On second thought, I'll paint the grout w/metallic gold.

OH SLOW!!! I'm gonna make one! I just bought a Holy Family this year, that is large in size, 8"tall, and was thinking of a manger, but REALLY like your idea!!! How wonderful! I knew all the putzin' around in my Art Room, that I'd eventually get inspired, so kept checking here and TADA! Yippee!!!

That is a wonderful idea Slow! Will really complete the whole scene. I love the star with the glass behind it.
This will be a treasured keepsake for DD!

I was just gonna say, gold painted grout! I'm thinking of gog background....

Very pretty, I think gold will be great

OH Please send it to me! LOL! It's exactly what my creche display needs! I made these pieces in 1981. A neighbor of my inlaws had the molds and a kiln.

Slow, you're just so multi-talented and you dont waste any time either. What a great idea. Definitely gold grout, its gonna be just beautiful.
Bianchi

Can't wait to see this done. It's going to look great!

Maria

Great idea Slow ,will really make it a show piece.

That definitely is the perfect addition for the creche. I like the idea of gold grout. Can't wait to see it complete.

OH Slow I would LOVE to copy your idea!!It is going to be so PERFECT!!! You always have the best ideas!!! Is it ok?? I have close to the same nativity with out the gold. Course what it is sitting on now is no longer. LOL I cut up that entertainment center. Any who. Can you please give an idea of the size of the wood pieces aprox? I can adjust it to my set but I do not have a clue how to make it balance with out something to start with.

{{!gwi}}

Thanks Chris

OH, it would be so nice to have your creative mind if only for just one day! Can't wait to see it finished....

crystal101: I LOVE the bold red wall in the background!

What a creative piece of work! I love this place.

Rolling mosaicers grow no moss! What a clever, laborious work of love for DD...you do have an artful mind woman......anxious to see this masterpiece finished..probably this evening!!!!

LOL GYPSIE - NOT. Thank y'all. CRYSTAL - Congratulations on making your nativity pieces. That was a lot of work. I once painted bisque ceramic and enjoyed it immensely. SHADES - the size is large - the tallest figures are 12" and the layout is about 24" wide. I made one w/the the back part 12" wide, thinking the two 12-inch wings w/work to make the whole thing 24" wide - what a dummy I was. So, I cut out another one w/the back part being 24" wide and from base to point is 20". Cut two of those, and just cut one in half to make the wings. This is probably confusing. As your scene is set up, measure the width of it, and the height you can make whatever. An easy way to figure out the scale is to put a piece of cardboard behind it, remembering to have enough room for the star. This one worked perfectly. I used 1/4" plywood, and after sanding it well, rounding the edges, I primed it w/a strong white glue/water solution. Glad you like it enough to copy the idea, SHADES. It's really easy to make, so go for it. That's the best compliment. CALAM - I didn't quite understand what you meant about GOG background. 'splain, please

That is going to look soooo nice!, the background was a great idea. You are so handy with a saw! such a good job cutting out that star!!

Instead of plywood, do it with glass! So it will have a whole background of glass! With a plywood base to sit the glass into slots. 1/4inch glass gog'd with all subdued amber glass w/ a nice star. Hopefully there is some glass at the recycle! Hmmm, another project that I could use a router, maybe a trip to the HD too! I also have a book about how to make the Nativity in stained glass! One day....

You can add me to the list....

OooooOOoohh that's going to be so awesome:) I didn't even set my Nativity out this year...it has a stable. I did manage to set up the Advent Wreath,though!

Thanks slow for the details. I think this will be a for sure project. Since I did not even get anything out for Christmas this year it should inspire me to do better next. My figures are large too. Not sure if they are a foot tall and they are packed away. But they are big. I did not make mine. Got them all at a yard sale for $5.00. I just love them. I spread them out because I had a big space to spread them out on but having them closer together will be better. The triptych will help to do that.

OH Glass would be fun too!! Wonder how many tries it would take to get the shapes cut. LOL

Chris

Oh, NO WAY would I attempt this in glass. I'll stick to where I'm more comfortable. Got the triptych all covered, but as stated in my warning thread, it's pretty heavy, and I'll have to put some support panels on the back. This has been such fun, even if it's colorless. It's VERY heavy. SQUIRRELLY - funny you mentioned the star. I could NOT figure out how to make a five-pointed star from one of the internet sites, so found another one and was almost ready to go to Walmart for a protractor, when I remembered there are some shapes in the Morton system book. Sure enough, there was a pentagon, so I used that to make the center, then of course, it's easy from there - just connect the lines, but that was the hard part - looking for instructions. Thank y'all for the compliments. OHMYGOODNESS - in looking at the photo, I see a spot by the star I missed. Back to work, and I've turned the heat off in the workshop. **sigh**
Triptych Glued

Awesome!!!! You are so amazing!

Glad to be finished w/this one, even though it was fun. A little problematic but it's done. The little amber saucer was wavy and the bottom was uneven, so had to stay w/an amber piece of glass. Got the light attached, but may have to replace it - not quite bright enough to suit me. LATER.
Now, where to find an empty closet space to store it. Oh, BTW, I want to thank Silvamae (I THINK it was she) who gave the most valuable tip I've read in a long time. Her suggestion on a little brush to clean up the edges of the grout. That also helped clean the plywood borders of the grout. Thank you, Silvamae!
Triptych Finished

Slow, that couldn't be more perfect! It really sets the stage for everything else. I LOVE that shape.....it's so Slow!
Beautiful job as usual!

Hazie

BEAUTY!!! was that plate shards? really nice fitting there. I like it

Beautiful Slow....another perfect piece!

Beautimous! You're so talented Slow - I wish you'd consider holding a workshop for us newbies!

Slowmagnificientical! Beautiful............wish I had your talentsssssssssssssssss!

Wow! Great idea and great execution!! Wouldn't expect anything less!

I responded to this in the e-mail you didn't receive! Really like this piece. I'm sure Shea w/LOVE it!

WOW Slow!! I LOVE the way this turned out!!! The gold was the crowiing touch. Just perfect!!!!

Thanks so much for all your information on how to do this too. For sure this is going on my short list of TMB projects.

Chris

Thank y'all so much. SHADES - I'll try to take a picture today of how it closes, but had an idea during the LONG night (I got up at 3:23 AM). If you use a piano hinge, the wings w/swing both ways. I started to get those, but never seem to follow my instincts in the right places. NT - yes, plate shards. Some very old plates - yellowed, so everything wasn't the same white, since the nativity set is cream. It's very textured also. ICHEER - this forum is the best workshop you can find. Thanks again, y'all.

Awesome, slow, as usual! I can't even think of all the creative things you do so beautifully.

As a price reference I found this...

Description: Willow Tree. "The Christmas Story" Sanctuary. 24"h. The gothic arches symbolize the protective havens in which people seek inspiration and hope. Wood
Price: $110.95

Slow your piece is worth much more!

Here is a link that might be useful: Santuary