Photobook Canada 1st look/review!

I enlisted the help of two dear friends, Lynda and Florence (honorary Mum to me too) to help me do an unpackaging and 1st look at this lovely photo album I made of my Grandbaby’s first year.  I was wise and used the “buy now, create later” option on the Photobook Canada site.  They are always hosting terrific sales and as I knew I wanted to go BIG for this album I chose the 11 x 11 hardcover.  I downloaded the free designer software and installed it on my computer.  Now I am somewhat tech savvy and a digital scrapbooker to boot so I chose to whip all the pages up in Photoshop and then drop them in full page.  I used all kits from Kristin Cronin Barrow (check it – such gorgeous choices at Sweet Shoppe Designs) which made it a snap when it came to breaking sections into themes.  The kits were so precious the pages practically made themselves. 

I have to say the process to set the pages in and upload is about as straightforward as you could ever wish for.  I did mess up with the amount of total pages I created, but fortunately the most gracious staff were accomodating to me – patient and understanding and helpful. 

I am so blown away by the thickness and sturdiness of each page!  And beyond this, probably 75% of my pages were created from photos taken on my iphone – so I didn’t have my hopes up of any superior quality, but WOW! 

We devoured this book from cover to cover – it looks incredible and will be a treasure for my Grandbaby for all of her life.  I could not wish for anything more perfect to celebrate her 1st year – she will get to enjoy it always.  I am so grateful to Photobook Canada for making this project so easy all the while making me feel like I pulled off a professional looking keepsake. (everyone from the support staff upward were HUGELY helpful and supportive)  I also thank my friend Kristin Cronin Barrow for her talent in creating kits that frame this little life perfectly. 

Technorati Tags: Photobook,Photobook Canada,Kristin Cronin Barrow,Sweet Shoppe Designs,Mrs Miles,Barb Derksen,Barbara Derksen,Osoyoos,Osoyoos BC,Scrapbook,Scrapbook design,Digital Scrapbook

Where oh Where have I been?

Well, I've NOT been to London to visit the Queen.  In fact, of late - for about 3 weeks, I've been in front of my computer, taking breaks only to come up for air, to eat, to thank my handsome Mr for being patient with me, to take bathroom breaks, to work and to sleep.

Why? You ask...

I've been making a 1st year photo album of my daughter and grandbaby.  A whole 160 pages of special moments.  Ah yes, 160 pages.  I originally purchased a "buy now, create later" special through Photobooks Canada and as the deadline was looming I had to just get it done.  I bought an 80 page book, though was not certain if this 80 pages literally meant 80 pics or 160 

pics on two sides of the 80.  I read through the FAQ and I thought this meant I would need the 160 so simply forged ahead.  Imagine my utter shock and horror to realise after uploading and talking to an (oh so understanding) agent, that I'd doubled what I was supposed to do.  Sticker shock!!! However, I must say that Photobooks has worked out an arrangement with me which has allowed me to print my book and I won't have to eat rice for dinner every day for the next month and my lovely family will be able to cherish this treasure forever. 

Me and G'baby out for our walk!

Houston, Tx

I've been utterly blessed to be a huge part in my daughter and grandbaby's life and I wanted to be able to be the one to capture this for generations to come.  I am grateful I could take so many photos of them because a mom can't take photos of herself all the time, of the countless precious moments.  There are the highs, the lows and the dramatic times in between - so lovely to preserve them in such a gorgeous way. 

G'Baby dumps the coffee canister over

while helping "Nonno" (Italian for Grampa) 

bake bread.

Doesn't she look just zen sitting there?  LOL! 

All of my layouts were created using Digital Scrapbooking kits by my friend Kristin Cronin Barrow and they are available at  Sweet Shoppe Designs!  

Besides this, I've been working a couple days a week and thats about it.  Thanks for stopping by!  Perhaps you might come visit again when I receive and unveil this photobook when I open it!