Mommypage reached out last summer for a St. Patrick's Day interview about me and MerrimentDesign.com and here it is. Give it a read if you're curious how all this stuff began ...and learn what...My Mommypage Interview... »

The Huffington Post Home contacted me about their Sew for Sandy initiative and I'm happy to pass it along. "As an initiative to collect as many warm blankets, clothing and gear for those in...Sew For Sandy... »

The Martha Stewart Spray Kit is basically a genius way of turning almost any Martha Stewart Crafts paint into spray paint. Let's process this. You can turn almost ANY COLOR into spray paint which...How to use the Martha Stewart Satin Spray Kit {and review}... »

(all photos courtesy of� Heather Crosby of YumUniverse) My friend Heather Crosby from YumUniverse and I were two of the lucky 450 (!) to attend Martha Stewart's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations book signing...Meeting Martha Stewart at the Entertaining book signing in Chicago... »

As a crafter like me you are probably doing one or more of the following things right about now: (1) making handmade holiday gifts for friends and family, (2) looking to buy creative and...Crafty Holiday Gift Guide Ideas for Christmas and Hanukkah... »

We had to move the crib rungs down yesterday to lower the mattress. Why does this make me sad? Two reasons. #1: My baby Elise is growing up so fast. Ever since she hit...Rehemming and reminiscing... »

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....2010 Sewing Calendar featuring MerrimentDesign.com projects... »

Whew! I finally edited and posted our episode of 'Amazing Wedding Cakes' that first aired June 2009 on WeTV ...right after Bridezillas as a part of WeTV's We Go Bridal night. Check it out...Kathy and Shane on WeTV’s ‘Amazing Wedding Cakes’... »

Za Vas!� Heather Crosby and I continued the Upper Crust Social Club event series by co-hosting a Russian-inspired vodka infusion party. Guests brought their own homemade vodka infusions ...such a range of tasty concoctions...Vodka Infusion Party and Hangover Cure Favor... »

Mary and Brenda Maher of Cakegirls are two of the most talented and inspiring self-taught ladies I've ever encountered. Their cakes are not only totally original and visually arresting but taste delicious too (I'm...Filming for Amazing Wedding Cakes on WeTV... »

My ever-so-creative friend and frequent partner-in-crime Heather Crosby came up with a festive idea that encapsulates the two things we like best -- making things and spending time with friends -- by creating the...Upper Crust Social Club Ladies’ Late-Night Tea Party... »

Holy smokes! This invitation by Nick and Nikki Lo Bue is one of the most amazing wedding invitations I've ever seen. Nick and Nikki had a charming story behind their relationship which inspired them...Smythe Sewn Letterpress Wedding Invitation Book... »

Anyone who works in the Fulton Market area on a windy day can attest that Chicago's long standing candy and chocolate history is still thriving. For his sister's recent Chicago weekend visit Joseph Dombroski...Chocolate tasting tour of Chicago... »

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...Craft and pass it on... »

Who says there's no good fresh seafood in Chicago? Stepping inside L Isaacson & Stein Fish Market to buy ingredients for Shane's Fourth of July birthday BBQ was a revelation. I've heard about this...Friday Inspiration: Fulton Seafood and Meat Markets... »

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...Friday Inspiration: Seattle... »

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...Friday Inspiration: Warhol’s Commercial Work... »

Hostess Heather Crosby had a blast from the past throwing a high school themed engagement party for her brother Chad and bride-to-be Shayda who met back in their teens. Starting with a handwritten ‘Secret...High School Themed Engagement Party... »

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...Friday Inspiration: Ireland... »

Leave it to Heather Crosby to come up with an invitation concept that I've never seen before. Heather's beloved brother Chad and his lovely bride-to-be Shayda met way back in high school. A chance...High School ‘Secret Passed Note’ Engagement Party Invitation... »

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...Friday Inspiration: Dolly Parton at the Chicago Theater... »

Mother's Day is quickly coming up and so I thought I'd post a unique idea: custom, personalized cookbooks with all your family's favorite recipes from Tastebook.com. Build a cookbook using recipes from Simply Recipes...Custom, personalized cookbooks... »

I love the combination of turquoise and orange that Anne-Marie Rosser and Adam Whipple used for their intimate outdoor wedding reception on a Chicago terrace. Anne-Marie started with turquoise tablecloths and crisp white linen...Friday Inspiration: Turquoise and orange... »

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...Friday Inspiration: Edward Hopper... »

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...Friday Inspiration: Brooklyn... »

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....Monday Inspiration: Lace tape... »

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...Friday Inspiration: Tape Vases at Anthropologie... »

When it's February in Chicago and 17 degrees, warm humidity seems 120 long days away. Little did I know it's plentiful and free right now ...and only a short 10 minute drive from my...Friday Inspiration: Garfield Park Conservatory... »

One of the biggest challenges of getting married in a "non-traditional" space is that the backdrop might look a too plain or stark during your ceremony. We got married in a Chicago loft space...Whimisical wedding “altar” from strung flowers... »

Ooh, I have a new toy. I decided to order Mini alphabet & numbers cookie cutters from Amazon.com. Paid shipping and everything just to have them on hand should I choose to use them....Friday Inspiration: Mini alphabet & numbers cookie cutters... »