Grown-Up Valentines

Valentine's Day has not always been a holiday that I take much notice of. Sure, my husband and I would use it as an excuse to treat ourselves to a nice dinner and maybe, if I was lucky, he would get me some good chocolate. But it always sort of snuck up on me and it never occurred to me to get anything for anyone else. Now that the economy is in the dumps and it seems like you can't watch TV or read a newspaper without finding out something else depressing, I thought perhaps Valentine's Day wasn't something to overlook this year.

I know that most everyone I know would enjoy a little pick-me-up and so I set off to make some homemade valentines. In grade school I always made homemade cards for my classmates. I loved the lacy, heart-shaped doilies and bright red construction paper heart pockets that we would use to collect all of our cards.

To make my grown-up valentines I found some vintage graphics and funny sayings online, printed up the cards, cut them out, and to add a little special touch I made some pretty envelope liners embossed with hearts.


All I did was use an envelope liner template and some bright pink paper I got on sale at Michaels. Using a ruler and an exacto knife I cut out each liner and then using my Scotch tape gun I glued them down inside the envelopes. The trick is to slip the liner into the envelope before you put the tape on and fold the flap over with the liner to ensure that your crease is in exactly the right place. Then after you have the back taped up, you slip it back in and fold the flap again to seal the two peices together.


I think from now on this will be an annual tradition- I just hope I get some in return!

What I've Been Up To

January has proven to be a very busy month for me so far. In the last two weeks I have definitely seen the signs of Wedding Season approaching– I have received more inquiries in the last two weeks than I have in the whole four months proceeding. Which is great! I feel renewed and excited about the upcoming year.

One of the projects I have been working on was coming up with a base price list for customers to download from my website so they have a ballpark figure of what it might cost for their invitations. This was really hard for me because on one hand I wanted to make my invitations affordable for anyone, and on the other I kinda need to make a profit. Or else I won't be in business long! To solve this problem I decided to break my invitations into two categories: Stock Designs and Completely Custom.

So the next project was to come up with some Stock Designs that people could choose from. These would be the least expensive as all the work of layout and design would be complete already, and I would just need to plug in names, dates, places etc. Coming up with ideas has been easier than I thought and I think I will easily have 8 or so different styles to choose from. All of which can be paired with whichever style card people prefer. And of course they can customize the colors as well- so it is really the best of both worlds!

Here is a sneak peak of some of the designs:

Everything's Peachy

A while ago I was asked by VT Vows for a 'Peach' themed invitation for a photo shoot they were doing. I didn't have one in my repertoire but I wasn't about to pass the opportunity up so I quickly created a beautiful metallic pocket-fold with RSVP and Direction/Accomodation card.


I love the way it came out so much I wish it was really for someone's wedding! My favorite part is the vellum band around the outside that has the same pattern as the paper on the background inside. It's those little touches that inspire me the most. Creating a 'fake' invitation was really fun and allowed me to go a little crazy since it was just for a small amount and cost was not a problem.

{Oh, and in case you are wondering, I used the names of a couple of friends of mine- shhhh}

The new issue of VT Vows should be on newsstands any day now and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Happy New Year

Truly Noted was born in 2008, but I believe that 2009 will really see its growth and potential. Starting your own business, while working full-time, is a long and arduous task. There are many steps to be taken, paperwork to be filed, groundwork to be laid, and I finally feel like I am getting somewhere.

In the last six months Truly Noted has become a legitimate business registered with the State of Vermont, launched a website, become an authorized Envelopments dealer, put together advertising, and attended one wedding show. I have made contacts with wedding planners and even received inquiries that were from people I did not previously know! The rewards have been amazing and I hope that the new year brings only more progress.

For my New Years Resolutions I plan to post more regularly to this blog (hopefully because there are lots of things to update!) and to launch my Etsy shop to sell my original designed stationery, note cards and invitations. This year will be a big one and I hope one of the most momentous on my journey to fulfil my dream of quitting my full-time job and working entirely for myself.

I hope that 2009 also brings all of you closer to your goals and dreams and that you find the courage and faith to pursue them. Because no matter what the risks are, the feeling of occomplishment is worth it.

I'm Stuck On Stuck Labels

I recently discovered this great new company, Stuck Labels, where you can purchase sheets of pre-designed labels that you customize with whatever text you want. The designs are simple, pretty, and elegant and are perfect for adorning favors or even sealing envelopes.

When you purchase the sticker sheets, they come with a template so you can easily insert the text you want, in whatever font and color you want, and print them on your home computer. I am really digging the Vintage Green Oval design.

What a great and affordable way to customize all of your gifts and correspondence. I think I need to come up with something to create just so I have an excuse to get some!

New Holiday Designs

Over the past month, Envelopments has released several new Holiday themed designs that have really got my creative juices flowing! November and December have long been my favorite months of the year for reasons I am sure I don't have to explain. From all of the yummy food to being able to decorate my house from top to bottom, it doesn't take much to get me into the spirit of the season.
I am particularly loving this knit hat design. Living in a state that sees alot of snow, knit hats are a daily requirement around here. The hats and mittens warming by the fire is adorable!

I have always been a fan of the blue and silver combo that you typically see for Chanukah. Adding whimsical dreidels and a touch of gold is so elegant and pretty.

I want to celebrate all of the holidays of the season, because regardless of which religion you follow, the themes and feelings are the same. Everyone coming together to celebrate family and the bond that all humanity shares. When we all might believe that peace can exist and all men (and women) are inherently good. Truly a magical time of year!


With that said, it's time for me to get started on my Holiday cards!

Fall...In Love With Vermont

Fall is my favorite season. Probably because I grew up in New England and learned to appreciate the crisp air, sweet apples and gorgeous foliage that descends upon us before the bitterly cold winter. It's the last hurrah before we all hunker down in our houses in front of the fire.

I chose Fall for my wedding because of the spectacular colors and scenery in Vermont during that time of year. I couldn't imagine any other backdrop for the most magical and special day of my life. My husband also has an affinity for Fall (proof that we are perfect for each other!) so on October 14th of 2006 we pledged our undying love to each other.

As we celebrate our 2nd year anniversary (yes I realize this is a little late- it was Tuesday) we reflect on why we chose Fall. As we drive through our small country town in awe of the fiery color that is overtaking the mountains, or the vibrant reds, golds and oranges that glitter in the sunlight above our heads as we drive through tree lined streets. There is something peaceful and content about Fall- like a well earned reward after all the work of the Summer. The sweet and tart of a crisp, ripe apple that whisks you back to a childhood full of jumping in piles of leaves and carving pumpkins.

It is homey. I want to bake pies and crisps. Heat up stews and soups. It is very similar to the feeling of knowing the person you are with is the love of your life. The feeling of creating a cozy home and nourishing each other's souls. True, Summer is really 'Wedding Season' with it's great weather and warm evenings. But Fall has a magic for me that Summer can never produce and so Fall will always mean love to me.