Our Embird video tutorial CDs have been a big hit. We have received feedback from so many customers telling us they were amazed at how easy the videos are to follow and that they are now actually learning how to use Embird after months, or even years, of owning the program.

This is music to our ears. Our goal from the very beginning was to help anyone and everyone learn how to use this extremely powerful program. Nothing is that difficult once you know how. We all have the ability to learn, but sometimes the method we use makes all the difference.

Our idea was to show you how it's done, not ask you to read about it in a book. I think all of us learn much quicker when someone shows us how rather than tell us or hand us a lengthy manual.

If you are still struggling to learn Embird, take a closer look at our video tutorial CDs. I know you'll love them and they just might be one of the best investments you'll ever make. For all that it does, Embird is a great value. For all that our video CDs teach you, they are an equally great value.

Click here to learn more and to watch the trailers.

Here's a question submitted to Ask Mary! recently seeking help with a specialty item.

Question:  I want to stitch on "pet screen" or the plactic screen to make some swimming totes. Do I hoop the screen and what needle is best? Thanks for your help.

Answer:  I would recommend using a heavy water soluble stabilizer. Hoop the stabilizer and then secure your pet screen to it with a good basting stitch. Sew out your design, remove the basting stitch, and then dissolve the stabilizer with water.

You can use a regular embroidery needle. Either a 75/11 or 80/12 ballpoint should do the trick. Don't use a sharp needle as you want to avoid cutting the screen if possible.

Our very popular Mirror & Pouch In-the-hoop project set just got better. We have added a brand new set of mirror designs that will make this set more versatile than ever.

Add-on Set #1 includes 18 additional mirrors with 18 brand new sayings that we're sure you'll love. The basic set is required to complete an entire project with pouch.

Right now the basic set is 40% Off!

See this fun project here...

Designed to get you in & out of the kitchen fast and back to your embroidery machine.

Recipe Name: Barbequed Pork Sandwiches
Prep Time: 15 minutes tops
Cooking Time: 6-8 hours
Serves: 15+

Ingredients:

Whole Boneless Pork Loin (vac pack)
2-3 Bottles KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce
Liquid Smoke (I put it in a spray bottle)
Hamburger Buns

Directions:

Cut the pork into chunks and put into a 6qt slow cooker. Do not add water. After cooking for 4-6 hours on high or 6-8 hrs on low, open the pot and remove the liquid. Dilute the liquid to pour onto the dog's food; makes at least two quarts. Using two forks pull the meat apart, spray lightly with liquid smoke and add the BBQ sauce to your liking. Makes many sandwiches. Freeze the leftovers.

Submitted by: Janet Arnold

Just the other day I was scanning through the embroidery machines for sale on eBay. It wasn't long before I came across a Brother PR600 machine that I immediately knew was a scam. I can usually spot them a mile away. So, how did I know? To find out read on.

There are always a lot of embroidery machines for sale on eBay. Normally it is not difficult to find the particular make and model you are interested in purchasing. If there isn't one there today, just check back tomorrow.

Unfortunately embroidery machines are a real favorite of scam artists. Most of them are high dollar items making them idea for this purpose. There are many legitimate sellers on eBay selling legitimate machines, but what you need to know is how to tell the difference.

It really is easy to tell the difference if you know what to look for. There are usually telltale signs that give them away instantly. I have written about this many times before, but this time I decided to make a video using this particular auction as an example of a real scam. I thought if I actually showed you what I was talking about I just might be able to save you from being taken.

I point out many of the things that you should be on the lookout for. Things that should immediately send up a red flag in your mind. If you really want to protect yourself from loss, be sure to watch this video when time permits. Trust me when I say it is easy to spot these scam auctions if you just do a little homework before ever placing a bid.

Watch the video here...

Our thanks to Barbara G. for submitting this helpful embroidery tip:

If you have trouble keeping bobbin threads tidy, here is a great way to solve that problem. Purchase at any hardware store some inexpensive plastic tubing (I paid about 40 cents a foot for 5/8" size). Cut along the length of the tubing, then cut the width needed for your bobbin. Wrap the piece around the bobbin and presto tidy threads.

Want to win FREE designs? Submit your tip or trick to us. If we publish your tip you will win your choice of any downloadable design or design set from our online catalog.

• ISS Show New England - July 19-21 Providence, RI
• American Sewing Guild Conference - July 26-29 Sacramento, CA
• Indiana Embroidery Conference - July 29-August 2 Columbus, IN
• Sew & Quilt Embroidery Festival - August 3-5 Honolulu, HI
• Embroidery Mart-EAST - August 3-4 Nashville, TN
• ISS Show Schaumburg - August 9-11 Schaumburg, IL
• World Quilt Show XI - New England - August 16-19 Manchester, NH
• Sew & Quilt Embroidery Festival - August 17-19 Reno, NV
• The Stitches & Craft Shows - August 22-26 Sydney, AU
• Quilter's Guild of Plano "Labors of Love" - August 24-25 Plano, TX
• Sew & Quilt Embroidery Festival - August 30-31 & September 1 San Rafael, CA

Do you have a difficult time keeping track of your bobbins? Never sure what thread you have on them or what spool of thread would make a matched set?

Here is a nifty little product that just might solve your problem - Bobbin Buddies. These little gizmos are about as simple to use as anything I've seen related to embroidery, but they can surely save you some big headaches.

How they work is this. Slide the two curved pieces over your bobbin to prevent unraveling. After you have done that simply push the protruding stem into the end of your spool of thread.

That's all there is to it. With enough Bobbin Buddies you'll never have to look for the right bobbin again. It will be safely stored with its corresponding spool of thread and ready to go at a moments notice. Even if you don't use them to store your bobbins with a spool of thread, they will prevent your bobbins from unraveling no matter where you store them.

Two (2) lucky winners in every isssue!

Today's lucky winners are:

If your email address is shown above, you have won a complete set of our Old Tyme Fishing redwork design set. Please contact us within 5 days to claim your prize. Be sure to let us know what format you need so we can get the designs on their way to you.

Others interested in this set can see it here.

Everyone loves puppies. Four brand new designs for the 4 x 4 hoop. Two in full color and two in redwork. Please enjoy them with our compliments.

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