Saturday, December 7, 2013

QUEST FOR THE PERFECT CRECHE!


THE CRECHE

For many years I searched for a creche that wasn't like the typical ones you see. I wanted one that was old and handmade.
 One day I was searching Ebay and happened to see what appeared to be a set of hand carved wooden figures from someplace in Europe. As I carefully looked at the pictures, I was reminded of a picture of a creche I had seen a long time ago, that was set up in a little village church. It had a wonderful cast of characters and it looked like a village scene, with a mountain background and a little town. The figures were carved from wood and really wonderful.
 This set of wooden figures were not in the best condition but it had many and I mean many pieces.
There was an elephant, camel, donkey, bull or cow, dog, horse and many sheep and lambs. The figures also included several shepherds, village people, the three kings, Mary Joseph and of course the baby Jesus. Also there were two angels.

 Of course I bid immediately and aggressively! I won!  Unfortunately, the seller sent it to the wrong buyer and by the time I got the package, it looked like it had been in a war zone.
 I carefully unpacked everything and realized that a couple of the figures needed glue and all needed some careful paint restoration. Someone long ago, it looked almost childish, had repainted the faces of the people and it was not good. I carefully restored the faces and re-glued the necessary parts.
 It was worth it and I love love love my little wooden creche! So do my little granddaughters! I realized one Christmas, that the sheep seemed to be moving around the tree. My little granddaughter had been at my house a few days earlier and I think she moved them around every time she came over!

THE SHEPHERDS AND THEIR FLOCK
I really couldn't blame her, since they are all very tempting. I especially love the little sheep.  The little fenced "Paradise Garden" was another lucky Ebay find. Perfect for the feather tree and creche.

                                                                       
THE BABY JESUS AND FAMILY


                                                                       
THE THREE KINGS

     
SHEPHERD LOOKING FOR THE STABLE
ANGEL ANNOUNCING THE BABY JESUS

ANGEL GIVING MESSAGE OF GLORY!

          I hope you enjoy this post and seeing my creche!                                                                                                            

7 comments:

  1. I love the figures and all you have done. A true treasure to enjoy. I imagine the sheep will be moving around some more if your grandchildren are there.

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  2. Perfect, what a lucky find...when my son was little he would take our Baby Jesus and wrap him in toilet paper because he did not want him to be cold...I now display a Nativity he made in first grade, the people are made out of clothes pins, my son is now 40!

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  3. Oh, I love this, too! So beautiful. Old and handmade is the way to go! :-) I bought the Sally Mavor Wee Folk book after someone sent me a wonderful little Wee Folk ornament last year. :-)

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  4. I love it...I could only wish I may be blessed by finding one as fine as yours.....blessings friends Merry Christmas

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  5. Dear Peggy,

    How very special to see your world through the eyes of these precious collections. And, I always love seeing your dolls, they speak to me, tell me all such wonderful tales. Have an amazing Christmas ~ keep blogging.

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  6. Dear Peggy,

    What a fantastic creche you have! You have it arranged so beautifully and you have done a great restoration job with it! All the animals are great and I love the shepherd on the window searching for the stable!

    Your friends,
    Diane and daughter Sarah, and the Izannah girls

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