Scroll Saw Nativity with pattern!

 I have had multiple requests for a scroll saw Nativity, so I thought I would give it a go! I love how it turned out!

 Originally, I was going to paint everything, but I really like the earthy and natural way it looks, so I decided to leave it.

 I even thought about adding animals, and shepherds, but I like the simplicity of just Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

 Here's a view from the back.

I made the sides of the manger taper in, by adjusting the table on my scroll saw to 25% to create an angled cut. 

For the inside of the manger, I just drilled out a bunch of holes. I know it's a little sloppy, but it is covered by Baby Jesus, who is just made by gluing two small balls together. I don't know what size the balls are, because I just found them in my wood supplies.

 Here are my patterns. If you want to change the size of your tree, just do it in the middle of the trunk.

 The cave/stable is easy to cut, and you could really eyeball it.

The piece I used for the bottom was too big to provide a pattern for you. I just used a piece of 1 x 10 common board (pine). 

 

I didn't nail or glue the trees together, because I thought it would be better if it could be taken apart for storage, or as a toy for a child to put together and take apart.

I hope you enjoy this pattern. I know I did!

For more scroll saw inspirations and patterns, please click "scroll saw," on the labels below.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

POLAR PLAYSET tutorial and patterns!

This is the most daring thing I have ever created with my scroll saw! I am so excited to share the details and patterns with you! I have decided to have an Eskimo themed party for my baby boy's second birthday, and thought I would make a play set for him to go with the theme. I have found a few on line, and they are SUPER expensive! This probably cost around $10. I already had the paint and the supplies for the Eskimo's.

I think my favorite part is the fishing hole!!!

 

 

I love the sled too.

Maybe the papoose is my favorite. I can't decide!

Of course they have twins! If you want a tutorial on the Eskimo dolls, message me, and I will be happy to post it!

When I don't want to use the fishing hole, I use this other piece I painted. It was going to be the top originally, but it was too small, because I have too many animals. I like how it's interchangeable.

They hang the fish they caught on their home.

 My mom told me to make the baby seals, and I love them. The others are in the water below.

 I used the drill press to drill a hole for the fishing pole to fit in. You could do it with a drill as well.

 Happy Eskimo family!

 You can see the Studio 5 clip of showing it live HERE. And my inspiration board HERE. Be sure and check back for details of the party! I can't wait!!!

Here are the separate  pieces. 

I used 1/8' x 2' x 4' mdf from Home Depot for the base.

I used 1" common board (pine) for the stands and animals, also from Home Depot. You can see how the pieces with the hole layer on top of each other.

You can cut the u-shaped piece first, then use it to create the other pieces, as pictured in the photo above. 

 Here are the patterns for you. I drew them on graph paper originally, and just traced the shapes I had already cut out below. 

 

 I love this little polar play set, and can't wait to give it to my son, so we can play with it together! My older kids have been begging to play with it as well! 

Up next, I will be showing the car mat I made for my nephew, and due to multiple requests, I created a Nativity scene, and will post it with patterns! 

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Studio 5 & my fabulous necklace!

On Friday, I had another opportunity to do a segment for Studio 5. This was a fun one, and I have to tell you... I have wanted to do a scroll saw segment ever since I got my scroll saw, 

I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

My dad originally told me I needed a scroll saw, and I really didn't want one, because I thought it was just for cutting things out for tole painting. Well, you can do SO MUCH more with a scroll saw. Lucky me, I got to share my creations on Studio 5!

I have fun on the show every time I go. This segment was with Darin, who is always so great. I have to give a HUGE and well-deserved shout out to my producer Stephanie, who is so talented, and really knows what it takes to create/produce a fantastic segment, start to finish. She works so hard behind the scenes, and I don't think she gets nearly enough credit. We had fun shooting the clip for the beginning of the segment in my garage a month ago. It was a treat for me to see how it turned out, (I loved it!) and she was a lifesaver with set-up and coaching this time! I love you Stephanie. You make me look good! I love learning from you! I am lucky to get to work with and learn form you! Thank you!!!

Set up is always fun... the energy in the air... anticipation... I always have to snap a picture!

 

Do you LOVE THAT NECKLACE??? I know I do!

Here is another shot. Anyone that knows me, knows I might have a little jewelry obsession... just a little, okay, you got me, it's a big obsession! My new favorite place to shop for fabulous necklaces is Bridget's Boutique.

 She has beautiful necklaces that you don't see everywhere, but that are still well priced, well made, and on trend.

Look at this little lovely! I know the photo quality is not fantastic, but you get the idea!

Bridget's Boutique is offering a special just for my readers! You can get 10% off your order by entering the code:  risa  at check out! The price is only $15 right now. With the discount, that end's up being only $13.50!!! You won't want to miss this deal!

Here are a few more that she has in her store. I love the colors, the styles, and the selection!

I have a little secret... Bridget and her handsome hubby and darling son are the ones in the photo puzzle I demoed on the show! Aren't they just the perfect family?

So, head on over, and check her shop out. A necklace would make a great Christmas gift, and you might even consider getting a stocking stuffer (or two) for yourself! They are the perfect accent piece for any holiday party attire. So, treat yourself, or your friend, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, mother, boss. (Hint, hint... Mom, are you reading this???)

Still to come this week... play mat post, and polar play set post. I hope you'll check back!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Scroll Saw Projects List

I will be live on Studio 5 today, sharing my favorite scroll saw projects! I thought I would make it easy, and give you a link to each project!

Wooden Letter

 Gnome Play Set

 Princess Beds

Taj Mahal

Wooden Puzzle

Eskimo Play Set

 This play mat is another toy I will be sharing today. It is more cute now than in this photo. The tutorial will be available soon as well! Be sure and check back for updated pictures and tutorial!

I will be adding the DIY play mat and the Eskimo play set this weekend, and will update this post as the tutorials become available. Please check back, and also... you can type scroll saw or any other topic in the search box in the top right to find anything you are looking for.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

DIY wooden puzzle tutorial

If you have read many of my other posts, you know I LOVE my scroll saw!!! Love it! I just made a few of these puzzles this weekend, and they turned out SO awesome!

This is my nephew. Isn't he darling!?!

 

What you will need:

2 pictures - I printed mine on my computer, but you could also have one printed professionally.

A piece of thin board from the hardware store. I got mine at Home Depot.

Spray Adhesive, Home Depot

Scroll saw - I got mine at Harbor Freight. They are on sale right now for $64!!! You can see HERE. Pictured in the link, is the exact model I have.

Sand Paper

1) Trace the photo onto the board, then cut the board out. Do this twice.

If you want, you can cut the photo boarder off with the scroll saw, or you can do it before, or leave it on. Whatever you think looks best.

2) Enter one side, and cut an oval around the photo.

 3) Cut the oval into pieces using your imagination. ALWAYS CUT WITH THE PHOTO FACE UP! I drew a pattern on the back to follow the first time, and it messed up the photo.

4) Sand the bottom edges (not pictured).

It should look like this.

 5) Spray adhesive onto the back of the border piece.

6) Attach the border piece to the back piece.

Put the pieces back in!

Now you have a homemade gift that is darling, and SO personalized!

Just a note: These are not waterproof. I haven't figured that one out yet. I will update if I do. I have thought of plenty of options, but need to test a few out.

Here is another one I made for my CUTE nephew for his birthday yesterday. I just pulled some photos off facebook, and surprised his parents.

 Have a Happy and Creative Day, 

...and ask Santa for a scroll saw. You won't regret it!

Risa