So my niece Madison’s 3rd birthday is in April. What a big girl! I work near Madison Street in Chicago and couldn’t resist taking a photo of a street sign to top her package. The sign perfectly fit with the theme of the handmade present I made her (I’ll be posting her gift soon). Madison …

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 from Watermelon Rosewater Vodka Infusion to Skittles Vodka to Cucumber Mint Vodka Infusion to Bacon Maple Vodka Infusion to Apple Cinnamon Vodka …

This PB&J mac and cheese recipe got 4th place beating in a Chicago charity cooking competition besting not only Stephanie Izard, Top Chef winner, but also Roger Herring, chef and owner of Socca in Chicago. Hip hip yay! —— Peanut butter & jelly mac and cheese. Yeah, that’s right. My totally original recipe for this …

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 a sucker for the chocolate fudge cake with chocolate mousse). So when Mary called me last week while I was in …

Did you know that more than 96 billion pounds of edible food is thrown away in the U.S. every year? Creative and resourceful Merriment reader Sarah Roarty painted her own unique and unified set of dishware that focused on her love for food and interest in American Food culture. Sarah shows that it’s easy to …

I’m posting the free tutorial for how to make sewn fabric teabags for loose tea by request. Jessica Mullen wrote: “I saw your beautiful photos from the tea party and I have a quick question. I was wondering how you made the tea bags for the make your own tea take home favors. I would …

Lucky for me that magazines in my doctor’s office are hopelessly out-of-date. I hit a goldmine during a recent appointment by seeing this bacon pancake idea in an old issue of Martha Stewart Living. Well, everyone knows that I love bacon …and nothing can beat salty and sweet. So on this lovely Saturday in Chicago, …

This is one of those craft projects that I just love. A little throwback, a little whimsical …and totally original. The idea for Shrinky Dink rabbit’s foot napkin rings that double as keychain favors sprung from a creative volley between me and Heather Crosby. I was hell bent on wanting to use Shrinky Dinks for …

While I’ve never been much of a Valentine’s Day girl, I’ve always been a big fan of coconut and chocolate. I made these special treats by modifying a recipe from an Australian cookbook. Ingredients (for four Valentine’s Day treats): 1 cup coconut 1 egg white (buy pasteurized eggs if you can) 5/8 cup cream (just …

I really like this thoughtful detail from Cristin and Adam Siegel’s Chicago nuptials. Cristin tied handmade name tags around the tops of water-filled glass Ball mason jars to hold the bridal party’s bouquets during the reception. And aren’t the bridesmaid bouquets that feature orchids and fiddlehead ferns lovely? Supplies: Thick paper in two colors (Cristin …

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 tongue-in-cheek Upper Crust Social Club. The UCSC is all about hosting a series of varied themed soirees that I’ll feature here …

I’m a shameless sucker for all things seafood. So when I stumbled upon this recipe in an old cookbook of mine when looking for easy appetizers for guests, I had to give this tasty recipe a try. It’s my favorite type of culinary undertaking: looks difficult and elegant but is actually really easy and quick. …

This free printable urban graffiti thank you is perfect for your everyday thank you needs. Every time I drive over the Chicago Avenue Bridge I look forward to seeing the “thank you” graffiti spraypainted inside a heart on the northwestern side of the overpass. First there’s that nervous moment of anticipation when I’m afraid that …

Today we’re going to learn how to make marshmallows using a really easy marshmallow recipe – it’s a yummy DIY gift and you can always make some extras for yourself. Lately I’ve developed a bit of a hot chocolate habit during the mid-afternoon workday at the day job. After spotting a box of “homemade” marshmallows …

Ho! Ho! Ho! Here’s a special holiday variation of chalkboard pillows complete with two new free ornament and tree templates to make your own 16″ x 16″ pillow for the season. The ornament in particular gives tons of space to write a fun daily countdown to the big day. I used green cotton on the …