DIY Recipe Booklet Favors

If you're a food enthusiast like myself you'll love this next DIY project.  Why not send your guests home with your most favorite recipes?  This is a very simple version that with can be personalized a thousand different ways.  Add a photo of yourselves, favorite quotes or anecdotes... you get the idea.  

Here's what you'll need:

• Pretty Card Stock 12" x 12"
• Solid Colored Copier Paper or Card Stock
• Envelopes (make sure your recipe cards will fit inside)
• Blank 3" x 5" Index Cards
• Double Stick Tape or Glue Sticks
• Paper Cutter and/or Scissors
• Decorative Punches, Stickers, Stamps, Ribbons, Vintage Flowers **optional

1. Cut 12x12 decorative card stock in half.  Trim 2" from short end of one strip and fold in half making a 5x6 card.  
2. Determine an odd number recipes you want to include.  Cut solid paper in 5x6 strips.  You'll need two strips for 3 recipes, three strips for 5 recipes, four strips for 7 recipes and so on.  Stack strips neatly together, punch outside corners for a decorative touch (optional) and fold in half.  Press with bone folder for a crisp edge (optional). 
3. Measure and mark a line down the center 3" of the folded edge of one solid page.  Using scissors or a craft knife cut along line.  
4. See illustration of what slit should look like when cut.
5. Cut 2 1/2" slits along top and bottom of the fold on the remaining solid pages.
6. Gently fold over the remaining pages, being careful not to crease, and insert halfway through the center slit of the first solid page.  You should now have neatly bound pages to insert into your card stock cover.
7. Use double sided tape to bind outer pages to the cover.  Center & press firmly. 
8. Decorate and label the front cover then stick an envelope to each odd page with double sided tape and slide in your recipes.  

TIPS:  If your recipe cards have nothing on the back you could skip the envelopes and glue the cards straight to your pages.  You can also save time by using a printer or copier to make the recipe cards.