Instead of tossing out your old cards or note paper that have recipes scrawled on them, recycle them by using them as decoration for the cover of your cookbook. Use a lighter to burn the edges or brush some warm tea to age the look of your recipe cards. Allow the recipe cards to dry thoroughly and then apply glue to the back of the cards and adhere them to the recipe cover. Alternatively, make your cards look fresh and new by reprinting them on stationary with a calligraphy pen.
If you have a shoebox full of birthday, Christmas, Easter or other holiday cards that you can't bring yourself to throw away, cut them up and use them for the front and back of your cook book. Cut out compelling images and arrange them according to taste on the cover. Brush glue on the back and secure the images in place. Create a glossy surface by brushing a couple coats of decoupage glue over top the images. Allow to dry thoroughly before using.
Go on a hunt through antique stores, yard sales and flea markets to find a piece of vintage fabric to use as a cover for your beloved cookbook. Don't dismiss napkins, a tablecloth or a table runner. Choose a fabric with bright colors and a startling design to create an eye-catching piece to sit on your kitchen counter. Adhere the fabric to the cover with a hot glue gun. Add pieces of vintage lace or appliquéd cut-outs to make your design original.
Broken teacups, candy wrappers, discarded silverware or even a decorative lid from your favorite jam can dress up a plain book cover. Pick items that vary in both size and weight to create a mosaic of kitchen items on the front of the cookbook. Put them in place with a hot glue gun and use paint, ribbon and markers to fill in the space around your mosaic. Try covering the book first with a vintage fabric and then topping it off with unused kitchen items for an antique eclectic look.