Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer Guide No. 1: School's Out for Summer!

Free Printable Summer Guide's by B.Nute productions
The countdown is on... the last day of school is rapidly approaching... are you ready? To kick off my favorite season, I'm going to be publishing a weekly Summer Guide page filled with activities, games, printables, recipes, ideas and more to keep you and your brood happy as clams this summer season! Enjoy!

Summer Guide No. 1: School's Out for Summer
Free Printable Summer Guide No. 1: School's Out for Summer
Instructions for Printing Your Summer Guide Page
1. Select link above, and print out the page on 8.5" x 11" paper from your browser.
2. Fill out, cut out, draw, and have some summer fun!

Printable items are copyright protected, and provided free of charge by B.Nute productions for personal use only. B.Nute's printables can not be sold, altered, or provided for download on any other site. For questions or inquiries, please contact B.Nute productions.


Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day

Close Up of Let Freedom Ring Party Invitation by B.Nute productions
To all the who serve our country abroad or at home,
Thank you for your dedication, bravery, and patriotism.
Thank you for keeping us safe, and letting us enjoy our freedom
every day of year. We are truly blessed!

Happy Memorial Day!

Friday, May 27, 2011

The Party Girl's Library: Party Book Review- "Porch Parties" by Denise Gee

Porch Parties by Denise Gee as seen on scribd.com
If this book, Porch Parties by Denise Gee isn't the best way to kick off summer, then I don't know what is! The cover drew me in, and I was held captive through the whole thing while I flipped pages looking at scrumptious cocktails on perfect porches. Of course, the design of the book I know had a big play in my buying decision... great Southern porch inspired typefaces and lot of design details made me drink this up!

The book is broken up into chapters - from Porch Party pointers and cocktail recipes, to punches, mocktails and little bites. Interspersed throughout the book are juicy tidbits, like the top 5 Destination Porches and porch definitions, charming details that add to this books appeal.

So, I don't know about you this Memorial Day weekend, but I'm debating on whether I should mix up a refreshing Gumby Slumber (think tropical delight), or  a good ol'Brunch Bloody Mary. Both will do just perfectly sitting on my porch this long weekend.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Retro BBQ Inspiration on Pinterest

Yes, Pinterest is all the rage! 
It's basically like creating a treasury on Etsy,
but you have the expanse of the whole world wide web! 
Oo, what fun.
Here's my first board I was inspired to create 
to match one of my newest invitations, a Retro BBQ.

Fire Up the Grill - Retro BBQ Inspiration Board on Pinterest

I look forward to creating many more inspiration 
boards to help complement your next party!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Free Printable Lil'Pirates AHOY Banner

Free Printable Lil'Pirates AHOY Banner by B.Nute productions
Ahoy, me mateys! Here's the perfect free printable Pirate Banner for your little one's Pirate Party... It's great to hang at that swashbuckling affair, and a perfect match to B.Nute productions free printable Lil'Pirates Party Invitation and Lil'Pirates Goodie Bag!
Close Up of B.Nute productions' Lil'Pirates AHOY Banner
Close Up of B.Nute productions' Lil'Pirates AHOY Banner

B.Nute productions Free Printable Lil'Pirates AHOY Banner - A and H
B.Nute productions Free Printable Lil'Pirates AHOY Banner - O and Y
Instructions for Making Your Lil'Pirates AHOY Banner
1. Select link above, and print out the pennants on 8.5" x 11" card stock from your browser. I suggest using a heavier card stock to give the cards some weight.
2. Cut out pennants.
3. Punch holes in the upper corners of the pennants and string together to make a banner!

Printable items are copyright protected, and provided free of charge by B.Nute productions for personal use only. B.Nute's printables can not be sold, altered, or provided for download on any other site. For questions or inquiries, please contact B.Nute productions.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Pilgrimage to Tinsel Trading


Tinsel Trading, 1 West 37th Street, New York, NY
While in New York for the National Stationery Show last week, I made the trek to Tinsel Trading Company, a fabulous store filled with trimmings, notions, ephemera and petite treasures! I have read about this store in magazines such as Somerset Studio, and was so excited to realize my hotel was only 1 1/2 blocks away. Below are just a few of the items I picked up...

Collage Kits at Tinsel Trading
I loved the "collage" kits, filled with random pieces of ephemera, vintage ribbons and more. Once I opened them I loved them even more. I have to be honest, I'm not sure if I will ever "make" anything out of them, since really just the ensemble works for me as a photograph!
Patriotic Goodies
Preakness Inspired
Bastille Day Charm
Oo la la
Moulin Rouge in May
So, if you make it to New York, and you're looking for some vintage inspiration, be sure to head to Tinsel Trading Company in midtown!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Free Retro Graduation Party Printables

Retro Graduation Party Printables by B.Nute productions
It's graduation time, retro-style! Get ready to party with these free printables- they can be used as cupcake toppers, stickers, goodie bag tags, bottle labels, drink flags and much more. Be sure to also print out the matching Retro Graduation Invitation to complete the look of your party!


Download These Free Printables
Free Retro Graduation Party Printables by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Graduation Party Printable Items
1. Select link above, and print out from your browser. Use card stock to give the party items some weight. (You can print out on sticker paper if you'd like to use as bottle labels or goodie bag stickers.)
2. Cut each item.
3. Place on cupcake sticks, goodie bags, straws and much more. Fill your space with retro fun, and now it's time to celebrate!

Printable items are copyright protected, and provided free of charge by B.Nute productions for personal use only. B.Nute's printables can not be sold, altered, or provided for download on any other site. For questions or inquiries, please contact B.Nute productions.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

National Stationery Show 2011 Round Up

It's been a whirlwind few days in New York City at this year's annual National Stationery Show. There were so many talented designers and companies, and great products, it's hard to know where to start to tell all about it! I'll try to give a quick summary of the trends and great products that stood out!

Trends
I must admit that many of the design trends that were being talked about weren't surprising, or anything too "out there," but there were a few divergents the past that are great to bring up including:

Pantone's Color of the Year - Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle
Yes, we've heard about Pantone's Color of the Year... it seems that everyone has heard about it, because it is very popular right now. It's hard not to find something using this lovely shade of pink. Of course, even I have some honeysuckle inspired cards!
Sweet Little Honeysuckle Pink and Turquoise Birth Announcement by B.Nute productions


Pantone's Fashion Trends (7 out of 10 of their colors)
Bold on Bold
Many designers when creating a new card or invitation will choose a bold color (or 2) and pair it with a subtle neutral color... well, not this year. Folks are taking inspiration from fashion with the Bold on Bold approach. So, think bright turquoise and cherry red or how about magenta and bright orange... or great for summer is a regatta blue and sunny yellow... no need to hide anything these days!

Charcoal is the New Chocolate
Yes, you heard correctly, yummy chocolate is being replaced by charcoal grey. I must admit I'm sad to see chocolate heading out-- although there still is a great place for it in the woodsy and faux bois world... but grey is the newest neutral to have it's day in the sun! So, bright yellow and charcoal, honeysuckle and charcoal... you get the picture.


Stripes with a Floral Print as seen on a Stripes for Summer Write Up on  Fashionising.com
Stripes
We've been seeing stripes explode in fashion, and now it's on to stationery. I think the key to this is to come up with a new twist to stripes. Definitely a design challenge, but hey, I'm up for it! I love this example above from fashionising.com where the stripes have been paired with a floral... if you look closely she even has striped bracelets. Subtle, yet definitely stripes!

Great Stuff
Of course many of the prominent stationery and product companies I love were there, showing their latest items. Although some of these companies are "the big league", they still do always have great products with whimsy. Some included: Meri MerieeBooChronicle BooksCavallini Papers and CompanyDauphine PressEgg PressHammerpressHello!Lucky, and Mara Mi.

I loved seeing the many small unique designers showcasing their work as well folks I had not known before. A few stood out for me including: Figs and GingerL2 Design CollectiveSmitten KittenMr. Boddington's StudioOblation Papers and Press.

I know I'm forgetting so many more amazing designers that I saw. Oh So Beautiful Paper has a wonderful write up for the last several blog posts of great products to check out. Be sure to check it out:
Oh So Beautiful Paper - National Stationery Show 2011 Part 6




Monday, May 9, 2011

Superhero Comic Book Party!

Superhero Comic Book Party by B.Nute productions
Last week I hosted my children's elementary school's Founder's Day celebration. It is a PTA event that honors all the outstanding volunteers in our school. I've enjoyed chairing this event the last couple of years, because, in a sense, it is like throwing a little party! This year I decided to go with a superhero theme, since really, these volunteers are superheroes. They put so much time, energy, love and dedication into our school, it's amazing.

Now that the event is over, I'm looking forward to making these party items (invitations, tags, banner, etc.) into a full party kit available from my store. Stay tuned for updates, and/or if you'd like it sooner, just hollar and give me an email!

Well, it's up, up and away... until next time!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Free Printable Old Fashioned Tags for Mom

Old Fashioned Tags for Mom by B.Nute productions
Mother's Day is tomorrow! Do you have a little something you are giving your mom? How about wrap it up and put this old fashioned style tag on top, for some vintage charm. She'll love the gesture, and most of all she'll love being with you!
Free Printable Old Fashioned Tags for Mom by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Mother's Day Tags
1. Select link above, and print out from your browser. Use card stock to give the tags some weight.
2. Cut each card out.
3. Punch a hole in the top, and add a ribbon.
4. Tie on a present, and give to your mom!

Printable items are copyright protected, and provided free of charge by B.Nute productions for personal use only. B.Nute's printables can not be sold, altered, or provided for download on any other site. For questions or inquiries, please contact B.Nute productions.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Free Printable Graduation Party Invitations

Free Printable Graduation Party Invitations by B.Nute productions
I can't believe the end of the school year is almost here. I'm sure all the students that are heading to receive their diploma can believe it and are ready! Here are some free printable Graduation Party invitations, perfect to celebrate your grad's accomplishments! A little retro, and lots of fun, these invites are perfect for any grad's gathering. Enjoy and congratulations to the class of 2011!
Free Printable Retro Graduation Party Invitations by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Graduation Party Invitations
1. Select link above, and print out from your browser (print in landscape mode). Use card stock to give the invitations some weight.
2. Cut each card out.
3. Fill in with your party details, and now it's time to celebrate!

Printable items are copyright protected, and provided free of charge by B.Nute productions for personal use only. B.Nute's printables can not be sold, altered, or provided for download on any other site. For questions or inquiries, please contact B.Nute productions.