A So-So Staycation is Just Fine by Me

Scenes from a So-So Staycation by B.Nute productions

There were no tropical breezes. There was no swooshing down ski runs. There were no plane rides to exotic spots or road trips through adventurous lands. This President's week off was just a plain old staycation at home and that was just fine by us.

I had hopes of fabulous creative projects with the kids and local outings to places we haven't explored. Those didn't happen. Instead, it was staying in PJ's until noon. It was trips (yes, multiple) to the library, and extra pets for the dog. There were board games played and Girl Scout cookies sold. There was lunch at Dad's work and trying new recipes for dinner at night. And, or course, there were the Olympics with lots of late nights wading through commercials to watch the competition. Fortunately, since there was no early morning school bell, watching late night TV was perfect.

So, would I rather have been lounging on a beach in Mexico? Possibly. Would I have preferred to explore the jungles of Costa Rica or the neighborhoods of Lisbon? Well, sure, but a little r and r at home with no particular agenda was just the right pace for this week. When the kids head back to school on Monday and I hear others tell their tales of adventure and fun, I may be a little jealous, but that's OK. My so-so staycation was just fine with me.

Inspired by Swiss Fondue

Inspired by Swiss Fondue: Fondue Party Invitation by B.Nute productions

I just love a good fondue party! At least a couple times during the winter I like to pull out the pots, gather the extended family and enjoy some delicious melted cheese. Back before kids, I used to host a huge crowd for fondue. I would set up multiple tables of 6 and have a pot steaming at each place.

Free Printable Hearts and Arrows Digital Scrapbook Papers

Free Printable Hearts and Arrows Digital Scrapbook Papers from B.Nute productions

Well, we're down to the wire now with only a few days left until Valentine's Day! Be sure to print up some of these free printable Hearts & Arrows papers to use when crafting. These are perfect to use to make note cards, hand made envelopes, or even use as wrapping paper for a chocolate bar or a few candies. You can also use them to embellish your Valentine Party by making

Free Printable Hand Drawn Love & Friendship Tags

Free Printable Love & Friendship Tags from B.Nute productions

I was recently charged with making favors for a gathering I was attending. It was for a coffee of a volunteer group I belong to. Many of the women in the group have been volunteers for a long time, and are quite close. When I happened upon this quote about friendship from A.A. Milne (or more affectionately Winnie the Pooh), I couldn't resist.

"Any day spent with you is my favorite day!" -Winnie the Pooh

It really does sum up having a wonderful friend. Spending anytime with her just puts a smile on

Free February 2014 Wallpaper: A Month Full of Hearts

Free February 2014 Desktop and iPad Wallpaper: A Month of Hearts

I can't believe February will be here tomorrow. As the rest of the United States has been in a deep freeze, we've been quite Spring-like in California (and no rain!) Although I won't complain, because the weather has been wonderful, I'm missing a bit of that winter feeling. I always like how turning the calendar to February means Spring isn't too far away.

To celebrate February, I've created a heart-filled wallpaper calendar perfect for your iPad or desktop. It's hand painted, with playful hearts, arrows and a few flowers too... something to cheer up even the coldest of days!

Free February 2014 Desktop and iPad Wallpaper

Free February 2014 Desktop Wallpaper: A Month Full of Hearts

Free February 2014 Desktop Wallpaper: 1900x1200

Free February 2014 iPad Wallpaper: 1980x1600

To set as your desktop image

Click on the 1900x1200 link above. When the image in view, on a PC, right click and select “Use Picture as Desktop Image”; For a Mac, Control-click and select “Use Image as Desktop Picture”. 

To set at your ipad wallpaper

Click on the 1980x1600 link above. When the image in in view, click and hold. Select "Save Image" from the popup menu. Once saved, select your "Settings -->Brightness & Wallpaper" and change your wall paper to the newly saved image in your photos.

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

Just Create: A Cast of Doggone Cute Characters

A Cast of Dog Gone Cute Characters by B.Nute productions

My son signed up for a cartooning class through our local rec. center and was so excited. He kept talking about the things he wanted to draw. Two days before the start date, I got a call that it was cancelled. He was so disappointed.

To cheer him up, I offered to teach him a cartooning class myself. Although I took a few animation classes in graduate school, I must admit, I have lots to learn when it comes to character drawing, and cartooning.  I've always admired playful illustrations of characters, and thought this would be a fun way for us to spend some time together and create art. Of course my daughter chimed in that she wanted to attend the class as well. The more the merrier, I say!

So, in preparation for tomorrow's first class, I spent a little time today working on this "dog gone cute" cast of characters. I love how it turned out, so bright and cheery. I printed it and put it in a frame on my desk to make me smile. I look forward to sharing how our class goes. I'll be sure to post the progress along the way.

Inspired by Kente Cloth From Ghana: A Tribal Invitation for All Occasions

Tribal Invitations Inspired by Kente Cloth from Ghana by B.Nute productions

I've been loving the tribal trend that's been happening in the design world. I've been seeing beautiful ethnic-inspired patterns on everything from shoes to skirts, purses to bowties. Of course, the paper world has been influenced too.

Over on my travel blog, Wanderlust Designer, I recently wrote about Kente cloth from Ghana, Africa. As I researched about the brightly colored geometric weavings, I was inspired to make an invitation design as well!