Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from B.Nute productions!

Day of the Dead Invitations and More

Day of the Dead Invitations, Advice Cards, Shower Invitation  and More by B.Nute productions on Zazzle

The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos holiday is coming up soon! I've noticed lately this is a very popular theme in America. Sugar skull cookie designs are everywhere, and many are heading out on Halloween with fabulous skull face painting designs!

As a request of a customer a year ago, I created some Day of the Dead invitations. Since that time, the invitation has been very popular as a Day of the Dead wedding shower or bridal shower Fiesta celebration (celebrated any time of the year). To go along with the shower theme, I created advice cards and stickers, perfect to share your marriage advice for a long and happy life together!

Someday, I woud love to travel to Mexico and experience their wonderful celebration. When I first learned about the Day of the Dead celebration many, many years ago, I did think it was rather creepy... but as I've gotten older, I think it is quite a wonderful celebration. What a colorful and honorable way to remember loved ones who have passed on.!

Construction Party Game and Craft Ideas

Construction Party Game and Craft Ideas from B.Nute productions

Your Construction Party is in full swing-- now what can you do to keep a group of eager builders occupied? Look no further-- here is a blueprint plan of games and craft activities perfect for your Construction Party!

Building Blocks - from Big to Small
Building blocks come in all shapes and sizes. Depending on the age of your party, here are a variety of ideas to keep your little builders busy!

Empty Cardboard Boxes - Head to the local home warehouse and pick up a bunch of cardboard moving boxes (various sizes.) Put boxes together with tape but keep empty. On a large lawn area or open space, let the builders stack, build and create with the large boxes.
Shoe Boxes - Similar to empty cardboard boxes, but a little easier to manage for younger kids, tape up a bunch of empty shoe boxes and let the kids build!
Large Building Blocks for Little Hands - "Lego" like blocks come in a variety of sizes for varying aged children. Larger blocks are perfect for little hands and can be hours of fun for building.
Little Building Blocks - Small building blocks are great for older kids. Create buildings, space ships and more.
Wood Blocks - Traditional wood blocks can provide hours of fun for builders.

Painter's Workshop - Painting with Water
There's nothing like using the "real" tool to have some fun. Get out loads of large paint brushes and roll on brushes. Set out water buckets and painter bins, and let the kids "paint" a wall or driveway. It's fun to see the "paint"/water on the ground, and watch it disappear as it dries. This activity will provide hours of fun and can also be great on a warm day!

Plumbers Workshop
Head to the home warehouse store and pick up large plastic piping. Straight pipes, curved pipes, and various sizes. Let your crew put the pipes together and take apart. You can also provide marbles or water to let them pour through the pipe when they've combined a bunch together.

Sandbox of Trucks
Little ones will love a sandbox filled with construction trucks to play in. This activity is guaranteed to be a hit.

Build a City - Butcher Paper Town
Head out and purchase a large roll of white butcher paper (can be white wrapping paper). Roll out on the ground and tape together to make a very large "playmat." You can start the drawing by creating roads in the town, but then layout large crayons and let the kids add to their hearts content... houses, buildings, skyscrapers, gas stations, stop signs, etc. After the town has been created, get out some play cars and trucks and let the kids drive around their town.

Relay Races
Relay races are great for getting kids running and using up energy! Here are a few construction themed relay races to try. Be creative and add your own ideas too.

Toolbox Relay - Divide the party into 2 teams. Place a pile of pretend tools on one end of the course (2 piles, one for each team). Provide each team with an empty tool box. Now, one at a time, each person runs with the toolbox to the other end, picks up one tool and puts it in the box... then runs back and hand the toolbox to the next person. This continues until everyone has grabbed a tool. First team to fill their toolbox wins.
Toolbelt Relay - This is an individual race. Spread tools around an obstacle course. Have a toolbelt for the racer. Send the racer off to collect all the tools in the course. You can have kids climb over things or go under things as they get to each tool. You can put 2 kids on the race course, or you can time each child and see who has the best time in the end.

Build a Birdhouse
There are many simple "build your own" kits available for all ages. For an older crowd (with adult help as well) consider building a birdhouse together. For younger kids, find a "build your own" kit that is appropriate for their age.

Build a Collage
Have several flat pieces of lumber cut, one for each child. Provide buckets of washers, screws, bolts, wood pegs, and other elements, and loads of glue. Have each child create their own creative collage by gluing pieces together.

Lil'Carpenter
Is your party filled with little ones who still love to hammer. No problem. Find large pieces of styrofoam. Get a bucket of golf tees, and plenty of children's play hammers. Let the kids hammer away putting the tees into the styrofoam.

Draw a Blueprint
Pick up some blank blue print paper, and set out sheets on a large table. Provide crayons and pens and let kids design their own buildings or homes! Perhaps it will inspire you for your next remodel.

Free Printable Construction Party Menu Cards

Free Printable Construction Party Menu Cards from B.Nute productions

Your Construction Party is about to break ground-- now you need a plan to what food and drinks to serve. How about a "Build Your Own" buffet, perfect for all your construction workers at the party!

There are many different types of "Build Your Own" food items. Here are just a few along with some example items for each to help you get constructing that perfect menu!

Main Course "Build Your Own" Menu Ideas

• Build Your Own Sandwich - bread, lunch meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mustard, mayo, etc.
• Build Your Own Taco/Burrito - tortilla or taco shell, taco meat or chicken, bell peppers, tomatoes, salsa, cheese, beans
• Build Your Own Pita - pita bread, hummus, falafel, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions
• Build Your Own Salad - lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, celery, carrots, croutons, salad dressing
• Build Your Own Nachos - chips, salsa, hot peppers, ground beef, tomatoes, avocados, black olives, cheese sauce
• Build Your Own Snack Mix - pretzels, cereals, peanuts, M&M's, corn chips, cheese puffs, etc.

Dessert "Build Your Own" Menu Ideas

• Build Your Own Sundae - ice cream, chocolate sauce, carmel sauce, chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts, cherries, whip cream, etc.
• Build Your Own Cookie - large cookie, frosting, sprinkles, small candies, chocolate chips, ice cream, whip cream, etc.
• Build Your Own Brownie - large cookie, chocolate sauce, carmel sauce, sprinkles, small candies, chocolate chips, ice cream, whip cream, etc.
• Build Your Own Pudding - chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, sprinkles, crushed Oreos, crushed graham crackers, mini marshmallows, etc.
• Build Your Own Float - vanilla ice cream, root beer, cola, cherry soda, orange soda, grape soda
• Build Your Own Snowcone - shaved ice, various syrup flavors

Beverage "Build Your Own" Menu Ideas

• Build Your Own Italian Soda - plain Italian soda, various flavors
• Build Your Own Hot Chocolate - hot chocolate, marshmallows, chocolate chips, whip cream, etc.
• Build Your Own Juice Blend - orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, apple juice, grenadine, etc.
• Build Your Own Lemonade - lemonade, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, etc.
• Build Your Own Coffee - coffee, sugar, various creme flavors, milk, shaved chocolate, cinnamon, carmel sauce, etc.

Free Printable Construction Party Menu Card and Item Cards

Free Printable Construction Party Menu Card and Item Cards from B.Nute productions

Tips for Creating and Printing Your Menu Cards

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. 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 (the menu card is 3.5x7 in size, the item cards are 3.5"x2.25".) In MS Word, create a narrow 3.5"x7" document. Leave a large margin at the top and on left and right to accommodate for graphic "tape". Type menu. Feed printed menu card through your printer and print out the MS Word document on top. Repeat the same but with a 3.5"x2.25" document for each menu card.
5. Lastly, a hand written menu is an easy option as well! Just select link above, print out on card stock and hand write menu and items!

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.

Construction Party Invitations and Decoration Ideas

Construction Party Invitation, Envelopes and Stickers by BNute productions on Zazzle

Calling all construction guys, Mr. Fixits and Bob the Builder fans... here's the perfect Construction Party invitation and matching goods for you. Distressed background, hand drawn tools and your little builder front and center are the perfect look for his party! Head over to B.Nute productions Zazzle shop to print up your goods for the party.

Decoration Ideas
Now that your invitations are set, it's time to "build" your party and get some great decorations to set the mood! Here are a few ideas:

Blueprints: Blue prints can make a great table covering or buffet covering, or could be perfect to hang on the wall behind your serving table! Search your garage for your house blue prints, or ask around to neighbors who maybe just did a remodel... and get those blue prints out for that "on site" look.

Play Tools (or real ones if you dare!): Set play tools down the center of a table for a great center piece.

Hard Hats: All the kids need a hard hat to enter into your party Construction Zone. Hard hats can be found online and make great "goodie bag" gifts for kids to take home.

Construction Site Workers Badge: All crew need to have a badge to enter the construction zone! Create a simple "badge," and hand out to each guest when they get to the party.

Caution Tape: Nothing like caution tape to announce a construction party zone. Pick up some of this and line the path to your front door, or decorate like crepe paper in your party space.

Jars of Nuts, Bolts, Screws, Washers, etc.: Fill up Ball or jelly jars with nuts, bolts, screws and washers and place on your serving table or as a center piece on the table.

Lumber or Balsa Wood: Another great buffet table decoration is some good old fashion lumber! Use to prop serving dishes on, or down the center of the table to indicate this party is ready to be built! (Balsa wood can be a great alternative to lumber, since it has the wood look, but is much lighter.

Now get building your party! It will be great.

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!

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!