Hello Daisies! It’s that time again, time to meet another of our Design Team members!

This month I’d like you to meet Denise Morrison of Big Sky Country–Montana. She’s been with Cocoa Daisy for two and a half years and brings her lovely and playful “Kindergarten art” style to us every month. She scribbles and paints with such abandon, it’s fun to see what she comes up with for her galleries.

She has a huge heart (how appropriate for Valentine’s Day, yes?) and is always there to lend support or encouragement to anyone.

I was born in Danbury Connecticut in 1967. I am the middle child of
three girls. I always think I had the lucky spot in the family. It allowed
me much independence and freedom.

One of the things I never realized until I was older was how fortunate
I was growing up. I was privileged to travel and both my parents were
great admirers of music, art and culture. I was a frequent visitor of
museums, the symphony, the opera and theatre. My parents exposed
my sisters and I to a variety of people and experiences. This has
definitely shaped my word view and allowed me to feel comfortable
with all kinds of people and situations.

After I graduated from college I traveled frequently around the country,
working, skiing, camping and hiking. One of my trips took me to
Montana and I fell in love with the Northwest. In 1994 I moved to a
little cabin on the North Fork of the Flathead River bordering Glacier
National Park. I worked as a bartender and waitress and skied during
my off hours. That is when I met my husband Bill.

We have two sons together, Conner and Jameson. Bill has 3 grown
children from his first marriage, Molly, Joel, and Clare. All three are
married and we are lucky to have 5 grandchildren ranging in ages from
10 to 3.

Bill and I have also moved around a lot together in our 17 years. We
have lived from one coast to the other. We finally settled back in
Missoula, Montana in 2007. All of our children and grandchildren live
in the same city. We see them often and our small but happy house is
usually bursting at the seams.

I was asked to be on the Cocoa Daisy Team in September of 2010, just
when Christine was taking over the company. I was so happy to find
such a welcoming and creative environment. I jumped right in with
both feet, chatting away and getting to know everyone on the team and
on the boards. Cocoa Daisy is my artistic home. I feel so fortunate to
have developed such wonderful personal and professional relationships
here. Each month feels like Christmas when a Cocoa Daisy box comes to
my house filled with this gorgeous kit.

I own a commercial and residential cleaning business and my days can
be pretty repetitious. Scrapbooking is the perfect creative outlet for me.
There is nothing better than spending time in my studio playing with
paper and paint.

Here are Denise’s answers to our designer questions:

1.What is your most creative time?
In the afternoon with a strong cup of Irish tea with cream.

2. What is on your top 5 playlist right now?
Ghosting /Freelance Whales
This Ladder is Ours/ The Joy Formidable
I got you Babe/Bahamas
Hit the Ground/ The Big Pink
Saw you First/ Givers

3.What’s next on your scrappy life list?
I actually would love to put together an art/scrappy retreat here in
Missoula. Get all my talented peeps together to make something
awesome. Good art, time to play, yummy food. Doesn’t that sound
like heaven?

4. What is your favorite retreat?
Being by water, a lake, river, creek and especially the ocean. My
soul needs it.

5. If your life were a movie, what actress would play you?
Well, the younger me? Ellen Paige. The older me? Lauren Graham.

6. Who are the important people in your life?
My husband and children but honestly my girlfriends are a very close
second. The women in my life have helped me be a better wife and
mother.

7. What are you known for on your pages?
Playfulness, scribbles. I call it Kindergarten style.

8. What’s your favorite inspiration site?
Probably Pinterest, because it has all my interests and passions in
one glorious place.

9. What food would describe your style?
Tapas, which are small plates of finger food. Easy to eat, delicious!

          10. What is “dressed up” for you?
I absolutely adore fashion but hate to shop. So dressed up for me is
usually jeans with high heels.

Well there you have it, a chance to get to know the lovely Denise Morrison. I’m so glad that Denise is a part of the team, she is the calming influence in the group, always willing to see the bright side of life, even when things are a little hard. She was one of the first to make me feel a part of Cocoa Daisy, I will always love her for reaching out to me. She’s definitely a woman I admire. You can explore her Cocoa Daisy gallery and her blog Kookalicious–Life Is Yummy for even more Denise goodness.