Back to School, Back to Work, Back to Reality!

It's Back to School Time (illustration by B.Nute productions)

I'm back! What a summer it's been. There was lounging by the pool and kayaking on the lake. There was time to sketch and time to workout. There was also an incredible adventure to a far off country.

Taking the last 2 months off has been wonderful, but now I'm ready to dive back in to my business and start designing. I've been invigorated by getting back to my artistic roots of sketching and painting and plan to add much of it to my work. I've also been inspired by our recent trip to Japan. There were so many wonderful visual delights I'm eager to capture. I can't wait to incorporate this new energy into my work as well.

So, now that the kids are happily back at school, I'm ready to get creating. This Fall, I plan to post on Tuesdays and Thursdays -- I'll be sharing all these new ideas and also plan to continue with fun free printables to liven up your every day. Here's to a wonderful Fall season.

Back to School Once Again

Vintage Lunch Box Collection on Pinterest

Another summer gone, done, kaput. Hard to believe. It comes with mixed emotions for me. Although I'll miss the lazy mornings, afternoons be the pool, relaxing evenings and our fun family vacation time, I'm actually excited to get back to a more "normal" routine.

I have so many ideas I want to do for B.Nute productions-- new invitations, many more blog posts with free goodies (unlike my quite quiet summertime blog), and of course get ready for holiday madness! I'd love to know what you'd like to see in my shop this fall and winter! Do send me an email and let me know.

So, time to pack up my lunch box, and get busy... it's time head into fall!

*The* List of Party Themes

Close Up of B.Nute productions "Here Comes the Party" invitation

In honor of kids heading back to school, I thought this week I'd dedicate my blog posts to lists, you know the kind... like a back to school list of supplies, but these lists are all party focused, of course! I just love lists. I hope these are helpful in the future for you!

Today's list is of party themes. This is to help all those up late at night wondering what on earth they will do for their child's next birthday? I'm sure something below will catch your eye!

Theme

20's Flapper Girl Party

3 Little Piggies Party

40's Big Band Party

50's Beebop Sock Hop Party

50's Soda Fountain Party

80's Glam Rock Party

African Safari Party

Alpine Skiing Party

Around the World Party

Art Party

Ballerina Party

Baseball Party

Basketball Party

Beach Party

Beehive Hairdo/Retro Party

Big Apple Party

Big Game Party

Big Hair Rocker Party

Board Game Party

Bon Voyage (luggage, map, hotels)

Bon Voyage (roadtrip)

Bowling

Broadway Baby Party

Butterfly Party

Camp Out

Carnival

Carousel Party

Casino

Champagne Tasting Party

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Party

Charlottes Web Party

Cheese and Wine Party

Cherry Party

Chinese Party

Chocolate Party

Chronicles of Narnia Party

Cinderella Party

Circus Animals Party

Circus Big Top Party

Circus Billboard Party

Circus Parade party

Clambake/Lobster Boil/Crab Feast

Construction/Builder Party

County Fair Party

Cowgirl Party

Cupcake Party

Destination Party

Dinosaur Party

Disco/Dance Party

Doll Party

Dragon

Dragonflies Party

Egyptian Party

Fairy: Flower Fairy

Fairy: Glitter Fairy Princess

Fairy: Modern Fairy

Fairy: Woodland Fairy

Farm Party

Fashion Show Party

Fiesta

Firehouse Party

Fondue Party

Football Party

Fortune Teller (Palm Reading, Tarot Card) Party

Golf Party

Grand Prix Race Car Party

Gypsy Party

Hardy Boys

HipHop Party

Hockey Party

Hollywood Party

Honey Bee Party

Hula Girl Party

Ice Skating Party

India Party

Indiana Jones Party

Insect/Bug Party

Italian Party

Jazzy Jazz Party

Jumpy House Party

Jungle Party

Karate Party

Kite Party

Knight and Dragon

Lady Bug Party

Let is Snow Winter Party

Lil'Gardener Party

Ma Petite (Toile) party

Mad Hatter Party

Mad Scientist Party

Magic Party

Makeover/Model Party

Masquerade Party

Memphis Blues Party

Mermaid

Mini Golf Party

Mobster/Mafia/Gangster Party

Monkey Party

Moroccan Party

Movie Party

Movie Star Party

Mustache Bash

Nancy Drew

Nifty 50's Party

Nursery Rhyme Party

Olympic Party

Paper Lantern Party

Paperdoll Party

Paris Party

Party Hats Party

Perfume Party

Pinball Party

Pirate party

Playtime Party

Polka Dot Party

Pool Party

Pretty Posies Garden Party

Princess and Knight Royal Party

Princess Fairy Tale Party

Princess: Egyptian Princess Party

Princess: Indian Princess Party

Robin Hood Party

Robot Party

Rock Climbing Party

Rock Star - Guitar Party

Rock Star - Singer Party

Sailboat Party

Shark Party

Sherlock Holmes Party

Skateboarding Party

Sledding/Tubing Party

Sleepover Party

Snow White Party

Snowboarding Party

Soccer Party

South of France Party

Spa Party

Space/Rocket Party

Spy Party

Star Wars Party

Stargazing Party

Summer BBQ

Summer Camp

Summer of Love Hippie Party

Superhero Party

Surfer Party

Sweet 16

Sweet Treas Party

Tailgate Party

Tatoo Party

Teapot/Teacup Tea Party

Tennis Party

The Dish, Spoon, Cow, Moon Party

Tiki Party

Toy Shop Party

Train (ticket) Party

Truck Party

Under the Sea Party

Video Game Party

Vineyard Party

Wakeboarding Party

Water Park Party (sprinklers)

Western "Wanted" Showdown Party

Western Round Up Party

Wind in the Willows Party

Wine Tasting Party

Wizard

Wizard of Oz Party

Woodland Party

Zodiac Party

Zoo Party This list will be posted in a permanent location on my website, with categorization and all! I'll be sure to let you know when it's there. If I've missed some themes, (which I'm sure I have) please let me know so I can add them to the list! Happy Party Planning!

My Zoltar Wish

If I had a wish, just one wish...

today I would say,

"I wish summer would not end!"

Tomorrow school starts for my kids.

It's always a hard transition for me.

I love the late mornings of summer,

the hours floating in a pool,

the late nights up playing games, 

with out worry of an alarm in the morning.

Fall is good too, though...

It's just not the same!

Back to School Again

My daughter started first grade today. The craziest thing is I remember when I started first grade! Here I am in the picture above, wearing my favorite snoopy outfit. I loved that dress!

Before this time, I’ve always thought... “I wonder if my daughter will remember this... or that,” given I don’t really have many vivid memories from before 5 years old or so. Well, now I can safely say to myself, “she may remember this for the rest of her life.” Eeeeghads. The pressure is now on. Time to create some good memories!!

To the rest of the mommies out there with school-age kids--- congrats, you’ve survived another summer, and now the kids are back in school. As much as I’ll miss summer, I’m looking forward to a little more time for myself!

Enjoy those few hours before the bell rings!