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.

House Tour ~ Breakfast Nook

I thought I might share a few pics of the breakfast nook today.  My favorite French cafe chairs surround the table.  It's nice that this pretty scene greets me each morning since, I'm sorry to say, I am not a morning person.  It kind of helps ease me into the day.

 

It's a simple spot ~ but so comfy and inviting.  The light comes pouring in during the day.  The farm style table is a flea market find. 

The handwritten recipes, worn with age, were given to me by Nana and are a real treasure.  I framed them up in simple black frames and attached ribbon to them to add a little more presence.  Read more about this project here.

 

When we first moved here all of the cabinets were stained ~ but over time the stain had yellowed badly.  They really dated the house, so I decided instead of going with typical white cabinets, to do something a little different and paint them black.  The built-in originally had glass covered doors on it, but during the paint process we took them down.  I liked the open shelving so much, I opted to leave the doors off which makes for easier access to the dishes.

*Note ~ always keep your eyes peeled for others castoffs on garbage day.  The floor lamp was a freebie ~ found curbside on trash day.  A couple of coats of spray paint covered over the dingy brass lamp and now here it rests in the nook's corner.  The stool at the end of the cabinet - was something my neighbor, Pam, no longer wanted and I was happy to find.  The vintage rug is courtesy of my friend Barb :) ~ something she chose to part with when she moved to her current home.  Thanks to my friend, Amanda, for all the great photos.  See more of Amanda's beautiful photography here.  And thank you for stopping by ~ I hope your week is filled with good things.