Manger Craft Project
Build a manger for the Baby Jesus.
WHAT YOU NEED
- small popsicle (craft) sticks
- raffia, straw or yarn
- iron-on transfer computer paper
- Baby - Pattern 1 or Pattern 2
- White, yellow, brown or beige felt
- Cotton ball
plus
- Scissors
- Craft glue (This is also an excellent project for a hot glue gun)
- Iron
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
 | 1. Glue two craft sticks together to make an X. Use the first "X" as a pattern to glue two more craft sticks together in an identical X. These will form the frame and legs of the manger. Once they've dried thoroughly, glue an additional stick on each side of each "X" to thicken and strengthen them. 2. Glue 5 craft sticks together edge to edge to create one side for the manger. Glue together 5 more craft sticks to make the other side of the manger. |  | 3. Place one side of the manger at the edge of a table or counter. Place a line of glue on the edge of one prong of each "X" and glue it as shown in the picture. Make sure the legs are straight and equal to each other! You will need to place a weight of some sort in the middle of the side of the manger to hold it in place (a stapler was used in this example). Place a thin bead of glue on both the inside and outside of the manger "X" to strengthen the connection. Let them dry thoroughly. Repeat for the other side of the manger. |  | 4. When the glue has dried, place the manger upside down on the work surface. Glue a craft stick across each of the open ends. (Trim to fit, if desired) 5. Use raffia, straw, or yarn to fill the manger. |  | 6. Print a baby pattern onto iron-on transfer paper. Pattern 1 will print 1 baby at the top of the transfer sheet. Pattern 2 will use a full sheet of transfer paper to print 12 babies. 7. Follow the paper's instructions for transferring it to a piece of white or yellow felt. 8. Cut the felt to the desired size. 9. Cut a larger piece of white, tan or beige felt. This will be the blanket, or "swaddling clothes." 10. Stretch a cotton ball to make stuffing and glue it to the backside of the pattern. 11. Place a line of glue all around the back edge of the pattern. Glue it to the blanket. 12. Fold the blanket as shown in the picture on the left. Use small drops of glue to hold the blanket closed. 13. Arrange the baby in the manger. Variation: The baby Jesus can also be represented by a small craft doll wrapped in white cloth. |
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