A Wonderful Weekend

We had a terrific weekend.  It began Friday night when we had a lovely time with some friends over a glass of wine at Paradise Bar & Grill.  I picked up shirts for a couple of orders at the same time.  It was both business and pleasure.  Our business is pleasure.  George is so funny because he knows that I will stay way past my welcome when I go most places.  He has a good sense of timing.  When he says it's time to go, I've learned not to argue.  It creates a good balance in our lives.

I was eager to get these jobs done because one of them was for a friend who is a ship captain in Anartica.  He wasn't sure when he would be called back to work.  When he's called back, he has to go immediately.  He wanted "Big Johnson Shooting Team" one one side of a couple of polo shirts, and a design for a M-16 rifle and his name on one, and his son's name on another.  They turned out very nice.  The lagniappes were a couple of luggage tags on camouflage fabric; one with each of their names. 

The other order was for my Who Dat friend.  She was one of the lucky winners of a Cajun Stitchery gift certificate and wanted the Krewe of Drew and fleur de lis embroidered on a black polo.  It turned out very pretty.  That fleur de lis design is one of my favorite.

Since I finished both of the orders this weekend, we arranged for the delivery at the Shakerfest on Sunday where our friend, Sandi, would be relinquishing her queendom to a new Shaker Queen.  The deliveries were made.  We had a bushwhacker, enjoyed seeing lots of friends, and listening to a wonderful band, Lectric Mullet.  It was very hot and humid but that didn't dampen the fun.  Although, I must say, that when we finally got in the car to return home the air conditioner was delightful.

Today started out busy.  The luggage tags are pretty much perfected now and I like these.  They are basically a patch with an embroidered eyelet.  My dear friend in Lafayette, La. was interested in the luggage tags because her daughter will soon be doing a lot of traveling.  I sent an email to 2 of my friends with a survey of what they look for in a luggage tag.  One said "color."  The other said "brightness, durability, and her name easily seen."  My friend in Lafayette didn't care about having a name or monogram but preferred animal designs.  I made 4 for her and mailed them today.  I sure hope she likes them.

This coming Wednesday night we are planning on celebrating a birthday for a Krewe member.  The pillowcase design is absolutely adorable.  I cannot wait to post pictures.  Today I was wrapping her present and found that a luggage tag with her name on it made an excellent name tag for the package.  I love things that do double duty.  When I was young there used to be a furniture company called Castro Convertibles.  All of the furniture at Castro Convertibles converted into different things, like a sofa bed is a sofa that converts into a bed.  I was always fascinated with the Castro Convertibles.  The luggage tags are like Castro Convertibles, they function as luggage tags and name tags.

Today we mailed another set of pillowcases that were ordered for presents.  Again, I sure wish I could post the pictures but I would ruin the surprise.

George took his car in to have the damage from the wreck repaired.  They will have his car for 2 or 3 days and in the meantime he has a rental that he really likes.  I've been sending him on as many errands as I can think today so he can drive his new toy.

The seeds finally came in and George has planted our fall garden. 

The more I think about those luggage tags, I'm thinking of making some for Halloween with spooky designs.  Wouldn't that be fun.  You know, they could even be used as coasters.  Ooooh, a triple whammy.  You could even put a string through them and hang them as ornaments on a Christmas tree -- not the spooky ones, though.

C'est tout, mes amis.

Cajun Corner Vol. 2, No. 35

Cajun Corner – Vol. 2, No. 35 – September 10, 2010


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

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Don’t forget to visit our catalog at www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.

We had a minor problem with Boudreaux. He got sick and we had to do surgery and order him some medication. He’s fine now. These past few days, I’ve been working on orders that came in while Boudreaux was sick. Thank goodness Doris is alive and kicking. She doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that Boudreaux has but she is reliable.

The beginning of the week was arts and crafts upstairs, then downstairs later in the week to fill orders. Now I’m needed upstairs, again, while George works downstairs with Boudreaux. Wooo, I’m getting dizzy.

Since I had perfected the little cell phone pouch, I decided to make more. So, a bunch more are cut out and waiting for me upstairs.

I finished a few more of the ribbon luggage tags and they are still sitting upstairs waiting on me to finish them. I will finish them even though I don’t like them. However, it’s a good thing that I have gone through fiddling with those luggage tags because now I’m coming up with more ideas for luggage tags. My new idea is much easier and much nicer. The new ones will be more like patches with an eyelet in them. We can put monograms, names, designs, whatever on them. They will all be done in the embroidery machine and we can do different shapes and sizes. I did one last night that had a little pocket in it. That one turned out to be too big but the method is correct. It involves appliqué and I’ll do them because George is not fond of appliqué.

I still have the idea for a wallet but just haven’t gotten that far yet.

I finally did some embroidery on our own pillowcases. They are pretty. I need to do more, especially one for when the girls spend the night.

Earlier this week I went to lunch with a friend, who happens to be my CPA. We went to Bonelli’s Italian Restaurant. Wow! That was fun and the food was wonderful. I brought back a bag of chips for George. He felt slighted. Lunch at Bonelli’s allowed me to get to know the owners a bit better. They are very nice people. The daughter goes to my WBL meetings. As it turned out, they do not have a logo, so part of my day yesterday was spent working on ideas for logos pursuant to the ideas the owners told me. I haven’t heard back from them yet, but I sure hope they like some of the ideas that I sent to them.

Yellow fingertip towels were ordered this week. They will be here in a couple of weeks. Along with the fingertip towels, some regular white bath towels were ordered. Embroidered towel sets will be sold for Christmas this year. The sets would include: white wash cloths, white fingertip towels, and white bath towels. The order for the bath towels was actually placed to see the quality of the bath towels before more are ordered. So far this company has provided good service and quality products even though they do take awhile to get the ordered delivered.

No rain this past weekend and guess what? My dog, Evie, was not sick. I really think it had something to do with the rain – mushrooms that grow when it’s really wet outside.

Last Saturday we were going to dinner on the beach. While waiting in line at the toll booth, we were rear ended. We are fine but George’s SUV has suffered a bit of damage. He has spent most of this week working with insurance companies. He worked with the at fault lady’s insurance company for 3 days, getting the estimate, etc., only to be told that the lady doesn’t have insurance. Why wouldn’t they just tell us that up front so we could get our own insurance company working on the claim? Sounds fishy to me. Nevertheless, we are working with our own insurance company now and he is taking the car in to be fixed on Monday.

The seeds have not arrived yet. Each day we wait for the postman to see if our garden seeds have arrived. Hopefully they will be here today. George is outside watering the garden, or what remains of the garden, now. You wouldn’t think that it would need watering with the rain that we had but it’s dry now.

Christmas is coming and customers are starting to do their Christmas shopping at Cajun Stitchery. Get this out of the way as soon as you can. For all who have businesses out there, remember that we also sell gift baskets.

Always remember that we are just a call or email away at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com or 850-261-2462 and place your order.

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An extremely large, muscular woman, wearing a sleeveless sundress, walked into a bar. She raised her right arm, revealing a huge, hairy armpit and pointed to all the men sitting at the bar and asked, "Which of you men will buy a lady a drink?" The bar went silent as the patrons tried to ignore her. At the end of the bar, was Boudreaux, a skinny little Cajun, who was as usual, VERY drunk. Boudreaux slammed his hand on the bar and said, "Give dat Ballerina a drink!" Thibodeaux, the bartender, a close friend of Boudreaux's, poured the drink and the woman chugged it down. She turned again to the patrons and pointed around at all of them, again revealing her hairy armpit, and asked, "Which of you men will buy a lady a drink?" Once again, Boudreaux slapped his hand down on the bar and said, "Give dat Ballerina anudder drink!" Thibodeaux, finally approached Boudreaux and said, "Boudreaux mah fren', I know it ain't none of my business of course if you want to buy dat lady a drink, but how come you keep callin' her a Ballerina?" Boudreaux replied, "Thibodeaux . . . to me, any woman who can lift her leg dat high gots to be a Ballerina!"

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French phrase of the week: Raconte-moi de tes nouvelles. (Tell me your news.)

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From: http://living.oneindia.in/beauty/skin-n-body-care/2010/home-remedies-facial-hair-090810.html

Here are some of the best home remedies to remove your facial hair :

• Turmeric the master in enhancing beauty proves its excellence in removing facial hair. Mix a spoon of turmeric powder with 1/4th cup of milk, apply that on your face and leave it for 10 minutes and rinse off in room temperature water. Make sure that it's applied on your face as well as neck. Apply it twice a week.

• Mix half tsp of sugar and lemon juice with water. Apply it on your face and neck, leave for 15 minutes. Later rinse off in room temperature water. For a better result strictly do it at least two times in a week.

• Mix an egg white in 1 tbsp of sugar and ¼ tbsp of corn flour and make a paste. Apply and leave the paste on your face and neck for 10-20 minutes and rinse off in room temperature water. Do it thrice a week.

• Mix 1 tbsp of lemon juice with 3 tbsp of honey, apply and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash off in room temperature water. Make sure that it's done on alternate days.

• Mix gram flour and turmeric powder in curd, apply this paste on your face and leave for 15 minutes. Later slowly scrub it off and wash your face in luke warm water. For a better result apply it thrice a week.

Please let me know if there is something that you would like to see in the weekly email. You may always call me at (850) 261-2462 or email me at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com.

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.

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.

SALE OF THE WEEK (Good through Thursday, September 16, 2010)

SALE: Fingertip Towel (red, green, or white) with monogram = $7.00

A Laugh Is A Smile That Bursts

I found this smile quote and just love it.  Well, I love to laugh, so, of course, I would love it. 

We are counting down for the Arts & Wine Festival.  There is so much activity in this house and the more we do; the more ideas we get.  The new style cell phone holders are a real hit.  I'm making a bunch of them.  Who would have thought that putting a gold fleur de lis on black fabric would be so popular?  Can you tell that I don't keep up with football.  Even my son has ordered a cell phone pouch with a gator on it.  I need to get that in the mail to him.  If you want one, just let me know.  They are $10 apiece, plus tax and/or shipping.  Make sure you let me know the colors because I am ignorant when it comes to football.

It's not really that I don't know anything about football.  After all, I raised 2 boys who were active in all kinds of sports and loved watching football on television.  Not to mention that my father-in-law loves football.  But George and I have never been the avid fans, like so many people are.  I enjoy a group get together to watch a football game.  But just sitting by yourself watching the game is not fun for me.  It's a team sport and I think it should be a team spectator sport, as well.

Then there are the pillowcases.  I'm working on some lovely pillowcases for a customer.  They are for Christmas.  I love working with this particular customer because she has an inate sense of color.  And I am all about color.  I've mentioned more than once that my sister had a gift of style.  She really did.  There are people who are gifted in these areas and don't think a thing about it.  I think these are fabulous gifts.  Always knowing the perfect color combinations or the perfect gift or accessory.  Hey, to me that's important:>)

In fact, a few weeks ago I ordered a lot of thread colors that I needed.  You know, I talk with customers and friends and they tell me I want this color or that color.  I have a good array of colors but there's always that one shade or color that I don't have.  I make a list and when I order we get everything.  The embroidery room now looks like a color wheel.  George and I wonder if we will ever use that much thread.  Our spools of thread come in 5,000 yard spools.  They are very big. 

Speaking of pillowcases, all of my fall birthdays are here.  I want so bad to show photos of the latest pillowcases that I've done for the girls but I cannot do so until I've given the gift.  Most of those girls have computers and I want my present to be a surprise.  They certainly will be for the fall birthdays because I had a burst of creativity and...well... you will just have to wait and see them later.

There is a Simplicity pattern that I have seen around for years.  It is simply the alphabet.  I never purchased the pattern because, I thought, I can always create a pattern of the alphabet.  Perhaps I could, but I did break down and purchase the pattern.  They are approximately 12" pillows.  My goal is to create 12" pillows reading "Cajun Stitchery."  Well, you know my goal of using all of my fabric and notions before October?  These pillows are helping use the scraps because that is what I'm stuffing them with.  So far I only have the C and S done.

OMG!  I received an email this morning from my cap wholesaler and guess what sale they are running in September?  Pink caps and visors.  I could have used that last month.  I have to purchase them by the dozen, but if anyone wants a dozen pink caps or visors, now is the time to purchase them.  I can sell them to you for $5 each, as long as you purchase a dozen.

Sure hope everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend.  Aside from getting rearended at the toll booth into Pensacola Beach on Saturday night, we had a relaxing weekend.  The neighborhood gathered for dinner on Labor Day and that is always fun.

C'est tout, mes amis!

Cajun Corner Vol. 2, No.34

Cajun Corner – Vol. 2, No. 34 – September 3, 2010


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.

This week has been filled with arts and crafts. The little items look so simple and you’d think you could whip out a bunch in no time, but what I thought would be a one day process with the cell phone pouches turned out to be several days. Of course, as I was working on them, I got more and more ideas on how to perfect them. By the time I finished what I wanted to do, I had just finished creating the “perfect pouch.” They must be pretty good because I got an order for 2 of them; then another order; then one more. Thank goodness they are perfect now. Lol How does the saying go; you can always make a better mouse trap. Even my son has ordered one. Okay, it might have something to do with the ones I did on black fabric with the gold fleur de lis embroidered on the front. Hank wants a gator on the front of his. I can do this as long as I don’t infringe on a licensed logo.

My mama always preached to me: “Never start something you won’t finish.” I’m not particularly fond of the luggage tags but since I’ve started them, I will finish the project. Who knows, someone else may find them perfect? You will recall that I used a monogram design and embroidered every letter of the alphabet on red ribbon. The ribbon looks great. Then I began cutting the monograms and putting them in plastic. Well, I didn’t like back side of the embroidery showing. Then I cut a length of black fabric to go on the back, enclose in vinyl, attach a D ring, sewed around and voila, luggage tag. There is just something about them that I don’t like. Maybe as I go along I will perfect these, too. But I will finish the project, nevertheless.

Now I have this idea for a wallet. This morning I began formulating the pattern and measuring things. I don’t know if this will be done in time for the festival but they really look cool in my mind.

Since my helpers from last year will not be available this year, one of my Nereid sisters has stepped up to the plate to help at our Arts & Wine Festival booth. Of course, she has told me that she plans to go through our wares and shop. I can just envision her hiding all of the things that she likes so no one else will buy them. OMG! As George so wisely told me, “a sale is a sale, leave her alone.” I’m sure the Festival is going to be a lot of fun. The arts and craft booths are spread out all over the island and the trolley is running all day to each arts and craft area. Although I do, of course, want to sell our products, my main goal is public relations and just getting the Cajun Stitchery name out there to the public.

Today is sort of a banner day for Cajun Stitchery. Our first paid advertisement is coming out today in the Island Times newspaper. The Island Times is online and I’ve been to that site at least 10 times so far this morning waiting for the new edition with our ad. I’m really hoping this ad brings in more business.

A good friend and customer dropped by yesterday for a pleasant visit. She has been out of town for several months working disasters for the SBA. It was good to see her. I was showing her some of the stuff we have in stock and ran across some fleece sweatshirts that I bought on sale at the end of the season last year. They are burgundy, pullovers, with pockets near the waist. I have 3 of them, 2 XL and one L. If anyone is interested in fleece, burgundy, pullovers with pockets, I can give you a really good deal on them. They would make great Christmas presents. I also have one medium gold hoodie, full zip in the front. Of course, we have a myriad of various colored napkins, a variety of nice handkerchiefs and a lot of the white pillowcases. In stock, we have red, green and white fingertip towels. Odds and ends of other items are in stock, as well.

Last weekend my black lab, Evie, was sick, again. She had been sick the weekend before, as well. But last weekend she was truly one sick puppy. We took shifts staying up with her all weekend. She finally started recovering on Sunday and is back to herself again. I don’t know what caused her to get sick on 2 Fridays in a row, other than it had been raining everyday for about 2 weeks. I’m guessing that it was mushrooms that kept popping up in the yards during the rain, but I really don’t know for sure. The sun has been shining the past 2 or 3 days and it’s Friday. So, hopefully she will stay well.

I’m still trying to use up all of my fabric and notions as I said last week. Even after all the crafting that I’ve done this week, it doesn’t look like I’ve put a dent in this stuff.

As I type this issue of Cajun Corner, George is outside in the garden. Our fall seeds should be arriving soon and he is preparing the garden for our fall planting. Some things we are just going to leave alone, like the peppers, tomatoes and beans. We are going on the theory if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

For the second time I brought a bouquet of herbs from our garden to a friend. I love doing this. The smell is so wonderful. George says that we need to pick ourselves a bouquet to leave in the kitchen. It’s much better than a bouquet of flowers because with the herbs, you can let them dry and use them to cook.

I have tried to put something new on Etsy everyday this week. I may have missed a day or two but there are new products on there, including a black handkerchief with a fleur de lis that I put on there last night.

Christmas is coming and customers are starting to do their Christmas shopping at Cajun Stitchery. Get this out of the way as soon as you can. For all who have businesses out there, remember that we also sell gift baskets.
Always remember that we are just a call or email away at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com or 850-261-2462 and place your order.

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Boudreaux and Thibodeaux decided to go fishing one morning at the pond in back of Boudreaux's house. It was dark and when they reached the pond they realized they wanted to cross to the other side. But they couldn't walk around and had no boat or pirogue to cross in. Thibodeaux turned to Boudreaux and said, "Mais Boudreaux, how in the heck we gonna get across." Boudreaux said, "No problem, I'm gonna shine this here flashlight across the water and you gonna walk on the beam of light all the way across." Thibodeaux then says, "Mais, Boudreaux, you must think I'm stupid or something, cause just when I get halfway across you gonna turn off the light."

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French phrase of the week: qualité (n.f.) [KAH LEE TEH] 1. kind. Quelle qualité de crème tu veux? (What kind of ice cream to do you want?) 2. quality. Je veux une étoffe de bonne qualité. (I want a good quality cloth.)

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From: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-cancer.html

Following home remedies are suggested for cancer patients:

• Broccoli: Broccoli is found to be good against certain kinds of colorectal cancers. These should be taken in the form of sprouts. Broccoli contains certain phytochemicals that have the ability to fight against cancer cells, but the compound has yet not been identified. These act as anti-oxidants and contain enzymes that aid in detoxification of body.

• Grapes: Grapes contain a compound called as proanthocyanidins that reduce the body’s estrogen production. This leads to effective treatment of lung, prostrate, colon and breast cancer.

• Ginseng: This herb ginseng, helps in building resistance, and fights the body off infectious agents.

• Myrrh: Myrrh is an herb having wide range of properties as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. It is a good home remedy for treatment for all kinds of cancer.

• Green Tea: Prepare herbal green tea by boiling some amount in a glass of water till it reduces to half. This has anti-inflammatory properties and is very effective against breast, prostate, liver, pancreatic and skin cancer.

• Juicing: It is an established fact that juices are rich source of vitamins and nutrients. Freshly obtained juice from fruits like apple, banana, mango, cherries etc must be given to the cancer patients in a routine manner. This aids in boosting the immune system of the individual making them strong enough to fight the incoming pathogens.

• Aloe Vera: This herb can be consumed raw in the form of jelly. It is effective against prostate and lung cancer.

• Lycopene: According to the American Dietetic Association, Lycopene is found in abundant quantities in tomato, guava, papaya, grapes, apricot, watermelon etc. These anti-oxidant compounds are more effective then carotenoids in removal of free radicals that stimulate cell division. Lycopene is effective in treatment of prostate, lung, stomach cancers.

• Maitake Mushroom: As per the PDR Health, maitake or dancing mushroom is good for treatment of cancer. It is known to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It also reduces the side effects of these therapies by preventing hair loss and nausea. It can be taken raw or grilled because while cooking it absorbs a lot of oil.

• Soybean: According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, soybean contains phytoestrogens and several other entities that block cancerous cells from using estrogen. It also contains isoflavones needed for prevention of cancer at early stages. It can be taken either as sprouts or as cooked vegetable and has activity against breast, prostate, colon and lung cancer.

• Wheatgrass: It is known to be advantageous to cancer patients. Wheatgrass taken in the form of juice or raw form is shown to retard the growth of cancer cells as demonstrated by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It has the ability to enhance the immune system and get you rid off the toxins and waste products.

Please let me know if there is something that you would like to see in the weekly email. You may always call me at (850) 261-2462 or email me at cajunstitchery@yahoo.com.

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.

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.

SALE OF THE WEEK (Good through Thursday, September 9, 2010)

SALE: Super Sweats Fleece Throw with monogram in corner = $20.00

Jerzees T's and Fleece - #815T

Super Sweats® Fleece Throw

Catalog page: 258

9.5 oz. 50% cotton/50% polyester. Pill resistant, double napped fleece. Rounded corners. Three-needle over-edge stitch detailing. 60"L x 48"W.

One New Drivers License, Please

Poo yie!  I received notification from the State of Florida that I need to renew my drivers license before my birthday this year.  That's not a problem but now they are requiring all kinds of documents proving who I am.  My original Social Security card is one item.  Luckily, I have that.  My government issued marriage certificate is another.  Hope I have that.  Plus 2 documents showing my residential address.  Hmmm.  The State of Florida mailed this to me at my residential address but they want proof that things are mailed here.  I think I'll take this notification as one of my 2 documents.  Then it says that I will have to take a vision exam and maybe a driving test and written test.  Of course, I'll comply with everything.  Guess this means that I need a new photo, too.  Perhaps I should dye my hair?

It has been arts and crafts all over this house lately.  We are getting ready for the Arts & Wine Festival on October 2 and 3 on Pensacola Beach.  I've been working on some new cell phone pouches.  I think they would make a cute Christmas gift/stocking stuffer.  Although they do take awhile to make, George insists that we sell them for $5 each.  This is going to be a real steal.  I'm using a variety of methods of finishing the edges and just having fun with them.  Of course, George will have his ballcaps for sale at $15 each.  There will be several other items, as well.

I'm getting ready to list another handkerchief on Etsy.  I love the fabric.  It's a woven, silky fabric.  Reminds me a bit of dupioni silk, although it is not.  Since I've been upstairs working on all of the arts and crafts, I used Doris to embroider this hanky.  I think it turned out very nice.

George is busy ordering seeds for the garden for the fall planting.  By the time they get here the garden should be tilled, composted and ready for a new season.  The bell peppers, tomatoes and beans are just going to stay where they are for now.  We do need to fertilize them.

Right now I'm toying with the idea of making wallets.  I read an article on it and some instructions.  It all reminded me that I have the pattern for a man's wallet.  I doubt I would even need a pattern because I have it all figured out in my head.  The problem is that my stuff tends to be very feminine and men probably wouldn't buy them.  Not sure women would, either.  Hmmm.  I'll have to think about this. 

Back to arts and crafts.

C'est toute, mes amis.