Hummel Knock-Off Figurine

A local thrift shop often puts small items in baskets and sell them for 5 cents, 10 cents or 25 cents. The other week I spotted a figurine that sent off the message, “nativity!” There was an angel standing next to a baby in a cradle:

The angel holds a candle aloft and gazes down at the Child. I found that it is in fact a knock-off of the Hummel “Watchful Angel” figurine by Goebel.

It has no label but by the brushwork (which looks like there are chips on the surface, but there is not), I believe it is by Napco, made in Japan in the 1950’s. It was in a 5 cents basket, and when I questioned two clerks, they said, "Well, from that basket, it is selling for five cents!"

I am linking to 2nd Time Around Tuesday, hosted by Diane at A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words. See more participants at her blog.

I am also linking to Thrifty Thursdays at Tales From Bloggeritaville. Go there for more thrifty delights.

Radko Nativity Ornaments

Christopher Radko designs a wide array of beautiful high end Christmas tree ornament designs which he has produced in Poland. As a nativity enthusiast I am glad that he has several nativity ornament series. Here is one.

"The Nativity" has three groups of three figures. The "Heavenly Family" is dated 1996.


The Three Wise Men set is dated 1995 and has ribbon streamers on each figure ornament.

Last is an Angel with two Shepherds with sheep, "Shepherd's Prayer, Gloria," dated 1997.

As is typical of Radko’s designs, each figure is finished in bright colors in unusual combinations. The color blue appears in the garb of Mary, Baby Jesus and one of the Magi, the Angel’s wings.

This post is being linked to Blue Monday, sponsored by our gracious Sally at Smiling Sally.

This post is also linked to Mellow Yellow Monday.
Go to http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/ for more bright posts.

Nativity Wreath

A visit to the local consignment shop I spotted a large wreath. Passing it by the second time I realized that the figures embossed among the holly leaves were characters from the nativity story:
At the top is the Family with a cross-like Star. On either side are Angels.

On the left are Three Wise Men and a Camel and below another Angel.

On the right side of the wreath is a shepherd with flock and below another angel.


A red ribbon is twined around and at the base it forms is a red bow above golden bells


This post is linked to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Cindy at My Romantic Home.

New Year Greeting

May His Love Guide All
We Do and Say in the New Year!

Lovely Vintage Spanish Plate

It seems that during the 1970’s there was much production of nativity themed items such as porcelain plates. Many of my annual nativity collector’s plates date from the 1970’s. Today’s subject is a lovely example of this.
It is a plate from the Spanish firm, Lladro, and shows Mary with the Baby Jesus on her lap and the ox and the donkey behind them.



The soft blue border frames the raised figures on the plate. The clothing has great patterned detail.


Tha plate has all the grace and perfection that is a Lladro hallmark.



This post is being linked to Blue Monday, sponsored by our gracious Sally at Smiling Sally.

Christmas Greeting

Each year I always send out Christmas greeting cards with a nativity theme. The card I am sending out this year proclaims:

He came to pay a debt
He didn’t owe
Because we owed a
Debt we couldn’t pay.

Inside the cover is a familiar quote from Matthew 1:23 KJV,

"Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth
A Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel…God with us."

The greeting reads:

This Christmas
May you see
And know anew
Just how great His love
Is toward you.

This is my wish for each of my blogger friends and for their loved ones.

All my best to you this glorious season,
Carrie

Wood Nativity Story Ornaments

Among the newest ornaments in the collection is a series of four ornaments highlighting the biblical accounts surrounding the nativity of Jesus Christ.

They are made by Cedar View Gifts in Arkansas, U.S.A. The material is quarter-inch premium birch with a golden oak finish and gloss lacquer, they are 3 1/2" high x 3 1/2" wide. "Each piece is designed, laser cut or etched, hand-finished, assembled and packaged on our farm."
Each ornament a blue tag announcing the maker of the beautiful ornaments:

"Cedar View Gifts
Quality Christian Craftsmanship
Made in the USA
http://www.cedarviewgifts.com/"

The first ornament shows Mary on a donkey led by Joseph with a Star above. The text is Luke 2:4-5:

"So Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judea..To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

The next shows the familiar scene of Mary, Baby Jesus in Manger and Joseph, with Star above. The text is Luke 2:11:
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"

The third shows the shepherds with Star above. The scripture is Luke 2:8,9:
"And there were shepherds abiding in the field, And, lo,the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them."

The fourth ornament in the set depicts the Three Wise men on Camels, with Star above. The text is Matt. 2:1-12:
"There came wise men from the east, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east, and come to worship him."

These are such wonderful reminders of Christ’s sacrifice to give us eternal life with Him.

Merry Christmas!