Frugal Scrapbook Alternative: Blurb books

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My Blurb book has arrived! Talk about a wonderful way to preserve family pictures and memories in a simple and lovely fashion! If you have not heard of Blurb.com, it is worth checking out! It took time, but it was well worth it! You simply download the BookSmart program they offer and get to work in uploading and laying out your own book! Now we have the first two years of our marriage in book form and it is not going to disintegrate any time soon. All the pictures are printed on the pages.

I spent $35 for an 80 page hardback book, but you can pick varying sizes and also have it printed on softcover for cheaper rates. As I am not the creative type, this seemed like a lot more reasonable way of preserving these memories without spending a ton of money on scrap-booking items, that I don’t have room for (as an album along can cost anywhere from $15-20 dollars, not counting the paper, stickers, and supply costs). On the last two pages I printed our 2007 year in review, in which I wrote out some of the highlights for the year, areas of growth in our lives, friendships made, trips we made, etc. It will be so wonderful to look back and always have those little details written out (especially since my memory is extremely poor! Alas!). Since I lack in the area of creativity, this was the way to go!

Here are a few more of the pages:

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About Lindsay

Lindsay Edmonds is first a lover of Jesus, wife, mother of four, homemaker, and writer. She loves inspiring women around the world toward simple, natural, and intentional living for the glory of God.

13 Responses to Frugal Scrapbook Alternative: Blurb books

  1. Amanda November 24, 2009 at 5:33 pm #

    I don’t know you but I am looking for an alternative to scrapbooking. Thanks for the idea!

  2. Trina April 16, 2008 at 12:29 pm #

    Great idea! I love this and am going to visit the site now!!

  3. mom2fur February 8, 2008 at 1:53 pm #

    I won something similar to this a while back. I think it was from Kodak. Having pictures in a hardcover book is a wonderful thing–and really, the price seems very reasonable to me! I’m an avid scrapbooker, but by the time you pay for the paper, embellishments, supplies and the book itself, you’ve gone way beyond $35, LOL!
    Your book is just gorgeous!

  4. Cassie February 8, 2008 at 8:22 am #

    Great idea! I say that I like to scrapbook, but I haven’t done that in months. I am way behind!!

  5. Amy @ Hope Is the Word February 8, 2008 at 4:50 am #

    This is a great idea! I am a scrapbooker who still enjoys playing with paper, but I have seen a few of these books in real life (from different companies), and they look GREAT!

  6. Keren @ Mill Musings February 7, 2008 at 11:01 pm #

    I love this idea! I tried making a little photo book for my niece for her birthday at CVS, but the quality wasn’t what I was hoping for. I hope to do one of these for my husband on our marriage and one for our brand new little girl! :)

    Great work on your blog!

    Keren

  7. Mrs. S February 4, 2008 at 9:41 am #

    Lindsay,

    Thank you for commenting on my blog. Your blog is a treasure trove, and I will have to go back and read many entries that interest me. I love this blurb book idea. I gave up scrap booking after we got married due to a lack of time, and this seems like a wonderful way to do it and would make an excellent book. I bet my mom would love something like this. Thanks for the link!

    Mrs. S

    • Lindsay February 4, 2008 at 11:07 am #

      These are definitely a great idea for use with grandparents, especially if they live a distance away. I have friends that have done that. The grandparents little brag books of the babies! You can also use these to make recipe books, preserve your blog, wedding albums, and the like.

  8. Tia February 3, 2008 at 4:28 pm #

    The book looks really nice!

    I just do photo albums. I never got into scrapbooking. I just don’t have the time. I always wondered how people found the time!

  9. Melissa February 3, 2008 at 10:50 am #

    I’ve never heard of this before. Thanks for sharing it! I’ve been trying to scrapbook our wedding photos for the past two years, and I just can’t find the time or motivation to get it done. This looks like an great alternative!

  10. Ann at mommysecrets February 3, 2008 at 5:41 am #

    This looks great – good job!

    We’ve also made books from Picaboo and Creative Memories – both comparable in cost (but Picaboo offers great periodic coupons).

  11. Mrs. Elliott February 2, 2008 at 6:34 pm #

    I love this idea! A few years ago I went through a scrapping phase, collected a bunch of supplies and finished a few books. But, I haven’t had time to keep up with it. I really want to preserve family memories, this idea seems like a better alternative.

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