Cocktail Ideas for 2012: Ring in the New Year with the 2012 Themed Cocktail

Close Up from B.Nute productions New Year's Banner

Time to say good bye to 2011, and ring in the New Year! Below are some cocktail ideas, perfect for your welcoming 2012 and beyond!

Red Dragon Cocktail
In January of 2012, the Chinese New Year will be welcoming the year of the Dragon. Offer up a Red Dragon Cocktail at your New Year's gathering to start the dragon celebration early. (recipe from cocktailmaking.co.uk)

• 1 cup Blood Orange Juice
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 8 oz. Tequila
• 7 oz. Triple Sec
• 1 blood orange peel for garnish
• Mix the orange juice and sugar in a sauce pan on low heat to get a syupy texture. Allow to cool. Combine rest of ingredients (besides peel) into a large pitcher. Add ice, and pour into a margarita glass. Garnish with orange peel.

The Purple Mayan
As we all know, the ancient Mayan calendar has some pretty hefty predictions for late 2012. Here's a cocktail to toast to this myth, and live long after 2012! (recipe from End of Times Party)

• 6 oz. can Limeade - frozen
• 9 oz. Tequila
• 2 oz. Blue Curacao
• 2 oz. Creme de Almond
• Put in blender and fill to the top with ice. Blend until smooth, and toast to our destiny!

Trendy Cocktail for 2012
Just google "Cocktail Trends 2012" and be amazed about the trends that are hitting local bars, restaurants and clubs around the world. Be a trend setter, and bring these home to your party as well! Your guests will be "wowed" by your cocktail savviness!  Here are just a few that caught my eye:

• Cocktail popsicles
• Cocktails from a tap
• Homemade concoctions from behind the bar (infused liquors)
• Local Brews-- and I mean local, (down the street, perhaps?) just like the local food craze.

New Year's Party Game: Match the Resolution to the Person

Image from Beauty in Random Occurences

We all have made them before... New Year's resolution after resolution... and how many really do we stick with? Well here's a fun party game this New Year's... a great way to get to know every guest just a little more, and possibly hold them to that resolution long after January 1st!

Jar of Resolutions: Match the Resolution to the Person
1. Set out a jar with lots of pieces of paper and pencils.
2. Have each guest fill out (at least) one paper with one of their New Year's resolutions.
3. After everyone has written one, then gather round and read the resolution. Have everyone try to pick who's resolution belongs to who.

Variations on the Game
Wishes for the New Year - Not wanting to share those resolutions? Make guests the jar a "Wishes for the New Year" and have each guest write their top wish for the New Year.

Memories from the Year - Instead of the future, have guest write a great or important memory that happened the past year, and then let all reminisce.

Happy Holidays from B.Nute productions

Happy Holidays to all!

I hope you are enjoying

this season and taking a little

time to slow down,

sit by your decorated tree

or roaring fire and 

relax!

Free Printable New Year's Party Invitations and Accessories

Free New Year's Party Invitation and Accessories by B.Nute productions hosted on Catch My Party

What are you doing this New Year's Eve? No plans yet? Why not have a few friends over for a late night celebration. Or, be spontaneous, and like the trendy pop-up shop phenomenon, host an impromptu Pop-Up Gala New Year's Party by sending out last minute invites, to a special location for a surprise affair! Either way, be sure to head over to Catch My Party and get your free printable New Year's Party kit-- invitation, banner, menu cards, tags or toppers, and tented cards, perfect for ringing in the New Year!

Free Printable New Year's Party Invitation by B.Nute productions hosted on Catch My Party

Here's a closer look at the invite-- festive script type, and some bubbly make this an invite all will like!

Free Printable New Year's Cards and Tented Cards by B.Nute productions hosted on Catch My Party

These printable tags can be used in a variety of ways-- tented place cards, menu cards, tags for gifts, how ever you see fit!

Free Printable New Year's Party Circular Tags by B.Nute productions hosted on Catch My Party

Everyone will love a little cupcake or treat topped with a festive decoration-- or use these circular tags to wrap around a little gift.

Free Printable Happy New Year Banner by B.Nute productions hosted on Catch My Party

Enjoy!

Bring Back the Christmas Carolers!

Old Time Christmas Carolers (image from Insiders Passport to Norfolk, VA)

When was the last time you had holiday carolers come by your house? No, I'm not talking about paid performers, I'm talking about good ol'fashioned, regular folks like you and me out caroling? 

In the past 6 years since we've lived in our house in the suburbs we've had one set of carolers come by. It was almost magical to hear some singing from outside. I couldn't believe it! There was also a friend of mine one year who organized neighborhood kids to carol around her block... but they didn't make it as far as our house.

I think it's a great tradition! I'm going to try to rally some troops (i.e., my kids and their cousins) on Christmas Eve to head out around the block for some fun this year. I hope they are as motivated as me!

Earlier this season, at an antique store, I spotted this great Christmas Carol song book below. It looks like it dates to the 1950's and was a handout from Security-First National Bank, advertising their Christmas Club savings fund. Below are a few sheets of it... perfect to print out and head out on your own caroling expedition!

Italian American Christmas Eve Dinner

This year we are having an Italian-American Christmas Eve Dinner - San Francisco Style! No, I don't have even the slightest hint of Italian in me... it's all my husband's side... but in honor of his 90 year old grandmother who is joining up this year, I thought it would be fun to have a "theme" for our Christmas Eve dinner.

It didn't take me long to come up with the Italian theme. Then, when I started brainstorming menu ideas, well, I couldn't help put the San Francisco spin on everything-- our beloved city!

Here's the highlights of what we'll be enjoying.

Delicious Cioppino! (Photo from Kelly on flickr)

Cioppino
This delicious tomato based seafood soup hails from a Genoa Italian fisherman who settled in the North Beach area of San Francisco. Cioppino is the perfect dish for winter-time, given it is Dungeness crab season out here as well! The recipe I'm going to follow is from Saveur Magazine (and, yes, their Dec. 2011 issue is, "Italian Christmas"!)

• Cioppino Recipe from Saveur.com

St. Honore Cake's Being Made by Diandra's Bakery - Photo from Inside Scoop SF - SF Gate

St. Honore Cake
Mmm, mm... this delicious cake and bakery, Diandra's Italian American Pastry, was recently written up in San Francisco Chronicle as a must-try holiday treat! Well, how can I resist! Mine is on order, ready to be picked up the morning of the 24th.

Besides these two "dishes of honor," here are a few other dishes we will be having:

• a large antipasto plate
• lasagna
• focaccia
• Ghiradelli Chocolate (the Italian American chocolatier who also settled in San Francisco)
• gelato

What will you be serving this Christmas Eve?

Free Printable Retro Christmas Mini Banner

Free Printable Retro Xmas Mini Banner by B.Nute productions

Your Retro Christmas is almost complete!! Here's a free printable mini-banner, perfect for your tree, a window, a holiday cake, or wherever you choose.

Free Printable Retro Christmas Mini Banner by B.Nute productions

Instructions to Make Your Mini Banner
1. Select the above image and print out on card stock.
2. Cut out each pennant.
3. Punch a small hole in top, and string with thin ribbon.
4. Embellish with glitter, jingle bells or leave as is.4. Hang on the tree, a window, a mantle or use on a holiday dessert!

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.

Retro Christmas on Pinterest

Retro Christmas Board on Pinterest

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

but inside is so delightful...

If you have no place to go--

make a board

make a board

make a board! 

(Pinterest board, that is! :) )

Here's my Retro Christmas board over on Pinterest. I just love all the bright colors and cheerful smiles. Although the season can become overwhelming with to do's - shopping, decorating, holiday parties and more-- just take a peak at this board, put on a smile, and have some old fashioned fun!

Free Retro Christmas Gift Tags

Free Retro Christmas Printable Gift Tags by B.Nute productions

The holidays are coming fast and it's time to wrap all those goodies! Look no further for some bright, retro free printable Christmas gift tags! Just click below, print out from your browser, cut and put on your presents!

Free Printable Retro Christmas Gift Tags by B.Nute productions

Instructions to Make Your Gift Tags
1. Select the above image and print out on card stock.
2. Cut out tags.
3. Tape on to present, or punch a hole in top, and add ribbon.
4. Enjoy watching your present be opened!

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.

Inspired by Fashion: Elegant Invitation and Chanel Inspiration

Chanel Inspiration Board, created on Polyvore
Elegant and Classic Invitation: Birthday, Shower, Any Occasion by B.Nute productions

Inspiration is everywhere! After creating a new Chanel-inspired Elegant and Classic invitation for my shop, I stumbled upon a new addiction. If you like Pinterest, and love fashion, then Polyvore is for you!!

Polyvore is a site where you can create fashion inspiration boards, like my Chanel inspired board above. You just select a template, similar to those you may see in a magazine spread (and/or create your own), then drag and drop to your fashion hearts content! And, voila, inspiration for all to enjoy!

I'm quite a newbie over on Polyvore, but do follow me, or check me out over there if you get a chance. Be sure to also send me your fashion boards. I'd love to see. I'm always looking for a little inspiration!

Free Printable Retro Christmas Party Invitation

Free Printable Retro Christmas Party Invitations by B.Nute productions

Get the holiday music playing, and whip up some retro 1950's hors d'oeuvres -- it's time to have a fun Retro Christmas Party. Here are the perfect free printable Retro Xmas Invites for your occasion. Bright, colorful and ready to go... just print out, fill in, hand out and get ready for a swell time!

Free Printable Retro Christmas Party Invitation by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Retro Christmas Party Invitations

1. Select link above and print out from your browser. Use card stock to give the invitations some weight. (Print in landscape mode.)

2. Cut each invitation out.

3. Fill out with your Christmas Party information, and send to friends and family!

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.

Advent Calendar Round Up on the Web

Vintage German Advent Calendar

The countdown to Christmas is on. This morning, the first thing out of my son's mouth was, "Where's the Christmas Advent Calendar?!" My family loves advent calendars. This year the kids have 3 each (yes, 3)... One that my mom gave each of them (great vintage German advent calendars, one pictured above), one that I gave them (chocolate ones from Trader Joes, how could I resist the price) and one that is a wall hanging, a family tradition hung year after year.

For today's post, here's round up of all the great DIY and free printable Advent calendars out their swirling around the web. I hope this inspires me for next year to create a new one. Perhaps the kids can each have 4 calendars?!

DIY and Printable Advent Calendars Around the Web

Tip Junkie - Over on the Tip Junkie site she has summarized, not one but 2 posts filled with Advent Calendar ideas. Head over to check them out:
24 Ways to Countdown Christmas (Advent)
34 Best Christmas Advent Calendar Tutorials (DIY)

Image from OhDeeDoh - Advent Calendar RoundUp

OhDeeDoh- Check out this great round up of Advent Calendars at Apartment Therapy's Ohdeedoh.

Skip to My Lou - Felt pockets, birds, old thread spools and more... Here's Skip to My Lou's post: How to Make an Advent Calendar

Moms By Heart - Here's a round up of DIY Advent Calendars for budget conscious folks: 10 DIY Advent Calendar Ideas

Martha Stewart - Over on Martha Stewart is an adorable baby socks Advent Calendar... the perfect idea for using those single socks or socks your baby has outgrown: Baby Sock Advent Calendar

Printable Holiday Box Advent Calendar on Oh Happy Day

Oh Happy Day - I'm just LOVING the printable Advent Calendars on ohhappyday.com, both designed by Amanda Jane Jones. The retro look of each are great!
Holiday Box Advent and Free Printable
Advent Calendar Iron On and Free Printable

Living Locurto - Amy on Living Locurto has a great Advent Calendar printable as well that you're sure to like: Personalized Christmas Advent Calendar (Free Printable)

Talk Crafty To Me - Here's an paper ornament advent calendar that is very cute, and would be fun to hang on the tree to have the kids find each day: Free DIY Printable Christmas Ornament Advent Calendar

Free Printable Retro Christmas Digital Scrapbook Papers

Retro Xmas Digital Scrapbook Papers by B.Nute productions

Ho, ho ho! It's been a bit since I've posted on my blog. No, the turkey Thanksgiving didn't get me, just been a busy bee catching up with orders (including some new invites on the way), and coming to the realization that the holidays are on their way!

So, in the spirit of giving, I've created a sampling of free printable Retro Xmas Digital Scrapbook Paper for your holiday crafting pleasure. Just think of all the things you can make with these great prints:

• Paper Chain - An old fashioned paper chain for your mantle or tree
• Gift Tags - just print, cut, fold and write on them
• Holiday Gift Wrap - just print out and wrap on your little gift
• Retro Xmas Banner - print, cut into banner pennants, string and voila!
• Paper Ornaments - print out, cut with a craft punch, embellish, hang on the tree.
• Cupcake or Drink flags - print out, cut into strips, fold over toothpick or straw, and glue/tape together
• Frame Matte - find some pics, a frame, and use this paper as your festive frame matting.
• Scrapbook Page of the Holidays - get those holiday pics, and scrapbook some memories
• and, much more... 

I would love to hear what you create with these papers!

Free Printable Retro Xmas Digital Scrapbook Papers by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Downloading and Using Your Digital Scrapbook Papers

1. Select link or image above and download the compressed zip file to your local computer. 
NOTE
(Once clicked, the folder will automatically being downloading in your Download folder or designated folder on your computer where files are downloaded. Do not click more than once, or you will download several copies.)

2. The files is a compressed zip file. Once downloaded, it should uncompress as a folder containing the 4 different paper designs.

3. Each digital scrapbook page is 300dpi, 12"x12" in size.

4. Now, use for your next craft project or scrapbook page!

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.

Craft Party Kit Giveaway!

Craft Party Invitation by B.Nute productions

There's a big giveaway going on over at Just Something I Made this week, and my Craft Party Kit is part of the package! I'm so excited to be a part of Cathe Holden's Swag Bag giveaway. I just love her work-- she is a creative marvel-- so when she asked for sponsorships for her giveaway, I definitely chimed in!

Vintage Floral Scrapbook Paper by B.Nute productions - part of the Craft Party Kit

For her crafty audience, I created a vintage-style Craft Party Kit. This kit has:
8 Invitations
8 Envelopes
8 Decorative Tags
8 Menu Cards
and 2 sided matching craft papers!

Craft Party Kit - Tags and Menu Cards by B.Nute productions

I loved the idea that at her retreat they could use these tags and papers and embellish to their hearts content-- add glitter, ribbon, trim, vintage millinery, etc!

So, definitely head on over to Cathe's site: Just Something I Made and enter to win! This invitation is not yet available in my shop (it will come soon), but if you're in the crafty mood-- check out my assortment of different themed Digital Scrapbook Paper Packs. I've had so much fun designing these prints and patterns... I would love to see your creative touch to them!

Free Printable Fairy Bookmarks and Fairy Book Ideas

Free Printable Fairy Bookmarks from B.Nute productions

You can never have enough fairy books, right? That's definitely the school of thought my daughter belongs too! She's loved fairy books for a long time. First, it started with pictures books, then beginner chapter books, now she's into much more elaborate fairy adventure tales.

In continuing with my Fairy theme printables, here are some whimsical fairy bookmarks, perfect to print out and hand out as a goodie at a party, or great to print out and put in a book as a present for a fairy loving friend or yourself. Be sure to see the fairy book recommendations below for some great books to go along with the bookmarks.

Do you believe in fairies?

Free Printable Fairy Bookmarks from B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Fairy Bookmarks

1. Select link above and print out from your browser. Use card stock to give the bookmarks some weight.

2. Cut each bookmark out and punch a hole in the top.

3. String a ribbon (or twine) through the hole.

4. Put in your book!

Fairy Book Recommendations
Like I've said, my daughter is quite the aficionado on fairy books. Here are some from her "library."

Picture Books
How to Find Flower Fairies - Discover an Enchanted Fairy World: This book contains wonderful popup scenes of various fairy homes-- from Woodland Fairies, to Garden Fairies, Tree Fairies and more.

Fairies - A Magical Guide to the Enchanted Realm: A glittery picture book filled with details about different types of fairies, their homes, their fashion and more.

My Garden of Flower Fairies: A picture book filled with sweet flower fairies and a details about each one.

Fairyopolis - A Flower Fairies Journal: A beautiful diary style book of fairy lore, fairy sightings, and much more.

Flower Fairies Magical Doors - Discover the Doors to Fairyopolis: Hidden fairies dance and hide in this pop up book filled with short scenes about different types of fairies.

Fairy Houses Everywhere! Be prepared to be dazzled with these real-life fairy houses. Made from all natural things imaginable, this book truly sparks fairy creativity!

In the Realm of the Never Fairies - The Secret World of Pixie Hollow: Disney fairy magic at it's best, this book is an encyclopedia of Disney fairies: from their jobs, chores, and home; to their clothes, personalities and much more.

Chapter Books
The Rainbow Magic Fairy Series
Endless amounts of beginner reader Chapter Books about 2 girls adventures with fairies, and troublesome goblins.

The Disney Fairies Series
All your favorite Disney fairies work to keep the world around them buzzing and fairy world safe and happy.

Fairy Realm Series
A series about a human child who becomes lost in the Fairy Realm and a girl, Jessie, who helps find her.

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.