Back to School, Back to Work, Back to Reality!

It's Back to School Time (illustration by B.Nute productions)

I'm back! What a summer it's been. There was lounging by the pool and kayaking on the lake. There was time to sketch and time to workout. There was also an incredible adventure to a far off country.

Taking the last 2 months off has been wonderful, but now I'm ready to dive back in to my business and start designing. I've been invigorated by getting back to my artistic roots of sketching and painting and plan to add much of it to my work. I've also been inspired by our recent trip to Japan. There were so many wonderful visual delights I'm eager to capture. I can't wait to incorporate this new energy into my work as well.

So, now that the kids are happily back at school, I'm ready to get creating. This Fall, I plan to post on Tuesdays and Thursdays -- I'll be sharing all these new ideas and also plan to continue with fun free printables to liven up your every day. Here's to a wonderful Fall season.

July Break

July has arrived and life is good! We are spending time swimming, playing tennis, golfing, and of course making time to sketch. The craziness of the school year has taught me that slowing down a little during the summer is ok. In fact, I've decided it's just plain necessary.

Late August will be here in a blink of an eye, and my kids will go racing back to school, homework, sports and more, so while they are around this summer, I've decided to take a little blogging break and enjoy the long days and warm nights to just hang out.

I plan to pop in here and there, as well as give a peak in at our exciting vacation up ahead... But for the most part, you'll find me lazing by the pool! Feel free to email with any questions or thoughts, and I promise to dry off long enough to answer.

Hope you are enjoying the summer as much as I am!

Free Printable School's Out for Summer Party Invitations

Free Printable School's Out for Summer Party Invitations by B.Nute productions

It's almost here... I can feel it! School is almost out for my kids and we are ready. Ready for sleeping in, ready for lots of swimming, ready for no homework, ready for lazy afternoons, ready for late nights playing outdoors, ready for summer!

To kick off the fun, I created a free printable "School's Out for Summer" party invitation. Perfect to print out, fill out and hand out to friends, neighbors and friends to get the summer festivities going. Enjoy!

Free Printable School's Our for Summer Party Invitation

Free Printable School's Out for Summer Party Invitations by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your School's Out Party Invitations

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

2. Cut each card out.

3. Fill in with your party details, and get ready to celebrate!

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.

A Grand Adventure

Eiffel Tower at Dusk by Wanderlust Designer

How could I ever sum up one of the most incredible trips I've ever taken in one blog post? Very hard I must say! My family and I have just returned from a 4 week grand tour of Europe (at least that's what I'm calling it.) It's the after college backpacking trip my husband and I never took, with a few more luxuries (i.e., no backpack and no hostels) plus 2 kids. My husband and I have a lofty mission to explore all 6 continents (excluding Antarctica at this point, but who knows!) with my kids before they head off to college. Not only does this goal satisfy our own wanderlust, but we hope to instill the joys of travel to our kids and show them what an amazing, diverse world we live in. Last year we dabbled in South America, so this summer we decided to tackle Europe. Here are just a few highlights below.

Notre Dame at Dusk by Wanderlust Designer

Paris, France - Sharing the joie de vivre that is Paris with my kids.

Jammin' in the Streets of Zurich by Wanderlust Designer

Zurich, Switzerland - Seeing street musicians jammin' along the shores of Lake Zurich with all enjoying the show.

Liechtenstein by Wanderlust Designer

Liechtenstein - Loving our day trip to Liechtenstein to check off one more country on our list and see wanderlust grow in my kids' eyes!

Augustine Keller Beer Garden, Munich by Wanderlust Designer

Munich, Germany - The thrill of a pretzel that is bigger than you head-- it's the little things while traveling that are so memorable!

Prague Rooflines by Wanderlust Designer

Prague, Czech Republic - Exploring a new city where every turn is a feast for your eyes!

Johann Strauss Statue, Vienna, Austria by Wanderlust Designer

Vienna, Austria - Hearing classical music playing in the streets of Vienna and waiting to see Mozart walk around the corner at any minute!

The Grand Canal at Sunset by Wanderlust Designer

Venice, Italy - Over bridges, down alley ways, and into small squares... getting lost in the streets of Venice and enjoying every minute of it!

Aya Sofya Overlooking the Golden Horn, Istanbul, Turkey by Wanderlust Designer

Istanbul, Turkey - The call to prayer... a new experience for my kids and a moment for us all to reflect on what an incredible world we live in!

Note: Photos are credited to my other business and blog, Wanderlust Designer. For more details of my travels and photo essays of my trip, be sure to head over to my other blog and follow along!

Free Printable Travel Game - Paris Scavenger Hunt

Free Printable Travel Game: Paris Scavenger Hunt by B.Nute productions

The countdown is on for my family's big European summer vacation! First stop... Paris. I just can't wait. To get the kids engaged and ready for exploring, I thought it would be fun to create a scavenger hunt game just for Paris. I listed out some items that are "très typique" of Paris. I hope they can find them all!

If you're off to Paris this summer, or anytime, be sure to print this out and get the kids exploring!

Free Printable Travel Game - Paris Scavenger Hunt

Free Printable Travel Game: Paris Scavenger Hunt by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Travel Game
1. Select the links above at the bottom of the image, and print out the scavenger hunt on an 8.5"x11" piece of paper.
2. After printing fold up and put in your suitcase. Once in Paris, begin to hunt!

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. Map image of Paris copyright stamen.com from maps.stamen.com.

Last Day of School - First Day of Summer (and my birthday too!)

Summer is here! (photos by B.Nute productions)

I'm taking a couple day blog-break as I celebrate the last day of school/first day of summer and my birthday too! It's been a wonderful school year, but I must say, I'm ecstatic for summer-- no more making lunches, homework time, up early, etc.... It's time for lazy mornings, late nights and lots of summer fun in between!

See you next week as I kick off the summer with some weekly themed posts to get you out and about and making the most of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!

Free Printable Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer Sign

Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer Printable Art by B.Nute productions

Summer is officially here! Time to put on flip flops and shorts and head outside for summertime fun. Here's the perfect printable art to bring in the warm weather. Print out the art below, cut and put in an 8x10 frame. Place on that perfect shelf, windowsill or ledge to remind yourself to enjoy the season!

Lazy Hazy Crazy Dayz of Summer Printable Art by BNute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Art

1. Select link above and print out. Use card stock to give the art/sign some weight if you'd like.

2. Cut out and put in an 8x10 frame!

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.

Summer 2012 Vacation Announcement

Summer is almost here-- and it's time for some adventure! I wanted to send out an early announcement of the summer vacation plans at B.Nute productions so you can get your orders in before I leave.

My shop will be on vacation from Saturday, July 21st, 2012, reopening on Monday, August 20th, 2012, while I head to South America! Look forward to hearing from you before I head out!

Free Printable Letter to Home While on Vacation Page

Free Printable Letter to Home by B.Nute productions

Here's the perfect printable to take with you while you head out on your vacation this year... a printable letter template to let friends and family know how much fun you are having on your trip. This is the perfect activity for the end of a long vacation day, when kids are restless and waiting for their food at the restaurant, or about ready to head to bed in the hotel. Grandma, grandpa, and other family and friends will love hearing all about your adventures!

Free Printable Letter to Home by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Letter to Home Page

1. Select link above and print out from your browser.

2. Put in your suitcase, and head out on your vacation.

3. Have kids fill out. Then pop in the mail to send home to family and friends.

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.

Free Printable Trip Journal Page

Free Printable Trip Journal Page by B.Nute productions

Here's a great way for your kids to remember more details about your trip... a free printable Trip Journal page. Just print a handful of these out before you go, and pop them in your bag. Bring along some crayons or pens and let the kids fill them out at dinner (while waiting for food), or back at night at the hotel. The end result will be a great diary of their experience!

Free Printable Trip Journal Page by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Trip Journal Page

1. Select link above and print out from your browser.

2. Put in your suitcase, and head out on your vacation.

3. Fill out at the end of each day of your trip for a great keepsake and lots of memories!

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.

B.Nute productions is on Vacation: August 1 - 15

B.Nute production has hit the road on a family adventure!

This will be my first vacation in some time with no laptop...

and spotty internet service (oh my)!

I am happy to receive your order while away, and

will begin work on it when I return starting August 15th.

In the meantime, stay tuned for several blog posts that I've

queued up, as well as some features from the road!

Happy Trails to You!

Free Printable Vintage Summer Fun Note Cards

Vintage Summer Fun Cards by B.Nute productions

I love vintage Trading Cards! What a great advertising mechanism these used to be. Nostalgic scenes with your product name strategically placed in the image! I saw this image and knew right away it would be the perfect summer note card... Print these out, and pack them in your bag as you head to the beach or lake this summer... a great way to keep in touch with friends and family.

Vintage Summer Fun Note Cards by B.Nute productions

Instructions for Printing Your Vintage Summer Fun Note Cards

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

2. Cut each card out.

3. Write your note, and pop into a standard A2 sized envelopes to send to family or friends.

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.

Summer Guide No. 1: School's Out for Summer!

Free Printable Summer Guide's by B.Nute productions

The countdown is on... the last day of school is rapidly approaching... are you ready? To kick off my favorite season, I'm going to be publishing a weekly Summer Guide page filled with activities, games, printables, recipes, ideas and more to keep you and your brood happy as clams this summer season! Enjoy!

Summer Guide No. 1: School's Out for Summer

Free Printable Summer Guide No. 1: School's Out for Summer

Instructions for Printing Your Summer Guide Page
1. Select link above, and print out the page on 8.5" x 11" paper from your browser.
2. Fill out, cut out, draw, and have some summer fun!

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.

Mid-State Fair Part One: Good Ol'Western Fun

Earlier this August, we headed to the

California Mid State Fair

for some good ol'fashioned Cowboy Fun!

Below are some of my shots from the day...

A young cowboy contemplating his next ride...

Love the worn out signs...

A little glitter is always good!

And there's also good ol'Abe...

Don't forget your ribbon too!

And some great music to boot...

I've got more Fair posts in the works... stay tuned!

When in Truckee...

If you're ever in Truckee, California,

you must visit the Truckee Variety Co. shop.

Kids going crazy after a long car ride?

Are things getting a little tight in the cabin

and you needed a break?

This store has everything you'd ever need to satisfy any young one,

or anyone who's just plain young at heart!

There's the bins of plastic animals

(anyone up for a game of zoo?)

Plastic wind up toys to play with...

More rows of assorted stuff...

all kinds of stuff...

and even a wall of gag toys.

You know the kind,

the whoppee cushion,

the fly in the ice cube...

those gag toys!

There's plenty more to see

as you can tell by my son's expression!

Puzzles, art supplies, games, cars and more...

So, when in Truckee, make sure you take time to stop!