I will Praise You in this Storm

The title of this post comes from a Casting Crowns song. I'm not super crazy about Casting Crowns, but I do enjoy some of their songs, and this is one of them. It says that even in the storms, we can praise Him, even when the storms don't stop but keep going on, that He keeps going on with us.

I'm not in a storm, but sometimes it feels like the day is overcast (Emotions can be deceiving!). I still need to remember that He is with me, and that He has put me here, and perhaps I am meant find out what I am supposed to learn from this particular type of weather.

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.   Psalm 107:28-30

Sometimes He may calm the storm, but when we wipe the rain from our eyes we find that we are not where we thought we were or expected to be, and He brings us to a place of rest anyway. God knows what He's doing. He knows where we are, and where we need to be.

The thing to remember is this: God is with us no matter what. Are we with God, no matter what? No matter how bright the sky is, no matter how dark the day, HE is with us.

Cardboard Furniture? Oh, Yes!

I have recently been inspired by cardboard furniture. Is this not the ultimate way to recycle and have a stylish home for very little cost? Or at least a cheaper cost than buying normal pieces of furniture. It probably takes a while to save the cardboard for large pieces, but if you know where to look for (Try home improvement stores for appliance boxes!), and how to save them (break boxes down right from the start), this could be a rewarding and unique hobby.

This is an example of what can be done with cardboard. I'm not telling you to jump out and try this from the start, but by watching it, and other YouTube videos, you can pick up quite a few construction techniques.








Check out this collection of pictures of cardboard furniture. Both the video and this website show how you that cardboard really can be something you would want in your home! Personally, I am in love with the red chair, which is the third picture in the comments section.

At EcoFriend (no, I am not an environmentalist), there is a really great picture collection of amazing cardboard designs. Definitely inspiring!

Finally, here is a large set of links to sites showing many fascinating cardboard creations!

So, taking this to next step, I have already drawn a small design on paper, that I would like to create with cardboard. It is a tree, and in the trunk there are spots for shelves. Yes, a bookshelf! It could be decorated with garlands of plastic leaves. Perhaps it does sound tacky, but I am really excited. If everything works out, I'll share production, and post-production pictures.

What furniture would you make with cardboard?

Crafty Collection ~ Episode 2

Here's another collection of wonderful crafts for you to enjoy!

Accessories

What Are Your Thoughts On The Subject?











I have read so often that to be a good and successful blogger, you should pick a subject and stick to it. If you are going to be crafty, stay crafty. If you are going to be political, stay political, etc. If you feel you must branch out to something different, have a different blog. That's what they say.


The first thing you need to decide when you build your blog is what you want to accomplish with it, and what it can do if successful.  -Ron Dawson

I agree, for the most part. If I go to a crafty blog, I go to see  crafts! I don't mind the occasional rabbit trail, because it adds variety, and insight to the keeper of the blog. I myself have had a separate photo blog, and several joint blogs covering crafts, writing, and others I'm sure.

Now I come to the question of this post. Do I have a theme or drive to my blog? Is there a particular subject that I write well, or that you, as the reader, enjoy the most? When you think of my blog, do you think crafts? Photography? Writing? What comes to mind?

A blog is what all “websites wanted to be” updated on a regular basis, contains content that is of interest to a select or target audience and is easy to update and change. - Unknown

As a side question, what do you think of having separate blogs for different subjects, and what do you think of combining all of your interests into one blog? What are your thoughts on the subject?

Crafty Collection ~ Episode 1

Sometimes (when I keep up on reading blogs, or looking for patterns), I come across so many nifty and darling tutorials that I want to share! A blog post containing links to such patterns? It's a no-brainer! Here is the very first episode of crafty loveliness that caught my eye.

Softies

Accessories

I didn't mention it before, but this is also a great way for me to keep track of patterns I love, without loosing them in my bookmarks. Shhh! It's our secret!

Oh, and yes. I love softies.