Monday, December 22, 2008

Italian Nativity-Blue Monday


When we were in Italy last year, there were Nativity Scenes everywhere-in stores, restaurants, etc. Here is one that I photographed. Notice the blue clothes on most of the figures. Do you see a missing person?
Hopefully Mary was behind the king, and not really missing. Just an example of my amateur photography. LOL
The backdrop for this Nativity was plain brown paper like used for packaging. I wanted to try to copy this idea for my Nativity so I think that was why I took this picture. It looks like it had been crumpled up, then straighten out with a brownish glaze on it. I really liked the look but didn't get around to it..but there's always next year! Visit Smiling Sally to see more Blue Monday posts.

27 comments:

Dawn said...

How pretty! I like the background too! It must have been wonderful to see this nativity while on your vacation. Next year if you try the background idea be sure to share. I'd love to see how it looks.

take care,
Dawn

Unknown said...

Maybe Mary is in the back of the manger cleaning up after giving birth. Did you ever wonder if there was a woman at the inn who helped her with the delivery? I did!
Love the crumpled paper idea, too!

Bo said...

Good morning Diane...I've been noticing in the few stores I've seen Nativiies in that Baby Jesus is missing (stolen?) I really like the crumpled paper effect, also.
:-) Bo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Diane! This is one of the prettiest I've seen! I know you must be proud of it!

Happy Blue Monday!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Diane
Oh my where WAS Mary? Yes maybe she was just behind someone. I think you took a great picture how very beautiful this scene is. I like the idea of the paper dropback. It looks so real.
Thank you for sharing.
Have a lovely day
Judi

Unknown said...

What a beautiful Nativity! The use of the paper in the background..very creative!
Merry Christmas!

SmilingSally said...

That's a good idea for a background. Hmm, that's a Trash to Treasure idea! Happy Blue Monday.

Darlene said...

That is a great idea for a nativity backdrop! I do see a bit of Mary she is not missing. Beautiful nativity scene.

Anonymous said...

Great Blue Monday, Diane. I like the crumpled paper idea. I might have to try something like that too.

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Morning, Diane! This is a beautiful Nativity. I think I can see Mary's back! lol We've been to Italy three times and that is one place I'd love to go back and visit again. Have a beautiful day, friend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm on my quest for a nativity this year. I like that idea of the crumpled paper...
Have a very Merry Christmas Diane!

Georgia Girl said...

Love your nativity scene! I love those best of all the decorations at Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane, thank you for your sweet comment on my tribute to Babette. I had to compose myself before I could start commenting. We loved her so much. I know your Lucy was loved just as much. I don't know if I can do this again. My dh wants another poodle soon. Sigh.

Your photo of the nativity scene is beautiful. I didn't miss Mary until you mentioned it. I am sure she is there. Especially in Italy.
What a wonderful trip that must have been. I loved the photo of the tree at the Vatican. Lovely.

The brown paper idea is a good one. I would love to do that for my nativity that was my MIL's. Thank you for your comment yesterday I was busy the whole day and didn't visit much.

Christmas love...Jeanne

LADY JANE said...

Diane..love you post and sharing with you the love of a beautiful nativity! Also sharing with you the lack of photography ability! You pic is still beautiful! And oh how I wish just once I will get to Italy!

Missy Wertz said...

Very nice Diane. We have used that technique with brown craft paper and tin foil for our D56 back drop mts. (I recently found them in the attic.) Before becoming parents, we used to have an elaborate D56 village(s) setting(s) that grew and grew as the years grew. Friends, photo customers, etc would drop buy just to see it and bring their children and grand children to see it. I would serve hot cocoa or cider and cookies and DH would turn on the S&M train that would run thru. Well, we quit putting ours up when DD was 2 (Actually, when DD was 18 months old she [an articulate child] explained and demonstrated to a customer/friend how she could open the gate to the dinning room, let her and the dog in, push a chair up to the make shift [table expanded sideboard built up, etc] turn on the train, move figurines around...all while DH and my mouth hung agape.

You can spray paint tin foil or the craft paper to give it a sturdier and a more colorful effect. Also, buy Styrofoam in sheets and a styrofoam cutter (battery thing with a wire that gets hot. Keeps that stuff from flying everywhere.) And cut out mountains, rocks and slopes in any shape you want.

My FIL and his wife started collecting and now have a large village with 3 tiers and mountains. The North Pole is at the top and I think Dickens is at the bottom. A train runs thru a mountain, the are waterfalls. It is about 10x5 in size. Very nice.

Missy Wertz said...

Sorry, did not mean to write a book! Merry Christmas!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

What a pretty Nativity scene! Maybe Mary is just taking a break...I know in the photos of when my daughter was born, there are photos of everyone else holding her and I was behind-the-scenes. Some things never change, right? :)
Carrie

Joanna said...

Very pretty...And I am sure your right about Mary *smiles*

Lois Christensen said...

Maybe Mary's in the kitchen cooking for all the visitors! Looks pretty in the picture must have been gorgeous in person! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane! Merry Christmas! See you in blogland after the holidays! Hope you enjoy them!!! Sincerely, Jeannette

The Raggedy Girl said...

Diane:
How lovely and the paper idea is really a good one. Perhaps Mary, like the rest of us was out buying one more Christmas gift! LOL. I am a good little Christian girl in spite of that last remark.
Roberta Anne

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful nativity set. I love the idea of the paper bag background too. I am sure Mary is there some where. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas and New Year.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Diane!

That is a beautful nativity set and the background does look so much like cave rock or stone -- really interesting technique!

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Many blessings in the new year!

Love, Pat

Carrie said...

I think Mary's blue garment can just be seen behind the king.
The brown paper backdrop is a great feature.

The Muse said...

glad to find you at blue monday! i love it...yes love it! what more can i say! :)

April said...

Oh, I love that! So very pretty, Diane! Thanks for sharing it! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Tip Junkie said...

Your tree is one of the finalists in the Tip Junkie Christmas Tree Contest.

Be sure to ask your readers to vote for you. {{wink}}

Congratulations!