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This post is sponsored by Magic Memories. All opinions are my own.
Ok, first of all: yes, Ian is already 14 months. So yes, I'm way behind with this post. But better late than never right??? I always wanted to make him a cute one year baby book, but we were so busy this summer that it slipped down the priority list. So when Magic Memories reached out to me last month about creating a photo book with them, I was super happy for the reminder (and the extra motivation to get it done). And I love how it turned out! I'm so glad I didn't give up on this idea just because it didn't get done before Ian's birthday. Also! I have TWO $50 gift cards to give away at the end of this post so you can create your own photo book (or calendar? jigsaw puzzle? canvas for your wall? There are lots of options, and they all would make really cute personalized gift ideas too).
Magic Memories has a variety of pre-designed templates to choose from, for everything from baby books to wedding albums and more. They also have a "Blank" option that allows you to design your own book from start to finish. I went with the Blank for Ian's book, so I could have total control over the design, colors, number of photos, and everything. I'm used to working in Photoshop, so I created all the pages there, then uploaded them once I was happy with how they looked. But Magic Memories also has a built in editor you could use, with options to add text, photos, and effects. You can also save your progress as you go so you can work on your project over multiple days. And of course, if you prefer something that's less work on your end, they offer a number of cute templates that are ready to go.
I chose to split the year up by different topics: the ultrasound, Ian's birth story, each season, and milestones like eating, growing, talking, etc...all the way up to his first birthday party. I created a template with a colorful background and descriptions in white, then I put full size photos on the opposite pages.
I was very impressed by the quality of the print job. Sometimes I feel like photos turn out darker than you expected, or the colors seem a little off. All of these photos looked amazing, and exactly how I expected them to look. Super happy with that.
Ian loved flipping through his own personal book and seeing faces that he recognized. I think he was kind of unnerved at first by his big photo on the cover, haha!
At the back of the book, I added a few collage pages of chronological photos to show Ian's growth over the year. It was a good way to squeeze in some cute photos that I wanted to show, without adding too many pages.
And I couldn't resist snapping a couple extra photos of Ian on the day we got this book. It's crazy how fast the year flew by! When I look at his tiny baby photos, they feel so fresh in my memory, but when I look at the boy in front of me now, he's a legit toddler! Time, you're gonna make me cry...
I just loved how our book turned out, and was really happy with the quality of Magic Memories and how customizable it was. I'm thinking next time I'll make a coffee table book of our travel photos (we'll see when I have time for that idea)!
Have you been wanting to make a photo book or some other photo project? Here's your extra push to get it done! Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment with what you would get if you won. I'll announce the two winners next week!
UPDATE: This giveaway is closed. The winners are Megan and Robyn!
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I really like how you designed your book. I'd get a canvas for the wall of my new apt
I would make a baby book for our now 6 week old but I'm sure he'll be one by the time I make the book lol
Haha, totally! Never too early to start working on it. :)
I'd make a book for my kids. I just had my second baby so I'd do a 'first year as brothers book'!
What a cute book! I would make a baby book for my son or get a canvas of one of our family photos :)
Such a cute idea! I would also make a one year book for my son. My son is almost 7 months old and I've been horrible about keeping up a memory book for him! #mombrain I would love to make him a photo/memory book like this while I still can remember all of his "firsts"! :)
ME TOO. I meant to keep a diary with all his firsts and other things I didn't want to forget. Did a TERRIBLE job of it, the notebook is nearly blank. So this book was my last attempt to capture all those milestones and memories from his first year! I was so relieved when I got it done, haha.
I would love to win this! I just put a fresh coat of white paint in my hallway and havw wanted to update our family photos before I rehang anything. I would love to get a canvas!
I've been photographing town hotspots all year to create a calendar for friends and family that have moved away
Oh, that's such a great idea! Love it!
I love this!! I would get a calendar for a gift and some good quality prints for my new apartment.
I got married 3 months ago and I have digital pictures but nothing printed out. So I'd make myself a wedding album.
Aww! Fingers crossed for you! And congrats on getting married. :)
I would get an exact copy of Ian's book for grandma to keep!
:)
A photo book. I have a 7 year old and a 3 month old, so I have plenty of pics.
If you are behind on a one year book, I am way behind! I'd probably do a one year book for little man or maybe one for Iceland trip photos!
Haha! Not too late!
I'd get some mugs.
What a fantastic idea to capture special moments and I really love the simple design of these photo books.
I will be getting married in March in Hawaii and since many of our family members won't be able to make it, I would love to have a photo book at home so they can enjoy the special day vicariously.
Aww, congratulations! That's such a great idea.
I'd finally get my daughter's baby photos printed (it's only taken me 6 months to get around to it XD). I love the idea of printing a baby book too!
I love making photobooks and the art is fun too! My kiddo is now almost 3 and loves seeing her pictures, what a great giveaway
Aw, I love the book! The size impresses me - it's a BIG photobook! He's grown so big...so many more memories to capture!!! I too should capture all more memories too - I'm pretty bad at taking photos of me and Chad so the few professional/fancy photos of us are precious. On that note, I would get a canvas for our bedroom as a memento of love. :)
Thanks Wanju! Yeah they have multiple sizes to choose from, but I wanted to go big. :) Love the idea of a canvas for your bedroom!
I would either make another personal book OR finally make a big book to show case my work!
YES! You should totally do a big book of your work!
I have two grandchildren under 15 months. I'd make a book showing their adventures visiting Nana (me) & Papa John.
I would make a book to chronicle our family's hiking advertising of course! ;) Cute Baby book for Ian - love it!
That should have said adventures, not advertising - ha ha!
Hahaha! Although your adventures always make me want to go, so advertising kinda works too! :) Miss you guys!