New Special Holidays Issue

Martha Stewart fans have been enjoying a spate of new special-issue publications this year! A special issue devoted to Gardening appeared in March and in August we were treated to a special Halloween issue. On October 18th, a new 96-page special issue devoted to the holidays will be published, and the cover looks beautiful!

Elizabeth Graves, the editorial director on the project, says she is very proud of it and that she knows readers will find delight in its contents. It will be available on newsstands where ever books and magazines are sold, but you can also get it through Amazon. It is available for pre-order now. I can't wait to receive my copy!

Martha's Fans Celebrate the Special Halloween Issue

I recently asked the members of the Martha Moments Facebook Group to submit photos of their copies of the special Martha Stewart Halloween issue that was recently published, and I knew I would be impressed. Martha's fans really come through - not only in their support of Martha's ventures but in their creative expressions of enthusiasm for them. Below are the entries I received from Martha fans celebrating the publication of this splendid Halloween issue. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Bernie Wong and Dennis Landon displayed their copy on a Martha Stewart Collection wire rack from Macy's. Next to it is a very realistic faux skull that Dennis received as a complimentary studio audience gift he was given as an audience member at the Martha Stewart Show in New York City, perched on a black Mosser glass cake stand, a gift from fellow Martha Moments member Paul Neumann. Homegrown Kiefer pears are displayed in a French iron urn, and all presented on a Victorian marble-topped table the couple bought from Martha at her tag sale. In the background is a cabinet from Martha's Signature furniture line with Bernhardt from her Skylands collection, purchased with the help of fellow Martha Moments member Aimee Spencer.

Tim Obert displayed his copy in his cabinet, which is filled with his collection of Uranium glass, one that was inspired by Martha. Tim was inspired by the article in the October, 2008, issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine called "Night Visions" in which black light, coloured bulbs and fluorescent paint and tape were used to create projects that literally glow in the dark. 

Anthony Picozzi photographed his copy surrounded by ghoulish looking Halloween decorations - a perfect setting!

Jeremy Lambertson submitted this photo of his beloved Emma reading the issue against a backdrop of some of his Halloween collectibles. Emma recently passed away and we all send Jeremy our love and support as he grieves her loss. Please check out this post featuring Jeremy's extensive vintage Jack-o-Lantern collection.

Brian Utz is shown holding his copy with the six-foot high skeleton topiaries he is building to use as decorations later this fall. Brian has always done Halloween justice. Click here to see how he celebrates!

Justin Giannunzio seems ready to host a fabulous Halloween party!

Megan Dunton holding her copy in her craft room, with some of the other Halloween issues in the background and a very cute witch's hat waiting to be donned! 

Jason Brown's copy on display on top of his Martha's Entertaining book with a festive Martha Stewart pumpkin luminary waiting to be displayed for All Hallow's Eve.

Todd Hall looking pleased to have found his copy at the newsstand!

John Roberts found his at Target.

Becky Seebach's copy on a serving tray in her living room, waiting to be perused...

Christine Walsh displays her copy with a bounty of eggs from her chickens and tomatoes from her garden.

Darren Joe Flowers created a little moment on his entry table.

Hayden Regina's copy on display on his coffee table in his very well-appointed living room.

David Edward Dante Waugh added his copy to his Martha Stewart Halloween collection.

Frederic Khaler donned a very terrifying mask to show off his copy. Eeek!

Kathleen McCarthy shows off her copy next to a witchy-looking Halloween container.

Kevin Link is all set to enjoy his coffee with the Halloween magazine as the 'crowning glory' upon a stack of October issues of MSL.

Merry Oaks is all set to start reading through its pages with her cup of coffee close at hand.

Michelle Zabell poses with her pooch and a glass of red wine - a woman after my own heart!

Michelle's daughter, Sophie, displays the magazine next to a batch of Martha's pumpkin enchiladas.

Nick Sanders and his curious feline are all ready for the spooky season ahead!

Sharon Van Hooser Thompson in her living room reading a copy with a cute companion.

Paul Stoddard was the first one to alert us all about the publication of this special issue. He found it the day before its publication was announced - and we are all the better for it!

Chris Tamez loving his issue with some of Martha's Jadeite cake stands in the background.

I photographed my own copy on a Halloween-themed Anthropologie dish towel with some clawed and eight-legged friends creeping in for a closer look.

Cindy Hamel seems ready to conjure up some spells!

New Martha Stewart Collection with Chilewich

Martha Stewart recently partnered with Chilewich, a textile company founded in New York in 2000, to launch a full collection of indoor/outdoor rugs, mats, placemats, table runners and coasters inspired by the textiles found in Martha's own homes and images of vintage textiles photographed for the pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine. The collection comes in a pleasing palette of neutrals, warm or cool tones to best suit your living space. Featuring 20 timeless pieces, the collection is durable, distinctive in design and easy to clean. Even nicer, everything is made in the United States using phthalate-free yarns by TerraStrand, which impart enduring resistance to staining, wear and fading, as well as mold and mildew growth.

Martha has been a Chilewich customer for decades and applauds the company's commitment to American-made products that last, using eco-friendly materials without sacrificing attractive design.

“This beautiful, new collaborative collection explores treasured patterns and rich textures in my favorite colors. You'll love how easily they wipe clean and stay looking new through years of enjoyment. No ironing necessary," said Martha in a statement. 

Below are some examples from the collection. I love how modern they are while still honouring classic design motifs, such as damask, handkerchief and grosgrain ribbon. Below are some examples from the collection. Click here to see the full Martha Stewart Collection with Chilewich. You can also purchase these items through the Martha Stewart shop on Amazon.

The Damask Table Runner in Flax.

The Coverlet Floor Mat in Abalone.

The Ribbons Placemat in wheat.

Coasters in the Boxwood motif.

Heathered Shag Floor Mat in Flax, handpicked by Martha Stewart.

The Handkerchief Placemat in Burnt Coral.

The Round Scroll placemat in Flax.

Rosette placemat in Abalone.

Twice as nice! When flipped over, the colours are reversed, offering two distinct looks in each placemat. 

The collection includes: 

Original Weaves. Available as placemats, table runners, and rugs in stocked and custom sizes. 

Boxwood. A dobby weave that combines geometric precision with a lacy, openwork quality created by a loom-based pattern known as huck lace. Also available as felt-backed coasters. 

Coverlet. Inspired by the bold geometry of patterns created by overshot weaving, a technique closely associated with coverlets found in American homes as early as the seventeenth century. 

Ribbons. A weave of ribbon-like bands inspired by the woven patterns of traditional square handkerchiefs framed by colorful borders of intersecting lines. 

Rosette. A nuanced celebration of cabbage roses, whose abundant blooms have been a staple of Martha’s own flower gardens for decades. 

Damask. A jacquard weave that reimagines the organic symmetry and tone-on-tone elegance of damask textiles, including intertwining flowers and acanthus leaf motifs. 

Handkerchief. Playful precision inspired by vintage table linens framed by hand-embroidered borders. 

Scroll. A contemporary interpretation of the botanically inspired embroidery that borders vintage table linens. 

Tufted Texture in Fresh Hues: Available as all-weather floor mats in stocked and custom sizes. 

Heathered. In hues handpicked by Martha Stewart, tufted “Shag” floor mats bring texture and traction to any space. 

About Chilewich:

Founded in 2000 by Sandy Chilewich and headquartered in New York City, Chilewich combines original design with American craftsmanship through durable, distinctive textiles for residential, commercial, and transportation applications. These woven coverings for tabletops, floors, walls, windows, and more are made in the United States, and the design-led company has its own factory in Chatsworth, Georgia. Available in more than 100 countries, Chilewich products feature innovative weaves, multi-tonal colors, indoor/outdoor versatility, and easy maintenance. Seven Chilewich designs are in the permanent collection of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

New Special Halloween Issue

 A new special Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living has just dropped. Many fans were shocked (and delighted) by the surprise! The issue is available on newsstands as well as through Amazon. Martha looks fantastic on the cover dressed as a variation on Queen Elizabeth I. Inside, there is a full gallery of Martha's best costumes over the years, plus some Halloween gems that have not been published before. This is the second Martha Stewart special issue that Dotdash Meredith has published this year, the first being a special Gardening issue that appeared in the spring. This is the first Halloween special issue to publish since 2015. Maybe we're just glutinous, but we're hoping for a special Holiday issue too! Stay tuned!

Photography by Fadil Berisha

"Martha" to Open Hamptons International Film Festival

The documentary about Martha's life, which has been in the works since May of 2021, will premiere at the Hamptons International Film Festival on October 4th. Directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker R.J. Cutler ("The September Issue"), the film, titled simply "Martha", will trace the arc of Martha's life and career - warts and all - with an inside look at her daily routines. The film had Martha's full cooperation and input. She is interviewed extensively throughout the documentary at her homes in New York and Maine and her places of work. 

"It feels only fitting that we open this year's event with R.J. Cutler's portrait of Martha Stewart," said Hamptons Film executive director Anne Chaisson. "We are delighted to welcome Martha - a truly trailblazing cultural figure and an East End resident of more than three decades - back to the Hamptons community with open arms and give her space to graciously share her inspiring story with us all." 

The documentary was made for Netflix and will be available to stream in late October or early November. 

Martha Finds "Hope In The Water"

Martha recently took part in a three-episode documentary series for PBS called "Hope in the Water." From Emmy-winning producer David E. Kelley and television chef Andrew Zimmern, this series explores the groundbreaking work of dedicated fishers, aqua farmers, and scientists who are attempting what was once thought impossible: harvesting aquatic species to feed our growing planet while simultaneously saving our oceans from overfishing and pollution. 

Martha narrates and participates in episode two of the series, which examines new innovations in aquaculture and sea harvesting that help to diversify the species that are wild-caught, farmed at sea or raised in sea farming laboratories thousands of miles from the nearest ocean. In this episode, we accompany Martha as she explores a scallop farm just off the coast of Maine with fishers who had to change their methods and their focus in order to sustain themselves and their communities in a changing climate.

I highly recommend watching the entire series. I learned a great deal about species depletion, diversifying methods of harvesting from the sea, as well as diversifying the species that are sold at market in order to save overfished species from near collapse. Community building, education, scientific advancements and communication across borders are resulting in a growing awareness about responsible fishing and oceanic preservation. 

If you live in the United States, you can stream the episodes online. If you live outside the United States, a DVD of the series will soon be available for purchase. Click here to preorder.