Sheila Landry Designs

Sheila Bergner-Landry, Designer

RR 1, Box 47, Meteghan, Nova Scotia, Canada B0W 2J0
Phone Number: 902-482-7174 Email: sheilalandrydesigns@gmail.com
Website Address: www.sheilalandrydesigns.com

SLDK142 Six Traditional Nativity Ornaments

An Original Pattern With Complete Instructions

 Sheila Landry Designs
Sheila. Bergner-Landry, Artist/Designer/Teacher
RR1 Box 47, Meteghan, Nova Scotia, B0V 1A0 Canada
Phone Number: 902-482-7174 Email: sheilalandrydesigns@gmail.com
www.sheilalandrydesigns.com

SLDK142 Six Traditional Nativity Ornaments

Materials and Supplies
-One piece of hardwood of choice 5” X 42” by 1/8” thick
-One piece of strong veneer in a contrasting color 5” X 21”
-Scroll saw blades – size 2/0 reverse-tooth
-Temporary adhesive spray glue
-Clear-drying wood glue
-Clear packaging tape (2”)
-Drill press and small bit for entry holes
-Hand-held orbital sander and various grits (100-400) of sandpaper
-Spray-on varnish in the finish of your choice
-Several feet of thin cord or ribbon for hangers

Introduction
These Nativity ornaments are intended to be stack cut two layers at a time to make a two-sid-
ed ornament with veneer sandwiched in-between. When stack cutting, be sure that you have enough
support holding all layers together so that they don’t move while you are cutting.

Procedure
-Make photocopies of the original patterns and keep them for future reference. Patterns may
be reproduced for the purpose of making the project – not for resale purposes. Finished items that
are made by hand may be sold for profit, but not mechanically manufactured. Credit to the designer is
encouraged.

Preparing the Wood

-Beginning with 100 grit sandpaper, sand both sides of your wood with your hand-held orbital
sander to remove the planer marks and smooth out the wood.
-Graduate up to at least 220 grit sandpaper to make the surface of your wood smooth. This
will make it much easier to finish your project after you are done cutting out the design.
-You will need to stack two layers of wood together with veneer sandwiched in-between. There
are many methods to do this. However, because of the veneer layer, the best way is to tape together
your boards and veneer with packaging tape along all of the edges. This is easiest if all three pieces

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layers are cut to the same size prior to sandwiching them together. Use sharp scissors to trim your
veneer down to the same size as your wood pieces and tape the three layers together using packag-
ing tape around all the edges.
-Use the soft brush attachment of your vacuum and vacuum all the dust from your wood.
-Apply the pattern pieces to the wood by lightly spraying the back of your pattern pieces with
a misting of temporary spray adhesive. Allow the spray to dry for a few seconds until it feels as tacky
as masking tape and apply the pattern to your wood pieces.
-Place a layer of clear packaging tape over the entire surface of the design to help prevent
burning.

Cutting
-Start by cutting the perimeter of each ornament. Once you complete this cut for each orna-
ment, your layers will separate. You will need to remove the veneer layer and re-tape the front and
back layers together with a small piece of packaging tape on all four sides before moving on to the
next step.
-Once you have the veneer pieces removed and the fronts and backs re-taped together, use
the small bit in your drill press and drill the entry holes for the interior cuts.
-After drilling the entry holes, turn over the piece and sand the back of it so that it is perfectly
flat.
-Use the 2/0 reverse-tooth scroll saw blade and cut out the rest of the design.
-Once you are finished cutting, separate the pattern and all tape from the wood.

Finishing & Assembly

-Place the ornaments on a flat surface and carefully sand each piece using fine grit sandpaper.
Be very gentle so that you do not break the delicate pieces.
-After sanding is completed, use the brush attachment and vacuum the pieces thoroughly to
make sure all dust is removed before applying paint or varnish.
-Spray varnish of your choice on both sides of the veneer equally and at the same time to
prevent it from curling. Two coats are recommended allowing drying time between coats. Set them on
a peg board to dry. (You must varnish the veneer pieces before assembly to seal them and prevent
curling from the glue).
-Spray both sides of all remaining pieces with two or more coats of varnish, allowing ample
drying time between coats and using the finish of your choice. If desired, you can sand lightly with a
piece of 320 to 400 grit paper before applying the final coat. Allow the varnish to dry thoroughly.
-Use a small, dampened brush to apply clear-drying wood glue to the backs of the wood pieces
to glue them to the veneer. (Be sure you are putting the glue on the correct side of your wood).Apply
the glue sparingly but try to get it all around the perimeter and as much as you can on the inside with-
out having any seep out when you apply pressure. Use something flat to weigh it down while the glue
dries. I recommend using around 10 pounds of weight to be sure the ornament gets glued all around.
It is best to only do one side at a time and allow the glue to dry before repeating for the other side.
-Once assembly is complete, wrap your ribbon or cord around a CD case or DVD box to cut it
to size. Loop it through your ornament and it is ready for hanging.

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Sheila at 902-482-7174 or you can email me at
sheilalandrydesigns@gmail.com. You may also see and purchase other patterns by Sheila Bergner-Landry at
www.sheilalandrydesigns.com and download a free catalog of designs.

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