Altered art goes retro

Altered art goes retro

Creating a vintage recipe box

Rebel that I am, I decided to break away from the crafting styles of late and head in a new–or rather, should I say, an old–direction.

With this altered art project I went back in time and put a little kitsch into the mix by transforming a cardboard book box into a retro pink refrigerator, or as it was called in the olden days, an ice box.

Add in some recipe cards with a vintage twist

My rockin’ retro refrigerator will make a fabulous gift. It gets even better, when opened. Complete with vintage tags, this project is the perfect way to share my favorite hotdish* or those family recipes handed down through the generations.

Retro-Refrigerator-Recipe-Holder-by-Paper-Calliope

Paper Calliope Retro Refrigerator Recipe-cards-web

Truth is, I like it so much, I may just gift it to myself. Wow! I always seem to find the perfect gift for myself.  It’s as if I can read my own mind. It’s quite amazing, really.

Since it appears I won’t be giving my retro refrigerator to you, I will at least tell you what supplies you will need if you decide to make one for your sister  niece  son-in-law  yourself.

 

Paper Calliope Retro Refrigerator Recipe Card Cherries web

Paper Calliope Retro Refrigerator Recipe-Card-Quickie-web


Paper Calliope Retro Refrigerator Recipe-Card-Pink-web

Paper Calliope Retro Refrigerator Recipe-Card-Tang-web

The Stuff

Rockin’ Retro Refrigerator

  • Graphic 45 Staples Collection Book Box
  • Tim Holtz idea-ology ring fasteners
  • Model Magic
  • Vintage images from personal collection and from The Graphics Fairy
  • Gesso
  • Acrylic paint
  • Gloss varnish

Recipe cards

  • Tags that came with Graphic 45 Book Box
  • Prima flowers
  • Stickles by Ranger at Alpha Stamps
  • Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink at Alpha Stamps
  • Buttons
  • Ribbon
  • Ric-Rac
  • Rafia
  • Miniature rolling pin from personal collection
  • Vintage images from personal collection and from The Graphics Fairy
  • Recipes handwritten by relative (mom) and photocopied/scaled to size

Paper Calliope Retro Refrigerator Inside web

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*Hotdish is a Minnesota staple. Plus, it’s a whole lot easier to spell than casserole.

4 Responses »

  1. I like that you added some letters to the front of your ice box and lined the inside cover with shelves, condiments, etc. and that it’s a holder for those adorable tags. Great idea and really cute Betsy. 🙂

    • Thank you! Belatedly I thought of some choice things I could have the letters say, but it is probably a good thing it didn’t occur to me earlier. Besides, that was some tiny fussy cutting.

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