ACOT Message Board

Hey everyone! I need to get my recipes in one spot and organized. I don't have a ton that I need to keep on hand. Wondering if you will offer up opinions. I was looking at 6x8 sized binders from Basic Grey(anyone have the one from the Hipster line??) and Simple Stories but then I'd have to buy specific sized inserts. Do these hold enough to justify the costs and hunting down the inserts?  Handwritten or typed? Printed on computer paper or recipe cards? Or did you just go with a standard office 3-ring binder and 8.5x11 inserts? I would use the binder often and was hoping to create something a tad "nicer" incase someone wanted it someday (?!)
Suggestions? Thanks!!

Beth I thinking about doing one for my DDs and was thinking about an 8.5 x 11, but I don't know where to start myself. I'm going to keep an eye on this post. Thank you for posting it.

I gave a bunch of Smash Books out as gifts one year and someone used one as a recipe book. They are 50% off now with promo code. 

I have a special family recipe book that I keep in a 3 ring binder. I took everyone's picture that has submitted recipes and made a special insert for the front of the binder. Then I put page protectors in it and keep the typed recipes in there. We (my family) do a recipe exchange every year and I just keep adding to the book. 

That's what I do but I also like the idea of the smash book. I may do that for some other recipes I have that are separate from the family one.

I did a recipe swap once where we made a 6x6 "page" that had the recipe typed out and matted, then we were to embellish the "page" at least 3 times.  I put all mine in a 6x6 album.  Those are harder to come across anymore, lol.

I would definitely use something with protectors so you could wipe off the pages--some cooks are messy.

I would want to put pictures in mine if I did a family cookbook.  Maybe photos of the food itself, the family around the table, or photos of the person who gave you the recipe.

A few years ago, I saw an example of Becky Higgins' cookbook in a CK mag.  She used a 4x6 photo album (like you can buy at Walmart) that had 2 photo sleeves on each page.  In one, she had a pic and in the other, she put the recipe--both were kinda scrapped, like pocket pages are now.  That might have been the beginnings of her PL ideas back then.  Oh, and she put strips of paper over the inside spots where the journaling would go.

I created a recipe book for my daughter from my recipes a couple of years ago.  I used a 4x6 SEI minibook (I LOVED THOSE).  I'm starting one now for my granddaughter using a Simple Stories Binder.  I'm thinking to use the lined page inserts (awesome because they're so sturdy) that I may just write/type them up on. Using photo sleeves for pix of the food when I make it next time then leaving a spot for a photo when she makes it.  
 

I made 8x8 family recipe album a few years ago.  Just realized that it was a totally digital book.  I used pictures as accents on the page.  No big ones, just the face parts.  I divided the book into categories.  Told a story if I had one about the person pictured.  Used digital scraping format to get scrap accents and nice backgrounds.  Really turned out pretty.  I also made an index by category for the front.  The last page was a list of the people and how all were connected to the others.  My daughter loves hers so much she keeps it out on a book easel.  The books I used had an opening on the front to put something.  I just gave the book a name and added a digital scrappy.  One of my projects I am most proud of.

I gave one to the people I cared most about and knew they would really like the book.  The other contributors, I sent only a copy of the page they were on.  Otherwise it was cost prohibitive.  I did get the albums on sale at Joanns for $4.  One of those things you buy because its a bargain and later find that you have a good use for.

June

gonecamping wrote:I have a special family recipe book that I keep in a 3 ring binder. I took everyone's picture that has submitted recipes and made a special insert for the front of the binder. Then I put page protectors in it and keep the typed recipes in there. We (my family) do a recipe exchange every year and I just keep adding to the book. 

That's what I do but I also like the idea of the smash book. I may do that for some other recipes I have that are separate from the family one.
 

I would love to see the book you made...

I just made one using a simple stories binder and recipe cards from simple stories. The page protectors I got on clearance at Michaels.

Oh, yeah, after reading Jenn's reply, I remember seeing kits at HL and J's just for recipes/cookbooks!

I made up 2 a few years ago - for my sons for Christmas. I used 8x8 scrapbooks and some of my stash. I printed out every recipe I wanted them to have and I inked them - because I like the look. I minimally decorated them and the boys really liked them. I'm going to make another one for me, one of these days. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Here's mine: 

My sister and I were discussing this very idea last year!!  We would like to put together a recipe album for each of the 3 children, that would include all their favorite recipes.  I will need to check back to this thread for inspiration and guidance!! Thank you all so much!!  

Have you looked at this?

I used the Tasty Smash Book


Some of my pages:

Beth I saw your post yesterday and just couldn't write a reply!  I purchased a 8 1/2 x 11 CM album years ago to do a recipe book for James' future wife which still is nowhere in site.  No girl friend at the moment!  Still haven't started it but will eventually get to it.  Today I placed an order for a family friend who is pregnant with their first child.  A long awaited pregnancy, too.  I selected the Bo Bunny Baby Bump line.  Lots of research as I had not looked into the Misc. Me Products.  In the Baby Bump line they have a paper Recipe Card Pack.  I thought interesting....but didn't quite understand until I actually placed the order today.  Suddenly remembering that many have trouble eating certain things when pregnant which I had none with both pregnancies.

I am wondering if any of the other Misc Me products include a similar pack of papers for the Misc. Me Albums?  Might be an option for you.

When I first became interested in scrapbooking, it was because I wanted to make a recipe scrapbook. Of course, 5-1/2 years later, that has yet to happen. lol! I have quite the collection of cookbooks (had to stop buying those since I don't have anywhere to put them now - plus I get a lot of my recipes online now anyway). And once I try a recipe that my family likes, it gets written in a Gooseberry Patch "Favorite Recipes" book that I got quite awhile ago. It's my most-used go-to cooking reference. I always write a little review of the recipe in there and the date that I first made the recipe.