I’m crazy excited to be a part of the Sewing 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar edited by Megan Smith. One hundred simple sewing projects organized in three-day increments fill this crafty calendar of the new decade.

Featured MerrimentDesign.com projects include sewn poppy fabric invitations, bridesmaid’s applique handbags, Thanksgiving felt leaf placecards and napkin rings, and Chicago flag passport cover …and surprise! The back of the calendar box features my guest bathroom towels project.

As you can see the calendar folds into a stand that props up the instructions while you work. My top favorite projects from co-contributors include a bunny pocket pillow and tiny little loveable rag doll by Missy at CraftyCarnival.com and a tin can cover by Meg Spaeth at ElsieMarley.com.

It’s pretty bizarre that it’s almost 2010. Two Thousand Ten!! A new decade. Think of all the things that have happened and changed in our lives and in the world in the past ten years. Sigh. Well, be sure to order your copy of the Sewing 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar before the ball drops!

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be at Chicago’s Renegade Craft Fair on September 13-14, 2008.

“Craft and pass it on” is the new MerrimentDesign.com motto that came to me while I was trying to describe the purpose of the site to my friend Renee. Merriment is all about creating things for special occasions and everyday. It’s about commenting and sharing new ideas and instructions with each other. It’s about building a supportive crafting community.

I’ll be featuring chalkboard pillows and applique onesies at my booth that you can either make for free or buy from me. And I’ll be passing out these cute buttons designed by YanYan Zhang.

Site visitors who add comments to the site or email me ideas in the months of September and October are eligible to win a $40 Joann Fabrics gift certificate from Merriment.

I’m historically not very good about asking for help and getting ready for Renegade has been a ton of work. So I’d like to send a special thank you to Renee Schultz, YanYan Zhang, Susan Curtis, Brenda Strong, Krista Beymer, Liz Meitus, Jen Martensen, Tamara Bohorquez, Debbie Hawickhorst, Heather Crosby and of course Shane. The fair is coming up soon and I’m excited to meet people and promote crafting. Pass it on!

Shane had a business trip in Seattle so I was excited to join him for the weekend. We had such a good time in the Pacific Northwest, red-eye flight aside, and I’ve been humming Would? to myself all week. Here are a few Seattle inspirations for you on this fine Friday:

Neon. It’s no secret that I have a serious crush on neon. I like to think that Seattle is sprinkled with neon signs to help it cut through gray days.

Someday when my childhood plan of hanging collected neon signs in the finished basement of my future home, a Comet Tavern replica is going to be high on the list. Dream big.

The Solstice. Yay! June 21st happened to be the Summer Solstice Parade in Fremont. After a stellar breakfast at Persimmon Shane and I staked out a spot on the crowded 36th Street.

I loved the energy and the creativity people put into their costumes. And check out how creatively the naked bikers painted their bits.

One cool idea I saw that would be great for Halloween was a group of people dressed as sandwich elements — bread, bologna, lettuce, tomato — who would walk around individually and then run together and “sandwich” each other. Video montage of sandwich hugs, bubbles, costumes and bits below …although please avoid playing if you’re easily offended.

Fresh seafood. Couldn’t get enough of it. Crab, clams, salmon, tuna, you name it. Walking through the Pike Place Market was a trip.

Warm Nuts. How best to gracefully put the solstice parade and warm nuts together in one blog post? Well regardless, under a neon glow Two Bells served throwback warm mixed nuts to bar patrons. Next time I have guests over I’m putting these guys in the microwave.

Best thing about traveling is my mind has a chance to think and wander. Thanks, Seattle, for an inspirational weekend!

So I’ve been watching a documentary about Andy Warhol. Honestly, I’ve never really been a Warhol fan …I mean, I generally understood how influential he was, and I got how much of today’s design world is the way it is because of his work. I appreciated his art. But I never really *liked* it.

After watching Factory Girl I put the American Masters Warhol documentary into my Netflix queue so I could learn more about Edie, the Factory and, most importantly, why Warhol was the way he was.

And …well, huh. Pretty soon I found myself snapping photos of the TV screen (so sorry for the crappy quality here). His initial commercial work is really great. And check out the Terre Haute connection: his first commercial illustration was for the article below.

This week Friday inspiration goes green. I just got back from exploring Ireland with my sisters. We started in Dublin, drove (on the left side) to Galway, toured Kylemore Abbey and Connemara, meandered the coastline and hiked the Cliffs of Moher on our way down to Dingle, and wound around Killarney National Park to a lovely dinner at Packie’s in Kenmare.

I love vacations because they give me time to think and just take things in. I’m still sorting through our bazillion photos but here are a few craft-related Irish inspirations to share with you:

Bright colors. I loved the cheery colors we came across as we drove through the country. Oooh. What bright things can I make??

Breakfasts. Check out these creations from our bed and breakfast in Galway. The yogurt parfait with muesli layers is topped with jam and a banana chip. The rolled pancake/crepe on the right is topped with syrup, powdered sugar and chocolate shavings.

Twisty marshmallows and outdoor art. I’ve got to figure out where to buy these spongy treats in the states. I found the painting on a front door of a townhouse in Merrion Square, Dublin. What personality!

‘Crafting’ signs. Crafting was all over the place. Even the Kylemore Abbey nuns got into it by selling handmade geranium soap. Made me want to get home and get cracking.

Music. I liked how musicians in pubs stayed seated as they played. That’s music how it should be …focused on the music.

Solitude. OK, so this one’s not exactly related to crafts but the vistas are inspiring. And who knew Ireland had beaches? My sister Krista makes a brief cameo in the second of these two short videos that I took on the windy Dingle Peninsula.

That’s it for now. So raise a pint of Guinness this weekend and toast your creativity!

Some musical inspiration for you this Friday. Alex, Heather and I watched Dolly Parton perform at the Chicago Theater last night …10 rows from the front! We went to celebrate Heather’s birthday but I felt like I was the one who got the present. Dolly’s warm, everyday lyrics and voice, not to mention her sunny personality, are this Friday’s inspiration. “All you gotta do is smile that smile…”

Tonight my sisters and I saw the Edward Hopper exhibit at The Art Institute of Chicago. I just love his everyday scenes of people, life and solitude in the city. Many of the paintings on exhibit captured that late afternoon time of day when the shadows are long and the light looks so beautiful. It’s my favorite time of day, especially on warm summer Saturdays.

I’m always amazed at how beautiful and vivid oil paintings are in person. Books and images like these just don’t do them justice.

I’ve spent the week exploring New York City and Brooklyn. The crafty clothing, accessories and home stores here in Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill are inspiring …and many of them are online.

One of my favorites is Cog & Pearl, a collective of various Brooklyn crafters and designers. Check out the photo mirrors and embroidered silk neckties. I spent a lot of time rummaging through Enamoo with its lovely owner, Lin, and various antique stores on Atlantic Avenue, purchasing sheet music, letterpress letters and other materials I plan to use in future crafts.

And check out the cupcakes at Downtown Atlantic bakery. Mixing in Oreo pieces into icing and mimicking Hostess cupcakes are creative twists that you could easy replicate at home. Although as many of you know, I’m personally partial to the coconut. Enjoy!

Friday was my last day at work. So this week, inspiration’s coming on a Monday ;)

I love this lace tape over at Willow. Owner Amy Doehla seems to find the most unique things. Typically I’ve purchased “finished” home accessories there yet this two-inch-wide lace tape has oodles of crafting possibilities, from unique birthday wrappings to sassy wall art.

US$10.50 for 5 yards

So my friend Renee and I decided to browse through Anthropologie after having afternoon tea at Julius Meinl. It’s no surprise to anyone that Anthropologie has some of the most crafty, creative, seasonal store decorations out there. But this one made me giggle. I remember back in Girl Scouts making ‘vases’ from bell jars, masking tape and shoe polish. But displaying multiples in various shapes (and blue!) elevate these tape creations to chic home accessory.

Supplies:

• Masking tape
• Watercolors and rag or brush
• Glass vase, canister or other vessel

Tear masking tape into strips and place on the glass vase, making sure the tape pieces overlap to completely cover the vase. Using watercolors, brush paint on the tape or for a faster method, dip a wet rag in the paint and rub.