In a little over three months our second baby will be here, I'm slowly starting to nest and get ready to welcome him or her into the world. Excited is an understatement, and at the same time it's a strange feeling trying to plan how the business will look when I don't fully know what to expect. The second time around I have a bit more of an idea, but with a toddler in the mix it will definitely bring a new level of unknown.

For some clarity this is what I've mapped out.

I'll be heading on maternity leave from 1 November 2026. I'm not sure when I'll be returning to full capacity yet but I do aim to have the Twenty One Years of You book ready to launch by April or May 2027, which is something I am so excited to finally have ready for you all!!! All art prints, and bespoke work will remain as normal, so if you did want any wedding stationery or bespoke work locked in, get in touch before the 1st of November!

What that means for ordering with me

There are three final opportunities to order a custom piece from me this year. Orders will be open for a limited time in the first week of August, September and October. If you join the waitlist you get notified early, so please make sure to sign up here as that's definitely the best way to stay on top of ordering!

Orders for August are opening on Monday the 3rd and will close on Wednesday the 5th, capacity depending. Take a look at the custom collection here to see what will be available. There is a 3-4 week turnaround time including shipment. Meaning if you have a specific date you'd like your illustration by, please factor 4 weeks lead time. However, if you have a rushed deadline please add it into the notes section at checkout and I'll do my best to accommodate!

I genuinely find this work to be such a cup filler, and the fact that I get to recreate such special memories really keeps me grounded, especially throughout this motherhood and postpartum season. Please bear with me as I navigate a newborn with a toddler this time round. I think it might be a little more chaotic.

This could all shift as we get closer, but at this stage I'm hoping this lays out a more under promise and over deliver type situation. I'll still be showing up when and where I can as, as I've mentioned, this is more than just a business for me, it's a creative outlet, a distraction, a part of me outside motherhood, and it's just the best. I really do love it so much, not all of it all of the time, but a lot of the time!

Thank you thank you thank you for the support. It's been such a fun time having Simple Prints evolve like it has over the past little while and I only hope I'll be back with even more of an evolution for you all. Absolutely none of it is possible without those of you who consistently show up for me, and that's not just in ordering, it's reading these blog posts, sharing with friends, liking the Instagram content, all of it. It definitely doesn't go unseen.

With love, Sam