Full disclosure- I originally posted this project for a recipe holder in August of 2014. And while I don’t like to be the kind of blogger that re-publishes old content, I’m making an exception for this one. It’s a super simple craft project and uses vintage kitchen utensils, which I happen to have a weakness for.
So, why re-publish an old post? Well, mostly because the original photos were atrocious. I’ve struggled with photography since the day I launched this website! But also from the “blogging as my full time career” perspective, the old post wasn’t in good “Google” format.
Then, I went on a junkin’ journey to Charleston and I kept finding vintage kitchen utensils. Specifically, I found one vintage potato masher…
…after another.
It seemed like a sign! A sign that I should completely re-do that old post with fresh photos and better writing.
This project only requires two components: Vintage kitchen utensils that stand up on their own and vintage clothespins.
And I already had plenty of the latter on hand…
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Making a Recipe Card Holder with Vintage Kitchen Utensils
A lot of us cook from recipes online or torn out from magazines. But there are always those special occasions that require a handed-down recipe, lovingly written on a recipe card.
And a recipe card holder comes in VERY handy on those special occasions.
To create one, I just needed to attach a wooden clothespin to a vintage potato masher. With hot glue. It’s really that simple!
Speaking of which, Etsy is a great place to find vintage potato mashers. Just in case you can’t find one at your local antiques mall!
Ironically enough, my vintage clothespins had warped over time. The rain and sun that had beaten down on these pins worked out in my favor.
Because most vintage kitchen utensils have a rounded handle!
Either way- that was it. I glued a clothespin to the potato masher and was done.
It works swimmingly as a recipe holder! And it protects the card from getting dripped on or lost in a cooking mess.
Kind of embarrassing how simply this really is! Hunting for vintage potato mashers and other vintage kitchen utensils is really the “hardest” part.
Recipe Holder from Vintage Kitchen Utensils
Sometimes it’s the simplest crafts that bring the greatest joy. Imagine having old kitchen tools, old clothespins, AND old recipe cards from your mother or grandmother.
And combining them all together in one adorably useful project as a recipe holder!
Either way, if you ever cook from recipe cards, then you might get a lot of use out of this project! And I appreciate you humoring me with this completely refreshed blog post of an old project.
Back to my original reasoning for re-publishing this old project: the photography. Once I finished that makeover for retro canisters, I knew they needed to be photographed with my recipe card holders!
Also, these don’t need to be limited to holding just recipe cards! I could see these holding a photo, a postcard, a shopping list, or an appointment reminder. Oh, maybe a dry-cleaning receipt! Or a bill that needs to be paid.
You get the drift.
Yes, they work perfectly as vintage kitchen decor, but could definitely be used for non-kitchen needs!
And if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for a recipe holder, then you may also enjoy this idea for a vase with a built in flower frog, too!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
That’s such a cute idea! And it doesn’t take up a lot of space like the ones I’ve seen made with a cutting board.
Right?! Takes up virtually no space at all. In fact, I find that they slide in between two stacks of dishes in a cupboard quite perfectly.
Sadie, I’m glad you reposted this idea…I had not seen it before and I love it! I will now be trolling for vintage “mashers”! Thanks for sharing…..even if it was again!!
Thank you, Karolyn! I sincerely appreciate hearing that. I pride myself on posting new, fresh ideas every time, but I’ve been blogging for nearly 7 years. So there are a LOT of old projects out there that most of my current readers/subscribers know nothing about.
Miss Sadie,this may be old to you, but it is new to me. I found your blog in 2016 or there about. Live all your projects. This a clever as well as useful. How’s the book coming? God Bless you. Have a great day.
Thank you so much, Charleen! I’m going on 7 years of blogging and have SO many old posts. I certainly won’t re-publish most of them, but I’m very glad that no one felt “duped” by me for republishing an old post as if it were a new idea.
Just joined your blog !! it’s so refreshing and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your talent. Awesome !! Keep up your unique work. God bless you always !!
Thank you so very much, Gracie- and welcome! I’m so glad you found me. I hope you find all sorts of upcycling inspiration here!
I liked your idea but what I really LOVED were your old recipe cards; they looked so well used–just like mine do! Who would have thought that warped clothespins would be so handy!
Right?? Pure luck!
Really cute idea! Like the Raisin Bran Muffin recipe….wowser 5 cups of flour, must make 2 or 3 dozen muffins! Thanks
Oh, it made SO MUCH BATTER! My mom usually froze at least half the batter. But they were the best bran muffins I’ve ever had, to this day.
Super adorable! Love the look AND function!
Sharing this weekend on DIY Salvaged Junk Projects 518. Thanks for linking up!
Thank you, my friend!
Hi great to hear from you and your spud masher makes wonderful recipe holder, how clever of you. Love to see ideas like this, will get myself a spud masher and make recipe holder. Thanks for sharing this great idea with me Hope all is well with you.
Have wonderful Easter Sunday.
Thank you so much- to you, as well!
I have that metal recipe card box and some of those recipe cards with the picture!
I have that same metal recipe card box and some of those recipe cards with the picture!
Thanks for sharing, I would have never thought about doing this. Love your blog. Keep it going.
Neat idea! I have all three things needed – glue gun, old potato masher and recipe cards.
Happy crafting to you, Janet!