Personalized Recipe Box + Recipe Cards

Make a personalized recipe box and recipe card gift. Learn how to personalize the recipe box with a wood burning tool. Perfect for wedding and shower gifts.

Disclosure: I was provided product from DecoArt to create this project. All content, photos, and views expressed are my own.

---

This Christmas, my goal is to Give Creatively {read more about that concept, here}. I want to be intentional in gift giving, creating or purchasing items that are both functional and meaningful. A set of Recipe Cards is one of my favorite items in the 2016 Holiday Collection, and I’m excited to give a set for Christmas, tucked into a rustic recipe box.

I’m sharing this recipe box as part of Handmade Holidays 2016. Today’s theme is Handmade Gift Ideas, and I can’t wait for you to go check out all the well-made projects. Included in the Handmade Holidays 2016 Hop, are gifts that you will enjoy giving and that you would also love to receive.

[Tweet “A Personalized Recipe Box + Recipe Cards #givecreatively”]

---

Personalized Recipe Box: Supplies

Walnut Hollow Wood Recipe Box
Pencil & Eraser
Ruler
Walnut Hollow Wood Burning Tool
Paint Brushes
Wood Stain
White Paint
Sanding Block
DecoArt Clear Creme Wax
DecoArt Deep Brown Creme Wax
Initial Recipe Cards

---

Personalized Recipe Box: Instructions

To begin, mark the center of the top of the wooden recipe box using a ruler and pencil. My recipe box is going to a person whose name begins with A. So, I drew a fancy freehand A, centered around the mark. This acts as a template for the Wood Burning Tool.

Have you ever use a Wood Burning Tool? I had not. One of the most important principles of DIY and crafting is this: Don’t be Afraid to Try.

Let the Wood Burning Tool heat up about 4-5 minutes, then draw over the penciled letter with the heated tip. The longer it sits in one spot, the darker the color. You can see that in the A, where there are some black dots. In those spots, it left a darker, deeper color. It wasn’t intentional, just part of learning to use the tool. Once you stain, paint, and wax the box for an antiqued look, the newbie “mishaps” won’t be very noticeable. Use a good eraser to remove any stray pencil marks.

To antique the box, I started with a coat of stain. Next, I dry brushed coats of white paint over the stain. Once the white paint dried, I sanded it and added sealing wax. Use a combination of DecoArt Clear Creme Wax and DecoArt Deep Brown Creme Wax to create the antiqued look. Apply the clear wax first, and then layer the dark brown for depth.

[Tweet “Handmade Holiday 2016… a collection of handmade gifts #givecreatively”]

Finally, fill the box with Personalized Recipe Cards to complete this unique, custom gift. Who, on your gift list, would love a personalized recipe box filled with initialed cards? Surprise them with a special spot for their recipes.

[Tweet “Intentional gifts… meaningful, personalized, unique. #givecreatively”]

---

Are you ready for more Handmade Holidays? Check out nearly 30 more gift ideas, to work your way toward a crafty gift-giving season. 

 

 

---

You might also like: