Handmade Heirlooms: Two Gift Ideas To Showcase Your Family's Favorite Recipes

Whether there’s an old family recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation, or you have a concoction that you’re convinced will be your legacy, create an heirloom piece that will last for years to come. What better way to commemorate comfort cooking than with a shadow box or a tea towel.

Show-Stopping Shadow Box

Step No. 1: Create Backdrop

Remove the backing of your shadow box, and lay it on a flat surface. Cover the backing with a piece of fabric or wrapping paper to create a basic background to make the coming details pop.

Step No. 2: Add Details

Attach your personal details to the shadow box backing. We chose a silver pie server, an antiqued picture and a well-loved recipe card to create a timeless, heirloom-packed memory box. Straight pins will hold the cherished items in place.

Tea Towel Treasure

Step No. 1: Create Recipe Card

To transfer a cherished handwritten recipe onto a framed towelette, begin by scanning the recipe card. Flip the scanned image so it will print out backwards, and print the image on inkjet transfer paper.

Step No. 2: Transfer to Towel

Lay a tea towel out on a flat surface. Whether it is an antiqued towel or a new-to-you cloth, select a pattern and color that will showcase the beloved recipe beautifully. Lay the printed image over the top of the tea towel. Position the recipe where desired. Set your iron to high with no steam, and iron over the transfer paper to convert the recipe into cloth form. Voila! The endearing towel is complete.