A Shepherdessing I go! (In miniature)

 Bonjour, my crafty friends!

   I have a fun and unusual miniature creation to share with you, today.  While online, a little over a week ago, I came across a Mini Paper Spring House contest and decided to enter.  Now, I have never entered any of my creations in a contest, but I thought this one would be fun (and a challenge to come up with something unique), so I got out my pencil and ruler and got to work.  

   Several days later, I had my idea, pattern, and materials all picked out.  It took a bit of trial and error and much redoing, but I finally got it all to come together, like I had envisioned.  The results are pictured, below.

   The contest rules specified that my "house" would need a name and a little story to go along with it might be nice.  So, I am including that, below, as well.  

   It took me all of two minutes to decide that I wanted my "house" to be Scriptural in nature.  My mind went to what Spring would look like in Biblical times.  It would include lambs, for sure.  Which led me to shepherds, and that, maybe, a shepherd's hut would be nice.  Then, I began to wonder if there were any female shepherds.  And, sure enough, after a bit of searching, I found 2 mentioned by name...Rachel and Zipporah.  Now, I almost went with Rachel, until I read more about her...she seemed to have a bit of an attitude.  So, I settled on Zipporah.  Much to my surprise (as I've read the Scriptures through a few times), I found out that she was Moses's 1st wife!  Her story is an amazing one; one of courage, loyalty, and of her support of Moses.  You can read the whole story in Exodus 2.  

   Here is the little "story" that I submitted along with my photo...

 Zipporah's Shepherdess Hut

   Zipporah means "little bird" in Hebrew and you will notice the little bird on the top of her house/hut.  While her hut is a bit on the flowery side, she works hard in her father, Reuel's, pasture, keeping watch over and caring for his flock.  She truly enjoys her position in the family and spending time out in the pasture with her sisters.  But, when her day comes to a close, she enjoys coming back to her hut to rest, with a few lambs following, behind. The hut is bare, at the moment, but will soon have the simple comforts she needs to rest from her labors.  It even has a skylight in the roof, so that she can gaze at the moon and stars, placed in the heavens by her Creator.  Her life will soon change in a very big way, but for now, she is content to tend the sheep and lambs and enjoy the beginning of the New Year as Spring arrives, in the land of Midian. 

   So, without further ado, here is my contest entry...

 

   

* For a bit of reference, my hut measures approximately 7"x 5"x 4", including the "hitch" and the roof eaves, and the wheels are fixed in place (they do not turn).*

   Here is a list of supplies that I used to create my hut:

• Pattern (drawn/printed on heavy cardstock (Paper Studio® from Hobby Lobby) I hope to have my Shepherdess Hut pattern available as a PDF, soon, for those that might want it.  
• "Welcome Home" paper pad ~ Stamperia®
• Close To My Heart (sadly, no longer in business) Patterned Paper for interior walls, window boxes, and shutters.
• Art board/Cardboard ~ Strathmore® 200 Series (for hut structure) from Hobby Lobby
• Scrap piece of acetate (clear take-out container lids work great!) for the "skylight" in the roof of the hut.  
• Scrap pieces of vellum or tracing paper for the window panes 
• Xacto knife
• Micro-tip scissors and decorative-edged scissors (for the roof overhang) 
• Metal ruler
• Pencil
• Cutting mat
• Masking tape
• Liquid glue ~ My all-time go to glue for all of my papercrafting is Art Glitter Glue® (does not contain glitter, lol!)  It is pricey, but you use much less, so it lasts longer.  
• Cricut machine or just 2 small, round objects to use as a pattern for the 4 wheels (one smaller than the other).  My wheels measure 1.25" and 1".  
• Lamb images from Aurora Craftery on Etsy, reduced in size to approx. 1/2"
• Free pastural and grass images from internet search (for background).  

   *NOTE: I am not affiliated with, nor do I get compensation for any of these linked materials. I just wanted to make it easier, for those interested, to find them.*

   Well, that about does it for this post.  It was a long one and I thank you for staying until the end.  If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments.  I enjoy hearing from everyone.  So, until next time, 

Au revoir, sweet readers,

Donna E.

No permissions are given for the use or republishing of my posts, in part or in whole, and are protected by copyright law.  

Showers of Blessings

 Bonjour, my crafty friends!  

   Each month brings a new card for shut-ins at church and a couple of friends, here at The Paper Patisserie™!.  This month's card is all about showers...and, goodness knows our country has been having way too many of those, lately.  With all of the prayers being offered up, for those negatively affected and for all of the loss of life due to all of the storms, my Prayer Box is, sadly, filling up.  

   That is one of the reasons I chose to make this month's card one of hope and blessings.  The Scripture reference is one that leapt off the page, as one of hope for a very soggy month.  My hope is that it brings hope and blessings to all who received it.  

   The Scripture reference is Hosea 6:3b...

"...He will come to us like rain, as the spring

 rain waters the earth."  

   

  The verse was completed on the inside panel of the card, of which I failed to snap a photo.    

   I pray that you be blessed like the earth is blessed with rain and sprinkled with loads of Son-shine.  

Au revoir, sweet readers,

Donna E.

No permissions are given for the use of or republishing of my posts, in part or in whole, and are protected by copyright law.