If you choose to make one of my nativities for yourself or as a gift, I would really appreciate it if you would include with it an acknowledgement that it is "from [or 'adapted from' if you make any changes] the original design by Jennifer E. Norton as found on her blog, http://amasterofnone.blogspot.com". I put alot of my time, thought, and heart into my design of this nativity and the symbolism behind each individual piece and how they are arranged. I would really appreciate your willingness to acknowledge my original design. Thank you.
So, I've been wanting to come up with something like this for a while, so here's my first attempt. I was really mad when I accidentally stained two of the pieces opposite to what I had intended (I had meant for the background below the star to be brighter/lighter than that above the star). But, overall, I think it turned out pretty good for my first project. I made this one as a gift for a good friend, but I will definitely want to make one for our family next year, as Cam, Nathan, and Ben have all asked me too.
It can be set up flat . . . .
Jen you are amazing! I love that. You could make some serious money selling those on etsy or something. I almost spent way too much on this puzzle ( http://thewoodenwagon.com/woodentoy/1to3/BSH1067.html )until I saw it was sold out. It never occurred to me to make it! You rock. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I was pretty proud of myself, except for the staining mistake. That rainbow toy is really cool. I wonder how much the wood to make that would cost. I don't think I could ever find the time to make enough stuff to sell to make much money. I just enjoy doing it for a hobby. Plus, alot of what makes it enjoyable is having the person you are making it for in mind while you make it. You know what I mean? When the heck are we going to get to see you guys again? We've got to get together sometime.
ReplyDeletePlease sign me up for one of these as well. And I like the way it was stained.
ReplyDeleteBy the way - this is what I have of the cork nativity:
Stable with star
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Shepherd and one sheep
drummer boy
angel
cow and bull
donkey
one camel
Love you - amazing one
Oh, good. Now I know what other pieces you need. I was telling Missy and Mindy that I think I'll start making one or two puzzle nativities each year for the sisters. We'll see how it goes. :) Love You.
ReplyDeleteJen, this turned out awesome! I love it! I think the white washed oak is even better than natural pine. you probably put a clear coat on this adn that would make the pine yellow, esp after a few years. great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emily. After I did the white-wash, I got to thinking the same thing about the pine. Love You!
ReplyDeleteThat is soo cool you are really amazing! I can't believe that things you come up with and you have 3 young kids with one on the way where do you find the time?!
ReplyDeleteMostly when the kids are sleeping--naps and night.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I really appreciate it! Here's a link to the other ones I made last year that includes the description behind my design:
ReplyDeletehttp://amasterofnone.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-was-busy-little-elf-this-christmas.html
I'm so glad you recognized the message.
I was just wondering how you got the different color when you stained it? How do you do that?
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou can buy wood stain in a variety of colors. It comes in natural wood colors like mahogany, walnut, red oak, etc. as well as in colors like yellow, blue, green, etc. You can also mix different stain colors to customize the colors a bit (which is what I did). Good luck with your project. I would love to see pictures when you are done!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4489260263196&set=a.3732767471349.231023.1040888157&type=1&theater
ReplyDeleteI didn't know how to post a picture on here for you to see, but i hope you are able to look at the nativity i did, its not a really good picture do to the fact it was taken with my phone and all the nativity puzzle are wrapped and ready to be sent off i didn't get a good picture but it turned out so cute and people are loving them. THANKS so much for sharing your amazing talent and ideas!!! Hope someday i can return the favor!! Thanks
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteDang, it won't let me view the picture. :( But, I'm so glad people are liking them and that you were able to make some. Good job!
Very nice!! Can you give me the overall dimensions of the base and the peak of the roof to the base?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I'm so glad you like it. It was fun designing and making these for my family and it's full of alot of love. I have another post where I show pictures of the same nativity I made in pine, in case you want to see what it looks like with different types of wood. Currently, I have the one I made for myself packed away with the Christmas decorations, so it's not accessible to measure. If you remind me after Thanksgiving, I will measure it for you when I get out all the Christmas decor. In the mean time, I drew the pattern on a regular piece of computer paper, so I know it is less than 11" wide. I'm thinking it is close to 10" wide. So, if you print out my pattern to mostly fill a standard 8.5"x11" piece of paper, it should be pretty darn close to the dimensions of the actual nativities I made. Of course, it could be made larger and still be beautiful. I wouldn't go any smaller, however, or the baby Jesus and His halo will be too tiny to cut out and sand. Anyway, let me know if you have anymore questions. :)
ReplyDeleteCouple of other questions. Did you use standard 3/4" boards? Is the one pictured here done using Oak? What is the address of the other post showing the pine? I'm looking forward to making some of these for my close friends.
ReplyDeleteYes, the one pictured in this post is oak. The other post I have, where I made several of these has both oak and pine: http://amasterofnone.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-was-busy-little-elf-this-christmas.html
ReplyDeleteThat post gives alot more detail about the whole process--the time involved, the symbolism behind my design, etc. It might have saved time to route the pieces with a roundover bit instead of sanding them down with a dremel, but I'm not sure if one could actually route the tiniest pieces without losing a fingertip. :) Yes, they are standard 3/4" common boards.
Thanks for Sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
ReplyDelete