Truly, three of my favorite things in life include making books, eating food, and sharing recipes. The project for this week’s How-Tuesday is a delicious concoction composed of all three of these elements.
I’m happy to welcome artist, author, and collector of postcards Esther K. Smith back to the blog with a tutorial from her latest book, The Paper Bride. Esther will also be joining us in person at Craft Night on Monday, September 13 for a real life bookbinding lesson and potluck at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY.
Bookbinder Hedi Kyle invented this amazing and very easy structure in the 1970s for a Center for Book Arts exhibit at the Elaine Benson Gallery in South Hampton, Long Island. Gary Frost, a bookbinder/historian named it the flag book. I sometimes call it “flip flap” after its lively sound and action.
The cookbook potluck bridal shower can be fun for people who cook — or people who can do creative things with the idea of recipes. A community cookbook we contributed to had a joke recipe for BBQ Elephant to serve 500 — ingredients: 1 elephant, 200 gallons of BBQ sauce.
Your shower invitation might advise guests to cook their favorite secret family recipe for the potluck. They can bring the food in kitchen items that will serve as gifts. If the bride needs a set of dishes — particularly a set of vintage dishes — those could even be used for the potluck.
Include a card for the recipe when you send the invitation, and perhaps a few extras in case someone makes a mistake. Tell guests to only write on one side, or make a clear margin so that they don’t write where you will need to attach the card to the book. You can do this with a piece of peel ’n’ stick double-stick tape.
You can purchase The Paper Bride right here on Etsy!
Materials:
Recipe cards — use index cards or cut your own from card stock
Heavy, foldable paper
Cover — raw book-binding board or museum board, or recycle old book covers, boxes, etc.
Double-stick tape or bookbinding paste or glue
Bone folder
Scissors
Decorative end papers (optional)
Directions:
1. Think about how many cards you will be including in this book before you begin — try making a quick dummy book from scrap paper to learn the form and try out some sizes and ideas. Your book will need an extra fold in the front and one in the back to attach to the cover.
2. Fold a narrow accordion from heavy, foldable paper. Make it tall enough to accommodate two to three recipe cards.
3. Make covers from plain board, or cover the board with book cloth or paper. If you are recycling, a cut-up box can continue the theme. Cut your cover boards big enough to accommodate the height of the narrow accordion plus the width of your cards (once they are attached).
4. Lay out your finished recipe cards on the accordion so that they look interesting and don’t bump when opened, alternating sides of the accordion and glue as shown.
5. Glue the accordion to the covers, burnishing well (as always!).
6. Cut decorative end sheets a bit smaller than the covered board and glue to hide bare board and raw edges of cloth.
7. Weight carefully and let dry overnight. If you are using a wet glue or paste, change waste sheets as necessary to absorb moisture.
Thank you to Esther K. Smith and the good folks at Potter Craft for sharing this project with us.
For more paper and wedding inspiration, check out The Paper Bride.
Rolling Ball Books | Garland Guest Books | More How-Tuesday Posts | Books & Zines on Etsy
66 comments
Sign in to add your ownAyca says:
I love tutorials! Thanks for sharing :)
1 year ago
TwinkleStarCrafts says:
How wonderful. Thank you for this!
1 year ago
CatchTheEye says:
This is a fantastic idea!
1 year ago
candacejean says:
This is so crafty and could really work for anything. I love this idea! Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
EncourageCreations says:
Great Share! love it.
1 year ago
polkadotmagpie says:
I love everything about this post. Wonderful and meaningful ideas.
1 year ago
LuRuUniques says:
Love it!!! Thank you for sharing your great ideas.
1 year ago
buysomelove says:
I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing fun tutorials! I should totally try this out with my son.
1 year ago
roseglen says:
I like the liquid shower variation
1 year ago
tstepien says:
Love the pyrex bowls!
1 year ago
poplovedesigns says:
I adore that Flag-book idea, it could be so useful for all my fabric dye recipes! Though, I'd have to be sure not to leave it in the kitchen, I don't know how well alum goes with chicken salad... <3 Andrea
1 year ago
dabbledesigns says:
How fun is this! I'm totally making one! Thanks :)
1 year ago
ZenAndCoffee says:
These are fantastic! Great ideas and I love the tutorials! Thank you for sharing! ~Wren ZenAndCoffee.etsy.com Arm Warmers & Fingerless Gloves for all seasons & styles! <3
1 year ago
ZenAndCoffee says:
LOL poplovedesigns! That made me smile. Thanks :P ~Wren ZenAndCoffee.etsy.com Arm Warmers & Fingerless Gloves for all seasons & styles! <3
1 year ago
bylynnkrestel says:
Fabulous!!!! thanks so much for sharing - i will definitely try this!
1 year ago
CircaCeramics says:
Uh-oh - I think I may try this one! Thanks for posting it :) -Nancy
1 year ago
theuniquebird says:
Great idea!
1 year ago
bedbuggs says:
Love it, Thanks for Sharing!
1 year ago
jenniferdarezzo says:
How fun!
1 year ago
Absurdious says:
A super cool idea. I know I will have to give it a try and make one! Yeah! for new ideas! Thanks
1 year ago
OldTimePickers says:
Fun tutorial!
1 year ago
miltonandmargies says:
This is adorable! My mom and I, who are both craft-obsessed, keep talking about sharing recipes. This would be the perfect project!
1 year ago
sweetjane says:
I love this "homey" and thoughtful gift! A TRUE gift to be kept forever!! Thanks for the great idea!!
1 year ago
LeafandInk says:
This takes me back to remembering all of the bridal showers I have been to and even thrown for others. Giving recipes in a book form is such a great way to bring a homey feel into a new marriage. The Liquor Shower/Party is a fantastic idea! I had never heard of that one. I really like the inclusion of gifts that go with a theme shower and including vintage gifts to boot! Now I must go shopping via all the wonderful items you have shared!
1 year ago
southernladysvintage says:
Love the tutorials! A wonderful gift for anyone!
1 year ago
mommylion says:
Very creative idea!! Thanks!
1 year ago
accidentalcharm says:
I have always been fascinated by book making. what a fun looking project. thanks so much!
1 year ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
I have never seen a flag book until just now. I love it! I might take all of my (barely used) recipe cards out of the box and make a flag book with them.
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Super sweet ! Thanks !
1 year ago
ohbabydotcom says:
What a clever idea!
1 year ago
rarebeasts says:
That's cool, I might give it a go.
1 year ago
homemadepop says:
i adore everything about this article....the content, the ideas, the illustrations....fantastic.
1 year ago
StringsnTings says:
Super cute idea!
1 year ago
WhisperingOak says:
Great Idea! I have recipe cards from friends with cookie recipes. Nice way to keep them all in one place.
1 year ago
recycledwares says:
what a cute idea...
1 year ago
Mclovebuddy says:
excellent how to illustrations. so adorable.
1 year ago
AnodynePress says:
A liquid shower! Awesome! How about for a housewarming, not just for people who get married? Also, kudos to the great explaination of flag book making, which is something I've only just started to experiment with. This is one of the best breakdowns of the process I've ever seen. Thanks!
1 year ago
sewnewthings says:
What a great idea
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Great idea! Thanks!
1 year ago
TheEvesLikeUs says:
Great idea! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
1 year ago
lauraprentice says:
What a cool idea, I am helping host a bridal shower this week and we were short on ideas but this came at a perfect time!
1 year ago
beachglassshop says:
Thank you for this tutorial!!!
1 year ago
rayovintage says:
What a great idea!!
1 year ago
zmedceramics says:
i share your passion in eating food, and sharing recipes ... i don't make books but i make dishes to go with my food! i think dishes are an important part of presentation and unique dishes certainly add a nice flavor! thanks for sharing this!
1 year ago
PurgatoryPiePressINK says:
Thanks so much everyone for your sweet comments~ Don't tell anyone but THE PAPER BRIDE is a book arts/paper-craft book in brides clothing-- These ideas can work for birthdays, family (and school) reunions, anniversaries--pot luck dinners--fancy dinner parties--pretty much anything you can imagine. The projects make great gifts--some are fun to make with kids--we made group published projects with our children's elementary school classes--including a cookbook with pastepaper endsheets. Have fun with your flagbook cookbooks--send pix so we can all see them! Love, Esther
1 year ago
sofisticata says:
Thank you for sharing this one!! I love tutorials and cooking! This is a great idea!!!
1 year ago
NicoAndMooMoo says:
This How-Tue is so fun! Now I know what to do with my rainy day... I'll get started!!! YAY
1 year ago
adessojewelry says:
This is a wonderful post, so unique! Thank you for sharing these instructions and other great information, inspiring all of us.
1 year ago
funkeyfinds says:
oh this is a great post! xo
1 year ago
polkadotshop says:
I can't wait to make this! The book sounds like it has cute ideas for everyone. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
WingsDove says:
Awesome - I love things for the kitchen.
1 year ago
rollinindough says:
Pretty neat idea! I can see many applicable uses for this with my school age kids. Thanks!!
1 year ago
SouthernBelleOOAK says:
This is such a fascinating idea. I have never seen a flag book until just now. Thank you for sharing this.
1 year ago
MyJunkyTrunk says:
I love it!!!
1 year ago
julessabjewelry says:
I'm going to make one of these cook books for my BFF... She'll love it!
1 year ago
jibbyandjuna says:
Love the flip flap book! I can think of lots of uses for the same idea. Thanks!
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Looks really cool...I totally need to do this! Thanks!
1 year ago
MissChevious says:
That's such a fantastic idea! I was thinking about doing cookbooks with my original recipes for Christmas gifts this year but wanted to have it in a creative format. I think I just found it!
1 year ago
treasuredarling says:
Great idea! I should try this!
1 year ago
Maggiesangels says:
I love this idea! This will be wonderful as Christmas Gifts :)
1 year ago
KathyGDesigns says:
Cool! Can't wait to try this!
1 year ago
RedTeapotDesigns says:
I love this idea! Too bad I just bought a recipe card book :(
1 year ago
daisychaincolumbus says:
I am starting on this today....LOOOOOVE it! What a fabulous way to start my own family recipe book.
1 year ago
ragsbysockmonkey says:
OMG great wedding present! So going to make one for myself and one for my newly married friends. Thanks for this awesome idea. I also love the idea of the potluck/craft party. Maybe I'll join you via virtual chat :).
1 year ago
demdesigns says:
What a great idea for a shower gift. Especially for the 2nd time around bride or the person who has a house set up already. Thanks for the ideas.
1 year ago
vintageprecious says:
How fun!
1 year ago