Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

DIY Last Minute Holiday Gift Giving: Handmade Recipe Book

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen baking all my Holiday goodies. In between watching what’s in the oven an idea came to mind. This is so simple and inexpensive (under $3.) that you can create your own in less than 10 minutes. They make great gifts for those who love to cook/bake. Need a last minute gift? Attending a holiday dinner? The hostess would love one. Family reunion? Collect favorite recipes from everyone and combine in one book. You can also give the book without any recipes inside, but it would add a nice touch if you shared some of your favorites.
Here’s what I did.  

You can pick up these mini brag books (photo albums) just about anywhere but I find that the ones Michaels sell hold up better.  The Recollections brand holds 36 – 4×6 photos.  They cost $1.99.  I was fortunate enough to catch a sale at Michaels and got them for $1.00.  

I customized my cover with a photo that I took at my Mom’s Vintage Store of an old mixer that was admired by many. It had since sold, so I’m glad I have the photo. Adds a nice touch for this project. If your giving this gift to someone who’s spends most of their time in the kitchen (maybe their a professional chef) you could use a photo of them in action. How about cataloging the gift?  Give a set of three or more. One for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oh, and one for desserts. My muse is coming in loud and clear with ideas right now. Back to the tutorial.
I removed the cover from the album and measured a piece of black cardstock the same size. You may use whatever color you wish. Match it with the recipients kitchen color for a more customized look.

I took a piece of white cardstock (cut smaller than the black piece) and used a scalloped scissors to the edges.

This book is mine so I added the text Recipes to the photo. Again, personalize here as you wish. Using double faced tape I attached the photo to the white cardstock and then to the black. I recycled the previous cover by attaching it to the new cover (design facing the black paper). That way I have a empty white page when the book opens to add notes. Or a personal message to the recipient.

Insert back into the photo album and guess what? Your done! I told you it was simple.
If I was to gift this I would add some recipes of my own using 4×6 index cards. Add a nice writing pen and the remaining index cards and your gift is ready. 
What’s nice about using these photo albums for recipe books is that when you accidentally hold the beaters up and dough flies everywhere it wipes off easily. Yes, I’ve done that several times.
Okay, one more idea. My sister shared these adorable photos of my niece Maggie cooking in the kitchen.
Alternate the recipes with adorable photos such as these.  
I’m completely obsessed with these photo album books. So much that I’ve decided to utilize them for another DIY project, titled The Polaroid Project. Check out that post here.  
Check back tomorrow for the weekly Top 10 List.  I’ve sharing DIY wrapping inspiration and quick appetizer recipes.  And I’ve got a couple more simple last minute gift ideas to share before the big day arrives.

DIY Inspiration-The Polaroid Project: Part One

©JenniferSchultingPhotography2012
I have friends on Facebook doing a countdown until Christmas. Every time I come across their post I have a minor meltdown. I have so many projects that need to be completed. Serious discipline and dedication is needed right now. Once I get a project going I’m good. It’s the “starting” is where I struggle. Permission to kick! Perhaps this post will be the “start” that I’m looking for.
I’ll be outsourcing the printing portion, so to avoid the holiday rush of locals at the Copy & Print Center, I need to get this one going. If it sounds like I’m repeating myself it’s because I am. The more I hear it the more motivated I become. It’s working…
Did you know?
The Polaroid Corporation was founded in 1937 by Edwin Land. He developed the first Polaroid Land Camera. Seventy five years later we are still enjoying the cameras. Read more history here.  
When’s the last time you used a Polaroid camera? I came across these two photos of Taz and 2Pac (previous fur-kids) when I was cleaning my office. Doing the math in my head I come up with the number eight. Eight years ago I took these with my Polaroid Camera. They were found tucked away in a box for safe keeping. *sigh*
It was discovering these two photos that got the wheels spinning in my brain.  
Therefore, I present to you…The Polaroid Project.

I’m putting together a collection of my photography that correspond with each letter of the alphabet. You know, A is for Apple, D is for Dog. Get it? I’m creating each page to look like a Polaroid.
My target audience?

I have six nieces and nephews who will love this. They all love books and plus they will recognize a lot of the photos that I’m using. A creative way to make learning fun.
Want a camera for yourself? Here’s a couple of sources for ya.
JuniperHome on Etsy has an awesome collection of cameras. Here’s one of their Polaroids.
Film? No problem. The Impossible Project has plenty. Beware! If your a “photography geek” such as myself, you will get easily distracted on their website, and their blog, and in their shop…You were warned!  
How about this one? FalconandFinch’s Etsy shop also offers the film for this camera.
Okay, gotta go, I’ve got a book to put together. And the countdown to Christmas continues (silent scream).
P.S.  I also have a new product that will be making an appearance in the Vintage shop in Galena, IL. Do you see them somewhere in this post? My first batch turned out so cute that I’m keeping them. So, I’ll be making more.  
P.S.S.  Smash books are moving along as well. I’ll be posting an update soon. Finally figured out what I wanted to use for the covers. 
Read Part Two of The Polaroid Project here.

DIY Inspiration: Smash Book Progress

©JenniferSchultingPhotography2012
I’m extremely excited yet overly tired.  Honestly, I could fall asleep within 30 seconds of hitting the pillow.  First I want to share an update regarding the Smash Books.  If your new to the blog, *thanks* for visiting.  Also, read here for the history behind this awesome handmade project.
I’ve got three piles of cutouts ready to go.  Huge piles.  I surprised myself at how much I’ve collected for this.  Every page in the book isn’t going to be the exact same size.  Why?  Because I hate to measure and I don’t want to take the time to cut again.  I’ve spent enough time with the scissors for the prep work.  And it doesn’t matter if they match.  I’ve got an idea to make each page fit within the book.  It was inspired by a child’s toy that I saw in the store.  I’ll share more when I approach that step.  
I also kept the odd pieces from each box that I broke down.  Not sure where they will fit in, but I couldn’t throw them away.
That’s all folks.  Girl needs sleep.  Check back tomorrow for Friday’s Top 10 List (I’ve made new connections and found some goodies from around the web).  On Saturday I’ll show you what supplies I’ve gathered to place in the books.  Everyday oddities that are inexpensive yet creative. 
Until the next word…
~Jennifer 

DIY Outdoor Inspiration: Mini Makeover Using Fabric Landscaping and River Rocks

This project was pretty simple.  It revolves around one grueling task.  Pulling weeds.  Having three dogs I don’t use chemicals in any area within the yard.  When it came time to empty my Grandma’s house I wanted to have items that I could use.  These six river rocks were from her front yard.  I positioned them along the garage and then took a step back to observe the view.  It’s like they were meant for this space. 
I’ve had them for a couple of years in this location.  I took the photo above at the beginning of Spring this year.  Doesn’t the space look terrible? The white rock was here when I moved in.  I added the mulch and over time with the rain the mulch ran everywhere.  And then the weeds came.
I use the fabric landscaping in the garden every year.  So I decided to use it here as well.  Why didn’t I think of this earlier?  Anyway, I pulled out the weeds one last time and raked the leftover mulch and white rock mixture out.  Removing all of that made the space a little deeper.  I cut a strip of fabric to fill the space and returned the rocks back into their spot.  Looks better already.
I have a love/hate relationship with mulch.  So, I flipped a coin on weather or not to use it again in this space.  
The weight of the rocks and mulch do a good job of holding down the fabric.  I added two garden pins, one at each end, for additional security.  I’m happy with it.  {For this year}
*****
Before I end my day to relax with my boys I want to share a picture of what I used this space for the year I moved in.  
Have you ever seen those cans of wildflower seeds they sell in the garden center?  They cost around four or five dollars.  Just sprinkle and water.  I was in complete disbelief that anything would actually grow.  
And then I got a forest of flowers!  And several bees came along with them.  They grew taller than me and took over the sidewalk.  I had to use fishing line to hold them back up against the garage. This was a one time experiment.  Never again will I buy a can of wildflower seeds. 
This was a table arrangement that I made from the wildflowers.  Pretty?  Sure, but they are called wildflowers for a reason.

DIY Recycling Inspiration: Handmade Smash Books for Christmas

Today is the first day of July.  And there’s no better time than to start those handmade Christmas projects than now. I’m trying very hard not to wait until the last minute with gifts this year.  I have two nieces and four nephews who will love these smash books.   
I’m going to post updates as the project progresses all the way up till their completion.  I invite you to create one along with me. Give one as a gift or a keepsake for yourself.
There is a few things that I would like to say before we get started.  
First, if you Google smash books you will get a wide variety of options to look at.  There are several ways to create one.  Some may call them a scrapbook or a journal.  I like Smash Book.  I’m sharing my ideas with you for inspiration.  There is no wrong way to make one.  Let your imagination flow.  I’ve seen some that focus on one particular subject or event.  My creations are going to be collection of photos and oddities that my nieces and nephews will enjoy.  They will all be signed and dated.  As I type this I’m envisioning in my head that this may turn into a yearly gift from their Aunt Jennifer.
We are living in a world full of technology.  Agree?  It’s nice to have something tangible to track your footprint.  Are you with me?
Second, I’m not promoting any of the product boxes that you see in this post.  I’m recycling everyday products that we all have in our homes.   
Let the creativity begin!
The core of this project revolves around recycling.  I’ve been collecting and saving all sorts of boxes for quite some time.  Cereal, crackers, Mac & Cheese, fruit snacks, etc.  If I can find a way to reuse something I’m happy.  Another bonus is your production costs is low.    
The Secret Life of Bees.  Have you seen it?  I’ll be watching this tonight while I start this project.  Perhaps I’ll order a pizza also.  Too hot to cook and I don’t dare turn the oven on.
The beginning is the most time consuming part.  If you own a large industrial paper cutter than you can breeze through the prep work.  I only use my paper cuter for cardstock, so using a pair of scissors will get the job done.  
I’m taking all of the boxes and cutting off the sides, top, and bottom.  Those will get set aside for use later.  The front and back will be used for the base pages of the books.     
I’m taking all of the cereal boxes and cutting them in half.  This will be the general size of the pages for each book. Do I measure each page to make sure they are even?  No.  Once you get to know me, you’ll find that I don’t measure anything.  To eyeball it works just fine for me.  I have some ideas for combining various sizes in the same book.  I’ll share that later when I get to it.
That’s all for now.  A Sunday evening with a movie, pizza, and a pair of scissors.  My next update will come when I’m all done cutting.  I have six books to make so I want to get the most gruesome part done all at once.
If I can inspire you to make one, you are awesome!  If your here to read along, you are awesome!  My muse sings a river of ideas to me daily.  And if I can create something interesting and inexpensive, then I want to share it with you.
I would love to hear (see) from you if your participating in this project.  Leave me a comment below. You can also communicate through my Eightymillion page on Facebook.  

DIY Garden Inspiration: Recycled Dog Kennel

Last year we scored a handful of dog kennel panels from a neighbor and recycled them to serve as a barrier around the garden. I say barrier because that’s what we need to keep the dogs out of the food source.  Something tall to prevent them from jumping over. We grow a lot of tomatoes and onions which aren’t good for their belly.  Chicken wire wasn’t doing the job, so we needed to try something else. 
These were perfect! 
It took us a couple of weeks to get the dirt ready to plant.  No rototiller here.  We use a shovel to turn the dirt.  It’s very relaxing and a great stress reliever. 
Almost ready.
Every year I use the fabric landscaping in the garden.  Love this stuff!
This collection of plants and flowers was my Mother’s Day gift this year.  I like using starter plants for the tomatoes, green peppers, various hot peppers, cabbage, and broccoli.  The spinach and collard greens are started from seeds.  There is limited space inside the house and three nosy dogs who would probably dig in the pots if we would attempt to start everything from seeds.
While we were planting Disco was having fun rolling in the grass with his football.
Our neighbor allowed us to chose the panels that we wanted.  We found a gate in the pile and it works great.  Adam positioned the plants according to their height and away from the door.  In previous gardens we were stepping over plants to water other plants and realized we didn’t leave ourselves enough leg room.  Another benefit of using the fabric landscaping.
Everything is growing except my spinach.  I’ve had trouble with this in previous years.  Not sure what I’m doing wrong, but oh well. Next year I’m planting kale in it’s place.
I’ll be sharing more pictures as the garden progresses.
If you have dogs and need a solution to keep them out of the garden, look for a kennel.  Check your local paper, recycling center, or Craigslist for a used one.  Some use the kennel to contain them in one place.  We’re using it to keep them out of one place.
So, do you plant a garden?  

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