Cajun Corner - Vol. 5, No. 19

 

Cajun Corner – Vol. 5, No. 19 – May 20, 2013

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.

Bet you thought I’d miss this/last week.  We had company all weekend and I’m just now getting to Cajun Corner. 

We had an excellent weekend.  Our embroidery tech arrived Friday evening.  We ate pizza, caught up on what’s happening with each of us, and played a bit on Clothilde.  Saturday she had a service call in Century but made it back around noon.  We played more on the embroidery machine and did some maintenance before we went to a surprise birthday party.  Sunday we really played on the embroidery machine.  She had another service call in the afternoon.  That evening we went to our favorite eatery, Paradise Bar & Grill, for dinner and enjoyed the Biscuit Miller Band from New Orleans while dining by the water.  We introduced her to one of our island drinks, the Bushwacker.  This morning she departed for home in Geneva, FL.

She introduced me to a new development in embroidery…glitter sheets.  They are used as vinyl lettering sometimes but she taught me to use them in embroidery.  That girl is always watching my back.  Her first response was, “The Nereids are going to love this.”  Her second was “All of the Mardi Gras krewes are going to want this.”  She left some scraps for practice and experimenting.  This stuff can be laundered but I want to work with it a bit and test how well it launders before I blind you with bling.

She is always answering questions for me but mostly we brainstorm together.  It is so much fun figuring out how we can make certain embroidery ideas work. 

It isn’t always her teaching me.  Sometimes I, too, have grand ideas that we share.  She liked my in-the-hoop design for the 10” purse.   Bless her heart.  She travels all the time and is so passionate about embroidery but rarely gets time to sit at her own embroidery machine and do things she wants.  I encourage her to make things on Clothilde.  So, she made her own purse.

Another novelty that Cajun Stitchery does is to embroider with serger thread.  Apparently, this is rare in the embroidery world.  Most of the time I stitch at1200 spm with the serger thread.  She found this so remarkable that she videoed the machine stitching out one of our heirloom designs at 1200 spm to show other embroiderers that it is possible. 

In addition, she loves to garden, too.  We are always sharing gardening information and ideas. 

And did I mention that she loves Pinterest, too.

Sadly, this morning Evie awoke and kept falling.  She couldn’t get her rear legs walking.  Dr. Armani told us last week that she does not have hip dysplasia but rather she suffers from arthritis.  He suggested that we start giving her fish oil.  She has been walking around all day.  Her legs are moving but occasionally one trips the other up and she falls.  We have an appointment with Dr. Armani in the morning.   In the meantime, we got the fish oil and started her on it today.  To be honest, we all started taking the fish oil today because it says that it promotes heart, circulatory and joint health.  We can all use that.

Sam was so good to Evie and refrained from trying to get her to play.  Evie did want to play but when she would get out in the yard and try chasing Sam, she would fall.  Please say a prayer for my sweet girl, who has been my shadow for many years.

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.

 

I read an article that even if you include credit to the webpage, you still are not supposed to copy and share other people's internet stuff and post on the internet.  Therefore, the sewing and craft project that I usually share -- those that are not my own -- will only be shared in our weekly e-newsletter.

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. 44

 

 

Cajun Corner – Vol. 4, No. 44 – November 18, 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.

This week we had the pleasure of entertaining our friend and embroidery technician from Central Florida.  She planned this trip to Pensacola and had four or five customers in the area needing their machines serviced.  She arrived on Wednesday afternoon and was anxious to see the new tablecloth.  Once she did; she loved it.  We all went out to eat each evening, drank wine, and talked about embroidery and crafts.  It was such a delightful time.

There were a few new embroidery techniques that she taught me.  One was using scrap thread in the embroidery.  It is pretty cool.  The center fill of the design needs to be changed to about a 20 point density. An outline of the design is run; then stop the machine and place enough scrap thread to cover the inside of the design.  Then you cover the thread with Solvy or Aqua Magic (any water soluble topping will do).  Next you let the fill stitch run.  Stop the machine and trim the threads outside of the outline.  Then let the machine finish the embroidery.  Once the stitching is completed, wash away the topping.  The light fill holds in the threads.  The threads are very colorful and make a unique and pretty appearance.

The other technique was a spin on the fringe technique.  We did not try this but she did digitize a sample for me which I will try out later.  Using a satin stitch, you create a small, simple design, let’s say an oval.  Digitize the oval very small.  Then digitize another oval over the first one but slightly larger than the first.  You can do this as many times as you like.  The important thing is that it is a satin stitch and there are no center stitches.  Use a different color for each round of stitches.  When you have finished stitching, take your scissors and cut straight down the middle.  The satin stitches fluff up in all of the colors that you used.

As we discussed puff embroidery, I asked how to use a hair dryer to shrink the puff that sticks out.  She explained that it is not a hair dryer but a heat gun.  It looks like a hair dryer but gets much hotter.  George bought us a heat gun and is going to try it out today on some practice puff embroidery.

She solved many of my embroidery issues and answered my questions.  When we get together, we usually create designs and techniques of our own.  It was a wonderful visit.

On Thursday, she decided to check out Clothilde and make sure she was running up to par.  Poor Clothilde blew her Z Motor.  We had a new Z Motor overnighted and installed on Friday.  That was unexpected but it could not have happened at a better time – when my technician just happened to be here.  We are up and running and purring like a kitten now.  Clothilde is a pretty fabulous and amazing machine.

Our embroidery technician departed Saturday morning.  We fully intended to attend the Wooly Booger Bawl at 3 p.m.  However, we were exhausted.  Three o’clock came and went and we just could not seem to get up and going.  Nevertheless, a hearty congratulation to our new Queen Sugah, Jayne Drees, who was apparently very surprised at her selection as Queen Sugah.

This morning George decided to make pancakes for breakfast.  I usually don’t eat breakfast at all but George makes some good pancakes.  He served me first and then, to my surprise, served the dogs pancakes.  He served himself last.  My mother would be appalled.  I was pretty amazed, myself.  Those dogs are so spoiled.

The lap scarves were finished, embroidered and mailed to the customer this week.  I haven’t heard from her since.  I asked that she let me know when they arrive.  Considering they were mailed, she may not have received them yet.  I think they turned out lovely.

This coming Thursday is Thanksgiving Day.  At 5 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, 2008, my Mama passed away, peacefully, in our living room.  Thanksgiving hasn’t been the same since.  I am thankful for so much.  In fact, it is because of Mama that Cajun Stitchery even exists.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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.

* * *

Taken from http://familycrafts.about.com/od/giftstomake/tp/HomeMadeGiftIdeas.htm

Check out this website for 100 Christmas gifts to make.

* * *

Found this at:  http://frugalliving.about.com/od/clothingcare/ht/Laundry_Deterge.htm

Learn how to make your own laundry detergent, and enjoy clean clothes for less.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 10-15 minutes

Here's How:

1.               Mix together two parts Borax, two parts Washing Soda and one part grated Fels-Naptha soap to create your own laundry detergent (You can make as much or as little as you'd like).

2.               Use up to three level tablespoons per wash load.

3.               Store the rest in a lidded container, out of the reach of children and pets.

- Recipe Courtesy of James77777

Tips:

1.               Be sure to label your detergent container, so others will know what's inside. Include a list of the ingredients as an added safety measure.

2.               Borax sells under the name 20 Mule Team, and can be found on the laundry aisle. You should be able to find Washing Soda and Fels-Naptha soap there too.

3.               Having trouble locating Fels-Naptha soap on the laundry aisle? Check to see if it's in with the bar soap.

4.               If the grocery store or discount store that you shop at doesn't stock these ingredients, try an international grocery store.

5.               Zote, Ivory or castile soap can be used in place of Fels-Naptha.

What You Need

·                        Borax

·                        Washing Soda

·                        Fels Naptha Soap

 

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.

Bad Habits

This weekend was busy, busy, busy.  Saturday was the Mystic Krewe of Nereid's King Kake Party ushering in the Mardi Gras season on Pensacola Beach.  We had a blast and the turn out was fabulous.  Several of the local krewes always come out to support us and we are so grateful to them.  The party was definitely a success.  Our new king and queen were crowned and both seemed very surprised.  King Pierce and Queen Daisy shall reign in 2011.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, a dear friend to everyone on the beach, including myself, passed away unexpectedly last week.  The King Kake Party included a tribute to our Mary.  Mary's funeral was Monday.

While at the King Kake Party, I met a group from a new, local krewe, The Krewe of Bad Habits.  Don't you just love the name.  They said they may be contacting me later for some embroidery work on their logo.  Right now they are waiting to receive their tux jackets that are being made out of lame'.  I think I have previously talked about my feelings about lame'.  There are some things about lame' that I do like.  No doubt about it, lame' is as shiney as fabric comes.  I just hope the krewe isn't spending a lot of money on lame' jackets because they may not last very long.

I received several compliments on the last Cajun Corner.  My friend, Melanie, stopped me at the King Kake Party to tell me that she enjoys reading Cajun Corner.  Thank you so much, Melanie.  I just love the feedback from everyone.

January is loaded with birthdays.  George's birthday is the 2nd and his sister, Kathie's, is the 11th.  Each year we get together for lunch/brunch to celebrate.  We did the birthday lunch this past Sunday.  Kathie brought two of her neighbors/friends with her.  They were delightful people -- Pat and Peter. 

Also on Sunday a friend from Central Florida arrived in Pensacola on a business trip.  She will be here until Wednesday.  We took her out to eat on Sunday and last night she was at the house for gumbo.  We call her Turtle.  It's true and she likes the name.  She is absolutely adorable and is an embroidery machine technician.  I love it when we can spend time with Turtle because we can talk embroidery for hours.  And you know I am passionate about my embroidery.

Turtle actually has the sequin attachment.  I was able to show her some of our Mylar work and share some Mylar with her.  It made me feel good that she agreed that the Mylar is just as blingy as the sequins.

Last week I added several items to our Etsy store -- all were handkerchiefs with mylar designs.  I still have more handkerchiefs to add to the store.  There have been some people looking at them but not nearly as many as I thought there would be.  To be fair, I have been so busy with other things that part of the problem is probably because I need to get in there and do more marketing. 

We have more black satin jacket orders that I need to place this week.  Those black satin jackets have been a real hit.

I'm really looking forward to this coming weekend.  It's our annual bead trip to Mobile.  We spend the weekend at our friend, Marilyn's, home and the weekend is full of shopping.  Then each night all of the girls get together and party -- just the girls.  We drink and talk and sing and dance and laugh.  It's a wonderful weekend and I look forward to it every year.  One year, one of the girls happened into a dollar store of some sort and found slippers with blinky lights.  A bunch of us each bought a pair and that night when we all changed into our "after 5's", we came our with our blinky slippers.  The girls that didn't have them were so envious.  We laughed and played with our blingy slippers all night long.  I still have mine somewhere; although I'm sure they no longer blink.

Got to get back to work.  Have a nice day everyone:>)