...on the subject of recipe cards...

[Gail]

The thread on storing recipes made me think of something. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 years ago, I used to buy recipe file cards which were designed to fit into plastic sleeves in a notebook type affair. The books had a blank page to be used as an index, followed by storage for recipes. It was a pretty nifty system. I used to get them from a company called Current, which apparently no longer sells such things. The cards are around, but no one seems to sell books, and I much preferred that method to using a box.

Do they still exist? Has anyone seen them-- and if so, do you have suggestions where I might find them?

[Margie]

I haven't seen the notebooks that you are talking about, but why not try a photograph album? They have the sleeves for the large size photos that would be more than adequate to fit a recipe card. The sticky paper with the plastic overlay would also work and could be used for recipes cut out of magazines. That way you could add and arrange pages any way you want.

One thing that I do is keep an index of recipes that I like from my cookbook collection, because I can always remember what I made but can never remember where I found it.

[Gail]

Good thought, Margie, but part of the beauty of this notebook was that I could slip the cards out of the sleeves as needed (since some of my recipes are on the fronts and backs, take multiple cards or are on fold-outs.) They were also pretty compact in size, around 7 1/2" x 10 1/2."

You have given me a thought, though... Seems to me there are plastic photo sleeves which might be large enough to hold recipe cards. Perhaps I'll have to look into that. Thanks.

[BarbaraL]

I have something like you describe -- a small binder with a multiple-pronged clamp that opens and closes. You fill out the recipe card, insert it into a plastic sleeve, and fasten it into the book via the clamp. I received it as a gift a number of years ago; I think I've seen similar things in stationary stores.

I sometimes type recipes into the computer (or copy from the bulletin board) and save in various files (Appetizers, desserts, poultry, casserole, etc). I print out a copy, put it into a plastic sleeve, and insert into a 3-ring binder. That way I have hard copy to use in the kitchen, but also have on-line. I need to organize it into sections and make an index, but even without, it helps. I do this with favorite CL recipes, because I can't always remember which month or year a recipe is in. I haven't yet broken down and bought recipe/cookbook software, but I read the posts discussing MasterCook, etc with interest! Another advantage of the 3-ring binder idea -- I can cut out recipes from magazines and insert them in the plastic sleeves (letter-paper size, available at Staples, etc). The sleeves come with a piece of black paper inside to serve as a background. You can remove the paper so you can see both sides of a two-sided document, such as a magazine article/recipe.

[This message has been edited by BarbaraL (edited 10-12-2000).]

[Vanessa]

Hi Gail! I saw in a bookstore a type of recipe collection book but I have not seen what you described. It sounds like a great solution to organizing recipes!
I will email you when my computer is restored to some "normal state" Now is more like intensive care plus all files deleted and email etc ....Well at least I can visit the CL board...

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Gail:
Good thought, Margie, but part of the beauty of this notebook was that I could slip the cards out of the sleeves as needed (since some of my recipes are on the fronts and backs, take multiple cards or are on fold-outs.) They were also pretty compact in size, around 7 1/2" x 10 1/2."

You have given me a thought, though... Seems to me there are plastic photo sleeves which might be large enough to hold recipe cards. Perhaps I'll have to look into that. Thanks.

Gail, I have a photo album that has plastic sleeves that would hold 4x6 photos and I know they make them in the 3x5 size too - I don't see any reason why they wouldn't work for recipe cards since they come in the same sizes. They are pocket sleeves, so you'd be able to take the recipe cards out as needed - or even just flip the page over to see the back if you filed only one card per pocket.

I have one that holds 3 per page (one under the other, vertically) and my son has a smaller one that holds only 2 per page - so that might give you the compactness you're looking for too. I can't find his album at the moment, or I'd measure it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lorilei]

Gail,

Here's a private website that sells a binder like the one you're thinking of:
www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/3485/linda.html (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/3485/linda.html)

I'm wondering if you COULD find a photo binder with that size pages, however, and make one up yourself. I seem to recall the Gold Crown Hallmark in town having all sorts of binder pages to choose from...

[shoefling]

I have seen books like you are talking about, actually my mom has one or two. I think that she got hers at Wal-Mart a few years ago. If I remember correctly she found them in the area with the photo albums. I know that hers says "Recipes" on the front so it was made for that purpose. Hopefully this will help!

Actually, I got to looking through my stuff and I have a book too. I got mine as a bridal shower gift last year so I have no idea where it is from. Mine is a binder that already has preprinted pages in it on which to write your recipies. Also incuded is tabs to label each section and pages that have a pocket in them (to hold recipes cut from magazines, etc). To be honest I kind of forgot that I had this and I have never used it. I may have to give it a try!

[This message has been edited by shoefling (edited 10-12-2000).]

[Gail]

I appreciate you all jumping on this the way that you have. I guess I need to check out Hallmark and Wal-mart type stores (we don't have Wal-mart in our area at present.) I checked the web site Lori suggested, and although it's a similar idea, it's still not quite what I had originally. The closest description sounds like Barbara's with the prongs being that curly plastic that opens and closes you sometimes see used as bindings in inexpensively produced books. The recipes are staggered, for ease in locating-- plus they more or less correspond with the level of the description line on the index. It was a nifty system which didn't take up much room.

I appreciate all of your suggestions and at least I've got alternatives if the real thing never shows up. Thanks much.

PS Vanessa, I figured there was a computer problem when I noticed your absence around here. Hope you get it straightened out soon!

[Ohioan]

Gail, I recently saw a binder very much like what you're talking about in a Hallmark store. In fact there were several different covers and a whole stack of insert refills. So definitely check out a Hallmark near you.

Cheers, Phoebe

[Gail]

Thanks, Phoebe. I will keep my fingers crossed that Hallmark has the same merchandise here on the West Coast.

[CHRIST1NE]

BarbaraL, sounds like you and I do similar things with our recipes and the plastic sleeves. I used to have a section in my notebook called "would like to try." This is where I would put all the things I clip or get off this wonderful board. The problem was...... this section was totally out of control. So, my big project yesterday was organizing them into the appropriate food category. The slick part is, I put them against colored paper so that I know it's a recipe to try. Once it makes it past the tried and true test, then it goes to a white background.

I actually have the CL software (and love it), but realized I seemed to be printing out the same ones over and over. This way, I can use all the neat features of the software (shopping lists, menu planners, search by ingrediaent etc) and still have a protected copy that I can use in my kitchen.

Just thought I would share that with you.

[Beth]

Gail, try stores such as Marshall's or Ross, maybe even a MacFrugal, drug store or dollar store. The 3x5 photo sizes are not as popular as they once were, and a lot of the albums for the 3x5 size wind up in those stores that sell things at a discount or in a second market.

[BarbaraL]

Christ1ne, sounds like you've got a plan there. I have a couple of binders, some of which have recipes from magazines that I've never tried. When I first found the BB, I printed out recipes like mad -- now I'm trying to keep one binder of tried-and-true, versus another with recipes I haven't tried yet. I've also at times made marks in the index section of the CL magazine or book, to indicate a recipe that I tried and liked or tried and didn't like. I like your colored background idea. So many recipes, so little time. . .

[Nancy Fischer]

I think the notebook you are looking for is still made by 20th century plastics. They have one a normal binder size and one which is about half that size. Recipe sleeves used to hold 2,3, recipes to a page or a full page. I know my notebook and plastic is over 12 years old and still going strong. Sometimes they sell a kit with plastic sleeves and the notebook as well as index pages at an attractive price. Their website is www.20thcenturydirect.com. (http://www.20thcenturydirect.com.) I could not find them (the recipe holder)on the website I confess, but here is their 800# 1-888-787-0777. I am not sure if that is 787 or 767. It did not show up very clearly on my computer. Good Luck.

[This message has been edited by Nancy Fischer (edited 10-13-2000).]

[Gail]

I forgot about 20th Century Plastics. We used to order photo sleeves from them at a job I had years ago-- I remembered the sleeves but not the name of the company. Thank you, Nancy.

I went to Hallmark today and although the books they offer are set up differently from what I presently have, they may work quite nicely. But, even if they don't you folks have all given me many viable alternatives in the event I'm never able to duplicate my present book. Thanks everyone! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 10-13-2000).]

[CHRIST1NE]

BarbaraL, I probably forgot to mention.... I've only been cooking since May. So currently my "tried & true's" fit in the same binder as my "gotta try's" - I am surprised though how thick the binder is already. I would imagine before too long (if I keep reading/printing things from the board) I'll have to split them up http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I feel a great sense of accompolishment actually having to DECIDE what to make for dinner instead of making the same old thing because it's the one dish that I know how to make - I've some a long way with CL and all the very helpful people on the board!