dolls for $59. The book retails for $14 and the little play-with dress and matching pantaloons retail for $14. You can have all of this for $63 plus shipping (for the 21" dolls); for $47 plus shipping (for the 16" dolls). The value for the 21" dolls is $109 (your cost $63); the value for the 16" dolls is $89 (your cost $47). Of course, I will sign and number each and every doll. Some of the dolls are in very limited supply. Please order quickly. Remember, there will not be any more Gotz dolls; the factory is closed. These baby dolls, for a limited time, are offered at 20% off 2 plus you get the dress and the book on top of that! Click here to order.

  I got a cute e-mail from Suzanne about arriving back in Africa. She wrote "We are all trying to unpack and get things settled in. Christopher decided to share his old toys with his friends since he had a trunk of new ones. He got a bag on his bike and rode around the block passing out toys like Santa Claus. When I went out a lady with a baby in a stroller was chasing him around the block saying, "Hey, my baby needs a toy!" And Christopher was saying, "no, not for baby for my friends!" and peddling off just ahead of her. She was tenaciously following so I think the baby ended up with a toy, too. He is soooooooo happy to be back with Sethy (his best friend in Africa) and his bike and Hoosier (their dog) and his teacher, LaVerne. The girls keep talking about missing their school and friends there. Christopher already got a letter from his class and answered it. They were so good to us at Whitesburg Baptist Church!"

  I would also like to add how much we appreciated Southside Baptist Church for providing their "mission house" in Huntsville. Every time I pass by that house I get a little homesick for them wishing I could just pull up in the driveway and find them inside. I am afraid I am a little too sentimental these days. I also drove by Camp and Charisse's old house and reminisced about the years when they and the boys lived there. I could just pretend that the boys were still playing basketball at the goal beside their house. I know that John and his family, and Camp and his family (Scottsdale), are doing well in their new cities. I also know that is where they are supposed to be. However, sometimes I like to pretend that all of my grandchildren are still here in Huntsville. I am blessed to have seven of my grandchildren here in Huntsville. I know some of you don't have any of your children in the same town with you.

  One of the wonderful things about sewing is being able to send "love in a box." Garrin's birthday is next week and I have some toys but I also have some smocked dresses (purchased I have to admit) to send along on the UPS truck. I still have a little wrapping to do. She loves smocked dresses and Camp and Charisse dress her every Sunday in her beautiful dresses. Yes, even in Arizona! I would guess that many of you send "love in a box" with your sewing for your grandchildren or other loved ones. Sewing just speaks love to me.

  I hope many of you are making a doll wardrobe for Christmas for someone special in your life who loves dolls. My doll wardrobe was given to me the year I was in the third grade. I was old enough to appreciate it and still loved to play with dolls.

  The Teresa Borelli Paper Doll Calendars for 2004 have just arrived in the warehouse!! Truly, this is a treasure. I wanted to hang mine in my kitchen yesterday - however, January 2004 is not here yet. We have special prices if you order two or more. This calendar is on the most beautiful art paper that you have ever seen. On the front cover are three beautiful children; two of the three are my grandchildren, Bradley and Chase. Inside are Chase, Cecil as a baby, Emma, Bradley, and Ward - five of my grandchildren. Other children inside the calendar are from Theresa's creativity. The outfits are precious and the little toys and hats and bears and dolls that go with each paper doll are beyond wonderful.

Calendars are $11.99 each, two for $20, or three for $28 (plus s/h)
Click to Order

  There is a verse of scripture on the bottom of each page. Oh they are so cute. There are rabbits, dolls, bears and cats which have clothing to go along with the children's clothing. For instance, for December there is a little bear with a shepherd's outfit and hat to go along with the little girl with a little lamb and an angel outfit. The bear also has a Victorian Christmas suit with a big eyelet collar; the little girl has a red coat with spats and a fur muff and a pinafore dress with a dove flying on the pinafore. You will be sure to please anyone who loves dolls with this underneath the Christmas tree. We had a limited number printed so please order online or call 800-547-4176 ext. 117.

  I have discovered a travel secret. After 20 years of traveling with a hair dryer and an electric round brush, I have discovered that the cords won't get tangled in the suitcase if I put each one of them in a baggie! If the hair dryer is too large to be completely covered, just zip up the baggie until it will close. Why I did not figure this out many years ago is beyond me. I also carry my phone charger in a baggie when I travel. I also separate different items of clothing in baggies so they won't get mixed up. Oh, what did we ever do without baggies? I have some lovely lingerie bags but I need them to travel and pin up as displays to show people what elegant traveling is all about. Don't tell anyone that the "heirloom lingerie bag lady" uses plastic baggies!

  OK! Let's talk about diet and exercise. Joe and I quit sugar on August 25 after reading a very informative book on that topic. I have lost about 6 pounds since that date and am very happy with this slow weight loss because we have had treats such as Breyer's no-sugar-added ice cream and fruits and skim milk/fruit/sweetener milkshakes. We are using wheat bread which says on the package "sugar free." This brand of "sugar free" bread also has wonderful wheat hamburger buns. We have substituted sweet potatoes for white potatoes. They are wonderful with squirt butter and Splenda.

  I have been to my 5:30am step class nearly 3 times a week. I have missed a few times. Joe has exercised about 4 times per week since he can go during the day. With the holidays coming up I am glad we have "quit sugar" a long time ago so I will be used to not eating sugar. I remember Mama used to make wonderful egg custard pies with sweetener. As a matter of fact, I think I will fix these egg custard pies in little dishes (sprayed with Pam) and call it crème brule. We are trying not to eat white flour, only whole wheat.

  On Friday, I am teaching in Ft. Walton at Ruth Barnhill's. This is my second trip to Ruthie's events which are a ton of fun. I hope to see many of you there. The event will be at the Radisson Beach Resort in Ft. Walton and if you want to register the number is 1-888-448-4548. You can go online to read more about it at ruthiesnotions.com. The Sewing and Embroidery Market will be October 24, 25 and 26. I want to thank Babylock and Elna for underwriting this event.

  Early in November we travel to our "California Home" (Pasadena) for our West Coast Sewing Extravaganza. The school is filled to capacity and I wanted to tell all of you who are registered that we simply cannot wait to come to California for this super sewing event. I want to thank Husqvarna/Viking for underwriting this school.

  We do have places in EVERY SCHOOL except the Jenny Haskins school for our February School of Art Fashion here in Huntsville. The dates are February 4-8, 2004 and the pre-days are February 1-4! This is the granddaddy of them all and we cannot wait for you to get here. This is our 22nd year to produce this school for your sewing pleasure. If you are coming for the first time, you will have new best friends very shortly after your arrival. If you are coming for the 15th time, you will be so excited to know that we have the best school ever for you. If you are coming for the 24th time, ditto. Click here to read the complete brochure. Call 800-547-4176 ext. 105 or 106 to register.

  In November, 2003, we have a most exciting event; we have our very first "Beginning Sewing Teacher" licensing. This school is full; HOWEVER, we are accepting registrations for the second beginning sewing teacher licensing which will be held April 22-27, 2004! We have specific licensing dates planned for Viking, Pfaff, beginning sewing teacher and serger teacher. Early in 2005 we will have licensings for Bernina, Janome and Babylock. You can sign up for 2004, if you hurry, and you can give us your name to call you when we get the 2005 schedules finalized. Click here to get more licensing information, or call 800-547-4176 ext. 108.

  Calls are coming in daily for registrations for our Quilt Conference in Orlando, January 8-10, 2004. We have not even mailed the brochures! This is an event of a lifetime for quilters. We also have fun lectures and demos on a stage inside the vendor area when you are not attending a lecture. With four Australian teachers, and three American teachers, you will have the quilting time of your life. Orlando is one of the greatest places in the world to be in January, I might add. Click here for the complete brochure. Call 800-547-4176 ext. 109 or 114 (Diane or Patti) to register. I think many of you might like to come January 7, 2004 to sit and sew with Kathy McMakin and me. We have been having this pre-day sit and sew for four years and we have spectacular classes again this year.

  Kathy and David McMakin's son, Andy, married Ashley Deaton on Saturday night in a worshipful ceremony in Birmingham. The wedding was gorgeous and they are a delightful couple. They are both devout Christians and I know all of you join with us in wishing them the absolute most wonderful life together. The bridesmaid's dresses were made of hot pink silk dupioni; the fitted bodices featured horizontal tucks across the upper edge, with narrow straps over the shoulders and buttons down the back. The fitted a-line skirts were formal length. An eyecatching floral arch behind the alter was the perfect backdrop to the wedding party arrayed across the raised platform. The special music, with vocals performed by one of Ashley's sorority sisters accompanied by Andy's college friends on piano and mandolin, was glorious.

  Be sure to drop in your local Horn sewing furniture dealer to see the fabulous Horn line and get our video explaining the features of the best built sewing furniture in the world. Also, our brand new book and new quilting fabric line is now in Hancock's stores all around the country. It is reported that the fabrics are rushing out the door for quilts and other wonderful things. It won't be long until we have a brand new Zundt CD developed exclusively for Martha Pullen. Please visit the Zundt website to order Urban Zundt's other designs directly from him. Click here to see Zundt designs. He digitizes the most beautiful lace in the world, and his web site has all of Zundt's exclusive designs.

  Thank you so much for allowing me to visit each week with you. You are precious to me. I can't wait to see so many of you personally in the next few months. I forgot to mention earlier in the letter that I will, of course, be in Puyallup at the great Washington show! I wish I could visit in person with everyone getting this newsletter. I hope you know how much writing this newsletter means to me and I want you to know that I do feel that every one of you is a personal friend. This is my letter to home each week. To your home. I might remind each of us to pray for our men and women serving in Iraq and in other places around the world. The freedoms we enjoy in this country have been bought at a great price. Let us never forget to be grateful to the people who made it possible, and to those who continue to safeguard our liberty.

May God Bless You,
Martha

MARTHA CAMPBELL – BRAND NEW 23" DOLL FOR CHRISTMAS, 2003

Martha Campbell, my maiden name, is our second 23" doll made exclusively for Martha Pullen Company by the Gotz Company of Germany. You might want to order her now to get the lowest number and not be disappointed if the dolls are totally sold out before they arrive in this country (like Katherine Ruth sold out last year). We expect arrival in early November, 2003. I will be signing and numbering each doll and her worldwide production will be limited to 400. She is gorgeous with her red hair, brown eyes and elegant ecru and green pleated dress and jacket (very detailed tailoring on her jacket including scalloped cuffs) and her pretty ecru panty hose and gorgeous ecru shoes. The price is $249 plus $9 shipping (in USA, international shipments extra). Call 800-547-4176 ext. 2 to order. Your card will not be charged until the dolls are ready to be shipped.

SALE ON BABY DOLLS!

Dress Me Sarah 21" Baby Doll Blue Eyes	Dress Me Alex 21" Baby Doll Brown Eyes	Dress Me Sydney 16" Baby Doll Blue Eyes	Dress Me Rebekah 16" Baby Doll Brown Eyes

The large dolls (21") retail for $79; the small dolls (16") for $59. The book retails for $16 and the little play-with dress and matching pantaloons retail for $14. You can have all of this for $63 plus shipping (for the 21" dolls); for $47 plus shipping (for the 16" dolls). The value for the 21" dolls is $109 (your cost $63); the value for the 16" dolls is $89 (your cost $47). I will sign and number each and every doll. Some of the dolls are in very limited supply. For a limited time these dolls are offered at 20% off 2 plus you get the dress and the book on top of that! Click here to order.

FREE with Baby Doll Order!

Calendars are $11.99 each, two for $20, or three for $28 (plus s/h)
Click to Order

NEW 100% COTTON PRINT FABRICS

Just a few of the many new prints!

Brand new are these gorgeous 100% cotton fabrics which will be so cute for smocking or other children's clothing. I love the fact that there are four basic patterns which blend to make the cutest contrasting piping, pockets, collars or ruffles. It is precious to combine fabrics from the same family on children's clothing. You can view them in our online store "Fabric Section" by name: Garden Party, Golden Fields, Inspirations/Vine, and White Prints.

MARTHA'S QUILT CONFERENCE ORLANDO! How would you like to have a ton of fun in ORLANDO and learn lots of new quilting techniques from very famous Australian and American quilters from January 8-10, 2004, at The Expo Center? How would you like 9 (1-1/2 hour) celebrity lectures/seminars over three days? The classes will be lecture/demo only, not sit and sew. In addition to these seminars how would you like mini-lectures lasting fifteen minutes each inside the vendor hall while you shop each day in between your lecture classes? How would you like to see many beautiful quilts on exhibit including our teacher's fabulous quilts? Click Here for Lots of Information

Pre-Day Sit and Sew with Martha will be January 7, 2004, prior to the Quilt Conference. Two great classes with limited enrollment. Click here for details!

FEBRUARY SCHOOL OF ART FASHION REGISTRATION GOING ON NOW! We are now registering for our February School of Art Fashion! We have a few openings in every school except Jenny Haskins School. Pre-days are Feb 1-4, 2004. The four day school is Feb. 5-8! Please call to register as quickly as possible if you want to come! The complete brochure is on the web site so click here for links to the complete guide to classes. Please call 800-547-4176 ext. 105 to register.

SALE - VERY BIG SALE - ON Sew Beautiful SUBSCRIPTIONS! REGULAR PRICE $29.99 - YOUR PRICE $23.99! PLUS YOU GET FREE, COMPLETELY FREE, THE INTERNET MACHINE EMBROIDERY, HAND EMBROIDERY, PROJECT, SMOCKING PLATE AND TIPS AND TRICKS CLUB ABSOLUTELY FREE IF YOU SUBSCRIBE AND GIVE US YOUR VALID E-MAIL ADDRESS.

The Sew Beautiful Internet Club has started. You will receive your FREE goodies the months that you do not receive Sew Beautiful magazine. This means that you get "Sew Beautiful goodies" every single month! Please subscribe today and do not miss the current issue.

Click on this link (Sew Beautiful INTERNET CLUB) to read complete details about the brand new Sew Beautiful subscribers Club! SAVE 35% off the newsstand price by subscribing and get MUCH, MUCH MORE IF YOU SUBSCRIBE! Don't forget about ordering the Sew Beautiful 2002-2003 Video for $9.99 if you subscribe. You can subscribe on the internet - don't forget to send your e-mail address on the form or call 800-547-4176 ext. 115 or 116.

IEC IEC IEC IEC - Internet Machine Embroidery Club - The machine embroidery Internet Embroidery Club is truly something to save for future generations. When you join you will get to download two antique alphabets. During the year, along with the new embroidery designs to download each month, we also have antique pictures and articles which can range from 60 to 120 years old! Each month you ALSO get SALE prices on regular Martha Pullen Company merchandise and during the year our new machine embroidery CD members' price is $54 plus $5 s&h. Click here for complete information

MARTHA PULLEN LICENSED TEACHER WEEKS The next machine groups (which have openings) and dates are as follows: Beginning Sewing Teacher Licensing, November 17-22, 2003 (full, but taking a waiting list); Viking, February 15-21, 2004; Beginning Sewing Teacher Licensing, April 22-27, 2004; Pfaff, May 23-39, 2004; SERGER Licensing, Sept. 17-23, 2004; and Viking, Oct. 13-19, 2004. Call 800-547-4176 ext. 107 or 108 to get more information. Or visit our licensing info page: Licensing Link

Our October 2003 group of Viking/Martha Pullen licensed teachers!

OUR SECOND WEST COAST SEWING EXTRAVAGANZA IN PASADENA! November 6-9, 2003! FULL WITH WAITING LIST! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU IN PASADENA IN A FEW WEEKS!! The complete brochure is on the website (click here).

TO CONTACT US BY PHONE: 800-547-4176 ext. 2 or 256-533-9586
TO e-mail ONE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, choose from this list:

catalog@marthapullen.com (send your postal address to request a color catalog)
orders@marthapullen.com (for order questions)
subscriptions@marthapullen.com (for Sew Beautiful subscriptions)
schools@marthapullen.com (for School of Art Fashion)
licensing@marthapullen.com (for teacher licensing questions)
markets@marthapullen.com (for our sewing markets)
mcpullen@marthapullen.com -- MY PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK – Deuteronomy 33: 12-13

12) About Benjamin he said: "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."
13) About Joseph he said: "May the Lord bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below."

  Moses gave the different tribes different blessings. They were indeed gifts to be used wisely. In reading the poem reprinted below I began to study my bible for different "gifts" passages to use because I loved this poem so much. In reading about these gifts that God gave to the different tribes, I was made so aware that God gives each of us gifts and blessings. I believe that God has given each of us different gifts and that God draws out our uniqueness if we will let him. I hope I am never guilty of looking at someone else's gift and wishing that I had that gift. I pray I am always grateful for my gifts and most importantly I pray that I will use my gifts to honor and glorify God and to make life better for others.

  I believe that each of us has jobs that only we are best at doing. Can you think of the gifts that God has given to you and how you are using them to glorify God? I can truly tell you that I believe that sewing and teaching sewing to others is a gift from God. If you can sew and if you are teaching someone else to sew, I believe that is a gift from God. I would like to challenge all of us this week to make a list of our gifts and our blessings. Let's not write down our troubles. We all seem to know those well enough as it is. Just write down our gifts and our blessings. If you would like, take a moment to drop me an e-mail about your experience of writing down your gifts and blessings and forgetting about your troubles.

BEAUTIFUL SEWING POEM BROUGHT FROM ENGLAND BY PAULINE PALMER TO OUR HUSQVARNA/VIKING LICENSING (Pauline said this is an old poem and she did not know the author.)

God grant that I may see to stitch, until my dying day.
When the last thread is cut and the scissors tucked away.
May the work that I have done live on that other folk may see,
The pleasure I have known from the gift you gave to me.

RECIPE FOR THE WEEK FROM DONNA BOND Hi - I tried a new recipe today and found it to be excellent! And best of all, only 1 point for each muffin on the WW program! I enjoy your weekly letter!

Chocolate Muffins/Cupcakes (24 servings)

Mix in a large mixing bowl:

3 cups All Bran Cereal
1-1/2 cups water
Let this mixture set for 5 minutes

Add:

Betty Crocker Sweet Rewards Low fat Brownie mix
2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder

Mix well and divide equally into 24 muffin tins which have been sprayed with Pam or other non fat cooking spray. Bake for 15 - 17 minutes at 350. After baking, let set in pan for a 1 or 2 minutes and then turn out onto rack to cool completely.