My 2.5-year-old Oliver loves rockets. He calls them rocket-planes because they fly like planes; they don’t sail like ships. Der. He sees rockets in everything from a water bottle to a random pile of blocks loosely dropped into a pointed formation. So naturally I invented a rocket craft for my book…and after scouring the web for my competition, I’d say it’s pretty original. Alas, I can’t post it yet, so here are a few other ideas that I heart that aren’t the typical cardboard tubes and streamer flames.

Rockets live so naturally on a garland, like the one above from Guusjes Appeltaart, a Dutch blog. She made stamps of rockets, stars, and flying saucers to create these gorgeous forms. I just love them.

Bonus points go to a rocket craft that can actually fly, like this cute project found on Dollar Store Crafts. You blow through the straw to make it soar through the air. Big fun.

Here is the elegant version of a rocket craft…those gold letters really take it up a notch! Apparently it’s a party favor (so says the blog, My Garden Party).

Rockets make natural bookmarks because of their shape, like this one that I saw on Pinterest. Add a little weaving lesson that doubles as flames and you’re ready for take off.

Now why haven’t we seen this idea a gazillion times? It’s genius…a cardboard rocket “playhouse”. And notice, the aliens are made from bottle tops. It’s pretty amazing and really gets me thinking about how I would do it. Nice work, Se7en!

ps…I promise to come back next week with a recap of Sommer’s 1st birthday party, as promised! It’s been a crazy week of book production!

I’m so attracted to maps, both for the actual use (navigation) and for their design and craft aesthetic. Obviously I’m not alone in this, as maps have been decoupaged on everything from coasters to lampshades. But these crafts, like this amazing map dress by Elisabeth Lecourt, are taking maps to new destinations…sorry, it had to be said!

This looks crazy hard I know, but I think the artist just covered this cardboard deer head in maps. Love. Found via Babble.

This could be a very cool abstract embroidered design, but it’s actually the Paris Metro system. By Needle & Compass on Etsy.

I love the link between transportation and navigation with this folded paper map boat by d. Sharp Journal.

A travel scrapbook made with map pages? Yes. Found via Scrapbook.com.

Ok, so I’m ending with the decoupaged map chair found via Pins for Your Home because I just love it.

This is so very much how I feel right now! So much so, that I’ll come back tomorrow with the full update from my daughter’s birthday party! (You can buy this cute tote on Handmade and Craft on Etsy.)

I saw this adorable fabric play money on Estefi Machado’s blog (one of my favorite craft blogs that happens to be in Portugese), and it inspired a search for other clever homemade play money. She used a really cool technique…she coated a piece of cotton in spray mount, let it dry, then ran it through the printer. (At least this is how I understood the google translation.) Being on fabric save them from wrinkles and rips. Here are a few other clever DIY money crafts that caught my eye…

These homemade wooden coins by Lil Blue Boo are super cute: I love that they are in denominations of treats, rather than money amounts.

What’s better than a kid seeing her own mug in the center of currency? I love the iron-on and stitched details of this homemade play money.

If you are about to embark upon a week of kids at home (aka wild abandon) for spring break, maybe a few of these 10 ideas from my recent Mom.me story will inspire you! (And while you’re there, check out all the great things that Mom.me has to offer!)

Missing the beach in a bad way? Bring it home with this easy homemade recipe of flour and vegetable oil.

Too cold for a backyard camp out? Instead, camp in with a homemade tent in the living room!

Are Legos getting old? Try building a tower with marshmallows and toothpicks!

Download scavenger hunts for the grocery store, the mall, and traffic to keep your kids busy while you run errands!

Check out the rest of the story on mom.me!