Recipe Scrapbook

I've never done a recipe book either, but hav seen some nice ones. There are lots of great sites you can go to for ideas. Archivers always has great suggestions and ideas on their site that you can browse, and may even have a recipe book in-store to look at for ideas. Good luck, sounds like a GREAT idea!

Hi A.,

Archivers has everything you need to create a recipe book - binders, scrapbooks, papers, and embellisments, and it all coordinates. If memory serves me correct they have a kit as well. They're a great resource. You can also check out Oriental Trading Company for inexpensive paper and embellishment packs.

Good luck and have fun!

S.

Archivers has kits and I believe they are teaching a class right now where you make a whole cookbook scrapbook. Contact your local Archivers and they will be able to help you find what you need to either get started or complete the whole thing.
K. H

Something that looks great but is pretty easy is to decide on a simple template, and replicate it on every page. For example, the same pretty border (either sticker or paper), or pretty embelishment in the corners, etc. If you don't want to buy these, you can spend a few dollars on a cute punch (something like a flower, or fleur de lis) and put those on each page. Once you decide on the look, making each page is then more like assembly rather than having to generate something new each time. (It's also easier for your older child to help, too...maybe his job could be to make the punches, or put glue dots on the borders, etc.) Have fun!!

Hi,
I'm not a scrapbook person either, but I do maintain a great, durable, and inexpensive recipe book. I bought a three ring binder (the type with a clear pocket on the front, sides and back) and then a packet of clear plastic inserts/protectors. Then I handwrote each recipe out or printed it on some nice cardstock or printer paper and inserted them into the protectors and then arranged them in the binder. I pull the binder out all the time when I'm cooking, and because everything's encased in plastic I don't have to worry about spills or drips ruining things.
Another idea is to get the person who's recipe it is to handwrite it out and then make copies. Since there are clear pockets in the binder, it's easy to personalize that part of it. And... since it's in a binder, it's easy to add to as the family recipes grow.
Best,
Sam A.

Archivers, I think, was offering a class on recipe books recently. You could also check into doing a digital recipe book online with one of the photo companies like shutterfly or kodak. These program are easy to use and would take you a lot less time. The final product would also probably hold up better to regular use in the kitchen.

I work at archivers and we have a display right now on making cookbooks. You can come in and get a look at them. We also have a few cookbooks that have recipe cards that can decorate that are really cute and a little more simple. As the previous poster mentioned we also have tons of stickers and embellishments that are food related. We just got in some of these sparkley gel gingerbread men and they are ADORABLE!

Have you ever used www.shutterfly.com? I've made several great photo albums recently and they turned out soooo nice! If you have access to a scanner you could scan your recipes in and make a professional looking book. You could also include pictures of the people that the recipes are from. They have all sorts of different background papers,designs, colors, layouts. It's a lot of fun and very addicting! Have fun whatever you decide to do. It sounds like a wonderful gift idea!

If you have any pictures or stories of the women in your family in the kitchen - grandma, great grandma, aunts - definitely mix those in with the recipes. You may have to get sneaky with getting those pictures if this is going to be a surprise.
Just try to keep it simple, you don't want your pages too busy. You could use parchment paper, cheese cloth and kitchen string as embellishments and be sure to check out Michael's or Archivers for stamps/stickers/diecuts - they have nice cloth "stickers" like aprons, wooden spoons, cookies, etc.

Hi, A....

I'm actually doing the same thing this year for my mother-in-law. I asked each family member to send me a recipe for their favorite meal (1 main dish, 1 side dish, 1 dessert, 1 drink if they have it) and will include it with their picture and things about them. For a simple album she can add to, I am picking up a recipe binder from Hallmark--they have Christmas ones this weekend for $7.95 with purchase of 3 cards (the 99 cent ones work). I will personalize it inside, and she will still have extra space for her new recipes. She has created a number of cookbooks herself, so she already has a lot of the family recipes. I also have a business where I do custom scrapbooks for people, so if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to give you any advice you need. Feel free to private message me. Scrapbooking is such fun, that I love it when people are getting into it! How fun that your family members will have that special cookbook to hold onto. Have fun :)
Blessings,
V.

I created a recipe scrapbook for my sister last year and she loved it. I too am new to scrapbooking so I kept it simple. I printed the recipes on "parchment" paper that I got from my local office supply store and then chose 4-5 accent colors to frame the recipes. The hardest part was finding the time to cut the accent paper (I had an 18 month old son at the time). It was such a hit I am making one for my brother this year.