December 10, 2011

Shine On~ Little Nativity

When I was a girl my mother made a bread dough nativity that we cherished throughout the years.  She would wrap each piece in a paper towel and tuck them into the box her checks came in.  ( Yeah remember check books?)  I loved the smoothness of each piece and the colors and shapes of the people.   I loved the bumpy sheep made from tiny balls of dough.  The round pink cheeks made me smile.  Every year we would carefully unwrap them and arrange them on the glass table that encompassed the standing lamp.  Every year since I can remember ......until..... the dog ate Mary and one of the wise men a couple of years ago.  Poor Mom was beyond upset as she says. 
 I thought my children needed that same Nativity to cherish (we don't have any dogs so I thought it would be safe enough).  The Internet is an amazing thing.  It allowed me to find the recipe and pattern for the exact Nativity my mother made over 30 years ago.  Three hours of shaping disgusting bread dough, 3 days of air drying, and 8 hours of painting and glossing left me with this wonderful display.
Oh my!!!  I could almost cry.  They turned out way better than I had expected.  Just like from my childhood.  The same colors, the same soft smooth texture, the same pink cheeks, and the same bumpy sheep.  And yes, very shiny.  My kids love them.  I hope that they get saved for years to come and not get eaten by a future family dog!!!  
Merry Christmas.

16 comments:

annie said...

This is an absolutely lovely story! I'm so happy you could make the replacements. Isn't it just great how even the simplest things can make our hearts sing!

Firecracker Kid said...

That is precious and wonderful that you could reproduce those memories for your children. Sweet!
Hugs~Carol

Lee Hill Primitives said...

Beautiful set! Lovely story

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Touched my heart~ a very special nativity~ memories forever~
smiles
Teresa

Danice G said...

What a precious memory and tradition. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Merry Wind Farm said...

Steph, those are just too precious! I'm sure your children will cherish them just like you did! Merry Christmas to you and your family! \
Melinda

TheCrankyCrow said...

This is adorable Steph!! I can't believe you were able to find the same recipe and patterns. Wow - and that sheep - oh, that sheep....he's "beyond" cute! What a wonderful memory to recreate - I know you did your Mamma so, so, proud....Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness. this nativity is just the cutest. I'd love to one day make one.
patti

Jen said...

I can't believe how cute they turned out!! I don't remember the wisemen having cute beards like that though. I have to admit, they do look so much like the original. Any chance you want to spend another week building a couple more sets. pretty sure my recreation won't be near as cute!!

Lil Raggedy Angie said...

Steph, so great of a memory but to be able to recreate the precious nativity to give your children the same fond memories AWESOME! Wishing you and yours the Merriest of Christmas ! hugs lilraggedyangie

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

This is a sweet post, Steph. You did a beautiful job on the nativity and you re-created something from your childhood with your kids.
Merry Christmas

My Colonial Home said...

Step could you be any more creative????
THIS IS ADORABLE.
Great job and thanks for sharing.
Karen

bettyj said...

That is so cute!

A Primitive Homestead said...

They are so cute. Wonderful you could create your childhood memories of the special nativity. Blessings!
Lara

Gayle said...

Could you please share your source for the patterns and instructions for this darling nativity? I'd love to try and make on too! (I'm a new grandma)

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

WOW!! First of all, I can't believe you found the exact same pattern that your mom used so long ago and then I can't believe how talented you are to make this all from hand, paint it by hand... ADORABLE!!! It might not be a lot to the kids now but they will treasure it as they get older and understand where it came from. Very nice Steph!