Every now and then I come across an artwork, book, drawing or image that totally blows me away; something that makes me stop and take in the beauty and form, and this week it happened again. I received a glorious recipe book in the mail and I've been inspired ever since.

Now, this recipe book is not just any old cookbook; it has motivated me to not only step into the kitchen and create, but it has also inspired me to scrapbook, make cards, draw and even resort back to the art of writing letters to loved ones.

Keepsakes - Recipes, Mementos, Miscellany by Frances Hansen is unlike any cookbook I have ever seen, and it takes me back to a time when I used to sit on the bench as a child and watch in awe as my mum would create glorious dishes for our family. Frances has created a personal scrapbook of memories and recipes collected from family and friends over time, and each page is an artwork in itself. Every page is a slice of nostalgia, made up of recipes as well as song lyrics, handwritten lists, childrens' artworks, notes, postcards and bits and pieces from all facets of her life.

My own recipe 'book' at home consists of a notebook with handwritten recipes from my mum, grandmothers, friends and cut-outs from newspapers and magazines. I've always said "One day I'll tidy it up, type all the recipes up and print them out in an orderly fashion." But after seeing the beauty in Frances Hansen's recipe book, I've decided to keep mine just as it is - full of character and with memories linked to every hand-scribbled ingredients list.

Check out Keepsakes - Recipes, Mementos, Miscellany by Frances Hansen for yourself at www.hardiegrant.com.au

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Submitted by flix on Mon, 27/06/2011 - 2:03pm.

I can't work out who to ask, but in the requirements of the masters the double page layout has three colors, orange, aqua(ish) and is it charcoal or black? the printing makes it pretty hard to tell and the colours are not written down so we can confirm, can you?

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