ERA Graphics - Winter 2002 Newsletter

NEWSLETTER ~ WINTER 2002 ~ V.4 No. 1

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Winter 2002

Have you noticed that there are no reports coming from Afghanistan about our troops catching cold! That's because our own phantom subscriber is there making chicken soup for the boys and girls. She is doing her part in the fight and signing up many local Afghanis for this newsletter.

ever since september 11th

Some of you might remember my loving poodle Winny's uncle James. Yes, the one who slept through an attempted break-in and stumbled down the stairs yawning to stare dumbfounded at the sheriff's deputies who were just leaving after searching the house and grounds. After this incident we felt that James was not fulfilling his job description as watch dog, so after some career counseling and extensive occupational testing, we offered him two new career choices; throw rug or automobile hood ornament.

Since the attack on the WTC and the Pentagon, Winny has not left my side. Taking her cue from the secret service who guard POTUS (President Of The United States), Whinny whispers into her paw mike as I go about my business, "MOTUS (Mother Of The United States) is moving." and pads after me. This is a bit disconcerting sometimes when I step out of the shower!

Goddess IV
258-004L

road trips and classes

"Busy, busy" she said. And so I am, teaching two classes at my local (as the British refer to their neighborhood pub), Stamp It Rich here in Placerville. On Saturday, February 9th, I'm teaching the Spirit Guide Vessels again (for those who missed it last time.) Then on Saturday, March 2nd, I'm teaching a brand new class, the Infinite Pendant -- a polymer clay technique where you will learn one technique and be able to apply it in million ways (OK, that's not infinite but it's as close as I can get.) Contact Linda Johnson at (530) 344-0452 to sign up. Both classes are great for polymer clay novices and experienced crafters.

My next show will be DARLAPALOOZA in Houston, Texas, Saturday, June 8th, with classes on Friday and Sunday before and after the Saturday vendor market. This is a brand new show produced by Darla Pruitt of Eccentricities, one of the largest rubber stamp and paper arts stores in Texas. As Darla puts it, "Quite simply, it's three days of creativity and artistic adventure. A variety of classes will be offered incorporating rubber stamps, fibers, beads, polymer clay, collage and other mixed media elements."

I will be teaching three classes, so those of you who have repeatedly asked me to teach in the South West - here I come! Two polymer clay classes: Spirit Guide Vessels and the Wild Women Pins I demoed on the Carol Duvall Show. And the Messenger Card Deck, a wonderfully creative collage and paper class, that I taught at the Art Fest in Washington.

Inexpensive ($69.00 a night) and convenient hotel (the airport Marriott) as the airport tram takes your right there. So no need to go into the city or rent a car. Contact Darla for more information at (281) 288-0585.

The Artful Journey is coming round again, May 18th and 19th in Daytona Beach. Donna Kazee of A Small Cleverness produces a great show, and each year it seems only to get better. This year I'm teaching a Spiral Beaded Bracelet with Focal Point Bead on Thursday, May 16th. This is going to be one terrific class. Even if you have never beaded before, you are going to go home with one terrific bracelet. Contact Donna for additional information at (904) 272-0503.

new images

I have created five new doll forms for stamping on fabric. You can paint, stuff and bead them and then wear them as pendants. These stamps are the basis of a new workshop. I completed a beaded example which I put up on the web site samples gallery. Check this one out, I am very proud of it. There are tentative plans for me to teach this workshop at Stamptacular in Las Vegas on March 9th. Call Mary Senn at (702) 435-8401 for information.

Goddess II
258-002L

and now there are 39!

OK, I messed up when I told you that Bmuse now had 40 colors of its fine detailed embossing powder. Just a little brain glitch. To those of you who wrote or called in a panic saying you had to have the new ones I already apologized, but do so again. Nothin' like a tease to get the ol' blood flowing.

Vicki continues to come up with absolutely gorgeous new color combinations. The three new ones:

Champagne: A delicate blend of gold and silver, a perfect companion to Colorbox's Platinum.
Garden Mosaic: Inspired by the ghost of Monet. He also said that he is definitely coming back as a stamper.
Copper Canyon: Like embossing with the sand of Sedona Red Rocks, but without the gritty aftertaste.

Write to me or e-mail and we will send you a complete list. For $3.00 you can get a swatch book so you can see all the colors. And NO, we do not include a swatch for the clear or black. Actually I was tempted to say that we do have a swatch page for the clear powder but you just can't see it.

a collage is not a university

And you all thought that Xina could only do the technical stuff. Beware she is a true crafter under all that technical jargon. From her vast collection of stuff she makes just about the most wonderful collage packs anyone has ever seen. Words, maps, Oriental, joss paper and various stamp packs such as flora and fauna. And at prices that can't be beat. Check the web site for additional information.

Goddess I
258-001L

kerchunk! kerchunk!

What is Kerchunk, the young novice asks? Simply the greatest zine for on-line stampers. (As for the name, it is the sound the stamp makes when hitting the paper.) I keep mentioning it because there are so many new subscribers to the newsletter who may not be aware of its presence.

Kerchunk has the most comprehensive stamping links anywhere. You can also order your craft, and other, books there, through Amazon.com, and our Web Mistress Xina gets a tiny little commission which helps keep the zine going. You can find this great zine online at www.Kerchunk.com.

bistro hun

Well, the holidays are over for another year. Food, food, food. And more food. The problem is that I ate it all. And cooked it all for the many friends who ventured all the way out here to spend some slow time in front of the fire and let me cook for them. Guests, with good appetites, give me a chance to really get creative. Cooking for two is not the most fun I have ever had in front of the stove, especially since ERA is an almost vegetarian (very little animal protein, and chicken at that.)

Since everyone always hangs out in the kitchen watching and talking and occasionally offering to help, it is good form to serve some appetizers. According to She Who Must Be Obeyed, the winner is Gravelax with Crème Fraîche, one of the great delicacies anywhere, anytime.

Now before you get all huffy, let me say that this will be one of the easiest dishes you have ever made and will become a firm part of your repertoire. Promise.

Gravelax

Buy a filet of salmon, about one and one-half to two pounds, and carefully run your fingers over it to detect any pin bones. Pull them out with a pliers. Pull straight up so as not to tear the flesh too much. Rinse the filet and cut into two equal parts.

Place one piece into a glass or ceramic dish with sides at least one inch high. Spread a goodly amount, about a quarter cup or more, of Kosher salt over the filet and then cover with a lot of fresh dill, no need to chopped it, just whack it off from the bunch and pile it high.

Place the other half of the filet over the first piece and cover with plastic wrap. Place a heavy weight, such as a big can of tomatoes or a brick (washed and triple wrapped in aluminum foil) on top of the salmon and refrigerate for two to three days, turning the "sandwich" over after a day or so and pouring off the accumulated liquid. After three days, remove the weight, scrape off the dill and pour off the liquid. The salt cures (or cooks) the raw fish.

Cover the gravelax tightly with plastic wrap. It will keep two to three weeks in the fridge. As a variation you could add some brown sugar or a shot of vodka. Try it, you'll like it.

When ready to serve, slice very thinly (this is the hardest part) and serve on crackers or toast with crème fraîche mixed with a little chopped dill.

Crème Fraîche

To make crème fraîche, place a cup of heavy cream in a jar with a tightly fitting lid and add two tablespoons of buttermilk. Shake and leave at room temperature for a day until very thick. Yup, room temperature. The bacteria in the buttermilk will protect the cream from spoiling as it thickens it. If you use ultra pasteurized cream it may take a little longer, but it will thicken.

When thick, refrigerate. It will hold in the fridge for about three weeks. This stuff is also great on strawberries or chocolate tarts, stewed or poached fruit or where ever you would use sour cream.

That's all for now!
Roberta