Have You Seen bnute.com Lately?

Lots of Updates at http://www.bnute.com - B.Nute productions website

I've been a busy bee updating www.bnute.com. Have you been over their lately to see the latest updates? Definitely check it out for loads of:

• Party Ideas
• Holiday Party Ideas
• Free Printables
• Party Resources
• and more...

Great Write Up, Great Party Blog

B.Nute productions featured on Celebrations at Home Blog

Yesterday, I was honored to have a great write up on Celebrations at Home. If you haven't seen this party blog, you must check it out!

Petite Celebrations Pirate Party

Chris Nease is a party planner with loads of great ideas-- and a blog to prove it! She loves to feature beautiful parties that others have created, as well as feature her own productions. The above pirate party is her work, and the party she threw for her son's birthday!

Definitely take a look at her blog when needing party inspiration!

A Perfect Match: B.Nute At the Shore Invites and Pottery Barn

B.Nute productions' At the Shore Crab Feast Party Invitations

I just received a new Pottery Barn catalog recently and was so excited! They are advertising a whole host of items that works just PERFECTLY with a new line of invitations I just created... Check out the screen grab below to see their suggestions for a terrific Crab Feast.

Pottery Barns Crab Feast Party Planner Page

If you look closely at their website, they do offer a downloadable invite, but, in my opinion, it isn't nearly the perfect match as my At the Shore Crab Feast Party Invitation!

B.Nute productions' At the Shore Crab Feast Party Invitation

Not having a Crab feast, but a Lobster bake instead? No problem!

B.Nute productions' At the Shore Lobster Bake Party Invitation

Or, just not quite sure on the menu, but definitely want that Coastal Style party... Here's an invite perfect for you!

B.Nute productions' At the Shore Beach Party Invitation

So, next time you look at a Pottery Barn catalog, make sure to take a peak in my Etsy shop... I probably have the perfect invitation to match your party theme and decor!

Party of the Month: Winter Olympics Party

The Winter Olympics is almost here... time to get ready for an awesome Opening Ceremonies Viewing Party!! Below are some ideas to make a great evening... and be sure to check out my Winter Olympics invitations on my etsy shop -- personalized for your event. I have either a Set of Printed Winter Olympic Party Invitations or Digital Winter Olympic Invitation if you'd prefer to print yourself or send in email! Now on to the ideas...

THE DECORATIONS

Photo Courtesy of HGTV's 2007 Dream Home in Colorado

Give your Space that Cozy Lodge Feel with International Flair

Create your own opening ceremony parade by lining your walls with flags from several nations. No hallway? Hang the flags all around your TV room. There are plenty of places to buy flags online, or to save some money, just pick up a pack of construction paper and make your own. Fortunately, most countries have pretty simple flag designs to recreate!

Flags are great decoration, but also play up on the winter theme by accessorizing your TV room with a winter lodge feel– snowflakes on the windows, cozy throw blankets, candles or a nice warm file will do the trick!

FOOD & DRINK

Photo courtesy of mydinnertable.typepad.com

In keeping with the winter theme, yet having the menu simple for eating in from of the TV, serve some hearty beef stew in mugs. Add a plate or two of cut up veggies, crackers and cheese, and you’re set! If you’re up for it - along with the stew, set up a simple cheese fondue dish. Fondue is such a great winter treat! Have a bowl handy next to the fondue with cut up bread pieces. Many stores now sell pre-made cheese fondue packs, to make it even easier for you!

As for drinks, for the adults, how about an assortment of international beers, or a few bottles of wines from all over. For kids, you can repeat this theme by finding a few different sodas or juices from different countries. Try a store like Cost Plus World Market for a selection of both adult and children beverages.

ART & CRAFT IDEAS

Having kids over to enjoy the games? Pull out a small card table and let them create their own olympic medals. Depending on the age, precut some 3” circles in white cardstock. Punch a hole in the top and lay some red, white or blue ribbon out so they can string them once they are done. Now all you need is a few crayons or markers and let your kids’ imagination soar!

GAME IDEAS

Sometimes folks may need to get a little energy out during all those commercial breaks. Have some games ready to play when the time is right.

Live in snow country? How about a sledding race... or have a snowball contest. Who can throw the farthest? Who can throw with the best panache?

Live in a snowless place? No problem. have a fun skiing relay race. Get out some of your ski gear - 2 hats, 2 pairs of mittens, 2 goggles, 2 jackets, 2 scarves, etc. Set up 2 teams, with one set of clothes for each. Now each team races against each other. The catch-- each participant must put on all the ski gear, run to the next participant, take it all off, and give it to them to put on! Make sure to take pictures of the fun!

ENTERTAINMENT IDEAS

This one is easy -- obviously the entertainment is watching the Olympics on TV. Here's a link to the Winter Olympics Official Website: www.vancouver2010.com.

TREATS & GOODIE BAG IDEAS

To round out the winter theme, serve some tasty hot cocoa and a few chewy brownies. Make sure to include an assortment of “condiments” for your hot cocoa – mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, whipped cream, and colored sugar sprinkles are always festive.

Photo courtesy of blog.thebrideandgroom.com -

Read their full post about a Hot Cocoa Bar!

A goodie bag isn’t necessary, but if you’d like to give a gift, here’s a great book, “The Complete Book of the Winter Olympics, 2010 Edition, by David Wallechinsky and Jaime Loucky.

It is filled with Winter Olympic facts any enthusiast would love!

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Hope you enjoyed these ideas! Have a great party!

Mad About Paper Flowers- Mad Hatter Party Decor

I've been aching to make some paper flowers... I purchased Klutz's Tissue Paper Flower book sometime ago, thinking some cold winter day, my daughter and I could make some flowers and brighten up our space... Well, lo and behold, spring has sprung, the real flowers are out and I have still not made my paper flowers...


So, when I signed up to chair an event at my daughters school, which of course entailed throwing a party, I knew paper flowers would have to be in the mix! The event was our annual Founder's Day celebration-- I decided to go with a mixed up Mad Hatter theme... what a better way to honor all our mixed up, crazy volunteers than a fun, crazy Mad Hatter tea party.


I definitely knew I needed tea pots... and lots of them. And I wanted bright, festive colors. Paper flowers were perfect for that, and a lot less expensive than filling all the pots with real flowers, especially on a PTA budget!!

So, the morning of the party, I sat in my dining room, tissue paper everywhere, and made loads of flowers. I was pretty "stressed" about getting them done, but actually during the process, I relaxed (!) and had a great time! Also, I LOVED how they turned out!

I received many compliments at the party on the flowers... and am now enjoying them in their tea pots on my dining room table. The best part, is I know they will last a long time! :)

World Explorer Party - All Indy Fans Welcome!

Attention all Indiana Jones fans... Attention travelers of the world... here's a party kit for you!

This past weekend, I helped throw a World Explorer party for my 12 year old nephew. It was a blast. He is a HUGE Indiana Jones fan. He can practically recite the movies, so of course I jumped at the chance to make a party kit in the Indy theme.






Part of the fun of making a party kit is the research... and to be honest, I'm sure I don't need to do nearly as much research as I do, but it's so fun. I found some great books on Adventurers thoughout history.... One book was awesome! It was full of short chapters about treasures of the world, including all of the treasures in the Indiana Jones movie series (the arc, the crystal skull, etc.) As part of the party, I came up with an (what seemed) like an elaborate Indiana Jones type treasure hunt. I have to admit, coming up with a treasure hunt for kids from 4 to 16 was not easy... but it turned out great, especially since many of the adults agreed to dress up and lead the kids through the clues. Below are some shots from the adventure...

Indy necessities, snakes, a whip and a hat!

Come sit in the garden of eden to hear a clue...

Another clue in market of Morocco (the tree house...)

The Renn Faire

We headed off to the Rennisance Faire this weekend for a great day trip of revelry. This was the first Renn Faire for our kids, but my husband have been a couple times now.

By no means are we Renn Faire regulars... we've only been a couple times, but every time I love it. It's the whole dressing-up-thing and pretending-you-live-in-a-different-time... and yes, the people watching. There are all types out there, and it's just fun to watch!

This year I also came with a slightly different eye. Having completed a Royale Faire Princess and Knight Party Kit, I couldn't wait to see other ideas to complete the whole Royale Faire party experience. Of course, there are plenty of elaborate ideas one can glean, but I did see several simple ideas. that would be easy to produce at a princess and knight party. Here are some shots from the day...Ribbon Garland - How simple and festive is this! Just tie a bunch of ribbons
along a twine and hang!

"The Queen, the queen..." a royale parade causes quite a stir in the crowd.




Plenty of Tarot readings at the Faire... wouldn't that be fun at a Royale Faire bday party?