Celebrate National Handwriting Day

It sounds like a "made by marketeers" kind of day, but I must say, I do like the idea! In honor of John Hancock's birthday (January 23), the Writing Instruments Manufacturers Association came up with National Handwriting Day. For some reason, when I saw this it struck a chord with me...

In our household we are knee deep in handwriting... not only am I a "list girl", but both my kids are writing fiends. My son is just learning his letters, and he LOVES it. He's writing letters daily to his daddy (mostly) and occasionally to Santa or his sister. He pretty much forgets poor ol'Mom, but I'm OK with that... really...
My daughter who's in the first grade is writing up a storm too... It's not perfect spelling-- she's working on that-- and occasionally a b and a d get mixed up-- but there's lots of writing happening. Many times she writes stories, illustrates them, and then staples and tapes all sorts of goodies to her book. Hmmmm, I wonder where she gets that craftyness from?!
And now for me... well, as you can imagine, I do like the day since it promotes people to write letters and cards, and of course, I have many of those I make at bnute productions-- here's one of my latest additions to bnute productions' personalized stationery line...

But also, the day is inspiring me to do an art project I've been meaning to do for sometime... perhaps I can even get the kids involved. (We'll see how that goes...) A while back I picked up this Klutz book on Lettering. It's meant for kids, but it totally inspired me to do something I've wanted to do for a long time... come up with my own designed alphabet.


Ever since my graphic arts days back in the beginning of the 90's, I've loved fonts. I worked with a great designer who also loved them and she shared all she knew about them. Now, there are so many to choose from that it can be a bit overwhelming, but I when I'm into a project, it just must have the right font to go with it, so I love to hunt around and get ideas. Then there's also the dream of making my own, that's where this book comes into play. Check out some of the cute ideas:


(images from photos taken of the Klutz Lettering Book)

So, once I've created my own letters, I'll definitely post and show them! I hope this has possibly inspired you to celebrate National Handwriting Day... typing on the computer, as much as I love it and do it often, is just not the same!

Here are some more websites about National Handwriting Day:
Details of National Handwriting Day
Ideas on How to Celebrate National Handwriting Day

I Have a Dream Tradition

I don't know about you, but I've never really "celebrated" Martin Luther King Day. Of course, my kids have had the holiday off, and I know they've been doing projects at school, but at home, it's just has been overlooked. Now that's pretty sad, especially given light of what the holiday celebrates... and even more importantly, this year, what tomorrow holds... the inauguration of President Barack Obama!

So, this year I decided to celebrate the day, not only by creating the "Dream" banner above, and hanging it prominently in our house, but also coming up with an MLK tradition for our family.

Here's our new MLK day tradition:
I put a "dream bowl" on the center of the dining room table and handed each family member three pieces of paper and a pencil. The instructions are simple, each piece of paper represents a dream the person has; the first piece of paper is for a personal dream, the second for a with a slightly larger scope (say a dream for the family, or school, or community), and the last a very large dream (say for a state, a country, or the world). One each paper will also be the person's name and the year. I plan to bring the "dream bowl" out every MLK day, so we can not only add to our dreams, but also see if any dreams have come true.

I look forward to see the outcome year after year!

Do you have any MLK traditions in your family, your school, your community? Please share!

Let it Snow!!

It's a little ironic that I just finished up my January mantle decoration in my house... Not just because it's half way through January, but mostly because my "Let it Snow" theme just doesn't match the crazy "heat" wave we are having in California. So, while we enjoy 70 degree weather, my mantle pays homage to the rest of the country that is in an arctic blast!!


The sticks in a pot were a great find at target. They were on sale, so I snapped them up! I added a little spray snow on them for effect.


These snowballs were fun and easy to make... I found a great nobby yarn, and wrapped it around a styrofoam ball. I didn't even need to be too carefull to hide all the styrofoam, since a little of the glittery material showing through adds to the snow-ey effect.

I sparyed these pine cones with a little fake snow too! The last time it snowed where I live is in 1975 or so... so I guess I have to make do with the fake stuff!

A close up from my "Let it Snow" banner.

Cabin Style - One Fancy Yurt

Over the holidays, our family was up at beautiful Lake Tahoe. I love it up there... been going since I was a baby, got married up there, and now bringing my own family there. There's been quite a revival of "cabin style" over the last decade or two. Many of the dingy 60's condos are getting updated with a the classic log cabin, rustic look. I'm all for it, since I just love the look... not that I don't appreciate an awesome A-frame ski cabin, decked out with an avocado & orange kitchen, shag rug, and paneling. :)

On this trip, I was treated to an afternoon at a plush cabin style yurt. This yurt (a yurt is one step up from a tent...) sits at the bottom of a ski run and is decked out like a millionaires "great room" in Aspen. Check out the details. I just love it.

Nice wood table with board games to play... This shot doesn't give justice to the set up, though. On each chair is the fuzziest, shag fur cushion. What a cushy seat!

Loved the ski lift bench to adjust your snow boots... also the cushion is a handsome Pendleton blanket.

Old time Tahoe photos, a hanging oil lantern, and more Pendelton blankets makes a great place to relax.


Animal activists close your eyes... This skin hanging on the wall added to the look.

Another Pendleton blanket laying on an Adorandok chair on a sunny deck. Now with a beer in hand, you're set!

Now that's one way to relax after hitting the slopes!

Want more of the look? Check out the book, "Cabin Fever" by Rachel Carley. I'm sure I'll post more about cabin style in the future... and more books. I just love it.

King Cake - Three Kings Day or Mardi Gras?

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day... the day the 3 kings arrived to honor baby Jesus on the 12th day of Christmas. It is also the beginning of the King Cake "season." The season runs from the day of the Epiphany through to Mardi Gras.

The King Cake is a pretty cool cake. I mean, what other cake actually has a season? It also is a very cool cake because a trinket is baked inside it, and the person who's piece of cake has the trinket gets to be King or Queen for the day. (She may also have the duty of hosting the following years party, and/or bringing the King Cake the following year... this may or may not be seen as a priviledge!)

There are many traditions surrounding a King Cake. I've done a little research in the past, since a French friend was very certain the cake was only eaten on the Epiphany, while I clearly remembered my friend from Louisiana ranting and raving about King Cakes at Mardi Gras time. Either way, both were right.

So, to honor Three Kings Day, I say, let's make cake! The picture above is from a King Cake I made with my kids. Lots of messy fun.

Below are some url's to sites with king cake recipes and folklore. Enjoy the tradition!
Wikipedia's Definition of King Cake
King Cake Recipe and Short Story

0 to 8 in 2008!

Happy New Year!!

Although I started my business in 2007, I started to create what I hope to be one of the core features of my work this year... a line of Party Kits. I have so much fun creating these kits. I love researching the idea, and thinking through all the details of how this party kit can translate not only to a nice set of invitations and decoration, but also how the idea can carry out to be a party your friends and family will remember for a long time!

It's fun looking back this year, to see the 8 new kits -- all lined up. Now on to 2009... I can't wait to see where it goes. I'm thinking up some fun stuff...

A Victorian Christmas

This weekend, we headed to the Dicken's Christmas Fair to get some more holiday cheer. I was so excited to go and check it out, since it's been many years since I've been. Also, I've been aching to create a Dicken's Christmas Party Kit, but some how this season it just didn't happen... next year, next year! Either way, it was entertaining... loved the costumes, and the make believe shops.... and came home with many ideas for next year.

A horn ornament on vintage music.

Hats festooned with feathers, flowers, birds and more...

Playing Card Garland in a shop window.

Old top hat littered with trade cards and Union Jacks.

Glittery beaded birds perched on a cage.

Punch and Judy puppet theatre.