3) Repeat Step 1 and 2 only this time leave 3/4' to the left of the 1st stick and 3/4" to the right of the second stick. - If done correctly, you will have a piece of stick approximately 2 5/8" remaining below the 10 sticks and 1/2" piece above the sticks.  The 2 5/8" piece will be the legs. 

Remove the masking tape.  Place the 2 panels aside for now.

4) Now we need to make the two ends.  Start by making a template out of cardboard, cardstock, craft foam or whatever you have on hand but I'll refer to it as cardstock.  The template is a triangle with 2 sides that are 2 1/2" and the third side that is 3 3/4".  The easiest way to create this template (or pattern) is to start at one of the corners of the cardstock and measure and make a mark that is 2 1/2" away from the corner in both directions.  Then draw a line connecting both marks and that third side should end up being approximately 3 3/4".

5) Lay 7 skinny sticks flat on the table touching side by side and laying horizontally.

6) Temporarily place a piece of masking tape about 1 1/2" from each end and using your template, draw 2 triangles on this set of sticks.  (They should both fit if you draw one triangle then flip the template before drawing the next one)

7) Now, you need to glue on the braces.  To make the braces, cut 2 pieces of Flat stick that are just under 1 1/2" long and one piece of Flat stick that is 1 3/4" long.  You need to do this a 2nd time for a total of 6 braces.  With hot glue, glue the longest strip down the center (from point to flat side) and glue one shorter piece on either side of it. Repeat gluing of braces for 2nd triangle.

8) Cut out the two triangles with craft snips or very sharp scissors.  Remove and discard the masking tape.

9) To assemble the manger...........take the large rectangles and with the long sticks (legs) at the bottom, put them together to form a V (do not glue this).  While holding it in this position, use the hot glue to glue the triangle piece inside the V close to each end.

If you'd like to stain or paint it, do so now or leave it natural

The doll you choose should either be a boy doll or be bald so it doesn't look like a girl.  Cut a triangle from white fabric large enough to fit around your doll for a diaper.  Tie the 3 corners together in a knot in the front.  Take a square of white fabric or a white hankie and wrap it around Baby Jesus as a blanket.

Refer to the directions for using your Manger of Love. 

Printable instructions

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