Harriet Tainsky gets a new nickname...

A self-avowed craft phobic, Harriet admitted she “just doesn’t do crafts”. At the monthly enforced crafting session at CHA she would find a way to be too busy to participate. In fact, once she tried to get lost in the warehouse but someone came looking for her! It was through a chance encounter at the CHA Winter Show’s annual meeting in Anaheim, that I met Harriet. When she happened to mention how she was stressed about coming up with a craft for March, I thought it would be great to do a Treasure Box program at CHA headquarters in New Jersey.
So with the help of Jo Lutness, SDP’s Treasurer and Cindy her able assistant, Cha staff members created 25 boxes in 2 hrs for the Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia.. The object of the program is to create hand painted “treasure boxes” for youth less than 18 years old who are receiving care at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. These young patients are often given small gifts to divert their attention from their pain. Treasure Boxes are containers the youngsters can use to store their toys and take them home.

So what are they calling Harriet now? You should have seen her beam when a coworker called her Paintsky!

Harriet (center) and co-workers paint frog boxes



Painting frogs is fun!



Jo shows some of the guys at CHA how to paint a butterfly.



For more information about the Treasure Box Program visit http://www.decorativepainters.org/treasureboxes.php
You can send a monetary donation to SDP Foundation Treasure Box Program
393 N. McLean Blvd. Wichita, KS 67203-5968 Your gift is tax deductible.

I just returned from CHA's annual Convention in Anaheim California. "The Craft and Hobby World's Fair" was the place to see all of the newest craft related products in 3,500 booths with 20,000 visitors attending. There is everything from painting to beading, scrapbooking, knitting--you name it and it was all under one roof. What fun!

I got to meet crafting idol and TV personality Carol Duvall. She is debuting a new book titled "Paper Crafting with Carol Duvall" It is a must have and will be available from http://www.anniesattic.com. It goes on sale June 5,2007



As a member of CHA's Designer Section I participated in the Accents on Home Display along with about 50 other CHA designers. There were 3 beautifully decorated rooms In the Global accents library, my piece is the tall room screen.



And here in the Seaside Sun Porch I have the footstool that combines a painted sailboat with decoupage and seashells



I also took part in the designer showcase where designers set up displays and met with publishers and manufacturers.



Also in this busy week I taught a class sponsored by SDP called "Embellished Jeans".The Society of Decorative Painters is working hard to keep interest decorative painting going strong. We were supplied with products from our member manufacturers: DecoArt supplied So-Soft and Shimmering Pearls fabric paint, Royal Brush gave us brushes and stamps, and Houston Art supplied Omni-gel that I used in the photo transfer on fabric technique. Also participating was Beacon Adhesives who donated their wonderful Fabric-Tac adhesive.




Here is a finished pair of jeans by Linda Hess. She sent theses pictures and a lovely note:



I had such a wonderful time in your class. I finally finished the jeans I made for my daughter. She is thrilled with them and I keep looking at the painting amazed that I did it. You are a wonderful teacher to take a non-painter and help her create something so beautiful. Thank you.

Here are just a few pictures that I took while we were in Italy in October. As you can see we had a fabulous time painting and sightseeing in Florence. I'll be going back in October of 2007. Come and join in the fun!! You can see many more photos on Debbie Brown's Picturetrail with a great commentary. Check out her photo album called: "Florence ~ Italy ~ 2006" http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid13393603&pathID=1591011

The Ponte Vecchio



This is the view from the villa where we stayed for the painting class



Some of the wonderful painted decoration on the walls



A visit to the artisan workshops included watching a craftsman create this beautiful marble inlaid table

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After a hard day of painting some of the group had dinner at an outdoor cafe



After I left Florence I went on to teach a course for the painting teachers of TO-DO in Breschia

I had the unique opportunity to have a student from Italy study at my studio in August. It was such a pleasure to be able to practice my Italian and introduce American painting techniques at the same time. In October, after my study trip to Florence I will spend some time at TO-DO’s headquarters near Bologna. And speaking of Florence…there are still a few slots open for this year and we have set the dates for next year’s study tour. I can hardly wait to get back to Italy. You deserve to come with us too!

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Teaching at Heart of Ohio‘s Convention is always a highlight for Lina. It is such a well run event and the students are eager to learn. This year, in addition to the workshop she taught, the demos and working in the booth she shares with Terry Brunner CDA, Lina was privileged to act as interpreter for a guest from Italy. Tommaso made a big splash by dancing with the chickens at the opening party, studying with many well known instructors class and receiving a “big brush” from his new American friends. After the show he studied with Lina at her PA studio. Look for more photos under General in this blog.

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In March, Lina travelled to Holland to teach at DecoMatch Studio.

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Teaching, demonstrating, having a booth and fulfilling her obligations as a SDP board member at large, Lina had a busy conference this year. There is however, always time to celebrate with friends.

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