Organizing cut-out recipes

**Palooka** · 07-31-2010, 01:44 AM

Did we have a thread like this before? Anyhoo, I'm looking for a basic photo album....that has that plastic that pulls off the whole page and not just sized for pictures because some cut out recipes won't fit. I can't find them.

Any suggestions for organizing these?

TIA

**riaketty** · 07-31-2010, 03:29 AM

I glue them to those big (8 by 5??) index cards, then file them in a recipe box. Sometimes I have to cut the cut out in half and glue on both sides of the card, though.

Anything too big just gets written down on the card.

**craftypam** · 07-31-2010, 05:25 AM

This only works with full page recipes. I got a cookbook out of the library that someone in here suggested The Country Woman cooks. Great recipes. I went to her website and printed them and then bought those clear pages and put each recipe in one and then put them into a looseleaf binder that I got at the used clothing store. I got the clear pages really cheap because of school supplies going on sale now. Works better for full pages than those sticky ones you are talking about because once you stick something on those; they don't come off very easy.

**greekislandgirl** · 07-31-2010, 07:03 AM

I don't like the sticky pages because unless they've changed from 10 years ago, the lines of sticky stuff turn brown over time, the paper will not come off, and will discolor. But it's still a good idea if your sticky pages are good quality.

I will admit that I just write the recipes down, always. I get 99.9% of my recipes from the internet, and I have a notebook that's only recipes I've tried and we've loved, and I write them in after they've passed the test. Until I try them, I keep them bookmarked on my computer. Since it's only ever one at a time that I'm writing down, it's not too bad, and there's just something about handwritten recipes with waterspots and chocolate smudges that's inspiring....

**2ndGenGranola** · 07-31-2010, 07:34 AM

I would get some acid/lignin (a/l) free cardstock and some a/l free page protectors (cheap at Sam's). Those would be EZ to find with all the scrapbooking going on. I would either use some of the scrapbooking glue or tabs and adhere the recipe to the card stock. You could get fancy and add in some of the patterned paper used in scrapbooking. Get the regular sized cardstock and sheet protectors and they will fit in normal notebooks.

Greekislandgirl had a point. Those sticky pages with the peal away top sheet are not a/l free and they do destroy the paper.

**Labontet** · 07-31-2010, 07:41 AM

Like mentioned above, a loose leaf notebook with the plastic sleeves to hold paper works good.
After cutting out your recipe and picture of the prepared dish, tape or glue them to plain white paper, then put the paper in the plastice sleeves.

**Libby** · 07-31-2010, 07:52 AM

I use binders with page protectors. Helps keep the page clean for next time. You can use small ringed binders for specific type dishes/category or one large one with dividers.

**happymomof4** · 07-31-2010, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Labontet

Like mentioned above, a loose leaf notebook with the plastic sleeves to hold paper works good.
After cutting out your recipe and picture of the prepared dish, tape or glue them to plain white paper, then put the paper in the plastice sleeves.

This is what I do. I think it works great.

**nuisance26** · 07-31-2010, 08:39 AM

~I just cut and fold down the pages to a 4X6 inch area and slip them into a standard sleeve photo album. There are a couple of recipes that I need to take out and flip to see the rest of the directions but I could fix that by writing the recipe out by hand. I'll do that when the page starts to get unreadable.
Otherwise I think it's a great system. The album was free, it looks like a cookbook next to my other cookbooks and is easy to wipe off.~

**Palooka** · 08-01-2010, 01:11 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I just thought of an idea. I have a notebook/binder of recipes that I have printed through the years off the net and have them organized in categories I've written on the tabs. I just used a hole puncher to put them in.

I could tape/glue them on printer paper and stick them in the same binder, so I wouldn't have another hm cookbook. lol At least my printed and cut out ones would be together that way.

Thanks again everyone!

**frugalfranny** · 08-01-2010, 01:12 AM

Wow lots of good ideas here! I have a bunch to organize too.

P - if you REALLY WANT those.......I see them at our thrift stores quite often. I think the sleeves or protectors might work better for recipes.

**Palooka** · 08-01-2010, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Wow lots of good ideas here! I have a bunch to organize too.

P - if you REALLY WANT those.......I see them at our thrift stores quite often. I think the sleeves or protectors might work better for recipes.

I've seen a ton at the Goodwill, but not the size I want.

**Contrary Housewife** · 08-01-2010, 12:03 PM

I haven't bought one in years, but I remember they were sold at the discount department stores. I would check dollar stores, then places like K-Mart or Walmart.

If your cut-outs are from newspaper or magazines you should photocopy them and toss the originals. Photocopy paper is sturdier and will not age as quickly as the magazine or news pulp paper.

**Palooka** · 08-02-2010, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by ContraryHousewife

If your cut-outs are from newspaper or magazines you should photocopy them and toss the originals. Photocopy paper is sturdier and will not age as quickly as the magazine or news pulp paper.

Pure genius. I can't believe I didn't think about that! Thanks!

**tervsforme** · 08-02-2010, 10:31 AM

I have thousands, no exaggeration, of cut out recipes. I used to be a cooking magazine-aholic. I now only subscribe to Cooking Light. I never had room to keep the magazines, so I just ripped out the recipes that sounded good to me. Anyway, I have 1 full file drawer of recipes that are filed away. I have file folders with the different catagories, like a cookbook. Beverages, appetizers, soups, salads, beef, chicken, etc. I have another half a drawer full of ones that need to be filed. I try to spend some time on this each week, getting them filed. I love looking through the recipes, just as much as I did the magazines. But then I like to just sit and read cookbooks as well...