Expiration!

Guys, my domain expires tomorrow and I'm so excited!!

The easiest thing to do would to be comfy and just go ahead and renew through the service I've been using the last 4 years, or at least you'd think that would be the easiest thing to do but Google's renewal instructions don't match up with their dashboard. Even my webmaster, computer science husband couldn't figure it out. Well done Google, now I'm leaving you. I love you but I'm leaving you.

I have some fantastic plans for the new website though and this push is just what I needed to get it seen to.

For now though this site is hoping to go out with a bang! I'm going to post an exclusive and limited edition FREEBIE for every 5 (or so) shares I get from my Sugar Grenade Facebook page.

I'll even take requests/suggestions. Is there a print you'd like in your home or you'd like to give as a gift? Let me know what style of print it is and I'll see if I can hook you up. Help me get new followers by sharing anything from my facebook page and I'll share a little something with you :)

A new site means new prints, new designs, new freebies! I want to reach more people and offer these things to everyone!

*Freebies will be posted in the Freebie album on my facebook page

June Visiting Teaching handout

Download here

custom parks maps: USA + Canada

Customise your own map for your own family and your own adventures! 

kitchen conversions print

Last week I had a friend send me a picture of a kitchen conversions layout that she loved but she wanted it to be cuter for her kitchen.

I put together a layout for her using the original print as the foundation but added my touch. It turned out pretty fantastic - she told me ;)

Due to the level of customisation that can go into this print it's normally going to be $25 for a digital print with your own colour specifications, title change, dimensions change etc. BUT for this week only I'll customise it for you for $15. My treat :)

Mother's Week

There aren't words to express how amazing I think Mother Hearts are. The ability and yearning to accept and love another unconditionally makes my heart swell. It's the most precious and powerful thing, the world needs more of it!

I love the mums

Community: #redballoonsforryan

When I was putting Autumn to bed last night after she'd fallen asleep with her head on my lap whilst watching The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh, like she does most nights, I couldn't help thinking back over the day. My heart was full. We have such great friends, a great support system. Toddlers who are funny little friends to my little toddler. We live in a great place where they can play pretty freely. Echos of the happy squeals from throughout the day rang in my mind. The happy sounds I've waited years to hear filled my ears, the scenes filled my mind. My heart happy. Knowing there would be sound sleep last night because of the magic of the day. And that we'd get up and magic would happen again...

My instagram feed is full this morning of heartbreaking (is there a stronger word?!) news of the absolutely tragic accident that's left a mothers arms empty, a fathers arms empty. Hearts shattered. I can't fathom although my mind wanders to that pitch black, dark place and it hurts beyond anything I can even imagine.

In the spirit of helplessness and community, that we're all a part of, the only outlet I've found in these situations is to create what I can and put it out there with hopes it will add to the comfort of knowing there are people who care. People who have never met but who care. Mother hearts that are broken for another.

This is my contribution.

A symbol.

Prayers, thoughts, tears and love to you @babyboybakery + @Danno12

Visiting Teaching: April 2014

I just got my first Visiting Teaching assignment in years and I'm excited to focus on the message each month - I found that creating this months message as a print has helped me literally focus on each individual word. Focusing is a serious weakness of mine while I'd say creating is a talent. Creating the message has miraculously helped me focus, absorb, and feel these words.

Download your free 5x7 print in these 2 colourways from here: April 2014 Visiting Teaching Message

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this message. I really loved it.

In youth we regularly had object lessons on repentance and our worth etc. Usually someone would chew up a piece of gum and then liken the chewed up gum to being morally unclean. The lesson was always disturbing to me. Basically there was no hope. If you made a mistake you were like a nasty piece of chewed up gum and nobody would ever want you. You can't unchew it. You can't straighten it out and repackage it. Not only will it never look like new, it'll always just be gross.

Repentance is absolutely not that way. Our worth is absolutely not that way. Heavenly Father NEVER sees us that way. It's an incredibly poor example of a misunderstood concept. Those kind of scare/guilt tactics have no place within our gospel. I feel like this months message illustrates it perfectly.

C.S. Lewis

Boy, Oh Boy have we had a lot of things go on these past couple of months for me to have this quote on my mind a lot! Both sides of the coin have be in full view as we've witnessed beautiful moments (an incredibly happy adoption - that I actually first made this print for), and health issues (grow flowers, not tumors!) for a couple of family members that have had us praying our hearts out.

My motto has always been "No Regrets" and I can really say that the regrets at this point in my life are few. Now I'm working on leaving things behind, making an active choice to move ahead because there's nothing in the past worth staying still for. 

All my Etsy listings have expired and I'm toying with the idea of leaving that behind until Christmas probably. I've been blessed with fantastic clients that are finding me through other avenues and I'm excited to continue down that road.

Allow ME to help YOU!

Guys, just because your school gives you a graduation invitation package doesn't mean you should take it! I was blown away by how horrific the official Idaho State University graduation invite was - I'm 97% sure it's not even designed by someone with a degree in Graphic Design.

The fact is that you've earned a diploma. You've worked long and hard for it! Don't let an ugly, unprofessional invitation represent your proudest moment. Do not allow these to be stuck to the fridge of your loved ones! You deserve better.

Much much much better.

And I can give it to you.

custom family tree

The options are endless for this concept and I absolutely love the personal twists that my clients have been putting on it!

You can't eat beauty.

"...what my mother meant when she said you can’t eat beauty was that you can’t rely on how you look to sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and for those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul." - Lupita Nyong'o