“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook

MerrimentDesign.com is all about everyday creativity. Get inspired by my step-by-step DIY craft instructions and templates — all for free.

I like creating useful things with playfulness and personality, simple designs that have a little “twist” combining materials and inspirations in smart, unexpected ways. My motto is “Craft and pass it on!” and I love seeing how people take my ideas and make them their own.

I grew up with latchhook rug kits, Strawberry Shortcake paint-your-own figurines, charcoal pencils, sewing machines, felt, pillow stuffing, rolling pins and cookie cutters. My mom majored in home economics and made me the best birthday cakes and Halloween costumes. My dad created stained glass wonders and amazing miniature farm worlds. I was, ahem, a 10-year 4-H member and still have my box of ribbons :)

When Shane and I started planning our wedding, we wanted it to feel urban and extremely personal. As a DIY girl at heart with a lifelong sewing hobby I decided to handcraft almost everything — from sewn fabric invitations to bathroom guest towels to handbags to placecards to table numbers to sewn programs. We received so many compliments from guests on our invitations and wedding decorations — and the ultimate compliment came when the editors at The Knot magazine featured us in their 2007-2008 Fall/Winter national issue and WeTV and Cakegirls featured me and Shane on their “Amazing Wedding Cakes” national TV show.

In 2002 when urban DIY began its resurgence, my friend Heather and I started Carry Handbags individually made from t-shirts, vintage kitchen linens and other recycled finds. We sold hundreds in the years to come and I found that the best part about the recognition and shout outs was the chance to share creativity with other like-minded crafters.

MerrimentDesign.com is itching to help you explore the wide world of creativity that’s out there. You are creative. You can add warmth and personality to special occasions like your wedding or everyday moments like your Sunday breakfast.

Craft and pass it on!

Kathy, Chicago, IL
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COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use MerrimentDesign.com projects and images for your own personal use. Please post a comment if you use my free templates, instructions and ideas. Contact me about any commercial, distributed or published use.