Bellflower Books {Review & $100 Giveaway!}

Lifelong Best Friends + Photo Memories = Bellflower Books

I was recently given a very unique opportunity to create my own custom photo book through the very unique company of Bellflower Books. Bellflower Books is a collaborative custom photo book process created by 2 best friends. What makes Bellflower Books unique is how it has turned the online photo book creation process into a collaborative effort. Bellflower Books allows you to invite up to 58 people to submit photos and help build your photo book.

I hemmed and hawed about the type I book I would create, and if I would go the collaborative route. I can see how it would be perfect for siblings to come together to create a “grandparent book” full of pictures of the grandkids, for special events, like bridal showers and weddings, or as a “thank you” to a kind (and organized) hostess of a family reunion.

Despite the endless possibilities, I decided to make a book for Craig highlighting the big events of our life together from our wedding until today.

I titled my project, “The Story of Us.”

I selected the style of my 12×12 hard cover photo book, and then I started building it. Each page of the book holds 1 photo, and includes a page title, photo caption and section for text.

Once I completed the design process, I was able to preview my finished project in a way that is incredibly realistic. The photo below is a screenshot of my book, taken as I was turning my virtual pages.

Pretty amazing, right?

I surprised Craig with this book, and am also able to offer 1 reader a chance to create their own Bellflowers Book!

Mandatory Entry for the $100 giveaway from Bellflower Books:

Tell me for whom you’d like to create a custom photo book, and if you think you may utilize the collaboration feature.

Additional entries:

- “Like” Bellflower Books on Facebook, and leave a comment that you do.

- Follow Bellflower Books on Twitter, and leave a comment that you do.

- “Like” a belle, a bean & a chicago dog on Facebook, and leave a comment that you do.

- Tweet the following: I just entered @bellebeandog ‘s #ALLCAPSAWESOME @BellflowerBooks #giveaway! http://bit.ly/mEBstI and leave the link to the tweet.

- Follow my blog via GFC or email subscription, and leave a comment telling me how you follow.

This giveaway is open until midnight May 23rd.

*Giveaway is limited to US residents only. I created a free photo book for my husband in order to perform the review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tagged as: giveaway, product review

{ 81 comments }

← Previous Comments

Kerry Wellstein May 19, 2011 at 1:56 pm: Thanks for the wonderful review!!! I love all of the creative ideas people are sharing for how they would create their Bellflower Book:)
Elaine May 19, 2011 at 2:29 pm: I would love to create a book for my own family – I have SO many photos. I love the “story of us” idea – that’s awesome. I might also chronicle our time in Louisiana. These looks wonderful.

Not sure I would use the collaboration option the first time around but maybe in the future. It’s a great idea too!
Elaine May 19, 2011 at 2:30 pm: Liked Bellflower Books on FB!
Elaine May 19, 2011 at 2:31 pm: Like BBCD on FB already!
Elaine May 19, 2011 at 2:33 pm: Tweeted too! http://twitter.com/#!/elainea/statuses/71297164025921536
Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip May 19, 2011 at 3:34 pm: This is so amazing! I’d love to make one for my family. We have like NO photo albums at all. I’m the arch slacker.
Shell May 19, 2011 at 5:54 pm: One for my mom would be good- it’s her 60th birthday this summer and I’d use the collaboration feature so that my brothers could add pics.
Katie May 19, 2011 at 9:07 pm: i would totally create a ‘story of us’ book of my parents. they would die.
BalancingMama (Julie) May 20, 2011 at 8:23 am: Oooh! I would love to do something like this for my husband. We need to get “us” back. I might use the collaborate feature with his family.
BalancingMama (Julie) May 20, 2011 at 8:39 am: Tweeted!

http://twitter.com/#!/BalancingMama/status/71570236012363776
BalancingMama (Julie) May 20, 2011 at 8:56 am: Liked Bellflower Books on Facebook (as 3 Moms In 1)
Allie May 20, 2011 at 9:06 am: I would love to use the collaboration feature and make a book for my Nanni. How cool would it be to have all the old family photos safely in one book?!
Allie May 20, 2011 at 9:08 am: Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/utkallie/status/71577966919954432
Allie May 20, 2011 at 9:09 am: I follow you on GFC
Allie May 20, 2011 at 9:11 am: I like ya on FB.
dollimama May 20, 2011 at 9:51 am: I would love to make a book for my grandma with my siblings and cousins! We live all over the place so this would work out well!
Laural Out Loud May 20, 2011 at 10:45 am: These books are gorgeous! I followed Bellflower Books on Facebook!
Laural Out Loud May 20, 2011 at 10:46 am: I followed Bellflower Books on Twitter!
Laural Out Loud May 20, 2011 at 10:46 am: I followed YOUR fan page on Facebook! I thought I was already following, so I’m glad you posted this
Leigh Ann May 20, 2011 at 11:39 am: I would create one for my grandparents. Things like this are the only thing they would ever want. Great review!
Miel et Lait May 21, 2011 at 12:20 am: I would make a book for my dad, with milestones in his life. (Awards he has won, pictures from childhood, etc.)

I would NOT use the collaborative feature.
Miel et Lait May 21, 2011 at 12:20 am: https://twitter.com/#!/Miel_et_Lait/status/71807169225428992
Miel et Lait May 21, 2011 at 12:21 am: For my last entry, I follow you by GFC. At least, I think I do. You show up in my google reader, so I follow you one way or another.
Sarah May 22, 2011 at 10:18 am: I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/ToddlingChicago/status/71080621413371904
Melissa {adventuroo} May 22, 2011 at 3:24 pm: I’d love to make a book for my dad who now lives in Costa Rica! My sisters and I would definitely collaborate on it since we all live in three different states.
Melissa {adventuroo} May 22, 2011 at 3:25 pm: I liked your page (not sure how I hadn’t liked it before actually)!
Mama Fisch May 23, 2011 at 7:55 am: I would use the book to document the years with my husband. I did a first year book for my son, but I would love to have something to document my husband and I’s story. Plus, of course when #2 comes I would use it!
Mama Fisch May 23, 2011 at 7:56 am: I follow BB on Twitter
Mama Fisch May 23, 2011 at 7:58 am: I tweeted about the giveaway but am clearly not smart enough to figure out to link it!