You may not have noticed, but we're two weeks late in publishing this issue of Thread Times. Even now we are still running a couple weeks behind in many aspects of our business.

One of many unforeseen events that take place in our lives is illness. Back in early August I had the misfortune of winding up in the hospital with a severe case of pancreatitis. It certainly wasn't fun.

Doctors determined the cause to be my gallbladder, so it had to come out. I returned home the day after the surgery, but the recovery process has been much slower than anticipated. Needless to say, nothing was getting done around here.

I'm feeling much better now and things are beginning to return to normal. This issue will be somewhat abreviated, but we should be back to full strength for next time. Thanks for understanding.

Ron
Editor - Thread Times

Here's a question submitted to Ask Mary! recently seeking help with Embird and file associations.

Question:  I have a Sandisk Cruzer thumb drive on which I have stored many embroidery designs. When I open a file on this device, it automatically comes up in my Pfaff software. Often I want it to come up in Embird so that I can edit the design. If I open Embird first and try to access files on the Cruzer (drive F), instead of opening Drive F, the drive of choice reverts back to Drive C. How can I change things so that I can open files on the Cruzer with Embird?

Answer:  There are actually two ways you can accomplish this task. If you wish to permanently change file associations for your design formats to have them open in Embird when you double click on them in Windows Explorer, simply check the appropriate box in your Iconizer settings to tell Embird to do this. One of the lessons on our Embird Goodies video CD shows how to do this in detail.

If you only occasionally want to use Embird you would need to manually locate your thumb drive from the drop down list at the top of your right panel in Embird. From there you can navigate to the folder and file you wish to open on that drive.

If you need help learning Embird, now is the perfect time to consider purchasing our video tutorials CDs. All three are on sale this weekend at 20% off the regular price.

Volume 1 covers all the basics that you need to know before you can start using some of the more advanced features of Embird.

Volume 2 covers advanced editing features such as splitting designs, adding color stops, removing or adding stitches, and much more.

Our Embird Goodies CD, subtitled "I didn't know you could do that in Embird," will show you how to use many cool and little known features in Embird.

Don't delay. This sale ends September 3rd.

Learn more here...

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

Recipe Name: Hamburger Macaroni

Prep Time: less than 2 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients:
1 lb Hamburger Meat
2 cans tomatoes
Juice from tomatoes and water to make 4 cups
1/2 cup ketchup
2 cups macaroni
salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Brown hamburger meat and drain off grease. Take tomatoes and drain liquid - SAVE liquid - then add liquid and water to make 4 cups. Mix in 1/2 cup ketchup and 2 cups uncooked macaroni. Cook for 20 minutes. If you leave setting it will be better so this can be cooked ahead of time and just reheat.

Tips: You can add any ingredients (onions, celery, mushrooms, and any Italian spices) to this but I use the tomatoes that have the onions and celery already added in the can and then I do not add anything else to this. It can be more spicy or just the simple family dinner also.

Top at serving with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Submitted by: Sherry Poole

Brother has just introduced the new Duetta 4500D sewing and embroidery machine. Destined to replace the Innovis 4000D, the Duetta 4500D is billed as a combination sewing, embroidery and quilting machine.

From what I have learned the Innovis 4000D is to be discontinued once the current inventory has been exhausted. The Duetta 4500D includes all the features of the 4000D and a whole lot more.

Although not yet confirmed, Baby Lock will most likely follow suit with the introduction of the Ellegante II very soon.

Visit the Brother web site to learn more about this new machine.

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

When spraying adhesive it tends to migrate everywhere. Cut the top and bottom of a 2 liter soda bottle and place it on the fabric. Spray on the fabric and the bottle contains the adhesive. It doesn't go everywhere.

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.

• Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show - September 5-9 Melbourne, AU
• Everything Quilting & Sewing Expo - September 21-23 St. Charles, MO
• Sew & Quilt Embroidery Festival - September 21-23 Council Bluffs, IA
• Original Sewing & Quilt Expo - September 27-29 Chantilly, VA
• American Sewing Expo - September 28-30 Novi, MI
• Original Sewing & Quilt Expo - October 11-13 Chicago, IL
• Original Sewing & Quilt Expo - October 25-27 Kansas City, MO

Every year September is billed as National Sewing Month. Sewing.org offers many "field tested" projects to help first time sewers learn to sew and enjoy this fun and creative hobby.

In addition to the many great choices of first time projects offered for both children and adults, they also offer a wide range of how-to articles that anyone should find helful. Some of the projects incorporate machine embroidery too.

If you or someone in your family would like to learn how to sew, National Sewing Month is the perfect time to get started.

For more information and to review the projects currently available visit the sewing.org web site.

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 exclusive Monogram Coaster 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 purchase it here.

This cute little design compliments the Old Tyme baseball redwork designs we offered a few issues ago. The little boys in your life will surely love this full color version.

Available to subscribers only. Not available through the Archives.

Not a subscriber? Sign up here to receive all our FREE designs.