I keep pages and pages of things that inspire me. I even devote entire journals full of inspiration. Photocopies, quotes, lists, drawings, websites, blogs, heroes and artists……sometimes the pages are all over the place and random. Other times they have specific themes. Use today to start using your journal to log your inspiration:
Boo’s Box o’ Princesses and BOYville dolls were such a big hit last Christmas that I decided to commission my friend Stephanie Corfee to make a Christmas Nativity version! I spent the last few days painting Baby Jesus, Jo-Fess (as Boo calls him), Mary and the rest of the Christmas peeps:
I used 2″ peg dolls for Mary, Joseph and the three wise men. I purchased mine from Casey’s Wood Products.
I used an angel peg doll, boy pegs and baby pegs for the angel, shepherds, and baby Jesus (also from Casey’s Wood Products):
I use regular inexpensive craft paints. Here are the flesh and hair colors I used. I mix them together for blends:
I always paint the flesh colors first:
And then work backwards in terms of layers: hair…..
….then clothing….
It makes sense to work on all of them at once and in stages so you don’t sit and watch paint dry!
A little secret I’ll share….for small details I use Chalk Ink markers! They are opaque and juicy…..great for faces and clothing detail. You just need to make sure you spray the finished dolls with a clear protective spray when they are finished.
When my dolls were finished, I printed out the download on to card stock:
I cut out all the pieces and created little easels for the backs of the smaller ones:
Here’s a look at how the manger is created. I printed the download out twice and to add wood panels to the end. Also to make the double sided angel wings.
The finished Nativity scene! Great for a gift or holiday decor. Let your little ones color in the scene as they see fit with markers or crayons:
The sheep and the shepherds:
The three kings with their crowns and camel:
The angel of God:
Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus:
To give it as a gift you can put the pieces into little linen bags…..
And add it all to a jar….so the barn piece doesn’t have to be folded:
Note: I closed my digital shop and I am unable to offer these for free anymore. They are now listed on Etsy but only for $1.00 to help cover the cost of upkeep for this website. Thanks for understanding!
Click here to visit the listing or click the image below:
Make sure to check out the other peg doll projects I’ve done with Stephanie….great for handmade Christmas gifts,
Two days ago I pulled into the parking lot where I was running errands and pulled up a video on my phone that Dave Ramsey had just mentioned on his radio show. And there I sat in my parked car……tears streaming…..in awe at the goodness and mercy that is in the world:
Click the image to view:
My friend Jen passed away early yesterday morning from her fight with ovarian cancer. It is heartbreaking and shocking. We were the same age. We have similar cancer stories. Why her and not me? Like I did with my dad…..I poured over past conversations we’d had. I loved her spunk:
We will meet Jen….just not yet.
I took all the sadness and shock I was feeling yesterday and threw it into my work….never once coming up for air. Because that’s what I do. I won’t waste one. single. day. I will live fully….and I will live generously. While I may not always be able to give financially, I know that I can give in other ways: I can give my time. I can give my friendship. I can teach others. I can give away my secrets. I can give encouragement. I can say something kind. I can smile at a stranger. I can speak up. I can forgive. I can pray for others. I can embrace humility. I can love unconditionally. I can see the good. I can choose joy.
Go on you peeps of awesomeness…
continue being remarkable.
be lionhearted.
be present… here… now.
be kind.
be you.
-Jen Thompson
Exactly one year ago today I wrote this post: Are you there God? I struggled on whether or not to share such personal information….but my gut told me to just spill it all. And with that post……the Cancer Chronicles began. Today’s Jesus Calling: Be still and know that I am God. How fitting.
A few days ago I discovered I Like Giving. For three days an email comes with a new giving challenge like the one below:
So go on you peeps of awesomeness…..live fully. Live generously.
From The Prayer that Changes Everything:
Thank You, Lord, that You heal us when we are brokenhearted and bandage our wounds. You build us up when we are weak in our soul (Psalm 147:1-4).
Lord, thank You that I don’t have to live with sadness, hurt, or depression, I know that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 39:5).
Thank You that “You have put gladness in my heart” (Psalm 4:7).
This day I put on the garment of praise in exchange for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:1-3), and I glorify You as Lord of all.