Summer Sale!

It's that time of year again when I do my 50% off sale in my shop!  Now thru 5/27 you can get your prints half off with the code SUMMER50!  Head on over to my shop! 

Weightloss Update

I am sure you are all dying to know if I am still on the journey to losing weight. I haven't posted in almost 2 months! Well, I totally am and have been very committed to doing so!  I am now on my 3rd month of this new lifestyle and have started to make all these changes just a normal habit of my life.  For example, since I run my shop online, I frequent the post office quite a bit.  Our post office is only 1.3 miles away (yes I know it's exact distance and how many calories I'd burn) from our house.  Twice a week, we usually walk there and back and the kids love getting some fresh air!  This has been a great excuse to get some errands done while getting in some exercise.  Now time for pictures!

I started in February and since then, I have lost 27 lbs! I know these comparison pictures aren't that noticeable, but I sure feel it in my clothes.  I am able to wear so many of my old clothes that stopped fitting me and that alone is worth all the sweat, pain and time taken away to get my body into shape.   The picture below the first is me wearing a shirt I haven't been able to wear since last August! It is still a little too tight, but I could at least zip it up!

Many people ask me what exactly I am doing to lose this weight!  What I have found that works best for me is counting calories.  I like to see exactly what goes into my body and how much I need to burn off in calories.  I tend to eat around 1300-1400 calories a day and I try to burn at least 600-800.  This might seem a little much, but I feel great and of course I take a day off in the week to let my body relax.  I do eat one cheat meal a week just so I am not completely deprived from all those yummy food because let me tell you, I still crave it! Just not as much as I do a smaller waist!

The last picture is me after tonights workout.  My silly dog Dane waits for me to finish on the treadmill.  It's crazy how your body can work up to things you never thought possible.  I am walking/jogging 3 miles a night on the treadmill and  now a mile and a half are a breeze.  I used to think 3 miles was sooooo long and now I feel like the workout went too quick! Thats why I started doing 30 day Shred by Jillian Michaels afterwards and it definitely gets my arms and core toned.

Recent printables

I have become a contributor for several blogs recently.  One being the adorable and inspiring 6th street design school.  I have read this blog for years and when I finally met Kirsten about 6 months ago, we instantly clicked! I am now a graphic design contributor for her blog offering free monthly printables! This month was centered around Mother's Day and I thought I should share with you the free download! Go to her blog found here to download this print!

I also have been contributing to the blog Love Stitched!  Brittany is just such a cool girl and I love being able to work with her!  I created a free download of these floral tags that you can stick to gifts or just write a sweet note on them.  To download these beauties, go to her blog here!

Kids Photoshoot

A few weeks ago, the AMAZING Ashley Thalman took photographs of our little kiddos in a studio down in Provo.  I had seen her work online and was really excited to snag a time with her.  However, she exceeded my expectations and was blown away at the amazing captures she got of my children.  Even though Harrison didn't smile, which is basically who he is, I still was just so thrilled with the results.  I know there is A LOT of pictures of my kids in this post, but I just couldn't help it! I was amazed with each one and look forward to doing a family shoot with her.  In case you were wondering this kids clothes were purchased here:

Olivia's dress

Olivia's shoes

Harrison's shirt

Harrison's shoes

Speaking at Snap!

I am so thrilled to announce that I will be speaking at Snap! 2013 this month! I was pretty surprised when I was told about 3 months ago, but still very excited! I will be speaking on running a handmade shop.  This is something I am extremely passionate about.  I feel that if you have the right product and are the right person for the job, you will go very far in this community! I hope to speak on the best tools for you and give tips on getting where everyone wants to be and becoming you're own boss.  Although somedays, my kids are my boss and I am pretty much ok with that!! If you are attending, I am speaking Friday Morning with Amy Cornwell and Katie Hughes of Vintage Rose Wraps.  

Markets and Things.

Tis the season for handmade markets! This is one of my favorite times of the year because I get to participate in SO many fun markets! A few of them, I have already done.  And some I have never done, so it gets more exciting and plus I get to meet some great people.  This year, I am offering stickers, which I haven't done before! Hopefully they do well! I'll still continue to sell my prints, magnets and pins too! If you are in Utah County be sure to check out these markets!

Bijou Market 4/12-4/13

Queen Bee Market 4/18

Shop Soho 5/4

Beehive Bazaar 5/9-5/11, 5/17-5/18

Spring is here!

Since it's finally starting to warm up, we LOVE spending time outside.  The kids and I all have tan lines! They probably aren't the most attractive tan lines, but hey, we are getting some sun!  Since bringing Dane into our home, he has been most of our entertainment.  The kids LOVE him and he loves them.  He does love chewing up binkies and stuffed animals, but I guess since he's a puppy still, we can't do much.  I especially love all the flowers that have started to sprout in our yard and Olivia loves picking them for me.  We might have to work on that. I am hoping to get a trampoline for the yard.  I think the kids would love that, myself included! We have been walking a ton! We walk to the library, the post office and to the grocery store.  Granted, these places are not farther than 1.5 miles away, but it sure gets me exercising and I love to see how many miles I go.  In that last month, I have walked 85 miles! I am hoping to break that goal or come close during April! I don't know how well I will do since usually April rains a lot, but any miles is good.  

I am also a contributor for Love Stitched.  This adorable blog has so many great ideas and I hope you check it out! I put up a free download for a bunting banner.  You can print out the alphabet in 2 different color schemes for parties, decor, gifts...anything!