How to create a Recipe Book with SparkleBerry Craft Paper

How to create a Recipe Book with SparkleBerry Craft Paper


5 minute read

Recipe Book with Craft Paper- using the Paper Craft Kit 

A handmade recipe book makes a wonderful gift or keepsake. In our digital world, we have become super dependent on being able to grab a recipe quickly from the internet without saving physical copies. Our goal with this project is to remind you that documenting family recipes on paper is a special and valuable gift to give to our children and grandchildren. A handwritten recipe book would also add a lovely element so please do not strive for perfection on this project. Instead, focus on the content, remembering that your children and grandchildren will want to see your unique touch woven through the pages. ❤️

Download Instructions (PDF)

Here is what you'll need:

  • SparkleBerry Craft Paper Kit
  • Coordinating Ribbon
  • Hot Glue
  • SparkleBerry Kitchen Stickers*
  • Hole Punch
  • Pop Dots
  • Paper Cutter or Scissors
  • Cutting Machine
  • SparkleBerry Recipe Card Cut Files
  • SparkleBerry Recipe Card template
  • SparkleBerry Recipe Dividers
  • (2) 1-Inch Pink Metal Book Rings*
  • (2) 5x7 Heavy Chip Board*
  • Sheet of Stickers*
  • Mini Wooden Spoon*
  • Mini Wooden Fork*
  • Cardstock - White and coordinating colors
  • Ruler or measuring tape

If you subscribed to the Vinyl Craft Kit or Mega Box in February 2022, this file is included in your membership. Please refer to your Monthly Email for the dropbox link. 

*Included in optional February Add-On

Step 1: Constructing your Recipe Book

We are using items from our February Paper Add-on. This is an optional addition to our monthly Craft Kits. 

Contents included:

  • (2) 1 inch pink metal rings
  • (2) 5x7 Heavy Chipboards
  • Mini wooden spoon and fork
  • (10) sheets of White Cardstock - letter size
  • (2) sheets of solid colored yardstick - 12x12
  • SparkleBerry Kitchen Stickers

We are using heavy chip board from the option Paper Add-On this month for the foundation of our Recipe Book. If you do not have heavy chip board, feel free to use other household items, such as cardboard from a box or cereal box. 

1) Using a measuring tape or ruler, measure and mark your chipboard 1.5 inch from the left and right edge. Your two holes should be made on the 7" side (the longest side.)  Be sure to punch the holes in the same location on both chipboards so they will match up later when we connect them. 

2) Next, choose the two Paper patterns you would like to use as the outside of your book. Cut a rectangle out of both sheets, measuring around 9"x7" for your chipboard wrap. 

3) Using your paper glue or adhesive runner, glue one chipboard to the center of the paper. Carefully fold and glue each edge of paper to the chipboard. (Think gift wrapping!) Do this for both pieces of chipboard.

 4) Once you have covered both chipboard pieces, measure the opening and cut that size out of a coordinating piece of card stock. 

Step 3: Cutting recipe cards and dividers.

5) Open the cut file "Recipe Card Template" and "Recipe Card Dividers" in your design software. Check the size to make sure it matches the following dimensions:

Recipe Card Template - Each card should measure 4.5"x6.3"

Recipe Card Dividers - Each Divider should measure 5"x7"

6) Recipe Card Template - This is a template Mandy designed that you are welcome to use for your recipes. You may print them out and handwrite your recipes or you can type into each area using your design software tools. Our Facebook Live on February 4th focuses on this element of the project to assist you with options such as print and cut. 

7) When choosing the number of dividers for your recipe book, brainstorm how many sections you want to have. You can separate them in any way you'd like! Here are some options for sections to organize your recipes:

  • Pastries
  • Breads
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Quick Meals
  • Vegetarian Meals
  • Holiday Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Crock Pot Recipes
  • Beverages
  • Soups and Salads
  • Breakfast
  • Seafood
  • Entres
  • Meat
  • Sauces
  • Pasta

Once you have chosen your sections, calculate how many you will have. Next, you will cut that number of dividers out of your colored card stock. There are three 

different templates with the tab on the left, right and center. Keep this in mind when you are cutting your dividers...you probably do not want seven dividers with only a center tab. 😉

Optional idea: type and print your section titles onto the white card stock. If you choose to, you may also create a print and cut project to create perfectly cut labels for the tabs. Mandy will also demo this idea in the February 4th Facebook live! 

Step 3: Finishing touches

8) Now it's time for the fun part! After you've completed your recipe cards, choose the embellishments you'd like to add to your dividers and to the front of your Recipe Book. Use your creativity, stickers and gorgeous paper from your Paper Craft Kit to jazz it up and make it your own. (Don't forget to share pics of your project!) ❤️

Example of a divider page option

Step 3: Constructing your Recipe Book

9) Hole-punching: Take a thin stack of your cards and dividers, mark and measure where you want your two holes to be. (Remember to line it up with the cover to make sure it all lines up perfectly) Using those same measurements, repeat this process with thin stacks of cards until you've placed two holes at the top of every one.

10) Place all your cards and dividers in order and use the 1-inch metal rings to clip it all together. 

Optional: loop a coordinating ribbon through each ring and tie into a bow for an added cute factor. ;) 

You did it! Please share your creations on social media and tag us @sparkleberryink. We would love to see what you create!

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