Christmas Nativity Scene Yard Art
For today's blog post, I asked my daughter if she would share how she made the Christmas Nativity Scene that she made for me.
My mom wanted a nativity scene for her yard and had
mentioned it to me a couple of times. Her birthday was coming up and I
approached my brothers and step-dad about getting the materials to make this
for her as a gift from all of us. They all were happy to be a part of the
project and purchased the items needed so I could do the work. The project was
fairly easy to make since I only needed the outline of the figures and it is
painted all white. My mom said it is probably the best gift we have given
her.
This project was done with one sheet of ¾ inch exterior
grade plywood, a jigsaw with scrolling blades, sandpaper to sand off any
splinters, Elmer's wood filler for any holes in the edges, white exterior house
paint, ½ inch metal conduit with brackets, yard stick, pencil, carbon paper,
large sheets of paper for drawing the pattern, nails and 100 count white
lights.
I found a simple clip art picture of a nativity scene and
drew the outline of the figures on large sheets of paper. I used a yard stick
and pencil to draw the stable with the star directly onto the plywood and then
cut it out with the jigsaw and painted both sides and the edges with three
coats of white paint. I then painted one side of the remaining pieces of
plywood with white paint and then used carbon paper and a pencil to transfer
the outlined figures of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the donkey onto the
painted plywood. I then cut those pieces out and painted the back and edges.
After the paint dried I attached metal brackets to the back, 2 each spaced
evenly and cut the metal conduit to the height I needed allowing an extra 6
inches to hammer into the ground. I then attached a strand of 100 white
Christmas lights with white cord by placing nails in the points of the star and
wrapping the lights.
Recycle a Tomato Cage into a Mesh Christmas Tree
Since Christmas is a month away, here is how I recycled a tomato cage from the garden into a mesh Christmas tree. This is what I used to make a tomato cage Christmas tree.
1- Tomato Cage ( I used the taller cage.)
1- Green and Black Spray Paint for the cage and planter
1-100 Clear Christmas LED Cool Lights with green cord
1- Green Craft Wire cut into small twist tie lengths with Wire Cutters
1- Large Plant Container
1- E6000 glue
First, I cleaned and straightened a tomato cage, then I spray painted it green. Turning the cage upside down, I bent the tines at the top in and down to create a pointed tree top making the sharp edges blunt leaving a hole in the top. You’ll need this later to attach the mesh to the top.
Next, I used 100 LED cool clear lights for lighting up the tree under the mesh. Beginning at the bottom I attached the string of lights with wire, leaving enough of the cord free to plug into an extension cord. I attached the string of lights with wire as I circled the stand to the top. The end or the plug can be used to attach a star that should fit in the top after the mesh is attached.
Next, I unrolled the mesh and curled in the sides of mesh bringing them toward each other to create a bubble or puff. With the wire, I attached the gathered end of the mesh to the top of the stand tucking it in at the top and began circling and filling in around the stand the same way that I attached the lights puffing out the sections between attaching the wire. After attaching mesh, I worked around the tree puffing and pulling the mesh to conceal any wire and lights.
Finally, I spray painted a large plant container black and put enough weight in it to keep it from tipping with the weight of the tree. I used a few bricks. I attached the bottom of the tree to the top of the planter. I used E6000 glue to attach the wire to the planter.
The mesh Christmas tree is ready to decorate or just leave it like it is! I left mine without decorations and only the lights for my front porch.
For my next tree, I want to make a white mesh tree with multi-colored lights on white cord.
For my next tree, I want to make a white mesh tree with multi-colored lights on white cord.
Below is a great link for more directions and where I bought the mesh.
Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!
