In hardback

Steve was asking about my blog books which I print through Blurb, The template for books is free to use, just download it, payment is only when you send the book for printing, I always use a photo book style. 

With my first book the printers had a template to allow you to import your whole year to a book format, I found it very hard and would only import a month at a time, each photo was a full page, which I did not want, as on average I have 4 photos per post, and I wanted each post on just one page, as you pay by the number of pages it made economical sense. I do find it much easier these days as I input the words into my created text blocks and then each photo, keeping everything away from the pink sections, over the years it has got much easier as I have created a system which works for me. I don't add any comments, just my post.

 I do ensure all the tops of the pages are level, the side line up, I am a neat freak, then I check the written content, having to change a few words here and there to make them flow better, then spell check and image resolution to sort. I then read through twice, just to be happy. I always choose the same covers and paper quality, so the books match as much as they can, when I read through once printed I do find at least one small error, but that's OK as I am only human, and nothing should be perfect. 

The cost of the books have not really changed much, always waiting for a good discount, Black Friday in November is always good, they allow you to print as many copies as you wish, I only ever print one copy. My last book purchased last November was with 50% off so I paid with postage £65.20 with 189 pages and hard cover no wrap. They are very quick to deliver, never waiting more than a week.

Doing at bit of maths (so very me), I worked out on average it takes me about 6 minutes to complete the post into a neat template normally on one page, so in 2024 I have 179 post so importing took me about 19 hours. The editing I do in 3 sessions, taking anything up to two hours each time. Therefore I think each book takes about 25 hours to sort, most of the work can be done over months, an hour here or there does not feel to busy. 2024 is now finished, just 2025 to do.

I have done other post in more detail here and here or click on the link my books.

I do love these book a real indulgence for me, the younger grandchildren like to see their photos in my books, I also love to pick up a book and read, they are also a very quick reference point when I want to remember when something was done around the house and garden. 

Now is the perfect time to stop printing them, we see less of the children now they are all at school and all the major changes inside and out have been done, I do aim to keep blogging which I love, I also can be found on Instagram, my Facebook page I no longer use, I do check it to see how nieces and nephews are doing. Who knows I might relent and print 2026, but I'm not planning too.