All pieces for this nativity scene can be cut from 1/4" plywood and 3/4" pine. Plywood is used for the background buildings and to raise up some of the pine pieces to create the 3 dimensional effect. We touched the edges of each piece on our drum sander to soften them. Then we painted each piece using Delta paints. The last step was to glue the parts to a plywood backboard. Project measures 21"H x 36"W.