Welcome 2010

Ah! A new year! A clean slate! I love starting off fresh and I hope that this year is going to be full of changes- all good- and getting stuff done. Here are some of the things I have lined up so far in my New Year To Do List:

1. Revamp the Truly Noted website, including new design and adding the ability to buy invitations and goodies right off my site! (this is my number one goal this year).

2. Get a new design for the Truly Noted blog- I am looking at designs by Rainy Day Templates. Particularly this one!

3. A super secret surprise that is blowing my mind right now, and I can't wait to share with everyone!

4. Get a hold on keeping tabs on my business expenses and what-not. This is something I struggle with A LOT. I just want to do the fun part of owning a business, not keep track of sales and consumables!

5. This is a biggie. I want to be able to drop down to part-time at my 'real job' by the end of the year and focus on Truly Noted being more of an income and less of a hobby. Which might have a little something to do with #3! ;-)

So that's it- my very ambitious to-do list. Here's to 2010 and all of the great things that are in store for us.

Oh, and by the way, check out the cool free Twitter backgrounds by illustrator Nate Williams! Which reminds me, I might have to add 'Twitter more often than once a month' to my to-do list...

I Heart Cookies

Following in the Valentine's Day spirit I decided to make some heart-shaped Toasted Coconut Shortbread Cookies from this site (one of my favorites). Mmmmm...they smell delicious! But I am going to be good and limit myself to one. The rest are for my dog sitters (my gracious in-laws) this coming weekend, while hubby and I are away in Rhode Island.

Check out my cute apron too!

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!

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.

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!