Cajun Corner - Vol. 3, No. 34

Cajun Corner – Vol. 3, No. 34 – August 25, 2011

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, catalog at www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook. 

Visit our new on-line catalog at:

http://www.imprintit.biz/cgi-bin/cobrand/site.w?location=olc/catalog-home.w&top=catalog&frames=no&target=main&sponsor=000699

Cajun Stitchery is registered with many wholesalers for many types of items but there is one wholesaler where we regularly get a variety of items.   This wholesaler has provided an on-line catalog for Cajun Stitchery.  The web address is very long (see above).  All of the items listed are maintained by the wholesaler and you can even see what they have in stock.  I’m really excited about this.  The other wholesaler where we have an on-line catalog is good but a little more difficult to work through that catalog.  At least I think so.  Nevertheless, the prices in the catalogs are my actual customer prices.   You can order, I believe, through the Company Casuals catalog but the order will come to me.  I don’t believe that you can order through the new catalog.  It’s more that you can see what is available and the prices.  You can tell me the item number, color(s), and size(s) and I can order it for you.  Of course, there will be a shipping charge. 

Often customers will come to me and say something like, “I want a blue tee shirt.”  As you can see in the catalog, there are lots of blue tee shirts.  By allowing the customer to view the catalog, you can purchase exactly what you want and I know that you and I are on the same page.  Anyway, please browse through the on-line catalog.  There is so much more than just tee shirts available.  Even if you don’t want embroidery but just like the item, I’ll be glad to get it for you.  Of course, I always want everyone covered in embroidery.  But that’s just me.

For all of those who are in the Pensacola area, the Mystic Krewe of Nereids will be hosting our annual SPLASH Party this Sunday at Paradise Bar & Grill on beautiful Pensacola Beach.  The party begins at 2:00 p.m.  This party is family oriented, so feel free to bring the kids.  We will have games and prizes, a dunking booth, raffle, 50/50, various items for sale – ask Kathi about her Fascinators.  Music is provided by Vincent Wainwright and Boogie, Inc.  Come one, come all but be prepared to be soaked.  Bring your squirt guns, water blasters, and other water weapons.  There is a rumor that if we have enough people attending in mermaid costumes (other than Nereids, of course), then we will have a best mermaid contest. 

Next Friday is our Pensacola WBL (Women’s Business Luncheon) meeting.  At each meeting a business card is drawn out of a basket.  That business is offered the opportunity of giving a 5 minute commercial, in person, in front of all those women at the next meeting.  It is an opportunity to let those women know more about your business.  You guessed it; Cajun Stitchery is going to have its 5 minutes of fame next Friday.  I have an outline done to help me along with the who, what, when, where, how and why.  That is probably all I will be able to do in 5 minutes.  One of my WBL friends suggested handing out flyers, which I am seriously considering.  I think I’m going to talk on the topic of how to order embroidery.  That may sound simple but it is surprising how many people don’t know the 3 steps to ordering embroidery:  (1) graphic design, (2) digitizing, and (3) embroidering.  If you think of me next Friday morning – say a prayer, please.

George and I were talking about my 5 minute commercial and decided that people, like me, in the South should get 10 minutes because we talk slower than Northern people. 

Our Etsy Store sold another Proud to be a Union Thug can wrap this morning.  The customer was so excited.  He said he was going to use the can wrap over the Labor Day weekend and expects to have a lot of fun with it.  I hadn’t even thought about it, but that is such a cute idea, and appropriate.

This week has been busy with towel orders and luggage grips.  I’m kicking myself because although I did take pictures of the completed towel order; I forgot to take pictures of the luggage grip order.

Have you heard of Google+?  One of my nieces got me on Google+, trial version.  I think it is Google’s answer to Facebook.  I had a time figuring out how to add people to my circles.  Then one day I added my friend, Jennifer, and ever since when I go to Google+, it opens at Jennifer’s page, and just blinks off and on.  Right now I am not impressed with Google+ at all.

I am playing around with HootSuite, though.  Still trying to figure it out.  Apparently, you can connect all of your networking media to one place, HootSuite, and if you want to send out a message, you type it once and HootSuite sends it to all of your networks at once.  Pretty cool.  Now I need to learn how to make it do this.

This past Wednesday I brought out all of our wares to the kitchen and set it up like a store.  I am so glad that I went through this exercise.  I realized that it is no fun going to a store and looking at a bunch of stuff lying on a table.  We need to have all like items together and in some sort of display container.  We need different eye levels of merchandise.  I was arranging and rearranging the items for hours.  I will probably do this again and again before we get to the Arts & Wine Festival in October.  If anyone out there wants to make an appointment to see all of our items, now is definitely the time.  Just sit at the kitchen table.  I’ll provide coffee, water, milk, tea, whatever, and you can just shop around.  It would enable me to see how customers go through all of the stuff so that I can present our items better.

I would be remiss if I didn’t throw in a paragraph about the garden.  We are eating well this year.  We have green beans, tomatoes and about every kind of pepper than you can imagine.  There are a few watermelon plants growing but I haven’t seen any watermelons.  We have picked a few pods of okra and the eggplant is blooming.  We didn’t plant as much okra and eggplant as we have in the past.  The herbs are outstanding.  We have stevia, oregano, parsley, purple basil, rosemary, and mint.  I love my garden.

SALE:  G12900 Gildan Fleece Stadium Blanket

• 9.3 oz. 50% cotton/50% polyester
• Double needle hem
• 50" X 60"

$15.00 without embroidery (normally $17.72)

$20.00 with name or initials embroidered

CHRISTMAS is around the corner.  Unbelievable, I know.  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. 

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Thanks to Marshall Larrivere for the following:

Boudreaux goes to Europe

Boudreaux, a furniture dealer from downtown New Iberia, La decided to expand the line of furniture in his store, so he decided to go to Europe to see what he could find.

He arrived in Paris in early morning, but had an afternoon appointment with the furniture maker, so he decided to visit a small bistro during his wait. As he sat enjoying his wine, he noticed that the small place was quite crowded, and that the other chair at his table was the only vacant seat in the house.

Before long, a very beautiful young Parisian girl came to his table; asked him something in German (which Boudreaux couldn't understand); so he motioned to the vacant chair and invited her to sit down.

He tried to speak to her in English, but she did not speak his language. After a couple of minutes of trying to communicate with her, he took a napkin and drew a picture of a wine glass and showed it to her. She nodded, so he ordered a glass of wine for her.

After sitting together at the table for a while, he took another napkin, and drew a picture of a plate with food on it, and she nodded. They left the bistro and found a quiet cafe near-by that featured a small group playing romantic music. They ordered lunch.....after which he took another napkin and drew a picture of a couple dancing. She nodded, and they got up to dance.
Boudreaux never had so much fun!

Back at their table, the young lady took a napkin and drew a picture of a four-poster bed, which reminded Boudreaux of his appointment so he abruptly left.

To this day, Boudreaux still has no idea how she figured out he was in the furniture business.

Cajun French Phrase of the Week:

C'est la vie=That's life
Comme ci, comme ca= So So
Fais-do-do= kind of street dance

Taken from:  http://www.acadian-roots.com/cajun-names.html

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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 catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

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. 

The following is taken from http://www.louisianacajun.com/main.asp?URL=http://www.terriau.org/bayu.htm&id=chg

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

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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 catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

Cajun Corner Vol. 3, No. 5

Cajun Corner – Vol. 3, No. 5 – February 4, 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.

Last weekend was another wild and fun, Mardi Gras weekend. We started out with our Moon Pie Party on Friday night. That was a great party. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make it such a success. We had all of our light sticks, lighted scepters, and lighted everything. More than once I found myself dancing on the stage. Congratulations go to Amy for winning the 50/50.

On Saturday our krewe attended the Junkanoo’s Third Annual Chili Cook-Off. Yes, Cowboy Carl made it there with the chili. The girls did a wonderful job of decorating our table and area. We all wore pieces of our cowgirl costume, except for me. I wore the whole thing with the suede skirt and vest and the gold, pointed toed boots. It took several days for my feet to recover. It was all worth it because we won 1st place. It was a bit odd for me to watch my krewe receive the aprons that I embroidered earlier in the week. Haha. That was a fun day, too. I even think Cowboy Carl enjoyed the event.

Sunday I hunkered down to do the lettering for the Krewe of Bad Habits. By golly, I got it done and did a good job, I might add. The completed design was emailed to them on Monday.

Remember the mylar embroidery on our tux jackets. I used the mylar embroidery to avoid snagging our cuffs and losing the sequins. Well, it kind of worked as planned. The mylar embroidery did perfect. The satin stitching around it caught on everything, just like the sequins did. And it wasn’t the satin stitching all the way around the cuffs, just on the inside toward the body because it snagged on my pins. I think that if I put a few layers of Elmers glue, or some permanent glue that dries clear, over the satin stitching, then the snagging issue should be solved.

The big secret from last week was Ella’s birthday present. She received the diva mermaid on a clam shell on her white towel. The colors were just breathtaking. They turned out so much better than I had anticipated. The clam shell was appliquéd using a very soft pink colored fabric and outlined in a deep purple. The diva mermaid was, of course, done in mylar embroidery with a medium purple and lavender. Of course, the stitch out is hanging in my bathroom. George says I need to start giving the stitch outs away because we don’t have room for so many towels. He knows by the end of the year we will have a krewe-ful of towels. I loved Courtney’s response. She said that they all have their own pillowcases to take on our overnighters and now they are all going to have their own towels. Hmmm, I wonder what next year will bring.

Tomorrow is Nauga. Yep, the Krewe of Nauga has one event and that is a pajama party tomorrow morning at 10:30. With just one event, this krewe has over 500 members. That should say a lot for the fun involved. The attire is to wear your pajamas. The cost is $15 per person and I believe they serve breakfast. The party is open to the public. As I’ve said before, George and I have never attended the Nauga Party and this will be our first year. George absolutely refuses to wear pajamas. That’s okay because many just come in jeans and a sweatshirt or whatever. The theme is animal print. Last year our precious Judy showed up dressed as a one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater and was horrified to find out that she was crowned Nauga Queen. Her picture was in all of the local newspapers with her face painted purple. Personally, I thought she was adorable.

I’ve been trying to work on the Etsy shop this week. I’m trying to get some more scarves in the store and since I’ve been freezing this week (the highs have been in the 40’s) I’m working on some flannel, plaid scarves. Chrissy arrived at Krewe Den this past Wednesday with the most adorable scarf. It was black. Felt like velour, loosely woven. On one end was a big “Who Dat?” written in gold, glitter paint and outlined in rhinestones. Absolutely gorgeous! I may do a “Who Dat?” scarf later but not right now.

As I’ve written before, the girls are always complaining about crew neck t-shirts. The crew neck is so confining. This year, one of my vendors, has what appears to be a nice scoop neck tee. It’s an Anvil Women’s Sheer Scoop Neck Tee. This is the sale of the week. It’s short sleeved. To keep the price down, due to shipping, I have to sell in lots of 10 to get the price.

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.

My favorite poem:

Are you almost disgusted with life, little man?

I'll tell you a wonderful trick

that will bring you contentment, if anything can

Do something for somebody, quick!

Are you awfully tired with play, little girl?

Wearied, discouraged, and sick-

I'll tell you the loveliest game in the world,

Do something for somebody quick!

Though it rains like the rain of the flood, little man

and the clouds are forbidding and thick,

You can make the sun shine in your soul, little man

Do something for somebody, quick!

Though the stars are like brass overhead, little girl,

and the walks like a well-heated brick

and our earthly affairs in a terrible whirl,

Do something for somebody, quick!

Did you know:

Louisiana contains 41 percent of the coastal marshland in the United States.

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French Phrase of the Week: Le Parti de Nauga (Nauga Party)

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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 catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

SALE OF THE WEEK (Good through Thursday, February 10, 2011)

SALE: 10 Anvil Sheer Scoop Neck Tee for $8 each ($80) [size S-XL] embroidery is additional charge

Colors: black, Caribbean blue (out of size S), hot pink, mocha, silver (out of size S), white

391 Anvil Sheer Scoop Neck Tee

• 3.2 oz. 100% ring spun cotton; preshrunk

• Classic countoured silhouette with side seam

• Display tape and single-needle seamed collarette

• Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem

Girls, Costumes and Parties

Wednesday nights are always so refreshing to me.  The girls are hilarious.  The food is always over the top.  Last night was no different.  We celebrated Ella's birthday.  I gave her a towel with the diva mermaid.  The applique shape was a clam shell using a light pink see through fabric.  This mermaid was in purple and lavender.  It looks so good with the pink background.  I think she really liked it.  This is the third diva mermaid towel that I've done.  The first had a star applique, and the second had a fleur de lis applique.  The next birthday is in March.  Wonder what I'll do for that one.

We only had one mishap last night. One of the girls tripped over a hand truck in the dark and probably has a lump on her head this morning.  Float work is about to begin.

My costume is probably the one that needed the most work, since I lost a little weight last year.  I worked on the costume yesterday until it was in tip top shape.  The rest of the costume work will be repairing costumes.

Poor Etsy has been neglected and I hope to put some new items in the shop today.  I'm thinking about some of the patches that I've been doing lately but then I want to do some scarves.

A friend had a beautiful scarf on last night.  She got it in New Orleans.  Black and gold with gold glitter paint and rhinestones. 

Not a lot to report today.  It's cold outside.  George is working on kitchen cabinets at the house next door.  I need to harvest some broccoli, but all I want to do is embroider.

This Saturday will be our first Nauga Party.  The Krewe of Nauga touts one party a year but 500 members, and it's true.  It begins Saturday at 10:30 a.m.  You are supposed to wear your pajamas.  Animal print is the look you want to achieve.  There is no way George will go in pajamas, so we will attend in blue jeans and sweatshirts.  We are sure to have a wonderful time.

C'est tout, mes amis.

Another Year of Birthdays

Each year I pick an item to be embroidered for each of the girls in my Mardi Gras Krewe.  For instance, in 2009, everyone got embroidered napkins for their birthdays.  In 2010, everyone received embroidered pillowcases for their birthdays.  This year, 2011, they are receiving bath towels. 

The first birthday of the year in the Krewe is always Courtney.  She loves being the first but says that as the year progresses my creative juices start flowing on the item and by the end of the year, the girls are getting some really unique and creative embroidery, while her's is kind of plain Jane.  I really wanted Courtney to get something special this year, but you never know where the designing will end up by the end of the year.  To start off, it's difficult to put a lot of creative juices into a gift right after the holiday season and the time of year where we are the busiest.  I pondered Courtney's gift for a very long time.  Last year I found a design for a beautiful diva that I knew I wanted to use.  So, while I was pondering Courtney's design, the diva came to mind.  She was only about 2 or 3 inches tall but I redigitized her to 9 inches tall and digitized so her dress would be Mylar.  She turned out beautiful but alone she was lacking something.  She needed some pizzazz.  For a long time I've wanted to work with applique.  I touch on applique every once in awhile but not the in depth stuff that I'd like to do.  Courtney's birthday came and went but the girls had decided to celebrate her birthday this past Wednesday, yesterday.  This week had been so busy that I wasn't able to do much on her design, not to mention that I had orders to fill.  The beauty, for me, of designing is that I can be anyplace, doing anything, and get an idea and work it out in my head.  By the time I get to the design program on the computer, I pretty much have already worked the project out mentally.  Before I knew it, it was Wednesday morning and I needed that towel embroidered and wrapped to give her that evening.  The thought occurred to me to put a large clam shell behind the diva and done in applique.  I could not find a clam shell design that I liked but I did see a star applique that intrigued me.  I pulled the star design into the program and began the process of enlarging.  By the time I got the star to 9 inches, the stitches were all askew.  That just wouldn't work.  I decided to take the 9 inch design into the digitizing program and redigitize the star.  I had never used the applique function in the digitizing program before.  It seemed simple enough.  A star shape is not difficult.  The first time I did it, part of the stitches looked fine but most were not coming through.  I finally decided that I must have the satin stitches too wide.  Indeed, that was the case.  I redigitized and the star appeared fine on the computer.

The star behind the diva looked great on the computer but you never really know until you actually stitch it out.  I used one of the cheap towels that I purchased last year for the stitch out.  Then I had to find and determine what fabric to use in the applique.  I happened on a silky, woven, black fabric that I was going to use, just for the stitch out.  OMG!  After that design stitched out, and it stitched out perfectly, I immediately placed that towel in my bathroom.  It was beautiful.  I used one of the nice, new white towels for Courtney's and added her name inside the black star. 

My plan is to use the stitch out towel repeatedly, washing and drying, to make sure everything is sturdy and doesn't fall apart easily.  Then I think I'm going to use the same design for each of the girls this year but change the colors and applique fabric so each is individual.

When my friend, Turtle, was here earlier this week, she was telling me that she uses Fray Check a lot.  I have a bottle of Fray Check but had just never used it.  I did run a bead of Fray Check partially around Courtneny's star where I felt it was the weakest.  That should hold it nice and tight.  I can see that I will probably start investing in a lot of Fray Check, especially if I'm going to be doing a lot of applique.

Also, while Turtle was here, we stitched out an in the hoop card holder.  It holds business cards, as well as gift cards.  The paisley design is so en vogue and fun.  Another friend of mine told me sometime ago that I should always carry give-aways with my cards, so people can see my work.  This card holder would be an ideal give-away.  Just put my card inside and hand the holder to whoever I was giving the card.  Maybe I'll change the design to say Cajun Stitchery. 

Cajun Corner - Vol. 2, No. 47

 Cajun Corner – Vol. 2, No. 47 – December 3, 2010

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, catalog at www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.

I received the certified copy of my birth certificate and spent an hour and a half on Monday getting my renewed drivers license. I had to have my birth certificate, 1st marriage license, 2nd marriage license, social security card, 2 pieces of mail addressed to me at my home, and my old driver’s license. When I went to pay the clerk with a check, she said, “Do you have some form of identification?” Yes, she did. I just starred at her. Then we both started laughing.

Delightfully busy is what I would call this week. This house is looking more and more like Santa’s Workshop everyday. We have embroidered pillowcases, tea towels, napkins, wash cloths, towels, t-shirts, jackets, and I don’t even remember everything.

Wednesday evening was my girls’ night. We were all gathered around the counter when one of the girls handed out a Christmas present to each of us. It was a hair wrap that you use when your hair is wet. You twist it into a turban on top of your head. We were all trying to put our’s on and we had demonstrations on how to put it on and we were helping each other. Finally, all of the turbans were on and almost at that moment the front door opened and another group of girlfriends walked in. The comments were hysterical. What are the odds on that? Needless to say we had a lovely evening, as always.

George and I finished off all of the Thanksgiving food and started eating our peppers from the garden again. Yummy. There just isn’t anything like fresh produce, right out of the garden.

Now that I finally found a robe wholesaler that I like, seems to have a good quality products and reasonable prices. My robe order cancelled on me. That’s okay. I needed to find a robe wholesaler. If anyone is interested, I can get a 100% cotton, 3 lb, kimono terrycloth robe, 50” length, for about $30.

Mr. Mattson, our AC man, dropped off the proposal for the house next door. I nearly cried when I saw that it was about half the amount I thought it was going to be. I cried for joy! Well, of course, we agreed immediately and asked how soon he could have it done. I am pleased to announce that we have a brand new, fully functional heat pump next door. We don’t have plumbing, but it is nice and toasty over there.

I think the next item is putting some kind of shower pan in the shower. After that I think we are getting appliances. All I know is that I’m ready for it to be finished.

I received a phone call earlier this week from the Portofino Tennis Shop inquiring about our embroidery services. They saw our ad in the Island Times. We talked for awhile and the gentleman said he would get back with me after the first of the year. I sure hope he does. That would be a real coo for me. The very next day Lee Tracy called me. I met Lee at a Chamber meeting on the beach a few months back and gave her our card. I now have a project to do for Lee and I certainly hope she likes our work and service and hires us again in the future.

I placed our first order for satin jackets on Tuesday. The arrived yesterday and seem to be a nice quality; well sewn. I’m bringing a size M, L, and XL to the SOB brunch on Sunday so the people who are questioning the sizes can try them on. It’s a real good deal on these jackets. $23 for the light lined, adult jacket and $26 for the quilted lined, plus shipping and embroidery. The last shipment was only $7 for shipping. Since I ordered 7 jackets, that’s only $1 apiece for the shipping. Most of the Junkanoos seem to be getting the jacket and ordering the Junkanoo embroidery on the back and their names on the front. This year I am redesigning their logo a bit. I’m going to see if I can turn the red man into a Mylar design. That would be really cool and sparkly.

The Mystic Krewe of Nereids will have their ball tickets on sale beginning December 18th. The Black Tie Ball will be on February 12th at Castaways. Tickets are $35 each. Please contact me or any other Nereid for tickets.

Christmas is coming and customers are doing their Christmas shopping at Cajun Stitchery. Get this out of the way as soon as you can. For all who have businesses out there, remember that we also sell personalized gift baskets.

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

ΘΘΘΘΘ

Boudreaux and Marie take a vacation to the Cajun Riviera, Holly Beach Louisiana. They had a great time. Boudreaux buried Marie in the sand on the beach. Then Marie buried Boudreaux in the sand. It was so much fun. Boudreaux buried Marie in the sand. They had so much fun. A year later Boudreaux sat back and was thinking of how much fun they had on the beach. He thought it was so much fun that maybe he would go back there and dig her up.

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French phrase of the week: la barbe du bon Dieu a very good and decent person.

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This week I want to make a plea to everyone to please stop using plastic bags. Go to the website listed below and learn the dangers of using plastic bags and how many other countries in the world have banned them. As an embroiderer, I know that we all have several totes. We just don’t use them. It is incredibly important that we do use them, beginning now.

• Shopping Bags: While shopping, if you only buy a few products skip the shopping bag. For larger purchases, bring your own. Learn about the dangers of plastic bags and what countries around world are doing about it ("The Dangers of Plastic Bags" slide show from Teacher Vishal Mody).

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 catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

SALE OF THE WEEK (Good through Thursday, December 9, 2010)

Set of 4 hemmed napkins 20” x 20” with single initial embroidered monogram for $16.00 plus tax.

Sale applies only to napkins in stock. Please call for color selection.

Countdown to Pensacola Beach's 3rd Annual Arts & Wine Festival

Blogger is having issues lately.  I've been trying to post all day but kept getting an Error.  I went to their help site and found lots of people are having the same issues.  At least I'm not alone.  I have some wonderful photographs to share with you but blogger's issues are preventing me from uploading the photos.  Sorry.

I have been digitizing all weekend.  This house is starting to look like Santa's workshop and very messy.  We are counting down to this coming weekend and the Arts & Wine Festival on Pensacola Beach. 

Today I decided to start washing and drying some of the new bath towels and tea towels.  Ever since I got that shipping receipt with the bath towels that said the towels were commercially vacuum packed for shipping and I should wash and dry to re-fluff, I've been thinking about laundering the linens before we embroider.  I read an article sometime ago that said if the item is going to shrink, then wash and dry prior to embroidering because when the fabric shrinks and the embroidery will not shrink, this will cause puckering around the design.  This is not done with t-shirts or apparel.  When I did wash and dry the first bath towel, it did shrink.  I try to get all of the linen in 100% cotton, so you would assume it is going to have some shrinkage.  Today I laundered all of the bath towels and some of the tea towels.  I just used water, no detergent at all.  The tea towels did not shrink at all.  I will not be laundering the tea towels but I will the bath towels.  I'm going to do the same test with the pillowcases.  If they shrink, then from here on out, they will be laundered before applying the embroider.

This morning George was working on embroidering Christmas designs onto some red and green tea towels for sale this weekend.  OMG!  They are so cute.  This is what I was digitizing this weekend and they really turned out adorable.  I also washed, dried and ironed them to make sure there was no puckering.  One of the Christmas Seahorses absent-mindedly was embroidered backwards.  I kept that one for me.  It's beautiful but the seahorse is placed upside down.  I just folded it and layed it rightside up on the bathroom counter.  That's good enough for me.

George is always creating new ideas and designs for his caps and visors.  I can't wait for everyone to see these at the festival. 

Oh yes, we did some of the little gift bags.  We only have 3 left.  $5 each with a name embroidered.

Got to get back to our embroidery. 

Have a wonderful week:>)

Cajun Corner Vol. 2, No. 36

Cajun Corner – Vol. 2, No. 36 – September 17, 2010

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.

Well Boudreaux is certainly alive and well this week. He has stitched more than half a million stitches this week and he is purring like a kitten. It must be those shrimp he’s been stitchin’. He stitched out two 10 foot banners for the Cajun Stitchery tent, plus a lot more things. Since the banners require more than embroidery, we moved my sewing machine onto the kitchen table. Oh cher, that machine is about 35 years old and still kickin’.

Speaking of my old Kenmore a/k/a Singer sewing machine, I have a funny story. Several years back, I decided that the sewing machine should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled because it was old. George and I took this machine apart, down to its basic structure. We took plates off from everywhere. We took the belt assembly off, the bottom, the top. We cleaned and dusted it really good. Then we oiled it at every joint that moved. Finally, we put her back together. Then I began sewing. Clanka, clanka, clanka went the machine. It should have been humming. Ooooh, that was one loud sewing machine. We started reading manuals. I got online to figure out the problem. Well, cher, I used 3 in 1 oil and not sewing machine oil. I will tell you that there is definitely a difference. We pulled the sewing machine completely apart, once again, and tried wiping off all of the 3 in 1 oil that we could. We re-oiled with sewing machine oil. That clanka, clanka, clanka went on for a few weeks until the 3 in 1 oil was used up and the sewing machine oil kicked in. I mean to tell you that it was loud. We were embarrassed because we just knew the neighbors could hear it. So, when I would sew, we would shut the windows. We learned a big lesson about the value of sewing machine oil. The machine still purrs like a kitten. That’s one good sewing machine, cher. You know, I’ve never named this machine. I think I will name her Clothilde. While I’m at it, I think I will name the serger, Marie.

You know my goal of using up all of the sewing STUFF by October. Mais cher, I don’t think we are going to reach that goal, no. There was a lapse of control this morning. Now that George has finished the embroidery on the two 10 foot banners, we were discussing how to attach the banners to the tent. I have an “Idea” book (that’s what I call them), that a good friend gave me, filled with sewing projects. One section of the book has a tent and a banner, although their banner is decals. Nevertheless, they attached it with Velcro. I don’t have twenty feet of Velcro. Off to one of my favorite online stores, Cheaptrim. They, of course, had the Velcro and I purchased spools of it. They now require a minimum order. Look out shopping spree, here I come. I ordered Velcro in black, Velcro in white, two different spools of eyelet lace, venise lace, and sequin and beaded lace. Maybe if we do not count this new influx of STUFF, I can continue with my quest to use the other STUFF.

This morning we had a surprise at our Etsy store. A lady bought the red, white and blue set of koozies. George is off to mail them as I type this. These are actually the first koozies that I’ve sold. I don’t know why. I think those koozies are beautiful and functional. However, I have friends that tell me that they don’t fit the beer bottles, or they don’t fit the glasses that they use. They do fit soda and beer cans and they do have a bottom. I’ve made some sleeves for cans but I like something with a bottom to absorb the moisture and not leave a wet spot. Anyway, I may have an idea that makes everyone happy but I haven’t actually digitized it yet. It’s still in my head.

The Etsy store still needs a lot of TLC but I have been working on it this week, as evidenced by the sale this morning. I have sold handkerchiefs, cell phone pouches, totes, and now koozies. The thing that surprisingly didn’t sell was the hand towel with the Muwaa kissing lips. That will be for sale at the upcoming festival. There are some things, like the kissing lips, that are novelty type items and really don’t sell that well. What they do well is bring customers to the store to view the other items. It is not a loss.

I still haven’t finished the ribbon luggage tags. I need to but I don’t like them. In the meantime, the other luggage tags are fun and seem to be a hit. Some people want their names on the luggage tags and others do not, but simply want a design. Everyone seems to agree that they want the tags bright and colorful. I do suggest that when purchasing these luggage tags that you get the same design for each piece of your luggage, with an extra one for your purse. If there is ever a controversy over which piece of luggage belongs to you, you can pull your matching tag from your purse to match with the luggage. Since they have an eyelet for the ribbon or clip, just hang the extra one on your key ring for the duration of the trip. These luggage tags are approximately 3” round and we are charging $5.00 each or $7.00 for personalized tags. I used one the other day as a name tag on a birthday present. It was received well and now my friend has a luggage tag for when she travels.

Mama used to always put a red ribbon tied around the handle to her luggage. Eventually, enough other people realized what a good idea this was, and they began doing it, as well. I remember the last time I picked Mama up from the airport there were several bags on the conveyor belt with red ribbons. Now luggage tags are all en vogue. I’m telling you, my Mama started this trend.

The towels came in. We now have red, green, white, yellow, and hot pink fingertip towels. We also purchased “standard” bath towels. I was disappointed when I first pulled out a bath towel but then noticed a handwritten note on the shipping paper that said, “Towels are machine compressed to save on shipping. Wash and fluff.” I washed and dried one and just as stated, it fluffed. Who would have figured? It is a very nice towel but nothing that I would describe as luxurious. They will make very nice embroidered gifts. In fact, I’m pleased enough with them to embroider one for myself.

George’s wreck is now a thing of the past. The car is fixed and I have a happy husband once again.

The seeds did arrive and our fall garden is planted. We did plant radishes, which we said we would never plant again because we don’t eat them. But they grow from seed to harvest in just 20 days. They have already sprouted. Besides, I read someplace that they are a good bug repellant. Worth a shot!

I mentioned earlier about my girlfriend’s birthday. Her pillowcases were extraordinary. I am so proud of them. When I got home, I wanted to post the pictures. I could swear I took pictures of those pillowcases, but apparently not. I did post a jpg of the embroidery design but it’s not the same. My girlfriend loved her pillowcases. She is our Wednesday night cook and she loves to cook as much as I love to sew. The design was called Bon Appétit and was an Italian chef with a merman tail carrying a plate of steaming food with her last name embroidered to the side with steam coming off the name. It was beautiful.

Christmas is coming and customers are starting to do their Christmas shopping at Cajun Stitchery. Get this out of the way as soon as you can. For all who have businesses out there, remember that we also sell gift baskets.

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

ΘΘΘΘΘ

One night, a torrential rain soaked South Louisiana; the

next morning the resulting floodwaters came up about 6 feet

into most of the homes there.

Mrs. Boudreaux was sitting on her roof with her neighbor,

Mrs. Thibodeaux, waiting for help to come.

Mrs. Thibodeaux noticed a lone baseball cap floating near the

house. Then she saw it float far out into the front yard,

then float all the way back to the house; it kept floating

away from the house, then back in.

Her curiosity got the best of her, so she asked Mrs.
Boudreaux, "Do you see that baseball cap floating away from

the house, then back again?"

Mrs. Boudreaux said, "Oh yes, that's my husband. I told him

he was going to mow the lawn today come Hell or high water!"

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French phrase of the week: Il s'a saoulé hier au soir. (He got drunk last night.)

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From: http://www.planetpals.com/eco_craft_ideas.html

Things to do with paper, gift wrap or cardboard:

Use it to cover and protect your schoolbooks

Make your own paper dolls be a fashion designer and design doll clothes

Cover the walls in your dollhouse with gift wrap for wallpaper

Use bags or newspaper particularly colorful comics, for gift wrap....

Use old gift wrap, comics or wallpaper to cover boxes or cans

Use the back side of bags or gift wrap as practice paper for painting or studying the alphabet

Use your practice paintings as gift wrap-they can be colorful and special!

Cut it in squares and use it to make origami

Make a book, or album - paper pages and cardboard cover-use string or ribbon to tie it together

Make homemade paper....we will be posting the recipe for paper soon-you can also get it from the library!

Make paper mache projects-we will be posting the recipe for paper mache soon-you can also get it from the library!

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 catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

SALE OF THE WEEK (Good through Thursday, September 23, 2010)

SALE: Heavyweight Blend Long Sleeve Tee with embroidered name or initial = $18.00 plus tax/shipping

Jerzees T's and Fleece - #29LS

Heavyweight Blend Long Sleeve Tee

Colors: birch, black, forest green, maroon, oxford, true navy, red, royal blue, white

5.6 oz. 50% cotton/50% polyester. 1x1 ribbed crew neck collar & cuffs. Cover seaming on front neck. Taped shoulder-to-shoulder. Set-in sleeves. Tubular. Two-needle hemmed bottom.