DIY: Decoupage Recipe Box

Hello Cupcakes!

When it comes to gift-giving, I pride myself on giving the most unique, creative and thoughtful gifts, and I do a good job of it (not to sound narcissistic or anything!) I will admit there are a lot of things I am completely horrible at. I am a total klutz, preventing me from doing many things and I can't sing a tune to save my life. (Trust me, you do not want to hear me sing. I sound worse than those tone deaf people that try out for American Idol LOL). Hurting ears with my singing aside, I guess if I had a talent, it would have to be gift giving, that and making people smile, but that does go hand-in-hand, does it not?

Recently one of my best friends from back home got engaged. I always tend to go overboard when it comes to bridal shower gifts and I almost never buy from the registry. I know that's probably a total no no, but it's never failed me before.  I understand that it's important to get things that the happy couple might need but I really don't want to be the one who buys a deep fryer or towels. I mean every bridal shower I've been to they always end up with like 50 towels. Okay maybe not but there's always a towel overload! That's not to say I give impractical gifts, either. I've always added in a cookbook with my bridal shower gifts, but never just any cook book. I always look at the couple and try to find that perfect cookbook that seems to be made just for them.

For my friend who's getting married in December, I wanted to do something a little different and fun. I decided to create a recipe box with all different kinds of recipes I have found on Pinterest. They seriously need to make a Pinterest cookbook!  I searched high and low on Pinterest to find a wide variety of recipes that I know they will love and will be sure to provide weeks of food comas! :) 

I originally was just going to fill a blank recipe book but I couldn't find a blank recipe book that I loved. I'm very picky with giving gifts, and I constantly obsess on making sure that it is always something that is unique and thoughtful. That is how I decided on the decoupage recipe box. This gave me the opportunity to create something that goes with their decor and is something I know they will cherish for years to come. I really could not find a good tutorial on how to decoupage a recipe box so I kind of just went along with it. I bought an extra recipe box to test out before making their actual box. Below is a step by step process of the first recipe box I've made.

For starters you will need a recipe box. If you plan on decoupaging it with scrapbook paper I would suggest finding a blank recipe box. (you will see why in upcoming photos) If you plan on decoupaging it with fabric, any recipe box will do. I got my recipe box from Hobby Lobby close to the Scrapbooking section. They also have blank recipe cards next to the box that you can buy to put in your box. This blank recipe box already had the tabs inside. The Recipe box was $3.99 and the Recipe cards were $1.99 with 25 cards in a package.

Any form of mod podge will do. It does not matter if you use matte or glossy, it all depends on the look you are going for. For this box I used glossy. I would suggest making sure whatever brand you get is water resistant, especially if you plan on keeping the recipe box in the kitchen. I got Collage Pauge at Hobby Lobby. I also got a matte Mod Podge by Plaid Enterprises from Walmart on a different trip. The Collage Pauge I got was $ 6.99 for 8 Fl Oz, but they had other Mod Podge brands that were cheaper.  The Mod Podge by Plaid Enterprises  from Walmart was around $7 for 16 Fl Oz. You can also create your own Mod Podge, though I haven't tried it out yet, but you can definitely Google it (let me know how it goes if you try it out!)

Select the paper or fabric you want to use to decoupage your recipe box. I chose three different designs to give it a vintage look. I got my scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby at 50% off. They always have the best sales! I chose the Farmhouse Crate paper. Originally the book was $19.99 but I only paid $10. The book of paper had 48 sheets all together. 

Measure each side of your recipe box and then measure it out on the backside of your paper or fabric.

Use an exacto knife to cut out your paper or fabric. You may have to go back and trim the paper to have it properly fit the sides of the box. I think if the paper had grid lines on the back it would of made this step easier with having straight lines. 

Next you'll want to add a thin coat of mod podge. It is important to not add a thick layer because it could make the paper or fabric bubble. Another trick I learned if you fan it with the paper you're about to lay it with for a couple seconds before placing the paper on it will not bubble as much.  You then want to coat the paper or fabric you placed on your box with some mod podge. To smooth out any bubbles dip your fingers in water to smooth them. Continue on to your next side. After all sides are completed add another layer of mod podge. I ended up adding 4 extra coats. I don't think I needed to add that many coats but my mom kept telling me to add more! An important tip that I almost forgot myself is to make sure you keep your recipe box open so you don't glue it shut. It's a miracle I remembered this because people that know me would know I generally forget the most crucial step! 

It's important that you add mod podge to the bottom to help create a water resistant seal even if you don't plan on adding any paper or fabric. I almost forgot this step- shout out to my mom for reminding me! :) 

This is the front view of my vintage-inspired recipe box. I haven't decided what I will do with this one, as it was just a tester. Perhaps it will make a nice christmas present to someone else! :) 

When I decided to go with scrapbook paper I realized that trying to cover the corners and edges would be almost impossible. I think with my color scheme though, with the brown showing through it looks fine. It was tricky getting all of the paper to match evenly but for doing this for the first time I think it turned out pretty good! I think if you use one kind of fabric you can easily fold over and also mod podge it to the inside.

Again I went for a glossy look, but you can also choose to have a matte look. This is what a glossy look would look like if you decide to go the glossy route! 

My next DIY project: Decoupage coasters! I'll add a post about that as soon as I try it out! :) 

Let me know if you have any fun decoupage projects, after all, I have enough scrapbook paper to decoupage an entire house!!! Also let me know if you think I should make my friends recipe box with a glossy or matte look, I have yet to decide and would love some input! :)

Sincerely,
Adi