Thursday 21 July 2022

Is It Too Early To Mention This?

 Last year, I turned the Carriage House into a stable, and put up a life size Nativity Tableau
It was well received, with lots of lovely comments from neighbours [and people from different villages who came to have a look!] 
But people said "Where are the shepherds?" and "You don't have any animals!" I suggested it was a work in progress, and they should come again in December 2022. 
I looked again at my Willow Tree Nativity. I could perhaps make a shepherd boy, with a lamb. A slightly shorter figure could stand in front of that wise man...
Last Saturday was Foulsham Village Yard Sale. Once again we had free cool water for passers-by [and their dogs] All very well received. 
Bob manned the pitch while I went round the other sales. And look what I found!! A shop mannequin, child sized - it says 'age 3-4' on the back, and measures 81cm neck to ankle. It has a few issues - 4 holes in the stockinette cover, and a dislocated shoulder. But it is fixable. I can just see this little character with a head, and a costume, and a lamb tucked under his/her arm, and maybe a shepherd's crook, Can't you? Just what I need to complete the Nativity for 2022.
I looked online when I got home- you can buy these new here
but they cost £158;40. My little shepherd cost me all of five pounds. Definitely a bargain!
Now to spend 5 months scouring the Charity Shops for just the right little toy lamb...

 


21 comments:

  1. He will make a wonderful shepherd and they are so important in the Christmas story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Isabel. Yes, the shepherds ARE important. A reminder that Jesus came for ALL - the least and lowest uneducated folk as well as the rich and powerful magi.

      Delete
  2. No, I don't think it is too early; you need to start early to get everything ready! Have fun turning that mannequin into a shepherd! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob's Lathe Palace is currently an operation theatre, where he is reattaching the dislocated shoulder

      Delete
  3. A few years ago some people in the next village did a living Nativity - one night a week . They had people dressed up in different areas and a donkey, plus chickens and sheep wandering about and visitors went from one setting to another around the farm and in each place someone would read parts of the story.
    There's a plan for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great find! Your Nativity scene will be even lovelier when the little shepherd joins the Holy Family!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yet another lucky find! Isn't it great that you found it now and not a week before Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does give me time to work out the right costume

      Delete
  6. How marvelous to have found the manniquin! A few years ago on Yirkshire Vet, the knitters of Thirsk knitted a stellar donkey. Perhaps they had a pattern?

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have knitted a small nativity donkey - but a larger one would take LOTS of wool

      Delete
  7. Will Bob have a surgery to reattach a head?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, now that is the question. The three adults have polystyrene heads (wigs stands) and I DO have a spare in the loft. But I need to get it down and check the proportions. Maybe if the neck is shortened a little and I do a "teatowel" type headdress reaching the shoulders it will look OK. I have 4 months or so to get it organised

      Delete
  8. You have a spare head in the loft???? 😁
    That was indeed a lucky find! Can't wait to see what you do with it. Papier mache oxen next!!!😁

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually I have three - but Prince Charles and Greta Thunberg are the wrong size and shape!

      Delete
  9. It's definitely not too early to get organised. The little shepherd boy will look amazing 👍😁 I'm looking forward to seeing the Nativity scene in all its glory.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think a toy lamb will be a lot easier to find than a little shepherd, you were really lucky there. If you can't find a lamb of a suitable size you could always knit a white fluffy all-in-one for another stuffed toy. It could literally be 'a wolf in sheeps clothing' ;-)

    ReplyDelete

Always glad to hear from you - thanks for stopping by!
I am blocking anonymous comments now, due to excessive spam!