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Friday, January 13, 2012

Capturing Memories - A Bellflower Books Giveaway

dedication page

A Pandora bracelet rests on her wrist, growing crowded with charms mainly representing her children and grandchildren, her greatest treasures. A thin gold band encircles her fourth finger, her diamond engagement ring and band cushioned in a safety deposit box. She wears no other jewelry.


cover

I wrote about my mom’s Love Lessons on the Bellflower Books blog, an unexpected gift to her, and when she retired (and had a birthday) this summer, there was only one gift I wanted to give to her.

For my mom, a women who cherishes and protects her family above all else, I knew a Bellflower Book would bring a smile to her face in a way that another, less personal, gift couldn’t.


my aunt and uncle wrote about a long-ago visit to Hawaii

Their beautifully bound memory books weave photographs and written words together to create a personalized story for the book’s recipient. Design options abound; you can create a perfect book for any occasion, whether your tastes lean to simple lines and classic colors or whimsical patterns.


My mom would have appreciated a book made of construction paper, photographs glued to the pages by Abbey and Dylan, but that book would have housed only our appreciation, only a small part of our entire family.

The genius of Bellflower Books is that creating one of their memory books means being able to collect contributions from anyone you choose. You simply choose your design and add e-mail addresses for anyone you would like to share in the creation of the book. Bellflower e-mails the recipients with instructions and deadlines, so each person can upload their own photographs and letters for the book.

one of her oldest friends scanned old autograph books & postcards

As the creator, I made the choice about when to stop accepting submissions. Because I know my family, including myself, I extended the deadline several times. When I finally did collect all pages and do a final edit, Bellflower Books had the book delivered quickly.

I cried when I saw the final product.

My mom was overwhelmed.

my letter and a picture from my baby shower

And days later was already talking about making one for my grandmother.
 

If you need a reason above their stellar product, you should know that it's a company owned by childhood best friends who have been in business together since the age of six.  Also, they generously partnered with Just.Be.Enough. to bring their beautiful keepsakes to women affected by breast cancer.  It's truly a business I'm proud to support.


Is there someone you love who needs a Bellflower Book? I’ll be giving away $75 gift code to one lucky reader!!

To be entered for a chance to win, leave me a comment letting me know who would be the lucky recipient of your book (even if it’s yourself!) You can leave a comment each day through the end of the giveaway (next Sunday, January 22nd).

For additional entries, do any (or all) of the following (and leave an additional comment letting me know):

• Follow Bellflower Books on Twitter
• Follow me on Twitter
• Like Bellflower Books on Facebook
• Like Tiaras and Trucks on Facebook
• Tweet out this giveaway

Bellflower Books contacted me when I was in the process of creating my mom’s book to see if I would be interested in doing a review and giveaway. Mentioning that was important to me, because I was absolutely prepared to purchase the book without any incentive from the company, though I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them to promote their gorgeous books.

*Disclosure: I was provided with a Bellflower Book to review, as well as the opportunity to give away a $75 gift code.  All opinions are my own, as always!

17 comments:

  1. What a perfect gift! I have given photo books and a family cookbook as gifts and they truly are so special. But this time I would use it for myself- I want to print another year of my blog as it is a record I never want to lose.

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  2. I follow BellFlower books on Twitter @emmymom2

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  3. I now also follow you on Twitter- nice to meet you :) @Emmymom2

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  4. I would most likely make a book for my daughter's high school graduation.  So nice that others can participate by email.

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  5. Off to follow you all on Twitter now!

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  6. I tweeted about it- here is the link https://twitter.com/#!/Emmymom2/status/157873919263649792

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  7. What a beautiful present to give someone and I love that so many people can jump in on it. My mom's birthday is just around the corner. I think I have found the perfect gift. Thank you for sharing!

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  8. I have still yet to make a baby book for my son as a keepsake. This would be absolutely perfect.

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  9. I am commenting again today- meant to yesterday as I really really want to win!

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  10. I wanted to make one for my family last year, but it never did work out because they are procrastinators who are afraid of the Internet.  Or something.  Looks beautiful though!

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  11. Still love it & now I am thinking of making one for my dad too. He would love to have a book filled with pics & stories of my girls.

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  12. Here is my comment for today- I hope you have a wonderful time at Blissdom. And still hoping I win :)

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  13. Okay and today I would like to say-hmmmm I went shopping this morning and spent too much?  Do you do that? So since I did, i need to win this money towards the book so I can pay for it :)

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  14. May our days ever be filled with moments worth capturing and that bring a smile to our faces.  Fingers still crossed

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  15. I can't decide! My Mom? My mother-in-law? Me? 

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  16. My blog is really in a lot of ways my journal, as I am horrible about writing one- so I so want to get it in print.

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