Cajun Corner - Vol. 5, No. 3

Cajun Corner – Vol. 5, No. 3 – January 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.

Friday night was one spectacular Moon Pie Party.  I learned that my King is even more social than I am.  When I awoke very late Saturday morning my body screamed “PAIN.”  My knees and back were throbbing.  It was nothing an Advil couldn’t cure.  There are pictures of the party all over the internet but if you really want to see some good pictures go to www.pensacolabeachmardigras.com and look in the Photo Gallery.

It turns out that my King John lives only 2 or 3 blocks from my home.  John is a wonderful King and I wouldn’t trade him for all the tea in China.  However, he has me going to so many parties that I don’t know if I can keep up with him.  Not to mention he is very artistic and began decorating our Krewe Den and has started bringing costume pieces to my house.  Whoa there, Your Highness.  Pace yourself.

No joke it is wonderful being Queen and, as you can imagine, I’m making the most of it.  The krewe is my Royal Court and each has a Royal Title, as well as each has their own little tiara.  Hey, I couldn’t be queen without these girls.  They should share some of the glory.

As a little sideline to the Moon Pie Party, when George and I were leaving the house on Friday we saw a gray truck pull up in front of our house.  Something about it looked suspicious and the further we got down the road, the more bothered we were.  We contacted neighbors and conveyed our concerns and were able to continue to the party without worry.  It is good to know and befriend your neighbors.  They’ve come to our rescue more than once.

For most people tomorrow is a holiday but I will be working on a beautiful antique linen bedcover.  Hopefully it will be finished this week.  It is just beautiful.  The project has been ongoing for several weeks and poses a real embroidery challenge.  I surprise myself when one of these projects that “couldn’t be done” is finished and the customer is pleased.  There is a great sense of satisfaction.

We did hit a bump in the embroidery road, though.  One of our embroidery machines is acting up and George is on a quest to fix the thing.  Tomorrow will be day three of this quest.  If it isn’t fixed by Tuesday, I guess we have to either send it to Tampa or get a tech to come here.  Either way is very expensive.  We need it fixed because George is in the middle of a pretty large order and more in line after that one is done.  If it doesn’t get fixed soon, he’ll have to use my Amaya which will stop my work flow.  Thank goodness we have two machines.

J

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

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.

Beaded Headdress Made From Mardi Gras Beads

Found at http://www.ehow.com/how_7729544_diy-made-mardi-gras-beads.html

Instructions

o                                1

Measure the circumference of your head at the level just above your eyebrows using the cloth measuring tape. If you know your hat-size in inches (or cm.), you can use that figure instead.

o                                2

Cut a length of black elastic equal to the circumference you measured for your head plus 1/2-inch. Sew up the extra length by overlapping one end over the other end to form a closed loop that will fit around your head snugly. To ensure that it doesn't come apart, sew the two ends securely together, stitching in a square pattern and then stitching an "X" through it.

o                                3

Attach the end of one string of beads to the outside surface of the elastic headband so that the other end hangs down freely. Use a small quantity of hot glue to do this, making sure that you use enough to securely attach the beads without making it a gloppy mess. Glue more beads at small, even intervals around the outside of the headband until you get back to the first one. You may prefer to sew a stitch or two around the base of each bead to secure each one to the headband (before applying the glue). This may be stronger than glue alone, if you know you'll be wearing the headband for long hours.

o                                4

In one part of the headband (about 1/3 of its total length), cut off the strings of beads a few inches below the elastic. This will be the front of the headdress, with the bead strings cut short to keep from obstructing your vision .

o                                5

Glue strings of beads across the circumference of the headband, from one side to the other in a cross-hatch pattern to form the top of the headdress. Make sure there is enough extra length in these bead strings to fit across the top of your head.

Tips & Warnings

·         Black elastic is available at craft stores.

·         Mardi Gras beads are available online, at most costume shops or the costume section at party supply stores.

·         If you like, you can use a pattern other than cross-hatching for the top of the headdress. This detail is important because it will both conform to the shape of the top of your head and keep the elastic from sliding down due to the weight of the beads attached to it.

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. 5, No. 2

Cajun Corner – Vol. 5, No. 2 – January 13, 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.

This past week was full of puff embroidery.  Actually it was more the perils of the P.  We digitized a beautiful P monogram that was to puff.  Around the bottom of the P were some floral designs.  I guess they were too tiny and in a fill stitch, rather than a satin stitch.  Those little tiny pieces of foam just would not go away completely.  No matter how many times I stitched that thing out, there were little pieces of foam that refused to come off or hide beneath the thread.  By the end of the week, I just threw my hands in the air and decided this design just would not be a puff design.  A nice weekend away with the girls and I have a new plan for the P that I will try out.

As a business, you must be flexible.  The products in our Etsy store were going to be limited to scarves and handkerchiefs; however, those little in-the-hoop purses seem to sell very well.  At least so far they do.  The two little purses that have been listed each sold within a couple of weeks of the posting.  A third one was listed last week.  Time will tell how that goes.  The store may have three categories, rather than two.  The only thing that is bothersome about the little purses is the shoulder strap.  The shoulder strap should be strong enough but flexible, so webbing was used.  The webbing is attached using metal grommets.  The perfect place to attach the webbing would be on opposite sides of the purse but the seam gets in the way.  The strap has been placed in the back of the seam, in the front of the seam, on the inside of the purse and on the outside.  No one has complained so far about the placement but it does bother me.   

A friend of mine commented the other day that I was continuing Mama’s tradition.  Since Mama was known as Madame Queen, it is only proper that I should become Queen, too.  So far in my reign we have had a fabulous time.  The krewe is going to be my Court and each member has received a Royal title.  It is not fair that the King and Queen are the only ones with crowns, so, the krewe has each received a tiara from the Queen – much smaller than my crowns, of course.  That’s only proper.  Yesterday we went to Dynasty, which is a company in Mobile that sells rhinestone pins, jewelry, crowns, scepters, etc., to many krewes from Florida to Louisiana.  There I purchased my Krewe Krown.  It is a gorgeous fleur de lis crown.  The fleur de lis is my royal signature design.  This coming Friday evening is our Moon Pie Party.  It is open to the public, so everyone should come out to the Sandshaker on Pensacola Beach and join the festivities.

Speaking of crowns, when I purchased the tiaras for the krewe, I simply had to purchase another crown for me.  They were so pretty.  I have a cute little tiara that I’ve had for many years.  Well, to make a long story short, I now have 4 gorgeous crowns.  Frankly, I do picture a different crown for each day of the week.  Not to mention that they do look good on me.  I think my head was built to wear a crown.  I haven’t found one that wasn’t extremely comfortable.

Although my signature royal design is the fleur de lis, I thought it would be appropriate if I handed out smiles, rather than beads, for Mardi Gras.  I purchased little foam smiley faces in the shape of a star as my special hand out.  The intent is to spread smiles across the beach.

We are picking tomatoes and bell peppers in January.  Can you believe this weather?  This past weekend was shirt sleeve weather in the 60s and 70s.  

Last Thursday night was the Champagne Queen party at a friend’s home on the beach.  Everyone was to decorate their champagne glass and the winner received a prize.  One of the prizes was a little pink purse that Cajun Stitchery embroidered.  It was so cute.  A good time was had by all and we hope this party becomes an annual tradition.

This week we are going to begin embroidering caps for a really nice order that was received for a gentleman’s fraternity alumni.  The order is for 65 ball caps.  This may be our biggest ball cap order yet.  Can’t wait to get this one done.

J

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

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.printmyribbon.com/shipping

Dior Bow Tie

Materials: three yards of grosgrain ribbon, one 12 inch piece of grosgrain ribbon, one thin piece of ribbon or floral wire.
	Step 1: Begin the Dior Bow Tie by winding the ribbon back and forth to form three loops. To do this, first form one loop. Holding the loop at its midpoint, wind the ribbon underneath to form another loop that is slightly larger than the first. Now hold both of the loops together at their midpoints and wind the ribbon underneath in the opposite direction to form a final loop, again slightly larger than the previous.
	Step 2: To secure your loops, tie a knot around the midpoint with a thin piece of ribbon or floral wire.
	Step 3: With a separate piece of ribbon about 12” long, wrap around the knot you just made, tying a double knot on the backside of the bow. Pull down a piece of the extra ribbon on each side of the bow to form the bow’s tails.
	Step 4: Trim the tails to your desired length. Use crimping scissors to add a decorative finish on the ends of the tails.
	Step 5: Attach the bow to your gift with double-sided tape or tie the bow directly to another ribbon on your package.

 

* * *

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.

***FIESTA***OLE***

Fiesta Ball is a week from Wednesday.  The girls have been emailing deciding what we are going to wear.  The theme is Red, White and Krewes and we a celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation.  It all started when Paulette found a novelty store website.  She found an adorable red, white and blue vest.  As it turned out the thing is plastic.  We all wanted the light up white boas and the blinky plastic red, white and blue tiara.  We nixed the plastic vest.  It's a formal ball.  You can go in costume or formal attire.  So, I wanted to dress up a bit.  So, here is what I will be wearing to the ball: floor length blue skirt, white blouse, and red vest.  I will wear the white lighted boa; the red, white, blue binky plastic tiara; and a red tinsel wig. 

I chose the blue skirt, white blouse, and red vest because I have a picture of it in my mind.  George is wearing white pants, red tux shirt, blue tux vest and bow tie.  I'm getting him a hat that's plastic but looks like an old timey straw hat with a red, white and blue band around the hat.  I'm also making him a red, white and blue belt with a rhinestone flag buckle.  My attire will sort of match George.  Reminds me of the old movie Pollyanna with Haley Mills.  In fact, those costumes were from that same period that Naval Aviation began.

Now that I have this beautiful picture in my mind, I have to pull it together.  The boa, tiara, wig, and George's hat and his outfit has been ordered.  I have the white blouse.  I will make the blue skirt and red vest.

Out of all of my patterns I do not have an A-lined skirt pattern.  I have chosen a pattern for an A-line dress and I'll adjust it to become a skirt.  I have chosen a vest pattern but the pattern is a size too small for me.  So, I will adjust the pattern to fit.  Tomorrow I need to shop for fabric.  Hopefully, I'll take pictures on the creation of this outfit.  Should be interesting.

I've been making luggage grips lately.  They really are fun to make.  They are made completely in the hoop.  So far, I've made some with the word "MINE" and "CAJUN" outlined and filled with rhinestones.  I can make them with any word or name.  I've listed them in the Etsy Shop and sure hope they sell.

C'est tout, mes amis:>)