How to Make a Set of Nativity Silhouette Statues

It's never too early to plan for Christmas!! I try to make one Christmas decoration each month, and this month I'm making a set of nativity silhouette statues.

Supplies for the Nativity Silhouette Statues

• Piece of ¾" wood, MDF, or particle board large enough to accommodate the statue patterns
• Martha Stewart Home Decor Lava Stone Grey acrylic paint
• FolkArt Brushed Metal Brushed Gold acrylic paint
• FolkArt Glitterific Gold acrylic paint
• Pattern for statues

Equipment for the Nativity Silhouette Statues

• Proxxon Scroll Saw
• Proxxon Band Saw—or—Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Prosson Disc Sander

Instructions for the Nativity Silhouette Statues

1. Using the band saw or table saw cut substrate to appropriate size. You can cut the pattern pieces apart to take advantage of better placement, or mount them on individual pieces of scrap lumber.
2. Print the pattern. Cover the substrate with painter's tape; spray the reverse side of the pattern with spray adhesive; mount the pattern onto the covered substrate. The adhesive holds the pattern in place, and the painter's tape makes removal easy.
   
   
   
3. Using the scroll saw, cut the silhouette shapes. When cutting the Christ child/manger piece, only cut a single line to separate the baby and the manger. A single cut ensures that the pieces will fit snugly after being cut.
   
4. Sand any rough or uneven area on the disc sander. You may need to do some hand detail sanding on tight interior edges. 
   
5. Paint the pieces and let dry. When painting the star piece, begin with a coat of the Brushed Gold Brushed Metal paint. When that is dry, add a coat of the Gold Glitterific paint to the star only.
6. Now, you're ready for Christmas, even though it's not yet summer!!
   

Carole