I am in love with this Wooden Nativity Silhouette – so simple, yet perfect.
I posted this on Instagram and it went crazy! Everyone wanted to know how to make it…if only I had realized that BEFORE I made it with no thoughts of doing a tutorial…
And I know it’s a little early in the year, but I wanted to post it now because it’s a great group craft project. I know lots of you might be planning a holiday craft for a group, so I wanted to get this idea out in front of you.
We did these as a craft day for church after being inspired by a similar project at Jill Made It and they were perfect for that sort of setting. I snapped one picture “during” with my phone – you can see I made 3 nativities (most people just made one – I was overzealous).
Supplies
If you’re doing this as a group project, each person will get a pile of wooden pieces for their project – it’s nice to have them all in a bag, so that you can just grab all your supplies in one bag. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2″ x 2″ wooden board (1 1/2″ actual size) cut to around 8″ for Joseph
- 2″ x 2″ wooden board (1 1/2″ actual size) cut to around 6″ for Mary
- Wood rectangle about 1 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 2 1/2″
- 1 1/2 unfinished wood balls
- Twine
- Burlap
- Wood glue
- Wood plugs for Baby Jesus’s head
- Paint
- Paint brushes
- Sandpaper
Paint
There were several different paint options – some people did Joseph in a dark green and that looked great too. I tried to paint the bodies quickly and with only one coat so they were less “perfect” and more “rustic”. For the heads I used watered-down brown paint – lots of water, just a couple drops of brown, so it was more of a stain. I wish I had watered it down even more than I did, but it worked.
Distressing
After painting I sanded the pieces down a little. This is an optional thing, but I liked the looked of it after I sanded the edges just a bit.
Gluing
We had wood glue and hot glue out, and both worked fine, so whichever you prefer. You glue the heads on, then glue on Mary’s burlap shawl on, then glue Mary to Joseph, then glue the baby on to them both as they’re holding Him.
Twine
I just used a couple of pieces of burlap that I pulled off the edge as my twine. Oh, and speaking of burlap, on Mary’s shawl I pulled out a few pieces on the edge to give it that frayed look.
Time needed: 30 minutes.
How to make a Simple Wooden Nativity:
- Paint all pieces, let dry
- Distress wood
- Glue on heads and let dry
- Cut out and attach shawl
- Glue figurines to one another and attach baby
- Tie with twine
I LOVE these Mandy! I host a cookie exchange each year and though of having it be a craft night and this is perfect!
Katie @ Made to be a Momma recently posted…Mini Thankful Chalkboard
Thanks Katie!
Hello dear Mandy
I love this ! Can you tell me please if i can buy this somewhere? i am afraid i can’t made it by myself
THanks
maybe try on etsy?? good luck!