24 December 2012

R's handmade Christmas display

We didn't bring our Christmas tree to New Zealand with us and it's actually been really nice to keep things simple for this year and last year. In fact, the other day Noah said to me, "I don't see the point of Christmas trees. You only put them up once a year and the rest of the year you have to store them."

I do have a few bits and pieces out but it's really simple and basic.

However, on the opposite end of the spectrum is my friend R. I wanted to show you the Christmas display that she and a team of helpers put together at her church last year. She supplied the items; the wreaths and trees were put together and decorated by the team with R helping and overseeing the process.

R says, "This is a collection I have added to, collected and made items for over approximately 9 years.
Some items I have designed and made, (sometimes they were made and constructed with help from others), some items have been collected in sales throughout the year. When you need multiples of things it helps to get them in the sales!"

As to why she spends so much time and effort collecting, making and putting together these Christmas items, R explains, "I have done this because it has allowed me to use a variety of skills and creativity for the glory of God and to share the good news of Jesus. My collection of items has been used for displays in churches for Christmas Outreach, plus also in our own home over the years.

"One year we hosted in our home two Christmas suppers over two nights and money was raised for charity. It was actually for a Christian Ministry involved at that time with helping to renovate an orphanage in Russia from donations people gave.

"When the collection of Christmas items is not used by a church community for outreach, then I can choose to set things up in and around our home. It is nice to be able to use it for a charity focus also.

"The way I see it is like this: Christmas and Easter are the occasions when there is a great open opportunity for those of us who have faith to share about God's love with the wider community - Great! I say. Let's do it while we have such a lovely opportunity to do so!"

With that being said, please enjoy the Christmas display. The first section is the angel display.

Photobucket

This comprises an angel mannequin which is dressed in robes made by R.

Photobucket

Along with the angel are five angel-themed trees.

Photobucket

Photobucket

This tree has beautiful gold ornaments, gold and white bows, and snowflakes.

Photobucket

Even the gorgeous tree skirt was made by R.

Photobucket

The ceramic angels were bought as-is and fit the motif perfectly.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

The second angel tree has feather streamers, gold ornaments and gold bows.

Photobucket

The angels on it are individually hand made by R. They have feather wings and gold sashes.

Photobucket

Each angel holds an embroidered heart. Just look at the detail of the heart and even the lace and ribbon trim on the angel's sleeves.

Photobucket


The third tree is home to a whole host of adorable angels, each hand made by R.


Photobucket

They have different hair lengths and colour.

Photobucket

Photobucket

The attention to detail extends to ribbon-tied shoes, bloomers and petticoats trimmed with lace.

Photobucket

The angels hold decorated hearts, also hand made by R.

Photobucket

And of course she also made a beautiful skirt for this tree.

Photobucket

The fourth angel tree is swathed in gold ribbon and white tulle with some gold decorations and is topped by three angels, and of course sports a beautiful skirt too.

Photobucket

The angels that she made for this tree match the other tree's angels but are bigger.

Photobucket

Of course they display the same meticulous attention to detail.

Photobucket

The final angel tree displays the teddy-bear angels, gold ribbon, snowflakes and gold ornaments.

Photobucket

Each little teddy bear has been dressed in angel attire, holds a heart ornament, and sports a pair of wings, all made by R.

Photobucket

 Photobucket

Photobucket

And of course she has made another beautiful tree skirt.




Photobucket

The second display is of the wise men.

Photobucket

Here we have another mannequin all decked out in royal finery.

Photobucket

The set of three kings with their gifts were hand made by R.

Photobucket

The wise men display also features two Christmas trees - this one decorated with gold ornaments and white ribbon bows ...

Photobucket

Photobucket

... and this one features hand-made gold stars, and gold and white ribbons and ornaments.

Photobucket

Photobucket

The third display in the collection is of the nativity.

Photobucket

In the centre we have Joseph and Mary and a rustic manger filled with hay and the baby Jesus.

Photobucket

The display also includes three trees. The first and second sport gold ornaments, white ribbon bows and more hand-made heart ornaments.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

The third tree displays beautiful white roses, white ribbon, gold ornaments and white hand-made hearts.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

The fourth and final display is of the shepherds.

Photobucket

Three trees are included here. The first is the candy-cane tree, with red and white striped shepherds' crooks ...

Photobucket

Photobucket

... and a burlap bow topper.

Photobucket

The second tree features a shepherd (of course made by R) and his sheep.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

And the final tree displays more sheep with a shepherds' crook topper arrangement.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Not quite done yet, R also made some wreaths to hang around the church.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket


Which part of the display is your favourite? (I know it's hard to choose!!)
I am kind of in love with the shepherd's tree, and with the tree skirts. And the teddy bear tree. Oh, and the nativity display. And ... well all of it!


Pin It
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...