Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Print on Demand for B.Nute productions!

B.Nute productions is on Zazzle!
I'm excited to announce that B.Nute productions is on Zazzle offering print on demand invitations, stationery, party goods and more! What's this mean for you? Well many things, here's just a few:
  • Same great B.Nute production invitation designs with added bonus design on the back
  • Matching envelopes available to order
  • More matching party goods
  • FASTER turn around time with no proofing necessary-- you enter your party details, approve, order and it's done!
  • New designs all the time!
Bug Hunt Party Invitation and Envelope by B.Nute productions on Zazzle
I'm so grateful for my wonderful customers who have made my business so successful this past 5 years! Business has boomed so much, though, it has left me little time to create more designs. In the past year, I've spent much of my time fielding emails and creating proofs, and very little time creating new designs. I've also noticed while I do sell "printable/digital" goods, I also have a very large customer base that wants my items to be printed. I've been searching for a great business solutions to allow me to continue to grow as well as create new designs (and more blog posts with free printables!) Going to a print on demand solution like Zazzle is my answer!
Woodland Animal Party Invitation and Matching Envelope by B.Nute productions on Zazzle
The biggest benefit by far is the allowing my customers to enter their own party details, and remove the whole proofing process. This will speed up delivery of my products greatly, and also free up some of my time! Yay. I've included pictures in this post with some of my latest additions to the shop (ooo, I just love the squirrel on the back of my Woodland Animal Party invitation!)

Princess/Snow White Style Party Invitation and Matching Envelope by B.Nute productions on Zazzle
So, over the next couple months, I'll be moving my items over and adding more! Be sure to continue to check back in my shop for updates. If you know a theme you'd like to see, and don't see it yet, just give a holler!

Little Red Riding Hood Party Invitation and Matching Envelope by B.Nute productions on Zazzle.
Above is my Little Red Riding Hood Party invitation-- I just love Grandma's house on the back!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Princess and Knight Party Ideas from a Renaissance Faire

Princess & Knight Party Ideas from a Renn Faire
This weekend we headed to the local Renaissance Faire for some jolly ol'England fun! I just love the theme-- so many costumes, decorations and thespians having a good time. The faire is also great fodder for ideas for a Princess and Knight Party. I couldn't resist snapping a few shots and sharing some ideas.

Dried Flower Decorations
Dried flowers were everywhere. They make beautiful wreaths, and garlands to hang on the door or as a centerpiece on a table. Also, very popular are dried flower headdresses, with long flowing ribbons. You could hot glue gun dried flowers to a headband, or create a circle from wire, and wrap tightly with floral tape (so no wire is showing or poking through). Now, hot glue dried flowers to the circle, and tie ribbon on it! The girls will love these crowns.

Medieval/Renaissance Signage
The Renaissance Faire is full of signs reminiscent of what may have been seen in England back in those days. Hanging signs like these around your party space will evoke that same feeling. You can make up pretend pub names, or hotel names, or simple iconic images to represent a type of shop.

Ribbons, and more
Ribbon flowed everywhere at the faire. By far this seemed to be the most popular decoration, and also very simple to recreate. Create ribbon garland by tying string to either end of posts. Cut many ribbons at approximately 12" long. Now, tie the ribbons one by one along the string, evenly spaced. Voila, a simple garland, that flutters in the wind. Another popular ribbon decoration was ribbon tied to hoops, and hung. An embroidery hoop would be the perfect thing to use to achieve this festive look.

Archery and Sport Activities
Depending on how active you want to be, there were loads of sports at the faire that could be done at a party as well. Archery was a hit for my kids. The bullseye were painted on burlap and hung on a hay bale. The archer then could shoot at it without damage to anything around. There are plenty of kids archery sets available online that use "nerf darts" and are not harmful.

Other activities included cross bow, fencing, ax throwing, etc. Perhaps some of these are too much for a party (ha!)-- but one could substitute one of these potential weapons with less harmful items and still have fun. For instance, cut an axe shape out of a sponge. Have the kids throw wet sponges at a piece of dark paper to see where they hit! A great game too when it's hot!

Crafts and More
There are many crafts that could be set up at your party as well that were scene at the faire. Braiding seemed very popular. You could hire a stylist to braid children's hair, or provide lots of yarn for kids to learn how to braid themselves. Another idea is to make a princess hat, or soft felt, simple plushie. Lastly, if you are more ambitious and have an older crowd, you could make your own candles.

I hope your Royale Faire is one that will be remembered for a long time! Huzah!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Free Printable Car or Truck Party Scavenger Hunt Game

Free Printable Car or Truck Party Scavenger Hunt Game by B.Nute productions
The kids are all rev'd up and ready to go at your Car or Truck Party-- now what do you do?? Well, have them run around and play a scavenger hunt game, of course!

Here's a free printable game, easy to set up and fun for the kids to play. The best is you can make this game as easy or hard as you like, depending on the kids ages. Here's how to play:

How to Play the Car or Truck Party Scavenger Hunt Game
1. Print out the scavenger hunt map cards, one per guest playing the game.
2. Print out the game cards (enough so that each child can find one card each.)
3. Game set up: Around your party space (yard, inside of house, park or where ever the party is being held), hide the game cards. Hide all "Flat Tire" cards together (one card for each guest). Continue to hide each card type in a different location. Follow the map to decide which order the cards should be hidden. (For instance, first hide the Flat Tire cards, then hide the Fill 'er Up cards, then the Rest area cards, so that the kids naturally find the cards in order they appear on the road of the map. They can find cards out of order if they'd like too.)
4. Once the cards are hidden, and the guests have arrived and are ready to play the game, hand out the maps to each child. Now, send them off to hunt for the cards!
Free Printable Car or Truck Scavenger Hunt Game by B.Nute productions - MAP
Free Printable Car or Truck Scavenger Hunt Game by B.Nute productions - CARDS
Instructions for Printing Your Car or Truck Scavenger Hunt Game
1. Select the links above, and print out each on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. Print on card stock to give the maps and cards some weight.
2. Cut out, the maps and cut out the cards. Follow the instructions above for playing the game.

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.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

A Vintage Truck Party - Ideas Galore!

A Vintage Truck Party Invitation and Inspiration by B.Nute productions
A good ol'fashioned Truck Party is the perfect theme for your boy's birthday. An old truck, some vintage signage, some toy trucks to play with... this party can be as simple or as elaborate as you'd like! I've been gathering all sorts of party ideas for your Vintage-style Truck Party over on Pinterest, so be sure be sure to head over and check them out... but in the meantime, here are some high lights.

Paper Goods

Truck Party Printable Paper Goods by B.Nute productions
Head on over to my Etsy shop for the full suite of Truck Party printables-- from invitation to thank you, this theme is covered with vintage-style charm!

Decoration Ideas

A classic truck parked prominently near your party space would be a perfect greeting for guests to your truck party.... but trucks can be hard to come by. If you do have access to a truck here are ways to incorporate it into the party:
  • Use the truck hatch as a comfy seating area. Fill with pillows, blankets, and maybe a few books or toys.
  • Use as a prop to take party pics.
  • Pull down the hatch and fill the rear of the truck with your buffet of food.
  • Take the party on a "truck" ride... like a hay ride.
Here are some other ideas as well:
  • Vintage Gas Station tin signs
  • Old Toy Trucks
  • Toy (or real) Gas Pump
  • Old Posters of Gas Stations or Truck Stops or Highway signage
Menu Ideas
Design your food area to be a truck spot, where guests can "filler on up" till their ready to roll again! Make signs like a truck stop, with an area to fill up on gas (liquids), oil (munchies), tune up (food).

Game Ideas

There's nothing like a cut out cardboard box, designed to be a truck to some fun relay races. Or, race toy trucks (from match box size to larger trucks depending on age.) Another option is for the kids to create their own highway or roads and rest stops with lots of sidewalk chalk and some cement. Lastly, a sandbox filled with toy trucks is a great play area for young ones.

Goodie Bag/Gift Ideas

Toy Truck
Truck ornament
Favorite Truck Book

Friday, August 31, 2012

Free Printable Bowling Award Certificates

Free Printable Bowling Award Certificates by B.Nute productions
After your fun party (or family outing) at the bowling alley-- it's time to award the players with some certificates! Just print out these free certificates below, cut, and fill out... then hand out after the game is over. Be creative and come up with cool awards for each player. Here are some ideas below.

Sample of Bowling Award Names
Most Strikes
Best Style
Fanciest Foot Work
Best Wind Up Throw
Most Spares
Spectacular Strike Out
Best Dance Moves After Throwing
Gutter Ball Gal

Would love to hear your award names!

Free Printable Retro Bowling Award Certificates by B.Nute productions
Instructions for Making Your Award Certificates
1. Select the link above, and print out the certificates on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper (print in landscape mode). Print on card stock to give the certificates some weight.
2. Cut out, and hand out at after bowling.

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, August 30, 2012

Free Printable Coloring Page: Design Your Own Bowling Shoes

Free Printable Design Your Own Bowling Shoes Coloring Page from B.Nute productions
You know you secretly like the rental bowling shoes you get when you head to the alley! Maybe you don't like the smell of them, but some of the designs are fabulous. Color blocking is always a favorite for bowling shoes... but what if you could have any design you wanted? Would it be chevron stripes? Floral? Faux bois? Neon polka dot?

Now's your chance! Here's a free printable coloring page created just for you to design your own bowling shoe! Print out and hand out at a Bowling party in their goodie bags, or if you have a couple minutes, and want to do something creative-- here ya go!

Who knows, your designs may be the next fad in bowling shoes!

Free Printable Design Your Own Bowling Shoes Coloring Page from B.Nute productions
Instructions for Making Your Bowling Shoe Coloring Page
1. Select the link above, and print out the coloring page on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper (print in landscape mode). 
2. Start designing!
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.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Free Printable Retro Bowling Menu Card and Name Tags

Free Printable Retro Bowling Menu Card and Name Tags from B.Nute productions
Everyone loves a Bowling Party! Kids love to play and parents love that they don't have to "do much" for the party, since the alley has it all! But a Bowling Party doesn't have to just be reserved for kids... nothing beats an adult night at the lanes with great tunes and lots of beer on tap!

Here's the perfect addition to your Bowling Party-- free printable retro style menu cards and name tags.  Even if everyone knows each other, the name tags can be used to break the group into teams or be identified as your very own bowling league! The menus are perfect to print, fill out and place at each lane so folks know what munchies are available.

Enjoy and hope you make a strike!

Free Printable Retro Bowling Menu Card and Name Tags from B.Nute productions

Tips for Creating and Printing Your Menu Card and Name Tags
If you plan to hand write the names and menu:
1. Select link above, and print out image from your browser. Print on card stock to give menu some weight. You can also print some copies on 8.5x11 sticker stock for the name tags.
2. Once printed, cut out, fill out and hand out at party!

If you'd like to have your menu typed on to the menu card, just follow these few steps:
1. Select link above. Go to your browsers File Menu and select "Save As". Save image to your local computer.
2. Open an image editing program, and use the type tool to add your menu items. Create one list, then copy and paste this to the other two. Now print out file, and cut cards.
3. Or, if you prefer, open a desktop publishing program, import the saved jpg, and add type on top of the menu card. Now print out file, and cut cards.
4. Another option is to first print out the menu card (blank) and cut out each card (they are appx. 3.5x7.7 in size.) In MS Word, create a 3.5"x7.5" document. Leave a large enough margin at the top as to not print on top of the bowling image. Type menu. Feed printed menu card through your printer and print out the MS Word document on top.


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.