359- Merry Christmas

Best wishes and all the love and joy of Christ to you this day.



My miniature pewter nativity.

358- The Hol[l]y Family

I have a dear friend named Holly (actually I have two dear friends, both named Holly!) But this post is about the one I've known the longest.

I met Holly eons ago when she moved to Palmdale with her new little family. Holly is a crafter-extraordinaire!

One of the sweet gifts she gave to me was this dear little Hol[l]y Family. Every year when I take them out of their box and set them up I remember my good friend and her love of the Savior.

353- Santa at the Manger

I received this whimsical nativity from Auntie P the first Christmas we didn't spend Christmas eve together [2004] (boo hoo hoo hoo).

I thought it was fitting to add this bald Santa bringing his gift to the Baby Jesus.

Why?

Because Christmas lives in Auntie P's heart all year long.

349- White Nativity

The last two Decembers, while I've been doing my photo of the day, I have spotlight some of my nativities. I've spent years collecting nativities. In recent years the only decorating I do for Christmas is my three little trees that stay decorated all year in the dungeon and my nativities.  I love the Christ centered feel in my home.

Although this wasn't the first nativity I got, it was on my *I want it* list for about 10 years. I saw one like this at a friend's house on a piece of red velvet on top of her upright piano... I fell in love.

Back in those days this kind of purchase was just out of my price range.



But! in 1984 a friend who owned a kiln offered to teach a 3 month class at good ol' Relief Society Homemaking Night! I think the cost was $65. Rose brought us each a set of green-ware all packed in those horrible packing peanuts that get everywhere! The first month we cleaned the green-ware and initialed all of our pieces. The next month we did something else or maybe finished cleaning the green-ware, I can't remember now. She fired the green-ware to create bisque and the last month we painted on the glaze. I used a clear glaze to let the white show through.

It spent many years atop my upright piano until I sold it. Now it resides where ever the mood strikes me.

This year I yoinked out one of my craft tables and set it up in the corner of my cozy little front room. But it just needed something. Brainstorm! What about all of those fun grapevine wreaths I made last month?  I'm so happy with the result.

The other thing I like about this photo... you can see my beautiful green walls... I just love green.

345- Friend Nativity

This is one of my favorite Nativities because my bestest friend, Auntie P, made it for me years ago. Some years I've let it live on the front porch for all to see, but this year it is too snowy to live outside.


FONT- Albemarle Swash, BRUSHS- Holly Pack by vaia.deviantart.com ACTION- DPMoms Perfect Workflow, TEXTURES- not a clue3, red texture by CoffeeShop

342- Quilted Nativity

The year we moved here to Utah (Jan 2005) my daughter-in-law told me about the Jim Shore Nativity. I went right online to scope it at my favorite online collectibles store and ordered right then... yes, in January. I just love all the colors, textures and little murals that he has worked into his art.



Now here is the funny part about my order... Cherrylane is located right in Provo (10 miles from my house) No wonder it got here so fast!!

341- My Happy Decorations

The older I get the less important *things* are to me. I used to love to decorate the whole house for Christmas, but now all I want are my Nativity sets.

This is one of my favorites...


FONT- Albemarle Swash, BRUSHS- Holly Pack by vaia.deviantart.com ACTION- DPMoms Perfect Workflow, TEXTURE- alchemy

Willow Tree Nativity

POTD Fifteen

In 1990 my dh bought me this southwest nativity. Since our home was decorated southwest it stayed out all year long. When we moved to Utah 4 years ago (amazing, huh?) and we changed our decorations it just stayed packed away except at Christmas time. This year when I got it out I realized how much I've missed this sweet little nativity and I am very likely to leave it out this year. (Along with the Christmas quilt that stayed up all of 2008!!)



This little nativity always make me think of the wonderful Primary Hymn Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus by Mabel Jones Gabbott. I love the Hosanna chorus... it just speaks to my heart!

Said Samuel, “Within five years A night will be as day.
And baby Jesus will be born in a land far, far away.”
Hosanna, hosanna, O let us gladly sing.
How blessed that our Lord was born.
Let earth receive her King.

Across the sea in Bethlehem,
Lord Jesus came to earth
As Samuel had prophesied,
And angels sang his birth.
Hosanna, hosanna, O let us gladly sing.
How blessed that our Lord was born.

POTD Twelve

Detail of my Heartwood Nativity.

POTD Nine

I love this glorious season when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Years ago I heard this quote, "Wise Men seek him still."



I love my collection of Nativities. This is one made by Willow Tree.