Martha Pullen Company Blog: June 2011

At the recent Echidna Conference on the Gold Coast, it was Gary’s birthday. His staff had sent all 300 ladies a white napkin and asked them to embroider it for Gary’s birthday. They were told to do anything at all. Gary’s group had digitized their logo “Decorate your life with Embroidery” and sent it to each lady. The creativity that was expressed on those plain white napkins was unbelievable!! I want you to see many of them to give you ideas about your own embroidery. I think you will love it. Gary was thrilled. He received everything from a hat to wear to a sailboat picture. Enjoy seeing how these ladies created napkins and memories for a lifetime for Gary. As you can see I had the time of my life. Be sure you look at my four videos showcasing the whole trip.

God has given me many sewing friends from all over the world—friends that are truly sisters. Lynne Holyoake is one of these friends. I first met her about 25 years ago on my first trip to Australia. Gloria McKinnon had brought me down to teach a class of lovely ladies from all over Australia. Lynne Holyoake was one of those students. I will always remember Lynne’s gorgeous nightgown and robe made of blue Nelona Swiss batiste with the beautifully shaped lace bows, pintucks and all sorts of heirloom trims. We became instant friends.

On my recent trip to Australia I had the privilege of visiting, for the first time, Lynne's train car studio. What a treat!! I made lots of pictures to share with you at the end of this little letter.

Lynne has been to Huntsville to teach many times and has always been accompanied by her incredibly wonderful husband David. He is truly a Southern gentleman, although the Southern is southern Australia. David, a successful businessman in several businesses, has always helped Lynne with her classes that she has taught in her train cars. David has prepared the morning and afternoon teas as well as the lunches in the “lunch train car.” They love the sewing ladies and of course the love is mutual. Lynne teaches on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and sometimes she has “overnight” classes. They all spend the night in their lovely home on their beautiful estate near Sydney.

Lynne and David accompanied our first MPC group trip to England about ten years ago. We called it “Christmastime in England,” and we visited many of England’s great places including all of my favorite places. We had a private party at Christie’s auction house and attended an auction. We had hand embroidery lessons at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, had a private tea at Liberty of London’s store, went to ALL of my favorite flea markets, toured completely and got to touch many garments at the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, went to Bath, had high tea at Harrods and saw three “Broadway” plays. I almost forgot we had an incredible Christmas boat trip on the Thames River and danced the night away while seeing London by night.

Now, just enjoy looking at every nook and cranny in Lynne’s studio! I had a wonderful time there. Enjoy.