Handmade Charlotte shows us some sweet new houses on the block — these Letterpress Paper Houses are part of a DIY build-it kit which is designed and sketched by hand, turned into letterpress plates and printed on a Chandler & Price Craftsman press.

Swiss Miss highlights an alphabet made with books and clever numerical book sculptures by Paul Octavious.

The New York Times reports on the telling and sobering statistic that 1 in 4 parents think some vaccines cause autism in healthy children.

Lilsugar tells us more and more pregnant women believe there’s no place like home when it comes to giving birth — homebirths have risen 5% over the last five years.

Heather from Dooce shares a photo of her baby girl’s custom pair of shoes designed by Johnny Marra, whose work we have also admired here on Inhabitots.

Your little Irish rose, or strapping young lad, will look adorable in this authentic hand-knit cardigan, crafted in the traditional Aran style by an Irish knitter in Ireland who boasts 40 years of knitting experience! Also dubbed a “fisherman” sweater, the classic Aran knitting technique is known to keep wearers warm — and these garments were originally fashioned by wives of Irish fisherman on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. Your wee one can cozy up in this timeless sweater which “boasts diamond and moss stitch in perfect detail,” as expertly made by Irish Woolen Etsy shop owner. Designed to fit children 12-18 months.

+ Hand-Knit Classic Irish Aran Sweater $50 (w/ free worldwide delivery as a St. Patrick’s Day special)

+ Irish Woolen Handcrafted Baby Knits

Kids inherently love nature and wildlife, and we want to encourage their affinity for animals with Numsi’s vibrant and contemporary Animal Wall Art! We’ve teamed up with Numsi to give away a beautiful, unique framed piece of Animal Wall Art worth $118! This 12 inch by 12 inch artwork highlights a photograph of an animal set in an imaginary world. Dubbed “peculiar, wonderful and arresting,” Numsi decor is a sophisticated focal point and conversation piece with a modern aesthetic that will befit a child’s room from cradle to college, and beyond!

All Numsi wall art panels are designed, created, assembled and packaged in Numsi founder and artist Helen Jerlach’s studio in Twin Cities, Minnesota. Each piece of art starts with a photograph, taken by Helen somewhere around the Twin Cities region, which she then draws digitally. Images are printed onto the highest quality canvas with archival quality pigment inks, which have been tested to last for over 75 years. The canvas is mounted to a museum quality art panel with a 2” deep birch plywood cradle. Numsi art arrives ready to hang on your wall or be displayed on a shelf. All pieces are created with mindfulness toward a responsible use of resources and an outlook of sustainability, and Numsi is a proud member of 1% for the Planet.

The winner of the Numsi animal wall art gets to choose the animal print and color scheme that will best suit their taste and decor! Choices include: giraffes, a Takin, Dall’s sheep, sea lion, piglets, penguins, ostrich, Kudu, Snow Monkey, flamingos, tufted deer and buffalo! Enter to win after the jump!

Most parents of toddlers don’t bring out the white table linens to serve a meal of grape juice and spaghetti — but Norwegian designer Kristine Bjaadal’s prototype Underfull Tablecloth could change a parent’s table reservations by taking the gasps out of spills and turning them into artistic moments. What appears as a simple, white tablecloth with a floral damask pattern is really a magical backdrop that kids prone to making mealtime messes will love — because on Underfull, a liquid spill causes an eruption of butterflies, which spread across the woven floral pattern and create a layered image as seen in action here.

Ohdeedoh helps us get a jumpstart on Easter preparations with these sweet bunny and carrot figurines made with wood and felt by The Cupcake Girls. We think they’d be perfect perched in an Easter basket.

Handmade Charlotte shares this Zodiac Animals puzzle from Chigo — which kids will enjoy as entertainment and adults will appreciate as decor.

Cool Mom Picks makes sure little boys will look stylish and dapper this spring in these handcrafted neckties fashioned in bold, bright colors.

Just Something I Made offers a free download of a vintage measuring tape growth chart to help keep track of your tot’s growth spurts.

Artmonger on Etsy enlightens with a brilliant way to recycle artwork — turn it into a different kind of masterpiece. Check out these Recycled Blossom collages made from watercolor paintings.

Designer and crafting dad extraordinaire Joel Henriques was commissioned to paint a blank set of nesting dolls — and we love the way his colorful, modern version stacks up with style and flair next to its traditional counterpart. Each doll in the fifteen piece set, ranging in size from a medium size egg (the largest) to a peppercorn (the smallest) is a work of art in its own right. Feeling inspired? Pick up a set of your own blank nesting dolls for you and your kids to paint, and open up the possibilities.

+ Joel Henriques

+ Made by Joel

We’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first day of spring this month — which means kids will be back to having fun in the sun outdoors! Usher them into the great wide open by giving them a brand new set of wheels! We’re giving away this Prince Lionheart Balance Bike (worth $79.99) from online retailer Franklin Goose, an eco-friendly, one-stop shop for babies and children! “Prince Lionheart’s Balance Bike teaches your child how to balance — a crucial skill necessary before transitioning to a two-wheeled pedal bicycle. Your child’s sense of independence and self-confidence will become evident as they learn to balance and steer at their own pace.” This sweet ride features a 100% birch wood frame, 12″ rubber tires, a height adjustable padded seat and solid rubber handgrips. Franklin Goose offers a wide array of toys made with natural, organic or recycled materials, as well as everything green families need from organic clothing to eco-friendly diapers. The Prince Lionheart Balance Bike fits the Franklin Goose mission to provide mindful, eco-conscious products for green kids. Enter to win after the jump!

Kenziepoo loves the new Marionette collection of cushions from Darling Clementine seen above — and we love that these soft, sweet pillows are made with 100% organic cotton.

Growing up Green gives us a leg up on Tightology organic kids tights which add the perfect measure of warmth and cuteness to any outfit.

Prudent Baby shares a DIY swaddle blanket pattern that is sure to keep babies feeling cuddly and secure.

Craftzine shows us how to make a play laptop from salvaged materials so toddlers can have their very own computer station and outsmart mom and dad in no time.

Babyccino Kids raves about Inke Heiland’s wonderful wallpaper trees, which are handmade from vintage wallpapers and will turn any kid’s room into a sweet retreat. Inke Heiland’s French Oak birdhouse lamp would help brighten the space as well!