What do you do when you need to find a new use for an old play mat? Tonya from the This and That blog shows a cool way to turn an outgrown mattress from an infant play yard into a great play mat for little cars or trains. Check it out here. I think this mat would also make a great pirates map or even a world map!

Visit her blog for details.

http://www.tonyastaab.com/2009/04/a-mattress-to-a-play-mat.html

I've never been to Japan, but I love Japanese arts and design. I was delighted to find the Origami Mommy blog, about a crafty  family that lives in Japan.Origami Mommy Shares how to make trucks out of everyday milk cartons. Her truck tutorial that can be found here features real functioning wheels. See the project here:
http://www.origamimommy.org/2009/07/recycled-milk-carton-truck-tutorial-.html#comments

 The Japanese packaging that she uses for these makes them even more special.

Plane theme makes great birthday for toddlers. Our first airplane-themed birthday party is from Nounces.com. In celebration of her two-year-old’s birthday, she took the plane theme to new heights: equipped with custom goodie bags, tickets and a marvelous cake, I can only imagine the excitement her little boy felt.

The invitations are little plane tickets.

I adore the little luggage goodie bags!

Find more pictures here.

http://nounces.com/tag/airplane/