Cottage Style File Folders

I have been busy these last few days organizing. 

I don't know what it is about beginning a New Year, 

but it always makes me want to put things in order. 

One organizing project I have been working on

 is filing all the craft, recipe and decorating ideas that I rip from magazines. 

You know what I mean. 

You see that perfect recipe and you rip it out, 

and then it gets mushed in the cookbook collection somewhere

 and you can never find it when you need it.

Or, if you like to write the recipe down on cute little recipe cards,

 those can get lost, too.

My magazine files were out of control, 

So I came up with a way to organize them using basic supplies

and scrapbook paper. 

Plain manila file folders from the office supply store

make excellent recipe files. 

I used small, oblong stickers to cover over the tab headings with my own categories. 

Twelve inch square scrapbook paper is a perfect match for the standard 12" wide manila file folder. 

A paper cutter is a very nice tool to have.

I chose small, graphic prints that coordinate with each other and with my kitchen.

I experimented with different adhesives and found that plain white glue worked the best. 

Use a thin, steady line around the edges with a little extra in the corners, 

but remember -  not too much! :)

Pay attention to how you will place it before you glue.

White glue allows you to have some sliding room. 

Carefully press from the middle outward and then lightly smooth around the edges.

Wipe any drips with a dry piece of paper toweling. 

Glue the front, the back and then the flap. 

I used two different patterns on this flap. 

Here, above, one pattern is already applied. 

To cover the seam between sheets of paper, I used ribbon or rick rack.

1/4 inch wide seems to be the best size.

Apply the glue to the ribbon, not the file.

You can also use scrapbook tape. These come in pretty colors and designs. 

Cut the length with a little extra to fold underneath (about 1/2 inch each side) 

Use simple clothespins to hold in place - only a few minutes! 

(Approx. 10 min. or until the glue is set)

You don't want to glue clothespins to your file! 

When you remove the clothespins, wipe any visible glue off clothespin with a wet cloth,

then pin them to the top of a jar until they dry. 

This will keep them from sticking together! 

For top of the file, use strips of paper over each joint. 

Glue ribbon or rick rack to only one side of each joint. 

This will allow ease of opening and closing. 

I used self adhesive Velcro tabs for the 'clasp' 

A simple, embroidered rose applique' was glued on to the center front for decoration. 

You could use charming buttons, too. 

Use colors that will coordinate with the manila folder, as the sides will be visible. 

Small graphic or floral papers are much more forgiving than solid colors. 

Don't forget to cover the back!

Now I will know exactly where that special recipe or craft idea is! 

And my files coordinate perfectly with my kitchen! 

Plain wooden recipe boxes from the craft store can be done the same way. 

By choosing your own papers, 

you can have something special that will coordinate with your style. 

(I removed the little clasp to paper the box, but if you can't,

 use a razor knife to cut around the clasp.

Soft felt is glued to the bottom.) 

Remember, nothing has to be perfect. 

That is the charm.

Keeping the files in a handled basket makes it easy to transport them. 

And they are so much prettier than plain ones! 

I hope this inspires you to make your own Cottage Style File Folders. 

xoxo

Supplies needed:

Standard 12" wide Manila Accordion File Folder with Flap Front. 

4 pieces 12" sq. Scrapbook Paper per file

White or Clear Craft Glue

Pencil, Ruler, 

Paper Cutter if desired

Close-pins or other small clamps

Approx. 1 and 1/2 yds ribbon, rick rack, or scrapbook tape per file 

Self-Adhesive Velcro Closures

Button or Embroidered Motif Medallion

xoxo

Have fun! 

xoxo

Technical Difficulties....

Dear Friends, 

I am having 'Technical Difficulties' with my computer which has left me unable to leave comments. 

My computer 'team' (#2 son - Dustin) is looking into the matter, but as you all know, the Seahawks are going to the super bowl and this is taking up any available weekend time :) 

In the meantime, I will continue to read your beautiful blogs and catch up with you as soon as possible. 

xoxo

January Musings and a Country Drive

It has been still since our orb stealing storm, 

with fog and mist and secret silence that settles into the earth at night,

allowing us a clear vision of The Big and Little Dipper 

as they arc through the skies on their heavenly path.

The sun rises in brief glory as the mist lies low in the valleys, 

still heavy with cold night air. 

But as the forces of nature vie for the skies, 

the heat of the rising sun causes the mist to rise,

And leaves the clouds crying. 

In moments, the view is diffused -

Until mist wins out. 

But it is a temporary victory, on occasion. 

So on a beautiful, Sunny day I took a drive to the market. 

Come along with me and we will enjoy a country drive on a Northwest January day. 

Along our mountain road this fuzzy fellow basks in the rare January sun. 

Even my stopping to take a photo, did not disturb him from his happy nap. 

Further along we see another fellow that has been taking a very long nap, indeed. 

If only they could talk. 

What tales would they tell? 

As we wind our way down to the plateau valley, we find clear blue skies over tawny fields. 

Can you see the silo peeking through the trees? 

It is late morning, but the January sun leaves long shadows. 

Still, the sunshine feels warm through the glass. 

An in-congruent sight in the rural countryside; 

this defunct crane retires in a field. 

As we look behind us,

 Mt. Rainier rises from the valley floor, 

dwarfing the high Cascade mountain range. 

We leave behind the fields and farms,

 and pass through thick forest

 as we enter the little town for a day of marketing. 

Oh, I do love this day of browsing thrift shops, craft shops and the weekly supply of groceries. 

I take my time and little by little the list gets crossed off. 

And if I am lucky, I find some treasures. (I will leave that for a future post)

The sun is low as we make our way home,

casting long shadows between golden rays of light. 

A vintage pump house survives another winter

bringing to mind the swiftness of time. 

The barest hint of color lights up the sleeping trees - 

a promise of Spring. 

With that faith we soldier on, 

braving the cold, and the forces of nature. 

Because even with Winter clutching us in its icy grip, 

that promise is always there. 

I want to thank each and every one of you 

for your very kind and thoughtful comments on my last post. 

I was touched by your stories of your own amazing Mother's and Grandmother's, 

and how through their simple acts of courage and resilience, 

they carried on through adversity and heartache 

to set an example for generations to come. 

I started this blog as a tribute to all those who devote their lives to the simple, 

but very complicated role of keeping home and family -

 those who came before us and those who carry on. 

It is most times an unrecognized and under appreciated virtue. 

But it is an art. 

To take virtually nothing but a promise and a loving idea, and turn it into a home and family, 

despite all that this world throws up as obstacles, 

is nothing short of miraculous. 

I can see by your stories that I am not alone in this thinking. 

Thank you, Dear Friends for sharing and celebrating these humble acts by these remarkable women who came before us. 

We owe it to them to continue the story.....

xoxo

The Passing Storm

After blowing relentlessly for 4 days, the wind is finally gone. 

We had very high winds here in the foothills during the height of the storm. 

We had no damage here at our little place in the world, except for one precious thing...

The blue glass gazing ball, a gift from my Mother, was shattered. 

It was my own fault. 

I usually take it in during storms. 

I simply forgot. 

But at 2 a.m. I was awakened from my fitful slumber, as the wind howled outside, 

to a dreadful crash and tinkling of glass. 

A noise that is guaranteed to get you right out of bed - fast. 

As we peered through the glass door, Blue Eyes said to me, 

" Did you take the blue globe off the stand?" 

It took me a moment to understand what he meant. 

And then I saw the sparkling, jagged fragments glinting in the porch light. 

The heavy clay pot holding the ivy plant on the railing
had blown down and broke it into a million little pieces like icy tears. 

I can't tell you how sad it was to be picking up
the fragments of my mirrored world on such a night!

The next morning as the wind blew steady and a pair of red tails hovered,
 suspended above me, 

I picked up the remaining pieces that had fallen to the ground. 

And while I worked, with gloved fingers to protect me from the gossamer shards, 

I thought of my Mother. 

She loved to give gifts such as this - gifts for the garden. 

Everywhere she lived, no matter what the circumstance or how hard she was struggling, 

she always planted flowers. 

All weekend I have been thinking of my Mother and her Mother before her. 

And how they worked so hard to beautify their surroundings. 

And how much I miss them. 

Now I am the Matriarch of my own family

and they are not here to guide me in how to do this. 

This shattered reflective orb

has brought forward reflections of my life,

 and the women who have come before me. 

And what I have learned from them. 

As sunlight finally illuminates my homely tasks - 

tasks that my Mother, my Grandmother and all those ancestors before me have performed to

put order and beauty into the lives of those around them - 

I think of how brave they were, how strong, and how determined they were to raise their families and pass down a legacy of hard work, honesty, resilience, devotion, and fortitude. 

As I fill the sink with soapy water, as I wash and fold laundry, 

I think of those before me, performing these same simple tasks. 

I remember my Mother's cozy kitchen, her delicious food,
her never ending quest to bring beauty to her humble life. 

I think of my Grandmothers and I remember their kitchens. 

The small white farmhouse kitchen of my maternal Grandmother with the amazing pantry. 

Oh, how I loved that pantry with its shelves of pies and preserves and big crockery bowls, 

and a window overlooking the garden where

her prized gladiola's bloomed, and red geraniums filled the window box. 

As the sunlight streams in, I dust and open windows
 and think of my Paternal Grandmother in her tiny cottage in the woods. 

And how she made the most amazing spaghetti sauce. 

She had a glass china cabinet on her sun porch filled with tiny salt and pepper shakers. 

There must have been a hundred pair. 

She would let me play with them if I was very, very careful. 

Now that is trust. 

I remember how these two remarkable women effortlessly served their very large families in their modest, humble, yet beautiful kitchens - with love and devotion. 

They made you feel welcome. 

I can't tell you the difficulties these women endured -
 both raising 8 healthy children during the depression and the war. 

As I bake bread for the evening meal,
 I think of them doing this very same thing to keep their families fed. 

Everything always made from scratch. 

From garden to pantry. 

Necessary tasks that seem like luxuries to us, now. 

But which tie us to the past. 

There is a satisfaction in these plain and simple rituals of life. 

Nourishment for the body and soul. 

I think of them as I go about my day and how, just by example, they

passed their wisdom on. 

Now it is I who must perform that task for my children and beyond. 

As I carefully negotiate this awesome responsibility, 

I think of my Mother and Grandmothers cheering me on.

But first on the agenda - a new crystal ball.

I think Mom would approve!

I need all the help I can to get through the storms of life

and pass the wisdom on.

xoxo

Know well what leads you forward
and holds you back, and choose
the path that leads to wisdom.
-Buddha-

By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
Second by imitation, which is easiest;
and Third by experience, which is bitterest.
-Confucius-

The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
The realist adjusts the sails.
-William Arthur Ward-

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
-Thomas Jefferson-

xoxo

Today I am linking with Madge from 'The View From Right Here'