Tag Archives: Recipes

Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright Cookbook Cover

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Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright Cookbook Cover-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design

Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright Cookbook Cover and Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe

Hello, Friends!  I thought I’d pop in today and share how I put together this Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright Cookbook Cover.  Last year I decided I really needed to update the “made from scratch” cookbook that I’ve been using for the past 30+ years.  Many of the pages were falling out, the spine was crumbling and it was just a general mess.

While I was editing the recipes, I decided I wanted to have 2 separate binders: one for my everyday recipes, and one dedicated strictly to my holiday recipes.  Christmas baking is a very big deal in our family.  When our first son was born, I started a tradition of baking each family member’s favorite cookie at Christmas time.  Not a big deal, as our family consisted of just Dale, Peter and myself.  But then along came Liz…followed quickly by Kimberly and Andrew and finally Joel.  Oh, and my mom moved in with us, too.  So that meant 8 different kinds of Christmas cookies each year.

Then, the kids got married, so their spouses had to have their favorites…and then…the grandchildren…so you get the picture.  I make about 12 different kinds of Christmas cookies every year.  And of course there are the special breads and main dishes and sides that we enjoy at various parties and holiday meals.  See why I  needed a separate cookbook?

Double Duty Kitchen Decor

The cookbook looks super cute displayed in the vintage hutch that sits in the eating area of our kitchen.  The Simple Stories Snap Binder even matches the color of the hutch!  When Sophie and I were decorating for Christmas yesterday, she said, “Nan, you really should decorate the cover of this recipe album and put it in the hutch.”  So I did.

Because this is a “working” binder, I kept the embellishments a little simpler.  No big bows or fancy floral displays on this creation.  Just a few stickers from the paper collection, some cute kitchen embellishments and a simple ribbon border dress the cover up nicely.

Here’s a look at the spine.

TIP: Cut chipboard to fit inside the  metal label frame.  Now you can adhere the cute sticker to the chipboard and dress up the spine.

The ribbon border runs all the way around the base of the album.  And I could not resist adding this sticker to the back cover.

Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright Cookbook Cover Process Video on YouTube

This isn’t really a tutorial, because I don’t really teach you anything.  But I do invite you to watch me dress up the cookbook cover.  If you’d like to join me, please enjoy this video on my YouTube channel.

 

My Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe

Since we’re talking Christmas and cookies and all things yummy, I thought I’d share my favorite Christmas cookie recipe with you.

Gingersnaps:  Soft and chewy, old fashioned flavor.  I like to double the spices.

  • 1/2 cup softened butter
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses (I like Grandma’s Molasses)
  • 2 1/4 cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • Coarse sugar like turbinado for rolling
  • Mix shortening, brown sugar, molasses and egg thoroughly in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except granulated sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
  • Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Dip tops in granulated sugar. Place balls, sugared sides up, 3 inches apart on cookie sheet.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until set but not hard. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

I hope you enjoy!  What’s your favorite Christmas cookie?

You can find a linked supply list below this post.

Thanks for stopping by, friends!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Merry Christmas Recipe Card Folio Tutorial

Photoplay Mad 4 Plaid Christmas Recipe Card Folio Tutorial by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Throwback Thursday Merry Christmas Recipe Card Folio Tutorial with Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, Friends!  If you bake special holiday treats, this Merry Christmas Recipe Card Folio Tutorial is just for you.  Every year, I have a trove of  savory and sweet goodies that I only make at Christmas.  Since I got tired of looking for them in my larger recipe card holder, I decided to make this cute 6 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ x 1″  double waterfall folio to hold them all. I just love it when cute meets practical, don’t you?

Wrapped Up in Ribbon

Really Reasonable Ribbon October 2021 Ribbon Club by Kathy Clement PHoto 01

The base of this Merry Christmas Recipe Card Folio is made from heavy duty black cardstock.  Then I dressed it up for the holidays with ribbons from the Really Reasonable Ribbon October Ribbon Club Assortment.  They paired perfectly with Photoplay Paper’s Mad 4 Plaid Christmas collection.

TIP: Create a fun focal image by layering Christmas Pine Cones and Branches Satin over Forest Green Satin with a Grosgrain Edge Ribbon.  Anchor the corners of the image with a bow cluster of Gold Metallic String, Rusty Jingle Bells and an itty bitty posy.  Then cover a wooden clothespin with a scrap of designer paper and a little gold metallic string bow.  Attach this on the opposite side of the image to balance things out.

TIP:  Wrap the center of the folio with Bold Check Christmas Plaid Ribbon.  Leave the tails long so you can tie a bow to serve as the closure for the folio.

Christmas Ornaments

Photoplay Mad 4 Plaid Christmas Recipe Card Folio Reneabouquets Beautiful Board by Kathy Clement

 

Dress up the spine with this handsome Santa and Snowflake.  Oh, and I added some of my precious vintage buttons to the album cover, too.

A Peek Inside

Double waterfall features house the recipe card section of the folio.  The plaid clasps are magnetic to keep everything neat and tidy.

Use scraps of designer paper to create pockets for the recipe cards.  This makes it easy to pull the recipe cards out when you want to use them and protects the book from getting messy.

Leave some pages blank for photos.  You can also create little tip ins and flip down pages to make the folio more fun.

The front flap of the folio is a gatefold feature.  Once again, use ribbon as a closure.

Place photos on the side flaps and under the belly band.  The tiny envelope is a great place to tuck in a gift card or a special note.

The back side of the front flap is a little pocket/photo mat page with a decorative flap.

It’s important to include photos of you baking with your kids, friends, spouse or grandkids.  You may not think so now, but those photos will be as precious as the recipes in years to come.

Quick Video Flip Through

Here’s a quick flip through of the folio so you can see how all the moving parts work together.  I also put together a very basic video tutorial for the folio base.  It’s enough to get you started on this fun project!

Quick note:  You’ll notice that the cover of the folio is different in the video than it is in the photos.  That’s because a couple of days after I finished the video, I found the Reneabouquets Santa Sleigh Beautiful Board, and could not resist making the change to the album. 

Basic Cutting Guide

Here are the  basic measurements you need for the folio:

  • Base: (2) 4 1/2″ x 11″ panels of heavy black cardstock.  Join and score at 6 1/2″ and 7 1/2″.  Then fold and score again at 6 1/2″.  Fold and score a final time at 6 1/4″.  The little flap forms the inside pocket.
  • Liners for the covers and waterfall pages are red cardstock cut to 6 3/8″ x 4 3/8″.  You will need 4.
  • Red cardstock liners for the pocket page and front flap are 6 1/8″ x 4 3/8″.  You will need 2.
  • Red Cardstock liners for the spine: (2) 3/4″ x 4 3/8″.
  • Double waterfall pages are 6 3/4″ x 4 1/4″.  Score 1/2″ flap on the left hand side for the left  hand page.  Score 1/2″ flaps on the right hand side for the right hand page.  You will need 6 total.

You can find a linked supply list below the post.

Baking with my kids, and now my granddaughters, is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I should probably make one of these little folios for each of them so they can continue the tradition.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Authentique Rejoice Christmas Recipe Folio

Authentique Rejoice Christmas Recipe Folio with Really Reasonable Ribbon by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop with Authentique Rejoice Christmas Recipe Folio

Hello, Friends!  I’m so glad you hopped on over from Karen’s lovely blog to see this Authentique Rejoice Christmas Recipe Folio.  It’s my project for the Really Reasonable Ribbon November Hop and my Authentique Paper Design Team post.

Baking plays a big role in the Clement clan holiday festivities!  What better way to showcase all those treasured special cookie, appetizer and treat recipes than in this lovely 8″ x 8″ folio.  Authentique Paper’s Rejoice collection looks like it was made specifically to go with the gorgeous ribbons in this month’s RRR Club!

Ribbon does more than just tie pretty bows!  It’s also a great way to add a border to a card, mini album or layout.  For the cover, I’ve layered Old Gold Shimmer Satin Ribbon with Snowflakes on Old Gold Satin.  This lends a wonderful richness and elegance to the traditional plaid papers .

The bow cluster features more ribbons from this month’s club: Old Gold Diamond Satin Ribbon and Holiday Dots Satin.   To pick up on these ribbons, I painted the resin frame with white chalk paint, then spattered with gold mica mist.  Shabbylicious!

Gold Reindeer and a festive gingerbread man charm fit right it with all the gold and white ribbons.

Authentique Rejoice Christmas Recipe Folio: A Peek Inside

The interior of the album is filled with interactive elements and lots of tuck spots for the printed recipe cards that come with the Rejoice collection.  I’ve used ribbon as an accent on many of the pages.

The heart of this Rejoice Christmas Recipe Folio is the pocket waterfall.  Recipe cards can be tucked inside the pockets for safe keeping.  Add a label to the front of the pocket so you know which recipe is inside.   The back side of each page has room for a photo or journaling.  I’ve used more of the Old Gold Snowflake satin ribbon to hold everything neatly in place.

As you can see, there’s loads of room for photos, journaling and recipes here.

Authentique Rejoice Christmas Recipe Folio Tour on YouTube

It’s easier to view a mini album in a video format, so I prepared a short tour with tips and tricks for you to enjoy.

On with the Hop

Now, hop on over and see what paper pretties Linsey has in store for you.  Then visit the RRR Blog and answer Bonnie’s question of the month to have your name entered in the drawing for your very own November Ribbon Club Assortment.

If you are not a member of the Ribbon Club yet, it’s really easy to join.  It’s like getting a Christmas gift in your mailbox every single month of the year!  Find out how to sign up HERE.

I hope I shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your next crafty adventure.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for hopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Authentique Liberty Pie Shaker Card Folio

Authentique Liberty Pie Shaker Card Folio with Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, Friends!  Memorial Day is upon us, so I thought it would be fun to share this Authentique Liberty Pie Shaker Card Folio with you all.

Authentique Liberty PIe Shaker Card Folio by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design for Really Reasonable Ribbon Photo 01

This 5″ x 7″ top fold card folio features a really fun shaker frame focal.  Here’s how I made it:

Authentique Liberty Pie Shaker Card Folio: The Ribbon

Tie a bold and beautiful Electric Blue Diamond Satin Bow and adhere it in the lower right hand corner of the frame.  This gorgeous ribbon is part of the RRR May Ribbon Club Assortment. Top this with a loopy Gold Metallic String Bow and a red posy.

Note: because so many of you ask, the die cut behind the focal image is a combination of the Heartfelt Creations Circle Basics Large and Eyelet Circle Dies.

Authentique Liberty Pie Shaker Card Folio: The Flower Cluster

To go with the pie theme of this fun card, I added some (retired) Petaloo Blueberry picks to my Little Birdie Roses, WOC Gold Bead/Berry Clusters, and Glitter Stars.

Authentique Liberty Pie Shaker Card Folio: A Peek Inside

Oh, look!  It’s a party!  Here’s a flip page and a pocket detail tucked inside the card.

To make the flip page, cut a 7 1/2″ x 6 7/8″ panel of Authentique Spectrum Tricycle Red Cardstock.  Score it just short of 5″ on the long side and fold to form a flap.  Then cut a couple of 4″ x 3″ images from the Liberty Collection and mat them on Old Glory Spectrum Cardstock.  Adhere these on the front side of the flip page, then decorate the back as you see fit.

Create a 4″ x 6″ envelope with an envelope punch board.  Adhere the envelop flap to the card base.  This is a really quick and easy way to make a flip element for a card.  Tuck the recipe inside the envelope.

To fill the bottom pocket, create a magnet!  Place 2 Large Basic Grey Magnets on the back of the mason jar image.  Stitch the image onto a panel of red canvas ticking that you’ve edged with burlap trim. Top with a double loop bow tied with 3/8″ Patriotic Plaid Ribbon.

I can’t believe the summer holidays are already upon us!  The year is really flying by!  I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have served in our military, or offered up a loved one in service.  I salute you!

Did you find some tips, tricks and techniques you can use in today’s post?  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below! To check out another fun patriotic card made with the Authentique Liberty Collection, Click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy