Paper Crafts Gourmet Idea Book + a Give-away!

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Reported by Emilie Ahern

So, I can admit it, I am a good scrapbooker. But the paper-crafting stops there. I struggle with cards, gift tags, teacher gift, altered items....you get the picture. This is not loathing self-deprecation...just the facts. So this idea book truly piqued my interest. The minds behind Paper Crafts magazine put out this Idea Book called the PC Gourmet. It includes recipes, projects and ideas for parties, gift tags and all other sorts of crafty items to be accompanied by food.

I went into this book with three clear criteria. (1) Are the crafts doable, varied and well executed? (2) Are the recipes good, because it's ALL about the food, and (3) Was there a good correlation between projects and food items.

Here are my findings on all three points.

1. Are the crafts doable, varied and well executed? The simple answer is yes. But let me elaborate. The first positive is that there was a good variation of skill level represented. So doofuses like me can start with emulating a simple, yet creative gift tag or card and Super Geniuses (like my Craft Critique co-workers) can cut a viewing window out of a Pringles can, line it with a transparency, decorate the canister and fill it with chocolate sandwich cookies. The book also includes a template for some of the designs.

2. Are the recipes good? Well, I have not tried every recipe of course, but I did try the Cheesy Garlic Drop Biscuits and OH BOY were they ever good. While we were still sitting at the dinner table eating I got up to whip up a second batch. There is a really good variation of recipes as well including Appetizers, Beverages, Breads, Desserts, Main Dishes, Snacks, Soups and Miscellaneous. I am a serious foodie and a bunch of the recipes jumped out as ones I would like to try.

3. Was there a good correlation between projects and food items? Mostly. I was pleasantly surprised to find actual dinner party plans and not just neighbor gift ideas in this book. And in large part the recipes seemed to fit the theme, but there were a few ideas that seemed a bit of a stretch. Like the Half-Birthday Party with a recipe for cheese fondue. Not an obvious link there.

This did inspire me to create my own food linked gift with matching Recipe Card. Look at me! I made this printed recipe tag based loosely on a cute card I saw in the Idea Book and looped it around the stem of a Pumpkin to give to a friend on the day before Halloween. this was a recipe of my own for Dinner In A Pumpkin.



The Stats
Cost: $22.99
Get a sneak peek inside the book HERE.
Available at: CK Media Website, Amazon.com, Barnes&Nobel


Pros:

• Good recipes

• Excellent variation of skill levels

• Filled with good ideas for gifts and dinner parties.

• Great variation of project types from mini albums to cards, to altered containers and more.

• Would make an excellent gift for the crafty woman on your Holiday gift list.

Cons:

• Recipes don't always strongly correlate with the projects.

• May not appeal to all audiences, especially those who hate their neighbors and never throw dinner parties.

• That's all I got....seriously, it's a pretty good idea book.

I really liked this idea book. Does it interest you? I would love to know if anyone has tried other recipes from the book and how they turned out.


All commenters will be entered to win a free copy of Paper Crafts Gourmet for themselves. You must leave a comment on this post by noon central standard time on Tuesday, 12/23/08 to be eligible for the drawing. (Comments for drawing have been closed... thanks!)