Hi, it’s Linda! You know… the artist who started at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show 29 years ago? When we made the decision not to participate this year, I had no idea how much I would miss it. I literally started the Artists’ Aisle years and years ago. In my first year at the old Convention Center, I was the only artist on the second floor. My booth was between bathtubs and windows. People told me that my booth was like having dessert after all those garage doors and garden sheds! For 8 years, I remained the only artist…

The title of today’s blog relates to our experiences at last week’s South Hills Home Show at AHN Cool Springs Sports Complex in Bethel Park. From the moment we arrived Thursday to set up, the other vendors went out of their way to welcome us and to help us carry everything in. Friends and customers stopped by to tell me they were so glad I was there and that they found me! On Friday, Andy from Evey Hardware showcased our booth on BPTV. And on Saturday, KDKA’s Rob Pratte Live interviewed me for about 20 minutes. He asked questions about my career and told…

It’s funny how even when our children are grown and independent, we’re still sometimes called upon to be moms again.   My daughter Brittany had surgery this week. I hadn’t been that nervous for a very long time. I’m aware that emotional eating has always been my coping mechanism, so I made it a point to make a smart choice at the hospital cafeteria by ordering a veggie omelet. That worked out so well, that then I thought, “I think I need more fuel in this stressful situation, so maybe I’ll do what the hobbits do and have a second…

Hi, it’s Linda! It was 29 years ago that I called John DeSantis of the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show to inquire about becoming a vendor for the upcoming year. To my surprise, he had actually heard of me, and from that moment on treated me as if I were one very special person! The year before, Tom and I were taking in the show on the old Convention Center second floor, where we came across a friend whose gallery had carried my art. He told us that I should set up at the show and ask to be on…

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Hi, it’s Linda! What a great day it was!!! Four paintings celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States were unveiled on Saturday, featuring the creativity of three Pittsburgh artists – Maria De Simone Prascak, Johno Prascak, and myself. Each painting (commissioned by the Bethel Park Community Foundation) tells a story of some of the best aspects of our country. As with my painting of “Our Lady of Liberty,” Maria’s painting of the eagle flying upward and forward symbolizes the strength, optimism, resiliency, hope, and joyful inspiration that our country was founded on. Click here to see all the prints…

Hi, it’s Linda! Two weeks of water aerobics in Puerto Rico have done wonders for my body! I went from a body in winter dormancy to helping shovel out five cars since I’ve been back in Pittsburgh! Now that I’m building stamina, you might believe me when I say I’m training for my painting marathon that will be starting any day now! I’ve got all my pastels in order, and my pastel paper is getting mounted on museum-quality board. I’m tanned, rested, and itching to get started!  I already have two Pittsburgh pieces in mind and a private commission to start…

Hi, it’s Linda! Tom and I have been on a lovely little getaway to Puerto Rico for the last week and a half. Reluctantly, we’re cutting our vacation short a day so that we can get back safely before the winter storm arrives. I know Pittsburgh has had a lot of harsh weather over the last two weeks, and while we’re thrilled to have missed it, we’ve been concerned for everyone’s safety during this miserable cold spell. I know that while we’re feeling gentle breezes here, the folks back home are feeling something a whole lot different! So we’re just going…

Happy Holidays! Because we work right up to Christmas Eve, Tom and I celebrate the 12 days of Christmas each year by doing something special together each day. In years past, we’ve gone to places like the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, Dickens Victorian Village in Cambridge, Ohio, and Steubenville Nutcracker Village, also in Ohio. This year so far we haven’t strayed too far from home, but we have already had a movie night out with “Song Sung Blue.” We’ve also watched some of our favorite holiday movies at home like George C. Scott in “A Christmas…

Only 7 days until Christmas! Hard to believe, isn’t it? It feels like just yesterday that we were setting up the Chalet! Tom and I have gotten into a good routine. He drops me off at the Benedum lot and helps get all my windows open and set up our counter. Then he drives to 15th St., which is about a 20-minute walk from where we are, and walks back. Some days he endures the cold, and sometimes like yesterday, he enjoys the sun and warmth. We have a wonderful little international community here in the Benedum lot. There is…

Yep, you heard me right! Last week’s free shipping promotion was such a success, I decided to extend my FREE SHIPPING offer on all orders over $50.00 for another weekend. My goal is to make your life as easy as possible this Holiday Season! So step up and take advantage of another weekend of free shipping – the offer ends at midnight Sunday, December 8th. I know not all of you can make it down to our beautiful, quaint Holiday Market. I hope this offer will give you a chance to shop with me without even venturing from your cozy sofa! It looks…