CONTACT:
Diane Coffey
The Holmes Group
508-422-1306

Beth Lauver
Mary Engelbreit Studios
314-726-5646

September 15, 2005 (MILFORD, MA):

For years, busy moms have relied on Crock-Pot®, the Original and #1 Brand of Slow Cookers, to feed their families delicious and well-balanced meals. Those same moms have filled their homes with the prolific art and spirited wit of Mary Engelbreit®. Fans of both can now bring the nostalgic warmth of Mary’s designs to any kitchen with the introduction of a new line of Crock-Pot® slow cookers by Rival®.

Mary Engelbreit’s colorful and unmistakable illustration style is captured in a slow cooker collection of custom-designed patterns and words of wisdom. Perfect for gift-giving, this Special Edition line of slow cookers feature classic Crock-Pot® brand characteristics such as a convenient keep warm setting -- so Dinner is Ready When You Are®. And Crock-Pot® slow cooker enthusiasts can enjoy the added benefit of the multi-purpose stoneware that can be used as an extra serving piece or as a casserole baking dish. The Mary Engelbreit® signature-style embossed Decorative Stoneware looks as pretty on the dinner table as her art does throughout the rest of your home.

Available in two styles and four color combinations ~ perfect for any Mary Engelbreit® inspired kitchen ~ these Special Edition slow cookers are sold exclusively through Rival direct at www.crockpotcraze.com or 866-659-7033.

About Mary Engelbreit
Mary Engelbreit is known throughout the world for her colorful and intricate designs, which adorn 14 million greeting cards and 1 million calendars sold each year. Engelbreit holds license agreements with dozens of manufacturers to reproduce her popular illustrations on nearly 6,500 gift and home décor products including books, best-selling children's books, stationery, fabric, crafts, kitchen accessories, dinnerware and other home accents. Her art has also come to life through the children's animated video based on her best-selling book, “The Night Before Christmas.” Thousands of retailers worldwide (including The Mary Engelbreit Store in the Saint Louis Galleria) have sold $1 billion worth of ME products. Engelbreit is also editor-in-chief of a national 525,000-circulation magazine, Mary Engelbreit's HOME COMPANION. For more information, visit www.maryengelbreit.com.

About The Holmes Group
JCS/THG, LLC doing business as The Holmes Group, a fully integrated consumer products company, located in Milford, MA, with offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide, is a leading manufacturer of consumer products for Home Environment, Kitchen, and Lighting. With well-known brands such as: Bionaire®; Crock-Pot®; FamilyCare®; Holmes®; MasterGlow®; Patton®; Rival®; Seal-a-Meal® and White Mountain®; continuously develops, manufactures and distributes innovative, high quality products to meet consumer demands. www.crockpotcraze.com