For immediate release
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In this issue

Nashville Conference Overview
McNaughton Class to be Repeated

Take Part in 'The Art of Food'

Contests Coming!
A Case for Caring

Painted Quilt Fundraiser

Pluck a Pink Hat

SDP Ambassadors Help Us Grow

Community Service Suggestion

Loving Support for the Troops

A Charm(ing) Reminder

A Helping Hand to Patients

Revised Bylaws?

Did You Know?

Keeping Positive!
Signs of Community Involvement
Memory Boxes from the Heart
Blossoms Rock!
Artists Adopt a Chapter

Paint a Treasure Box for a Child

Chapter Snapshots

Delta Creative Challenge

• Nashville Conference Overview

By Mary Cobble, SDP Chapters Coordinator
The 2006 Nashville Conference had more than the usual amount of chapter-related activities. For instance …

Chapters Marketplace

The new Chapters Marketplace was a huge success! Excitement was in the air as members jockeyed for a place in front of the chapter booths. With live country music by Bridgette Ward (one of our own SDP members!), lots of door prizes and wonderful merchandise from chapters all over the world, the Chapters Marketplace was the place to be on Thursday evening. Plans are already in the making for the 2007 Anaheim Conference, so chapters, start thinking about what YOU would like to bring to the next Chapters Marketplace.

Chapters Gathering

From all accounts, this year’s Chapters Gathering was the best ever. There were wonderful, informative speakers, such as Nancy Genetti of the Yellow Rose Chapter, assisting us with creating and maintaining chapter websites and Dawn Wurst of the Creative Artists of Central Florida chapter with tips and tricks for chapter involvement amongst members, along with great ideas for an educational program. SDP President Darla Foreman offered insights on how to keep chapter members working together amicably and how to deal with personal conflicts within the chapter. (See the story about Darla’s presentation later in this issue). 

Over the next few issues, further information will be shared through Chapter Happenings with regard to the Chapters Gathering program. For now, here is a tip from Debby Lane of the Triad Decorative Painters. Debby suggests that chapters contact their local bookstores, such as Barnes & Noble, to see if they allow local groups to gift wrap books and calendars during the Christmas holidays for donations. If so, with a few hours and a few volunteers, a chapter could make a very tidy sum. Great idea, Debby! 

President’s Reception

The President’s Reception was held in the Presidential Suite at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. In addition to the beautiful view, the Chapter Presidents were able to enjoy the company of their peers – and a chocolate fountain! 

Banquet Table Décor

To all of the chapters who volunteered to decorate a table, you have the heartfelt appreciation of all who attended the banquet. Each table was unique and wonderful. Words cannot describe this feast for the eyes, so here are photos of the winners.

Grand Prize winners – Japanese Members

 

1^st Prize Winner – Nation’s Capital Chapter

 

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                  2^nd Prize Winner – Illinois Prairie Painters

 

                   

3^rd Prize Winner– Annapolis Valley Decorative Artists

 

Carol Wickston of the Illinois Prairie Painters described how this project brought their members together and 17 ladies painted the pieces. Some of the ladies got to know each other better through working together, and everyone was very excited about participating in the banquet table challenge. 

 

• Take Part in 'The Art of Food'

 

Is your pie popular? Your dip a delight? Does everyone shout "Hooray!" when you bring your souffle? Don't keep your best receipe to yourself! Share it with SDP members around the world. Submit your recipe to SDP's 35th Anniversary cookbook, "The Art of Food." Click HERE to download the official form and mail it to Headquarters by Oct. 1, 2006. 

• McNaughton Class to be Repeated

Maureen McNaughton's Home to the Heartland seminar has proved so popular that it sold out! We don't want you to miss this unique opportunity to learn Maureen’s own multiloading stroke technique, however, so we have scheduled another three-day seminar to accomodate more students. The second seminar is scheduled for Nov. 6-8, 2006 at SDP Headquarters. Please do not delay in registering. As with all Home to the Heartland events, space is limited, so contact Janelle Johnson at (316) 269-9300, ext. 104 or e-mail her at Janelle@decorativepainters.org.

• Contests Coming

Attention Chapter members! Two contests for SDP Chapters will be announced in the next few weeks. Watch for e-blasts and an article in The Decorative Painter for complete details.

• A Case for Caring

By Sheila Rogoff, Decorative Artists of Southwest Florida I'm with the Decorative Artists of Southwest Florida and I run a program in our chapter for foster children. Our ladies paint donated suitcases in good condition and distribute them through the Children's Network of Southwest Florida. This is important because usually these kids have to put their belongings in trash bags when they go from home to home. These kids can't wait for the case workers to bring them their painted suitcase.

I’d like to spread the word to all of the SDP chapters and possibly get them interested in doing the same thing in their area. Local newspapers have been interviewing us and doing wonderful cover stories about our project. In addition to receiving donations, we all go to garage sales and thrift shops to get these suitcases to paint. If you would like ideas or information about starting a program like this, please contact me at ravelsgal@aol.com.

• Painted Quilt Fundraiser

 

By Carol Hiller, the Northern Wisconsin Decorative Artists

The Northern Wisconsin Decorative Artists -- who will celebrate their 20^th anniversary in September -- painted this quilt as a service project. We had a raffle as a fund raiser for our four local food pantries. Joyce Nelson of Eagle River , Wisc., won the quilt. We started a new quilt in July, with a theme of “Grandma's Attic.”

• Pluck a Pink Hat 

Need a hat for gardening or taking a stroll? SDP has a small number of magenta cloth hats for sale. These wide-brimmed hats fold up and stash in their own zippered cloth case. They are available for $5 each, plus postage and handling. Call Stacee at (316) 269-9300, ext. 110 or e-mail stacee@decorativepainters to order yours!

• Ambassadors Help Us Grow 

By Teri Mott, SDP Communications Coordinator

A big thank you to our 2005-06 SDP Ambassador team! This wonderful group of motivated members recruited more than 40 new members by giving presentations at civic, garden and women’s clubs, sharing information at state fairs and craft shows and spreading the word about SDP at painting classes.

SDP 2005-06 Ambassador of the Year Nilda Rodrigez, CDA was honored at annual conference in Nashville . Congratulations, Nilda and keep up the good work!

Here’s a list of the 2005-06 SDP Ambassadors:
Nancy Kirkpatrick

Judy Hoffman

Mickey Willis Holley

Robin Benjes

Diane Edwards

Lois Eldridge

Nancy Davidson

Maggie Vance

Phyllis Bingham

Louise Handley

Buzz Smith

Debbie Brown

Nilda Rodrigez, CDA

The following members joined the team as SDP Ambassadors for 2006-07:

Janet Hastings

Mary Dunlap

Carolyn Napier

Bonnie Fisher

Peggi Allen

Rochelle Duprey

Helen Rice

Kerry Sides

Dorie Devnew Wilson
Vikki Pfaff

You’re invited to join the SDP Ambassador team to help recruit new members and tell the world about SDP and decorative painting! Just request an Ambassador kit by calling Teri Mott at (316) 269-9300, ext. 115 or e-mail teri@decorativepainters.org. The SDP Ambassador who recruits the most new members over five (never-before members or members who have not been an SDP member in 2005 and 2006) between Aug. 15, 2006 and May 1, 2007 will be named Ambassador of the Year and recognized at SDP’s 35^th Annual Conference in Anaheim . Each chapter with at least one Ambassador will receive credit toward their Chapter Achievement Award.  

• Community Service Suggestion

Chris Watson of the Yankee Heritage Tole Chapter had a wonderful idea, which Jeanne Paglio, the Community Service Chair, has put into motion. The chapter members are donating DVDs, word puzzles, search-a-word booklets, crossword booklets and Sudoku games to the Levine Cancer Center for the women who undergo chemotherapy treatment. Cancer touches all of our lives, in one way or another, and to be able to help someone take their mind off of their illness, if only for a moment, is worth every effort made. Please consider this as a community service idea in your area. 

• Loving Support for the Troops

By Kim V. Leonard, Flower City Decorative Artists of New York

In January our group wrestled with what to do as a community service project for 2006. In the past, we have painted hats for cancer patients, prepared kits for the battered women’s shelter, decorated hallways at a local community hospital, hand painted bags for children who are moved from home to home due to domestic violence and many other projects.

As we were discussing ideas, we realized how many of us had family, friends and neighbors serving overseas or about to enlist. After learning of the enormous need for basic supplies, we decided to provide not only the bare necessities but additional amenities for those who may not have anyone to provide for them.

A community service project was created and named “PAINT” – Painters Actively Involved in the Needs of our Troops. Flower City Decorative Artists started a monthly program to send a variety of care packages, including “goodies,” books and magazines, razors and sundry items based on a wish list provided to us. We also included hand painted ornaments, pins and cards to give them a sense of the pride we feel for them. Painting kits with colored pencils, pastels and chalks, watercolor paints, brushes and accessories were sent along to encourage decorative painting and the ability to express oneself no matter where in the world you may be. These tools were well received and greatly appreciated

Two of our members, Nancy Carney and Jean Kubishin, raised funds on their own by having a raffle for their art work and donating the proceeds to purchase the much sought after Play Station 2 controls and games for the wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Military Hospital in Germany . FCDA joined in this effort and provided one on behalf of the group as well.  Two handmade quilts made by Gladys Richardson, a longtime FCDA member, were also included with the package.

By sheer luck and the grace of God, FCDA found a distributing company in Buffalo , New York , who mails our monthly shipments at no charge. Without Sam’s Son Distributing and the efforts of Steve Kovacik and his family, we would not have been able to reach out and touch as many lives as we have. This is the first annual on-going community service project we have undertaken and we plan to send care packages each and every month throughout 2006.

The response from the troops has been amazing and heart wrenching at the same time. You cannot imagine the joy you feel when you receive a letter or a picture from a soldier you have never met thanking you for thinking of them and sending items so desperately needed.

If anyone is interested in starting their own program or donating to Flower City ’s efforts, please contact Flower City Decorative Artists of New York. The most important lesson we learned from this project is this: We don’t do it for us or for the recognition; it’s all about them: the men and women who serve our country, who allow us to sleep at peace each night in our own beds and keep us safe from harm while laying their own lives on the line. To them we say: “Thank you and God Speed.”

A special thank you to Marion Romig and Connie Trovato, our community service organizers who not only pursued and embraced this endeavor but made us all realize that every person can make a difference.

• A Charming Reminder

Chapters: Don’t forget that it’s time to order your chapter charms. It takes 4 to 6 weeks to receive your charm order, so place your order today! Call Stacee at (316) 269-9300, ext. 110 or e-mail stacee@decorativepainters.org.

 

• A Helping Hand for Patients

 

By Mary Anne, Hudson Valley Tole & Decorative Painters

The Hudson Valley Tole & Decorative Painters did a community service project in conjunction with the Great American Weekend, July 1-2. We gave out lots of brochures and sold many raffle tickets for a quilt and nesting tables. We are again supporting CROC (Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer). This is a group that helps cancer victims with medicine, transportation, days out and so on. All the funds go to the cancer patients. It is a wonderful group.

• Revised Bylaws 

Don’t forget … when your chapter revises its bylaws and/or standing rules, please send a copy to Chapter Services Coordinator Mary Cobble.

• Did You Know?

Tole Country is the first and longest running chapter-sponsored mini-convention.  Held in Oklahoma City , Okla. , this will be the 33^rd year the Central Oklahoma Society of Tole & Decorative Painters (Tole Diggers) have organized this fun event. For more information, go to www.tolecountry.com. The next Tole Country mini-convention is Sept. 27-30.

These other chapter-sponsored mini-conventions are coming up soon:

Sept. 22-24:  Northwest Toleliners

Oct. 4-8:         New England Traditions (NET)

• Keeping positive

Darla Foreman, 2006-07 SDP President, spoke at the Chapters Gathering in Nashville . As a member of two chapters – the Central Oklahoma Society of Tole & Decorative Painters (Tole Diggers) and the Sooner Decorative Artists -- she had many tips for keeping a positive, upbeat atmosphere amongst chapter members. Here are some of the many ideas she shared with us:

• Set achievable goals.
• Maintain positive communication. If someone says “that idea will not work” respond with “How do we make it work?” Listen to what other members are saying. Listening skills are very important.
• Keep cool under pressure.
• Stop and think. Don’t react: think and then act.
• Keep a sense of humor
• Maintain a youthful spirit – it will energize other chapter members.
• Have confidence in yourself and in your fellow members
• Ask for help in completing a task. The more the members are involved, the fewer conflicts will arise.
• Embrace each member with a genuine smile.
• Above all, when there is a conflict, do not walk out the door. Find a way to solve the problem. 

To paraphrase a quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt: We are a family brought together not by birthright, but by compassion, love and joy. 

• Signs of Community Involvement

 

By Nina Bailey, South Bay Folk Artists

My chapter, the South Bay Folk Artists, has been making Habitat for Humanity welcome signs for the past two years. The HFH program provides affordable housing to families in our area. In 2005, our chapter started by making 25 signs. This year we were able to increase the number to 50 signs. Each one is as unique as the families they will go to. The process was very simple. Contact was made with a local representative from Habitat for Humanity and I was referred to their Family Service Department. I called and met with HFH to share information about the Society and offered our skills, be it to paint a mural or do some other kind of project. Examples of our art work were shown. The idea of the Welcome Sign project was born from that meeting. This project allowed all of our members to share their talents. The project was presented to the HFH board for approval, as well as to our own board for approval. The OK was given and we told our members about the project. Members were invited to sign up, and signs -- along with instructions -- were given with a due date (we allowed about three months). We ask participants to use a pattern of their choice, varnish the signs when done and place a hanging hook on the back). And the rest was history! We were able to utilize a local merchant's wood cutter for the signs (from The Unfinished Furniture store. They promote decorative folk art by carrying supplies, wood, and patterns.) Each sign cost $5, paid by the chapter. Finally, we invited a representative from HFH to come to a general meeting to receive the signs. This has been a very enjoyable project for all involved!

• Memory Boxes from the Heart

By Jeanne Swanson, Heart of the Umpqua Artists
Heart of the Umpqua Artists of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, are working to support the Memory Box program with a special raffle of a quilt rack painted by Ronnie Gobel and an on-going sale of hand-knitted dish clothes by Phyllis Lynch. All proceeds go toward the purchase of the paper mache boxes and postage.

• Artists Adopt A Chapter

By Shirley Heckler, Cactus Wren Decorative Artists

After Hurricane Katrina, the Cactus Wren Decorative Artists, located in Phoenix, Ariz., decided that they wanted to help out the victims in some manner. CWDA’s representative, Susan Phillips, contacted the New Orleans chapter president, Mary Ingersoll. She asked Mary what we could do for her chapter and told her “We want to adopt your chapter.” Mary asked, “What does that mean?” and Susan said, “I don’t know!” As far as we know this has never been done before.

LeQuita Crowe of CWDA met with Mary and Delores Brechtel of the Greater New Orleans chapter just before the National Conference in June. LeQuita presented Mary with 71 pillowcases, one for each member of her club. CWDA paints these pillowcases for members who need some special love, either because they have lost a loved one, or they -- or a member of their family -- are gravely ill. CWDA members thought that by painting a pillowcase for each member of the Greater New Orleans chapter we could show that we are thinking of them and sending our love in that way.

At the National Conference, a CWDA board member met some of the Greater New Orleans members and had lunch. The Greater New Orleans Chapter is selling cookbooks as a fundraiser and CWDA is taking orders and selling these at their chapter meeting as well. 

CWDA will be sending gifts to the Greater New Orleans Chapter throughout the year. Each quarter we have sent several boxes of goodies, including pattern books as well as unfinished wood. There will be some other surprises in store as the year progresses. 

In March 2006, the SDP Board of Directors approved the Treasure Box Program and appointed a committee to bring it to life: Chairwoman Jo Lutness; Jillybean Fitzhenry; Ladybug Jan McCraw (who originated the idea) and Judy Westegaard (who brought it to the Society’s attention). The object of the program is to provide a hand painted “treasure box” to children who are chronically ill patients in a hospital. These children are often given small toys to divert their attention from their pain. The Treasure Box is a container in which the child can store his or her toys and take them home. Committee members hope to “give each child a smile” and a fond memory of SDP and its Treasured Painters.

 

SDP is now partnering with Shriners Children’s Hospitals, thanks to Jillybean, to distribute these boxes. The program kicked off at SDP Conference in Nashville with Treasure Box painting stations, a presentation of boxes to the Potentate of the Nashville Shrine and informational talks to the Chapters Gathering, Banquet and other meetings. We would so appreciate it if you would share your talents by becoming a Treasured Painter and creating a special gift for a deserving child. Boxes should be able to fit into the drawer in the bedside table. Shoe boxes, craft or photo storage boxes (available at chain craft stores) or boxes available for $2 each (nested in 3 sizes) from the committee are perfect for this project. We are painting boxes for children from ages 3 to 18 so many designs are acceptable.

The Treasure Box program is just another way that our kind-hearted members can contribute to those in need. We are hoping that this endeavor will bring together painters in a worthwhile community effort and help to make the world more aware of SDP and decorative painting.

Want to participate? Contact Jillybean at jillybeanf@aol.com or Jo at jodecart@aol.com for details and a list of depot locations to which the boxes should be delivered.  

• Chapter Snapshots

The Brevard Brush Strokes show off the projects they painted with Scottie Foster (at far left). Photo submitted by Alise Duerr.

 Showcase your talent by entering the 2006 Delta Creative Challenge -- a nationwide competition for crafters, artists and designers of all ages! 

This year, we are challenging crafters and decorative painters to create and submit home décor projects that utilize Delta Creative products in any of the three featured categories:

Adult 20 and older 
Teen 13-19
Child 12 and under

Contest prizes include: up to $1,000 cash, iPod, Nintendo DS, gift baskets and lots more (depending on your age group)!

We are proud to provide an opportunity for crafters to showcase their creativity and enjoy recognition for their art, craft and decorating talents. To enter, please go to www.deltacreative.com to review the brochure outlining the contest and to print off the submission form.  

Delta Creative Challenge Team

advisor@deltacreative.com

www.deltacreative.com