Thursday, November 10, 2011

Framed Recipes / DIY Tutorial

 

In the last few days, I've received a number of inquiries asking how I put together and hung my mother-in-law's (Nana) treasured recipes.  Here, they hang in my breakfast nook as wall art.  So today, I thought I would give a quick tutorial of how I assembled and displayed them. 

Below is a list of supplies used for the project:


  • 3 ~ Treasured Recipes from Nana
  • 3 ~ 11" x 14" Ready Made Frames
  • Saw Tooth Picture Hangers (included with frame)
  • 3 ~ 11" x 14' Mat Boards (not ones with the centers cut out ~ see below)
  • Archival, Double-Sided, Removable Tape
  • 6 Yards Ribbon 
  • Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
  • Scissors
  • Measuring Tape
  • Pencil
  • Hammer
  • Small Nails

To begin with, I determined what size frames to use for the recipes.  In my case, I used 11" x 14" frames.  I also bought a large mat board and had three 11" x 14" mats cut from it.  I did not buy pre-cut mats, I wanted solid mats (not ones with a cut-out) to provide a background for the recipes.


I disassembled the frames and cleaned the glass.  I then took the mat board and a recipe, and positioned and marked where I wanted each recipe placed on the board.  To preserve the integrity of the recipes, I used archival, double-sided, removable tape to affix the recipe to the mat.  I put a 2" strip of tape on the back of each recipe (at the top only) and gently laid it  on the mat.  When I was happy with the way it was positioned, I pressed the two together. 

I then reassembled each frame and attached the saw tooth picture hanger on the back of the frames (the hangers were provided with the frames).


To attach the ribbons, I first decided how long I wanted the ribbons to be.  In my case, I cut 2 ~ 36" strips of ribbon for each frame.  Next, I hot glued one end of each ribbon to the top corners of the frame.  I tied the two ribbons together to form a bow.



I determined where I wanted each recipe to hang on the wall and then hung them using the saw tooth picture hanger.  I did not hang them from the ribbon.


I then pulled the tied ribbon taut and tapped in a nail to hold it in place.  It appears the framed recipe is suspended from the ribbon, when actually it is hanging from the saw tooth hanger. 

I do love the way the recipes turned out ~ they are a daily reminder of our sweet Nana and her passion for cooking (especially the recipe for "Halbrooks Hash" a.k.a "goulash.").  You family members  know exactly what I'm talking about.  I do hope these instructions are helpful.  Happy Friday to you ~ I hope you are enjoying this wonderful fall weather.  Be sure to check out my favorite Pinterests here.

51 comments :

  1. Replies
    1. You're such an awesome pinner! XO

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    2. Had a daughter pass away 3 years ago and I have some little Valentine letters she wrote when she was about 20 years old to my husband and I--your idea is perfect for the treasured letters. Thank you, Bridget

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    3. Dear Bridget ~ I can't even begin to know what to say. First off, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. I can't imagine that kind of loss. We have a son who has epilepsy and we've had some very close calls and is has been so scary. Secondly, I'm sorry I'm just reading this, it makes me feel like a real loser that I missed your comment this past summer. Sometimes, life gets a little hairy and I do miss comments on occasion. But this one most of all, I wish I had not missed and responded to instantly. Thank you for sharing this with me ~ I think it is wonderful that you framed/or are framing those precious little Valentine letters ~ a sweet reminder of your beloved daughter. I would to see a picture of what you've done. Love to you dear Bridget.

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  2. i love this idea!!!!! awesome!!!!

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  3. Truly one of my favorite things in your house. What heart! What love! on display for all to see Nana's beautiful legacy.

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    1. Thanks Sharon ~ They bring back wonderful memories of Nana.

      XO

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  4. I love these! I have some recipes that my grandmother had hand written. I think I'll do this with them and hang them in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me! Found you via Pinterest.

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    1. Thanks you! I know you grandmother would be honored for you to be using them. So glad you found me on Pinterest! :)

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  5. I just came across this and I have to say it is a wonderful idea. I was just showing my son a recipe I have from his granny that has passed on. She wrote it on paper a year ago when she was to sick to particate on thanksgiving dinner do to lung cancer. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. I'm so glad you like the framed recipe idea. I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. I'm sure the recipe she wrote out for you must be a very treasured keepsake from her. I hope your family is doing better ~ we recently lost Nana and Papa ~ it takes time, lots and lots of time to heal. XO

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  6. I saw this on Pinterest and loved it--I also love your blog in general. You have a great eye for things! Inspired me to take a thrifting excursion tomorrow morning :)

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    1. Thanks Charity ~ I'm so glad you spotted me on Pinterest. I appreciate the kind things you had to say. Gotta love those thrift stores. Happy shopping!

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  7. Thank you for the kind remarks and comments. I'm so thrilled that you gals are inspired! That inspires me!!! XO

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  8. This is such a great idea and lovely execution. I think I'll have to store this one away for when I finally have a kitchen with wall space. I have all of my Mom's recipe books & cards and I think this will be perfect.

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    1. Hi Lori ~ I have no idea how I missed this. I hope it has worked out for you to have that kitchen with wall space. I know it will be a special wall with your mom's recipes on it. I would love to know how it turns/turned out.

      :) Dana

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  9. This is a fabulous way to keep treasured recipes!! LOVE it!!

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  10. This is a lovely idea and a wonderful tribute to heirloom recipes and the women who cooked them! I have a couple of suggestions for those who might try this.

    1) SCAN all the recipes, save them on a CD, share them with other family members.
    2) PRINT copies rather than use the originals. Light will damage them, potentially destroying the original.
    3) COMPILE a family cookbook - it's easier than you think! (But I may be biased... I did write a book about it: Creating an Heirloom: Writing Your Family's Cookbook.) :)

    Thanks for sharing your idea!

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    1. Hi Wendy ~ I'm so glad you like the framed recipe idea. We have so enjoyed having Nana's recipes on display ~ she was one special lady. Thanks so much for your suggestions. I need to do this (scan a copy of the recipe and replace the original) hopefully sooner than later.

      Just shortly after Nana passed away, we had a dear lady that compiled all of her recipes and had them bound in a cookbook for each of us. I'm so thankful to have an entire cookbook filled with Nana's recipes. XO Dana

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  11. I love these framed works of art! I have some old recipes from my great grandmother and I'm going to follow your lead!
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Susan

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    1. Thank you Susan! Good luck on your project ~ I know your great grandmother will be honored by your efforts. Thanks for stopping by Tattered Style!

      :) Dana

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  12. Such a great idea! I'm w/Wendy (see previous post) though...I lost a lovely letter from my Grams to Grandpa due to oxidation and light.

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    1. Hi Juli ~ I agree ~ great ideas from Wendy. I'm sorry about your letter. Makes me want to hop on this one ~ I sure wouldn't want to lose Nana's treasured recipes.

      XO Dana

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  13. Hi Lori ~ I'm sorry for being so long in responding. I'm so glad to hear you like the idea and someday will be displaying your mom's recipes. I'm sure they will be lovely ~ I'd love to see a photo if you get a chance to share. :)

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  14. Thanks Michellem! And thanks for stopping by Tattered Style! :)

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  15. Thanks! I would love to know when you might have featured it. I'm happy to grab a button. XO

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  16. Love this idea! I have a bunch of my grandmothers handwritten recipes and this would be a great idea to display them.

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    1. Thank you! What a wonderful way to honor your grandmother! :)

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  17. Beautiful idea!!! Great inspiration to keep the women that brought us all together close to us always.

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    1. Thank you TeamKJ ~ we treasure these special ladies!!!

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  18. Beautiful idea!!! Great inspiration to keep the women that brought us all together close to us always.

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    1. Thank you ~ I'm so glad to know you like the idea.

      XO ~ Dana

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  19. We just inherited Thousands of my Husband's Grandmother's Recipes. I love this idea. Thank you for posting it.

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    1. Yea! So happy for you ~ I only had a few of Nana's to work with. You are fortunate to have so many to choose from. Good luck with your project!

      :) Dana

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  20. I can't wait to do this... my 12 year old daughter made me a recipe book several years ago.... she hand wrote the recipes.....I think I'll use one of my daughter and two from my mom!!!

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    1. How wonderful! I never thought of using a my child's handwritten recipes. I have some myself ~ my boys wrote them out for Mother's Day ~ when they were in elementary school. Thanks for the great idea! I hope yours turn out wonderful ~ I'm sure they will!

      :) Dana

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  21. I love your idea of using recipes from a loved one. My mom xeroxed some recipes of my grandma's (in my grandma's writing.) I think I will use those copies. Thanks for sharing your idea with us all!

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    1. Thank you Carol. They have been so special to our family and we have so enjoyed them in our dining space.

      How special for you to use your grandmother's recipes ~ and to know her legacy lives on. Thank you for stopping by. :)

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  22. My mother has some old recipes, in terrible shape but that's ok. In the mix was a booklet that belonged to my great grandmother. The cover has separated, and in bad shape. The beauty to it is that it has her name written at the top in her handwriting. The title to the booklet is simply "Recipes". I've asked for it to frame for my mother, so she won't be surprised, but I feel it worthy to hang on her wall instead of going to dust. There were also handwritten recipes by my grandmother. I've asked for three (don't really care which ones) to frame for my sisters and myself. A gentle nod to those who helped shape us.

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    1. I love this Debra ~ and what a thoughtful thing to do for your mom and sisters. I do believe it's a little gesture of appreciation for those who have helped shape us down through the years.

      P.S. Sometimes when life gets in the way, I miss comments on my blog, and then months later I discover them. Please forgive me ~ I so appreciate you taking the time to comment.

      XO ~ Dana

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  23. Your recipes look beautiful there and I have this linked to my recipe art post too today!

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    1. Thanks so much Heather for your kind words ~ I appreciate you linking up and letting me know about it.

      :) Dana

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  24. This project is so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing! I love it! Now I've gotta go hunt up some recipe cards at my mom's house.

    Lesley / bytheporchlight.com

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    1. Thank you Lesley! I'm happy to share ~ I hope you find some recipes at your mom's. I would love to hear/see how your project turns out.

      :) Dana

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  25. I really enjoyed your blog. I have some of the same recipes, yellowed and tattered from Grandmothers'. I think it would be great to get a favorite recipe from grandparents or relatives' joining us throughout these holidays, and have them comment and sign on the mat board. Then we would have that memory and their signature we can share and possibly embroidery for our children later.

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    1. Hi Deborah ~

      What a great idea....a note and/or signature would make the recipes even more special! I hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!

      :) Dana

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  26. I really enjoyed your blog. I have some of the same recipes, yellowed and tattered from Grandmothers'. I think it would be great to get a favorite recipe from grandparents or relatives' joining us throughout these holidays, and have them comment and sign on the mat board. Then we would have that memory and their signature we can share and possibly embroidery for our children later.

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  27. Thank you for the wonderful idea! I'm going to do this with several of my recipes of my grandmothers which are written in italian!

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  28. Thank you for the wonderful idea! I'm going to do this with several of my recipes of my grandmothers which are written in italian!

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