Back in July, I had come across the blog Controlling My Chaos. Its author, Jill, is fantastically creative and organized. Yeah, I know~ but it’s like Mulan’s grandmother said, “We can’t ALL be acupuncturists.” 🙂 Anyhow, she had created this great filing system for her recipes. Even better she provided a tutorial AND graciously posted her darling templates. So here is A Cookbook for the College Kid.
A Cookbook for the College Kid
Now like any good mother I had begun to think about if the Fashionista would eat well-balanced meals once she was out on her own. My mind wandered back to her Sweet 16 where I had spent several months compiling a birthday book. I wrote to all of our friends, neighbors and family members to ask if they would contribute a page to the birthday book. The end result included thoughts on life, inspirational poems, memories of my girl, among other lovely things. Four years later she still treasures her book. So I thought, “Why not do something similar, but in the form of a cookbook?” (Because you know how I like to put my own creative spin on other people’s fantastic ideas. 🙂 So here is the cover of the Fashionista’s cookbook:
In the front pocket of the plain white binder, I included a sappy letter and a few recipes for life such as: Take 1 cup of kindness… The sections were placed in alphabetical order and each section was separated by a tab attached to an opaque cover sheet. (Which is why the word “appetizers” is softly muted.)
Of course, some sections were just more fun than others to work on…
I took all of the recipes that were sent in and reformatted them in Microsoft word and glued the printed recipes to acid-free cardstock that was color coordinated to each section.
Here was another favorite topic:
I couldn’t help but make copies of a few of the recipes for myself. 🙂
All of Jill’s designs were completely adorable. Doesn’t just looking at “Bread” make you happy and hungry?
Make sure you go visit so that you can see all of her fantastic creations.
What cute things are you cooking up?
What a great idea, Laura! Even for kids leaving the nest {not just for college}. I could probably put something like this together for my daughter and then she can add to it.
My family does that all the time, mostly for family members who are getting married. I've never seen one come out looking anything like this one though.
What program is used to create those pages? I've got to get me something like that.
This is so cute! It would be great for anyone just getting their own place! I love it!
Thanks for the link love, Laura. I love your daughter's book, it turned out so nice. What a thoughtful, sentimental gift to include so many recipes from loved ones. You are brilliant!
What a fabulous idea!! It's darling too. I would really love if I could have just a tiny fraction of the creativity you have.
The idea of the book when she turned 16. I'll have to file that away in my brain for someday. 🙂
You come up with the neatest ideas! 🙂 Love this.
The only cute thing I'm cooking up is Sarah's room — I have help this weekend from my Dad, the professional painter. He's nearly 84 and still going strong. We'll be tackling the silvery-gray paint tomorrow.
Oh this is such a great idea for any child that is going out on their own. I know your daughter will love this for her entire life and many of the recipes will become her signature trademark. Such a lovely gift. Hugs, Marty
What an adorable idea!
Thats is so sweet and thoughtful!
Laura, I was wondering if you would be able to come to the next Az. Bloggers lunch on Oct. 30th. If you would email me at astrollthrulife@gmail.com, I can get all the information to you. Hugs, Marty
What a lovely idea! It has given me an idea to create a cookbook for our daughter with favorite family recipes! Thanks!
Great idea! Now your girl has all cherished recipes from you! When my mother died unexpected I was so pleased that she told me her recipe of her now work but delicious tomato soup, but I am still searching for her coconut lychee desert! Have a great weekend!
What a great idea. That book turned out great. I know your daughter will treasure it always. You are such a good Mom and so talented. Thanks for the link too.
I gave all the women in my family a homemade wooden recipe box and all the family recipes with pictures and decorations on the recipe cards for Christmas last week. They all loved it!
Hi Laura,
I have a favor to ask of you. But I can't say it in Blogland! 🙂 Could you please send me your Email? Mine is Kdecapite@gmail.com.
thanks! Karen
This is just beautiful! I would love one of these myself. Great job. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
you are such a great mom. can i borrow you?
and I love the no ad look for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joni
Hi Laura,
Your cookbook for your daughter turned out GREAT!! I really appreciate the link to your source for such cute dividers, too.
I've been working on printing recipes for my married daughter for YEARS & I just can't seem to complete it. Your's is SOOOO much nicer, you've given me the push to finish mine & make it look really pretty. It takes a long time to print out all those recipes!!! 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh & loved the Indy party, too…COOL!
What a great idea! And beautiful too.
Way To Cute! A great idea done better! 🙂
~Liz
Oh my goodness, this looks awesome and your girl is going to LOVE IT! How special. Hopefully I will remember to do this when my Dear Bebe is older! I'll have to leave myself a note somewhere. :0)
This is the cutest recipe book I've ever seen! This is kinda of a trend in our church to give a bride-to-be a recipe book created with recipes gathered from her friends and family. Yours is wonderful:) looks good enough to eat the book itself!
Jill
Thank you sweet friend for passing this info along. You know my own sweet girl just moved out and she wants me to gather up her favorite recipes. I am going to spin off your spin off and do the same. Thanks!
My mom did the same thing for me 25 years ago. My cousin needlepointed a cover; all the women folk sent their own handwritten recipes.
I still love to go through it and read my grandmother's recipe cards. They have begun to yellow, and I imagine her writing them out in her midwestern farmhouse kitchen over a cup of tea.
A few years ago, i looked through it again, page by page, and found a special note tucked away in a pocket from my mom. It truly was a special surprise so many years later.
Your daughter will treasure this for the many memories it will bring throughout her lifetime.
I love it. You did a great job. Thanks for sharing.