Do you remember that last summer I mentioned how my friend, Denise, holds a Grandma Camp for her grandchildren?  She was recently on a local TV program discussing her different camps.  You can get a good idea of some of the great things that she has done by watching this segment. Congratulations, Denise, for getting on TV! You’re famous now . . .

I have grand dreams of creating movies of when our son was married in Hawaii.  But that was over two years ago.  Dreams of making movies of our trips to Tahiti.  To Costa Rica.  To Jamaica.  I’ve started the one for Hawaii but have run into some glitches.  Technology is sweet when it works and frustrating when it doesn’t.

I think I have a work around.

Enter Grandma Kathy from Elk Ridge, Utah.  Grandma Kathy recently went to Disneyland with their children and grandchildren for a family vacation.  Afterward, she collected everyone’s pictures and created a book.  An actual hold-in-your-hand-and-look-at book.  What a novel idea!  (She also created another book with the pictures from her trip to the Mediterranean.)

My first thought always leans toward creating DVDs of these types of events.  But, how many do I have to show for all of my good intentions?  Zero.  How many books has Grandma Kathy created?  A flurry!

As I pondered the pros of a book over a movie, I realized that maybe a book is the best way to go.  Technology advances so quickly that probably in 5 years what I would create now (if I ever got around to creating it!) probably wouldn’t work on the technology of the day.  A book is always accessible. So, I’m thinking about switching to making books instead. (I can’t believe the digital grandmother just said that!)

Grandma Kathy has used both Shutterfly and Snapfish.  (She likes Snapfish better because of the background design for the pages.)  When you use these sites to make a book, you can choose between a professionally bound hard or soft cover books printed with high quality archival paper.  You can choose from a variety of sizes — a 12″ x 12″ memory book down to a 4X4 brag book. Prices range from $13 to $50.  Other options include:

• Padded covers
• A window on the front cover
• A picture on the cover
• Hundreds of backgrounds and layouts
• Drag and drop insertion of pictures
• Additional pages for a small price

If any of you have created books using other online services, please post a comment and tell us about them!

Digi-Gram

(As a sidenote, here is a hilarious clip on YouTube about tech support.  I’ve provided tech support in people’s homes, at my work, over the phone, via e-mail and I identify with the tech support guy in this clip.  This is a classic.  I hope you find it funny, too.)

I’m currently busy recuperating from our son’s wedding, recuperating from a long drive to visit with good friends from Canada who are in the states, and currently busily compiling the list of ‘good books to read’ to grandchildren. However, I do have an idea to share from Grandma Kathleen from Spanish Fork.

I asked her what were some of the fun things that she does with her grandchildren. She said that her grandchildren’s most favorite thing is the treasure chest. Originally, Grandma Kathleen had a box that looked like a treasure chest. She filled it with all sorts of treasures from the dollar store. Then, when her grandchildren come for a visit, they are allowed to select one item from the treasure chest.

What a fun idea!

She said that the treasure chest was rather flimsy and didn’t last very long. She now just has a basket. Regardless, her grandchildren still enjoy selecting a treasure from the basket.

I did a quick search on the Internet and found a plastic treasure chest that is 19 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 14 inches tall for $20 at Century Novelty. Here is a link to view the chest:

http://www.centurynovelty.com/detail_265_209-617.html

Argh, matey. Shiver me timbers . . . young buccaneers will enjoy getting loot from this chest. Ye might be thinkin’ of gettin’ one for ye own gran’children.

Ol’ Bluebeard herself,
Digi-Gram

I stumbled upon a blog by a grandmother who has great ideas! I suggest that you visit her page From Mom to Grandma for some wonderful ideas.

I am back from the conference . . . and am feeling overwhelmed with things to do to catch up from being gone so much the last 2 months. Dust, cobwebs, and dirty floors are the current vogue style at my home . . . Martha Stewart would be proud of the new look that I have developed . . . .

Don’t give up on me. I WILL get those fun songs filmed . . . sometime . . . .

Digi-Gram