SmileBooks - Review and Giveaway

I've made my fair share of photo books as gifts for others.  Some I made myself by hand with scrapbooks and stickers.  Others I ordered from online sites that sell them.  I think photo books are a special way to preserve memories and show others you care. 

A few online sites I've used for photo books have caused much frustration.  I either can't get the templates to load quickly or the whole process is long and complicated.  I recently created a photo book through SmileBooks and was pleased with the development of creating a photo book with my pictures.

At SmileBooks you can turn your favorite digital photos into treasured photo books with the seven photo book sizes and multiple cover designs to choose from.  You can create your photo book from SmileBooks in one of three ways.  With the free software, you can take advantage of their complete range of editing tools and design a beautiful, professional quality photo book in your choice of seven sizes. You can also use their quick and easy online book builder to create a photo book without the need to download software. If you don't have the time or desire for either of those two options, you can try their convenient Design Service - simply upload your photos and they'll do the work for you!

I wanted to create a photo book for my teenage daughter who will be moving away and attending college in a few months.  I wanted a book that she could look upon and remember the good times and special people in her life.  I chose not to download the free software but rather use the Online Photo Book option to create the book in less than an hour.  I then selected the book size and cover type.  I went with an 11x8 Classic book with a hardbound cover.  After choosing the theme and layout, I was able to add my photos.  I had the option of placing multiple photos on one page but I preferred to have one photo per page.  I chose a polka dot theme but changed some of the pages later in the design process to have a different variety of page colors and designs.  I was able to add clipart as well.  The only snafu I had was when I tried to enter text on the pages.  It took me a short bit to find out how to place the text where I wanted.  Other than that, I was able to create the book in a reasonable amount of time. 

Once I ordered my book, I received an email confirmation.  I also received emails of when the book was finished and when it was shipped.  If I choose to do so, I can reorder any photo books that I've ordered within the last six weeks.  Once the book arrived, I presented it to Shelby.  It brought tears to her eyes.  She and I both think the photo book is professionally made and the pictures are clear, quality images.  The different backgrounds and clipart on the book go with the personality and scenes of the pictures.  Shelby said she'll take the book with her to college and will look through it often to remember the special people and days in her life.

In addition to photo books, SmileBooks offers greeting cards and calendars.  SmileBooks is offering a free photo book to new customers, minus shipping and handling fees.  You will receive a coupon via email to redeem immediately for a free 8"x8" 26-page soft cover mini SmileBooks photo book.

Win It!

One person will win a 11x8 Classic photo book from SmileBooks.
*Includes design services, shipping, and handling*

Mandatory Entry:
 Leave a comment with what occasion you'd like to make a photo book for (graduation, Christmas, birthday, other).

Extra Entries:

Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect.

Subscribe to my blog via email.

Have my regular blog button on your blog.

Have my Heck Of A Holiday Gift Guide button on your blog.

One extra entry per relevant comment for commenting on any NON-GIVEAWAY post. Comments must be made during the duration of this giveaway. Come back here and tell me where you commented.

Enter my Water for Elephants DVD giveaway.

"Like" SmileBooks on Facebook.

Leave a comment with something you learned from the SmileBooks FAQ Section.

Follow SmileBooks on Twitter, SmileBooks.

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Tweet about the giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments.  Giveaway is open to residents of the USA.  Giveaway ends 11/11/11 at 8 pm CST.  Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received product for review from SmileBooks.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products.  Your opinions and results may differ.