Merry Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2013 by mauistamper

Each of my nativity sets holds a special place in my heart, but I’m especially fond of these figures hand made in Puerto Rico:

In the Puerto Rican culture, these are called Santos. Mr. Maui Stamper and I were in San Juan many years ago, and I looked at a lot of Santos before choosing mine.

The Magi were the hardest for me to select. There were so many colors and postures, and if you know me at all, you know I have a terrible time narrowing things down. I’m sure the people in the small shop wondered what I was doing, turning all the Magi this way and that.

This trio finally persuaded me that they should come home with me.

The faces on the ox and the ass look so patient, and I fell in love with the horns on the ox – they were part of the set and there was no doubt in my mind that they belonged!

This is one of the few Nativities that I have where the baby Jesus is actually proportional to his mother. The faces on Mary and Joseph are so serious, although I think that’s because these are relatively small, simply carved figures – there isn’t a lot of room for expression.

Displaying and sharing these simple scenes from all parts of the worlds helps to remind me of the universality of faith. There are so many ways we are different, but the belief in a loving and merciful God transcends those differences. When it seems that we just can’t get along, that peace is impossible, I remember that one Child changed the world.

Peace be to you and to yours this Christmas.

For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12

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Posted on December 20, 2013 by mauistamper

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This Nativity set began my collection. My sister brought it for me from Israel, and it’s made from olive wood. I love the simplicity of the features and the beauty in the grain of the wood:

The Wise Men are getting close…at the beginning of Advent, when I set up my Nativities, the Wise Men are at a distance.

Such serious faces. And yes, they are kind of tippy looking – they’re hand-made, after all – and if you had been traveling all that long way on a camel you would be tippy too.

Baby Jesus doesn’t make His appearance in the Nativities until Christmas Eve, but it wouldn’t do to take a picture of the Holy Family without Him, now, would it?

The Shepherd and his sheep are so patient. Actually, he’s been waiting a very long time and I think he may have shut his eyes for a little snooze.

The trees in the background are new this year – they’re very angular and modern, but I like the way they contrast with the rough-hewn faces and figures.

Stamping just for fun

Posted on December 19, 2013 by mauistamper

Sometimes the list of projects I “have” to do gets out of control and I rebel. (I KNOW. You’re shocked.) Last night I decided to make some simple tags just because:

These aren’t to show off any special technique or demonstrate my skill as a colorist (snort) or win a Pinterest popularity award. They were a project I did to relax during a busy time of year, doing something I really enjoy. (Although there might be a preview of a new punch coming in the Occasions catalog here – take a second look at the top of the tags.)

I pulled out anything that had Christmas images or messages and punched out a handful of tags and just stamped. It reminded me of when I started stamping, of how thrilled I would be to make something myself.

This one took a little bit longer because I punched out the sentiment. Honestly, I wasn’t going for anything here except my own pleasure in the process. There might have been a teeny tiny bit of rebellion still going on, since I pulled out my (retired) Color Spritzer tool to add a little texture to this tag. Last time I looked, it was still on the Clearance Rack.

When was the last time you made something Just Because? I know you don’t have time. I didn’t either – until I did it, and realized how much I needed to spend that time on myself.

Before I go, I want to share one of my many nativity scenes:

Mr. Maui Stamper brought this home to me just before we moved to Maui nearly 24 years ago. I was pregnant, Christmas was coming, and he had a business trip to Maui – without me. The figures are wood, but the base is coconut husk. The infant is big in proportion to Joseph and Mary (poor Mary!), and don’t miss the dove at the feet of the angel. The little sheep are so round they almost look like pigs, and of course there has to be a coconut palm! This little Nativity has a special place in my heart. I hope you enjoy it, too.