Blog -----> Book. Blurb.

Quite a few people have asked about the blog books that I make, so I thought I'd do a little post to answer a few questions.  

First off, I use BookSmart from Blurb.com and have been really happy with the results.  We've gone with the standard 7x7 size with standard paper.  The first one I made 4+ years ago has a few pages that are coming loose from the binding, but the kids LOVE to look at them and in a not-so-gentle kid way ;0)  But I have a friend who pays for the premium paper and hard book cover and probably won't ever have that problem.  If you get on Blurb's email list, a few times a year they email out promotions where you can get 20-25% off.  I usually wait for the promotions.  So for a book that is about 280 pages, full color, shipping + handling, I usually pay $55.  Not bad for almost 300 pages of MY OWN family history IN COLOR.  Plus Blurb keeps your books on file if you ever want to order more copies.  (Bry & I are thinking of eventually buying a set of the books for each kid to have.)  Also, if you want, you can make your book available for other people to buy.  So if the grand parents want their own copy they can order it and have it shipped to them.  Pretty cool.

Here are a few screenshots of BookSmart.  It doesn't offer all the cutesy "scrapbooking" elements that other book makers have, but it allows you to fully customize your layout.  You can have the software auto fill your book, but I haven't liked the way it turns out so I layout it out on my own.  There is a little bit of a learning curve, but once you get the swing of things, it's not so bad.

I've definitely learned a lot with each book that I make. One of the biggest reasons I do collages for my blog is because they make for SUPER easy page layouts in our book and they usually look pretty polished and nice.  BUT I learned from the first book that you DON'T cram a collage into a tiny photo box.  If you can see at all below, there is a collage in about every one of those little boxes.  You can't even tell what's going on.

This one (below on the left page) looks a lot better, but now I usually do a full-page bleed for each collage.

Also in my first book I used a black background because I thought it'd set off the pictures.  It looks OK, but now I try to vary the background, usually using bright colors because I love color :0)  In any case, you learn as you go.  With each book it's gotten easier, I've learned a lot and am more and more pleased with the finished  product.  Here are a few examples of my last books.  I decided to show pages where I've used different collages...

I hope that answers a few questions.  If you have more, please ask.  This is something that I really enjoy doing and would be happy to help you.  I think it's a fun creative outlet and such a great way to keep a family history.

3 + 1 little valentines.

Usually I just blog in the evenings when Bry is working on research or occasionally while the boys nap and Brie is having some quiet time to herself.  I've been busy with other projects lately and haven't had a lot of time for blogging.  So while the kids were eating their afternoon snack in the kitchen today I thought I'd throw together a post about Valentine's day.  As I was sitting here waiting for PhotoShop to load from the kitchen I hear Alex say, "Mom?...I love you!"  He doesn't say that very often and it made me smile :0) I had to include it in my post devoted to the day of love.

The night before Valentine's Bry helped me to set the table and get the Valentine's laid out on the couch.  He was teasing me that it felt like Christmas.  I told him that half of it is in the presentation.  If you straighten things up so that a mess doesn't detract, it instantly feels more special.  Plus color coordinating goes a long way too.  I probably spent 5 minutes setting the table, but it was set in a way that would signal to the kids, hey this is a special occasion.  I'm grateful that Bry goes along with my often silly and over-the-top ideas.

In the morning Bry played with Brie & Lij while I made breakfast and Alex contently zoomed his tractor around his plate and snuck strawberries ;0)  Almost everything for breakfast was in the shape of a heart...Strawberry cinnamon rolls, sliced strawberries, hash browns, and fried eggs.  Afterwards they went to find the valentine's we'd left for them.  Brie got a little box of 4 chocolates and Alex got some panda bear chocolate treats.  Thank you Aldi :0) During the day the kids & I walked around in the bitter cold and snowy weather to drop off valentine's to our little friends.  That night Bry surprised us with sugar cookies with our names written in frosting.  So sneaky and so sweet of him! Going along with our month's theme of recognizing and sharing God's love, Brie, Alex and I bundled up and dropped off M&M cookies to our neighbors.

 Brie saw this elephant card in my stash and kept asking who it was for.  The boys got homemade cards, but I couldn't help but give it to her.  She was tickled pink.  I can't forget to mention the adorable package that Grauntie Elaine sent, festive cookies, candies, poppy flower apron for Brie and this really cool box of pop up paper flowers.

We were going to make a homemade raspberry chocolate cake on Valentine's Day, but didn't feel up to baking.  So Sunday while Bry was at meetings, Brie and I whipped this up...doctored up chocolate cake mix + homemade raspberry pudding + homemade chocolate frosting + fresh raspberries on top.  It was delicious :0)

 We decided to keep with last year's tradition and served the kids a nice dinner. (Toasted Raviolis, Fettucine Alfredo, cucumbers and tomatoes, orange jello, apple juice and CUTE sugar cookies from Tiffany.)  Kenzi joined us while her parents went out on the town.  It was so fun seeing the kids giggle and eat, run down the hall with our fake flowers, and dance.  Kenzi kept trying to get "Addi" to dance like Cinderella and Prince Phillip dance, but he was clueless.  It was cute to see their attempts anyway :0)  After the kids were down (took forever, they were so wound up!) Bry & I watched "Emphraim's Rescue."  It was a very touching film and a beautiful depiction of how we can use our God-given gifts to bless the lives of others.  We were both inspired and highly recommend it. 

The next night we were planning on going out to either see "Saving Mr. Banks" & get dessert at Brasserie OR have dinner at Franco's, BUT we both were feeling under the weather and decided it'd be wiser to stay in.  One of these days we'll officially celebrate out on the town.

While we're on the topic of love, I want to note a few things that I love about my family...

Bry: You take SUCH good care of me, know how to make me smile, always willing to help out.

Brie: You are so good at nurturing and taking care of people and things.
You are thoughtful and loving.

Alex: You have an award-winning smile,
 are goofy and fun!

Lij: You still give great snuggles, have a CUTE laugh and are a go-getter.

According to my iPhone, 6.

After doing a long line of neat and tidy blog posts, it's fun to do a phone picture post.  As much as I love the color coordinated collages (they are fun to design and make for easy layouts in our blog books), this is a more realistic look into our family's life.  Organized chaos + projects + crazy {cute} kiddos :0)...

 getting our Christmas cards ready to send.  Thank you Snapfish for the awesome deal!

 Christmas lights down Candy Cane Lane.

 A quote poster for Emmie.

 A note the kids & I wrote to Santa.

 Pinterest inspired mugs.

 caroling in the cold with the Hintzes.

 The cute Thornocks stopping by.

 Kneaders french toast with Elaine.

 Watching movies in Bompa & Mémé's loft.

 Alex's first time at the dentist.

 some last minute Christmas shopping @ University Mall with Mémé.

 Settlers of Catan with Alan & Liz.

 On our double date @ Macey's with Erin & Matt...being total goofs and pretending like we were recently engaged college students ;0)

 Lij & Uncle Matt @ PV6th Ward.

 You know Alex is sick when this is happening at 9:30 in the morning!  Poor kid :0(

 Belgian Waffles on New Year's Eve in honor of Teddy Grahams.

 After 3 1/2 years we finally rearranged--piano and love seat switched places.  Living on the edge here folks ;0)

 Brie wrapping Hannah's birthday present.  She got to pick 4 things at the Dollar Tree and spent 20 minutes picking out just the right card.  It's fun to see her put thought into her friend's birthday presents.

 This is what we like to call the "Alex Sandwich"

 Putting on our winter hats before reading a winter story, "Punxatawney Phyllis" (Thanks, Kate! :0))

 Family Home Evening lesson on teamwork.

 Us venturing out in the snow.

 Goofing around during our tea party.  This is my "librarian" look.

 Fun socks Matt gave me for Christmas.  They make me happy :0)

 Another Alex sandwich,
a favorite past time around here.

 Brie passed her kindergarten physical and was pretty stoked about that AND this t-shirt.

 Alex's first snow angel as taught by his big sis.

 Brie pushing Lij around in a laundry basket.  

 We sometimes play that the living room floor is molten lava and we're trying to get our whole family to safety (the love seat :0))

 I'm often greeted after church by these 3 handsome guys.

 Alex looking handsome and happy because he got a sucker from the candy man.

 Brie & Alex having fun @ Anna's CUTE birthday party.

 This picture does not do the moment justice.  Brie had Elmo strapped on to her back in a baby carrier and somehow slipped on this icey hill, getting her galosh caught in the snow, and squishing Elmo.

 Alex putting on his "uniform" after it was freshly laundered for the 100th time.  He insists on wearing this or runs around the house in his diaper.  Most days it's not worth the battle.

 Traces of packing.  Might as well pack up some of the clutter that abounds.

 I gave Brie a collection of Lij's 6-9 month clothes for Elmo.  She gets a kick out of dressing him.

 Blondie & Brunette cookies that Brie & I made.

 "Planes" & Pizza Party =
a slice of Heaven for Alex :0)

 Love how Brie is sweet yet has a little streak of goofy. Must be a Graden :0)

 Another favorite past time.

Alex has been putting on Brie's skirts and twirling.  I informed Bry that he needs to spend more time with his son ;0)