Sharing Your Story : New Book Giveaway

I'm making mini books for everyone for Christmas. I started this task very early (about May)and have almost completed all of them. My favorite is a graduation album I made for my Uncle for my cousin's graduation. All blacks and grays and browns. Very low key and understated. I know he'll love it.

I just finished a mini book titled, "Treasure these moments", I took it to my 20th HS reunion so I could show my friends my family. I love how it turned out and my friends really enjoyed looking at it. Thanks Ali!

I love minibooks!! I just got a bind it all so I can continue to make more and more. I am planning on making a minibook for my parents of our latest trip to a cousin's wedding in Central Park. We don't get to see everyone often so a minibook is a quick way to create a long lasting momento.

I am going to make a mini book of the house we just moved away from.

The mini-books I have done so far are for grandma brag books, not very elaborate as they change often, but they sure get a lot of use. I do have my daughter's name in chipboard letters to make a book, so that is on my list of projects.

I can't wait to get my hands on your new book. A couple months ago my mother's best friend of over 50 years passed away. I want to make a mini album of photos of them with friendship quotes included.

The one I look at and love the most is from a Basic Grey contest a few years ago. It's all about me. Re-reading the journaling is the best part. It's good to be reminded of who I was then.

My favorite mini book I made was about my kids first trip to the beach.I used paint chips(they were about 4x3 size i think) I used all ocean colors,put a pic on one side of each one ,added rubons,and eyelets in one corner,and secured it together with a ball chain that came from a scrapbook supply.
I can't wait to see this book!

I can't wait to get your book!
Right now I'm making a mini-book using the photos I took one day--a photo for every hour about what I was doing at that moment. I really loved that project and I'm excited to finish my book.
My favorite mini-book ever, though, was one I made about a little vacation my husband and I took to Sedona, AZ. Great memories, there and I feel I really captured the feel of it with my book.

I have a few mini book ideas kicking around. I've started one, a mini book for my parents which I am hoping to give them for Xmas.

Hi Ali!
I attended a class with Shimelle at CKC-Kansas City last year called "The Reasons Why." I was inspired to make a mini-book about the reasons why I create and I am thrilled with the results. Some of the reasons I included are: because I want to remember what I am bound to forget; to learn more about me; because I want my kids to really know their mother, the "me" beyond momma; because life is not perfect and that is ok; because I like to play; and because it is my time. The last reason has a double meaning. Creating is the time I can focus on myself and my art, relieve stress, get away, listen to music, put life in perspective (my word for '08) and just put energy back into my life. My time also means that the time is right for me to do this; I am at a point in my life where balancing who I am is paramount to the health and happiness of my whole family.
I enjoy adding little bits and pieces to the book every now and then. Just like me, The Reasons Why is an evolution.
Thanks Ali!

I love mini books!
I've started one for my son. It's very basic--8x8 album with photos of him and teddy bear his big sister made him taken every month to see his grown next to the bear. Photos have been taken each month from birth to 12 months and at 18 & 24 months. Each month is a two page spread with photos and journaling highlights of what he did that month. I'm almost done, only need to complete 18 and 24 months once he's at that age.
Just starting a 'Summer Fun 2008' mini book. Ordered photos the other night and will start it when photos arrive. Can't wait to dive into this project!
Would love to win one of your books for more mini book ideas and tips. As always, thanks for your super blog and great inspiration you're always sharing w/us.

my favorite miniBook that i've made: i had the fam - from great-grandparents on down to my wee ones - fill out a stamped card with their definition of "happiness". then, i took a single shot of each to adhere to the back. it's very simple. the beauty of it is in their words and their smiling pictures. very little embellishment.

Found a board book in the shape of a house at a yard sale and plan to make a mini-book entitled Our House is a Very, Very, Very Fine House (quote from the song.) It will illustrate my home from childhood and the homes I have lived in since I grew up.

I just love your work Ali. Really looking forward to your new book, as mini books are my all time favourite for recording events and thoughts.
I'm in the process of making 2 mini books for my girls (11 and 13) as they were discussing how they envisaged their weddings would be - the dress,ring, the groom (!!) etc etc and I thought these comments would be fab ammunition for the father of the bride speeches in years to come !!!!
Looking forward to more inspiration from you.
Thanks.
Anne

I'm planning on doing a mini book of my favorite pictures from the summer in this cute bamboo album i bought at Pottery Barn.

My favorite mini album is an acrylic album I did for my daughter's first wedding anniversary. Mini albums are perfect for the first anniversary as the gift is "paper" for that year.

I love the hockey minibook that i made of my husband's hockey season this year.

I would love to win this. I am planning to create a mini book called "The Soundtrack of My Life" with songs that remind me of different times in my life and stories behind those songs.

My favorite mini book is the one I made for my son during my pregnancy called "Waiting for you." I was placed on bed rest and maternity leave at 32 weeks. Scrapbooking helped me pass the time. I have his sonograms and my thoughts and letters to him in an 8 x 8 album. It came together effortlessly because I had so much to say. It was a long journey but completely worth it.