Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Lap Handkerchiefs and Lap Scarves


I'm usually the last person on the planet to find out new things.  At least, I feel that way.  It is not surprising that I just discovered lap handkerchiefs also known as lap scarves.  I received a convo from our Etsy Store from a lady who inquired about lap handkerchiefs.  I had never heard of such a thing.  She was concerned about her size because she felt she was a large woman.  She wanted a lap handkerchief that would cover her entire lap while she was at church.  We started off during the Mardi Gras season and I explained to her that I would be glad to do this but I wouldn't be able to begin this project until Feb. 25th.  She agreed.  In the meantime, we discussed fabric, size, and design.

She wanted something very elegant and lady-like but her main concern was that the handkerchief completely cover her lap and drape down the sides.  After perusing the internet for lap handkerchiefs, we found the normal size is about 22 inches square.  This customer wanted 30 inches square, plus 2 inch wide lace surrounding the 30 inch square fabric for a total of 34 inches square.  Yep, that is just 2 inches shy of a yard square.

I purchased some very nice handkerchief fabric.  It is not 100% cotton, but rather a cotton blend for the permanent press capabilities.  Then I searched for 2 inch wide flat lace.  She did not want the lace gathered.  Oddly enough, I could not find 2 inch wide lace anywhere.  What I did find was 4 inch wide lace, which I purchased. 

Once at home, I washed and dried the fabric to pre-shrink.  Then I took the lace to my serger.  The serger is such a remarkable mahine.  I serged right down the middle of the lace, creating two pieces of lace each 2 inches wide.

The next step was to cut out a 30 inch square of the fabric and serge all four sides.  

Then I serged the lace onto the fabric.  I did not just take the lace and serger around the fabric.  Instead, each side of the fabric had a separate piece of lace with tails dangling at either end.  The reason for this was to make the mitered corners with the lace.  Had I serged the lace around the fabric, the corners would not lay flat.

Moving to my sewing machine, I top stitched around the edge of the fabric and lace causing the little hem to lay flat and give a neat appearance.


Next each corner of lace was mitered.  It was simple enough.  I just laid the fabric flat on a table and folded the ends of the lace into a mitered edge, pinned, sewed and trimmed. 

Voila!  One lap handkerchief was made.

Next came the design to be embroidered.  The fabric is so delicate that any heavy embroidery pulled the fabric threads apart.  I lightened the density of the small design as much as I could without compromising the looks of the design.  The pretty gold cross and the word "Faith" were then embroidered hooping some water soluable stabilizer underneath the fabric.  Once that was done, the lap scarve was soaked in warm water to remove the stabilizer, dried and ironed.

It turned out beautiful.  We never did find a lap handkerchief online that was 34 inches square.

C'est tout, mes amis.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Cajun Corner - Vol. 4, No. 7


Cajun Corner – Vol. 4, No. 7 – February 24, 2012

Bon Jour!  Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.

ΘΘΘΘΘ

Don’t forget to visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com, and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook. 

Visit our on-line catalogs at:



Mardi Gras 2012 festivities and parades are over.  Last weekend was full of fun and frivolity.  We partied with the krewe on Friday night but did not move ourselves to the beach until Saturday.  The float and costumes were simply gorgeous.  The whole krewe worked very hard on both float and costumes.  I’m so proud of each and every krewe member and all of our wonderful helpers.  Even our dance looked magnificent.  We did walk away with the Grand Marshall award.

For those of you who are not familiar with the specifics of Mardi Gras parades, the krewes are required to line up at a specified time prior to the parade.  That is when the krewes party together and look at each others’ floats and costumes.  It is a fun time.  Our parade began at 2 p.m. last Sunday.  Line up began at 10 a.m.  We had our float there by 10:30 and still were in the tail end of the parade. 

Parade day is always a hustle and bustle from the time we wake up.  Imagine 16 women (that was the count of Nereids riding our float) running around in the morning getting into costumes, make-up, wigs, etc.  Everyone is trying to get a bite of breakfast (provided by one of our sweet Mermaidens who happens to be a professional chef).  Everyone is present: our walkers, drivers, helpers and probably some on-lookers, too.  Krewe Den is packed with people bustling around.

Then we all get on the float where some of the helpers and krewe have made our beads magically appear at our assigned stations.  The truck starts pulling the float and there is simply magic in the air.  The truck tows the float to line-up and parks.  We begin the pleasant task of hanging our beads on bead racks and situating all of our throws.  You would be surprised how much time that takes.  Then we usually grab a drink and exit the float.  We walk down the line looking at floats and meeting people.  We exchange our krewe beads.  We have lunch, which is usually fried chicken and/or sandwiches, at our float.  We practice our dance.  The music is blaring from each float and everyone is in anticipation of the parade beginning.  Around 1:00-1:30 everyone starts gathering at their own floats and getting in their assigned stations.  Then at 2:00, we begin to roll.  Since we were towards the rear of the parade, it did take awhile for the floats in front of us to proceed to the point where we were moving.  We are not allowed to throw until we hit the barricades.  Instead, we wave to all of the people sitting in front of their homes or along the sidewalk.  The mass of people begins to thicken the closer we get to the barricades.  We place dozens of beads on our arms in preparation to throw.  Finally, we hit the barricades.  The noise level is deafening from all of the spectators.  The music is loud and rocking.  We begin throwing into the crowd.  As do most of the krewe, George and I bring more than just beads.  We have all sorts of throws from nerf balls with smiley faces, Mardi Gras panties, little mermaid dolls, hand puppets, and all sorts of stuff.  Since my vantage point is higher than George’s, I keep an eye out for the little children and we try to get them some special throws.  I’ll point to the child and George will walk over and hand the child the toy.

By the time the parade ends, we are all exhausted.  At the end of the parade we exit our float taking all of our remaining beads, purses, drinks, and stuff with us.  George usually has our car parked nearby and just puts our stuff in the car.  Then it is off to the Pavilion.  The krewes and spectators gather at the Pavilion.  We are all gleeful and talking about how wonderful the parade was.  Music is playing and many are on stage dancing.  Then, our announcer, Bonnie, clears the stage and the Mystic Krewe of Nereids gather on stage as our music begins.  We perform our dance for the audience.  The next item on the agenda is the awards.  We all listen intently to the various awards; then we hear, “The Grand Marshall award goes to … THE MYSTIC KREWE OF NEREIDS.”  In total exhilaration, we run onto the stage and accept the award.

After our acceptance and the photographs, we returned to the audience where our friends were congratulating us.  Some of us returned to our krewe den; others went to the local bars.  The Island was celebrating and having a wonderful time.

We partied at krewe den for a few hours and then George and I came home.  We were supposed to stay Sunday night on the beach but our dog, Evie, had an episode Saturday night and we needed to get home.  Saturday night Evie barked and howled and caused concern in the neighborhood.  The best we can figure is that she has never been left alone without Stinky before.  One of our neighbors came to the house and brought her to his home for the evening and she was fine.  Nevertheless, George and I felt that we should return home Sunday evening. 

We returned to the beach Monday morning for Red Beans and Rice.  This is an annual affair where the Elks Lodge and Women’s Club provide free red beans and rice to the public.  Boogie Inc. is there to supply the music.  This year the Mystic Krewe of Nereids performed our dance for the crowd.  George and I enjoyed the event and returned home after the dance.

Tuesday night (the actual Mardi Gras) is the Krewe of Coma pub crawl on the beach.  We missed it this year because we just couldn’t make that drive one more time.  We were exhausted and had to work all day Tuesday.  One of our lovely Mermaidens was crowned Queen of Coma.  Congratulations Becky.

For our krewe, that is not the end of Mardi Gras season.  Our season ends after we depart krewe den.  This week is filled with returning our float and items to storage and cleaning the house.  Sunday the keys are returned to the rental agency and Mardi Gras is completely over for us.

I’m going to try to attach several of our parade pictures onto this e-newsletter, but the video of the dance is located at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZt8nTfyruo.

During line-up for our parade, I was able to see several of the Bananimals’ jackets.  They really turned out beautiful.

Next week Cajun Corner will return to embroidery.

If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list. 

George’s mother used to make paper beads.  It was fascinating to watch.  Thought I’d share the following with you.  Found the following at:  http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/better-blogs/article/-/6949252/make-your-own-paper-bead-jewellery/

Make your own paper bead jewellery


March 18, 2010, 12:06 pmbetterhomesgardens

We show you how to make these simple but beautiful beads


Most of us have a little stash of leftover decorative papers from projects and parties. But before you put your scraps in the recycling bin, take a look at what you can do with them. These colourful beads can be made from any paper – junk mail, magazine pages, used giftwrap or leftover stationery papers – and they’re so easy, you and the kids can whip them up by the dozen.

Paper beads

Gather your supplies

Paper; ruler and pencil; scissors; wooden skewers; glue stick; disposable plates or plastic container; gloss spray varnish; leather cord, for stringing; necklace findings (2 silver leather clamps, 2 jump rings and a clasp per necklace); needle-nose pliers

Note: For a triple-string necklace, make sufficient beads for 3 strands of beads. Each strand can be a similar length or you can make different lengths.


Here’s how

Step 1 Use Bead templates to choose the shape of your paper strips. Vary the width according to desired bead size (2-4cm), the length is determined by the thickness of your paper. For thin magazine pages, a strip 2cm wide across the bottom and 20cm long is ideal; for thick paper, about 15cm long. Rule strips on the back of your paper and cut them out.

Step 2 When you have cut a number of strips, you can start to roll your beads. Begin by rolling the thick edge firmly around a skewer. Then run the glue stick along the remainder of the triangle and continue wrapping the paper around the skewer until you reach the end. Make sure the paper is wrapped tightly on itself and the end is glued down really well.

Step 3 Continue to roll beads this way until you have covered most of the skewer. Then rest skewer ends on the edges of a plastic plate or container with beads not touching plastic to allow glue to dry. Repeat.

Step 4 Spray an even coat of gloss varnish over the beads. Rotate the skewers so the beads are evenly covered.

Step 5 When beads are completely dry, slip them from skewer and string together as desired on 3 leather cords. Using pliers and a leather clamp, join the 3 strands together at one end; repeat for other end. Attach jump rings to each clamp and a clasp to one of the jump rings. If you prefer, you can knot the strand ends together instead of attaching necklace findings.


FOUND AT:  http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/14-simple-gardening-tips-and-tricks/index.html

Here, the latest tips and tricks from Paul James, host of Gardening by the Yard:

1. To remove the salt deposits that form on clay pots, combine equal parts white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to the pot and scrub with a plastic brush. Let the pot dry before you plant anything in it.

2. To prevent accumulating dirt under your fingernails while you work in the garden, draw your fingernails across a bar of soap and you'll effectively seal the undersides of your nails so dirt can't collect beneath them. Then, after you've finished in the garden, use a nailbrush to remove the soap and your nails will be sparkling clean.

3. To prevent the line on your string trimmer from jamming or breaking, treat with a spray vegetable oil before installing it in the trimmer.

4. Turn a long-handled tool into a measuring stick! Lay a long-handled garden tool on the ground, and next to it place a tape measure. Using a permanent marker, write inch and foot marks on the handle. When you need to space plants a certain distance apart (from just an inch to several feet) you'll already have a measuring device in your hand.

5. To have garden twine handy when you need it, just stick a ball of twine in a small clay pot, pull the end of the twine through the drainage hole, and set the pot upside down in the garden. Do that, and you'll never go looking for twine again.

6. Little clay pots make great cloches for protecting young plants from sudden, overnight frosts and freezes.

7. To turn a clay pot into a hose guide, just stab a roughly one-foot length of steel reinforcing bar into the ground at the corner of a bed and slip two clay pots over it: one facing down, the other facing up. The guides will prevent damage to your plants as you drag the hose along the bed.

8. To create perfectly natural markers, write the names of plants (using a permanent marker) on the flat faces of stones of various sizes and place them at or near the base of your plants.

9. Got aphids? You can control them with a strong blast of water from the hose or with insecticidal soap. But here's another suggestion, one that's a lot more fun; get some tape! Wrap a wide strip of tape around your hand, sticky side out, and pat the leaves of plants infested with aphids. Concentrate on the undersides of leaves, because that's where the little buggers like to hide.

10. The next time you boil or steam vegetables, don't pour the water down the drain, use it to water potted patio plants, and you'll be amazed at how the plants respond to the "vegetable soup."

11. Use leftover tea and coffee grounds to acidify the soil of acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, gardenias and even blueberries. A light sprinkling of about one-quarter of an inch applied once a month will keep the pH of the soil on the acidic side.

12. Use chamomile tea to control damping-off fungus, which often attacks young seedlings quite suddenly. Just add a spot of tea to the soil around the base of seedlings once a week or use it as a foliar spray.

13. If you need an instant table for tea service, look no farther than your collection of clay pots and saucers. Just flip a good-sized pot over, and top it off with a large saucer. And when you've had your share of tea, fill the saucer with water, and your "table" is now a birdbath.

14. The quickest way in the world to dry herbs: just lay a sheet of newspaper on the seat of your car, arrange the herbs in a single layer, then roll up the windows and close the doors. Your herbs will be quickly dried to perfection. What's more, your car will smell great.

=================================================================

C’est tout, mes amis



Peggy Henshall

Cajun Stitchery

(850) 261-2462




P.S.  You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Cajun Corner - Vol. 4, No. 6 Mardi Gras Edition


Cajun Corner – Vol. 4, No. 6 – February 17, 2012



Bon Jour!  Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.



ΘΘΘΘΘ

Don’t forget to visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com, and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook. 

Visit our on-line catalogs at:



The Krewe of Bananimals’ jackets have been done.  They are beautiful.  Some had their names embroidered on the front, others had musical notes embroidered in metallic thread on the sleeves, there were a couple who had their Queen year embroidered on the back, and one had large music notes embroidered in metallic thread down the tail.  Most of the tux jackets are white but there was a red and a black one, as well.  We even embroidered the krewe logo onto some hand towels. This was definitely a fun project and I do hope more of these jackets come my way for embroidery.

Our parade is this Sunday.  Since we are in the parade, we won’t get to see the Bananimals.  Prior to the parade is the krewe parties at line up.  George and I will try to find the Bananimals’ float so we can see all of the embroidery.  Plus I have a few extra goodies for them.

Our float and costumes are pretty much ready for the parade.  This is going to be a wild and crazy weekend.  This afternoon is dance practice, followed by our own Cowboy Carl cooking up his famous chili for dinner.  Tomorrow we will pack up all of our Mardi Gras stuff and head out to the beach around 4:00 or 5:00.  The rest of the krewe goes to the Krewe of Wrecks’ breakfast and a street dance afterwards.  By the time we get there, the party will be well on its way and the girls should be coming home to our Krewe Den to party the night away.  Sunday morning one of our sweet little MerMaidens will cook breakfast and we should be in line-up by 10:30.  The parade begins at 2:00.  After the parade we end up at the Pavilion where trophies are awarded and our krewe dances.  We will party Sunday night and we dance again on Monday at Red Beans & Rice in Casino Beach Parking Lot.  Finally, George and I will drag ourselves home late Monday afternoon full of wonderful memories and anticipation of next year’s parade and festivities.

Last week was the Kids and Kritter Crawl.  It is a mini Mardi Gras parade for the beach children and everyone brings their pets to parade.  A friend of mine borrowed Stinky’s Mermutt costume from when Stinky was in the parade.  It fit Daisy perfectly.  In fact, we got tickled because my friend doesn’t have a dog but wanted to take one of her friend’s dog.  When all was said and done, it turned out that the dog was Daisy.  Daisy is the first dog, other than my own, who I had made a collar.  Her owner asked me, at that time, if he could say that I was Daisy’s seamstress.  I assured him that would be fine.  That made the Kritter Crawl even more precious because, again, Daisy was wearing a Cajun Stitchery original.

Once Mardi Gras is over, it is back to my WBL group.  I love and miss those girls, too.  They have become such a wonderful support group.  In fact, the Saturday after Mardi Gras we are cooking dinner for our CPA.  I think we will have boiled shrimp. 

Speaking of cooking, I saw a recipe on Pinterest for roasted chick peas.  It is a healthy snack food.  I made it yesterday.  It was okay.  It’s one of those things that you can’t eat just one.  It did make a good snack and you cannot go wrong with chick peas instead of potato chips or nachos.  The nice thing is that it’s easy to make.

The girls had a wonderful time at the Krewe of Wrecks Ball last week.  One of the girls even won first place for her costume.  The theme was red, white and blue and she dressed up like Rosie the Riveter.  The evening became a slumber party at our krewe den.  Many of the girls that were not attending the ball decided to have a slumber party.  Some of the girls who did attend the ball came by krewe den afterwards and spent the night.  I was not able to attend but I understand they had a wonderful, hilarious evening.

My favorite fabric store is closed.  I had not been there for over a year.  You will recall that I’m trying to use up all the fabric that I have.  Now that I know it is true that my fabric store has closed, I’m panicking.  I have looked and looked online but have found nothing impressive.  Right now the best deal that I can get on fabric is at Wal-Mart.  We do have a Jo-Ann’s on the other side of town but I’ve never been very impressed with Jo-Ann’s.  There are a few designer type fabric stores around, but that’s not what I want.  Then there is A&E.  It is close to me and they do carry a huge selection.  I like A&E but find them a bit pricey for my blood.  I do go to A&E when I need something right away, but otherwise I’m stuck with Wal-Mart.   I wish I could find a place where the fabric and notions are made in the USA and is easily accessible to me.

The weather this winter has been odd.  We have had a few really cold days but not many.  The garden thinks it is spring and then goes into shock when it does get cold.  It seems that each week we have a day or two of very nice weather, then we get rain, and then it gets cold.

Because of our big Bananimals order, we finally broke down and bought a clothes rack.  The clothes rack takes up a lot of room in the little studio but it is something we’ve needed for awhile and I’m glad we got it.  It is on rollers, has 2 racks to hang clothes, and a bottom shelf for other things.  It is also adjustable but not totally collapsible.  It will come in very handy for craft fairs but also when customers come to the house, our stock shirts and jackets can now be displayed.  In fact, we still have some stock items that we need to clear out.

Rhinestones have been the hit this season.  Our Costume Committee is so addicted to rhinestoning that they are blinging just about everything in sight.  One of the girls and I already had our rhinestone heating wands.  The committee purchased two more.  Once the girls begin applying the rhinestones, they just cannot seem to stop.  Even some of the girls who stay away from the costuming have found themselves addicted.  We’d look for a 12 step program, but we really don’t want to stop.

This year I made a couple of pennants for our float.  I was so excited because I got to use my new grommet machine.  I still want to get the snap machine but cannot seem to find one.  It happened that one of the Krewe of Bananimals owns a local tool company and I was asking him about it.  He said to call the company on the side of the grommet machine and see if they have the snap machine and if not, call one of our local canvas and sail makers and see if they can tell me where they get their snap machines.  Great ideas.  I’ll do that next week. 

Have a wonderful Mardi Gras week and don’t forget to SMILE:>)

HAPPY MARDI GRAS

If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list. 

Found at:  http://www.ehow.com/way_5206164_ideas-recycled-crafts.html
Recycle, reduce and reuse. Using things destined for the recycle bin in craft projects is not limited to children's egg carton and paper tube crafts. There are plenty of adult ways to turn trash into treasure. Recycled crafts serve a dual purpose; they keep items from entering the landfill by giving them a second life and they are economical because new supplies don't need to be purchased.



Found at:  http://www.ehow.com/slideshow_12217564_easy-start-indoor-herb-garden.html

Starting an indoor herb garden is a great introduction to growing your own edibles. It may take some light research, a little elbow grease and some patience, but you'll be rewarded with tasty herbs, plants that add ambiance and style, and a hobby that will last a lifetime.

=================================================================

C’est tout, mes amis



Peggy Henshall

Cajun Stitchery

(850) 261-2462




P.S.  You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Cajun Corner - Vol. 4, No. 5


Cajun Corner – Vol. 4, No. 5 – February 10, 2012



Bon Jour!  Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.



ΘΘΘΘΘ

Don’t forget to visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com, and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook. 

Visit our on-line catalogs at:



The Krewe of Bananimals has certainly come through for us this week.  We have been embroidering jacket backs, names and some little metallic musical notes all week.  There aren’t a lot of pictures to show this week because the whole week has been Bananimals.  The people that I have met in the Bananimals are very nice and interesting.  A couple of days this week there were so many Bananimals here that it was like a revolving door.  That is a good thing.  I did promise to search out their float on parade day to see them all in their jackets.

When I’m not working on Bananimal jackets, I’m working with the Costume Committee for our krewe.  We are fitting each of the girls’ costumes and making the appropriate alterations.  These costumes have served us well.  This is our third year in the green costume and they still look beautiful.  Each year there is something different and this year will have its own special look.

Twice each week I’m at dance practice.  I really think I’m going to get this dance – hopefully before parade.

It seems like more of the krewe is showing up at Krewe Den this year.  That makes it so much fun.  There is definitely a bevy of beauties at that house most days.  Some are working on the float and others on the costumes.  This Saturday is the Krewe of Wrecks Ball and several of the girls are attending.  They will be dropping by the den before and after the ball.  These girls are so beautiful when they are all dolled up for a ball.  It is fun watching them.


Tomorrow is also the Kids Parade and Kritter Krawl.  That is always fun.  We donated some beads for the kids and a costume for the Kritter Krawl.  There is no reason that kids and pets shouldn’t enjoy the festivities, too.

I’m waiting on an order of thread from North Carolina but it appears that the scheduled delivery date is Monday.  I will probably have to run out to one of the local fabric centers to get enough thread to last until my order arrives.

The garden is still looking good.  We are eating carrots now.  It sure seems to be a warm winter but once a week we hit a cold pocket.

By the time Mardi Gras is over, I will have a lot of work to do in our Etsy Store. 

Have a wonderful week and don’t forget to SMILE:>)

If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list. 

Craft Project (found on Pinterest):
Roundup five old pillowcases that you don't use anymore, because we all know it's much better to repurpose than buy new! Sew them together at the seams, leaving the openings clear so you can later insert pillows. Once they're all sewn together, insert pillows! You can either leave the sides open or better yet — add snap buttons so the pillows stay put, but are easy to remove when you need to wash the pillowcases. =========================================================

Another Pinterest find:

Homemade Carpet Cleaner:

1 1/2 quarts of hot (NOT boiling) water
1/4 cup of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (it’s the regular hydrogen peroxide that you can get at any store)
1 1/2 Tablespoons of White Vinegar
1 1/2 Tablespoons of Dish Soap (we use Seventh Generation and it worked great)
About 1/8 of a teaspoon of your favorite essential oil(s) – either just one or a combination. Vanilla and lavender would be a good one. I had ginger and lavender on hand so I used those, but I’m going to get vanilla for next time.

Mix all of the ingredients together (be sure to add the dish soap to the water and not the water to the dish soap) and pour into your carpet cleaning machine… then clean like the directions tell you to.

I love knowing exactly what’s in the things I use in my house!

=================================================================

C’est tout, mes amis



Peggy Henshall

Cajun Stitchery

(850) 261-2462




P.S.  You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Cajun Corner - Vol. 4, No. 4



Cajun Corner – Vol. 4, No. 4 – February 4, 2012



Bon Jour!  Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.



ΘΘΘΘΘ

Don’t forget to visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com, and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook. 

Visit our on-line catalogs at:



This week has been filled with the Krewe of Bananimals. They seem to be a really fun krewe on the beach and have decided that Cajun Stitchery will do their jacket back embroidery.  The design that they chose is so much fun and very colorful.  So far this week we’ve stitched out two of the jacket backs.  We are starting to get calls from the krewe for directions to the studio and lots and lots of questions.  The most unusual question was if we could stitch the design on white fabric so the jacket owner can stitch the fabric onto the jacket.  She was somewhat concerned that a white jacket would get ruined easily and she just hates to pay for the embroidery only to throw it away after a season.  Her solution is to have me embroider the design on white fabric that she will attach to the jacket and then remove when she is finished with the jacket and put it on a new one.  She didn’t request a patch, which would involve additional digitizing and embroidery stitch count.  George actually came up with the best solution:  when you are finished with the jacket, just cut the design out of the back and sew it onto the new jacket.  Nevertheless, I explained to the lady that she would need to get some white fabric about the same weight and color as her jacket.  It is easy to say you are going to get white fabric but truthfully there are so many shades of white.  Getting the wrong shade of white is not very attractive.   The whole concept of attaching the white fabric eludes me.  But she knew what she wanted to do.  If she has a creative vision, I certainly will not stand in her way.

The idea of being able to embroider for new customers is very exciting to me.  I get to meet new friends and provide a service that comes from my heart.

From now until Mardi Gras I will be spending most of my weekends at Krewe Den with the Costume Committee.  This year will mostly entail alterations of our costumes.  There is also a special project that needs embroidering.  You just cannot beat hanging out and working with special friends, on a beautiful beach, doing what you love to do.  If this is a dream, please don’t wake me.

Last night was our Krewe Kocktail Party at Krewe Den.  Last year was the first year we had the cocktail party rather than our usual ball.  George and I could not attend because we had the flu.  All year I’ve heard about the wonderful time everyone had.  This year we definitely were going to attend and, indeed, we did.  It was fabulous.  It was everything the girls said.  Although we did have music, it wasn’t the loud, blaring music that you would have at a ball.  We were able to actually have conversations and enjoy getting to know people in a comfortable setting.  One of the highlights for me is getting to know our Love Slaves and Mermaidens better.  These people do a lot of work for us and they deserve to play with us, as well.   The food, of course, was delicious and just kept coming.  George and I brought our bottle of wine, but about my second glass, I noticed a punch bowl.  I really think that “punch” is definitely the correct word to describe that drink.  When I finally spilled my drink all over the floor and gathered napkins to clean it up, it was time to bid our farewells and go home.  We had enough fun for one evening. 

There hasn’t been a lot of time this week for playing on Pinterest, although I do try to look at the pictures when I can. 

Our Etsy Store needs some work.  In fact, December and January were the best two months that we have had at the Etsy Store.  I really need to get to work on it and put some new blingy stuff in the store.  I also want to work on more fashion scarves, Made in the USA, of course.

One of the joys of gardening is being able to share.  A neighbor dropped by the other day and left with a pot of thyme and some hyssop plants.

Have a wonderful week and don’t forget to SMILE:>)

If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list. 

Craft Project:
Take cheap, mismatched plates and glasses, glue together and spray paint.  Voila!  Unique cake stands.  (Found this on Pinterest.)

Another Pinterest find:




Here are the steps!

  • Add a few small drops of rubbing alcohol into your broken powder makeup compact or casing.

  • After you add the alcohol to the broken powder you will notice it seep into the powder causing it to become soft.

  • Smudge the soft soaking powder around, making it into a paste-like substance and re-form it by smoothing it out with your finger. You will know exactly what to do!

  • You can then smooth the surface out with the bottom of a spoon if you choose to, but remember that it does not have to be perfect to work perfectly.

  • Let it dry overnight for best results.

=================================================================

C’est tout, mes amis



Peggy Henshall

Cajun Stitchery

(850) 261-2462




P.S.  You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.