Friday, September 24, 2010

...weekly roundup...

Gnome Costume from Family Fun Website
Friday is upon us again! We have a big weekend ahead, a belated birthday (pictures to come, I promise...) and big family news... the four legged kind. We are evaluating a rescue dog this weekend, and will share all about it when we know more! In the meantime, here are some little tidbits for your perusal.


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Holiday Card Preview: Doodley-doo!

The Doodle Tree Holiday Card by B.Nute productions

Another quick preview of a 2010 holiday card I've created -
The Doodle Tree Holiday Card!

I loved creating it, and see many more
doodle inspired party invitations in the future.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A Royal Princess and Knight Party Ideas

A Royal Princess and Knight Party invitations by B.Nute productions on Etsy
Although this is one of my first invitations I created, I still love it a lot! In the sea of princess and knight invitations, I feel this one really stands out. Also, in the spirit of the Renaissance Faire being back in town in Northern California, I thought I'd share some decoration and menu ideas to go along with this great Princess and Knight theme. Be sure to check out my website, for my full Princess and Knight Party Guide including Art Activites, Games, Entertainment ideas and more...

INSPIRATION BOARD


DECORATIONS
It’s England in the 1500’s... the beautiful princess awaits her gallant knight to arrive upon his stead for his jousting match... any Medieval or Renaissance imagery and items are perfect for your Royal Faire! Below are some more decorating ideas for your Princess and Knight party.

Create a Castle
Designate an area of your yard (perhaps a jungle gym, playhouse or patio area) as the Castle. Surround the area with colorful construction paper flags. If the party is indoor, designate a room as the Castle. Line windows with colorful cellophane to act as stained glass.Designate 2 dining room chairs as a throne area. Place decorative pillows and a throw blanket over the chairs to add royalty.

Jousting Arena
Set up your camping tent (or kid’s tent, if they have one) as the Jousting tent. Decorate the outside with colorful flags and streamers. String the flags from the tent to a nearby tree, trellis or tall garden stake. Buy tall garden stakes and tape long pieces of different colored crepe paper to the top. You can add a construction paper flag to the top as well.

Princess and Knight Personalized Banner by B.Nute productions on Etsy


Princess and Knight Personalized Banner
Here ye, here ye, all fine maidens, this regal banner is a perfect addition to your magical kingdom! This personalized banner is hand designed with vintage style imagery and old world, Renaissance charm - perfect for any royal princess. If your princess is having a royal birthday, this banner is perfect to add to the ambience of the party. After the festivities, it can hang in her room for years to come! This matching banner can be purchased on bnute.etsy.com.


MENU IDEAS FOR A ROYAL PRINCESS AND KNIGHT PARTY
When picturing a Royal feast, one sees King Henry the 8th at the head of a long table covered in platters of food– roast chickens, pigs, pheasants, bowls of fruits, bowls of vegetables, rolls, etc... nothing elegant, just simple fare, but plenty of it! Below are some ideas for your Royale feast.
Appetizers
• Pretzels and Bagel Chips
• Platter of Cheese Slices, Crackers and Grapes
• Gingerbread crackers
Main Course - Lunch or Dinner
• Drumsticks and Chicken Pieces (could be fried chicken, or
grilled on the BBQ, whatever suits your style)
• Potato Salad
• Rolls
• Vegetable Platter
• Fruit Platter
Drinks
• Lemonade
• Cider

I hope you are feeling regal and ready to go now! Again, for a full list of party ideas in this Princess and Knight theme, be sure to check out my website...

Monday, September 20, 2010

Holiday Card Preview- Fashionable Threads

Here's just a little taste of some of the holiday cards I am creating. These three featured today I'm calling my "fashionable threads" look... great texture, and lots of warmth, perfect for the holidays!

A Houndstooth Holiday - A Sample from one of B.Nute productions'
Holiday 2010 Holiday Cards

A Tartan Christmas - A Sample from One of B.Nute productions'
Holiday 2010 Cards
A Ponderosa Plaid Holiday- A Sample from One of B.Nute productions'
Holiday 2010 Cards

I'll be posting more Holiday Card previews later this week! Stay tuned...

Friday, September 17, 2010

...weekly roundup...

10 Years Since Camp Nutenbeier-- My Summer Camp Wedding

It's been a busy week here at B.Nute productions. Lots of work, and new items posted. Below is a round up of the latest and greatest:

  • I've been a busy bee trying to update my website full of great party ideas, holiday party ideasparty resources, and of course very cool designs! Check it out.
  • I've been wanting to create a series of Paper Doll Party Invitations... and finally have had the opportunity. This week I posted a Halloween Paper Doll Costume Party invitation. I love how it turned out. Keep posted for the next ones to come... a Wedding Shower Paper Doll Party, Baby Shower Paper Doll Party, Princess Paper Doll Party, etc.!
  • My son's {very belated} birthday party is coming up... a Pro Sports Championship party... new invite too. I'll post it soon!
  • Preppy is back, and I'm ready... Check out my new Preppy Paisley party invites- perfect for a wedding shower, baby shower, birthday or any occassion!


I'm looking forward to the weekend... my husband and I are going to get a chance to celebrate 10 wonderful years! Can't wait for many, many more...

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Gothic Style Halloween Party: Art Activities and Game Ideas



Gothic Style Halloween Party Art Activities
Depending on the timing or day of your party, an area set up with some art projects may be a perfect activity for your Haunted Halloween party.

Witches Book of Spells

Create a Spell Book
There's nothing more ghoulish than a bunch of evil spells to turn your guests into toads, snails or gargoyles! You could make this easy by writing a few spells an having kids decorate the page, or write up several lines that folks can use to mix and match to create their own wicked spell. Here are some examples of some spells, serious and silly:


Example Downloadable Halloween Coloring Page

Haunted Coloring Pages
Here's a links to many, many Halloween coloring pages online. Some are a "cute" and some are "scary." Pick the ones that fit your party best!



Design Your Own Gravestone
A morbid project, perfect for your gothic Halloween affair! Cut out gravestone shapes from card stock and have all guests decorate their own tombstone with an epitaph. When done, hang them all on a wall, and create your parties' own graveyard! You could turn this into a game, by having guests create their own tombstone, but leave off their name. Again, hang these on a wall, and have guests guess who's tomb is whos!

1950's Articulated Paper Glow in the Dark Skeleton

Pin the Bone on the Skeleton
Buy a pre-made "jointed" skeleton (or create your own paper skeleton) and disassemble so you have all the bones in separate pieces. Start by placing the skull on the wall, and then blindfold guests, hand them a bone/body part and let them guess where to put it. You could give them a hint by telling them which bone they have (i.e., "You have a foot bone.") or just let them guess by the shape and size of the item in their hand! In the end, you will have one mixed up bag of bones!

Gothic Style Halloween Game Ideas
Here are some frightfully fun game ideas for your Halloween party.

"There was an abandoned church at the end of the street
that no one went near for years...
until one fateful Halloween evening..."

Tell Ghost Stories
When was the last time you were told some ghost stories? This can be a great idea for your haunted party. Make sure to set the mood. Turn off the lights and only have a few candles flickering to read by. All gather around in a circle, by a fireplace preferably, and begin reading. Make sure to have lots of pillows and blankets available so folks can be comfortable, and have a place to hide when they are afraid! Here are some links to some ghost stories and tales online:

Build a Haunted Tale
An alternative to just reading a ghost story is to make the story a group effort. Have everyone sit around in a circle, and begin with one person who starts the story. He/She should only make up a few sentences, or until there's enough suspense to move on to the next person. As the story moves around the circle it should build and build, and hopefully be very different than what the first person thought it would be! To start the game, you can begin by providing a title, or have the group create a title once it's complete!

Flashlight Tag
Flashlight tag could be played in a dark house, a dark yard, or better yet, a graveyard! The rules are pretty simple; the person who is it has a flashlight. If you are "tagged" by the light, then you are out. The last person tagged becomes "it."

In general, flashlights can be a game unto itself if there are little kids around. Make sure to have plenty on hand for an evening of fun!

Enjoy!