November 25, 2002
To Unsubscribe, follow this UNSUBSCRIBE ME Link or Email Patti. Remember, do NOT reply to this newsletter...Please use the departmental addresses below!
HISTORICAL SNIPPET FROM The Delineator, November, 1905
The Thanksgiving Pie with Variations by Katherine E. Megee
No housewife who has proper regard for tradition will even think of eliminating pumpkin pie, which from time out of mind has been associated with the occasion, from her Thanksgiving menu. Indeed, there is no reason why she should, for, when properly concocted, pumpkin pie is one of the most delectable of dainties and well deserving of the honor paid it.(Note from Martha: The article then gives pumpkin pie, pumpkin tartlet and pumpkin custard recipes.)
SEWING TIPS FROM Claire Shaeffer, author, Couture Sewing Techniques
1. Use interfacings at hemlines and other edges to shape the edge attractively, create a soft "unpressed" look, prevent clinging or limpness, reduce wrinkling, and prevent the bends--small vertical folds.
2. Since under linings are cut on the same grain as the garment, they do not eliminate the need for interfacing the edges.
3. Traditional bias-cut interfacings are generally made from lightweight muslin, wigan, sanforized mull, cotton organdy, organza, marquisette, or traditional interfacing fabrics. When you want a softer, "unpressed" edge, use cotton flannel, cotton batting or wadding, lamb's wool, or even polyester fleece. For a crisper edge, consider horsehair braid, hair canvas, or crisp interfacings.
4. When the garment is lined, the interfacing can be any width. For jackets, Valentino begins the interfacing about 2.5 cm (1") below the waist.
5. On unlined garments, the interfacing should be enclosed within the hem.
PERSONAL LETTER FROM MARTHA
Dear Friends,
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. Our family in Scottsboro would gather at our house, at my Aunt Chris' and Aunt Mabel's house, or at my Uncle George's house for the family meal together. When we ate at our house, Daddy always carved the turkey from the head of the table. Everything was served family style and Mama always had the table laden with food. The buffet would be filled with pumpkin pies and pecan pies. When I was a young bride, sometimes we would go to my in-law's house, Willie and Bill Crocker. Mama Willie made the best pumpkin pies, and she made little round cheese pumpkins with paprika for a little color to put on each piece of pumpkin pie. I will always remember her mashed potatoes.
When the boys were growing up and when Joanna was little we usually went to Joe's family farm in the country for Thanksgiving. His parents, Dr. J.B. and Emma Pullen, my Mama and his Aunt Doope and Aunt Ichie would prepare the meal and all of us would bring dishes. Aunt Doope's specialty was a shrimp cocktail and Aunt Ichie would fix a white cake with a lemon filling and coconut icing. Mom would always fix the turkey and dressing and Mama would bring all kinds of dishes, including her famous pumpkin and pecan pies. Mama also made the best marinated cold vegetable salads.
After we would eat lunch we would go for long walks along that country road and the boys loved to climb the trees. After long conversations in the living room at one of the houses, we would climb into our station wagon and head back to Huntsville.
Our family tradition for many years has been to have either our family thanksgiving or Christmas party at Aunt Elizabeth's in Scottsboro. Joanna is so excited this year that she will be home for Thanksgiving to see the whole family. Last year we had Thanksgiving at Mama's house. It was Mama's last Thanksgiving here on earth. John and Suzanne and their children (normally in Africa on Thanksgiving) were here and it was a glorious day. We went out on the front porch and made a family picture and had a big meal on card tables (Mama's dining room furniture was already in storage). Mama prayed the most beautiful prayer that I have ever heard. It was her last time to pray out loud for a family occasion. Mama blessed the meal like she blessed my life - for 58 years. Forgive me for reminiscing again about the last Thanksgiving we had with Mama.
Thanksgiving is a blessed holiday and I am thankful to live in America. I am thankful for the Pilgrims who came here seeking religions freedom. I am thankful for the native Americans who helped them to grow food. I am thankful for my family and for all of you, my sewing family. I am thankful for the promises of Jesus that for those who believe on him we are promised everlasting life in Heaven with Him. I am thankful for my blessings and I pray that I will be more mindful of the needs of others.
This year we will have two of our children with us for Thanksgiving - Joanna and Mark, and Mark's family. My granddaughter, Emma, will be with Angela's family and Joanna's children will be in Mississippi with the Hammett family. Jeff is in Naples, Florida, Camp and his family are in Scottsdale, and John and his family are in Africa. We will be together in spirit although we will not be under the same roof. Joe and I are so blessed to have five such wonderful children, their precious spouses and 12 absolutely superb grandchildren. We thank God for our family and for our sewing family living all over the world. Joe and I send our Thanksgiving greetings to each of you.
We had a fabulous Janome Teacher Licensing last week here in Huntsville. This group of women is the "sewingist" group I have seen in a long time, and we truly had fun. We laughed until we cried several times. Dody Baker's birthday (31 times two) was this week. The group sang happy birthday no less than 20 times during the day and about two more times while we were having our banquet at the heritage club. She stood and bowed each time the group sang.
In one of our "how to build a business" seminars, Sue (from Janome) was telling us about her husband's ice fishing equipment. Being from Alabama, I don't know anything about ice fishing. In Minnesota this year, only one day of ice fishing was allowed by the government since the winter was much warmer than usual. She told us that he has to have an "ice house," a vehicle to pull the "ice house" onto the ice, a heater, an ice driller, a television, fishing poles, equipment to know when the fish are running under his house, and so forth and so on. She said no sewing machine and serger in the world would be as expensive as ice fishing equipment. I was laughing so hard at the thousands of dollars of ice fishing equipment for a one day expedition that I could hardly go on with the class.
We had our going away party at our house Saturday night and as usual enjoyed the bar be que and the Gibson's pies. We had laughed so much this week and had so much fun that the group named themselves the Janome Jesters. We will have a round robin e-mail newsletter and send little messages to the whole group from now on. Wendy was elected the alumni director and she will set up our little group. For several years, now, we have been doing this with each licensed teacher group. We become such a new family during the week we are here, that it is fun to keep up after everybody goes home.
There are so many types of businesses planned from this group - from dealer's going home to expand their heirloom program and teachers who are going to teach at dealerships, to individuals who are going to start new programs in the continuing education departments of schools or in church sponsored continuing education programs. If you dream about having a sewing/teaching business you might want to get information on our licensed teacher programs by calling 800-547-4176 ext. 108 or 107 and speaking with Kathy McMakin or Dody Baker.
We have not only sewed but we have talked extensively about starting a sewing business, where to teach, where to get students, how much to charge, how to promote a business, how to plan a business, etc. etc. etc. We have also talked a lot about developing custom sewing business as a Martha Pullen Licensed Teacher. There are several people here who own Janome dealerships; most do not. There are a few students here that have never taught sewing but who are here to learn how to start a sewing business.
For those of you who dream of teaching sewing in any way you certainly will want to give consideration to coming to become a Martha Pullen Licensed Teacher. Later in this letter, I will give you the times which are available for 2003 to come.
On the "breaking news" front, we have a new kit in the Martha Pullen Signature Series of sewing implements! The Heirloom Embroidery Kit includes a 5" squizzer, 4" curved scissors, 3.5" precision tweezer, and an embroiderer's wand in a zippered "Martha Pullen Signature" case. The tools are great for machine or hand embroiderers and make a wonderful stocking stuffer or gift for a sewing friend. Another item you won't want to be without is the 2.5" scissors attached to the "Martha Pullen initialed" retracting zinger! It is truly one of the handiest gadgets a sewer can have. All of the implements are pewter plated.
 Kit Interior |
 Kit Exterior |
 "Zinger" Handi-Clip | |
The dolls are here!! The dolls are here!! The dolls are here!! Please order your 18" and 13" dolls this week! The Katherine Ruth dolls are completely sold out and I don't want you to be disappointed as you place your order for the 18" and the 13" dolls.
In the past years our editions of Gotz dolls have been 2000 of each doll. This year we limited Katherine Ruth to 300 worldwide and each of the other 8 dolls (Martha's and Joanna's Friends) to just 400 worldwide. Dolls are more valuable when the numbers produced are very low.
We are awaiting the arrival of the Gotz doll dresses, which should be in today, to begin shipping the 18" Martha's Friends and the 13" Joanna's Friends. The 18" dolls are the most precious 18" dolls we have ever had. Their faces are simply beautiful. As you know, if you order during the month of November, you not only get the precious outfit she comes dressed in but also you get two more doll dresses. Your Christmas morning surprise wardrobe will be ready. Hopefully you will have time to sew a few more outfits for the doll and have a really large wardrobe before Christmas morning.
I think we are getting even more doll dresses from Gotz which will be available for sale for both the 18" Martha's Friends and the 13" Joanna's Friends! You can have even more than the 3 doll dresses to go with your Christmas morning wardrobe! The normal price on these little Gotz dresses is $14; however, you can purchase extra doll dresses for half price ($7) if you purchase a doll. I'll let you know when and if the extra dresses to purchase at half price are here as well as show you pictures on the internet or this newsletter.
The 13" dolls have the sweetest faces and the most wonderful feeling little soft bodies to hold. My young granddaughters love to play with the 13" ones because they are so easy to hold. You can even wash these dolls in the washing machine (on hand wash cycle) if you wrap them in a pillowcase and pin it up very tightly. Lay her on her face after the washing so the water will run out of her head. You can comb and set her hair as long as you do not use heat on her hair. These dolls are real play with dolls and so much fun to sew for. If you don't already have the doll dressing books for the 13" dolls and the 18" dolls you can order a book half price at the time you order a doll.
I will sign and number the 18" dolls and Joanna and I will sign and number the 13" dolls. These signed and numbered dolls are play with dolls but they are also very collectible. Some women collect our Gotz dolls and leave them in the boxes with all of the tags intact as an investment. I am sure these are the only European dolls in this price range which are signed and numbered. Of course, I give my dolls to my granddaughters to play with and to make memories with, not as future investments. Either way, these dolls are the most precious gifts. Please order before November is over to get your two extra doll dresses. That makes a total of 3 outfits that each doll has when she arrives to you. The two extra dresses are valued at $14 each so that is an extra $28 of value if you order in November. We are shipping now so please call quickly.
Here is a list of reminders for your sewing pleasure.
1. Register for a sit and sew day with Kathy McMakin and me in Orlando, January 7th or 8th! Projects are a handkerchief linen tea towel with lace cathedral windows and French waterfall pillow with scallops and curved pintucks. (800-547-4176. ext. 109)
2. Get your discounted tickets for Martha's Sewing Market in Orlando! Register now so your wristbands can be mailed to you.
3. Register for Jinny Beyer's Martha's Sewing Market workshop on Friday night, January 10th at 6:30.
4. Register for the February School of Art Fashion, February 2-9, 2003! The best ever! You might ask for this trip for a Christmas present!You'll want to be aware that the Elna and Babylock Schools will not be taught in the the July School of Art Fashion sessions. If you are interested in either of these schools, please sign up now for February as there are still spaces available. Lezette Thomason will be teaching the Christening Gown in the February Elna School and Janice Ferguson will be teaching the Christening Gown in the February Babylock School. Make your plans to sign up now!
5. Order your signed and numbered Martha's Friends (18") and Joanna's Friends (13") before Thanksgiving Day and get TWO FREE dresses ( in addition to the outfit that comes on the doll)! Value of two extra dresses is $28! These dolls are gorgeous and so much fun to play with and dress.
6. If you want Katherine Ruth (on the cover of our current catalogue) please order immediately. We only have about 30 left of this gorgeous 23" doll.
7. Give a gift subscription to Sew Beautiful magazine-either to someone else or to yourself! Price, now, is only $23.99 (regular sub=$27.99). Call Cindy (800-547-4176 ext. 4) to order and we will send a gift card. The one hour video for this year is only $9.99 extra (total sub. Plus video is $33.98)
8. Order Victorian fabrics and embroideries at 30% off through the month of November!
9. Join the 2003 IEC (internet machine embroidery club) for $49! Download two bullion rosebud alphabets now as well as 10 matching pieces to go with it. Then receive gifts every month during 2003!
10. Give an IEC membership to a friend or family member for Christmas! Only $49.
11. Register for the Great Lakes Sewing Extravaganza in Detroit, Michigan, April 3-6, 2003!
12. A great Christmas present would be our new Antique Lace CD! You simply will not believe the digitizing on these lace motifs which can stand alone or be stitched to fabric. Here are two more of the designs for you to see.
Thank you for letting me visit with you in your home each week. When I count my blessings this Thanksgiving, I count you twice. God has been so good to bless us with this business for nearly 22 years now and of course the first credit goes to him. Next, in line we give thanks to you, our faithful customers and subscribers to Sew Beautiful magazine. Third, I have to be thankful for my incredible staff. It is such a pleasure to work with them each day and they work so very hard. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
May God Bless You and Those You Love,
Martha
SALES!!! SALES!!!! SALES!!!!
GET TWO EXTRA DRESSES FOR DOLLS IF YOU ORDER BEFORE THANKSGIVING DAY!
If you begin now, you have plenty of time to make someone a beautiful doll wardrobe before Christmas. We have decided that if you order your 18" Martha's Friends Dolls or your 13" Joanna's Friends Dolls before Thanksgiving Day, we will send you two dresses to fit each doll in addition to the outfit which comes on the doll!!
 Anna Christine blonde hair, blue eyes |
 Hannah Grace red hair, brown eyes |
 Susan Marie brown hair, blue eyes |
 Nancy Lea black hair, brown eyes |
 Anna Garrin brown hair, blue eyes |
 Emily Jessica red hair, blue eyes |
 Victoria Elizabeth black hair, brown eyes |
 Ashley Madison blonde hair, blue eyes |
THANKSGIVING SALE RUNS THROUGH THE END OF NOVEMBER! 30% off Victorian fabrics and embroideries!!
1. All colors of Victorian batiste on sale 30% off, while supplies last. We have the following colors in stock: pink, blue, green, yellow, white, peach, blush, and ecru. You can order from the web site and we will take the 30% off before we charge your order. Or you can call in your order. The 30% sale price will not be reflected on the web site. Don't worry, we will take your 30% off.
2. All Victorian embroideries in all the colors will also be 30% off through the end of November, while supplies last. Don't forget we also have blush, peach and ecru embroideries. You can order from the web site (which will have the regular price listed) and we will take your 30% discount before we charge your order and ship it.
3. 20% off of all baby dolls - Alex, Sarah, Rebekah and Sydney. These prices are already displayed at the discount price on the website.
MARTHA'S SEWING MARKET IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 9-11, 2003. PLEASE SIGN UP VERY SOON! DISCOUNTED WRISTBAND FOR DAIILY ADMISSIONS WILL BE MAILED BY DECEMBER 15, 2002!
Our exciting schedule for 2003 begins with Martha's Sewing Market in Orlando, January 9-11! We will teach pre-day sit and sew classes on Tuesday, January 7, and Wednesday, January 8! Call Diane at 800-547-4176 ext. 109 to register and get your early bird discounted tickets. We have a special event on Friday night of the Orlando market. Jinny Beyer will be our guest speaker. Her topic is Color Confidence and the lecture will begin at 6:30pm. She will have her books, etc. to sell after the lecture. The cost of this special lecture is only $3 extra if you hold an admission ticket for the Friday market.
We will also have a sewing contest at this market with very special prizes from Sulky of America, Wild Ginger Software and Martha Pullen Company. The best of show prize will be tuition to the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion in Huntsville! The theme of this market is "High Tech to Handwork" and we will have many classes from digitizing, to software, to hand work, to fitting, to stabilizers, to needles, to crazy patch, to just about everything. Click here to get more details.
FEBRUARY, 2003, SCHOOL OF ART FASHION BROCHURE NOW ON WEB SITE - Click here!
February 2-5. 2003 (Pre-Day Classes) February 6-9, 2003 (Four Day School) CALL 800-547-4176 EXT 105 TO REGISTER! A complete copy of the school brochure is also included in your current issue of Sew Beautiful. We have a large number of students already registered. Please call if you are coming to the biggest and best school ever! Schools are Beginning School, Australian Quilting School, Carol Ahles School of Fine Machine Sewing, Fine Embroidery for Little Ones, Jenny Haskins Victorian School, Mirella Arroyo School, Wendy Schoen Baby School, Creative Serger School, Baby Lock School, Bernina School, Elna School, Husqvarna/Viking School, Janome School, Pfaff School! Wow what a line up!
MARTHA PULLEN'S GREAT LAKES SEWING EXTRAVAGANZA--April 3-6, 2003
For the very first time we will take our Huge Sewing Extravaganza to the Great Lakes Area! This four day event will be held in the Double Tree Hotel, at the Detroit Metro Airport. Everyone will take all 9 sit and sew classes! This event will be underwritten by Husqvarna/Viking, who will furnish machines and sergers for everyone to use! The teachers are Martha Pullen, Dody Baker, Kathy McMakin, Peggy Dilbone, Jody Hooker, Deb Yedziniak, and Connie Palmer.
Your cost for the whole 4 days is $625 which includes instruction for all classes, kits for all classes, four lunch meals, Thursday night seminar "You Can Make Money from Your Hobby," Friday night table top clinics, and Saturday night banquet with special celebrity speaker Sue Hausmann! Please call 800-547-4176, ext. 105 or 106 to register.
SALE SALE SALE SEW BEAUTIFUL SUBSCRIPTION 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! Don't forget about ordering Video XI for $9.99 when you subscribe. Sew Beautiful Link
MARTHA PULLEN LICENSED TEACHER WEEKS - The next machine groups (which have openings) and dates are as follows: Pfaff, January 15-21, 2003; Viking, Feb 13-19, 2003 (full but taking a waiting list); Bernina, March 15-21, 2003; Babylock, June 17-24, 2003; and Viking, October 2-8, 2003. Call 800-547-4176 ext. 107 or 108 to get more information. Or visit our licensing info page: Licensing Link
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 mailing address to have a color catalog sent to you)
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)
marthap@marthapullen.com -- MY PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: Luke 1:46-53
In this precious week of Thanksgiving here in America, I was reminded of the verse Mary spoke after finding out that she was pregnant with the Lord.
46. And Mary said, "My soul glorifies the Lord
47. and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48. for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49. for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name.
50. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
51. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thought.
52. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty."Mary had been chosen for a very special blessing. I can certainly tell you that God has given me blessings that I do not in any way deserve. I thank Him for my blessings, for those of my family and for your blessings. May God give you the blessing of loving Him more each day during this Thanksgiving week and forever and forever. That is what I am going to concentrate on this holiday. Truly I send my prayers to you for you to have a blessed Thanksgiving with those you love.
I know that many of you have serious troubles right now. Let us all remember that God is sovereign, He is perfect and He does not make mistakes. I always need to remember that my worries need to be turned into prayers. I need to let God handle my problems as He has promised to do.
THANKSGIVING RECIPE FOR THE WEEK FROM Joyce Daniel
Aunt Avis' Sweet Potato Casserole
Mix together with hand mixer:
3 cups boiled mashed sweet potatoes/yam (I did try the canned variety last year and they were super....it saved peeling and cooking them)
1 cup sugar
1//2 cup milk
1/2 cup melted margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanillaPour mixture into a "Pammed" 9x13 casserole.
Mix together until crumbly:
1/3 cup flour
1 cup cocoanut
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup margarine (melted)Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly