Thursday, June 2, 2011

greatest hits collection



Feels like it's been a while since I've posted a tinkering idea so here's my latest ... a recipe card holder made from a CD case.



First, gather your favorite sturdy patterned paper (scrapbook, wallpaper) or copy fabric onto white card stock (shown above). Using an empty CD case as your guide, trace where you will need to cut for each card to fit inside the case. {You will need to trim a bit smaller than the outline}



Select favorite recipes, type them up and print them out.

{Tinkered Tips}
- For this project I used the Word application
- Use an easy-to-read font for the recipe but feel free to have a little fun with the titles
- Your layout will need to be kept narrow so that it will fit on the card stock
- Use short recipes that will fit on single cards
- 12 cards is probably the maximum that will fit into a CD case
- Use glue stick



Print and trim each recipe so that it will fit on your cut card stock leaving enough room for the pattern to show. You may need to experiment with font sizes and recipe length so that it all fits as you like.

{Once your recipe cards are complete, it's time for a pretty cover because packaging is everything, is it not?}



For my cover I created a title with the same font combination I used for the cards (and then placed the text box within an oval shape with a dotted line border). Next I printed, trimmed and glued the title onto a piece of card stock.



Finally, slide all of the cards face-up with the cover on top into the CD case. If giving as a present, tie the case with a strip of fabric or ribbon and secure a paper rose into the knot using its wire stem.



To use, open the CD case and swing the top all the way back until it forms a stand. Tuck the cards into the holder.

A sweet summer something to add to a basket with a jar of preserves or muffins, or to simply enjoy in your own kitchen.

xo
elyse

43 comments:

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Super cute and such a great idea!!!
Elyse, where did you get the oval piece for the label? Is it a scrapbooking application?

Thanks for sharing this with us!

xoxo
Becky

Elyse said...

to answer becky's question - just revisit the post - i made an oval in word, used the dotted line border, and placed a text box within (no border). hope this makes sense! xo

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

This is too cute. I happen to have some CD cases I could use for this..hmm..will have to give it a try :) :) Thanks for sharing this super cute project/gift idea ;) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Anonymous said...

Elyse I am loving this idea!! All the ladies at the retreat were asking for the recipes of what I had served them over the weekend. Wouldn't this have been fun to have presented them a fun album with all the recipes to take home with them!!

Well next retreat it will be!

You are so very clever friend!!

bee blessed
mary

SLR said...

omigosh, so clever and cute of course! love it!!

Hearts Turned said...

What a wonderful idea, Elyse...tinkering as only you can do, my friend!

Hope you're having a beautiful night...

Julie

koralee said...

Adorable my sweet friend! xoxxo

Cindy said...

I do love it when you start tinkering...lol Thanks for sharing this..I have a wedding shower to go to in July..they have asked for recipes..she is real country..so I could see one done with cute bandana paper..lol

Hey stop by and see if you are interested in a little fun.If not I do understand!

Hugs Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

Jill said...

This is so cute, and such a great gift idea!

Hugs,
Jill

debi said...

OMG! Elyse, this is your most creative, and cutest tinkered idea EVER!!! I love it!
I never would have thought to use a cd case as a recipe stand, BRILLIANT!

And the idea of including the recipes in a gift basket is so fun.

I need cd cases!!!

Linda said...

elyse- You come up with the most precious "tinkered" treasures"! I can imagine a lot of ways to use this. Thanks sooo much!
Blessings, L

LissyLou said...

i love that idea!!

It's me said...

Thia ia nice !!! can you make one in Dutch ???...hahahahah!! love love Ria...xxx...

NanaDiana said...

Elyse- YOU are one of the cleverest people I know- What a darling GIFT to make for someone! I love it. A fun little gift for teachers, etc. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! Did I say I loved it?;>) Hugs- Diana

casapinka said...

Such a good idea. Elyse - you're so creative and fun! I love how you went over it step by step. - Pink

Theresa said...

Brilliant, thanks for sharing! I love being able to use items that might otherwise be discarded! Have a blessed day dear Elyse, HUGS!

Melinda said...

Great ideas. Cute gift for a shower!


Melinda

Alison said...

This is genius! Love it!
:)
Alison

Maria S. said...

LOVE it!! I do have a question: how does the case stand on its own? I have an empty case but it keeps falling flat. Do you prop it up against something? This is such a cute idea and can be used as gifts for all occasions!! Thank you for the inspiration!

Pink Piccadilly Pastries said...

This is ADORABLE!! I love it, love it, love it!! Thanks for all your tinkerific ideas!!

stefanie said...

that is so cute and clever!!!!

Carolyn said...

Cutest idea EVER!!!

San Diego Mobile Notary

Stevie said...

Oh my goodness is this the SWEETEST project!!! I LOVE it! xo

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Darling idea Elyse! You always have your cute thinking hat on and come up with the sweeties things.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Love,
Maryjane
xox

P.S. shhhh....today is my birthday, that is way I was writing about the month of June! :)

Anonymous said...

Such a cute idea, Elyse! Would make a wonderful gift for a bridal shower!
Happy weekend!!!
Zuzu

Wendy McDonagh-Valentine said...

What a wonderful idea!! I love the paper you used!! Have a great weekend and thanks so much for leaving a comment on my blog. : )

~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Sandi said...

What a CUTE idea Elyse!! Your brain must never stop dreaming up these goodies for us!! Thank you!
Blessings~

stefanie said...

thanks for the congrat comment, I am so thrilled!!! maybe I will be like you and have more!!! eeeekk, that sounds like to much pressure for me..lol

Mo said...

Very nice Elyse!

Scrap for Joy said...

This really is a cute and clever idea Elyse. I must look through my recipes for some short ones...I already have the cases and some CK papers. I'm thinking gifts for my daughter and daughters-in-law. Does the CD case stand on its own...love the idea of a recipe holder!
It's gorgeous in Pittsburgh this weekend...hope it's sunny in RI.
I chuckled when I read that you and Joan Steffand are "friends" on FB. Too funny!
xoxo
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Well aren't you just the best little tinkerer on the planet! so sweet, Elyse! ♥

Cynthia's Cottage Design said...

Hi Elyse! Wow!!! What a fantastic idea and what a super cute and wonderful gift that would make!, not to mention so unique and gorgeous too!! I love what you did!

You are so creative in every way girly and thanks for your sweet comments about the minis too! Hope you had a great weekend and a great week ahead! Super Hugs :) Cyn xo

Maureenie said...

Loving it! Making it! Giving it!

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

what an adorable idea! i love! : )

luckygirlgifts said...

What a sweet idea. My oldest is going off to New York in a couple of months. Her dorm is actually going to have a kitchen because she loves to cook. This would make a perfect little gift for her.
Congratulations on your home being featured!!
I've been so out of the loop lately, I hope all is well with you.
xoxo
Cari b.

Liz Bradley said...

I found your blog thanks to Romantic Country magazine!
I am now a proud follower!
Thanks,
Liz
www.mylovelylittlelulu.blogspot.com

FrenchGardenHouse said...

What a great idea, Elyse! This is so perfect to give at a party, or tea as a favor. A brilliant idea, thanks so much for sharing this with us. xo Lidy

Sugar Pink Boutique said...

What a great idea! I was going to gather my favorite recipes that everyone asks for and give them as a Christmas gift this year. I was trying to think of a pretty way to package them and this is just perfect! Thank you so much for sharing!

Tiffany ~ The Fancy Farmgirl said...

kathy (kat collects) my friend just came over with the cottage magazine you are in and showed me!! Fabulous article elyse, and so freakin adorable is your cottage!!
xoxox, Tiffany

Cottage 1945 said...

What a cute idea!

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Super over the top adorable!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Such a great idea for a simple but thoughtful and personal gift. Love it! Blessings, Tammy

Brenda said...

Elyse,

I have gathered everything to start my project. However, every CD case in my house opens flat. How do you get it to stand up?

Brenda