Cajun Corner - Vol. 3, No. 46

Cajun Corner – Vol. 3, No. 46 – November 18, 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, and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook. 

Visit our on-line catalogs at:

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

and www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery.

This week has been spent with a new internet Wi-Fi system and new smart phones.  All of which I’ve been tempted to throw out the window at least a couple of times this week.  It all began when my friend showed me The Square.  The Square is a little one inch square, plug-in mechanism to enable me to accept credit card payments.  It plugs into the top of a smart phone.  The phone has The Square App (program) and voila, I can accept credit cards.  But you do have to have a smart phone.  I can accept credit cards via PayPal but not all of my business is over the internet.  Customers come to my house, or I go to them, occasionally.  There is always the issue of craft fairs and the like.  I rarely carry cash on me and expect others are the same.  With The Square I just need to have a Wi-Fi connection and I can sell my wares on the go.  I’ve never had the credit card machine because there is a monthly fee, a fee for the machine, and a fee per transaction.  It is expensive.  I’ve noticed in the past year or two more and more businesses, especially the government, accepts credit cards or debit cards but they charge you a fee to use credit.  That is because of the fees charged to them.  The Square is absolutely free and there is no monthly fee, only a small per transaction fee, similar to PayPal.  I expect people will start seeing The Square often because it is just such a good deal all the way around.

The first thing was to get the smart phone.  George and I still had the little Razor cell phones and our old Cingular phone plan which was grandfathered into our AT&T bill when AT&T consumed Cingular.  Other than our cell phones, we still had our land line and our DSL for our computers.  I held off getting rid of the land line for a long time.  After Ivan hit in 2004, our cell phones didn’t work because all of the air waves were over loaded with all of the calls, but our trusty land line worked like a charm and I was able to call FEMA and our insurance company as the hurricane was passing by.  It was time now to get rid of the land line.  It has been seven years since Ivan and I’m sure the over loaded air wave issues have been remedied with all of the new technology.  So, we called AT&T and got rid of everything we had and put in a new U-verse internet system and smart phones. 

As the days went by waiting for the new hardware, we worried about what problems we would have setting everything up ourselves.  We read the AT&T tutorials.  When we first had the DSL installed, I ended up in tears talking with the AT&T tech that was helping us.  It was pure exhaustion.  This time I went ahead and called the AT&T tech before we even got the equipment trying to troubleshoot the “what ifs”.  Finally, the U-verse arrived.  We couldn’t install until Monday when a real, live person came to the house to do something with our wiring.  As he left, he told us that we were ready to install the U-verse and to go ahead.  He left.  We installed.  It worked.  Unbelievable!  We received the smart phones the same day and the box had a message to fully charge the battery before turning on the phone.  We plugged them in.  Then we needed to transfer our phone numbers from our old SIM card to the new one.  Well, how do you do that?  One way was to get online and read the tutorial.  At that time, we did not have internet yet.  The other way showed us a step-by-step set of instructions.  We followed each step.  We got to a point where it asked if we wanted to “override”.  We didn’t know if we did or not but it looked like a good thing to do, so we did.  Oops.  We wiped out our numbers.  So, if I had your number, I don’t anymore.  Please call and give me your number – or email me.

We finally got the smart phones working.  Not sure they are as smart as they claim to be though.  The first thing we decided is that we needed to know how to place a call and receive a call.  Amazingly, that was a monumental task.  Once we figured out how to place a call to the other one, then we couldn’t figure out how to answer the call before it went to voice mail.  And God only know how to locate voice mail.  Luckily, that evening we were meeting with neighbors and everyone had to see the phone.  I received so much instruction on that phone and it was all going in one ear and out the other.  The more we played with the phones, the more we began learning.  We still have a long way to go but we can place a call, answer a call, find voice mail, and insert contacts from numbers that call us.  We can even get online via the smart phone.  Hooray!

Then on Tuesday our computers showed a page that said our Wi-Fi was not working and that we need to put a filter on whatever is on our phone line such as a fax machine or security system.  Hmmmm.  The only thing on our phone line now is the Wi-Fi that is not working.  The page on the computer suggested going to other websites.  Hellooo, the computer is not working.  We cannot get online to go to any websites.  We called AT&T.  These calls to AT&T are a minimum of an hour and sometimes 3 hours.  We had to take George’s laptop upstairs and physically connect it to the U-verse box and type in a bunch of numbers and, I guess, reset the whole thing.  “Mr. and Mrs. Henshall,” said the tech, “you should be good to go now.”  Indeed, we were back online.  Until Thursday, when we got the same page on both computers and we were, once again, down.  Try as we may, we couldn’t get back online.  So, we called AT&T, again.  They got us back online.  “Mr. and Mrs. Henshall,” said the tech, “you should be good to go now.  Do you have any other questions?”  At this point, I said, “I just need to know if we are going to have to call AT&T once every day or two in order to get back online.  If that is the case, I need to include you on my calendar of things to do.”  By this time, George began overriding me and telling the gentleman, “Thank you for all of your help.”

Yes, we have lightning speed Wi-Fi internet now – that comes and goes – and smart phones that are so smart we cannot always figure them out.  For instance, when I open up the phone, there are several icons to press for whatever I want to do, such as, contact, phone, email, apps, browser, market, and other things.  A friend of mine put a “gallery” on that page so I could see my photos.  Did I mention the phone takes pictures?  Well, now in addition to the “gallery” there is a “mini diary”.  Where did that come from and why?  I think the phone wants me to keep a diary.  I’m thinking that phone is so smart that it just wants to know all of my personal stuff and laugh at me.  No way am I keeping a diary on that phone.  It’s probably the AT&T tech that I wised off to that wants me to keep a diary.  Uh-uh, buddy.  You are not going to see my personal stuff.

Alas, I did order The Square.  The only reason we put up with AT&T this week was to get The Square.  I now have an app on the smart phone that is awaiting The Square.  I guess it will be arriving in the next week or two and I will finally be able to accept credit cards.

My embroidery tech friend who lives in Orlando called me the other day.  She found the boring needles and is sending me two of them.  Each of these needles costs $25.  That’s right folks, $25 per needle, and that is discounted because she bought a bulk package of 10 needles.  These needles bore holes in fabric for cutwork or eyelets.  This should not only automatically cut the eyelets out of my can wraps, but make the eyelets much neater and prettier.  When I get the needles, I need to learn how to use them.  Boudreaux does have a boring needle setting.  I just need to learn how to use it.  I’m very excited about this.  In fact, I don’t think a lot of embroiderers use boring needles.

All of the AT&T interaction backed me up in my work significantly.  I had planned, and paid for, a spot at Gallery Night.  I needed to make Christmas stockings to sell and have been working on them all week.  I was only able to make 5 or 6 stockings between everything else this week.  Also, I created a new can wrap.  This one has a pocket.  Then came the can wraps with initials.  In the meantime, I was filling various orders.  Since I didn’t make Gallery Night, all of this is for sale.  The stockings are $15.00 each, fully lined in red with “Merry Christmas” embroidered on the cuff.  You are not going to find Christmas stockings like this anywhere else.  The can wraps, of course, are $7.00 each.  So, pretend that we are at Gallery Night and let’s start shopping:>)

I’m lined up to have a booth Perdido Bay Golf Club on November 26^th.  Don’t forget to buy from local small businesses on November 26^th.  It would be nice if there were areas set up all over town to spotlight our local small businesses.

Yes, we are still celebrating my birthday this week.

All cell phone holders in our Etsy store are half price ($5.00), so stop by www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com and get some cute cell phone holders as gifts for Christmas.  Now I’m going to have to design a smart phone holder.

CHRISTMAS is around the corner.  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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Thank you Marshall Larrivere for the following:

A Parish priest is driving down to New Orleans

from Alexandria and gets stopped for speeding . The state trooper

smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine

bottle on the floor of the car.

He says, “Sir, have you been drinking?”

“Just water,” says the priest.

The trooper says, “Then why do I smell wine?”

The priest looks at the bottle and says, “Good Lord!

He's done it again!”

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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.

Thought Processes for the Arts & Wine Festival

A few weeks ago George and I took a look at our photographs from last years Arts & Wine Festival on Pensacola Beach.  Simply, our booth looked ugly.  The tent with the embroidered "Cajun Stitchery" looked great.  The tablecloths did not match, the items for sale looked scattered and messy.  The tables were not situated for the convenience of the customer.  Oh my, it was embarrassing to look at those photos.  It is a good thing that we took the photos, though. 

Now that we've taken a look at last year's booth, we need to make some corrections for this year's booth.  The table cloths are history.  I would like matching floor length table cloths but in lieu of that, I purchased 2 white, plastic tablecloths from the dollar store.  The only problem with that is now you will be able to see under the tables where the boxes are kept.  Nevertheless, it cannot look as bad as last year.  We are also going to place the tables differently.  We are going to put them in a way, probably an L, so that the customer can come further under the canopy.  I have purchased some baskets to put little things, like patches, into to keep some order on the tables.

When I went to my first arts and craft festival, a friend warned me not to have too many different items.  Pick out 5 or 6 items and make lots of those items.  I think she was right.  I tend to just put everything out there and it becomes confusing and messy.  This year we are going to offer (1) caps for $10 or $12, (2) Christmas stockings for $20, (3) can wraps for $7-$10, (4) patches for $5-$7, (5) fingertip towels for $10, and (6) little scrapbook appliques for 2 for $1.

One of my dear friends told me recently that it just seems that lately the prices at craft fairs have gone way up.  I would guess that is correct; everything has gone up.  I don't know if people go to arts and craft fairs to get a deal or to find quality arts and crafts and unique items.  The artisans have to make a living and most items cannot be purchased anyplace else.  Nevertheless, I know that it is a good idea to have a variety of prices so people don't have to walk away empty handed. 

Part of me wanted to include the luggage grips in our repetoire of items, but George said that he thought the luggage grips were more custom.  People would want their names on the luggage grips.  Perhaps he is correct.

The can wraps are included because they are easy to make and I enjoy putting cutesy sayings on them.  I love the new one that says "Never Give Up!"  Years ago George brought home a paper with this Never Give Up design on it.  It has gotten us through some tough times.  Perhaps others will like this, too.  I have some done (no pictures yet) that say "A smile is the same in any language."  I like encouraging messages.  There is already too much discouragement in the world today.  Besides, I have some cute stock designs that I've never used before with encouraging or funny messages.

C'est tout, mes amis:>)

Cajun Corner - Vol. 3, No. 21

Cajun Corner – Vol. 3, No. 21 – May 27, 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.

It’s Memorial Day Weekend. Get out all of your red, white and blue. While you are enjoying the weekend at the beach, or having a barbeque or meal with friends, please take some time to remember those who have stood/are standing on a wall protecting us and providing the wonderful freedom that we all too often take for granted. God bless every one of them. If you see someone in the military, please say Thank You.

I’m reminded of a story about my step-father, Johnny. My dad died when I was 10 months old. When I was 3 years old, my mother re-married. For all intents and purposes, Johnny was my daddy. He was the only daddy that I knew. And he was a wonderful man. When Kim and I went to Louisiana last week and visited our cousin Roland, Roland gave me a picture of Johnny when he was in the Army.

Johnny was in Korea in the early 1950’s. There is an old movie called Pork Chop Hill about one of the bloodiest battles in the Korean War. Johnny used to tell me that he was in that battle. He said it was very cold and he wore every piece of clothing that he owned, layered, one over the other. He and his fellow soldiers walked up Pork Chop Hill. The battle raged on and soldiers were dropping like flies. They were hunkered in trenches. His friend to his left was shot and slumped over. His friend to his right was shot. Finally, a bullet hit Johnny. There was so much blood and death around him that he believed he was dead. The medics came and took the bodies of his two dead friends and put Johnny on a stretcher and hauled him down the hill to the medical tent. The doctor was peeling off his clothing where the bullet entered. Layer after layer was peeled off. About half way through his clothing the bullet fell out. He hadn’t even been scratched.

This week has been a week of can wraps. Some time ago, I made a can wrap with the Cajun Stitchery logo embroidered on it. I was talking to my friend, Charlotte, who drinks bottled beer. She said that I need to create a wrap that fits both cans and bottles. It needed to be something adjustable. Since that time, I’ve tried several designs but nothing that really pleased me, until this week.

While making the can wraps for the Proud to be a Union Thug orders, I kept pondering how to do this all ITH (in-the-hoop). There are several steps to the can wrap, cutting the fabric and stabilizer, embroidering, sewing the long side, turning, pulling the stabilizer through, sewing the ends and trimming. I digitized a rectangle the size of the can wrap. Then I digitized 4 eyelets, 2 on each end. The rectangle was digitized like I would for a patch. After embroidering the can wrap, I punched holes through the eyelets and used some very small elastic to run through the holes. After trying various combinations of threading the elastic, I happened upon the one that worked. Yep, it’s adjustable and fits both cans and bottles. Are there fewer steps? I hoop the plastic (yes, they are waterproof) and stitch out the first outline. Then I glue the stabilizer onto the plastic. Then I glue the fabric onto the stabilizer and the back side of the plastic. Back in the machine and stitch out the second outline. Once again I take the hoop off the machine and trim fabric and stabilizer on both sides and put the hoop back in the machine. At this point, I embroider the design, and then I finish the satin stitched outline of the patch. The thread ends and jump stitches are trimmed. The eyelet holes are punched and the elastic is threaded and knotted. Finis. I haven’t timed it yet to see if this goes any faster.

With the new ITH can wraps, I took some camouflage fabric and made some manly can wraps. One of the wraps has a pistol embroidered on it, another has a man shooting a rifle, and one has the silhouette of an elk. These have been listed for sale in the Etsy Shop. They would make great Father’s Day presents for any gun collector, hunter or sportsman. I also listed a couple of Proud to be a Union Thug can wraps.

Speaking of Proud to be a Union Thug, my friend, Sandy, says that she believes I am the first to do the slogan in embroidery. There are some sites with the slogan in screen printing but I’m the only one with embroidery and I think the only one with the slogan on can wraps. Google it and see. If you know any union members, please direct them to me or to our Etsy Store. I sure would appreciate it.

Speaking of referrals, if you refer a customer to Cajun Stitchery and they hire us, you will get a 10% discount on your next embroidery order. Just make sure you remind me.

This past Wednesday I was able to join my Wednesday night girls. I’ve missed Wednesday nights for 2 or 3 weeks. It was good getting back in the groove with my girls. Since I was bringing some items for various girls, I brought my new collapsible, hounds tooth market basket to carry the items. Some of the girls were looking at the market basket and we were talking about Sharon and her zebra print purchases. The vendor that I used for my basket and Sharon’s items does not carry the market baskets in solid colors. All of their market baskets are prints. However, I have another vendor that carries the solid colors, as well as some prints. These baskets are canvas and do not have the zipper pocket on the inside. While browsing through this vendor’s online shop, I found they have a whole bunch of zebra print items that the other store did not. In addition to the regular market basket, they have a mini market basket that is the next size down from the regular size and they also carry a selection of vinyl market baskets. They do carry the market baskets in purple. I was thinking how cool that would be to put krewe logos on purple market baskets. If I order from this company, I may just get myself a purple market basket for the Mardi Gras season. Ooooo, I could get one for each season; red, white and blue for patriotic picnics; red and green to carrying Christmas gifts and food items; orange and black for Halloween candy; and pastel colors for Easter baskets. If I’ve learned nothing else from my Nereids, I have learned that my attire must match. We could have baskets in every color to match our outfits. These baskets would also be great for business logos, which is exactly what I’m going to put on my market basket.

George is busy doing electrical work in the house next door. It is slow going when you are the only one remodeling an entire house but he is doing a fabulous job. I’m so proud of him.

Our sago palm had babies last fall and George potted them. We planted all that we wanted in our yard and had 8 or 9 left over. Last week I posted on Facebook that I was giving them away to anyone who wants to come and get them. There were a few people interested but when they learned that I live in Warrington, they never showed up. I just hate to throw them away. People pay good money for sago palms in Florida. My friend, Paulette, wants all of them. So, I will bring the sago palms to Paulette next Wednesday night. I’m so glad they are going to have a home.

The garden is beautiful this year. The carrots are ready to harvest. The tomatoes and peppers have flowers. We are harvesting garlic and onions everyday. I love to garden.

This week’s sale is an adjustable can wrap with your name or initials embroidered for only $5.00.

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.

Thank you Kathi for sending the following joke:

The judge had just awarded a divorce to Boudreaux’s wife, Marie, who had charged non-support. He said to Boudreaux, "I have decided to give your wife $400 a month for support." "Well, dat's fine, Judge," said Boudreaux. "And once in a while I'll try to chip in a few bucks, myself."

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French Phrase of the Week: The following was taken from LSU.edu regarding Cajun french differing from other french:

Here we have le déjeuner in the morning. (Traditionally in rural families, there was nothing petit about it. Folks needed sustenance after doing their early morning chores. The big meal of the day, le dîner, was taken at noon. This was because it was too hot to cook in the afternoon, and also because most farm families provided a noon meal for their hired hands.) In the evening, we still eat our souper. French Canadians use the same terms we do.

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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.

Lagniappe means a little something extra

I still can't get over how popular the Union Thug can wraps are.  We mailed the first order out today.  The customer is a postal worker and had us make a Union Thug patch with a red, white and blue mailbox.  The patch is going to be a gift.  Of course, Cajun Stitchery includes a lagniappe with each order.  This customer is going to be surprised and delighted to see her lagniappe.  I had to stitchout a sample of the patch design on fabric, so I turned it into a can wrap.  Turned out cute, don't you think?

I finished an order for an even dozen of the can wraps this morning and as soon as I get the address, that order will be mailed.  The customer is a very dear friend of our's and I'm trying to decide on "the perfect" lagniappe for his order.

Sometime ago, when I was originally making can wraps, a friend of mine told me that she didn't like them because they weren't adjustable.  She drinks bottled beer.  The can wraps fit a regular soda or beer can.  Today I took a little time out to design an adjustable can wrap.  George loves it.  They are all done in-the-hoop.  I put eyelits in the design so that a string or shoelace or whatever can be threaded to keep the wrap snug at the size required.  I did one with elastic but the can slips out of the wrap easily.  We had other ideas but those were way too much work and we'd have to charge more than anyone would pay.

My next step with the can wraps is to do the new version with the Proud to be a Union Thug design and see if this speeds up the process any.

C'est tout, mes amis:>)