Honoring a Legacy, Launching a Dream: Introducing Snapdragon Studios

This week, we said goodbye to my Grandpa Grant — a man whose life of service, community-building, and quiet generosity shaped me in more ways than I can count. As my family gathered to celebrate his incredible 97 years, I found myself reflecting not just on who he was but on what it means to leave a legacy. It’s in that spirit that I’m sharing something close to my heart: the launch of Snapdragon Studios, a new space — both physical and online — dedicated to quilting + community.

Grandpa Grant and me on his 97th birthday as he was cracking jokes

By trade, my grandfather was a cattle rancher, feeding others in the most literal way. But his contributions didn't stop there. He served as Mayor of Delta, Utah where he championed the growth and safety of the town. During his time in office, he helped bring the Intermountain Power Plant to Delta and pushed for the creation of the Airport Cut Off Road (SR 136) to reroute coal trucks away from Main Street. He worried that the trucks would be dangerous for pedestrians and hurt downtown businesses. "They'll have to go through me first," he said – and he meant it. I truly believe he would have stood in the road to protect the town. I also learned this weekend that he quietly supported local business in Delta when the banks wouldn't, helping to fund their growth behind the scenes.

As Delta expanded, he and my grandma saw the need for a hotel and built one, which still operates today as a Best Western. Later, they developed a series of townhomes to meet local housing needs. And when the stories of Millard County and the Great Basin needed preserving, he funded the creation of the Great Basin Museum.

Louise and Grant Nielson

Though he never had the opportunity to attend college himself, my grandpa deeply valued education. He was whip-smart and curious and he set up a scholarship fund for Delta High School to help local students pursue higher education. He also helped all 18 of his grandchildren (myself included) attend college.

As I think about his life and legacy, I’ve realized how much he’s influenced my own path. When I chose to return to school and become a Certified Nurse Midwife, it was because I saw how desperately Las Vegas needed better prenatal and postnatal care. That decision allowed me to give compassionate, thoughtful healthcare to my patients and mentor dozens of students along the way. I hope that ripple effect continues in my community for years to come.

Grant & Louise Nielson with their children and grandchildren, photo taken around 1990

More recently, I’ve seen how the act of making—with our hands and hearts—can play a powerful role in mental health and healing. Through my quilt patterns, courses, and tutorials, I hope I’ve helped others tap into that peace. And for quite some time now, I’ve felt the nudge to do something more. With Grandpa’s passing, that nudge has become a calling. I’ll be opening Snapdragon Studios— a physical space dedicated to bringing people together through creativity. It will be a place to make, to learn, to connect, and to heal. And in so many ways, it will be part of how I continue his legacy: building something that lifts others up.