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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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July 31, 2012

Cast Iron Skillet Memo Board-Copy Cat Challenge

cast iron skillet, kitchen, memo board, DIY, craft

Copy Cat Cast Iron Skillet Memo Board
I first saw this idea in Southern Living Magazine last year

and I just KNEW I had to do this in my kitchen makeover. I had just the perfect skillet too.  One given to me by my sweet, loving (always treated me just like one of her own)…grandmother-in-love…Bama Boy’s Mamaw.

cast iron skillet, kitchen, memo board, DIY, craft

I inherited this perfectly seasoned and aged cast iron skillet when she passed away, and it is a true treasure to me.  One I hope to pass down to “the girl” someday. I hated having it tucked away in a cabinet, so when I saw the idea in Southern Living I KNEW it was the perfect way to honor the memory of the most fabulous Southern cook I have ever known. 

cast iron skillet, kitchen, memo board, DIY, craft

This idea is so simple, it’s amazing no one had thought of it before! 

It’s the perfect way to keep a recipe close by while cooking and baking…like this one for Kentucky Derby Pie, BUT I can still use it whenever I want since it’s hanging on a hook.  I just remove the memo board items, cook, clean it and back up it goes! 

cast iron skillet, kitchen, memo board, DIY, craft


Every time I look at it..I think of the loving hands that prepared decades of cornbread in this very pan.

I see those hands seasoning it just perfect…storing it away in the cupboard of a small home in Yazoo City, Mississippi.

cast iron skillet, kitchen, memo board, DIY, craft

The same hands that taught me how to make her pecan pie and smothered steak just like her grandson likes it.

cast iron skillet, kitchen, memo board, DIY, craft


I miss those hands and I miss her.  But I have a piece of her that hangs by my stove to remind me of what is important in life….
…Good family, Good friends, Good Cooking, Good Cornbread…and a Cast Iron Skillet.


I am sharing this post at: 
Debbiedoo’s …Copy Cat Challenge


This post is sharing at:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 

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33 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Family, Good Ideas, Kitchen Remodel

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    July 30, 2012 at 12:45 PM

    What a great idea Heather and I love the fact it has sentimental meaning! Awesome copy!

    Reply
  2. Becca says

    July 30, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Love it, Heather. So sweet, sentimental and special. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    How sweet to have that wonderful pan passed on to you. Great idea using it that way.

    Reply
  4. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    Love it! What a sweet and awesome copycat 🙂

    Reply
  5. Debby says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    I have my grandmothers. It is so heavy that I can’t imagine hanging it But I love yours. Do you cook with yours?

    Reply
  6. Cindy says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    So Cute! I love using family heirlooms for display instead of packing them away. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Debbiedoo's says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Oh Heather this is a fantastic copy cat. Hold such sentiment too! You did a better job than the original. Thanks in advance for sharing and linking up. I am super excited about this party.

    Reply
  8. Emily says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    I LOVE this idea. Cast Iron Skillets completely remind me of all the wonderful women in my life so this just makes my heart happy. I definitely think I need to “copy” this for my own kitchen! Thanks for the idea and inspiration!!

    Reply
  9. Ginger Walls says

    July 30, 2012 at 2:24 PM

    Being a southern girl I absolutely adore this. An iron skillet is a must have for sure. I love the idea of using it as decor and for organization. Great job!

    Ginger
    Literally Inspired

    Reply
  10. April says

    July 30, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    I love it–that you can still USE it, especially. I also appreciated the “Mississippi” part, being a Mississippi girl myself! I love, love, love using my cast iron for cooking, and it could only be better if I owned any of my sweet Mawmaw’s pans. However, the best gumbo and jambalaya pot in the WORLD is the cast iron one I inherited from my husband’s grandmother. 🙂
    Thanks for sharing this fun and wonderful idea!
    ~april

    Reply
  11. Cozy Little House says

    July 30, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    Now this is just downright adorable! When I’m back “on my feet” and out of this boot, I’m going to make one!
    Brenda

    Reply
  12. Judy says

    July 30, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    That is such a great idea. I love the alternate use of something so special to you.

    Reply
  13. Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says

    July 30, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    Heather! What a treasure to have. And having it so visible helps keep loved ones in our thoughts 🙂 It’s wonderful!!

    Reply
  14. thistlewoodfarm says

    July 30, 2012 at 10:39 PM

    Heather,
    I LOVE this idea! What an easy way to preserve a little bit of history! You truly inspire me!

    blessings,
    karianne

    Reply
  15. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    July 31, 2012 at 12:52 AM

    YOur copycat cast iron skillet is the perfect way to enjoy your family treasure and have it work for it’s keep!
    I hope you will share this with TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS this week. Linky goes live at 8:00 Wednesday evening!

    Reply
  16. Grammy Goodwill says

    July 31, 2012 at 1:42 AM

    What a great idea. I love how you’re using something with such sentimental value.

    Reply
  17. Twirling Barefoot says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:06 AM

    Hi Heather, What a beautiful way to display something so loved with special memories of your loved one! This is truly one of the best copycat I have seen!
    Hugz,
    Kim

    Reply
  18. Janelle MacKay says

    July 31, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    This is wonderful, and what a wonderful way to showcase, store and even use a treasure. You’ve really honored her with this. Love it… and love the sentiment too. Great job!!! Janelle @ Emmaline Bags.

    Reply
  19. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:07 AM

    So charming Heather and love the sentimental value it has for you. I have such great memories of baking with my grandmother too.

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    July 31, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    Very cute!! My mom’s kitchen is decorated with her mom’s old kitchen tools. I need to show her this post. I love the way you gave that skillet triple duty. Decorative, functional, personal. Great choice.

    Reply
  21. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says

    July 31, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    Oh what a great idea! It looks adorable and I have an extra skillet that would be perfect for this!

    Reply
  22. Eclectically Vintage says

    August 1, 2012 at 7:13 PM

    Heather – that is seriously cute! Mamaw would be proud!! I’m pinning this – why oh why did I donate those cast iron skillets!??
    Kelly

    Reply
  23. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    August 2, 2012 at 3:45 AM

    Oh my gosh love!!! You did a fabulous job.

    Reply
  24. Ricki Jill Treleaven says

    August 2, 2012 at 4:04 PM

    😀 How cute for a country kitchen. LOVE this copycat!

    Linking from Debbiedoo’s,
    xo,
    Ricki Jill

    Reply
  25. Tito Eric says

    August 2, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    What an idea — a skillet for a message board!

    Cheers on this Sunday morning … from Panglao Island, Bohol.

    Reply
  26. Shannon says

    August 7, 2012 at 3:12 AM

    This is adorable! What a cute, cute memo board and sweet tribute. Great copy!

    Reply
  27. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    August 7, 2012 at 6:06 PM

    LOVE LOVE Love! I will be featuring it later today.
    XO

    Reply
  28. SavannahGranny says

    August 8, 2012 at 3:43 AM

    What a fantastic idea. Even better you can incorporate a source of precious memories of a special family member.
    Great! xo Ginger

    Reply
  29. Jessica Ambrose says

    August 25, 2012 at 1:37 AM

    love it! I saw this in Southern Living too! I was glad you said you still use yours. I love my cast-iron skillet..

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Simple Handmade Gifts – Part Six | One Good Thing by Jillee says:
    November 8, 2012 at 2:14 AM

    […] At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  2. Cast Iron Casting says:
    November 28, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    […] just doesn’t get any easier than turning a cast iron skillet around and using it as a memo board like this one found At the Picket […]

    Reply
  3. 25 Awesome DIY Kitchen Organization Tips & Tricks says:
    July 26, 2013 at 5:19 AM

    […] 4. Organize Cleaning Supplies 5. Wire and Nail Hanging Spice Holders 6. Kitchen Door Organizer 7. Cast Iron Skillet Memo Board 8. Free Printable Kitchen Labels 9. Washi Tape Herb Tags 10. DIY Calendar 11. DIY Soap Dispensers […]

    Reply
  4. 10 Creative Kitchen Memo Boards says:
    August 13, 2014 at 12:51 AM

    […] Image source: At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply

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