I don't know about you, but MY favorite childhood memories involve toys that were creative, used imagination, and allowed for multiple uses in a variety of ways.  Now you can combat the explosion of static, unimaginative plastic toys with sustainable cardboard kits that are easy to use, kid-friendly and eco-friendly!

CardboardDesign uses 100% recycled cardboard sourced in the USA that is much thicker than standard shipping boxes to make their fun play sets so they hold up to kid-play.  No glue, tape or other fasteners are used, only a tab and slot system that allows playsets to be reconfigured and reused again and again.  They are completely chemical-free as well.

How cute is today's {Friday Find}?  The seller calls this a vintage telephone table.  "THIS IS A NICE PIECE MADE OF QUALITY TEAK WOOD AND MEASURES 25 INCHES HIGH X 35 INCHES WIDE.  IF INTERESTED CALL 707/824-0607.  $65"  

Since I have been teaching myself to sew, I know for a fact how easy and inexpensive it would be to recover that seat pad.  And if the color of the wood doesn't match your decor, a little sanding and a coat of earth-friendly paint, and voila!  For $65, I'd guess $4 for fabric/thread, $2 for sandpaper and $10 paint, you'd have one stylish sitting area or landing strip.  Remember, let's keep these vintage pieces going with a little TLC instead of spending the same amount on a new, lower quality item (i.e., IKEA, Target).  As a consumer we do have a choice!  No more junky furniture that doesn't last!  Hurray for re-use! 

The It! home accent trend this fall is apparently burlap. Wikipedia says that burlap is "a coarse woven fabric usually made from jute or other vegetable fibers." Sounds like a natural, earth-friendly fabric to me. But how can you incorporate something 'coarse' into your home decor? Lots of ways! Poppytalk blog has a whole article inspired by a Canadian House and Home piece -- find it here.  Apartment Therapy has a related post too, here.

Here's a great find from www.dailygrommet.com: 

The end of a tree's growing life is not the end of its useful life by any means. Spencer Peterman from Western Massachusetts can attest to that personally. Spencer spends his time scouring the woods for fallen maple trees that he makes into fine bowls for your dinner table. 

Spencer's spaulted bowls - named for the natural veining or cracking that occurs during the decomposition process - are available in a range of sizes. He also offers spaulted maple salad tossers. All of his products are made from fallen or donated trees - no trees are cut down. Spencer can even make a bowl out of your own beloved fallen tree! 

Shopping for a kid gift and found this cool, multi-use toy. 

"Children enjoy rocking back and forth on the rocking boat just as though they are rocking on the ocean waves. Turn it over and it becomes a sturdy set of stairs; children as young as two especially enjoy climbing up and down the stairs, having great fun while they develop coordination and motor skills.