The Newest Collection Category

As a collector who has a collection of state and foreign souvenir spoons, I just happened to run across some Christmas spoons. Among them I found spoons with a nativity theme! So-o-o, this is the latest addition to the collection profile.

The first group is placed on a vintage spoon rack that is shaped like a shield.



Vintage 1970 Frohe Weihnachten Christmas Coll. Spoon - 5 1/4" long; top of spoon has 2 Candles, ribbon, and fir bough; in the bowl is an enamel picture of Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus, and a shepherd in a Stable with 1970 under it. On the back is Klepa Arts Germany.

CHRISTMAS JESUS in MANGER 1986 Embossed Souvenir Spoon
Christmas 1986. The embossed finial has a picture of Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph looking at him. Approximate length is 4 1/2"

CHRISTMAS CANDLES THREE WISE MEN Souvenir Spoon
The embossed finial has a picture of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts. The spoon is dated 1976. The bowl of the spoon is embossed with Christmas candles burning brightly. Silverplated. Approximate length is 4 ½"

CHRISTMAS ANGEL HORN Souvenir Collector Spoon
The embossed finial has a picture of an angel blowing a horn with Merry Christmas written just below her. Silverplated. 4 1/2" long.


The following spoon fell off the rack behind a display table; so it will be some time before I see it again:
CHRISTMAS NATIVITY SCENE 1993 Souvenir Spoon
Christmas 1986. The Oval color finial has a picture of the manger with Angel observing from overhead. Approximate length is 5" silverplate (E.P.N.S.).

The next spoon is hand painted in the bowl. "Nativity Shepherds Follow The Star Noel" Made in U.S.A.
This artist-made nativity spoon is a 7 1/4" long silverplated spoon by Wm. Rogers. It has a wire loop for hanging. Rustic wire also holds with small silver heart that says "made with love." It is signed on back, "Joan Rudolff ‘09"
The picture in the bowl shows Shepherds and sheep with star above. Golden wire ribbon with silver edge forms a bow.

The handle is a lovely design.

On the back of spoon is the artist’s signature


Next is a lot of 6 Figural Nativity Christmas Collectible Spoons. Made in Great Britain.
6 spoons, 4" long; silver tone over tin or steel; Gt. Britain W.A.P.M. on the back.

Titles written below the figures
Angel
Mary
Joseph and Mary
Mary and Child
Shepherd
3 Wise Men


This post is linked to Silver Sunday, hosted by Beth at Gypsy Fish Journal.

This post is also linked to Three or More Tuesday, sponsored by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner. Please visit her for more participating posts.

I hope you visit again to see more interesting nativity scenes items.

Stained Glass Creches

In my other blog there was great response to a glimpse of my pastel colored stained glass nativity in my post about the new foyer light fixture. So, I thought to write a bit about it here, and share a few other stained glass creches.


In the 2006 Ebay listing for this set the seller indicated that “this is handcrafted by a local art teacher, all proceeds from sale will go to support his non-profit private Christian school.”
In this set of seven pieces, the figures range from 4 to 11 inches in height. Hand crafted in Virginia, the figures include Mary with Jesus, Joseph, Three Wise Men, a Donkey and a Sheep

Viewed from the other side:

Placed nearby is another stained glass nativity set, but this one is in deep jewel tones:

This 7-piece set includes a Star and 10” H stand, along with Mary, Joseph, the Baby Jesus, an Angel and Three Wise Men.

This one-piece Family mounted is placed on a shelf in the stairwell picture gallery. At about 7” tall, it shows Joseph, Baby Jesus and Mary in lovely colors of blue and green.

This stylized nativity is made from a panels of stained glass framed in pewter.
Because this is a split entry, from the picture stairwell you can look past this piece to see the large pastel set on the ledge above.


Here is a little (3 1/8” tall) nativity scene is made up of pewter figures of Joseph, Baby Jesus, and Mary in front of round stained glass with shooting Star. The base is of brass and it is made in Italy

Next is a stained glass nativity candle holder. It is 8"tall by 6" wide and has a glass base with a metal candle holder. It shows Mary, Baby Jesus in Manger, and Joseph with staff.

I also have some thrift store stained glass nativity items. Here tea light anndle holders provide illumination to a Family scene and Christmas Tree:

This post is linked to Three or More Tuesday, sponsored by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner. Please visit her for more participating posts.
The thrift store items qualifies this post for Second-Time Around Tuesday, which Diane hosts at A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words. See more participants at her blog.

Advent Calendars

Advent calendars aree special publications that help count down the days of Advent from Dec. 1 until Christmas Eve. Each day a numbered window is opened or an item is taken from a numbered pocket.These calendars are designed in varied styles and themes. Some are quite whimsical, while others are more in keeping with the theme of the Savior’s birth. No matter what the design, in the case of children’s Advent calendars, there is often a treat for each day, such as a tiny toy.

The calendar I used in 2007 and 2008 is a vintage Advent calendar printed in West Germany. The first slot reveals a Messianic prophecy "The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light." Is. 9:2. This made me smile and think, “Yes, thank you, Jesus; may we always walk in your light!"

Next is a children’s calendar from Oriental Trading Co. I found it at a local thrift store last week. The special was your choice of a bag-full of Christmas things for $2.00; so this only cost me about a dime.
This felt calendar had numbered pockets with one figure for the nativity scene to be taken out each day and placed in or around the stable – Shepherds, Wise Men, animals, and the Holy Family.


The Baby Jesus figure is in the last pocket, December 24th.

The calendar I am using this season is a new one from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. It features the town of Bethlehem and has 24 windows scattered across the scene.
Each window reveals a Bible text and a color illustration:
A fold-out section at the front forms the town wall and gate.

A fourth calendar, one I received as a gift, has The Nutcracker as its theme.

Each day a mini book numbered for that day, tells one segment of the story of the Nutcracker, until it culminates on December 24 with the Magic Sleigh.

This calendar was published in 1993 by Workman Publishing Co. The story is retold by Mary Packard and illustrated by Nan Brooks.

The custom of using an Advent calendar to look forward to the coming of the Baby Jesus is a nice way to mark the family's anticipation of Christmas Eve.

Thank you for stopping by today.

May you be blessed this Christmas season and into the New Year!

This post is linked to Three or More Tuesday which is sponsored by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner.

Please visit her for more participating posts.

My felt Advent calendar qualifies for Second-Time Around Tuesday which Diane hosts at A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words. See more participants at her blog.

Crash! There goes the Tree...

On Tuesday January 27, 2009 there were workers on the roof, tearing it up and doing a lot of banging, etc. They were doing a total replacement of the roof. The only problem I had was that the clock in the bathroom flew off the wall directly into the toilet!

On Wednesday, we were having a snow storm, so the roofing contractors did not come. After breakfast I was sitting at the computer in the study when I heard a crashing noise. I went to investigate and saw nothing in the dining room, kitchen, and hall. However, in the living room I saw the lovely nativity ornament tree fallen over into one the upholstered chairs. It had been placed on a round table with a glass top in front of the window. It had probably just shimmied over bit by bit on Tuesday, with the pounding on the roof, until the tri-footed stand just came to the edge of the glass top. There were bits of broken stuff on the floor and on the chair.

Ah-h-h….I had meant to return the decorated tree downstairs to the Carola Nativity Gallery, but had hesitated since it is quite a feat to carry the four-foot tree down the stairs. There had just been so much going around here that I had just been leaving it for another day.
I took off all the creche ornaments one by one, grateful to see each one that was still in perfect condition. I was especially thankful that the damage was minimal: one 1988 acrylic Miniature Creche Hallmark Ornament, (which I’ve glued back together), one blown glass nativity ornament, and two of the ivory glass ball ornaments. Thank the Lord!
(See an earlier post about these ornaments.)

Anyway, I thought that since they were all off the tree I could easily photograph them. With so much work with house painting and other improvements, I never got them photographed. I started to put them back on the tree yesterday, but set the Hallmark ornaments aside. Hallmark ornaments are a treasured American tradition with the annual dated ornaments on family, sport and other popular heroes, and much more. I collect Hallmark angels and nativity ornaments. I will share a few in today’s post.

Above I mentioned the 1988 acrylic Miniature Crèche Hallmark Ornament. This is part of a series that ran for five years from 1985 to 1989. In 1985 Miniature Crèche number one was made of wood and straw and contained brown figures inside.

In 1986 the second crèche was of white porcelain. It is a stylized arch with the Family inside. However, I could not find mine to photograph. In 1987 the third crèche was of copper and brass.

In 1988 the fourth crèche was of acrylic with frosted figures inside. It is star-shaped and has a gilt edging.

In 1989 the fifth and final Miniature Crèche was styled after the Spanish retablo, an art form used by religious teachers to carry the gospel from town to town in the Americas. Double doors open to reveal the Holy Family inside.


This next ornament is exquisitely detailed with and angel and the star at the roof of the shelter housing the figures of the Family with a lamb.

Around the back a vista of the town of Bethlehem and the scrolled and gilt roof:

A 1995 ornament shows figures of Mary holding the Baby Jesus and Joseph alongside. They are attached to an oval form. An angel hovers above.

On the oval back it reads "A Child is born/ The world rejoices!/ 1995.

One of my favorite Hallmark nativity ornaments is this one:


A golden arch hovers above the Family done in a sweeping sculpture. Note the tender aspect of the parents:

I really enjoy my Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, and I hope you enjoyed seeing them too.
This post is linked to Three or More Tuesday.

Three or More Tuesday is sponsored by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner. Please visit her for more participating posts.