Recipe Box Makeover Tutorial
We are all friends here, right? I’m about to show you one of my deepest, darkest secrets. You won’t judge me?! I’m trusting you on this. My recipe collection. Out. Of. Control.
{GASP! Please ignore any chunks of food you may be noticing caked onto my recipes.}
Whew, I’m glad we got that out of the way. My recipe collection was a compilation of printed online recipes in my binder (well, sorta in my binder), and my treasured recipes were handwritten on cards in my box (well, sorta in my box). I liked to think of my collection as,…well loved. My recipe UN-organization has been on my never-ending list of ‘To Do’s’ for over a year.
This is where my husband stepped in. For Christmas we took to heart Giver’s Log‘s amazing post about Simpler Gift Giving. With a $25 budget he sneakily evaluated my pathetic recipe collection and went to work. He hopped on ETSY {Props Babe! Etsy!?!} and bought me a beautiful handmade recipe box. He wrote some cheesy silly poem about my cooking skills and glued it inside the top. He went the extra mile and re-wrote all of my most treasured recipes. {This post really isn’t about how amazing I think my husband is}.
After I received this sentimental gift I thought, I could SOOO make one of those! I headed to Michaels and found an ugly recipe box in the dollar bins. I grabbed my scrapbook paper, scissors, mod podge and went to work.
After Mod Podging {using Alison’s 10 Tips for perfect Mod Podging of course} I sanded all of the edges…
I applied a small amount of stain over the sanded edges and then applied vinyl {We us MyTalkingWalls}…
I grabbed an extra flower from my petal party for a finishing touch…
{If you can’t find recipe boxes locally, you can find them online at Joann.com. Use promo code TEF58B to get an extra 50% off.}
Adorable, sentimental, and cheap. I made mine for under 3 dollars. Wouldn’t this be a fun house-warming gift? Or for a new bride filled with favorite recipes? Aren’t handmade gifts the best?!
I still have a binder for online recipes, but my sweet handmade recipe box is perfect to hold my most treasured recipes.
My First Kitchen says
Soooo cute. I’m not a crafty person. I’m a food person. I gotta say though, this place is making me want to go crazy with glue and glitter. Well done, ladies. Well done.
Sarah says
That is one of the sweetest things that your hubby did for you. I can’t believe he took the time to write it all out! And the poem. lol. That was great. I know the post wasn’t about that… but I just had to congratulate him on being so creative! Hmmm… now to get my hubby to stumble on this post. {just kidding} I like the one you came up with, too. Very cute! And a great house-warming/ bridal shower gift.
-Sarah
Terri says
FABULOUS!
Victoria says
I found something similar to this box with coordinating recipe cards in the Michael’s dollar section and re-did my collection
Penny says
Your hubby is so cute! He should be proud that his idea made it on your blog. I love the one you did. Can I have it?
Shelley says
Sorry Mom. It’s on its way to Kara! 😉
April Driggers says
This is not only SO SWEET but such a great idea! 🙂
Amy Coe says
Shelley,
You are amazing!
That is such a great idea to modge podge those Mihaels $1 boxes, I always look at them, but think they could be cuter!
I will definately keep this in mind for my next wedding shower!
OH, and where did u find your husband?? My heck, Chris would NEVER think of something like that on his own, and to go the extra mile and write up such a cute poem, I’d say he’s a keeper!!!! 🙂
Unfortunately you will have a lot of angry husbands after this posting, making them look bad, cuz once mine walks thru the door, I’m sooooo gonna show him this post and ask why he doesnt do things like this for ME!!!
Tricia Richner says
Man (or should I say women!), I am loving this site. Cute cute ideas.
Jennifer says
Brilliant! I have a not-so-pretty recipe box that was a wedding gift and has hidden in my cupboards for 12 years. Thanks to you – it’s about to get a makeover!! 🙂
Jen says
Brad is so sweet! I love the poem. You guys do the cutest things for each other!
Mod Podge Amy says
From messy to wonderful – I love it!
Candace Spikes says
I love this Shelley! You did such a cute job. I will definately be using this idea. BTW the Sausage Gravy recipe that is showing can you send it to me. I’ve been looking for one and that one looks YUMMY!
lynn says
Wow, very sweet. You’re right, this would make a fantastic gift. Lucky recipient 🙂