• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Polka Dot Chair logo

  • SEWING
    • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Bag Patterns
    • Costumes
    • Apparel
    • Learn to Sew
    • Beginner Friendly
    • Embroidery Projects
    • Tips & Techniques
    • All Sewing
  • QUILTING
    • Quilt Blocks
    • Learn to Quilt
    • Free Patterns
    • Quilt Patterns
    • All Quilting
  • CRAFTS
    • Disney
    • Cricut
    • Printables
    • All Crafts
  • HOLIDAYS
    • Seasonal Projects
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • All Holidays
  • TUTORIALS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • My Fabric Collections
    • Published Books
    • Press
    • FAQ’s
    • Contact
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • SHOP
  • TUTORIALS
  • SEWING
  • QUILTING
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CRAFTS
  • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
  • ABOUT
    • Published Books
    • My Fabric Collections
  • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • SHOP
    • TUTORIALS
    • SEWING
    • QUILTING
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CRAFTS
    • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
    • ABOUT
      • Published Books
      • My Fabric Collections
    • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Gift Ideas

    How to Preserve your Handwritten Family Recipe Cards

    Updated: Sep 19, 2020 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 12 Comments

    Today while looking a book I remembered a project I did for my Mom a couple of years ago…I thought someone might like the idea so I dug up the photos to share. I can’t believe I forgot about this, since it is one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done.
     

    I come from a long line of fabulous cooks. My mom, her mom and her aunt (I’m sure it goes even further back than that.) After my Grandma passed away, my Mom got all of her hand written recipe cards. I was visiting a few years ago and noticed them all stuck in a box. I thought that they should be put somewhere safe. I knew that Mom still wanted to use the recipes.

    They are wonderful recipes… for awesome “lost things” like Hot Milk cake or Batter Cake.. all those wonderful treats that our grandmothers used to make us, but have since gotten lost in all of our “new fangled” conveniences at the grocery store.
     
    I put together a scrapbook/recipe book for my Mom. I used all CTMH supplies (you can order from me if you want anything)…. I started with a 12×12 album.
     
    I was ecstatic to realize the recipe cards were 4×6 so I placed them in the divided sheet protectors (you can get 12 4×6 recipe cards in each sheet- or 6 if they are written on both sides). That way they are safe from spills. I also put a protective cover on the scrapbook.
     

    For the cover I printed an old photo of my Mom and her 2 sisters on sticky linen. Then just stuck it to the front of the album.

     

    To keep things simple, I used 1 paper line from CTMH… along with the recipe card kit that matched. (it came with tabs too- how cool!)

    To make a connection to the past – I included a few of mine and my sisters favorite recipes, that I begrudgingly took the time to hand write- someday I’m sure it will be appreciated.

    I organized it by, Soups, Desserts, Main dishes etc… I interspersed the “new” recipes with Grandma’s.


    For a few recipes, I cut up the page protector to make a “flip” out sleeve– this was for the recipe cards that were written on both the front and back of the card.

    More Projects You May Enjoy

    • Hot Chocolate Christmas Neighbor Gift Idea
    • Gifts for Babies & Toddlers; Things to Make & Buy
    • 25+ Things to Make & Buy for Kids as Gifts
    • 25+ Gifts for Mom; Things to Make and Buy

    • Share
    • Email

    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rachel says

      August 10, 2009 at 2:02 pm

      Oh I love it!! I have been wanting to do something like this for years now!! Yours turned out so great!
      Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    2. Cortni says

      August 10, 2009 at 3:12 pm

      That is awesome!! Thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
    3. Christina says

      August 10, 2009 at 3:17 pm

      What a great idea and perfect timing too! I’m getting into Christmas present mode and trying to come up with fun ideas and this is great!! THANK YOU!

      Reply
    4. Joy says

      August 11, 2009 at 11:49 am

      I really love this idea. I have always thought of scrapbooking and cooking as kinds of arts. Why not combine the two. Great idea!

      Reply
    5. Jennifer says

      August 11, 2009 at 7:53 pm

      Gorgeous!! You did a wonderful job!

      Reply
    6. Julie says

      August 11, 2009 at 9:04 pm

      SO Priceless!!!!

      Reply
    7. Lori says

      August 12, 2009 at 3:14 pm

      Love it! I miss the times we used to get together and scrapbook at the office. You always have such great ideas!

      Reply
    8. Rebecca D. says

      August 13, 2009 at 1:50 am

      I love this idea. My most favorite memories of my grandmother revolve around her kitchen. Her cook book is going to be a treasured gem if I can get my hands on it!

      Reply
    9. Brenda says

      August 13, 2009 at 12:13 pm

      That is fabulous! You have so many great talents! Thanks for sharing!
      Have A Great Day! =)

      Reply
    10. Christine says

      August 14, 2009 at 12:28 am

      What a great treasure! I am inspired to do the same with my grandmothers recipes… that is if I can pry my brothers hands off of them!! ha You see he is the “cook” of the family!

      Reply
    11. Monika says

      August 15, 2009 at 12:15 pm

      I love it.I’ll be making one for my daughter for sure :))
      Thank you.

      Reply
    12. Jennifer says

      October 25, 2018 at 12:08 pm

      I love this post on preserving family recipes. I recently lost my mom about a year ago and she too was a fabulous cook and she was so passionate about fixing great meals for her family and friends. My dad, at 82 has been living in their house until last weekend when there was a terrible house fire.. no one hurt but house badly damaged. My sister and I were panicked until we got to house wanting to grab my mom’s handwritten recipes. Most were able to be saved. I really want to preserve them and love your album idea. My sister and I are going to share with Earth other the many recipes but wanted to see if you would tell me of the brand of album and page protectors you used that I could purchase, I love to scrapbook but don’t have a ton of time. Just wanted to see where I can get supplies.
      Thanks again for your post,.
      Jennifer

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

    COPYRIGHT POLICY

    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimers
    • About Melissa
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Press
    • Published Books
    • Fabric Collections

    Welcome to the Polka Dot Chair! Here you’ll find easy, step-by-step, sewing, quilting, and crafting projects. We design projects for Makers of all skill levels. Beginners are welcome!

    DISCLAIMER:

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content on this website, the information is made available without warranty of any kind. The Polka Dot Chair accepts no responsibility or liability, whether direct or indirect, as to the currency or accuracy of the information, nor any consequence of its uses. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional.

    Copyright © 2022 Polka Dot Chair

    [ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin