You’ve heard the saying, “Done is better than perfect?” I am very bad at that one. I just could not follow that in this case, to my own detriment. Sigh. I spent a lot of time on this project.
Cyberspace being rather intangible, I want to be able to look through my blog posts in book format. I’ve been thinking of doing it for as long as I’ve had this blog, 2.5 years now. Should my blog ever get erased for some odd reason, I want to have it all here in front of me in tangible form.
Several of my friends have used Blog2Print to easily print books of their blogs, which looked cool to me, but I could NOT figure out how to make it work for me. I didn’t like the page layouts, I couldn’t include any of the post comments (my favorite part), and it was also pricey. I finally figured out that maybe it had to do with changing over to my own domain last year. So maybe it will work for the past few months but it had such trouble getting to my posts, with all sorts of time outs and password issues.
So I made books in 6-month groupings in BookSmart, my go-to program for creating our family scrapbooks. (That’s an affiliate link but I have made nothing from them, just had to tell you in full disclosure that if you use that link, they may pay me a few cents.)
It took me absolutely for.e.ver. to make my first year in books but I do love them. I had to cut and paste all the text and photos, rearrange the layouts, etc. I made one of the first 6 months, uploaded it to my shopping cart to order, and decided to use that as a template to make the next book so I could order them together. However, when I uploaded the second one to the shopping cart, the first one had disappeared (must order within 14 days or it’s wiped forever… gulp). There was no getting it back. So I ordered that second one, made the first one AGAIN, yep, and ordered that one.
I like BookSmart because you can literally control everything. (Who is out there laughing??? I can hear you!) Layout, font, colors. All customizable.
Let me just say that it was awesome to look back at my first year of posts. I had very few followers then and no idea what I was doing, and yet it was wonderful. It reminded me to get back in touch with a few friends. It’s a journey from there to here and it reminds me that I still don’t know what wonderful place I’m headed, but I keep posting three days a week and love how it is such a significant part of my identity and daily life.
And now I need to make the next book. 2 down, 3 to go and time’s a wastin’!
P.S. You can get 15% off at Blurb during the month of July with code SUMMERFUN.
This is FABULOUS!!! Definitely going to do this, umm…someday 🙂
Yeah, it takes some time but it’s so nice to have!
What an amazing project of love and a fabulous way to honor all you’ve accomplished! I love it!!
Michele Bergh recently posted…Life Lesson 5: Just Be Before Acting
Thanks, Michele! I’m happy I’ve done it.
I love having blog books to look through whenever I want. I have made ones for my old blogs and am working on one for my current blog now since my first blogoversary is coming up in a few weeks. I think they are great ideas.
Carin recently posted…Kirby: 2 1/2 years
Wow Naomi! They turned out beautiful! You have patience! I have been trying to work on a book for my husband from his army days for over a year…and it only has about 30 photos!! I would love to do this with my blog, not sure I’d have the time. Hey, maybe I see a business opportunity for you…making books for people’s blogs??? Just an idea 🙂
I did help a friend make a book when they were adopting their daughter, but the time involved was a huge commitment. If I didn’t love her, I don’t think I could have done it. I already don’t have enough time for my own projects. 🙂
Darn….hoping I could talk you in to doing mine 🙂 I completely understand!!
So rewarding and they look really great, I’m doing similar with my Kim Klassen beyond beyond pages….
That will be beautiful!!
This is wonderful – it sounds like so much work! I keep saying I want to do this and hopefully will one day…
Sherri B. recently posted…A Glance at The Glory
They look awesome! I’d love to do the same, but can’t imagine the work involved!!!
And if I lost one I thought I had completed and it didn’t save, I’d cry. And cry. And cry some more!
What a terrific idea to publish what you have published online! I almost cried when I read about the book lost in the unknown! You have certainly created treasured memories for your children and your children’s children!
Ruth Packard recently posted…Conquering My Fear
This is a WONDERFUL idea, Naomi. I’ve thought to do the same and also looked at Blog2Print, but didn’t like the results. I just haven’t taken the time to proceed. Thanks for the inspiration! Maybe I’ll get going … I do need a new project to keep my mind from going to places unproductive. Last year I did use Blurb to put together 15 months of newsletters I called The Stroll, which I’d laid out in InDesign. I was quite pleased with it. Put it together rather quickly for my kids and their Dad. Unfortunately, it was one of those “done, but not perfect” projects as I got the idea late and decided to go ahead and do it for Christmas gifts. I’d like to redo it and offer to people who are interested in exploring Colorado. Sorry to go on and on … you did a wonderful job on your books. You must be proud! It’s a great way to document your (one’s) life. Congrats!!
Lissa @ lafCustomDesigns recently posted…Stolen Moments: A Birthday Escape
We are so hard on ourselves! Your book sounds wonderful, Lissa. Knowing your photography, I bet it is already amazing.
Thanks Naomi! I do love it even with its flaws. It even includes maps of many of the trails. Great reference book to remind me where I’ve been … just as yours are for you, I’m sure. Hope you enjoyed your July 4th and are looking forward to the upcoming weekend. I have four days!! Woohoo!
Lissa @ lafCustomDesigns recently posted…Stolen Moments: A Birthday Escape
i wasn’t laughing AT you, dear one–i was laughing WITH you. and actually at myself too because i know exactly what you’re talking about. done versus done perfect (or as close as possible) is an issue for me in all facets of my world. so i definitely feel ya, sister! my most recent example is that i’ve been re-cushioning and re-covering our dining room chairs. i’ve finished 3 of 5, but i am not thrilled with how the first 2 turned out so once i finish the remaining 2 i will go back and redo the first 2. i know it sounds nuts, but there you have it. but the books (and the blog they document) are lovely and wonderful, just like their author. 🙂
I will be asking you about that because I’m going to recover our chairs too! We are definitely two little cherries hanging together on the tree. 🙂
I have looked at Blog2Print before and never did a thing with it. Your books are the first I have seen, and I love this!
Deborah recently posted…My preferred kind of fireworks
It IS always simpler to just get it done… I bet you’d like their layouts of your beautiful blog if you choose large photos…
How exciting to have those two completed!!!! Book Smart is my favorite to use too!
how wonderful!
I wonder, can you just pick and choose
which posts you include?
Or do you have to throw in the whole smash?
So love your thorough heart:)
-Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson recently posted…hugging the brave of me….