Every Thursday we like to feature a different blogger that we like and something from their blog that's cool and interesting.  www.designmom.com is the blog of Gabrielle Blair, a mother of six (where does she find time to blog!) who is passionate about good art and design. In this post she profiles these super cute animal cards. I love them because they are high contrast which really gets babies' little minds going.  

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”  ~Dalai Lama Thursday’s life lesson is kindness. Lessons of kindness should be passed on to your children on a daily basis. And kindness can take many forms.  Our friend Emile at Babycciono shows us how to make a bird feeder out of pine cones, peanut butter and seeds.  In the winter, it’s kind to be kind to the birds! How can this become a teaching moment? Tell us how you would use this craft as a chance to help your child to be kind. Has your child shown kindness all on his or her own? We would love to hear the stories you...

This year, almost everywhere I turned I saw the word “believe” on so many holiday decorations. In the world we live in “believe” takes on many meanings especially now when it is easy to be jaded and disappointed with where the world seems headed. But “believe” is a powerful thing, whether you are thinking of a higher power or even Santa Clause, because even though that idea conceptualizes something separate from ourselves it really means that we look within ourselves and hopefully “believe” in what’s inside us and our ability to become all that we hope to be or will be. That’s a tall order and to be reminded of that purpose can only be a good thing.So, my short-term...

In this weekly series, Children Inspire Design shines the spotlight on you! Each week, Rebecca shares her pick for Designer of the Day to showcase some up and coming talent on Etsy. This week, our post for Designer of the Day features Marc Loret, a French photographer. He encourages you to look at the world around you, experience the day to day "tiny miracles" in nature. His beautiful photography features everything from the romantic scenery of Paris to the simple things in nature. Marc's fans adore his artistic touch just as much as we do! Our favorite Marc Loret design: Les Deux Baudets. This piece captures an incredible amount of ordinary beauty. "This French photographer is able to make two donkeys seem romantic," says...

While this time of year is synonymous with giving, organizations around the world spend everyday giving. Volunteers clock in countless hours lifting up those who are less fortunate. During the months of November and December, Children Inspire Design is shining the spotlight on our favorite organizations who show compassion for the earth and all who inhabit it.Onevillageatatime.org- One Village at a Time strives to create small, sustainable programs for African AIDS orphans and their villages. The villages are geographically isolated, and have little or no access to existing NGO or government-sponsored programs. Their programs revolve around creating the resources to feed, clothe, educate and nurture these children. "I really respect their criterial for who and where they help," says designer...