Why I Haven't Been Around...

Hey everyone!

Sooo....it's been a while since my last post and you're probably wondering what is going on with me and niecynotes! Yes, I stepped away for a while because I was working on this huge calendar project but now, it is FINISHED! Besides the calendars, I've been busy at my day job with the holidays approaching and all.

While on my unofficial hiatus, I've been thinking and I mean A WHOLE LOT about niecynotes and what to do next. A thought crossed my mind  - what am I known for? I love stationery and working with different paper. Offline, I also love and am known for my photography with friends and family. Oh the thoughts were going for a while...

Finally, it hit me!

*clunk*

How about mixing the two loves - paper and photography?

YES!

So as of January, niecynotes is rebranding, baby! I will offer stationery and photo services for all! As you read this, I am creating new ideas for the shop and I REALLY think you will like them! I will still have the basic items like bookmarks and note cards but with a twist of photography.

Please keep up with me and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter and the newsletter for all the updates. For the next few weeks, I am going to dish out all kinds of new items and you will see a full transformation by January.

Thanks so much for sticking with me! If you have anything to say, let me know in the comments section below!

Hearted It! - Isette

Hello and let's welcome December today! I can't believe it's the last month of 2011! Geez louise...


Let's talk about a favorite shop of mine on Etsy called Isette. Being the girly-girl I am, I love jewelry - especially handmade! Here's a few items from it:

Peacock Earrings

Maude Eyeglasses Necklace

Epershand Ampersand For Home

Ok, that last item isn't jewelry but give me a break! Everything is lovely, classy with an eclectic twist. Love it!! See the rest of the shop here and have fun. :D

Cyber WEEK Sale

Hey there everyone!


This past week and this current week has been pretty crazy. I'm trying to get things together in short time spans and maybe it's starting to fall into place since I'm writing this post :). So happy to write to you again! I do want to let you know there is a week-long sale happening in the shop - you can save 35% on your entire order with code WOOOO . The sale ends December 3rd (this Saturday). In the past, customers have used bookmarks and recipe cards as gifts so this week, I'm posting new ones *yay* Watch out for them on Facebook and Twitter. Ready to shop? Go on!

Hearted It! - Each to Own

Just found this up and coming shop yesterday. Oh, you have to see the work!

"Send a Message" Ring

"Water Lily" Brooch

"Colorful Wooden Heart" Necklace

Would you believe this shop was opened this past March? Each item is made from carved wood and paints. I love what the owner, Kirsten, says on her profile:
"It is amazing how a little bit of creating can boost your confidence and give you a new outlook on life." So true Kirsten! 


Want to see more? Go visit!

Ideas Anyone?

Lately, I've been getting different suggestions from friends on new items for the shop. The year is almost up and I'm ready for new things for next year. So...can I have your opinion in a short poll (shown below)? I'll let you know which idea "won" in a future post. :)

Paper Goodness: Paper Ball Garland

  

I love this project by Princess Lasertron! It's a DIY paper garland made from magazine pages and thread. Want to try it yourself? Take a look at the tutorial here.

Giveaway Winner!

The What's Cookin' Good Lookin' giveaway winner which is...

Cindy from CinLynnBoutique! Cindy says she loves all kinds of food, but her favorite is shrimp - made in any way! Congrats on the win! An email will be coming to you shortly.


For all of you who entered, thank you sooooo much! I love the different responses from everyone, especially the compliments. Very interesting food choices from the simplest as a potato to the more complex grilled chicken, cheese + asparagus sandwich - yum :D I have two different favs - anything Italian and anything sweet. If it's Italian and sweet (like Tiramisu) then it's perfect!


To all who entered, I want to give you a very special discount to my shop - 20% off with code IMAWNR2. The code expires 11/24, so enjoy it while it lasts!


Happy shopping!

Hearted It! - Papercuts

No, not the real papercuts that hurts like crazy (I know you were thinking that)!


As you know, I am a paperholic - love stationery, calendars, art, everything! Here's something I really admire:

Branches Papercut

Papercut Maine Landscape

These items from Papercuts By Joe are made with black paper, hand-cut with a XACTO knife and mounted on a white background. 

Couple on Bikes Silhouette

Just unbelievable talent by Joe! If you want to see more, just check out the shop or the Facebook page. Enjoy!  

Paper Goodness: Apple-Shaped Book

Apple-Shaped Book Tutorial by Cheeky Magpie

I really like how easy this tutorial is! Cheeky Magpie created an apple-shaped book from an old paperback and some other items. Such a perfect desk decor item! See how to make it on your own by checking out the tute. :D

Hearted It! - ASL Love Hands

American Sign Language is so intriguing to me. I am learning it now and it's amazing how difficult it is! I used to think that Sign Language were gestures of the English language. Little did I realize that it is its OWN language and it has many language variations!


I found this cool American Sign Language shop on Etsy called Moonlight Aura and it offers sculptures like the ones below:

Love Hands

Three-Letter Sculpture

Even personalized name sculptures:

Seven-Letter Sculpture

If you are interested in Sign Language Art, check out more items in the shop! So worth it :D


pssst - Don't forget to enter the What's Cookin' Good Lookin' Giveaway!

What's Cookin' Good Lookin' Giveaway! - CLOSED

** Thanks to all who entered! A winner will be announced in a future post. Yay! **

It finally happened - 50 Facebook fans! Thank you so much everyone! As promised, I'm going to host a giveaway - *yay*


So here is what you can win:

Two Recipe Cards Sets of Your Choice (totaling to 20 cards)

I'm going to throw in a set of cookbook bookmarks as well (pics coming soon).

I thought about these because many are thinking about cooking and baking around this time of year. Wouldn't it be helpful to have some "tools" handy? ;-)


Mandatory: Answer the question "What is your favorite food?" in the comments (1 entry)


Of course I'm adding bonus entries :)


Bonus entries (optional):
☺ Follow the blog on Google Friend Connect and comment about it (1 entry)
☺ Like the niecynotes fanpage (if you already do, just let me know) and comment about it (1 entry)
☺ Follow on Twitter and comment about it (1 entry)
☺ Tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the message below and comment on it:
   I'm entering to #win some recipe cards + bookmarks by @niecynotes. http://ow.ly/7lSTU What about you? ;-)
☺ Share this message on Facebook and comment about it with link (1 entry)
☺ "Heart" the niecynotes shop on Etsy and comment on it (1 entry)


The giveaway will end November 14th at 11:59p EST and winner announced on November 15th, picked via Random.org.


You have up to seven chances to win! So are you ready? Set? Go enter!

Paper Goodness - Paint Swatch Clock

DIY Paint Swatch Clock by Flintlock

I love this tutorial! Free paint swatches + a clock + a little creativity = a great DIY project. Flintlock from Instructables created this DIY clock that you just have to see! The story that goes along with it is entertaining too. ☺

I Found This On Pinterest - Upcycled Decor!

Upcycled Decor!

Upcycling is so huge nowadays! You can make just about anything with everything - and it will still be cute. ☺ Enjoy a couple of upcycled decor items I found on Pinterest and check out the rest on the Cool Decor pinboard.


Credits:
1. Recycled Magazine Garbage Can by DIYLife
2. Bottle Cap Wall Backsplash by Travel and Other Obsessions

November + Announcements!

(Personal Image)

It's November!! Wow! Just one more month after this to round up 2011. The big shopping season is coming up and I know many of you are excited about that (especially Black Friday this month). I don't know about you, but lots of things are happening with me offline. 

(Personal Image)

I have a new schedule with my day job amongst other things and my schedule is going crazy! Have you ever had that "I need to organize my life" feeling? Yup, that's me right now. As we speak (or as you read) I am conjuring up a new schedule before the rush begins. I will try my best to write posts and even schedule some during this period. In the meantime, I have new things coming up for niecynotes!

(Personal Image)

What to expect in the coming months:
☺ Invitations - Printed wedding invitation sets, to be specific. I love weddings and I have been asked to make invitations for them with success! So I thought I should make some for the Etsy world. The two types of sets (with respective envelopes) are:
          ♥ Simple Invite Sets - Save the Dates, Invitations, Response Cards
          ♥ Reception Sets - Programs, Menus, Place Cards 
I will also have an "a la carte" option for each. If you are interested in any of these now, feel free to email me.


☺ Calendar - I am in the process of making a calendar for the 2012 year! Stay tuned for this very, very soon! 


☺ More, More, More! - Recipe cards, gift tags and stationery of course. Be on the lookout for more special deals, coupon codes and giveaway info on the Facebook page and on the email list. 


Ok, hopefully I didn't bore you to death with lots of words on this post. I know how tiring that can be. ☺ Enjoy the rest of your day!

Hearted It! - Love Bread Plush Pillow

Hey all! Welcome to another installment of "Hearted It!" I found this cute Love Bread pillow by Quacked. Check it out below!

Love Bread by Quacked

Cute!! Sonya (the owner) also has an Angry Toast Pillow that I also "hearted" on Etsy:

Angry Toast by Quacked

Angry Toast and Love Bread Pillows by Quacked

The eyebrows and butter "x's" really get to me lol

The shop also has other breakfast item pillows as well as other cute plushies for everyone! If you are into cute, bubbly and bright plush items, I suggest you check out the rest of the shop. ☺

Save the Date!

Another wedding boom is happening! I don't know about you, but I have more friends getting married soon and it's wild because it is all around the same time. So when anniversary time comes, I'm going to be ultra-broke!


Apparently, I'm not the only one going through a wedding boom - just this month alone, there was an increase of "save-the-date" searches in my Etsy shop. And I just so happen to have digital Save the Dates for those lovely couples getting married soon. Here are a couple (no pun intended :D):

Email Save the Date - Informal

Save the Date - Black and White

I also have some engagement dinner invitations for those who want to celebrate with friends and family!

Gold Rings Engagement Dinner Invitations

Blue and Silver Engagement Dinner Invitations

More are going to be added and I am considering making print invitations as well very soon. Check out the invitations in detail by clicking on the Email Invitations section in the shop!

Sorry!!

Hey everyone!


Sorry for the lack of posts this week. So much has been going on behind the scenes and I am on a new schedule. Please bare with me! A new post should come out later today.


In the meantime, the Facebook fanpage is getting more and more exciting! Only 3 more fans until I host a giveaway - so if you haven't checked it out, come on over now. :D

Write Down Those Recipes!

My recipe cards have been getting a bunch of attention in the searches on Etsy. I see that many are ready to make some food for the upcoming months. So if you haven't seen these yet, here they are now! Feel free to click on the picture to get right to them:

Orange Mixing Bowl Recipe Cards

Each set of recipe cards come in sets of 10. But if you need more, let me know!

Yummy Goodness Recipe Cards with Rolling Pins

If you look real hard, there's a real cookie recipe on these. :-)

Eggs in a Bowl Cards

I plan to make more recipe cards in the very near future, so look out for more! In the meantime, you can get a set of 10 recipe cards for $6. Go to the recipe card section to get a closer look.