We are so excited to "re-introduce" you to our friend Allison today. She owns the Etsy shop Daisy Lane Design and she was one of our very first giveaways! We may also be a tad obsessed with her handy work as well. I'm pretty sure between the two of us, we have ordered five or six different designs from Allison. We love her stuff and we would love for you to get to know her a little bit too!!
Tell us a little about yourself!
I am a transplanted Jersey Girl, living on the Western Slope of Colorado, with my husband, two kids, and our hound dog. I'm a teacher by trade, although I stopped working outside of the home when our daughter was born. I'm a crafter by obsession, because I can't sit still and I am terrible at relaxing; I always have to have a project going. I don't do much without first drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, I am a rabid NY Giants fan, and I have an uncommon weakness for jelly donuts.
How did you start sewing?
I started sewing in college. I went to Walmart and bought a $99 Brother, and proceeded to make a lot of mistakes. I used to measure and cut fabric with a rular, pencil and some scissors! Imagine my delight when I realized there were whole companies dedicated to making that task so simple! People often tell me that they wished they knew how to sew. I think you have to be willing to mess up and be ok with that in order to learn something new. My first bags are laughable to me now. But they are how I have learned. The minute you do something wrong, you realize what it is, and you know to make adjustments the next time. My seam ripper is still my best friend in my workroom.
What's the background behind the name Daisy Lane Design?
Daisy Lane Design. The name of my company is a bit funny to me now. I mean, I love it, but why it's named that has nothing to do with what I do now. I have always loved daisies. They have always been my favorite flower, and have been a part of all the important milestones in my life. When I first started selling things, I made fabric seasonal signs that were shaped like street signs, long and skinny, hence the "Lane". And I make all my own original designs and patterns, so I wanted that in there too. On my first business cards, design was printed Design, to emphasize the signs I made. Kind of a play on words. I never imagined doing more than that. And now I don't even make those signs much anymore. A friend recently found a Daisy Lane in our town. I went out and photographed it and use it as my business Facebook page profile picture.
What's one thing that you would love people to know about you?
If people could only know one thing about me, I would love for them to know I'm a Jesus girl. All the other stuff, truly, is secondary. He casts a light on everything I do, and all the roles I play as a person. I hope that comes across in my business, in my friendships and most of all to my family, especially my kids. They are still pretty young, 7 and 5, and spend more time with me than anyone else. Which means they get the best, and the worst of me. As a mom, I thank God often that I have Him to walk this journey with!
What's your favorite thing to wear?
My favorite thing to wear is flipflops. Must be that growing up at the shore thing.
How do you spend your free time?
Free time is a rarity at my house! But when I have time to myself in my regular everyday, I like to read. It helps me switch my brain off at night. We live in Colorado, though, so I would be crazy if I also didn't like outdoor activities! I really like hiking with my kids, and of course, every summer, going to the beach.
What's your favorite thing that you've made?
I think my most favorite thing that I have made is something I am just finishing up: my kids' backpacks for this school year. My daughter's is pieced together from old pairs of their jeans, and my son's has pieces of my husband's old military uniforms. I love that they will take a piece of me with them every single day while they're at school. And they really like them too, which makes me feel good.
Allison sent us a cute picture of the backpacks she just finished. I love that her kids asked her to make them backpacks - it's like the ultimate compliment for a mom.
Guess what?? Allison is offering one of her adorable clutches to one lucky reader! This may be my favorite design of hers so far. I love it.
Isn't it so cute??? Don't you love it?? Don't you want it?? Okay good, then scroll down and enter!
And don't forget to head over and enter for a chance to win free ad space with the cute Lesley from By the Porchlight!
