Hand painted ornaments

For my guests at Romantic Cottage Christmas, I painted some ornaments.

Hand painted balls used to be a huge tradition with me. I have no idea how many hundreds I've done over the years.  When I was a poor, single mom, I hawked these like crazy to earn money to buy the kids' gifts.

Then, for 20 years or so, painted ornaments were gifts I did for family.

Somehow, I've gotten away from making them. A few here and there maybe, over the last few seasons, but not to the extent that I used to make them.  My boys have one for each year while they were growing up, with all sorts of pictures, from snowmen, to Santas, to a picture of their first cars, but I don't think I've made any yet for the grand fairies.

Maybe I needed that little break from making these, because it sure felt good to sit at the desk and swirl roses out of pink paint onto glass balls.   Ryan came by the studio while I was working on them, and seemed so pleased to see me back at it.  I guess I didn't realize my family had missed them. 

I'd kind of branched out into different types of holiday projects once I discovered how much I loved playing with vintage elements.  But painting was my first love and I had a great day making some for my friends.

Maybe I'll get out the brushes and make a few more...

Comments

[Linda P.]

Those are absolutely gorgeous, Karla! The glitter adds an extra beautiful touch. I know your workshop guests loved getting a hand-painted ornament from you! There's just something special about a gift you hand craft. It's like giving a part of yourself.

[karol]

Those are beautiful! What special gifts.

[elaine]

I'd buy one or two :) they are gorgeous

[Beth Leintz]

Grammy Karkie, I know a lot of little Dorkies that would love an ornament for Christmas...(and one freckled dog).

Do you remember the ornament with two Shelties you painted for me to give to my friend Robin? Just the other day, Robin's mom told me how their whole family loves that ornament.

You've made a lot of Christmas trees very special for a lot of people!

[Linda]

What a special personal gift from your hands, they are so beautiful and I'm sure your boys consider them precious gifts from their childhood from their talented Mom. I'm sure the girls at the workshop loved them and now they are proudly hanging on their trees. Hope your Christmas is beautiful and wonderful this year! Linda F.

[Karla Nathan]

I used to have a whole collection of portraits from every dog Id owned, till my tree got knocked down a few years ago.... I love painting yorkies, no matter how alike they all are, each has its own personality that has to be shown in a portrait.

Karla Nathan
www.karlascottage.typepad.com
www.karlascottage.com

[Pam Perrella]

Karla, I LOVE my ornament. I am still enjoying spending the day at the cottage. I had such fun and made such beautiful projects. It was a great day, thanks.

[Patty in Kansas]

Karla...your hand painted ornaments are beautiful! They look so dreamy with the sprinkling of glitter. Have a wonderful Christmas season. Patty in Kansas

[Carrie]

Absolutely Gorgeous!!

[Karla Nathan]

Pam, it was such a fun day for me too! Im glad you liked your ornie.

[Belinda]

Swooning from all the eye candy!!!

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks, patty! Everything is better with glitter.

Karla Nathan
www.karlascottage.typepad.com
www.karlascottage.com

[Karla Nathan]

Thank you, Carrie!

[Gail]

Please get your brushes out and paint more! I love your painting style, and I have quite a few of your painted ornaments from about 5 or 6 years back! Love them all and they make me smile when I put them on the tree!

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks, Gail! You love roses as much as I do.

[jeanie]

I love these more than I can say, Karla! You remind me that my paints are my pal and you don't keep friends unless you play with them a bit! I don't know if there will be time this year -- I hope so. But this is definitely on my agenda!

[Laurie]

I'm so happy with mine! It's on my blog today...and now so great to know how many memories come with it!

[Laura Strack]

Hi Karla, Maybe you should have a little Tutorial, in your shop, on how to paint these lovely ornaments? I would buy it, for sure! Happy Holidays!!

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks for the idea, Laura. Maybe Ill do some spring roses, that could be a nice tutorial. But Ive run out of time to do it for ornies.