For some reason—with designer everything—no one has ever thought to make designer tents. These tents by Field Candy are just that. Unless you are camping in a spot with grizzly bears, why not have a tent that stands out?
{found via the Cool Hunter}
Have you seen these amazing rugs by Youlka Designs of France? They are pure eye candy, and I'm sure any kids would just love to take all the pieces out (and never put them back in!). So while I'm tempted, I think it'd be a housekeeping nightmare.
But function follows form, right? Right.
I know we just passed Mother's Day and there really is no gift-giving holiday in the very near future, but I thought these wrapping ideas all using butcher paper were post-worthy.
Just brown paper or boxes and yarn. Gorgeous and amazing. Found on Oh Happy Day; from More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts 
Love confetti; hate the mess. But if I got a gift wrapped like this, I'm not sure I'd even open it. From Tokketok.
Use a date stamp to make a graphic pattern on solid paper. I love the thought of stamping someone's birthday all over their package. Visit Paper, Plate, and Plane for more photos and instructions. (Colored ink might give it more pizzazz. Just sayin'.)
Here is the ultimate intersection of work and life...Oliver's nursery in the June issue of Parents magazine! Take a look and visit Parents.com for more photos and craft instructions. (Caravan Crib from Kalon Studios, Mountain Wallpaper from Fine Little Day, El Shelves from CB2, Blue Nesting Tables from Areaware)
His curtains may be my favorite thing in the room. The fabric is from Ikea and I made the straps with belt material, overall buckles, and buttons.
I can't focus on much else besides Oliver in this pic! The drawer pulls are vintage wooden yoyos and the mobile is made out of paper punched circles and an embroidery hoop. (Flash Cards from 3 Potato 4)
His rug is by Flor...they actually sell a kit where you cut the squares to form a bear skin rug. Check out the video of me and Michael (with Oliver as spectator) "cutting the rug!" (Settee from Urban Outfitters, Green side table from West Elm, Elephant lamp and mushrooms from Acorn)
I turned a trashed school chair into a smiley monkey for when he gets a little bigger. You can download the templates for the chair here.
I bravely tackled making my own version of this yarn light fixture. It was a process to say the least, but I love it!
My mom and her friends from the Cast-On Cottage in Atlanta (a knitting and needlepoint store) knitted this awesome pennant for us. (Owl Pouch from Giddy Giddy)
These pillows from Vintage Jane (on Etsy) sit on the little settee next to Oliver's crib. I call them "his friends." He smiles at them when I dry him off after bathtime. (Get this...they are only $22!!)
Photographs by the amazing Heather Weston. Check out her 52 Families project!
I searched forever for a cute lamp for Oliver's room (ended up with this amazing one from my favorite toy shop in Brooklyn, Acorn) and now I wish I had seen this DIY project! You don't have to use Matsutake's sewing pattern to make this; any stuffed animal will do. Find the brilliant instructions for this fox lamp on her blog (one of my new faves).
Did you know you can make ice cream out of snow? Wait til a fresh snow fall (which should be any minute if this winter continues as it has) and whip this up with your kiddies.
Visit this cute blog, Meet the Dubiens, for the recipe!
When I saw this photo of Shanghai built from cheap plastic containers (made by artist Bang-Yao Liu), it got me thinking about the plethora of ways to craft with ho-hum plastic containers and everyday items. (Found via Design Boom.)
Honestly, these are two of the cutest executions of plastic flowers I have ever seen. Yes, those tulips are made from plastic spoons! And the others from plates and cups! Brilliant. (I wish I could give credit where credit is due, but I found this image via Google Images and when I clicked on it, it took me to a site with no sign of this image. Hmmm.)
I seriously thought I'd seen it all in the way of trash crafting, but this is amazing! I would so live with this on my wall. Found via Snike Larten.
Ok, it's one thing to make your own piñata, but it's another to pick up the scraps after it's been beaten to a pulp and continue crafting! Not something for the faint of craft. How cute are these piñata scrap bags from Giddy Giddy? And those piñatas? Bestill my beating heart...
Ok, here's the thing about me and owls...I collect them. And I swear, I've been collecting them for years longer than they have been the bird of the moment. Both of my grandmothers collected figurines, jewelry, tape dispensers, belt buckles...all with owls. So when my niece Grey asked if I would help plan an owl party for her 7th birthday, it was a no-brainer.
The party started with a hunt for gold rocks in the front yard, followed by this adorable owl craft. My sister-in-law Dena found a pile of magnolia branches on the side of the road and took them home to slice and seal them with polyurethane.
Here's how to make the owl:
Here are some pics of these adorable little girls having the best time!
I've blogged about Made by Joel before...he's one of my absolute faves! Here, he made the simplest toy: he gathered sticks and twigs with his kids and then drilled a few holes in a sanded piece of wood. The kids inserted the twigs in the holes and voila, insta-forest! It doesn't beep, light up, or move. But it does entertain, in the simplest way.
