One of the most enduring and universal Christmas traditions is the cr�che, or the Nativity scene: a representation of the story of Christ’s birth. This beautiful book reveals the worldwide appeal and custom of the cr�che and the diversity of creative expression displayed in this art form. Cr�che artists featured include a first-generation American firefighter devoted to preserving the Spanish Colonial santos tradition; a woman who served in the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands; a Jesuit who worked with Cambodian landmine victims and who carved a nativity with Khmer features; and a carver from New Zealand whose work is based on Maori traditions.

Nativities from around the world in a dazzling variety of styles Nearly one hundred nativities from all over the world—most of which have never before appeared in any book—are collected here. Artisans from locales as diverse as the Czech Republic, Guyana, Burkina Faso, and Bangladesh are represented. There are nativities made with materials ranging from hand-carved wood, blown glass, and wool, to more unique materials such as salt dough, dried maguey cactus, and recycled bicycle parts. The artistry, ingenuity, and diversity of these creations are greatly prized by thousands of nativity collectors worldwide, many of whom have graciously allowed pieces from their own collections to be photographed for this book. Susan Topp Weber has owned and operated Susan’s Christmas Shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for more than thirty years. She has a prized collection of nativities herself, which began with a gift in 1965, and has sold nativities at her shop since 1978. She is the author of Christmas in Santa Fe.

“A fabulous book! . . . If you enjoy tiny, detailed projects that allow for lots of creativity and personal handiwork, I cannot recommend this book enough!” —Feeling Stitchy Salley Mavor’s book Felt Wee Folk inspired tens of thousands to handcraft dolls from simple materials. Now, she invites you to return to the wee world with Felt Wee Folk—New Adventures, starring 120 dolls to spark smiles and creativity. As requested by fans, this long-awaited follow-up shares more challenging projects. Explore fresh scenes and an array of new outfits, hairstyles, and accessories, with full-sized patterns. Make bendable dolls that resemble you, your family, or your favorite fairy-tale characters with wool felt, chenille stems, and decorative stitching. Display the figures in a dollhouse, atop a wedding cake, or in a holiday scene to be cherished year after year. From the pages of Mavor’s award-winning children’s books to your home, the enchanting wee folk dolls appeal to crafters of all ages and skill levels. More dolls, more scenes, and more outfits Use your stash—wool felt, chenille stems, and simple embellishments Delightful, challenging projects, as requested by fans Felt Wee Folk was a Foreword Reviews’ GOLD WINNER for Crafts & Hobbies “While the original book included projects beyond Wee Folk dolls, the new volume focuses on the dolls themselves. Fairies and families, kings and knights, and even some not-too-scary pirates all grace the pages of the book, beckoning readers to at least admire, if not try to create, Wee Folk of their own.” —The Enterprise (Cape Cod)

Bring back the magic of the holiday season with this beautifully-illustrated wooden nativity set. In a unique package that transforms into a mini stable, this collectible kit includes an adorable wooden nativity set along with an illustrated mini book The Story of Christmas. The perfect stocking stuffer, Teeny-Tiny Nativity reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

This beautiful, fresh new telling of the Nativity story, through the eyes of a young girl, brings wonderful humanity to this familiar tale. Bethlehem has never been so busy! Leah, the innkeeper's daughter businessman off her feet. Then in the starlight miracles begin.

A novel way to decorate for the holidays--instructions for a handknit nativity scene complete with 16 dolls and a foldout manger so that you can display your creations. Inside Knitivity: Create Your Own Christmas Scene, you'll find a wonderful way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by creating a handknit nativity scene complete with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, an angel and star, the three wise men and their gifts, the shepherds and their sheep, and the ox and ass. Also included is a cardboard pullout featuring a crib you can cut out and construct, as well as a three-sided manger backdrop for your nativity scene.

Dr. Benjamin Dykes produces essential new translations of traditional astrology texts for modern students. Persian Nativities I contains the first English translation of Masha'allah's natal work, The Book of Aristotle, and a new translation of his student Abu 'Ali al-Khayyat's influential On the Judgments of Nativities.

This English translation of The Judgments of Nativities by the medieval Arabian astrologer Abû 'Ali Al-Khayyât, who is usually called Albohali in astrological literature, was made from the 1546 Latin edition by John of Seville. It includes the Latin Editor's introduction. The Judgments of Nativities, a book on natal astrology, was written in the early ninth century, and James H. Holden has included an introductory essay on Arabian astrology and has provided explanatory footnotes, appendices and a glossary of astrological terms. James H. Holden is Research Director of the American Federation of Astrologers and is the author of A History of Horoscopic Astrology in addition to translating numerous other works, all of which are available at www.astrologers.com.

This volume presents the famous medieval Persian astrologer Abū Ma'shar's complete book on natal predictive techniques, translated from the original Arabic for the first time.

This classic text of traditional astrology from the renowned medieval astrologer Guido Bonatti is invaluable for modern students, and is the only complete English translation.