I loved making dioramas as a kid. It was like a tiny world where I could be the decorator, landscaper, architect, and resident all in one.

Gregory Euclide’s diorama-like sculptures are a bit different from the sweet, whimsical ones I made from shoe boxes.

About his work, he says:

When we are in nature we experience the world through all of our senses in a dynamic way, but at the same time we are framing what we see through the cultural expectations we have absorbed through representational systems such as landscape painting, wildlife documentary, and travel guides. It is impossible, then, to have a true, non-mediated experience of nature even though we may long for it. My work explores the contradictions between the projection of idealized, picturesque views of landscape and our desire to have an authentic experience in nature.

Found via The Craft Begins.

Sometimes it’s the simplest, homemade toy that thrills the most.

I could honestly construct this entire post from Made by Joel‘s blog. Here are simple (and safe) stilts he made for his toddlers.

I love this DIY harmonica made from rubber bands and popsicle sticks! By Maya Made.

Yo-yos never get old! Check out this one made from a water balloon and a thick rubber band. Find the full tutorial at Skip to my Lou; made by Zakka Life.

I’ll be unplugged through Monday, so HAPPY EARLY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Have a great, safe weekend! xxoo

Image via Oh Happy Day.

I always say that a backyard is the best craft store—your finds are unpredictable and free!

So simple! By Aesthetic Outburst; found via Ohdeedoh.

Again, these could not be simpler or more elegant. By Daily Danny.

What a lovely outdoor chandelier! A new twist on a floral centerpiece. By Sweet Paul.

It’s such a basic material, and even without the newly popular colored tape, you can’t imagine how people can make such beautiful things with masking, packing, and electrical tape.

Two examples of the work of Mark Khaisman. Yes, these are made with translucent packing  masking tape, mounted on a lightbox. Found via My Future Me.

  

This is a window screen made from masking tape. Yes, I promise. Found via Apartment Therapy.

Rebecca Ward amazingly transforms spaces with colored masking, duct, and electrical tape. Found via The Jealous Curator.

Korean-born artist Sun K. Kwak covered nearly 3 miles of wall space with an installation of black masking tape. Found via Creative Fluff.