Just like I’m not big on boxed parties (except these), I’m not a huge fan of craft kits. I’d rather give kids a table of fabric scraps, pipe cleaners, glue, and a pile of magazines and see what they invent, rather than giving them a picture to follow. But there’s always an exception to the rule, especially when it comes to good design and packaging.

 

This really isn’t a kit exactly, but more like a goody bag of tools that encourage a child’s imagination. Developed by Karen Kimmel, the canvas bag includes different organic-like stencils and colored pencils, with no instruction book. I’ve seen kids in action with these tools, tracing, layering, and rubbing to create masterpieces. Visit Kimmel Kids to find retailers near you.

 

 

Even though the kits by The Little Experience are rather directed, they are are just so darn cute! And bonus, each box comes with instructions of how to turn it into a prop that accompanies each craft.

 

 

 

The vintage packaging of these Wild & Wolf kits just sends me. I spotted these at the Stationery Show this week and I can’t wait to see them on shelves in the US.

Ruffles are so in…were they ever really out? And lucky for us, they are easy to DIY. Here are three ways to use ruffles in your life.

How About Orange gathered together this great collection of ruffle how-to’s. Check out her robust list of DIY ideas.

I always touch ruffle pillows in stores…they are just so, well, touchable. Here’s how to make your own from Kelly + Olive via Say Yes to Hoboken.

A cork board gets girly with a ruffle embellishment! Found on Design Mom, made by Fresh Nest.

I have a thing for little chairs. My husband can’t quite understand it, but indulges me about 1 out of 5 times when the buying mood strikes. Here are the newest and greatest that I spotted at ICFF.

These adorable kids’ folding chairs are made from cardboard tubes and recycled plastic. Made by Hecmec, a very cool Japanese company.

Alan Heller designed a kids version of this awesome stool, that promotes controlled, jiggly movement while sitting. Visit ErgoErgo to see products.

Thelermont Hupton, the genius company behind the saw horses from yesterday, designed this amazing stool that also allows for movement while sitting. I love how they look like crayons coming out of the ground.

You can add a plush cushion or just flip over the Tingle stool by Luxx Box for versatile seating. They also showed their product, 1Eighth, a stackable wall-like module that makes for creative spaces for kids. Or you can flip one over to make a toy box.

Tatolino is a fun chair that promotes an active lifestyle, says their website. This is one of my favorite products from the show. This child’s seat becomes so many things: an interactive toy, a wheely cart, and a super-cool lounge.

There is an exhibition at the Museum of Childhood in London called Sit Down, all about kids’ seating. I think a trip across the pond is in order.

We are back from Brimfield (more on that later), and today I experienced the opposite of the biggest flea market in the country: yes, ICFF, The International Contemporary Furniture Fair, a showcase for the best and newest in contemporary design. This deserves a few posts, but I’ll start with the great kids’ product I saw.

If this Me Too Magis Paradise Tree weren’t $756, it would be mine in an instant.

Again by MeToo by Magis, I fell in love with this modern cardboard play house, Villa Julia.

Chaise + Toy chest = Brilliant. By Igloo Play.

Someone finally invented the real sawhorse. These amazingly adorable ones are by Thelermont Hupton.

“A tree becomes a book and a book becomes a tree,” says Shawn Soh, the designer of this amazing bookcase.

This is only skimming the surface of today’s finds…stay tuned.

There are very few craft magazines (at least good ones), but there is one that tops the entire genre: Marie Claire Idees. If you don't know it, you need to (and I assume you are a lover of the handmade if you are reading this blog). When the newest arrives on my desk, I carefully plan when I am going to devour it. I took French in high school, so I can get the gist, but the pictures are good enough for me sans text!

They've added a page in the front of the magazine highlighting their contributors (at least I think that's what it's about). Here are a few blogs to look at…

From File Etoile de Lin. 

From Douce Etoile. 

From Dentelles Oxydees.