Wow, thanks for all the wonderful wishes for TheFirstChild. You are all so sweet! It’s been an exciting time here and TheFirstChild has been touched by all the e-mails, messages, and, as he says, heartfelt “lectures” (LOL!) he has received.
Anyway, on to some news you can use, as they say. Or hopefully something you can use, if you’re ever thinking about ordering a blurb book. You can have books made about most anything these days, so before Christmas I spent some time with MyDadLovesMeBestSister and we took pictures of all the beautiful quilts that MeMum has made for our family. Then I used the free software available at Blurb.com and created a book for MeMum.
It was really interesting because, at the same time (and unbeknownst to me), MyDadLovesMeBestSister made a similar book of family pictures for MyCrazyBIL using the services at Shutterfly. It was fun to compare the two books. The Shutterfly book is a hardback, 8 inches x 8 inches, and has no dust jacket. The pictures on the cover of the book are part of the hardback cover. MyDadLovesMeBestSister paid roughly $100 for about 80 pages. The Blurb book is also hardback, 7 inches x 7 inches, and has a dust jacket with front and back flaps that can be customized with text and/or pictures. The cover pictures for the book are on the dust jacket and there are no pictures on the hardback portion of the book. I paid about $35 for 30 pages. So, given the difference in book size, the price difference isn’t much.
I chose to create my book with no words except for those on the dust jacket flaps and a letter to MeMum at the beginning of the book. MyDadLovesMeBestSister scattered words among the pictures in her book. We were both pretty happy with our books. I think the actual binding and the paper/cloth used on the inside covers of the hardback is a better quality on the Shutterfly book. But, I really love having the ability to customize the flaps on the dust jacket of the Blurb book. It makes it seem more like a “real book”. Blurb also has a copyright page, which I could do without, but since it’s there, you can customize it and have a little fun with it.
MyDadLovesMeBestSister and I were hoping to be able to compare the two services (service was great with both companies, btw) and choose just one company for the next book we decide to make. But it wasn’t that easy as they came out pretty even. I think you just have to make your decision based on book size and dust jacket or not.
One conclusion we did draw, however, is that making these books was really fun! They make great gifts and fun conversation pieces.
I hope you’re all having a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna
Hi Anna
I’ve started making a blurb book from my blog but I can’t find out how to include the comments which for me are the best bit! Your book looks lovely!
Lucy xxx
Wow. How nice of you two to do all the investigation for us! :-)
Those are really neat. Thanks for the review!
I’ll have to tuck that info away for a special gift-giving occasion.
Those books look great but I don’t quite understand what they are… Must follow the link.
My congratulations too to FC for getting into medical school. You’ll soon have lots of huge books with gruesome pictures in them lying around the house… My boy will be launched as an actual doctor in six months – amazing. Seems no time since he was clinging to my skirts.
Anna- I LOVED the book, you are such a thoughtful and creative Daughter. So glad you are my friend. xoxo
These are so cool! I’ve never seen them before – oh, the possibilities! Belated congrats to your son on his admission to medical school – I remember my acceptance letter to law school, next to my wedding day and the days my children were born it has to be at #1 – tell him to bask in the joy now and try to remember it when the hard work sets in!
Wow! That’s a cool idea. They look really nice.
That looks like a cool gift to do Anna. Great idea!
Hi there – what a great idea for a book – thanks for your tips and congratulations to your son too. That is great news.
this looks fantastic………thanks for sharing the comparision
A marvellous book, with cool creation to do !
What a wonderful idea! Might have to jump on this bandwagon and think about Christmas gifts….thanks for the comparison of the services.
Thanks for the comparison. i want to make a book from my quilts and blog but wasn’t sure which was better. Of course, i’m still not sure. Lol. But I will be better able to decide.
What a wonderful way to journalize things.
I love making books. I wonder, did you get one copy for the price mentioned?
What wonderful news about eldest child!
I did not know about these books – but now I feel a desperate urge to make one! Now look what you’ve done!
(btw -I have put a photo on my last post just for you!)
What wonderful books and such memorable treasures for your family.
Thank you for sharing the compare/contrast details on the two book resources.
Wow – the book looks wonderful and will make such a beautiful gift. I’ve been wondering about a blurb book for a while but seeing this might just give me the push to sort it out!
What wonderful books Anna, a fantastic idea. You’ve got me really interested
Kimx
Now that’s a great idea – leave it to you to come up with something new to share with us. Would love to see some close up of those quilt pictures. Looks like your Mom does beautiful work. I guess the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree and that’s meant with love sister, not fun :)
Hugs – Karen
What a fabulous idea. I love the book idea. And congratulations to your son :)
What a great idea. I’ll have to file that one away for next Christmas! Thanks.
~Elaine~
I am going to take a look at blurb and see if I can make something as lovely as yours!
I’ve been wanting to make one of these. Thanks for the further inspiration!
I love the idea of having your own books done, I want one, I wonder if there’s a similar UK service?
I am totally fascinated by the blurb book – thank you so much for the review of both services. It looks to me like your mum does beautiful work! What a lovely gift – a true keepsake!