Encased Recipe Cards

  have been collecting  and hoarding other women's recipes for years.  I am more fascinated with their handwriting than the actual recipe itself.  I  often wish I knew more about these woman.  This recipe is an exception.  She was a young white American girl raised in Panama over 80 years ago and she spoke perfect Spanish and English.  She told me that despite having a local cook the family never ate Panamanian food. I thought it was odd to find this recipe for arroz con pollo in her old recipe files.  I don't think it is authentic but who knows.

I learned about this technique from the Cloth Paper Scissors web site.  Recipe card is authentic but the photo is not. I encased her writing with vintage buttons and Milagros.  I love the key because it resembles a cross.  The vinyl is a bit slippery to work with but manageable.  I like the freedom of free style sewing and the little bits floating about.