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 …
Inspiration
Nothing says my birthday like a warm, sunny August day and the Air and Water Show. Shane created a cute message on my beloved sun-faded antique sign that I bought this spring in Brooklyn. And I took this photo with my new camera. Fun! Today I thought I’d quickly post a couple creative birthday gift …
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 place for years. I love seafood. My first Chicago job many moons ago was at Fulton and Jefferson. So I’m a …
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 …
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 …
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 Passed Note’ engagement party invitation, Heather included these adorable high school inspired details throughout the party: Prom Flowers. Heather used every …
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 …
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 …
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 napkins. Her long table centerpiece alternated orange orchid bunches in square glass containers, small succulents in rocks-filled square glass containers, and …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Our wedding photographers, Kiri and Brett of PenCarlson Photography, hosted a bright and cheery open house on Sunday for their new Chicago photography studio. Height is always good with buffets but I’ve never seen anything like these innovative ‘flowers enclosed in glass cylinder’ food risers. This detail would work particularly well for weddings or showers …
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 …
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 house. Today my friend Liz took me to Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, IL. Constructed in 1905, this indoor world is …