Ok, we love us some crafts...but love them even more when the pieces are all gathered for us and come with clear instructions. How cute are these two new critter kits from Martha Stewart? The pom-pom insects (above) are great for the littler ones, and the pipe cleaner forest is perfect for kids 8 and up. Available at Walmart stores.)
We fell in love with these vintage map blocks our friends at Ohdeedoh found from Etsy retailer Sparkle Power. Who says your kid has to leave the house to explore the world? (Plus, they're only $15 for a set of 5.)
As the weather gets cooler, we all need something to cuddle up to. How cute are these handmadeanimals by Fern Handmade? Bonus: They're made with recycled wool and organic cotton.
Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo
Amanda Soule, or "Soulemama," is one of the most beloved bloggers on the internet. She blogs about her crafts, children, life and home in a way that makes you want to head right over for a cup of tea and a cookie. With three young kids -- 3, 5, and 7 -- and another one on the way (congrats!), the family seems happy and chaotic -- in other words, real. Add a sleepy dog and cat, and you have Amanda's lovely household! Let's take a peek inside...
Where do you live?
We live in Portland, Maine, where I grew up. I always loved it here and knew it was where I wanted to raise my family. We're close to the ocean, and we can get to the mountains. Plus, Boston is close by.
With three kids, a dog and a cat, is your house pretty nuts?
Chaos is our life. We try to embrace it -- or send it outside!
How do you approach decorating for your family?
Our house is cozy--"really small" is another way to put it. We're obsessed with moving around furniture to make sure we're using the space the right way at all times. The kids' activities change with the seasons and as they grow up, so I want to reflect what they're doing at the time.
How is your decor changing this fall, for example?
For fall, we're inside more, so I'm creating cozy spaces for lounging and reading. Moving toys around is also so helpful for the kids to see things differently. It's true for me, too -- just moving things around helps you see things and new possibilities differently. So a toy may go untouched for months, but if I put it in a different basket, it's suddenly The Thing that everyone wants to play with.
Does Maine have cold winters?
Yes, it gets very cold here, so we put pillows and rugs on the floors and wear lots of wool. We heat the house with the stove primarily. I love wood heat. In the winter, we gather around that on the floor...
Do you often have flowers in your home?
In the summer, I gather flowers around the yard. In the winter, it feels necessary for my sanity to bring in something fresh!
I love this little drawing.
My children's little creations are taped up everywhere -- they're not limited to the fridge by any stretch. I love those random snippets. The kids have access to the tape, so I'll just see something appear. It makes me smile.
How did you design this wardrobe?
The wardrobe was a roadside find, and I just tacked up vintage fabric on the doors. It serves as the kids' art cabinet in our dining room.
Who made this lovely artwork?
I actually drew the house in kindergarten. Calvin drew the other picture -- of me in the kitchen on Christmas morning, with utensils flying around my head. I look insane. That must be what he thinks I look like!
Do your kids like doing the same things?
Our kids are three very, very different people, but our days are spent together, so we learn to adjust. We start our days at breakfast with everyone saying what they really want to do that day, and we try to make sure that, in some way, everyone gets to do their thing.
What kinds of activities do they each want to do?
My oldest loves baseball, so he always wants someone pitch to him or to do a pretend World Series game. Ezra really loves art and is asks for craft projects or paper mache. Adelaide is still young and grasping the concept; she usually goes for games or puzzles. And I also work in my need for the day -- I need to make bread, or I really have to wash the windows -- so they realize that I'm meeting their need of playing baseball and pitching, but they also need to give me time to wash the windows.
What a great lamp.
It was a yard-sale find for $1. The shade fit perfectly, but was ugly seventies in a bad way. Really nubby. So I cut some nicer fabric, wrapped it around and attached it with a hot glue gun. It was really easy.
Do you ever find "grown-up time"?
It's hard to have adult conversations when three little people are between you. Sometimes those times will happen naturally, when everyone is playing with something, and we're alone for a minute. We try to take advantage of that time. We also stay up late -- our nighttime is so precious, after the kids go to sleep. I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of sleep to have that time with my husband. We put the kids' toys away, to create that mental adult space. It's important, and your kids understand that.
Thank you so much, Amanda!
Want more? Check out Amanda's blog Soulemama, and her book about raising a creative family. And see all our past Nesting house tours.
Kids don't normally notice birthday cards. ("To my beloved son..." "To my beautiful daughter..." Yeah, yeah, yeah.) But what about if the card includes both candy and money?! We loved this homemade card by Brooke from Inchmark -- and we're sure her son Thomas loved it, too!
We love the contrast between the high-gloss centers and actual-bark-exteriors of these log bowls made from reclaimed trees. Designed by the Loyal Loot Collective, based in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. We think they look best displayed in a colorful group, but would be happy to own even one.
via The Bloggess
Pieter Weijnen, architect and father to Puck (8) and Finn (5), built an amazing tall and narrow (sustainable) home in Amsterdam. The living room is actually suspended above the kitchen on a platform designed to look like a ship's hull, and this "fairytale boat" is visible from the street. How cool would it be to grow up in a space like this? Check out tons more pictures of this incredible space in Dwell's slideshow.
See all of Cookie's house tours.
This gorgeous, raised Lazzari Sliding Door Unit is a piece of furniture that is equally suitable for a kid's as well a grown-up space. Yay for versatility! And how practical are the opaque, sliding doors that hide all the junk you don't want to see?
You know and love the commitment-free perks of stickable and removable wall decals. Below, three sets we're currently head over heels for. 
Deerly Beloved, $50, WallCandy Arts 
Invader Re-Stik, $25 for 20 space invaders, Blik
Coat Tree wall sticker, $128, Ferm Living
And if you're looking for more ways to adorn your kids' walls, check out our full archive of nursery art.
