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.
I’d probably make a book for my parents & use the collaborative feature with my brothers & maybe even my aunts & uncles (they have 8 siblings each so it’d be quite the collab!
I follow you on Facebook.
I would make one of these for my mom and my MIL. That collaborative feature is cool. I would definitely use that.
I think I’d probably give it to my hubby, too, and make one with our wedding photos. We’ve been wanting a book like that but just haven’t gotten around to it. Great giveaway!
Forgot to mention I probably wouldn’t use collaborative for *that* project, since I own all our wedding photos
But I can totally see using it for others, say a 50 year anniversary present or whatever!
Your book looks awesome. It’s a shame I am missing out on all these cool giveaways. Sigh.
Good luck to everyone else!
What a great giveaway. The cover of that book is beautiful. I love the title, too. I liked Bellflower on FB, but already followed them on twitter. I also already like you on FB, too – silly!
I tweeted it as well. What a fun giveaway!
I want to collaborate with my brother & sister to make one for our parents as a Christmas gift!
I like Bellflower books on Facebook.
I follow Bellflower books on Twitter.
I like A Belle, Bean, and Chicago Dog on Facebook.
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/JackieCross/status/71156233398263809
I’ll do it again later when there are more people on.
I follow you via GFC.
I would probably make one for my mom about the summer vacation she “hosts” every other year at the beach. I would use the collaborative feature to allow my sister to contribute some of her pictures.
I liked bellflower books on facebook
I liked bellflower books on twitter
I liked Belle bean chicago dog on facebook
I was just thinking it would be kind of cool to pick an age (like 9. my son is about to turn 9 and it seems a really transformative age) and have my relatives from all over submit pix of themselves and their kids (and their parents even) at that age.
That is such an excellent and creative idea!!! A friend of mine just made a book for her daughter’s 10th birthday. You are right, the “preteen years” are extremely transformative and the perfect time to show your son or daughter how special they are!
I liked you and bellflower on FB, now follow bellflower on twitter, and tweeted the giveaway but have no idea how to get the link to that tweet. I also already had you (and will continue to follow you) in my google reader.
I would create a photo book of my wedding day. It’s been five years and I’m embarrassed to say we don’t have a great album YET! I’d probably collaborate with some of the wedding party as several members took some amazing pics.
My husband and I have our 10 year anniversary coming up this year so I would make a book for him. I would ask others to contribute pictures and words to our book.
I like Bellflower on Facebook
I follow Bellflower on Twitter
I like you on Facebook
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/_MamaJules_/status/71206908324884481
I follow your blog via GFC
I would make a book for us. LOL – is that okay? I don’t know if I would do the collaboration feature. I think I am too type A and want total control.
I like you. A lot.
I follow you on Twitter
I like you on Facebook
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/sellabitmum/status/71222371712909312
I am following Belleflower on Twitter now
I follow you. Kind of like a stalker but with fashion sense.
I Like Belleflower on Facebook.
I tweeted it!!
http://twitter.com/TheKirCorner/statuses/71222257497817089
I love the idea of this, I would love to do a book of our IVF and then the birth of the babies, plus theirr first year. I would definately use the collarboration aspect, since I’d love to have pictures from other people of the boys first year….I think this is such a great project.
I get your blog in my email EVERY SINGLE day
If I were going to use the feature I’d make a photo book for my mom & let my siblings help make it. Granted, I’m kind of a control freak!
I love Kerry & Bellflower Books!
What an awesome giveaway! I’d love to create a Bellflower book for my mom and dad for their anniversary. They’ve done so much for me and my siblings over the years, and they love their grandchildren immensely, but since some of us live far away, we don’t get many pictures together. I would collaborate with my brothers so we could create an awesome book to keep every grandchild’s photo in for them to display (and brag with!) at home year-round. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
I also liked you on facebook and liked bellflower.
I think I would make it as a keepsake for my husband and I. I’d include all my favorite pictures from 2010! Since I’m the appointed “family photographer” I’d be the only one contributing!
I follow your blog via GFC!
What an awesome giveaway!!!!
Looks lovely. Both my parents birthday are coming up and also their anniversary so I’d do something for them.
I GFC
I like BBC on Facebook
I like Bellflower Books on Facebook.
I’d create a photo book for my husband for Father’s Day. I created a book for him last year called The ABC’s of Daddy and Me and chose a word from each letter of the alphabet that represented my daughter and her relationship with her dad, and then illustrated it with photos. I’ve toyed with doing the same thing this year and even making it an annual thing (if I have the creative reserves for it). So, that’s what I’d do.
I also follow Bellflower Books on Twitter.
And I subscribe to BBCD by e-mail.
And I just tweeted! (That totally made me think of farting.)
I would make this for my momma. She rarely gets to see my kids, other than random pictures e-mailed to her. So great! Don’t know if I’d use the collab fx – that’s just me.