After years of buying cat scratchers, I finally came up with a solution to turn an inexpensive cardboard scratcher into something that works for my cats as well as my decor.

For years Etsy has dominated the web as the go-to source for small business, handmade, unique and one-of-a-kind goods. But to say the site's number of options can be overwhelming would be an understatement. To help streamline the search for eco-friendly and natural goods, a new website has popped up, Eco Market, which has branded itself as the "Etsy for Eco." The online retailer has focused not just on handmade, but the story behind the product — the who, what and why behind every item and business featured on the site.

I am a firm believer that cleaning tools do not need to be expensive or ugly, so I was excited when I found this simple duster tutorial over at 3191 Miles Apart. Made from wool scraps, which naturally attract and hold dust, it can be thrown into the washer once it gets dirty.

We've featured Sarah Dorsey's projects before, here and here, so her creativity and resourcefulness shouldn't surprise anyone. She recently posted another upcycling project that's remarkable, not just in its similarity to the original inspiration, but also for the material she used to build it. Sarah had the Lolita chandelier above (designed in all its candy-colored, sculptural glory by Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz) in mind for her project. Click to see Sarah's version.  

Here in Saint Louis, we are right.on.the.cusp. of consistently warm weather, pleasant enough to hang out outside in the evenings. Which means I'm freaking out a little bit, making plans for outdoor get-togethers and what not.

Naku over at Bambula has self-described "copper fever" and can't help herself from buying pipes from the plumbing department at the hardware store. Today she reinvents them as hooks for tea towels and other utensils in the kitchen.

Now that we've been staying put all winter, we need to get out and go places. It's time for a road trip! Looking at strategies to keep my kids from going completely crazy in the car, I stumbled upon this very clever DIY organizer that hangs on the back of the passenger seat.

Last year, I highlighted some of the most glamorous games out there for both indoor and outdoor fun, with a special post just for chess sets. While they were all insanely gorgeous, let's just say that Chanel croquet sets don't come cheap. This spring, here are a few games that require a little more time and a lot less money.

Brittany has a tutorial for some amazing masks over at The House That Lars Built. These are a step up from many masks, with dimensional features built upon a cardboard base. They are easily made from scraps around the house, and perfect for costumes, or just some pretend play around the yard.