Napkin Holder

Walking into my kitchen you will see an array of vintage kitchen utensils.  Some I still use, others are used for decor, and some are re-purposed.  For instance, I have a vintage pastry blender that is now used to hold napkins when we have a meal outside.  This napkin holder was a gift to me from my sister.

It's a very clever way to hold onto the past and still be a useful item in the present.  I have also seen this done with potato mashers, where you just fold a pile of napkins and place them in the wide opening of the handle above the "mashing" part of the utensil.

To make this particular one all you need is a piece of wood large enough to balance the pastry blender.  Paint the wood, if you like, then screw it into the handle of the pastry blender.

These utensils are very easy to find at flea markets for a dollar or two.

Another way to use this holder is for when you are baking, just slide your recipe card into one of the openings, an instant recipe stand.

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Vintage Nut Chopper - New Uses for Vintage Kitchen Gadgets

A few years ago when I was at a flea market, I spotted a nut chopper that I remember my mom having when I was a child.  My mom would mostly use it when she made holiday cookies.  She would place walnuts in a shallow bowl and chop away with this tool.  I purchased this only because it reminded me of my mom and when I was young.  The plan was just to display it on my kitchen island with some other vintage kitchen items.  Gradually, I began to use the tool to chop my nuts instead of my electric chopper.  For such a small, simply-designed item it works wonderfully. It is very comfortable in my hand as I chop my nuts.

One day, I was making guacamole and I had to chop up the avocado in the bowl.  I started to reach for a fork when I glanced at my kitchen island and saw the hand chopper.  "Why not give this a try?", I thought.  I am so happy that I did; it works perfectly for mashing up avocados.  I think I will try using it the next time I make banana bread!

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