This is for the creative person anywhere who has always wanted to publish a "book"! (via Digital Life in NYC)

Blurb gives you the tools to make your own publisher quality books. They're beautiful. Made one for my Mother's 70th birthday. Very easy to use their software and the book was very professional looking. She loved it :)

It's now ridiculously easy to create your own small run of books for gifts, portfolios, or even sales- in fact, Blurb functions much like the CafePress of vanity publishers, offering you the ability to sell your publications through their bookstore for free. Blurb offers a nice selection of formats ranging from small square ($12.95+), B&w text only ($4.95 each!) to a large coffee table book (54.95+). They offer full bleeds on hard covers and will print up to 440 pages (a 440 page 13"x11" hardcover with full bleed will cost $169.96, while a 40 page book will cost $56.95). Their handy layout software is nice for novices and works on both Mac and PC.

If you are looking for a really cool gift and a way to pass the time, this Blurb website is just for you. Download the software (free) and start making your very own book. You can choose to make a baby book, wedding book or whatever you want. (via Cool Mom Picks)

Very easy-to-use self-publishing tool which makes you a professional book-maker in no time. I used way too many hyphens in that last sentence. Your Blurb product will make your significant other, friend, or family member either weep uncontrollably (in a good way) or howl with laughter. Or maybe even both if the book is complicated. Anyway, try it.

My friend just showed me hers and it is awesome. What a perfect gift for a special person, couple, dog, whatever. The thing is great. I plan on making one for the trip I took to Australia, one for my kids and one of my friends doing embarrassing things. I'm considering doing one for all the handbags and shoes I've loved before but that might be a bit much.

I struggled with different gift ideas for my anniversary... and finally settled on this: design, create, decorate, and publish your own scrapbook from scratch, on the computer! If you have any background in basic computer software, you will probably be able to figure out "BookSmart," Blurb's book creating program (free for downloading). I used all my own pictures, poems, stories, captions, etc, and made a twenty-page scrapbook for $12. The most inexpensive sentimental gift, that looks clean-cut, professional, shiny- he thought I had gone to a publishing company and spent days working on it. If you want to give someone a lasting, memorable, top-of-the-line gift, check out Blurb.com and make them a scrapbook! (via Blurb)

I love this service!!!!! I have made books of my travel pictures and family parties and i am now planning a Christmas cookbook of family recipes as a gift. It is super easy, super fast and cheaper than having my photos printed - very cool!