enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Bookcover

Have I mentioned that I had a patio garden this summer?

Ah, yes, I have.

Bookspine

It's no secret I was totally obsessed. (Though I've currently lost interest and that patio needs a serious intervention this weekend.) It was a huge joy to plant, fuss over, trim, harvest, water, take photos of and eat our garden over the past six months.

Book10

I wanted to do something with some of my hundreds of photos (I wish I was joking – what I am going to do when I have actual children to take pictures of?!?) and thoughts on having a garden. I didn't keep any sort of "garden journal" this year (but plan on it next year!) so this is a great substitute.

Book1
Book2

I stuck with what I know works – a 7×7 Blurb photobook. You can see my first one here and my second one here. I imported all of my garden themed instagram photos right into Blurb Bookify and uploaded some additional ones from my computer.

Booktemplate

I like Blurb because I don't have to do much work. They have templates. I have photos. I drop in the photos. They print the book. (Their customer service folks are great if you're having trouble with anything!)

Book11
Book9
Book8
Book5

Once again, I decided to add all of my text by hand once the book was printed. I wish I could say I do this because it's artistic, but really, it's because it's so much easier than worrying about creating "print ready" files in PSE with my photos and text.

Bookpens
Bookwrite

My book is 78 pages and I used an acid free Zig Millennium pen to write directly on the pages. I gave the spreads about 30 seconds to dry before turning the page and wound up with no smearing.

Book3
Book4
Book6
Book7
Book12

I didn't add to every page, just where I felt like I had something to say/where I had white space on the page to say it.

Booklastpage
Bookend

Super simple and, perhaps most importantly, complete.

Bookshelf

It looks adorable with its two book friends on the shelf too.

Dottedline

Want to make your own photo book? Blurb is offering a discount code to my readers! Use code "INSTAELISE" by 9/29 (that's this Saturday!) to save $19.95 USD, CAD, $21.95 AUD or 17.95 Euros off your book total
(GBP not allowed). Coupon is valid just once per customer and only on books made by you. This offer may not be combined with other promotional
codes, volume discounts or used retroactively on previous orders. Please note : this is NOT a sponsored post, but links throughout are affliate links which means if you buy a book through one, I will make a small commission on that sale. Thanks! And have fun bookmaking!!

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77 responses to “my garden photo book.”

  1. dana Avatar
    dana

    your book is fabulous. and thank you so much for the Blurb offer! I started a book in iPhoto but was thinking of relocating to Blurb. Do you know if the book has to be completed by 9/29, or just started by then? thanks again!

    Like

  2. elise blaha Avatar

    thanks so much! It has to be completed and paid for by midnight (local time) on 9/29. 🙂

    Like

  3. Kelly Ann Avatar

    I use Pounds 😦 no discount for me!!! Love your books tho 🙂

    Like

  4. Marissa Avatar

    Elise, I’ve seen your last two books and loved them (this one too, what a great idea). THANKFULLY, this post came at the most opportune time. I was able to put together 240 pages of my FIRST year in Hawaii with my Navy boyfriend. Thanks to Instagram, Blurb, and yourself, I was able to document my favorite year thus far!
    Thanks.
    -Marissa
    sandalsandbowties.wordpress.com

    Like

  5. christa Avatar

    Love this! And I’m in process of making my own book thanks to your discount code! I do have a question… I know your first book was mostly (all?) instagram pictures. That’s what I’m doing and I’m getting a few “poor image quality” messages, which I expected since they are coming from my phone. Did you get this message? Should I be overly concerned or should I just roll with it and accept them for what they are?

    Like

  6. Kendra Avatar
    Kendra

    Thank you for sharing the Blurb coupon code! I just purchased my Project 365 book using it.
    P.S. I love your garden book.

    Like

  7. elise blaha Avatar

    I got that message a few times when I was using photos as full pages. For me, it was not a big deal and I am still pleased with the book. 🙂

    Like

  8. Katherine Avatar

    I have had a Blurb book in the works since my husband and I took an Italy trip, Summer 2011. Anyway…your post motivated me to do my final edits and I got it ordered, using your discount code. Thanks for the extra moola and motivation to FINALLY get this done!

    Like

  9. rachel swartley Avatar

    Elise, I just wanted to say thanks for making this promo code available to us. Today I made a 100-page book of photos from our family’s summer vacation in Chincoteague, VA, and I can’t wait for it to arrive in the mail in a couple weeks!

    Like

  10. Libbi M. (Ashland, Oregon) Avatar
    Libbi M. (Ashland, Oregon)

    In your last book, you used an American Crafts Slick Writer. This time, you used a Zig Pen. Which one of these did you like best for journaling in these Blurb books. Thank you.

    Like

  11. elise blaha Avatar
  12. tracy Avatar

    Thanks for the book inspiration and the coupon! I clicked on your blurb link and finally ordered a book yesterday 🙂 I love that you are not afraid to write on your pages. I must try this…

    Like

  13. Diana Avatar

    That is awesome. I tried to do a patio garden as well over the summer but I’m afraid it’s just too hot here for it to work well. I’ll have to try for earlier in the spring next year! Great job! The book is a great idea!

    Like

  14. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    I love your Blurb books! I’m currently making one that covers the whole 2012 year of tidbits of daily life… I turned 40 this past summer and wanted a way to capture my life at this time. When you made your book, do you remember how much they cropped from the book covers? Just curious…

    Like

  15. elise blaha Avatar

    hey Carla, thanks so much! They cropped it pretty close. I remember there being two lines (like a pink and a blue?) and it was definitely cropped to that inner line. 🙂

    Like

  16. Kailey Avatar
    Kailey

    Elise I have decided to use Blurb to make a book because of your examples! One question: did you use the standard paper choice or the premium choice of matte or lustre paper?

    Like

  17. elise blaha Avatar

    Oh man, I am not sure! Headed out of town now and cannot check but I am sure this is a question I have answered in the comments before. I want to say professional, but spending more money does not sound like something I would do. 🙂

    Like

  18. hannahk Avatar
    hannahk

    Hi Elise
    I’m still loving your photo books and just looking at blurb now…am wondering what paper finish did you choose, and has it held up well to being handled? Looking for best paper to write on and not leave too many finger marks.
    thanks

    Like

  19. hannahk Avatar
    hannahk

    LOL and now I just updated my webpage and can see your comments from last month ~ DUH moment. sorry 😀

    Like

  20. elise blaha Avatar

    glad you got it! thanks!

    Like

  21. Jaque Avatar

    WOW, the idea to write after print the books will save my life!
    🙂

    Like

  22. Fiona Avatar

    What an awesome book! I can’t believe I missed seeing this when you first made it. I love how you wrote straight onto the pages of your book. I’m really inspired to make some little books like this now!

    Like

  23. wedding videos vancouver Avatar

    Yeah, I also have a small garden at my home, But there is not any vegetable plant, I have only flower’s plant.Enjoyable article keep sharing !!

    Like

  24. Marilyn & Kaleb Avatar

    What a great idea and great way to document your garden! Thanks for sharing. We are always wondering what we can do with the excess lovely photos that we don’t really need, but don’t want to trash or forget about. Xo, M&K at BT

    Like

  25. plant nurseries Avatar

    You have documented your garden so very well. Your garden photo book is awesome! Loved it! You have made it so properly, looking good!

    Like

  26. coriander seed Avatar

    Your garden book looks fantastic with amazing photos, it is a great idea! You have done a great job with your garden book, very appreciable! I am quite interested in all these stuffs.

    Like

  27. Carrie Anderson Avatar
    Carrie Anderson

    ok…two things…i LOVE that your archives are bringing me back to all of my favorite posts! GOOD STUFF!
    and…this nail polish…the first time i read this i had to buy the polish immediately…and seeing it in the archives reminded me how much i love it…manicure TONIGHT!! 🙂

    Like

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