It's Already Fall

It's Already Fall

I'm so bad about keeping up with this blog.

It's been 8 months since I last posted anything.

That doesn't mean I haven't been busy.  Just to prove it, I'm adding several items that Cajun Stitchery has worked on this year.  

These pictures are definitely not all inclusive.  The machine has been busy this year.

Since last year I've been trying to digitize a Pensacola Beach design for each holiday.  I think that's been pretty much accomplished.

I did the Pensacola Beach Ball and the Pensacola Beach sign for Mardi Gras.  Turned out that lots of people loved the Pensacola Beach Ball but only a few cared for the Pensacola Beach sign.  So, I stuck with the Pensacola Beach Ball.

 This little Nutcracker tee shirt was special.  A customer contacted me on Facebook to do this.  She purchased the tee shirt online and had it delivered to me.  I did the embroidery and shipped it to her.  She paid with PayPal.  That was one of the coolest orders I've ever had.  The project just worked perfectly.

I digitized this crawfish awhile back and listed it in the Etsy Store as a digitized design for other embroiderers.  A potential customer contacted me recently wanting a patch with this design and "Crawdad" printed on the claw.  The potential customer never purchased it but I liked the design so much that I have it listed for sale on Etsy.

I made another USA flag quilt this year out of scrap fabric for my husband.  It really turned out nice, used up a bunch of my scrap fabric, and he loves it.  Yes, that's the Pledge of Allegiance stitched on the edges.

And then I started working on aprons.  Just because I wanted to do so.  Then I purchased waaay too much satin fabric in a myriad of colors.  But it makes me happy.

There is a special spot in my heart for the bridges-to-be who contact me.  From robes to handkerchiefs to anything needed to be embroidered for weddings.  I just love doing this.

Until next time

Visit me at https://www.etsy.com/shop/cajunstitchery

Peggy

Cajun Corner – Vol. 7, No. 3 – February 1, 2015

Cajun Corner – Vol. 7, No. 3 – February 1, 2015

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.

Oh man, I am not keeping up with my blog as well as I should this year.  Honest, I will try to be more consistent.

Between Mardi Gras activities and Cajun Stitchery work there doesn't seem to be much time to keep up with the blog or anything else.  

I've been trying to clean up my computer and organize the monograms better.  I now have one file of automatic fonts.  You know how I keep saying I have over a thousands fonts.  Uh, make that three thousand automatic fonts.  Pre-digitized monograms, lettering, and fonts haven't been counted at this point but there are a lot and that doesn't even count the individual one's that I digitize.  Our designs are over a million and I just keep digitizing.  

Unfortunately, you never get to see all of the fonts and designs that we have.  No, there is no one catalog.  So, I remain on my never ending quest to figure out how to let you see these designs.

I cannot list them on Etsy because I did not make the vast majority of the designs and on Etsy it is either handmade, vintage, or supplies.  What I can do is embroider them onto something that I sell.  Just listing a million items would be too much, but I would have to embroider, too.  And if I make the item, too.  OMG!

All of that leads me back to the million dollar question of what do people want to buy.  I can put designs on tee shirts and list them.  I can put designs on towels, napkins, handkerchiefs, baby bibs, etc.  What design, or font would someone want in what color thread on what color fabric is the unknown.  

With that said, I've decided to do a bit of all of the above.  We are going to increase our tee shirt inventory and start putting some of these designs on tee shirts for sale in our Etsy store.  I'll probably put them on white tee shirts because designs show up so much better on white.  We can get other colors and other styles.  How do I get that across to potential buyers?  As I said, it is a never ending quest.

This Mardi Gras season I've been fascinated with the Venetian Masks on Pinterest.  Those masks are exquisite. I digitized one of them and have the design listed in our Etsy store.  Also, I put the design on a tee shirt for me this season and love getting those complements.  Maybe that will be one of the new tee shirts we sell on Etsy.

New designs in our Etsy store include not only the Venetian mask but also a jester hat and cute design of a pair of lips with the wording "All people smile in the same language."

Go ahead and browse the shop.  I'm open to any ideas you may have.

Peggy Henshall, Owner

Cajun Stitchery

www.cajunstitchery.com

www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com

Also, visit us on Twitter and FaceBook

Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 5 – February 2, 2014

 

 

Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 5 – February 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.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.

Wow!  What a wonderful weekend I had.  This was our Mobile weekend and all of the girls spent the weekend with one of our krewe members in Mobile.  We shopped, ate, and played.  Okay, mostly we played.  There was a lot of laughter emanating from her home.

What can I say about last week?  We had snow and sleet.  I-10 was closed going east and west.  All of the bridges were closed.   The government and schools were closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Sissies!  I walked to work everyday; put in a full day at the studio; and, walked home in the evenings.  Okay, so my studio is next door, but I still went to work.

Our dogs had never seen snow or sleet.  When we awoke on Wednesday morning the grounds was white.  No.  It wasn’t the fluffy snow of beautiful winter scenes.  It was ice and very slippery.  Sam and Evie were so cute when they first stepped out onto the frozen tundra but adapted quickly and began their usual checking the perimeters routine, and other things.  My poor old Evie would do what had to be done and she was ready to go inside.  Sam had stored up energy and just wanted to play.  Our usual roller coaster weather began clearing on Thursday.  Friday wasn’t too bed but the evening was cold.  By Saturday, hmm, did it make it to 70 degrees?  If not, it was close.

Last week we stitched out mermaid and fleur de lis masks and created and stitched out jester masks.   There was also quite a bit of time spent on digitizing a beautiful heirloom monogram.  I’m still working on that one.

Our Etsy store even had a few sales last week. 

This past weekend, among other places, we went to Toomey’s in Mobile.  One of my Nereid friends and I were comparing pricing to The Mardi Gras Store in Pensacola and here are our results:

1.      Last week I purchased several toy throws.  None of the toys that I purchased were available at Toomey’s.  Of course, Toomey’s had lots that were not available at The Mardi Gras Store.

2.      Some hats that the girls were intrigued with at The Mardi Gras Store were also at Toomey’s for the same price.

3.      One of our girls purchased a case of beads from The Mardi Gras Store for $30.  Toomey’s had the same case of beads for $42.

Conclusion:  Each store had a different set of merchandise; some the same; some similar.  The beads are very interesting because our krewe, like most krewes, buys many cases of beads and this is a significant savings.  Both stores should be visited each year.

The jewelry that I ordered from our new wholesaler came in and was beautiful.  This weekend the girls were given some of the jewelry and tried to figure it out.  They love, love, love the hand jewelry and the hair jewelry.  However, the ear cuff, all rhinestone studded and shiny was a flop.  They didn’t feel comfortable with ear cuffs.  Hey!  Two out of three isn’t bad.  Besides you can always count on my girls to make the best out of a bad situation.  The ear cuffs are becoming necklaces and pins. 

Now that George has finished our inventory, you should stop by the studio and take a look.  We have lots of items for sale.  Come over, have a cup of coffee with me, and do your shopping.

Next Friday is the Mystic Krewe of Nereids Moon Pie Party at the Sandshaker.  Come out and party.  There will be a new introduction that you won’t want to miss.

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. 4 – January26, 2014

 

 

Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 4 – January26, 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.

Great news!!  The Mardi Gras Store is now selling Cajun Stitchery masks.  Parade People a/k/a The Mardi Gras Store is in Pensacola. They are located at 9100 Hamman Ave. Suite A -- Take N. Davis Hwy (past the hospital) to Copter Rd. Turn right onto Copter Rd. Turn left onto Hamman and it is directly in front of you.

Mardi Gras is a big item in Pensacola and grows every year.  In the past when we wanted a real good variety of Mardi Gras throws, attire and what nots, we’ve had to go to Toomey’s in Mobile.  There are so many times when we are working on the float or costumes and we need this or that.  One of our krewe members lives in Mobile and she gets whatever we need from Toomey’s and brings it to us the next week.  Now we have a store in town.  No.  It is not as big as Toomey’s.  No.  It doesn’t have the huge selection that Toomey’s has, yet.  It does have a decent selection and they are growing.  I really think the krewes and people in the area need to help this store grow.  If you are local, please buy your Mardi Gras items from The Mardi Gras Store.

By the way, we solved the issue with the thick armed glasses for the masks.  George got ponytail elastic bands and stapled one on each side of the mask by the holes for the glasses arm.  If your glasses arm is too wide to fit into the eyelets, just slip one side of the ponytail holder into one of the holes, the other side into the adjacent hole and they will stretch to whatever side the arms are on your glasses.  Otherwise, the mask is put on the same as with the eyelets.

Of course, you can always come directly to me to purchase a mask or create a custom mask.  We will be creating and making two additional styles this year:  fleur de lis and jester.

Last week I ordered several jewelry items that would make fabulous gifts.  I’ll let you know when the shipment comes in.  In fact, I have purchased a few Mardi Gras “toys” that can be purchased at Cajun Stitchery’s studio.

George finished doing our inventory.  This week, among his other chores, he will be pricing items in our little studio store.

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 the following:

John received a free ticket to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately. John's seat was in the last row in the corner of the stadium. He was closer to the Goodyear Blimp than the stadium. He noticed an empty seat 10 rows up from the 50-yard line. He decides to make his way to the empty seat. As he sits down he asks the man next to him if anyone is sitting there. The man told him no, it was empty. John is very excited to have a seat like this at a Super Bowl and asks why in the world no one is using it? The man replied that it was his wife's seat but she passed away. He said this was the first Super Bowl that they have not attended together since they were married in 1968. John said that it was really sad and asked if he couldn't find someone, a relative or a close friend to take the seat? "No" replied the man, "They're at her funeral!"

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. 3 – January20, 2014

 

Cajun Corner – Vol. 6, No. 3 – January20, 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.

My time is split between our krewe den and Cajun Stitchery.  Mardi Gras masks are a blast to make.  Then I discovered that several of the girls have thick arms on their glasses; much too thick for the little eyelets in my masks.  Back to the drawing board.  I think I have made the proper adjustments for the thicker holes for the glasses.  I cannot seem to figure out how to make one design fit all glasses without have masks for the smaller armed glasses and another for the larger armed glasses.  The masks with the smaller holes can still be worn by those who do not wear masks, either with an elastic cord or bobby pins.  The larger hole mask won’t work for the smaller hole glasses because the design requires the eyelets, openings for the eyes, and the nose cut out to be in specific places on the mask or it won’t work right.  For right now I guess I’ll make the larger holes special order. 

Gift giving hits a fever pitch during the Mardi Gras season.  Aside from the usual birthday presents, there are presents for royalty.  Not only for our own royalty but friends who become royalty in other krewes, as well.  Many of our embroidery projects right now are secret presents that cannot be divulged until the gift has actually been given.

Back when I first opened our Etsy store, I looked into selling international.  A lot of businesses on Etsy sell international.  Everyone I asked said it was really easy but then I started reading online about each item going through customs and a special form and potential cost for customs.  I then decided we would only sell in the USA.  This past week a lady contacted me from Canada wanting a special ordered handkerchief.  Rather than saying, “No”, I explained that I’ve never sold anything outside the United States but I would give it a shot.  It really was a piece of cake.  I went to the USPS website for international mailing, plugged in our addresses, and followed the instructions through the simple form, until I ran across a question about what custom form I wanted to use.  The site said to call an 800 number to get help.  I called the number and left a voice mail.  The number was to the Census Bureau. Yep, there is a department in the Census Bureau for Customs.  Go figure.  Anyway, a very nice gentleman returned my call the next day and said one of the forms is for items valued at more than $2,500 and the other form is for less than $2,500. I found out the form that I needed to use and was able to print out the form which turned out to be special labels for the package.  It only cost about $2.40 to mail the package.  Not bad.  I’m changing my Etsy store to include delivery to Canada.

We have been looking at our poor garden.  The raised bed fence that George built several years ago has deteriorated and is falling apart.  Only a few garlic plants remain in the garden.  Oh, so sad.  When it gets a bit warmer, George will rebuild the garden/fence.  In the meantime, we have been looking on Pinterest and elsewhere online for new ideas.  I just can’t wait for the weather to warm up so we can plant our spring garden.

It has been very cold here, and then it warms up.  Our poor plants don’t know if it is winter or spring.  The camellias have bloomed and then froze.  The temperature got down to 16 degrees and then in a few days we were enjoying weather in the 60s and 70s.  Today was absolutely beautiful and in the 60s.  Tomorrow our low will be 25 degrees.  Don’t get me wrong.  I am not complaining about the weather.  In fact, George and I felt that since winter 2013 was so mild that our fall garden continued growing into spring, this year we need a cold winter.

George has been busy taking inventory at the studio and online.  I do tend to be messy.  I always seem to interrupt him asking him to hang this picture or put a hook over there.  He does the deliveries and errands.  I am certainly lucky to have him helping.

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 the following:

While getting a checkup, a man tells his doctor that he thinks his wife is losing her hearing. The doctor says, "You should do a simple test. Stand about 15 feet behind your wife and say "honey?" Move 3 feet closer and do it again. Keep moving 3 feet closer until she finally responds." Remember how close you were when she gives you an answer. That will help me know how bad her hearing loss is.

About a month later the same guy is at the doctor again complaining of his wife’s hearing problem and the doctor asks, "Well, did you do that experiment with your wife's hearing?" The man says "yes". "How close did you get before she answered?" "Well, by the time I got about 2 feet away she turned around and screamed "For the FIFTH TIME... WHAT???"

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.