ABOUT

About Melissa Mortenson:

Hello, I’m Melissa Mortenson,  a “creative mama”, published Author, Licensed Fabric Designer and the founder of the Polka Dot Chair blog. The Polka Dot Chair is a place for Creative Moms and Families to come to find simple and inspiring DIY projects for their home, sewing projects, Holiday crafts, and family recipes. Its mission is to make its readers WANT to create.

Are your kids driving you crazy, or your boss? Maybe it’s your spouse.  Or possibly you’re wishing you had kids or a spouse to drive you crazy. You may be dealing with something difficult in your life. I hope that you are not, but I know that we all go through things that we’d rather not have to.

For me, creating is a way to deal with all the stuff in life that you’d rather not have to deal with. That’s why this blog exists. It’s full of fun, inspiring projects to distract you from whatever it is that you need a distraction from.

I’m pretty passionate about it.  When I’ve had a bad day, most times nothing makes me feel better than to lose myself in a project for a little while. I sit and create something, then come back to whatever it is I need to deal with feeling refreshed ready to tackle it.

This blog is meant to be fun.  I hope you find that it is.

A bit more about me I’m an:

Author:

In 2014 Stash Books published my first book. “Project Teen: 21 Handmade Gifts your Teens will Love”. It was inspired by my children and my desire to continue to sew for them as they grew up.  I’m convinced that teenagers love handmade quilts as much as babies do.

Licensed Textile Designer:

In 2015 I released my first line of quilting quality cottons with Riley Blake Designs.  Inspired by my hometown of Louisville, the fabric line is called “Derby Style”. Since then I’ve released 5 other fabric lines.  I absolutely love designing fabric, You can find out more about my fabric lines just CLICK here. 

Influencer:

In 2008 I had a friend who started a blog it looked like fun, so on a whim one afternoon I started this blog.   I began sharing projects and ideas online and soon found a community of like-minded Makers.  As time went on I dedicated more time to blogging and over the years the site has grown into what it is today.  Currently, we receive over 4 million visitors a year and have over 60,000 Makers on our newsletter list.  Not too shabby for a crazy idea that I had one afternoon.

To see an index of all of the projects on this site just CLICK HERE.

Why is it called the Polka Dot Chair?:

This blog is called the Polka Dot Chair because I love polka dots and have a polka dot chair in my studio.  Hence the name.

My Background:

I grew up in Salt Lake City Utah and moved to Louisville, KY after I finished college. I guess that’s what happens when you marry a Kentucky boy.   I’ve lived here ever since and love it.

 

I have 3 kids.  One daughter that is in college out west, and twin teenagers. Between the 3 of them, I have quite a few gray hairs!   I miss having small children but have loved watching my kids grow up and have come to enjoy so much spending time with them as teenagers.  They are a lot of fun!

(that’s me in the light green)

I grew up sewing.  My grandmother used to let me play with her scraps of fabric and her old pedal-powered singer.  I loved making clothes for my Barbie dolls. When I entered high school, I discovered sewing as a great coping mechanism for the perils of being a teen.

I now have my Grandma’s sewing machine

When I entered college, I put my creative pursuits aside to concentrate on my studies.  I discovered I had a great passion for science and pursued a degree in Molecular Biology. I worked in vaccine research for a brief time.

After that, I worked full time for 5 years as the Director of Operations and IT liaison for a startup insurance company.  While at that job I discovered a love for technology.

After the birth of my kids, I picked up sewing again. This time more voraciously.  In 2007 I decided to start a DIY blog, this one.  I soon found great enjoyment in designing and sharing projects with others. I think the design aspect of blogging satisfies my inner scientist.

in South Africa in 2013

 

I love to make all kinds of things.  My true loves are family, sewing, DIY projects and travel.  You can read about all of them here.

I’ve got more vices than I’d like……  I drink too much Diet Coke, lie to my doctor about how much I actually exercise and can’t seem to keep my house clean to save my life. So don’t wonder how I “do it all” cause I don’t.

My love for polka dots started early, me at 4, I’m the one in the polka dot dress. 

 

I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it.  If you do please make sure you say “hi” and introduce yourself.

I would love to connect with you! You can find me on Facebook, Google +, Instagram and Pinterest.

Disclosures: