Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 23 – December 20, 2014

Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 23 – December 20, 2014

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

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Don’t forget to visit us at www.cajunstitchery.com, www.flickr.com/photos/cajunstitchery, and, www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook. 

Visit our on-line catalogs at:

http://www.my-catalogs.com/cajunstitchery

and www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery.

Wow!  I haven't posted anything in awhile.  We've just been so busy.  We've made a lot of beautiful things and monograms, oh the monograms.  I think I'll just post pictures today.  Well, I can't just post pictures, either.  Every picture has a story that apparently I must explain.

The above pictures are items in our Etsy Store that are on sale.  Oh yes, there is a sale in our Etsy Store of items that I've seen around the studio way too long and I'm tired of looking at them.  Whatever I don't sell from the sales items are going to be gifts for my girlfriends next year.  I think we have something like 78 items remaining.  Once they are gone, they are gone, because they will then be gifts.

I love this little beach Santa.  There is a set of beach Santas but I'm pretty partial to this one and again this year put him on a tea towel and he's for sale in, where else, our Etsy Store. Of course, the Christmas items will come out of the store once Christmas is over.

These lace handkerchiefs have been our best seller this year, by far.  People have purchased other handkerchiefs but these have out sold everything in the store.  They really are pretty and I thought they deserved a picture in the blog.

The baby bibs are new items this year.  I think in past years I may have listed one or two of the rectangular bibs but this year we increased our baby bibs with several new styles, as well as baby tee shirts.

This scarf is not only beautiful but soft as a cloud.  I may have written about these scarves earlier, so forgive me if I am repeating myself.  The scarves are listed as poly chiffon.  They feel just like chiffon and did I mention how soft they are.  I was so pleased to find that I can hoop them and monogram they.  So, they are in our Etsy store now, too.  In fact, I need to change that listing a little because now we have these scarves in ivory, gold, peach, and I think white.  I'll have to double check the white.

A young lady asked me to monogram these leg warmers.  I wonder where she found them.  They are so pretty.  Well, I was looking through all of my fonts and found this really nice monogram font.  She liked them and I liked them.  As much as I do not like to use washaway topping, I did use it on these monograms.

If you  have been watching this blog, and of course you have, you will know how tickled I get about people purchasing our "You have a booger" handkerchiefs.  This year I stopped listing these handkerchiefs.  I figured that their day was done and I should move onto nicer items.  Oh but NO.  A lady convo'ed me on Etsy with the above picture and asked if I would make one for her husband for Christmas on white fabric with green thread.

This is the handkerchief that I made for her and she loves it.  Perhaps I should include this listing one more time.

My daughter-in-law never ceases to amaze me.  This year she graduated with her bachelor's degree in nursing and is now a RN with a bachelor's degree.  What else should I have given her for Christmas but a white nursing jacket and a set of scrubs in her favorite color, purple.  And her name embroidered on the items.

All of my grandchildren get money for Christmas but my 2 year old great granddaughter is too young to care about money.  We did get her a cute educational toy but, hey, she's my great granddaughter and needs embroidery.  I had these tiny little totes that are a perfect size for a 2 year old.  I think the monogram is cute and she is like a big girl and has her own purse.  What I don't understand is why I have such a hard time photographing purple?  It either turns out blue or in this case, every photograph is a different shade of purple.

Here is another example of the problem photographing the color purple.  But didn't this market basket turn out nice?  I used gold poly thread but outlined the name in gold metallic thread.  It turned out beautiful and the customer is very pleased.

Same customer wanted this apron.  I used the same gold poly thread on the lettering and the center of the crown.  The bottom of the crown and the dots, etc., at the top are in gold metallic.  It is also  outlined in gold metallic.  Sure turned out pretty.

I saw this on the internet and thought it would make a great embroidery design.  I wanted to list it in our Etsy Store on something and decided to put it on a white tee shirt.  Yes, it is listed in our Etsy Store.  Photography just isn't my best suit.  I put the completed tee shirt on my hoop-it-all and those holes and buttons and labels and thingamajigs all showed through the white tee.  I ended up folding the tee shirt and taking the pictures that way.  Then I gave the tee shirt to George as an early Christmas present.  Such a good wife. LOL.

A young gentleman brought over a Thermos lunch bag and wanted me to embroider his sister's initials on the straps for Christmas.  My instructions were a script monogram with pink thread and very girly font.  So, I did exactly as instructed.  Today he came by and said he cannot read the letters and wants me to embroider printed letters on the other side of the straps.  I'll do as the customer wants.

A young fellow in an Air Force uniform brought over a lovely robe he bought for his wife for Christmas.  He wants her monogram in white.  It turned out so nice.

Just browsing through many monograms, lettering, and fonts that I have on my computer, I saw that I actually put this font together for a sampler but never stitched it out.  The reason, I'm sure, is because the whole thing is about 150,000 stitches.  Nevertheless, I did this today.  The letters are 2" tall and I'm completely blown away by the beautiful detail in these letters.

Have a very Merry Christmas :)

Cajun Stitchery

(850) 261-2462

cajunstitchery@yahoo.com

Smoking in Frigid Temperatures

It's Monday and chilly.  It seems like just yesterday that I was in short sleeves and the weather was warm.  Now I'm in long sleeves, fluffy socks, and won't go outside without an overcoat, scarf and something on my head.  I am wearing the fingerless arm warmers from last year.  Those things do the trick.  At times, I need my fingers covered and warm but if I'm going to pick up something or hold something, going fingerless is a real plus.  Not to mention that I love making those things.

I was looking at the scarves in the Etsy Shop and realized those are all warm weather, light weight scarves.  I need to make something a bit more substantial for the cooler months.  Ideas are flowing.

Remember my neighbor in the Air Force?  I saw him yesterday and chided him for not wearing his cell phone holder.  He forgot it at work.  He says he took it off because several of the guys were looking at it and he forgot to put it back on.  Now that's a compliment.  Wish I could get some of the military as customers.

This weekend I began embroidery on webbing in earnest.  I made a design of fleur de lis and began making wristlets to hold keys.  They are looking better and better each time I make them.  In fact, that's why my Air Force neighbor was over here yesterday.  I made him and his wife each a fleur de lis wristlet for their keys.  They are huge Saints fans.  They loved them.

About a week or two ago, a friend of mine mentioned that as beautiful as our work is, it tends to smell of cigarette smoke.  You know that is a good friend who can tell you those things.  Maybe a day or two later, another friend mentioned the same thing.  Poo yie!  That is not good.  We usually do spray everything with Febreze.  So, we decided that we would no longer be smoking in the house.  As of that day, this house has become smoke free.  Of course, that puts us outside in the inclimate weather with our cigarettes.  I know it's a nasty habit and with God's help, someday we will quit.  Of course, all of this happens when we have the first freeze of the year.  We are spending a lot of time outside and communing with nature.  We can see our neighbors coming and going.  It's always good to get outside, but late at night with the frigid wind blowing and we are all bundled up in overcoats by the fire, it gets past the romantic and all you want is warmth.

All of this led me to remember something that I dream about each winter.  Ever since I first read an article about a heat grabber back in the 1970's in Mother Earth News, I have wanted one.  We were in Orlando and it almost didn't seem worth the effort since winter in Orlando lasts maybe a month.  Now that we are in Pensacola we enjoy all four seasons and I sure could use a heat grabber now.  What is a heat grabber, you might ask?  It is a very old concept and apparently simple to do.  It follows the theory of heat rises.  You make a box out of scrap materials (no, not fabric), like wood.  It has a bottom and 3 sides.  The top is glass.  The box is about 6-8 inches tall.  The open end of the box fits into your window and the box should be as wide as your window.  In the middle of the box you place something that you paint black.  The idea is this: the cool air of the room flows into the lower opening of the box in the window.  The heat of the sun shines on the glass on top of the box and as the cool air goes into the box, and around the black painted object, it warms.  Since heat rises, the warm air goes out of the top slot in the window and into the room, thus replacing the cool air with the warm air.  No moveable parts.  You put it in a sunny southern window.  Everything can be made of scrap but the more efficient the materials, the better it warms your room.  For instance, if you insulate the box, it will not lose so much of the warmth and thus your room gets warmer, quicker.  Copper is a good conductor to use in the center by painting it black.

Of course, the heat grabber only works during the day on sunny days.  But just imagine the electricity you would save.  Frankly, I don't know why this isn't used in schools and other public buildings that are occupied only during the day.

Enough of my eco ranting and raving.  I have to get back to work.  Have a great day.
Bon jour, mes amis.

Cajun Corner, Vol. 2, No. 3

Cajun Corner – Vol. 2, No. 3 – JANUARY 15, 2010


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

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Many thanks to my friends who help me catch my faux pas. One such friend pointed out to me last week that I should have started Volume 2 in 2010. This should actually be the 3rd issue of Volume 2 since this is the 3rd issue of Cajun Corner in 2010.

The King Kake Party last Saturday was a huge success for the Krewe as well as Cajun Stitchery. I don’t think I’ve ever handed out so many business cards at one venue yet. It was fabulous.

Remember the Krewe of Drew sweatshirt that my friend had me create. I still cannot get over what a sleeper that was. My friend presented the sweatshirt to her friend for Christmas. Her friend wore the sweatshirt to the Krewe of Wrecks meeting. Another lady at the Krewe of Wrecks meeting wanted one. She contacted me and actually wanted 2. The original recipient of the sweatshirt called and wanted the fleur de lis embroidered on her hoody. Now people I don’t even know are messaging me on Facebook ordering them. It didn’t hurt that the Krewe of Wrecks a/k/a KOW’s photographer took a picture of the embroidery and posted it on her Facebook with glowing remarks.

Then there were the fingerless gloves/arm warmers. The one’s with the fish are still on Etsy. No nibbles there. One pair was given in a basket at our Krewe’s raffle last week and two pairs were given as birthday presents. Since then I’ve made about 4 or 5 pairs. I actually haven’t sold any at this point but everyone loves them and it’s just a matter of time and getting out there with the people. The new construction method is working out perfectly. The gloves are much warmer, softer, and simpler.

The Krewe of Junkanoo jackets are still coming in. Photographs of the jackets are posted on the blog. The Junkanoo Chili Cook Off is this coming Saturday (tomorrow) and our aprons will be given as prizes. Can’t wait to hear those comments.

I have not gotten around to working on my site at etsy.com. About Wednesday of this week George and I both started feeling poorly. I think we may be over whatever it was but that bout knocked us on our derrieres. We would be up and feeling fine and then it was like all of our strength just left and we would crash. We had body aches, sore throat, and just plain old fatigue. Sounds like a cold to me and I hope we’ve seen the last of it.

Tonight is our Krewe of Nereids’ Moon Pie Party at the Shaker on Pensacola Beach. If you are local, it starts at 7 o’clock. Come out and join in the fun and catch a moon pie.

This weekend is all about Mardi Gras, parties and floats. I love this time of year but it is exhausting.

Our cold snap has finally ended – for now. Today the high is 66 and low is 50. Perfect weather for our party and a nice reprieve from the frigid temperatures we have been experiencing lately. The garden is looking sad but there are still some things green out there.

We have a new item that we plan on marketing. It’s a surprise. As soon as I get some done, you will know. Although we still have tons of napkins and can still get whatever color you like, our new item will, hopefully, be as successful this year as the napkins were last year. It’s just another item to add to the list of possibilities for gift giving.

Always remember that we are just a call or email away at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com or 850-261-2462 and place your order.

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Boudreaux and Thibodaux were walking down a country road when they came upon a young woman with a flat on her bicycle. Boudreaux stopped to help her with a flat and Thibodaux continued on down the road. Soon after, Boudreaux came riding up on the bike and Thibodaux asked him what happened. " Well" said Boudreaux, "I stopped and fixed de flat for dat chick and after i did dat, she took off her panties, lay down in de grass and told me to take whatever I wanted. I chose dis bicycle." Thibodaux said, "Me friend, you did just the right thing, cause dem panties probably wouldn't have fit you anyway."

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French phrase of the week: va-t-et-vient (n.m.) [VAH TEH VYEn] comings and goings; hubbub of activity.

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From: http://alephnull.net/eco/precycle.shtml

• Don't take bags when making a small purchase

• Use a reusable cloth or string bag when shopping, not plastic or paper

• Use sponges instead of paper towels, and cloth napkins instead of paper

• Look for containers that can be reused or at least recycled (glass and aluminum). Reusable containers are an even better way of recycling.

• Don't buy single use, throw-away products (such as razors, plastic utensils, paper plates, etc.) - look for ones that can be used repetitively.

• Buy fruits and vegetables, grains, pastas and any loose items without packaging (especially avoid styrofoam and plastic packaging)

• Don't buy plastic

• If it is possible to find dairies that refill milk containers in a refillable and reusable bottle. likewise honey and peanut butter can be purchased in refillable bulk containers. Try eco-minded health food stores.

• Avoid the "aseptic drink box" made of layers of paper, plastic and aluminum - it can not be recycled. Instead use drink containers that are reusable or at least recycled.

Please let me know if there is something that you would like to see in the weekly email. You may always call me at (850) 261-2462 or email me at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com.

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.

C’est tout, mes amis

Peggy Henshall

Cajun Stitchery

(850) 261-2462

cajunstitchery@yahoo.com

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

Cajun Stitchery