Speaking Of Coffee..

IN my May 28, 2010 post I showed you the wristlet I'd made using a vintage picture of a complete stranger , manually photoshopping, and route 66 fabric. In actuality the purse below was before the route 66 one.

Below is another picture of a group of ladies I am clueless about. They just looked happy and interesting.
Photos of years gone by are rarely perfect. Over exposure, someone's head cut off or an unfortunate pose.
Once again I did my manual photo shop.
The lady in the foreground had to go. (Sorry)

As you can see, she's been cut away and I have painstakingly cut out pictures of various types of coffee cups and glued them where I wanted them to go. Because of the overexposure, I had no idea what polka dot dress lady was so surprised about, so I decided to make it her birthday. With the coffee pot, I had to put a candle flame underneath and put coffee in the coffee pot...so I used colored pencils.
The fabric, I purchased at Hobby Lobby.

Things don't always go as planned. As you can see, the picture has a pinkish tinge to it.
Note to self: Always check the ink cartridges before printing

The solid brown fabric is an organza type.
I used the transfer iron-on paper and then used iron-on vinyl to make the picture water proof.
I sewed the sides up using a blanket stitch and embroidery floss.

Here is the finished result. It is kept closed by velcro as you can see in the first picture of my post.
I will continue to practice until I get things the way I'd like them. So you'll be seeing more of these.
THAT'S IT ***

COFFEE SHOPPEE

There's nothing like the brewing of fresh coffee. Some people go so far as to grind their own beans before brewing a cup. I can remember as a child accompanying my mother when she went to the A&P for groceries. She'd get a bag of Eight O'Clock coffee, open the bag and dump the beans in the grinder. Positioning the bag underneath the grinder, she'd turn on the machine and I'd watch the ground beans along with that wonderful aroma pour into the bag. During those days I'd never heard of flavored coffee.

About the only people who really frequented coffee shops were beatniks, where they'd spit poetry, discuss the mysteries of life and engage in other alterations of their present society.

In the past coffee always seemed like a mediator. IN the early days of soap operas, the women would sit at the kitchen table drinking coffee and discussing whatever crisis they were going through. Even now when a person may be going through a rough patch, a friend may suggest "getting a cup of coffee" and talking things over. "Would you like to get a cup of coffee?" has been used by more than one person to break the ice when wanting to get acquainted with someone.

There are few privately owned coffee shops. I happened to have come across this one in Five Points West here in Birmingham, AL.

It's owner is Polly King. You can get the same thing here that you can get at Starbucks but even more. For one thing Ms. Polly greets everyone who enters with a smile and makes you feel welcomed. That's one of the differences between franchise businesses and those privately owned.

Local artists display their works for sale in the Coffee Shoppee. The art work changes periodically. The establishment features live jazz and spoken word sessions. ON occasions there is a book signing featuring local authors. Karaoke night is another offering.
Wi-Fi is available.

Or for those who'd rather watch the flat screen, there are a couple of cozy couches. The cushions on the couch have "Coffee Shoppee" embroidered on them.

For those who'd like to do a little solitary reading there's a book shelf that includes magazines, novels and books by many unknown artists who have self published.

Coffee Shoppee has coffee, tea, juices, baked goods (the poppy seed bundt cake is my favorite), sandwiches on request and of course a

good

cup

of

coffee.

THAT'S IT ***

Pay for Service, Take a Test

People complain about Customer Service so some of them try to keep a handle on what's going on. Good idea.
BUT!
I don't know about you but if I've paid to have my oil changed or some other car service. (I hate doing car maintenance) why do I have to answer a lengthy questionnaire about my "experience".

I receive the call and they want to "ask me a few questions about my visit at _ _.
It'll only take a few minutes."

I really don't want to answer questions while I'm watching Cops. They're at the good part where they chase the suspect and tackle him to the ground. But before I left, the technician has told me I'll receive a call. It's important that I give him a good report because his livelihood depends on it.
So now I feel obligated.

Now when I get this call, I allow them to identify who they are and what they want. That's when I say very cheerily," Everything was EXCELLENT." Hang up.

Now I can return to Cops and listen to the bull---- excuse the suspect is giving as to why he's running down the street wearing nothing but a pair of socks, being chased by invisible aliens and smoking a blunt.
THAT'S IT***