Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 19 – August 2, 2014

 

 

 

Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 19 – August 2, 2014

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

 

ΘΘΘΘΘ

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.

Does size really matter?  Sometimes in embroidery it does matter.  With that said, I want to inform you it is my understanding Cajun Stitchery now owns the biggest hoop in the embroidery industry.  It is not so much the size of the outside of the hoop as it is the footprint of the hoop and machine.  Any machine has its limits.  On embroidery machines you can go just so far side-to-side and up and down.  That is known as the X and Y axis.  Flashback to algebra, huh?  Our new hoop has a stitching footprint of 16” wide and 14.75” tall.  That is very big.  Of course, if you turn the design sideways it can be 14.75 x 16.  Just to test the new hoop, I enlarged a fleur de lis to these dimension and stitched it out.  Of course, I don’t have any designs that large now but we can now make them that large.  You aren’t going to buy designs that size, either, unless they are custom designed.  That’s not to say that other machines and other hoops cannot complete a design that size.  They can but not in one hooping.

It is now August.  George and I will be celebrating our 44^th wedding anniversary on August 14^th.  George did a little research and found that the traditional wedding gift for a 44^th anniversary is groceries.  Yep, you read that right.  George said he’s going grocery shopping for our anniversary.  I’m still thinking about what to give him.  He’s not a big fan of sweets.  Maybe I’ll just take him out to dinner but that is just so blasé.  Any ideas?

We have added a new category to our Etsy store for Wedding Miscellaneous.  There are little and big corset bags, Just Married luggage tags, Mr. and Mrs. Luggage tags, and a few other items.  Hopefully, more items will be included as time goes by. 

The new category is because so many people want to purchase unique gifts for wedding and baby showers, as well as birthdays but unique items are either too expensive or not special enough.  I’m going to try to do some items to help out.  I know there are years when it is one wedding after another; then there are years with a multitude of baby showers (usually the year after the weddings).  The pocketbook tends to start shrinking after a few of these showers.  Practically speaking, I would think you can never go wrong with diapers for baby showers, but so many of the young people these days are going with the holistic and environmental thing and you don’t know what kind of diapers to get.  Monograms are always in vogue and appreciated.  They aren’t very expensive, either.  If I can hoop it; I can monogram it.  Yes, even diapers.  And, I have monogrammed disposable diapers.

A friend of mine suggested that I include the following, from a conversation we were having, in this week’s Cajun Corner:

Texture question:  Yes, different textures are digitized differently, not to mention there are different techniques in embroidering different textures.  For example:  if we are embroidering on light linen or cotton, like a sheet, heavy embroidery would be too much and look funky.  You want something light on a light fabric.  Heavy embroidery could tear a light fabric.  However, if you are working on a heavier fabric like the primitive linen, you would want a heavier design so that the embroidery would not look washed away.  Heavier fabric requires an underlay most of the time. 

 

Remember the pillowcases that I made?  Remember the embroidery on the edge compared to the embroidery as you had me change it.  It was the same design but adding the underlay made the embroidery stands out, have texture, and look more elegant.

 

If you are using toweling, velvet, corduroy, anything with a pile, you need to digitize to help the design stand above the pile and/or keep the pile down.  A lot of that is also in the embroidery technique used.

 

Leather, plastics, netting and card stock need the embroidery with longer spaces between the stitches so the fabric is not ripped.

 

So, in a lot of respects the fabric determines how a design is digitized.

 

Price-wise, more stitches = more cost.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

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

No time to read Cajun Corner?  Visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com and click the Odiogo button to hear the computer read the blog.

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. 6, No. 9 – March 30, 2014

 

Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 9 – March 30, 2014

 

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

 

ΘΘΘΘΘ

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.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.

Spring is in the air.  George and I have a bad case of spring fever.  George is busy taking apart our old garden raised bed and making new ones.  I’m busy potting anything that I think might grow.  We are totally in love with our columbine flowers and want the yard full of them.  They are absolutely beautiful.  Now is the time to be amazed at the plants that lived through winter and looked like they were dead as a door nail.  All of a sudden they are alive, again.  However, our giant lemon tree isn’t showing any signs of life.  I guess we’ll give it a few more weeks to see if it starts to come back.  Luckily, I saved the seeds from the last lemon.  Maybe they will grow.  The beautiful blackberry flowers are everywhere.  Looks like we might have some blackberry cobbler in a few weeks.  Yum!

On the sewing/embroidery side, I have been teaching myself to make baby booties.  To be so small, they are a little bit of a challenge.  I’ve made enough of them now where I have the method down.  My problem is making the toe/front of the little booties curve properly. 

The whole bootie adventure began with me wanting to use up some scrap fabric.  I have bags and bags of scrap fabric that I simply cannot seem to be able to toss.  So, I started looking for projects to use up the scrap.  When I hit onto baby booties, I got stuck.  There is reasoning behind my obsessive/compulsive bootie behavior.  Way back when I began Cajun Stitchery, I touted that customers could come to me for gifts for any occasion.  A lady contacted me about a baby shower. At the time I had nothing for her.  I was embarrassed and determined that will never happen again.  It won’t.  I have lots of baby tee shirts and bibs.  I want to add baby booties to these accessories.  So far the booties take about 3 or 4 hours to make.  To be able to price the booties would make them more expensive than anyone that I know would be willing to pay.  I’m still working on that.

At that point in the bootie escapade, I needed to create a way to cut down on time.  Cutting out patterns is not one of my favorite things to do in the sewing process.  On top of that, the booties are so tiny and I, of course, want to embroider on them.  It would be much easier to embroider on the booties before cutting them out so I can hoop a larger piece of fabric.  It dawned on me that I could combine the cutting and the embroidery into one step.  I scanned in the bootie pattern pieces and digitized them to fit into one hooping.  There was a lot of trial and error.  Now that it is all digitized, I can include the embroidery design in the same hooping.  When cutting the fabric it helps to have the cutting outline directly on the fabric.  The tissue paper pattern always seems to move around on me.  There’s more.  Since I have the boring needle on Clothilde, the machine outlines the pattern, then embroiders the design, and yes, then cuts it out.  Woot!  Woot!  There was one more thing that I decided could be combined with this step.  Two pattern pieces required an inner fabric to be placed between the bootie fabric and lining and is simply stitched onto the back of these 2 bootie pieces.  I included that step, as well.  After the embroidery machine, the only thing to do is tear off the stabilizer and sew the pieces together.  A bonus to this method is that the fabric pieces are cut out with precision, including the little right/left, front/back notches.  On the other hand, it is easier to do this with larger pieces of fabric, rather than scrap. 

We can now embroider on all pieces of the bootie, including the sole.  Think about it.  The child’s monogram could be embroidered onto the front/toe of the bootie, and the date of birth on the sole of the bootie.  Voila!  A keepsake.  Wouldn’t that make a terrific gift?

Still the booties take awhile to make and are very expensive.  My thought process was to perhaps add baby accessories that are not so time consuming so the price of the 2 or 3 items together would make a nice gift and not be too expensive since it is more than one item.  A matching baby bib would be nice; especially, one our new heirloom-like, scallop edged bibs with the baby’s monogram in the middle. 

Then I thought of a bonnet.  I do have a bonnet pattern and they are pretty easy to make.  I took out the pattern pieces and they are just too big to fit in a hoop, or even to scan.  So, I began doing some research on the internet.  I do think we will be able to accomplish the bonnet in the hoop.  I just need to give it more thought.

We’ve come a long way with the baby accessories, but wait!  I still have bags and bags of scrap.  Oh well, that’s for another day.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

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

No time to read Cajun Corner?  Visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com and click the Odiogo button to hear the computer read the blog.

Thank you, Bob, for all of the jokes:

A cop pulled me over the other day for speeding. After giving me the ticket, he teases me a bit about my out of state plate and the fact that I'm driving a car that's in my Dad's name. He points to my dash and asks, "Is that a radar detector I see?" I said "I don't know it's my Dad's car. It's just always been there, but it does let me know every time I pass a Krispy Kreme." He smirked and said, "Good one. Now slow down."

She was admired for her sweetness and kindness to all. One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room. She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea. As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cute glass bowl sitting on top of it. The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated, of all things, a condom! When she returned with tea and scones, They began to chat.. The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist. 'Miss Beatrice', he said, 'I wonder if you would tell me about this?' Pointing to the bowl. 'Oh, yes,' she replied, 'Isn't it wonderful? I was walking through the park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground. The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent t he spread of disease. Do you know, I haven't had the flu all winter?'

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. 4, No. 50

Cajun Corner – Vol. 4, No. 50 – December 30, 2012

 

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

 

ΘΘΘΘΘ

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.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.

It is almost 2013.  Have you made any resolutions for the upcoming year?

2013 should see Cajun Stitchery’s workshop move into the house next door.  Finally, we will be able to spread out and have room for all of these machines, fabric, thread, etc.  Oh, that will be so nice. 

Hopefully the Etsy Store will take off in 2013.  Although the Etsy Store has been in existence since 2009, it has never really taken off.  It has more and more sales each year, but still not the quantity that it should.  There is potential in that store.  The owners just need to learn how to work it.

The first in-the-hoop purse that we made and listed on Etsy has been purchased.  Let’s see how long it takes for the next one to sell.  You never know if it was the purse or the embroidery that sold.

Also on March 5, 2013, Cajun Stitchery will celebrate its 4^th anniversary. 

George will begin working, hopefully, full time at Cajun Stitchery in 2013.  He will be doing the embroidery for logos, tee shirts, ball caps, etc.  We have to keep George busy, so place your orders for your teams, organizations, groups, etc.

On a sad note, George’s mother passed away last night.  She was 88 years old.   It wasn’t really unexpected, but you never are ready, either.  She and dad had been married for 68 years.  She was a wonderful woman and loved crafting.  She embroidered, made jewelry, and just about any craft you can conceive, she did it.  She was a navy veteran of WWII.  Her occupation was a medical claims adjuster for CNA Insurance Company.   She raised three wonderful children.  She will be missed.

J

Happy New Year

J

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. 

No time to read Cajun Corner?  Visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com and click the Odiogo button to hear the computer read the blog.

* * *

Found the following at http://www.interestingfacts.org/fact/cliche-facts

Cliché is something that has been repeatedly used to the point of losing original meaning. The word "cliché" comes from the days of moveable type, where each letter had to be set by hand into a framework before printing. Commonly-used phrases were kept, pre-set in clamps so they could be regularly used without having to reset all the letters individually each time. The clamp that keeps letters together to form these oft-used sentences or phrases is called a cliché. Some of the popular cliché’s include:

Good things come to those who wait.

Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy loses girl. Boy gets girl back. The End.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

There's plenty more fish in the sea.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

* * *

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. 4, No. 40

 

Cajun Corner – Vol. 4, No. 40 – October 20, 2012

 

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

 

ΘΘΘΘΘ

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.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.

About six months ago one of my cousins moved to Pensacola.  We have been trying to get together ever since she moved here.  It is always one thing or another preventing us from meeting face-to-face.  Finally, this week we met.  Her daughter, my 3^rd cousin, is going to be a flower girl in a wedding today and her dress needed to be altered.  They came over on Wednesday and we finally got to meet each other.  I must say that I was captivated by five year old Claire who was inquisitive and into everything and could charm the socks off of you, as she did me.  They returned on Friday to pick up Claire’s now altered dress and she proceeded to charm George. 

Claire was quite taken with the mermaids at the house and I told her that once a year, on Mardi Gras, I turn into a mermaid.  She is no dummy and questioned the possibility:  “So, do you have powers?” she inquired.  “Yes, I do,” was my answer.  “Show me,” she said.  Her mother piped in and told her that when you have powers you only use them when necessary and you never abuse your powers.  I explained that I only have powers once a year on Mardi Gras.  She walked around and played, then came back and asked why I had so many mermaids hanging on my walls.  Her mother came back with an absolutely fabulous explanation by saying, “You know how we have pictures of our family at our house?  These mermaids are her family.”  That seemed to satisfy little Claire who is now waiting for Mardi Gras so she can see my powers.

Cajun Stitchery made some new purchases lately.  The first one is called Peggy’s Eraser.  It is almost identical to an electric razor but used to remove embroidery stitches.  We had purchased a regular electric razor but decided that it doesn’t remove stitches as well as one made for that function.  Besides, Peggy should have one named Peggy’s Eraser.  It just seems right.  Peggy’s Eraser has not arrived yet but should in the next week or two.

The other recent purchase that we are waiting to receive in the mail is a 6”x12” hoop for Clothilde.  Boudreaux has all shapes and sizes of hoops but poor Clothilde has some very large hoops and only two sizes of smaller ones.  A few months back we purchased fast frames for Clothilde.  Now we can embroider those market baskets, totes and various object that are hard to hoop.  The new hoop is adjustable.  It can be 6x12 or 12x6.  There are several reasons that this is a good idea.  One is that used as a 6x12 hoop, we can hoop pant legs and sleeves.  That opens up some really cool embroidery ideas and possibilities.  As a 12x6 hoop, it gives more stability to smaller designs and monograms.

We had our first fire of the season in our chiminea this week and are planning more as the weather permits.  In fact, tonight might be perfect.

Another recent purchase was a solar smart phone charger.  You know I love alternative energy things.  It arrived and not only charges the smart phone but also can be used as a LED light.  That is pretty cool to have in my purse when I’m out at night.  I haven’t tried charging the phone with it yet.  They say that it does take some time to charge via the solar charger but I’m pretty impressed with it.  I know they have solar chargers for laptops.  Maybe I’ll save up my pennies and buy one of those next.

Last night was our krewe’s monthly meeting.  Our meetings are held at a different krewe member’s home each month.  This month the décor was Halloween and the house was decorated quite cute.  It turns out that our hostess is another Pinterest addict.  She turned so many of those cute ideas on Pinterest into reality. 

Speaking of Pinterest, I found an item on Pinterest that said to take a bottle of vinegar, poke holes in the top, and put it in the toilet tank.  The vinegar is a non-toxic way of cleaning the toilet bowl and with the extra mass in the tank, you save on water.  We tried it.  It took a few days for the ring around the bowl to start fading but it does seem to be keeping the bowl clean. 

Don’t forget to get your Christmas shopping done early.

Have a wonderful week.

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

No time to read Cajun Corner?  Visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com and click the Odiogo button to hear the computer read the blog.

SURVEY:

What type of item category would you like to see most at Cajun Stitchery?

a.                   apparel

b.                  home décor

c.                   beach

d.                  gift ideas

e.                   trending

f.                   other (please explain)

What type of designs would you like to see most at Cajun Stitchery?

a.                   Cartoon

b.                  Children

c.                   holiday

d.                  heirloom

e.                   sayings

f.                   monograms

g.                  other (please explain)

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.