Ramos House Bloody Mary Recipe

I was perusing November's Romantic Homes magazine that arrived in my mailbox yesterday, and stopped when I reached page 67 to write this blog post to you.

If you are a fan of the Bloody Mary, I can tell you from experience, you will want/need to try THIS recipe. The Ramos House is a little restaurant located in the heart of the Los Rios Historical District in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Los Rios is the oldest remaining residential street in California, dating back to 1794 when about 40 adobe structures were constructed to house soldiers and workers overseeing construction of the Mission.

Today, there are only three of the original adobes remaining: the Rios, which has been continuously occupied by the same family since 1794; the Montenez, which held religious services while the mission was being constructed; and the Silvas.

Ok, so enough with the history lesson. Let's get serious here and get to the recipe . . .

I don't remember olives and diced peppers in any of the Bloody Mary's I've had there (and I've had a few), but I DO know they load each Bloody Mary up with the pickled beans and a crab claw. THAT'S what makes it a MEAL for me!

And YES, I know the name of my blog is GOT ART? and if you're visiting here for the first time you're probably thinking . . . what the heck does THIS have to do with art?! Well, just take a moment and look at that Bloody Mary photo again . . . I think that's definitely artistic - don't YOU?

CHEERS!

Diamond Glaze versus DG3 Art Gel

Anyone that knows me or has ever taken a class with me, knows that Judikins Diamond Glaze™ is/was my all-time favorite "general" adhesive!

I have since replaced Diamond Glaze™ with another Judikins' adhesive - The DG3 Art Gel.

DG3 Art Gel is an all-purpose adhesive and glazing product that comes from the same product family as the poplular Diamond Glaze, but offers improved clarity and sticking power.

• DG3 adheres strongly to plastic, metal, glass, wood and paper.
• Multiple layers will remain crystal clear and show no signs of cloudiness.
• Allow previous application to dry before applying another.
• It can be applied in thick or thin coats but thin coats will dry faster. DG3 can also be colored with pigment inks.
  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  
  Diamond Glaze™is a dimensional adhesive that dries to a clear glass-like finish.
• It securely holds vellum, Embossable Window Plastic, glass beads, glitter and many other mediums.
• Unlike other clear adhesives, Diamond Glaze™ is mixable with dye-based inks, watercolor, pearlescent pigments and more.

What's YOUR favorite general adhesive???

Faux Rust Technique

If you love rusty things, want instant gratification, and you haven't used Modern Masters Metal Effects Iron Paint and Rust Activator, check out some of the things you can rusty up in no time!

This is one of several resin angels that I have for sale in my etsy shop. I applied two coats of the iron paint, let dry between coats, then applied two coats of rust activator - five minutes between each coat.

Before . . .

After . . .

These are some metal pieces I used the same technique on . . .


and a faux rust background I painted on canvas using the same technique. I used a sea sponge to apply the rust activator to this one . . .


Do YOU have any techniques for quick rusting you would like to share?

Flea Market Day - Sunday, September 28th

Drove over to Tustin this morning to the Jamestown Village Flea Market. This is the monthly flea market I've blogged about before that is held by Vintage Whimzy! in their parking lot every 4th Sunday at 482 El Camino Real across from the Armstrong Nursery in Tustin.

Took a walk around, ran into one of my students from Friday night's workshop in Long Beach (hi Betty!), picked up a couple of items, and then stepped into Vintage Whimzy! to see if Sheryl - one of the proprietors of the store, was in today.

Yippee - Sheryl was in! We talked and talked and talked. We're both taking one of the same Cindy Forrester workshops next month, so we discussed our progress in getting our supplies together for the class and how much we are so looking forward to going. Note to self: cross-check supply lists for both days of workshops and start packing!

Ok, so I hope this doesn't have me losing you as a blogger buddy, but you probably didn't know this about me. So here it goes . . . I'm not big on Halloween. Don't hate me ok?

HOWEVER, I DO enjoy some of the decorations - the vintage-e-type. So with that said, here are some of my favorites from Vintage Whimzy! that I saw today. ** Be sure to click on the photos to get a closer view **

Inside over the front door . . .


as soon as you walk into the store . . .


Vintage orange (especially glitter) is just so much nicer than
Crayola orange. Ya think?!


Love the Esther crown . . .


And check THIS out . . . Christmas in September!

After all that talking and walking, I got hungry. Just a short walk to the corner is a restaurant called The Beach Pit BBQ in the Tustin Garage where I stopped and had lunch


I had the BBQ Sliders which consisted of three little sandwiches of chicken, tri-tip, and beef brisket on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls. For the sides I had potato salad and bbq beans. And that's my mimosa in the background *smiles*. Next time I'm going to have to try their blueberry cornbread - that sounds interesting!

Headed home after lunch, took a nap, woke up and had some of that Strawberry Surprise. I think I'll go for a walk now!

Strawberry Surprise

Lezlei (you remember, the ex-sister-in-law-best-friend that moved to Texas) has been telling me about this dessert that she makes called Strawberry Surprise. Everytime I go to the market I forget to pick up the ingredients, so I hadn't made it yet. Well, yesterday was finally the day.

This is so easy and so GOOD! Thought I would share the recipe and some photos with you.

You will need the following: fresh strawberries, one 8 oz. brick of cream cheese, one cup of powdered sugar, one small tub of Cool Whip, one Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract, and one Angel Food Cake.

Next, get a large mixing bowl and mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Once that is mixed thoroughly, add the Cool Whip

Tear about half of the angel food cake into small pieces and fold into the mixture.
Spread this into a shallow pan.

Empty the strawberry glaze into another bowl, clean and slice the fresh strawberries, mix until strawberries are nicely coated

Spread this mixture over the top of the cake mixture and place in the refrigerator

Lezlei said to let it stay in the fridge for about an hour, but she also said that she never does -*smiles*. And of course, you can double the recipe if you will be sharing. Enjoy!

Friday Night in Long Beach - Junktiques and The Vintage Emporium

Before class last night, I had a chance to visit Junktiques over on Obispo in Signal Hill. What a treat it was to meet and spend some time talking with the owner, Jacob. He's quite a lively guy.

Here are a few photos I took from inside the shop:

Jacob has quite a selection of old clocks in his store!

But there's one thing that Jacob does not have? Good directions! LOL

Jacob has a sister, Fern, who owns Fern's Garden over on 2nd street. I never made it there, because I was heading in the wrong direction. I'm thinking it was a good thing I couldn't/didn't go though, because I heard from some of the students in class that I would have enjoyed it. And you know what THAT means - spending money! I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in the area.

After a quick dinner, I headed on over to The Vintage Emporium to set up for my workshop.
Out front at The Vintage Emporium

A couple of the Halloween displays inside the store . . .

Be sure to click on the photos to get a closer look at what Julie Anne has in her store!

The Proprietor - Julie, taking a call before class starts

This was "the spread" Julie had set up for last night's workshop. Isn't this nice? (thanks Julie!)

I had the best time teaching at The Vintage Emporium last night! Nine ladies were in attendance.







Thank you Janice, Mary, Diana, Betty, Lori, Donna, Dorothy, Sylvia and Julie! Thank you Patty for ordering a class kit - sorry you couldn't be there in person :-(

And make that a REALLY big thank you Julie for the warm welcome and invitation to teach in your store!

PS The first time I was in the store, I was eyeing a bag I wanted. The bag was still there last night, so I grabbed it this time. I just love the cherry print, don't you? *smiles*

Nested Love and Off to Class

Good morning blogger buddies!

Remember the post where I was telling you about my friend Mary Ann and our challenge using 20 items we mailed to each other? You know, the post where I showed you the mannequin with the bird in the nest that I just L-O-V-E-D!? Well, part duce arrived in the mail on Thursday. Check THIS out . . .

This collage was created on a painted canvas using dominoes, vintage ephemera, dimensional and art papers and a wooden bird. I already have it hanging in my home.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After my staff meeting today in Anaheim, it's off to The Vintage Emporium to teach my class. That IS, after a stop at that store Junktiques Marketplace in Signal Hill. I didn't have time to stop there the last time I was in Long Beach.

Winner, Workshop, ATC & Featured on Etsy's Treasury West

I've won quite a few give-aways the past couple of months. Someone suggested I purchase a lottery ticket - so I did. I purchased TWO!

Well, don't get all excited, I won't be sending any gifts of cash or invitations to an all-inclusive, fully paid cruise to any of you. I'm sad to report, neither ticket was a winner.

BUT, I was 1 of 10 out of 2,145 entries, who won a limited edition Tim Holtz t-shirt! Ok, so I'm not a gambler, but I would say that with the odds of winning one of those shirts, I should try my hand at that lottery thing one more time? What do you think?

Also last night . . . I started putting kits together for my workshop this Friday . . .

Made an ATC using one of my watercolored papertowel backgrounds. . .

and put these vintage brown bottles in my etsy shop . . . Jim Read, an Etsy Independent Photographer has featured my bottles on Treasury West on Etsy! How cool is THAT?