Showing posts with label Senior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senior. Show all posts

Friday, July 20, 2012

Cajun Corner - Vol. 4, No. 27



Cajun Corner – Vol. 4, No. 27 – July 20, 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:



I sure hope everyone has had a wonderful week.  It has been beautiful here but a bit rainy, too.  At least we are not suffering from a drought.

The round monogram is ongoing.  Once the monogram was digitized, I put it into my new digitizing program to get the direction of the stitches correct.  The new program tore the design apart and caused some unsightly and noticeable overlaps.  I ended up re-digitizing the entire design in the new program and that worked very well.  I need to learn the new program anyway.  I did a stitch-out of the design and it turned out beautiful.  A picture was sent to the client who loved it.  Then I noticed that there are places where the fabric is showing through the stitches.  The thread was almost too loose, so that’s not the problem.  The problem is probably the pile of the fabric.  To resolve the issue I need to use a wash away topping.  This is upholstery fabric and I worried about water marks.  Luckily, the customer left some scrap fabric and I embroidered a design on the scrap using the wash-away and then washed the topping away.  After the swatch dried, there were no water marks.  Hooray!

As a side note to the round monogram story, the customer asked the name of the font that we used because a friend wants to match the monogram with her own monogrammed headboard.  Unfortunately, we used a bit of this font and a bit of that font and in the end the monogram was digitized to fit a circle.  The answer to her question is it is whatever she would like to name the font.  We created it and it is truly one of a kind.

Last year a gentleman approached me and asked if we would do tee shirts, hats, etc., for a television program that he produced called Senior Extremers.  We agreed and filled the order.  This year we were asked by this same gentleman to fill an order for Florida’s Surfing History, Part I.  We have filled most of the order.  I did not see the film when it debuted in downtown Pensacola and was surprised when I received a free copy of the DVD.  George and I watched and found it to be a very well done documentary and we learned a lot about how surfing came to Pensacola Beach and how it has progressed.  Many of the old timers were interviewed and others mentioned.  The documentary is filled with fascinating stories of surfing at Pensacola Beach.  If you get a chance to see this documentary, you really should, especially if you have been in Pensacola long enough to get a flavor of our beach and beach people.

The baby blanket was finished and the blanket, bibs and other items were mailed to my granddaughter in Wimauma.  Makayla’s due date is August 2nd, which just happens to be Keenia’s birthday, as well.  Poor baby, Keenia says she is very tired and ready for this pregnancy to be over.

I thought neutering your dog made him calm down.  Not so in our Sam’s case.  He has been running like all get out every day since his surgery.  He has also been popping his lips and making funny sounds.  I think he is doing that because we hush him up when he barks too much.  Instead of barking, he pops his lips.  He is one funny dog.

Have a wonderful week.

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. 

Thanks to Paulette Provost for the following:

A DREAMER AND HIS DREAM

Let me tell you, Jesse hated this job. And you would too,
I imagine, if you had to do it.
Jesse was a chicken plucker. That's right.

He stood on a line in a chicken factory and spent his days
pulling the feathers off dead chickens so the rest of us
wouldn't have to.

It wasn't much of a job. But at the time,
Jesse didn't think he was much of a person.
His father was a brute of a man.
His dad was actually thought to be mentally ill
And treated Jesse rough all of his life.

Jesse's older brother wasn't much better.
He was always picking on Jesse and beating him up.
Yes, Jesse grew up in a very rough home in
West Virginia. Life was anything but easy.
And he thought life didn't hold much hope for him.
That's why he was standing in this chicken line,
doing a job that darn few people wanted.

In addition to all the rough treatment at home, it seems
that Jesse was always sick. Sometimes it was real
Physical illness, but way too often it was all in his head.
He was a small child, skinny and meek.
That sure didn't help the situation any.

When he started to school, he was the object of every
Bully on the playground.

He was a hypochondriac of the first order.
For Jesse, tomorrow was not always something to be
looked forward to.

But, he had dreams. He wanted to be a ventriloquist.
He found books on ventriloquism. He practiced with
Sock puppets and saved his hard earned dollars until
He could get a real ventriloquist dummy.

When he got old enough, he joined the military.
And even though many of his hypochondriac symptoms
persisted, the military did recognize his talents and
Put him in the entertainment corps.
That was when his world changed.
He gained confidence.

He found that he had a talent for making people laugh,
and laugh so hard they often had tears in their eyes.
Yes, little Jesse had found himself.

You know, folks, the history books are full of people
who overcame a handicap to go on and make a success
of themselves, but Jesse is one of the few I know of
who didn't overcome it.

Instead he used his paranoia
to make a million dollars,
and become one of
the best-loved characters of all time in doing it!

Yes, that little paranoid hypochondriac, who transferred his nervousness
into a successful career, still holds the record for the most Emmy's given in a single category.

The wonderful, gifted, talented, and nervous comedian who brought us

Barney Fife
Was
Jesse Don Knotts.

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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, July 22, 2011

Cajun Corner - Vol. 3, No. 29

Cajun Corner – Vol. 3, No. 29 – July 22, 2011

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

ΘΘΘΘΘ

Don’t forget to visit our catalog at www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook.

This has been a fun week.  Our new account with Senior Xtremers has kept us busy.  I looked on the BLAB TV programming schedule and Senior Xtremers will air today at 2 p.m.  If you are in the area, you should watch the show.  The merchandise will be sold on their website at www.seniorxtremers.com, which is under construction but there are some pictures and videos available.

I missed Wednesday night with my girlfriends this week because George and I needed some time alone.  We were celebrating George finishing some electrical work next door, as well as Cajun Stitchery’s new client.  It was a nice evening.

This week also held another meeting with my new friend and WBL colleague, Jennifer Harrison.  Jennifer is a very interesting young lady.  She is part owner of Gulf Coast Premier Promotions.  This girl can maneuver herself on the internet.  I was impressed.  GCPP can create a website for you and run it, too, if you want. 

It is very interesting to me the new businesses and occupations that evolve from computer technology.  A lot of people are starting their businesses at home via their computer and the internet.  Not everybody is a good salesperson.  Not everybody has a large marketing budget.  The internet seems to be the perfect tool.  You have to make your presence known on the internet.  You need to get search engines to pick your website up and show it when people search for your area of expertise.  You also have to garner a good reputation.  Just having a website is not enough.  Marketing requires you to constant work at it.  You are building a business.  If you are successful on the internet, the entire world sees you.  Otherwise, well, you can figure that out.  The problem is that it is not as easy as it sounds.  If you are constantly on the internet marketing yourself, you don’t really have a lot of time to process orders or do your own work.  Marketing takes a lot of time.  As a sole proprietor with no employees, working out of your home, you have to do the job of the business, including bookkeeping, clerical work, answering phones, sales, marketing, keeping your stock up to date and current, etc.  That’s a lot of work.

New businesses like GCPP can handle this marketing and internet for you.  They can get you on various sites, such as, Facebook, Google+, website, blogs, advertising, etc.  They can keep plugging your name in and making sure the SEO (search engines) are picking you up.  They can manage your social media, promote your website, and organize you on the internet.  Who would have thought, even 10 years ago, that this type of business would ever be needed?  Technology is so fascinating.  I wonder what the next new business opportunity will be with the internet?

GCPP is on the cutting edge, all they need now are some pretty shirts with their logo embroidered. Lol 

I have a new theory about computers.  My last laptop and my new laptop are refurbished Gateway computers.  They are refurbished at the factory and updated with the most current OS (Windows7 for my new computer).  I’ve got the speed and I’ve got the memory (500 gigabytes).  The old laptop lasted for about 5 years.  But since technology is such that your computer is outdated within 3 years, why pay for a new top of the line computer system?  I suggest opting for a much lower priced refurbished computer that will last at least as long as the current technology.  This kind of speaks to the ecology part of my brain.  There isn’t a whole lot you can do with an old computer, but buying refurbished computers makes me feel sort of earth friendly.

 One of my nieces introduced me to Google+ recently.  Apparently Google+ is trying to create its own sort of social media similar to Facebook.  I’m still learning it but it appears to me to be a combination of MySpace and Facebook at this point.  I remember when MySpace was all the rage.  Then came Facebook and you almost never hear about MySpace anymore.  Is Google+ the next step?  Time will tell.

Oh but I had another visitor this week.  My friend and consultant from the UWF Small Business Development Center met with me this week at the house.  Janet has taught me so much about business.  I refer everyone in business or starting a new business to her.  She told me this week that every county in every state has a SBDC.  They even have a national association.  Funny.  This is the only one I have ever heard about.  These people give group courses on business.  They meet with you individually.  Whatever you like.  And you know what?  They really are business consultants.  Of course, my Janet, affectionately known as “my peep”, is the best of the best.  I can honestly say that I have a business consultant. 

Let me tell you a little about what these people do.  One of the best things that they do is that they watch my back.  I can email or call my peep anytime and tell her what’s on my mind about Cajun Stitchery.  She never tells me to do this or that.  She is much too classy for that.  She and her staff will research ideas for me and show me options.  Sometimes, in business, as in life, it is just nice to have someone who wants you to succeed and that you can bounce an idea off of. 

If you are in business and don’t have a real, written, business plan, you have no idea what you are missing.  Janet told me early on that it wasn’t so much finishing the business plan that was important.  The important thing is the process of creating the business plan.  My background crosses t’s and dots I’s.  My business plan was pretty thorough.  To-date, I don’t think my business plan is completed, nor will it ever be.  It is more of a living document for me that changes with the time and circumstances and keeps Cajun Stitchery on track and aiming for success.

If you have a business, whether it is just an idea right now, or you have been in business for years, I highly suggest that you search out your local SBDC and get yourself a business consultant.  The cost:  absolutely free.

The white beach towels arrived.  As much as I have struggled trying to figure out how to determine a good towel over the internet, these are beautiful towels.  By the way, the trick to figuring out a good towel over the internet is weight.  The towels are 100% cotton, velour on one side and loops on the other.  When they arrived I measured and they were 35” x 61”.  I washed and dried all of the towels and they now measure 35” x 60”.  They are all pre-shrunk now and ready for embroidery.  Cajun Stitchery is selling these towels for $20 each.  Drape this pretty towel on the back of your beach chair and let the embroidery show over the back.

I did a little research on the internet to get a feel for how much a beach towel would cost.  First of all, unless you go to a custom embroiderer or wholesaler, I couldn’t find white beach towels for sale, at all.  Second, when I did find them with a custom embroiderer, let’s just say that $20 is a real good deal.  I can also get other types of beach towels from cabana stripes, animal print, solid colors, jaquard, or with designs.  My wholesaler does have a minimum requirement and these are nice towels.  These would make nice presents.

We still have some of the $2 cloth napkins, $4 cloth napkins, market baskets, and fingertip towels.   We also have several ball caps, visors and ponytail caps in stock.

CHRISTMAS is around the corner.  Unbelievable, I know.  But it is July.  Get that Christmas shopping done now and enjoy the holidays.

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. 








WHAT IS A CAJUN?

What shall I say about a Cajun?
They are utterly impractical, never predictable,
Something irascible, quite inexplicable, Cajun...
Strange blend of shyness, pride and conceit.
And stubborn refusal to bow in defeat...
He's spoiling and ready to argue and fight,
Yet the smile of a child fills his soul with delight..
His eyes are the quickest to well up in tears,
Yet his strength is the strongest to banish your fears...
His faith is as fierce as his devotion is grand..
And there's no middle ground on which he will stand..
He's wild and he's gentle, he's good and he's bad,
He's proud and he's humble, he's happy and sad..
He's in love with the ocean, the earth and the skies.
He's enamored with beauty wherever it lies..
He's victor and victim, a star and a clod,
But mostly he's Cajun and in love with his God..

Author Unknown

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Cajun French Phrase of the Week:

  • Ca c'est bon- That's good!
  • C'est magnifique- That is great!
  • Mon cher- My dear.
  • Fais-do-do- An Acadian dance.
  • Lagniappe- Something extra, similar to a bonus.
  • Laisser les bons temps rouler- Let the good times roll!
  • Bonjour Mes Amis- Good day my friends.
  • Merci Beaucoup- Thank you very much.

Taken from: http://www.cajuncrawfishpie.com/cajun-language.html

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

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, July 15, 2011

Cajun Corner - Vol. 3, No. 28

Cajun Corner – Vol. 3, No. 28 – July 15, 2011

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

Don’t forget to visit our catalog at www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook.

There is a saying on the beach that you never know how many friends and relatives you have until you get a beach house.  That is so true for many of my friends on the beach.  Their homes have been packed all summer.  Of course, that means that they are entertaining and I don’t get to see them as often as during the fall and winter months.  I sure miss my girls.  Thank God for Wednesday nights.  Those of us who are not encumbered with visitors gather on Wednesday night and enjoy a good meal and stimulating conversation.  This past Wednesday there were only a handful of the normal group but it was really nice. 

I also look forward to meeting with my friends at WBL meetings.  Although it is a meeting and much more regimented than Wednesday night, I enjoy those women.  Just like Wednesday nights, when a lot of people come to the meeting, it’s fun and informative; but, it’s also so nice when there is a smaller, more intimate group. 

I received the most adorable email yesterday:

“Dear Aunt Peggy -

I was real pretty in my embroidered collar - much fancier than the other dogs at our hotel in Cedar Key. Next time my mom will put my collar on right side up!

Love,

Amber Lee Johnson

Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Super Model”

That email was accompanied by photographs of Amber Lee.

The new computer is working fine.  As each day goes by, I remember something, a website, a program, or whatever is on my favorites list of the old computer.  Nevertheless, none of those things have really hampered day-to-day business.  This is a nice machine.

As I mentioned last week, the most difficult thing about the new computer was loading my Quicken program.  By the end of that ordeal, I was flustered and frustrated.  So, Quicken a/k/a Intuit sent me an email asking me to let them know what I thought of their service.  Really?  They made straight F’s and my comment was that if I didn’t need the thing for my CPA, I wouldn’t have it at all.  You can imagine my surprise when, later, I received another email, same email, asking me what I thought of their service.  Rather than berating them once again, I just deleted the email.  You would think that would be the end of it.  If that is what you think, then you have not dealt with this company.  Later, I received another email with the subject line:  “Quick Books Pro POS.”  At this I even called George over to look at it.  Did a light bulb go off in their head and they realized how unhappy I am with them?  Could it be they don’t like their service, either?  Well, I had to open this email.  Much to my surprise, the Intuit Company says POS means “Point Of Service.”  In my book POS still means something totally different.

The most frequently asked question this week was:  “Do you REALLY belong to 58 groups on Facebook?  Yes, I do, but I don’t even know what they are.  I am only active in 2 groups.

I told you about our new customer, Mike Cotton, last week.  We had a meeting this week and at this point we have his logo digitized and stitched out a few time for testing.  This weekend I will be playing around with the embroidered logo on several items that he brought for us.  He is trying to put together a merchandising line of products for his TV show, Senior Xtremers, and I am the embroiderer.

Revamping old t-shirt crew collars was fun last week.  I did a few and have a few more to do.  It is absolutely amazing the change in the look of the shirt.

This week I ordered a dozen white beach towels.  I need them to fill an order for a friend who loved the towels I embroidered with the mermaid in Mylar.  She wants one for her daughter and one for her son-in-law.  For her son-in-law, of course, she wants a merman.  For this type of digitizing, I don’t send to a digitizer because I doubt seriously that the customer would want to pay the $30 digitizing fee.  The problem is that for me to do the digitizing takes a long time.  She ordered the towels a month ago.  So, I’m waiting on the towels to arrive so I can begin the embroidery.

We still have some of the $2 cloth napkins, $4 cloth napkins, market baskets, and fingertip towels.   

A few people sent in guesses last week for the contest but no one sent the correct answer.  The fashion designer who made jersey fashionable was Coco Chanel.  Before Chanel jersey was only used for underwear.  Coco Chanel created fashionable and comfortable clothing with jersey.  Had it not been for Coco Chanel, we would not have T-shirts, polo shirts, or the little black dress. 

CHRISTMAS is around the corner.  Unbelievable, I know.  But it is July.  Get that Christmas shopping done now and enjoy the holidays.

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. 




 Cajun folklore is filled with stories and legends, and many of them involve crawfish.

One of the more inventive ones is this:

In the 1750s, when the Acadians first migrated from Nova Scotia to Louisiana,

hundreds of North-Atlantic lobsters, sympathetic to the exiles, decided to follow

them southward along the Atlantic Coast and through the Gulf of Mexico to

the bayous. Along the way, as they swam, the lobsters somehow acquired progressively

smaller shells. By the time they reached Louisiana, they had become

what we now know as crawfish.

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Cajun French Phrase of the Week: Grand Beede'-----------Big clumsy man

(Taken from http://louisianacajunslang.com/language.html)

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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.