Book Me

Here is another little book I made at a class, this time with Carolyn Waite. Carolyn is such an organized instructor and great fun. I am so missing workshops. I keep looking for some here, but to no avail. I am tempted to organize them myself. I even found a place right on the lake that is large enough for maybe a class of 25-30 students, but if I organize it, I can't sit through the entire class myself. While I was in CA, I took quite a few workshops and really, really liked being a student. If any of you out there in blogland know of Cleveland area workshops, please oh please let me know.

John and I have been on a quest to find a good Mexican restaurant for us to call home. We have made the huge sacrifice to try every one we can find within an easy driving distance. First we judge them on ambiance. Of course most Mex restaurants have little ambiance. Then comes the service and the food and for John, the margaritas. We like to try the fajitas. If there is no sizzle, then there is no return visit. Ohio is not known for it's great Mexican restaurants, but we forge ahead. We think we found one called Fiesta Jalapena. The first vist was great, but we will force ourselves to return a few times to make sure.

Once a few years ago, we were in a wonderful Mexican restaurant that had the absolute best salsa. It was fresh and spicy and oh so tasty. After thinking about it for a few weeks, I decided that I would write and ask for the recipe. I really did not expect an answer, but then one day I received a letter from them with the recipe written out for me and a warm thank you for my compliments. I eagerly opened up the recipe, my mouth watering at the memory of their fine salsa. The recipe began "take 35lbs of fresh tomatoes...".
Okay so the second best salsa is actually really easy. Start with Lawry's Salsa mix (if your store doesn't carry it, check Amazon in their grocery section) and add fresh chunks of tomato and a wee bit of fresh cilantro. Mix as directed and chill. Don't let it sit overnight, it gets mushy. It is really good and fresh tasting for a quick salsa. Great over grilled salmon, too.

Several of you have asked to see the inside pages of our Ephemera Playbooks. They are all similar inside.
Here are a few photos:

The books are reconstructed with more than 50 pieces of antique. vintage and really old book pages including music, ledger, foreign, poem and school book pages. They are really cool. Take the books apart and use the pages in your art projects or maybe use as a journal, adding and altering what is there already. They are $25 each.

Comments

[Susan Goodell]

I too long for some Cleveland workshops and there are few to be had. Recently I took a class with my friends Linda and Opie O'Brien in Chagrin Falls, but that was a rarity around Cleveland. It seems if you're a Northeasterner and you want to take any exciting workshops, there is always a long distance travel involved. If you ever decide to organize any workshops here, count me in. I would be thrilled to say the least!!!
Susan

[Debbie Metti]

Hey Ginny...
It took us 3 years to find a good Mexican restaurant, but we love the food at Don Ramon's in Parma Hts. Not sure you want to drive that far for Mexican & unfortunately, the margaritas are too sweet for my liking, so I just get beer. Great Chile Relleno, though...which is MY test of a Mex place. We love the shrimp fajitas, too.
http://www.donramonmex.com/
If you come over this way, give me a call. xo Debbie===^..^===

[Pam]

Peninsula Art Academy has an altered book class soon.

www.peninsulaartacademy.com

There is another non-profit art group in Chagrin Falls. Valley Art Center.

www.valleyartcenter.org

Pam

[Pam]

How about Hollander's in Michigan? I've not been there but they have an extensive class list.

I've spent a lot of money on decorative paper thru internet with them. They have a great reputation too.

Pam

[Chris Peden]

Ginny-love the Carolyn Waite book! Making books is a passion of mine. If you think it is tough finding workshops in Cleveland-you ought to try Iowa. Nothing, nada, zilcho!!!
chris p

[Geraldine]

i, too, am longing for a class. i'm not going to artfest this year. what i really miss is art continuum. i could drive, which made all the difference in expenses. plus there was hollo's to visit.

i was supposed to take an encaustics class at a local art center, but it was cancelled due to low enrollment. now i just feel an empty place and no other classes are around to fill it.

[TACE]

My husband and I lovvvvve Mexican food, and Tex-Mex. We eat cilantro like it's lettuce, we make ourselves giddy over great vats of spicy beans, spicy salsa and spicy chili gravy. We used to dine out a lot but now it's been ages, we have become food snobs, we like our own cooking best, and...dare I say it...our Margaritas could kick the butt of any Margarita we ever got at a restaurant. Though one has to be careful as Margaritas can kick the butt of any one should they're not careful.... Great post, I'm sure you guys can endure the incredible strain of trying all those Mexican eateries....

[Joan Ellis]

Ginny, can I get one of the Ephemera Books? I love them! Please let me know: jellisy@cox.net. Thanks!!

[Mary Ann]

Local Girl Gallery in Lakewood has a long list of classes and will arrange classes for a group.
Bead Paradise in Oberlin has a list of classes.
Quilt Surface Design Symposium (www.qsds.com)also offers Collage classes for 2 or 5 days in June in Columbus.
Textile Art Alliance (part of Cleveland Museum of Art) also has a good list of playdays and offers a surprising amount of altered book and paper making classes.
Stamplistic in Amherst has classes but more about basic stamping type stuff.
That's all I can think of for now.
Mary Ann

[Colleen Cavanaugh]

Thanks for posting the quick Salsa recipe. I adore Mexican food too. My husband is not as keen about it, but he humors me.

[andrea]

Ginny, If you teach it, I will come! I'm going to try one of the classes at papercuts & gluesticks in Rocky River. Thanks to everyone who
told us about the other stuff going on.
Andrea

[ginnycartersmallenburg]

RESPONSE FROM GINNY
Wow, I feel like a dolt not knowing about all these class ops. I will have to look into them all and report back.
I forgot that Andrea told me about papercuts which is close.
Thank you everyone.

[Deryn Mentock]

We always test good Mexican by the charro beans and the salsa. Love your playbooks...what a great idea!

[Kari McKnight-Holbrook]

Ginny- I can't wait to visit your booth at Artiscape! Artiscape and your former Art Continum are/were highlights of my year in OH.