My creative Heritage

I have always been surrounded by creativity. My mother was a seamstress. My biggest creative influence came from the men in the community that masked yearly as Mardi Gras Indians. 100 years ago, blacks were not welcome to particpate in Mardi Gras events held in the french Quarter, or the CBD. We began to form our own Social and Pleasure Clubs.

At some point they began to honor the Native Americans in Louisiana such as the "Choctaws". During the days of the underground railroad, the native Americans were kind to slaves and often hid them.

The men would create intricate bead work. It would take a year to complete the masterpieces and they would always start on a "new suit", the day after Mardi Gras. Listen to this song and you will understand. Click Here.

I pray the tradition will continue to be passed down as it has for 100+ years. New Orleans residents have spread over this land since Hurricane Katrina. I pray tradition survive the migration. Here's a video explaining the tradition of The Mardi Gras Indians.

Count Down to Opening Day~!~

In less tahn a month (August 20th, 2011) cjEureka Computerized Embroidery designs will once again have a presence on the Internet. Some of you will remember I pulled the site down in 2010 shortly after my release from the the hospital. This time I have re-vamped and re-named the site. I was thinking about a new name and decided I would go with carol jean. That is what cj stands for. When my mama used both names, I knew she was gonna beat me up....lol...

All praise to my creator. I never expected to be able to use my hand again. Yes, it was that bad. Read all about it. Click here.
I am excited to announce, not long after the opening, I will release packets to make projects with my graphics using other mediums besides embroidery. I am excited about this new venue because it will give me the opportunity to
showcase the flexibility of my designs and how one can get more bang for their buck.
I will be producing videos over the next month to share projects that are sure to stimulate your imagination and creativity. The little guy in the above photo is from my Ole Baby~!~Collection. One of the pictures is a screen capture of the new site...Iam working feverishly because on the 1st of August I will have surgery to fix a cataract. Thanks to God and modern medicine, down time will be, maybe, a week....barring, no complications. I hope to have the site up before then. Yes, I am up all night...but you know I like it like that...Keeps me off the streets...lol...

Here's a How-TO video video to create the project using a re-cycled CD case.

Talk to you soon
cjEureka

Don't Believe The Hype

You've seen the late night infomercials. Sell online and make millions. The world is your customer. Sound like that makes sense huh? So what if you live in a small town, or can't afford tv or radio ads. Capture the world as customers. People fall for it because they always neglect to mention that you, not somebody else, have to court your customers. Let them know you are out there.

When I decided that there was a niche in the computerized embroidery designs world for Afro-American designs, I first had to set down and create some designs. Next I set up a Yahoo list and spread the word for my website to purchase designs. I got the customer there to look by giving away free designs. It took me nearly 5 years to become truly known in the computerized embroidery design world to the point that I did not have to work as hard.

When I had the burn accident in 2010, I pulled the site down until I was sure I would regain use of my primary hand. In about 2 weeks the site will go back up. I have already begun preparation by contacting old customers to let them know I am on my way back. To attract new customers I will start yet another group and began giving away free designs once again

I agree the internet has leveled the playing field. Everyone has a shot at success now, from the poor kid to the rich. If you have a webcam, a mic, and some promotional savvy...Go for it~!

Learning as I go / Fun with Windows Live Movie Maker

I think I have a better mousetrap for Publishing to Youtube. I had been publishing videos via Logitech quickCam 9000 Pro. The publishing time is slow. I also was looking for an editing program. Even downloaded the one logitech has available for free. To my delight I had the best and easiest right on my Windows 7 laptop.

Jules had suggested Windows Movie Maker. That's how I discovered that The liive version was all that and a bag of chips. The storyboard has been replaced by clips that make up the movie. You can place the curser at the end of a segment and select split. I split my 13 minute video into 2 equal parts...Then I cut the first portion and saved and published the second as Part 2. Afterwards, I deleted the second portion and pasted the first portion back in and saved and Published it as Part 1. I discovered some special features I can't wait to try. I can add a beginning text as well as an ending...such as Hi again devoted Subscibers, as a beginning...and See Ya Next time, as an ending...Of course there are the perks such as fancy effects in between frames and other fun stuff.

Hope this helps someone...Go in and push some buttons...hey, if you mess up.....open the project again and try again. Here's a video to help...not me...a person who acually knows...I am just guessing like everybody else at this point...Not for long tho. BTW the publishing time is slow in WMM too....I need to try Publishing on my super powerful (so they claim) desktop computer upstairs...We shall see. Scroll down for video tutorial for splitting, trimming etc...

Rescue that oops project

Have you ever goofed while creating something and found yourself abandoning the project, totally discouraged?

My philosophy is there is no such thing as a oops in crafting, or sewing for that matter. Here's a three part video to share what I mean.

The audio is improving. I may change to a headphone mic, instead of the camera's built in mic.

I always take photos of vintage graphics....Here's why.

I live in Eureka, KS (pop.) 2000. Jules you would hate it because you are itching to git' back to the big city Missy. One thing you would love about Eureka, KS is the weekly estate sales/auctions. Fortunately, I rarely have to attend. I am the alterations lady. I am often brought sewing stuff from grandma after she goes on to glory. Everybody knows I recycle vintage stuff. Auctions really don't like to fool with small stuff. I have rescued gorgeous stuff that was dumpster bound...not that I am above dumbster diving....lol...the stories I could tell.... I am often given any sewing related stuff and any media stuff. I have vintage sheet music...Postmarks from 1939 and on and on and on.religious graphics,

As soon as I drag home my loot..I wash, dry and iron any vintage linens, hankies, lace...etc...Often, time has already worked its aging magic, and tho Tim Holtz's delicious products can give an aged, distressed look....ain't nothing like the real thing baby...

I perch myself on the porch in midday heat (the things I do for my audience...lol) sunlight at its best....and I shoot photos of any and every card, mag, old letters...etc I have....I zoom in on words and phrase for up and coming projects. All of the stuff is at least 50 years old. The vintage linens tell many stories to me....Somebody's grandma hand sewed every stitch and I take great delight in giving them new life. Lately I have been creating with the copies. Been practicing printing on transparency and using gel medium to transfer the image to dominoes. I am putting together altered art/ mixed media bundles of vintage graphics, linens and vintage jewelry, to sell them on Etsy for under 10 bucks each.. approximately 3 bucks postage. Lately I have been transfering images of vintage hankies to fabric with iron on transfer paper. The ironing gives a leathery look to the hankie.then I make a rose out of that...Will share photo soon. I won't live long enough to create with all of my stash. I will have contests and give some of this stuff away soon...Jules I would like to send you some goodies. Please send me a snail mail addy.

see ya

cjEureka

Selling on Etsy

I have made up my mind I will no longer hold on to a huge stash I intend to use in a project one day. I don't believe I will be on this earth long enough to use every single thing in my stash. Its time to offer it to others who will create with it. The Etsy site is located here.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cjEureka?ref=pr_shop

There are 3 categories there. Handmade is stuff I have made, Vintage includes frames, jewelry findings...lace vintage linens, glass bottles, trays...and a host of other items that will delight you. The 3rd category is Supplies. It includes wooden beads, yarn, roving, angelina...etc....

Stay tuned