SO I had to have one. As I sat painting mine, I got to thinking of my vow this summer- I was not bring another American flag into the house without bringing a Canadian flag in with it. So...
I used the same idea. With four 2x4s cut to equal lengths (I cut mine at 5inches)- two for the middle white part and one red for each end (turned sideways). I then found a maple leaf in clipart and printed it out on red card stock. I cut out the star and modge podged it right on one of the white blocks, and Voila! Hope that makes sense.
With Christmas coming up we are preparing our churches Christmas craft day. We had made plans for plenty of crafty things but had neglected to find anything Savior related. So I was on the look out for some sort of inexpensive nativity. I found a craft book that had small pictures of a craft show. In the itsy bitsiest corner I saw something like this.
What you need
6"-2x2 (I did not sand them down before painting. I wanted a rough unfinished look)
5"-2x2
3"-2"furring strip
2x 1-1/2" ball knob
1x 1/2" furniture button
desired paint, hot glue or gorilla glue, some twine
I cut the 2x2s for Joseph, and for Mary. I did not sand them down before painting. I wanted a rough unfinished look. I painted them and distressed them topping each with a flesh colored 1-1/2" ball knob with a hot glue gun.
For baby I painted him with a thick layer of cream, using a slanted criss cross action to give the effect of a swaddling cloth. I distressed him and used a leftover furniture button from this project.
I simple lined all three figures up and tied baby Jesus to Mary and Joseph with the twine.
You can attach a gift tag with phrases like
-"There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries." ~W.J. Cameron
-"Christians awake salute the happy morn; Whereon the Saviour of the world was born." - John Byrom
-Jesus is the reason for the season!
-"When we have the spirit of Christmas, we remember Him whose birth we commemorate at this season of the year." - Thomas S. Monson
I also made a larger version (still unfinished) with left over 4x4 post from my desk. I cute them at 12" and 9", using a 4.5" 2x4 for baby Jesus. Our local wood supplier did not have large ball knobs to make the heads so I will have to keep looking. As well as something for baby Jesus face. Any suggestions?
See me here
That nativity is adorable - beyond easy and what I like is that it can be done at any scale.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. Fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I love the simplicity of it. Thanks for sharing ... I've posted a link. I would also love to know more about your church Christmas event. I've worked with my church on their event for 13 years. I'd love to swap ideas with you!
ReplyDeleteThat is an absolutely precious gift idea! Love the soft coloring you used as well. If you could please add a link back to me or my party button to you post, I'd greatly appreciate it. My blog is small, so I rely on those link-backs. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteVery cute! The nativity looks like something even I could make given my painting ability is very limited!! Definitely going to consider it!
ReplyDelete(Stopping by from Amanda's party)
PS. I don't know why some of the blogger blogs will not accept my URL so i have to put in an old blog address.
My current website is The Wonder Woman Challenge: http://shileennixon.com
You have some great ideas! I'm going to link to this nativity. But with such a busy background it is difficult to read, particularly your blog archive on the sidebar. I'm looking forward to more of your projects. (www.craftlinky.com)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see something Canadian. Very cute as well as the nativity scene.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I really love the nativity . . . simple and timeless!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful nativity. I'm in awe at the simplicity.
ReplyDeleteOk, so I cant wait to copy these:) So amazing! I just had the idea to spell out "fall" out of blocks like this...but these are so much cuter!
ReplyDeleteI love the nativity!! So awesome. One of my friends only uses nativities at Christmas, and I LOVE them. I get a new one every year. I think this will be this years!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful and kid friendly. I wouldn't be watching all Christmas season to make sure my ceramic figures were being moved.
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity of the nativity!
ReplyDeleteAdorable! And something I can get the girls I teach can make. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe nativity is so cleaver...I love the simplicity, yet it says it all. (-: The flags are great too!
ReplyDeleteFor the larger Joseph & Mary: have you considered styrofoam balls with brown paper bag papier mache or just the premade papier mach balls? And for Jesus face: wood kitchen knobs that are flat = about 1 1/4" deep and 2 1/2" wide?
ReplyDeleteLove this project and I just happen to have some extra 2x2s wanting to be given a divine purpose.
I love how simple and precious is the nativity is! Some of the nativity people I have seen are down right creepy looking and I love how yours turned out! The flags are great too! Makes me wish I had a saw or someone around that was handy with a saw that liked me enough to help when I needed it! Haha! partying with you at All Thingz Related!
ReplyDeleteA great idea! Pretty and simple. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat is just too cute. I love the simplicity of it!
ReplyDeleteThe block nativity is very cool, very primitive.
ReplyDeleteI love the Nativity idea. But this would work as a gift for a new baby as well. It reminds me of Willow Tree figures.
ReplyDeleteHello from Canada! I was looking this morning for a craft idea that I can do with my two boys as Christmas gifts. I love your post on the Nativity. Thank you! You asked for ideas to make the heads on your larger set. Small yarn rolled up in a ball would look really nice, or felt. I've added you to my blog list, you have a very sweet heart.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your loved ones this Christmas.
www.lifeinevverybreath.blogspot.com
- Audrey
Hi, new follower here...LOVE that cute Nativity. I linked to your blog over at mine, as I want more to see it and make them! Blessings for the holidays!
ReplyDeletehttp://just-starting-out.blogspot.com/2010/12/different-nativity-simple-and-cute.html
I just found your nativity via pinterest. I love it! I'm no following your blog.
ReplyDeleteI am totally in love with your nativity. Thank you for sharing the tutorial. I am so happy to feature it on my blog www.christmascreative.blogspot.com where I am attempting to share the true meaning of Christmas all mixedin with a handcrafting celebration.
ReplyDeleteI think your nativity is going to moonlight at this year's Super Saturday craft day at church. ;-) Thank you!! It's the perfect balance of gorgeous and anybody-can-do-that. It takes talent to come up with a project like that! (I found this via Pinterest *grin*)
ReplyDeleteI pinned your nativity a few days ago and just wanted to tell you how much I love it!! Sweet!!
ReplyDeleteI'm in Canada and I went to a independent lumber company that carries some craft wood and found a 3 inch ball with a flat bottom. The 4 x 4's are usually 3.5 x 3.5 so I think they sould work quite nicely. The 1 1/2 ball should do nicely for the baby. The balls were quite costly 3.99 each but they work. You could cut a sq. 4 x 4 piece and round the edges on a belt sander. Not complely round but it would have that rustic look.
ReplyDeleteI cann't wait to see how these turn out for me. Love them.
Just thought of the balls you can get at Dolorama. They have wood rounds glued to them or bark. Stuff like that. They are big enough for the 4 x 4's Will check tomorrow. You just have to paint them or add a little wood filler in the face area to make that smooth and them paint them. Not sure if you have Buck or two or some thing like that where you are.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your little nativity people. They are SO STINKIN' adorable. I pinned them to my wall. And today I bought the supplies to make them. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove the Nativity, too--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the great idea! We are making the family for Christmas gifts for friends and family. Here is a blog post about it.
ReplyDeleteLaura
http://laurmelashouse.blogspot.com/2011/11/reason-for-season.html
THis is such a cute easy idea and I am definitely doing this with my kids. THanks!!! for sharing!! God bless, Have a wonderful season of celebrating HIM!
ReplyDeleteI have a question that reveals my uncraftiness: What does it mean to "distress" the blocks after painting them? I'm going to the hardware store to get all my supplies...should I buy a distresser?!
ReplyDeleteNo you just sand it down a bit with sand paper.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much :) The nativity was a perfect craft for us, doable for my children. They turned out so beautiful.
ReplyDeletelove it!!! Great job. Great blog!!! http://tinkartist.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love your nativity set. How creative! Thanks so much for sharing. I found your project on Pinterest. I just made 4 sets and have featured your project inspiration on my blog post today!
ReplyDeleteYou can view it here:
http://redefiningc.blogspot.com/2011/12/joseph-mary-and-baby-jesus-wooden.html
Have a great day!
Brilliant!!! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this project. A few weeks ago I spent almost an entire day looking for a simple gift I could make for people I love this year. I refuse to give meaningless gifts. At 3 AM I found your little nativity via www.aholyexperience.com! I knew right away it was what I had spent the entire day looking for. My little one helped paint and I will finish the first set today to give tonight. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhere do you find the ball knobs? My lowes thought I was crazy!
ReplyDeleteI found the ball knobs at hobby lobby, michaels, or Joann's. Most craft stores carry them or can order them in for you rather quickly.
ReplyDeletei just made 8 of these...got the wood donated by a carpenter at my church, and the balls i found for $1 to $1.50 a piece at Michael's. thank you! perfect Christ-centered gift for neighbors!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this project. I have been looking for a great gift idea that has meaning. I am new to doing wood crafts, so I am wondering can you please tell me how to go about doing the distress technique. And do you use two different color paints etc.
ReplyDeleteI found the nativity on pinterest like many of these others. I've never distressed stuff before and painted some scrap wood and tried my hand. My mom said I needed to do more distressing on the pieces, I'm worried that I'll go too far. All I used was some finer grain sandpaper. Any suggestions??? Also, found this site, they have furniture buttons, ball knobs and wooden balls (up to 4 inch diameter). www.caseyswood.com
ReplyDeletei love the nativity scene i would like to know what measurements you used on the baby jesus for the smaller set
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThats so cute. That would be fun to make with my grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Buy Here Pay Here
I love the holy family set. Wonderful idea! Thanks. I'm going to make these for sure. Bless you. P.S. Love the ideas for the tags as well.
ReplyDeleteJust letting you know that I linked to this post on my page called Nativity Activities for Kids: http://www.zujava.com/nativity-activities-for-kids
ReplyDeleteawsome ideas.I have lots of wood scraps from my cabinetrs shop and am always looking for new ideas.might make them for my religious student.thanks for shareing
ReplyDeleteThese turned out so well. Made them and tied them to the goodies we passed out inthe neighborhood. They were very well received. One of my neighbors made some for his family. Another plans on making some for next year.
ReplyDeleteThey are so sweet. I painted Joseph a rich med. brown.
Thank you so much for the great idea.
Karen P.
merci pour le partage !... je cherche des freebies sur le web, mais je recherche aussi des créations "faciles" : mon but est de permettre aux gens qui n'ont pas beaucoup d'argent, ou qui débutent le bricolage, de créer des choses simples, ne demandant pas d'outils "exceptionnels" ni trop de matériel, et cette adorable idée est parfaite pour cela... lorsque je trouve des choses qui me plaisent, je partage mes "bonnes adresses" : la vôtre y sera !... http://pinterest.com/lemondedis/ (j'ai déjà plus de 12000 liens vers des téléchargements gratuits et quelques autres milliers vers des projets de création !)
ReplyDeleteI love your nativity! I made my own and I'm going to post a link to your blog on mine, if you'll give me permission. www.charleydeeandme.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletedid you ever finish the large 4x4 nativity project? I wonder of stair ballister 'finials' or furniture leg balls would work..........
ReplyDeletehello,
ReplyDeletelove your nativity. making several for Christmas gifts. thank you for clear instructions.
for the 4x4 nativity. I am sure you found an outlet for the larger wood balls by now. I took a 2" ball and cut 2/3 off and used the 1/3 on a 2x4 and it looked pretty good.
thanks for your blog.
david
Love this wooden Nativity! Not only are we making these for Centerpieces for our Christmas Dinner with the Youth at church, I am also am making 10 sets to give to family at Christmas. Great idea, simple, yet beautiful. Thank you!
ReplyDelete