File Folder Melissa Frances Recipe Keeper

If you're anything like me you have recipes...gleaned from your friends, copied from the magazine at the doctor's office (you get the idea) scratched onto backs of envelopes littering the depths of your purse. Half the time I go to look for that yummy dessert recipe, it's gone!

Well, I've designed a little go-between for those recipe scraps...a place to stash them until you properly copy them onto recipe cards or enter them into your computer. My sample shows actual recipes written on index cards or printed from the internet...I couldn't find any of the ones currently trashing my bag...they're gone...? LOL!

This project makes use of four office file folders, and the oh-so-fun Melissa Frances 12 X 12" decorator paper, "Kitschy Kitchen."

The album measures 9" X 9.75." To make it easy, I just cut two inches off of the bottoms of the file folders. I fashioned the booklet by layering three folders into each other--just like a book--adhering the "page" backs with double sided, strong tape. All of the pockets and envelope in the design are layered upon file folder stock as well, with the intent to provide extra strength.

I decorated the front with paper pieced borders and heart, all papers from the "Kitschy Kitchen" pad. The heart base was die cut with a Spellbinders Classic Heart die. Chipboard letters from my stash received a dressing of DP and distressing before being adhered.

The first two pages feature slide in pockets for index cards or scraps of paper. The tag reading "quality ingredients" is also by Melissa Frances, "Kitschy Kitchen Tag Collection."

Here's a closeup of the delightful image on the tag...I stamped the "healthy" on for good measure.

 Here are the next pages. There is a flapped envelope fashioned onto the left page. The right side has a full length pocket to slide in bigger sized pieces of paper.

The closure is simply two brads, circles cut by a Spellbinder Classic Circle die, and string.

A CHEERY cherry red button tab accent.













Tabs running up the sides also up the "cute" factor...

I intentionally kept the embellishments fairly flat and to a minimum. I intend to store this sidled up to my cookbooks on the shelf.

Another idea: this would make a lovely shower gift for the new daughter-in-law or daughter filled with family favorites. The Melissa Frances "Kitschy Kitchen" decorator paper and tag collection are both from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

If you don't feel up to creating an entire album from scratch, there are also Melissa Frances Recipe Kits for sale at Stamp Simply as well.

Thanks for stopping by today. Remember to check to see if you were the winner from last Saturday's Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style hop over at Sharon's blog.  The winner was chosen from comments on my post...so, just tellin ya!

Be sure to check back here this upcoming Saturday for a new Ribbon Inspiration/Stamp Simply Style lineup!

Hope to see you then!