Friday, August 23, 2013

I NEED A HARD COPY - ENTER BLURB.COM

I admit the computer and the internet mystify me, and I don't quite trust it!  Being both old and old-fashioned, I've always been a fan of a hard copy -- just can't entrust what is important in my life to something so nebulous as the internet.  As a matter of fact, just last week; I lost my entire Pinterest account -- boards, pictures, and all.  It was probably through my own ineptitude -- but where did it all go?  
  I started this blog five years ago to document our lifestyle and some of the people and things that inhabit our home.  I wanted to leave something behind in words and pictures that might possibly be of interest to our descendants. I know I would love to have more documentation about my ancestors' lifestyles.  So, about 2 1/2 years ago, I got to thinking - will those grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc. be able to find out there in space all that I have labored over?  Thus, enter the hard copy and blurb.com.  Blurb is a company that prints books (one copy or more) from info that you have written through their software called Booksmart (it's free).  
BLOG BOOK ONE
In 2010, I did my first blog book that covered all of my blog posts from 7/22/08 to 9/23/l0, a total of 370 pages.  It is a fairly easy process as you are able to slurp your blog directly to the software.  You can print it just as is, or change it to more of a book format as opposed to a blog format by changing page and picture layouts.  This can become a bit tedious especially if you have hundreds of pages; but, to me, I enjoy this type of detail work.  The blurburati (tech support) is handy and prompt through email to help with any problems you may encounter, and stay with you until problems are solved.
BLOG BOOK TWO
This summer it was time to do another blog book that covers my posts from 10/2/10 to 6/18/13, that ended up being 292 pages.  The two blog books together contain about 2000 pictures. It took me several weeks of evening work editing; but once I finished, my hard copy showed up in the mail in five days.
DEDICATION PAGE -- BLOG BOOK TWO
I've done a total of seven blurb books now.  My 99 year-old mother-in-law especially enjoys the books I have put together as gifts for her of old-time pictures.  There are all kinds of possibilities -- recipe books, photo books, travel books; the cost is resonable.
The two blog books have already produced the intended results.  My grandkids don't always read my blog, but they have sat down and perused the books more than once.  




There have been comments from them about how they have changed and grown in five years.  I heard comments about remembering when they did the Halloween cupcakes; when they went to the go-cart track; wondering about where the antique child's rocker came from, etc. etc.
THE POST ON THE ROCKING CHAIR
I have not been compensated by blurb.com for anything -- I just enjoy their product -- a hard copy, in my hands!


THE END FLAP ON THE DUST JACKET OF BLOG BOOK TWO
I'm joining the following parties:
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Creative Home Expressions for The Creative Home and Garden Hop Sunday
Dwellings for Amaze Me Monday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Thanks to these bloggers for hosting these events!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Sally! Oh, this sounds wonderful. I have heard of doing this but just never have. I love it that I've found your blog and love your posts! This is wonderful information to pass on to family members as time goes by! I need to do this! :)
Hope you're doing well.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Marilyn said...

What a great idea! I will have to think about doing this for a winter project. I'm longing for some cooler weather as the heat is making me weary. Still lots to do outside and I think I could get more done when it's below 80!♥♫

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That is so awesome! I've been blogging for 5 years, too and would love to put together a book...or two! I'll follow some of these links. You've sure got something special to enjoy for years to come!

Art and Sand said...

Thanks so much for this tip. A friend mentioned once that I could do this, but I never found out how.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

These look beautiful! :)

Tammy N said...

I don't always trust computers and the internet. I have a fear of losing things on them. Printing a hard copy book sounds like a good idea.

Diane said...

Wow - what a great idea! Thanks for sharing it with us!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I have often wondered about blog books. What a great idea. thank you for sharing the information.

Sarah said...

I've wanted to do a book of my blog, but never have jumped ahead to get one done. Thanks for this additional information.

Pat said...

Sally,
I, too, did a Blog Book my first year. . .but was not pleased with the results.
Poor page breaks. . .not at all what I had envisioned. Perhaps it's time to take another look!!!
My family doesn't read my blog! They just listen to me paraphrase it for them. Ha!
Thanks for sharing. . .your blog books are elegant, dear one!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Kim said...

I am really new to blogging and I too worry about it all going *Poof* gone one day! I did not know that this was an option! What a great idea...thank you so much for sharing, you have really made my day! :)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love this idea, my friend had one book done, how fun. Love all the info too, big help. Thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Did you find it expensive?
The books look fabulous!

Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage
lane dot family at yahoo dot com

DIY Vintage Chic said...

What a great idea! Maybe one year you could do a "Best of" book. Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com

Warm Heart Bears said...

Hi Sally,

Hello from a Colorado
native from the Springs.
You books are beautiful!

Bear Hugs,
Carolyn

Rita C at Panoply said...

Hi Sally,
I found your link on Marty's 'Stroll Through Life'. I love this idea, and wasn't aware it was available. I have made many photo books on Shutterfly (I have links on my blog to my "Panoply of Purses" and "Gardening Grows the Spirit"), but never for written word. I love this idea, and hope to use it too - what a great way to memorialize it all in one (or more) tome. Thanks for the inspiration!
Best,
Rita

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Sally,
I have heard of people printing their blog posts into books. I think it's a great idea, but I haven't done it yet. Hadn't heard of this program. It sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing this info with SYC.
hugs,
Jann