DIY Christmas Wreath!

This year I wanted to make an addition to my christmas decorations. My friend Allie brought me this idea and I fell in love! 

DIY Yarn Wreath! (sorry about the poor quality of this picture, it's from my iPhone...the cannon was uber dead and I was just too excited to post!)

Things you need: 

(that can all be purchased at your local hobby lobby or walmart)

One 12-inch foam wreath

A giant roll of yarn: you choose your colors

roughly 3-5 Sheets of "felt paper" - two for the roses...in case you want to try different styles of petals

and then variations of green for leaves. 

Bells, pearls etc: any small accent feature you like. gems work too!

glue gun and glue

HOW TO: 

Wrap your foam wreath with the yarn...let it look jumbled. imperfections are ok! (im a perfectionist and i had a hard time with this. but it turned out great! 

I wrapped mine twice to make it look thicker. its a preference thing.

Then tie off the end of the yarn and glue it in the back to make sure it doesn't unravel. 

Take a piece of felt about 10 inches in length and make a loop, this will be the hanging piece, so glue WELL! 

For the rosettes, take a plastic cup and trace the bottom circle so that you have some the same size. you can wrap them tighter for smaller ones and loosely for bigger roses. 

-- cut out the circle, then cut into the circle in a spiral pattern. Once you have done this you can start to wrap the spiral tight and you will see the rosette effect appear. 

Then cut leave shapes out of the green.

Then start gluing: attach leaves and rosettes in a fun pattern all together or in a row like i did. It makes for a fun project and something you can reuse over and over again! 

Feel free to make it your own and take any creative liberty you like. I had fun and I'm sure you will too!

love,

the craftaholic,  

~shadia

Local Coffee shops part 4!

I have to say that this place fits in a somewhat of a category of its own. They offer coffee and the general house variety but there is so much more. I was enamored by the tuscan style that I didn't want to leave. I expected to stay about five minutes and run back home...well I was in for a treat. I ended up staying for about an hour, taking tons of pictures (i apologize for the low quality all i had was my iphone) and relaxing on the beautiful garden patio.

Candlelight Coffee House is definitely one of my new favorite places to visit. They have cornered a market that combines wine and beer with your favorite coffee or espresso drink.

 The first thing you see is this beautiful wine set up that has a large assortment to browse.

Then you are greeted by the bar and barista behind the counter. The one staff member I met was very nice and answered all my detailed questions. 

The patio is just beautiful and they have space heaters for those nippy texas nights...it's covered in ivy and enclosed by a beautiful white picket fence. It reminded me of the secret garden. 

They have free internet and quite a few tables to sit and relax, as well as oversized couches. 

 What a variety of coffee! beautiful site for my coffee lovin' eyes! 

The only downside of the sweet place is the parking. there is no lot directly connected that I could tell...there is street parking but only on specific parts of the street. 

For me the "Pro's" definitely outweigh the Parking "Con". 

another successful coffee outing...ill be taking Brent for a special brunch date on saturday ! 10-2pm saturdays and sundays! 

I love coffee,

shadia~

Local Coffee Shops Part 3

Hi guys, So this is way passed due. I just can't seem to keep up during the Holiday season...too many hobbies so little time. haha

Well this episode of Local Coffee Shops is to include a small shop called "The Brown Coffee Company". 

It's a small little corner shop over by fredericksburg rd in SA.

 the owner.

 My friend Libby and I decided to check it out and we were delighted. thebrowncoffeeco.com has a smaller menu than most coffee shops but its more of a secondary priority to their roasting.

the roaster.

 we got it 'dirty'. pure cane sugar (simple syrup) and non dairy milk w/ toddy (aka cold brewed espresso). 

 The owner was so nice to open his doors after he had just closed and it was a very cool experience. He just closed up while we enjoyed our coffee and took some cool shots of the shop.

I'm hoping to visit another shop by the end of the week so tune in!
--
Shadia

MIA

So I have been MIA for a while because of work and Social reasons. Friends getting married and showers for brides. I re wrote all of our chalk board menus at work and I think they look pretty good. I only have "after" shots but believe me they are Much neater.

See...

Well have a great winter weekend!
- Shadia

Book Club - Hunger Games

I cant even tell you how excited I am for this book to be made into a movie! Just having watched the trailer I got goosebumps all over!!! I love watching the things I imagine while reading, come to life in a movie. The trailer alone amplified my previous images and was so close to what I saw in my mind while I paged through book one. Suzanne Collins is so wonderful at creating a setting that you can visualize exactly what she wants you to see! She gives enough detail to create a picture that is unforgettable.

The movie comes out March 23, 2012!!! 

 I LOVE this series and I can't wait to finish, Catching Fire and Mocking Jay. I'll be sure to book club about them soon!

Read, Read, & Read some more!! 

~ Shadia 

Our Personal Baker

H & H Bakes and Cakes

by David Hammer

Today I'm featuring a local baker, David Hammer. He creates all the wonderful goodies we sell at 'The Foundry'. He makes fresh cakes, flavored breads, ghiradelli brownies, lemon squares and the best apricot bars you ever tasted! 

We have very loyal customers that happen to buy coffee when they come by because they want his creations so intensely! 

Come by or give him a call @(210)-834-6177 and get something made just for you! 

Enjoy your treats!

Shadia 

Local Coffee Shops Part 2

Sorry this post is so late...this week has been overwhelmingly busy! Instead of every monday I will just make an attempt to make it once a week. 

Today I am featuring 'The Foundry'. A local gem of a coffee shop located on the corner of Huisache and McCullough, near downtown San Antonio. I have to warn you, I have somewhat of a subjective opinion, because I work there. I'll do my best to stay objective. 

The Foundry is a non profit organization founded by Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. They do missions throughout the surrounding area of The Foundry and try to help as many people as they can. 

They have good customer service (couldn't help myself) and quality coffee. They have four brewed coffees daily and regular espresso drinks as well. They also feature smoothies, tea & lemonade. 

Lunch is served from 11am - 2pm. 

At the foundry there are two separate seating areas. One for the lunch crowd and music and another for people who need to study or read while they drink coffee or eat a tasty panini. I sit here at the foundry typing and taking full advantage of their FREE Wi-Fi!! 

Seating area #1

Seating area #2

 

                                                          Fun coffee sleeves for sale $3.00

 Well that was a lot of info but check it out ! Operating hours are as follows: 7am - 5pm M & Fr, 7am - 9:30 om tues-thurs and 8- 3 on saturdays!! Lots of fun specials and regular entertainment in the middle of the week!


Hope you come visit us
Shadia :-)