Family Recipe Binder

So here's the deal:  I have actually had a recipe binder for awhile.  

In fact I have had FOUR recipe binders... 

Family Recipes, 

'Real Food' recipes that I have been printing over the past year, 

Treats (to try), 

and other Food (to try).

Yes, that is a bit ridiculous.  

Yes, I have a binder obsession.  

And no, I don't use them regularly like I should.  

Time for a revamp of the system.   

So, I started by redoing the Family Recipe Binder.  (My other binders will be saved for future posts.)

I decided that 'Family Recipes' should include any recipes that we either have

(1) tried and LOVE,
(2) fit into our eating philosophy (i.e. use whole unprocessed ingredients),
or if they don't fall into those two categories then they
(3) have been in the family for years and are something I might make on a special occasion.

Although I did have many of these recipes already printed, I spent a few days (as I had time) collecting and printing these recipes.

The only recipes in this binder are those we have tried and LOVE, not those we want to try or think we will love...

Ok, so the question... why is this a good idea?

The honest answer: I have been burned one (or eighty five) time(s) too many when trying to retrieve a recipe come 5:30pm.  There is nothing worse than trying to open a Pintrest link to a recipe that goes to a dead end.  Sometimes they are recipes that I had JUST looked at earlier that day.  So I spend 10 minutes of precious dinner prep time trying to retrieve the recipe and getting frustrated...never again!

Also, if it is a recipe that we LOVE, then it just makes sense to me to have it in hard copy.  Maybe I just don't have the tech-y gene, but I like to have important things in paper form.  Totally my opinion!  I realize this is not the 'green' option, however if these recipes are going to be used for years to come I don't see the problem in having a single printed copy... again, my personal opinion!
Also I am partial to page protectors, and even more specifically to the large pack of them from Costco.  Every single recipe got a page protector.

So, I gathered the recipes.

Next, I divided them into categories that made sense for OUR family.  Personally, it made sense to me to divide recipes into categories based on when you would use them. (appetizers, soups, main dishes, desserts...)

I created some very simple labels (for the 18 different categories I had-yikes!) on Word and added a simple border.  I printed and cut them out, then attached them to a whole separate page protector using clear packing tape... essentially making my own dividers.  (I jazzed them up with some fun scrap book paper, the idea for the packing tape labels was found at Bold Turquoise)

I have had the completed binder for about a month now and use it nearly every single day.  I can imagine this being something I will adapt and change as we find new recipes, but essentially will be a family keepsake.

Stay tuned for more binder posts.  I am telling you, I'm obsessed!

Brown Bag Reindeer Wrap

Super simple wrapping for the photo booth ornaments in the previous post:

This was a situation where multiple sized circle punches and dollar store clothespins came in handy!

Valentine Banner: Simple Projects

This was super simple...(the Valentine banner hanging from the shelf)

I found a few packages of colorful tags at Michael's for $1 per pack of 12. 

Add some red letters and jute twine and make a simple, yet super cute Valentine banner!

Handprint Hearts

Super easy.

The kids loved getting their hands all squishy with the paint.  I love that they were able to make a keepsake for the family AND that my Kindergartener was able to write her Valentine's message. 

I used acrylic paint because I had it on hand... but wouldn't this be a cute idea to use fabric paint on an apron, onesie, or Valentine's day gift bag?!?

I believe in giving credit where credit is due, but I can't seem to locate the blog that I saw this on... if I find it, I will link up!

iLoveToCreate: Tote Bag Revamp

I received this little tote bag as a promotional gift, and while I do use Bic razors, I thought that the bag could use a little DAZZLE.  Plus, it was a perfect opportunity to try out a few iLoveToCreate products I had gotten.

I gathered some supplies: a pair of tweezers, a Tulip Cordless Heat Setting Tool, and some Tulip Glam It Up! Iron On Crystals. 

This was the first time I tried using the Tulip Cordless Heat Setting Tool, and I was so impressed with how well it worked!  Just lay the crystals out where you would like them to go.  (Using tweezers makes this very easy)

Turn on the Heat Setting tool and press the button.  Place the tip of the tool on the top of the crystal and hold it there about 5 seconds for small jewels and 20 seconds for the larger jewels. There is no need to press the tool down hard or anything, it might cause the crystal to move.

Look!  The jewels are set perfectly.  In fact, I tried picking at them a bit and they did not budge AT ALL!!

Next, I found a Tulip Express Yourself Iron On Applique that fit over the top of the logo I wanted to cover.  I lucked out in that it matched the colors of the bag!!  These are super easy to use as well...

...simply lay a thin piece of fabric over the applique and iron on for about 30 seconds or so. 

Here is the final product... a bag with much more pizzaz!  Perfect for a swim towel, some goggles, and a change of clothes for an afternoon at the pool!!