The Scrapbooked Cookbook

Searching for the perfect birthday gift? What about a present for the newlywed couple or bride-to-be in your life? A scrapbooked cookbook just might be the answer you’ve been searching for. All you need is a pile of great recipes, several friends and family members, and one person to do the scrapping — all of the necessary ingredients for a perfect album.

First Steps
Start by determining what kind of cookbook you want to make. If you’re making a cookbook for a newlywed couple or as a bridal shower gift, consider making a larger cookbook complete with all kinds of recipes. You’ll want to compile recipes in a variety of categories, such as:

• Appetizers
• Main Dishes
• Soups & Salads
• Vegetables & Side Dishes
• Breads
• Cookies & Candy
• Cakes & Other Desserts
• Beverages

If you’re making a smaller cookbook for an occasion such as a birthday or “just because” gift, try focusing on just one of these areas. Once you know what type of scrapbooked cookbook you’d like to create, you’re ready to start gathering the recipes.

Gather Your Recipes
Now is the time to enlist some help! Talk to everyone you know that might be interested in contributing. Make sure to remind each person that they don’t have to be a scrapbooker to contribute. Ask each person to give you a recipe, as well as a photograph of him- or herself (with the recipient of the album if possible). If you’re making a larger cookbook, assign each contributor a specific recipe category. This will help ensure that you don’t end up with 20 different recipes for chocolate chip cookies, and none at all for blueberry muffins.

There are lots of people you can ask to contribute to your album. Think about the person you’re creating the album for. Don’t forget to get in touch with parents, friends, co-workers, even neighbors, because many people will thank you for giving them the opportunity to participate in such a special project.

Creating the Album
Now that you have your recipes, the fun can begin! Select a group of coordinating patterned and solid papers for your project. Many companies, such as Chatterbox, Anna Griffin, and Basic Grey, offer paper collections that coordinate perfectly to help make this job easier for you.

Decide whether or not you’d like to type out each recipe. This can be great for the recipient, so that he or she can easily read each of the recipes. If you’d like to also include the handwritten recipe card, create a pocket behind the typed recipe to hold the card. (This works especially well if you have a two-sided recipe card that you’d like to include.)

Add the contributor’s photo and recipe title to each page or spread, and you’re well on your way to the perfect album.

Fun Ideas
Try these tips and tricks to make your personalized album even more special:

• Have each contributor write a handwritten message for the recipient of the album. When you ask for the recipe and photo, provide a sheet of acid-free cardstock and an archival pen, and you can add the messages to the album quickly and easily.


• Try including recipes from special people, even if they are no longer with you. Great-Great-Grandma may not be around to celebrate the bride’s big day, but her special oatmeal cookie recipe can be. This adds a nostalgic feel and truly special touch to your album.


• Create a party themed around your album. For example, if you’re giving a “cookie” album, have a birthday party serving the different types of cookies contained in the book. Your guests can write their messages in the album while they are at the party, creating less legwork for you and a truly personal gift for the recipient.


• Include pockets or blank pages in the back of the album for the recipient to add her own special recipes.

Cookbooks hold special places in people’s homes, and often, in their hearts. Why not create a truly memorable one for a special person in your life.

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