Tuesday, August 2, 2011

My Blog.....In Print!!!!

I decided to have my blog printed, in to a book. Blogger offers this service and it was actually quite easy to do. I am extremely pleased with the results, but I do have a few tips if anyone else is interested. I decided to do it in 6 month increments but for the first book, I stared with the day I began my blog, October 17, 2010 through June 30, 2011. Now as I go forward, it will be easy to know when it's time to print, June 30th and December 30th will be my 2 dates. Each book will contain 6 months.

Here is the cover of the book, it is 9 by 11.5 inches.......


There are a few small choices here.....
you pick if you want a soft or hard cover, (I love the hard cover),
what picture should be on the front and if you want the name of the blog displayed on the binding.
You do not get to pick the color of the book, obviously, I would have picked purple!!!

There is a "dedication" page where you can write anything you like.
I don't remember if the amount of characters is limited to 250, I think it may have been.

There is a table of contents.........


it's large and clear, with page numbers.






It is a great coffee table book and I am really happy with it!!!!

Next time, I will take the time to lay out the pages.I choose the option to let them do it so some entries are on the same page as other's. The flow feels a little off, maybe too choppy!!

I thought it would take too long to do it myself but I think it would look better if I had! It took about 45 minutes, start to finish. The cost was $ 111.00 with free shipping. It arrived very quickly, was wrapped well and in perfect condition. There are 265 pages which equates to 246 blog entries.

Here is a picture of the back........


I picked a bird picture for the back and a flower picture for the front!!

I think I about covered it but if anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer them, if I can!!!!

Here is the link, if anyone is interested........

http://blogspot.sharedbook.com/blog2print/googleblogger/index.html

Today's post is number 300!!
I have come here 300 times, written my words and shared my pictures.
I have 61 followers.
3 are shadows......I don't think they count,
they are my 2 sons and the hubs whom I paid to join.
My blog has been viewed 10,319 times (I think most of those are Chuck & I)
My blog has changed my life & makes me very happy!!
Thank you to everyone who comes, visits and leaves me kind words!!!

21 comments:

Julie G. said...

Fabulous! Debbie, this is a most wonderful idea! Your book looks fantastic! You will forever have each and every inspiring, glorious blog post for you, your friends and family to view. I have been considering doing this. A blog friend of mine suggested Blurb. I did not know that Blogger offered this service too. I will definitely look into it. Congratulations on your 300th post! It's always a delight for me to visit your beautiful blog!

Leenie said...

Didn't know about this service. Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to check it out. Your book looks like a real treasure. Too bad you couldn't choose that purple.

stardust said...

Congratulations,Debbie, on your 300th post. I've enjoyed visiting here and also enjoyed reading your impression on my blog, too. I understand how you're pleased with the book, the product of constant blogging with fabulous photos. It might be a good idea for me to think about this when yen is strong. Thank you for this information. Look forward to another 300 posts. :)

Yoko

Beth said...

My daughter did one for the first year of her son's life. She had started the blog to mark a long awaited pregnancy and then kept it up for us out of state family and friends. She gave each of the grandmothers a book on Mother's Day--one of the best presents ever!

However she did all the work and the pics are much smaller. I know the cost was not as much or they couldn't have done it for 3 grandmothers and themselves! But I think if I made one, it would be worth it to pay more and have the layout more like yours. (I'm not complaining though).

I too started a blog to help myself and it's been a tremendous blessing!

TexWisGirl said...

oh yay! i like the birdie photo you chose for the back cover. :) thanks for the tips on taking time to lay it out when you order. that would take me a small forever if i decided to do it. :)

keep blogging, dearie! we enjoy your blog as much as you do!!!

don said...

This is a great idea. Congratulations on completing the book and the 300 posts. Nice going. A book will last while our images on computers and hard drives may or may not be available years from now.

Reena said...

Debbie, that is great and wonderful to have it! Thanks for sharing.
Keep blogging, we all love you!

Ellie said...

First of all congratulations on your 300 post. I love coming and reading your blog.
What a great idea printing it all out in book form - you will have it forever now.
I'm fairly new to blogging but already I can feel it sucking me in. Lol. It is such fun and I get such a buzz when I get comments and new followers.
Keep blogging!!

Lisa Gordon said...

Oh my goodness, this is beautiful Debbie. Thank you so much for sharing the information about it here. Will definitely be looking into it.

Negerigeletschtempoit said...

Congratulations on the 300th post! And on the brilliant idea - and end result! The book looks great, and it will be a pleasure for future generations. Wow!
xxxxxxxxx

Jill said...

Your book looks delightful. How exciting to have it in print! Congratulations on your 300th post! I am so happy I found you.

Nancy said...

What a great idea. I've seen the ads on blogger, but I didn't really know what it was about.

I know what you mean about blogging and how much it brings to the daily routine. So glad to have met you here, Debbie. :)

Bonnie said...

Love your book! Know that you have changed each of our lives as well. I echo Nancy, I am so glad we met. Hugs, Bonnie

Ruth Hiebert said...

Now that is a great way to remember the posts.I sure am glad I found your blog.It is a delight to visit each day.

Debbie @ Swampbilly Ranch said...

The book looks wonderful! Now even more people can enjoy reading your blog. I love it!

Ashley Ashbee said...

Ah, I wondered what a hard copy Blogger printed blog would look like! It looks good! My, that's pricey, though... I don't know how writers afford to publish independently! Oooh great idea for the coffee table, especially because your life and your writing make such great conversation pieces.

Congrats on your 300th post! And all those followers. Here's to many more! I love the supportive comments you get here.

Susan said...

That was so great being able to see your printed book Debbie. I'd seen their ads and wondered what they'd turn out like.
It looks beautiful.
I agree with all the others - keep blogging, you spread a lot of joy around (the world!):D)

Rose said...

I have been thinking and thinking about have a book made...or I should say books. I have been blogging since the middle of 2007...and I only have 58 followers...but I not put that widget on till just within the last year or so. Anyway, I enjoyed your tips should I ever decide to do it.

Were all the photos the same size and did you have a choice on that?

Rose said...

And did you have your comments printed??

Jeannee said...

This is good to know, because I just started my own blog!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Wow I don't know how I missed this post. This is awesome your book is beautiful I always wondered about this service. I print all my posts and put in a binder it probably costs me more than the $111.
Congrats on the 300. I love your blog and photos always so positive it is refreshing. I am joining I thought I already had. LOL My life is just too crazy. Thanks loved the information. B