Christmas in July…yes, it’s still summer, but the 2011 holiday season will be here before you know it. So grab your paintbrushes and get ready to have some fun!

In past years, our annual Christmas ornament issue was released under the Quick & Easy Painting title. This year, the tradition continues with PaintWorks Christmas Ornaments.

Years ago, trees were decorated with fruit, nuts, and candies. Since then, typical ornamentation for Christmas trees has become more personalized. Today, a Christmas tree is often the main focal piece of holiday decorating, and in many cases, it is customized to coordinate with one’s décor. The tradition of trimming the tree is often combined with a family party to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. Boxes of ornaments—many with special meanings—and strings of lights come out of storage for their yearly debut. As some of the special ornaments are unwrapped and hung on the tree, we are reminded of those who gave them to us and of Christmases past.

Plan ahead for this year’s tree-trimming party. Get together with your painting friends this summer to create special ornaments for your trees. Begin a collection of ornaments that can be passed down from generation to generation. Also, paint some extras and eliminate the stress of last-minute shopping—they make great gifts for everyone on your list!

Keep in mind that many of our featured designs can be adapted to other surfaces, including pins, pendants, greeting cards, gift tags, gift bags, and more. If you want to be really creative, enlarge the pattern of one of the ornaments in this issue, and paint it on a large wooden cutout or banner to display on your front door or porch. I distinctly remember a four- or five-foot candy cane that my father made when I was young. Every Christmas, it would be tied to the post on the porch and greet all who came to visit.

We are certain that this issue will inspire you to make some Christmas magic of your own. Hand-painted gifts from the heart are guaranteed to bring smiles and joy to beloved family members and friends.

Happy painting!
Linda R. Heller, Editor in Chief

Take a Peek Inside this Issue

Projects

Kindly Welcome Trio

Christmas Favorites

Wooden Bell Ornaments

Wooden Gift Tag Ornaments

Garden Birds

Glittery Tree Ornaments

Porcelain Ornaments

Porcelain Tree Topper and Ornaments

Tin Ornaments

Aura Pinecone Ornament

Acorns and Pinecones

Holiday Sleds

Holiday Houses

Music Note Ornaments

Oh Christmas Tree

Snowmen Ornaments

Santa and Snowman Tin Hearts

Christmas Cardinal Ornaments

The Wonder of Christmas

Red, White, and Blue Santas

Snowbuds Village Ornaments

Hanging by a Star

Elf Ornaments

Candy Cane Christmas

"HO, HO, HO" Trio

Frosty Fun Ornaments

Sledding Friends

Winter Thyme Candles

Holiday Cutouts

Decorate the Tree

Christmas Ornament Trio

Trio of Snowmen Ornaments

Angel Tree Topper

Raggedy Angels

Holiday Hang Tags

"Holiday Harbors" Sea Chest Ornaments

Christmas Treats and Ornaments

Features

Just for Fun: Meet Rudolph! Susan Mynyk

Painter’s Potpourri: Molding New Friends

Projects

Kindly Welcome Trio Lynne Andrews

Christmas Favorites Barbara (Franzreb) Bunsey

Wooden Bell Ornaments Pam Gonnason

Wooden Gift Tag Ornaments Helena R. Andrejev

Garden Birds Jane Allen

Glittery Tree Ornaments Susan V. Cochrane

Porcelain Ornaments Sue Beckerton

Porcelain Tree Topper and Ornaments Chris Thornton-Deason

Tin Ornaments Donna Scully

Aura Pinecone Ornament Gisele Pope

Acorns and Pinecones Debby Forshey-Choma

Holiday Sleds Barbara Nielsen

Holiday Houses Robin Mani

Music Note Ornaments Chris Thornton-Deason

Oh Christmas Tree Amy J. Mogish

Snowmen Ornaments Chris Haughey

Santa and Snowman Tin Hearts Nancy Scott

Christmas Cardinal Ornaments Linda Hollander

The Wonder of Christmas Trudy Beard

Red, White, and Blue Santas Shara Reiner

Snowbuds Village Ornaments Debby Forshey-Choma

Hanging by a Star Prudy Vannier

Elf Ornaments Christy Hartman

Candy Cane Christmas Sandi Strecker

"HO, HO, HO" Trio Anita Morin

Frosty Fun Ornaments Deb Malewski

Sledding Friends Sandi Strecker

Winter Thyme Candles Reneé Mullins

Holiday Cutouts Monika Brint

Decorate the Tree Debbie Cotton

Christmas Ornament Trio Nancy Wood

Trio of Snowmen Ornaments Sue Allemand

Angel Tree Topper Monika Brint

Raggedy Angels Terrye French and Deb Antonick

Holiday Hang Tags Susan C. Burd

"Holiday Harbors" Sea Chest Ornaments Cynthia Erekson

Christmas Treats and Ornaments Gisele Pope

Features

Just for Fun: Meet Rudolph!
by Susan Mynyk

Painter’s Potpourri: Molding New Friends by Gisele Pope

Departments

Expressions
Coming Next!
Designer Directory
Product Palette

Buy this Issue