Fiesta Essentials

Fiesta Essentials: Hand Drawn Poster by B.Nute productions

Cinco de Mayo may be over, but Fiesta season is just beginning! When the weather is warm, there's nothing like a good old fashioned fiesta. The foods, the drinks, the music, and even the games seem to always be crowd pleasers. Whip up a big taco salad or create a burrito bar for your party and don't forget the blender. There's nothing like a cold margarita on a hot afternoon to get things going.

Here is a round up of more fiesta ideas (including free printables):

• Fish Taco Fiesta
• Printable Fiesta Toppers or Drink ID's
• Loteria Printable Tags
• Printable Papel Picado Mini Banner

Enjoy!

Free May 2014 Wallpaper: Fiesta Fun

Free May 2104 Wallpaper: Fiesta Fun by B.Nute productions

The sun is out and things are warming up… May is definitely here! For this month's wallpaper, I thought I'd go bright and festive with a fiesta theme. I just love the look of papel picado - colorful Mexican paper cutouts. As a banner, the vibrant colors float in the air and definitely make me want to celebrate (add a Margarita and I'm set!)

So, here's to warming up this month and celebrating May with a possible fiesta or two!

Free May 2014 Calendar Wallpaper

Free May 2014 Wallpaper for Desktop, iPad and iPhone from B.Nute productions

Desktop Wallpaper - 1600 x 1200

Desktop Wallpaper - 1920 x 1200 (desktop wide screen)

iPad Wallpaper - 2048 x 2048

iPhone Wallpaper - 640 x 960

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 and iPhone 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.

Free Printable Fiesta or Margarita Drink ID's and Toppers

Free Printable Margarita or Fiesta Drink ID Tags & Party Toppers from B.Nute productions

At east one person in every crowd has a not-so-pleasant tequila story... fortunately, I'm not one of those people! Yes, I've had plenty of tequila in my day-- tequila shots with lime and salt, tequila poppers, etc. but I'm proud to say I've never eaten the worm.

In honor of all you Margarita and Fiesta loving folks-- here are some playful drink ID tag and party toppers for your gathering. So, pull out your tequila, and get out your blender and have your self a tasty margarita!

Free Printable Margarita Drink ID Tags and Party Toppers

Free Printable Fiesta or Margarita Drink ID's or Party Toppers from B.Nute productions

Instructions for Making Your Drink ID Tags
1. Select the link above (at bottom of image), and print out on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. Print on card stock to give the tags some weight. 
2. Cut out, and punch a hole in the top. String with ribbon, raffia or twine (for effect) and tie onto stem of glass.

Instructions for Making Straw Toppers
1. Select the link above (at bottom of image), and print out on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. Print on card stock to give the tags some weight. 
2. Cut out circles, and create a small slit at the top and bottom of each circle. Feed straw through the bottom slit and the top slit.

Instructions for Making Your Party Toppers
1. Select the link above (at bottom of image), and print out on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. Print on card stock to give the tags some weight. 
2. Cut out, and tape the back to a toothpick or lollipop stick. Put on cupcakes, food items or use as labels for a bar.
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.

Fiesta Invitation Inspired by Mexican Loteria Cards Plus Free Printable

Fiesta Invitation Inspired by Mexican Loteria Cards by B.Nute productions

On one of my vacations to Mexico, I had the treat of playing loteria while lounging in the pool. It was a treat because, a) I was lounging in the pool with a cold beverage, and b) it was fun playing a game while swimming! Loteria is a Latin American game similar to bingo. An announcer names calls off a word (and/or number) and you fill the space on your card if you have it until you win. One big difference, though, is the loteria cards have images on them, not just numbers. I've always loved the look of the illustrations and drawings, and also found the objects/items on the cards to be quite curious. There are typical objects like fish, sun, and moon, but then there are others like skull, hand, and mermaid that seem like pretty unique choices. I guess this is what makes the game so cool for me!

Free Printable Hand Drawn Loteria Tags by B.Nute productions

With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, I had a fun day designing my own set of loteria cards. They turned out so colorful and festive, I thought they'd make a great invitation (see image at top). Also, I've included some below as free printables, perfect for tags for a goodie bag or strung around a bottle of tequila for your hostess gift at a fiesta! Enjoy.

Free Pritable El Corazon Hand Drawn Loteria Tag by B.Nute productions

Free Printable Hand Drawn Loteria Tags
Below are some free Loteria tags I hand drew. They make great tags for goodie bags, or a hostess gift when heading to a fiesta.

Free Printable Hand Drawn Loteria Tags by BNute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Loteria Tags/Cards
1. Select the link above (at bottom of image), and print out on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. Print on card stock to give the tags some weight. 
2. Cut out, and punch a hole in the top. String on present or goodie bag.

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.

It's a Fiesta: Invitations and Inspiration

Fiesta Invitations by B.Nute productions on Zazzle

I love a good fiesta.

I love everything about it. 

I love the food; 

Mexican food is definitely one of my favs. 

I love the drinks; 

who doesn't love a Margarita and nothing is better than a nice cold Corona. 

I love the colors;

turquoise, magenta, red, orange, yellow, the brighter and bolder the better.

I love the decorations;

papel picado banners, mexican pottery, lotteria cards, Mexican cloth,  a pinata and a string of twinkling lights on the patio-- it's all that's needed.

I love the music;

just walk into any taqueria in California and you feel like you've taken a little trip over the border. The music always seems spirited and lively, and puts a smile on my face. 

So it's no wonder why my Fiesta invitations are some of my absolute favorites! With the hand designed oilcloth patterns in the background and vintage illustrations, these invites just make you want to party. I've created lots of options in my shop-- mix and match backgrounds and illustrations to find your perfect fit. Head on over to my shop and dust off your blender-- it's Fiesta time!

Free Printable Papel Picado Inspired Mini Banner

Free Printable Papel Picado Inspired Mini Banner or Flags

Here's the perfect decoration for you next Fiesta-- mini papel picado inspired flags. These are perfect for cupcake toppers, a mini banner (to decorate a cake) or use them as drink or straw flags! Festive, colorful and full of Fiesta fun!

Free Printable Papel Picado Inspired Mini Banner by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Papel Picado Inspired Mini Banner

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

2. Cut each pennant and flag out.

3. Punch 2 holes in the top of each pennant and string together with ribbon. Attach to skewers and put in a cake! For the flags, cut out 2 in a row, fold in half, and attach to a drink stirrer or straw with double stick tape in the center.

4. Have a great Fiesta!

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.

Papel Picado Inspired Fiesta Invitation

Papel Picado Inspired Fiesta Invitation by B.Nute productions

I love the look of papel picado-- a beautiful and intricate paper craft from Mexican folk art. I could hang these festive flags pretty much all year round-- so colorful and bright, it will make any party or setting sparkle!

Inspired by these banners, I first created this design as a t-shirt for a family trip we took to Mexico a couple years ago. Now, with Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, I finally took the time to rework it into an invitation. I love the bright, festive, bold look. Perfect for a party, don't you think?

Getting this invitation in my shop also inspired me to create a It's a Fiesta Pinterest board, full of colors, inspiration, and party ideas for your fiesta. I'm just aching to have a margarita right about now!

Bright Bold Summer Time!

Don't adjust your monitor! These colors may vibrate... but aren't they great??!!
While killing some time at the mall the other month, I stopped into Crate and Barrel. They had these colors splattered throughout the store. Oooo, I just love them, I had to take pictures for inspiration!

Lime green is one of my favorites, especially with orange.
Wouldn't these bowls brighten up any mixing job!


Then add magenta with the orange and green, and WOW...
it's fiesta time... summer time, just time to be outside enjoying life.


So, don't be surprised if you see more bnute production stuff come out with this palette. I just can't seem to get enough of orange, magenta, lime green and a hint of turquoise!

Enjoy your day!

Fish Taco Fiesta!

Cinco de Mayo has passed, but that doesn't mean you can't still have a fiesta! Whether it's Cinco de Mayo or not, any time of year is time for Mexican food!

One of my favorite recipes is fish tacos. It's so easy, and so good. It's also a dish that I love when the weather starts getting warmer... it tastes fresh and light, which is not always the case with Mexican food.

So, whether your throwing a fiesta, or just want to have Mexican food for dinner, enjoy this easy fish taco recipe:

Betsy's Fish Tacos
1. Pan fry Tilapia (or another light fish) with a little olive oil, dash of cumin, and 1T lime juice. (I make approximately 1 filet per person)
2. Cut up tomatoes and avocados to bite size pieces.
3. Mix 1/2 cup light sour cream with 1T lime juice and cumin. Season more to taste. (You can cheat here and instead of cumin, just sprinkle in taco seasoning.)
4. Spray corn tortillas with an olive oil spray, or dab with olive oil, put on a cookie sheet and broil until they are slightly baked (not too crispy). Bake enough tortillas for between 2-3 per person.
5. Assemble fish tacos:

• tortilla
• shredded Mexican cheese
• cooked tilapia
• cabbage (pre-shredded cabbage for coleslaw works great!)
• tomatoes and avocado pieces
• dollop of sour cream mixture
• if desired, sprinkle a little cilantro for extra zing!
  

6. Eat up! YUM!!

Also, if you like the pics in this write up, and are planning on having a fiesta, be sure to check out bnute productions' Fiesta Party Kit for more details.

It's Fiesta Day!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! I love this “holiday”... I know it’s a heavily Americanized holiday-- and possibly in Mexico they don’t celebrate it nearly as much as our Budweiser inspired society, but I still like the day. In fact, I think a Fiesta at any time of year is just a GOOD IDEA! Why, you ask?

First, I love Mexican food. I could live on chips and salsa (this is not necessarily a good thing...). Tostadas, tacos, tamales, you name it, I love it. I particularly love a good taco salad. My mom always made it growing up, and I’m keeping that tradition by making it for my family too.

Second, I love the folk art of Mexican paper cutting called papel picado. You know what it is... those festive paper flags, cut in all types of shapes. I definitely don’t think those have to be reserved for a fiesta... any time of year they look great!

Lastly, who stays away from a good pinata contest? I know, I know, it’s a bit creepy when someone picks out the head of their favorite character (say, a princess, or Barbie, or animal), and starts WHACKING at it. I say, stick with the symbols... a star, a number, or something that’s brightly colored, fill it with all sorts of goodies and have fun! At your next adult fiesta, try filling the pinata with adult-only trinkets... how ‘bout airline sized plastic liquor bottles, some starbucks gift cards, a little bottle of lotion (plastic, again)-- anything small is great!

Hope you had a great cinco de mayo... filled with chips, salsa and a pinata!