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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Custom Creche

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is displaying the nativity.  I like to put a small nativity representation in every room in the house.  But the large one goes on the entry table so it's the first thing you see as you enter through the front door.  Several years ago we broke a few pieces of our ceramic set we had used FOREVER and when I replaced it, the new set was only the figures - no stable.  So I've been setting it up without a stable the last few years.

This year I decided we needed a structure to house the Holy Family so I set out to find one in my normal shopping place - the Internet and even in real stores.  No luck.  The standing figures are 8" tall and most of the stables were just too small to accommodate a set that size.  And some of the reviews mentioned the item was poorly constructed.  I talked it over with SuperDave and he said he could make me one but he does have limited time available, so I found a picture and e-mailed it off to my Mom.  Could Daddy make me a stable for baby Jesus?  Right away the reply came back - He said,  "He thinks so."  That was Monday - November 27th. 

Tuesday, November 28th - I called to wish my Dad a happy 80th birthday and he was, guess where?  In his shop - making a stable!  He told me, "On your birthday you get to do what you want and I wanted to make a stable."  He said, "You can tell everyone, my Dad made this for me on his 80th birthday."  Did I mention my Daddy is THE BEST?  Did I mention I come from a family of DIYers? 

Home
So we headed up last weekend for the birthday party and right away I went off to Dad's shop to get my stable.  AND IT'S AMAZING!  I had told him rustic - it was a stable in Bethlehem, not the Hilton.  It's amazing what he was able to build with scraps of wood lying around his shop and a few branches from a cedar tree in the woods on his property.

I planned to add the dried moss you see on stables at the store and this is the product I used.

Dried Moss....you can buy anything these days
I spread craft glue on the wooden roof and cut the pieces of moss to fit.  I bought sheet type moss with a backing attached to make it easier (with a 40% off coupon, yeah!) and it worked great.  I covered the entryway table with a couple of pieces of burlap (left over from a fall project I never got done...sigh.)   It worked great for my rustic them and I was actually happy to have it on hand, saved a trip to the store. I placed the stable on top of the burlap and added my nativity figures and all done!  If only all my decorating were so easy!  It may be rustic but we're talking solid construction here so I'll have this stable until it is passed along to someone else someday.

My Custom Creche

It does need one more thing.  I'm off to find a star for the peak of the roof.




Much Love & Laughter,

Laura


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7 comments:

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

How wonderful, Laura! This will become a new sentimental keepsake...how sweet of your Dad to make this for you...and on HIS birthday, no less! He did a fabulous job; and the moss is the perfect touch!

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Stopping by from the WOW party. What an awesome memory that you will have every time you bring it out at Christmas! He did a wonderful job on it.

JP said...

The moss is a nice addition to the manger that your dad made and the star will be the finishing touch. Maybe a little snow to make it more seasonal,too!
Thanks for stopping by to comment on my kissing ball.
Have a wonderful Holiday with your beautiful family!

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

I wanted to comment on your bathroom but it wouldn't let me! Love what you did in there and if you ask me, you did A LOT! I love the blue on the ceiling. That wallpaper was hideous! I had wallpaper when we first built the house but at least it looked like it should be there!! lol

Sooner Laura said...

Bonnie, So sorry you couldn't leave a comment. I looked at the comment settings and it should let you comment on an old post. But I also checked the post and it won't allow comments - you are correct! I really don't know why it is reacting that way. :(

Denise Marie said...

Awesome job!!

Peggy~PJH Designs said...

Hi Laura, what a sweet thing to do for you! He did a wonderful job! Thanks for linking up at Transformed Tuesday! I so enjoyed your post. I'm a new follower. Hugs, Peggy