Thursday, December 2, 2010

Convert your blog into a handsome book with this fabulous giveaway

One of the most rewarding things I’ve done this year is to have my blog converted into a handsome book. It’s thrilling to be able to display my very own book in my bookshelves right alongside some of my favorite authors, such as the Barefoot Contessa. The book turned out beautifully and was so easy I could hardly believe it and I have to share the experience with you.


A wonderful site, Blog2Print, will take your blog posts and turns them into a book for you. You will not believe how simple it is. With only a few clicks of your mouse, like magic, you have your very own book. All you have to do is choose your cover (hard or soft), the posts you’d like to include, and voila, you’re on your way to creating your very own blog book.

Tasty seafood & French Memories
Click Blog2Print to see a sample of your blog. Go on, give it a try. It’s free to see what your blog would look like published. I guarantee you will be very impressed.

Table of Contents
Your book will also include a dedication page and an easy to use table of contents. The friendly customer service people are absolutely fabulous to work with and can be reached by phone, email or live chat. No question or problem is too big or small for them to take the time to answer.

Dedication  Page

You’ve probably guessed that my dedication page is to the love of my life and the photographer for My Carolina Kitchen, my wonderful husband Meakin.

Carmine's Gourmet Market, Palm Beach, Florida

Bahamian Junkanoo on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco

Blog2Print is offering a $40 gift certificate to one of my readers towards the purchase of your very own blog book. That will make roughly a 60 page hardcover book or a 90 page soft cover book.

To QUALIFY for this giveaway, all you need to do is leave a comment saying who you would dedicate your book to and why.  It’s that simple.

The winner will receive a $40 gift certificate to Blog2Print and this giveaway is open to bloggers worldwide.  If you live outside the United States, you will be responsible for the shipping for your book. (Shipping is free within the US). The contest will end on December 8, 2010.

For TWO chances to win, if you follow My Carolina Kitchen, please leave a second comment saying so.

For an ADDITIONAL TWO chances to win, blog about this giveaway on your blog or put it on your Facebook page.

Extra pages for more photos
Extra pages of photographs can also be added. Reader’s comments can be included or not, again your choice.

Our blogs are essentially diaries of our lives and I love flipping through my book remembering our fabulous vacation to the south of France, our favorite recipes, farmers markets we’ve visited, road trips we’ve taken, and places we’ve eaten.  

French Patisserie in Saint Remy de Provence
Birthday celebration in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, The Bahamas

The book would make a lovely gift for a family member or even a gift for you. I’m anxious to hear who you would dedicate your book to and why. Good luck to all. The giveaway ends December 8, 2010.


98 comments:

doggybloggy said...

I would dedicate my book to my son Jackson so that he would have something to look at and hold on to long after I am gone -

doggybloggy said...

I am a follower and I will mention this on facebook and my blog so do I need to leave more comments?

Susan said...

First of all, Sam, I am a follower. Thanks.

Susan said...

Sam, I guess since The Trout and I both write on the blog, it would have to be a dedication to each other for being together for so many years. Your book is absolutely beautiful. I have hesitated doing this because my blog is not totally a food blog, but I see that you have also added other pictures, etc., so it looks like you can pick and choose. I hope I win.

Donnie said...

I would dedicate the book to my grandchildren because they are the reason I'm doing it. Someday, since all the young are so technical, they may want to read what Grandma & Grandpa were up to during their later years.

Donnie said...

I am a very loyal follower...hehhe...

Judy said...

Sam, great giveaway, and so cool that you have your own book. I would dedicate my book to my sons.

Judy said...

Sam, I follow you already, your blog is great!

Lyndsey said...

What a wonderful idea! Your book is beautiful!

I would dedicate my book to my family...after all they're the ones that have to wait until it's all photographed before they get to eat.

Lyndsey said...

I am a follower and love it here!

Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Lavender Hill Studio said...

How Fun!!! I would probably use my Lavender Hill Studio blog to create my book! And I would dedicate it to Kent aka Mr. Comforts of Home. With out him, I would not be able to do what I do!
Hugs,
Penny

Nina Timm said...

That's it, your blog should be on the coffee table with the best !

Well done. I am definitely following your blog, have been for quite some time now!!!

Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Lavender Hill Studio said...

I am a follower Sam!
Hugs,
Penny

Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Lavender Hill Studio said...

I have just added your giveaway to my sidebar with a link.
Hugs,
Penny

Lara B Knight said...

What a wonderful resource - thank you!!! I would dedicate mine to my hubby Jonathan, for being a dedicated taste tester!!!

Cheryl said...

I would dedicate the book to my mother, who passed away earlier this year, and to my mother-in-law, who was the real reason we blogged about our home construction in WNC. We figured it would be easier to describe the unfamiliar to her with pictures and in the end, we had a lot of fun doing it.

Cheryl said...

I've been enjoying your blog for ?months- over a year? - yours was probably the first food blog I started reading.

bellini valli said...

I would dedicate my book to my daughter who was the rerason I began blogging in the first place.

Kim said...

Your book looks beautiful Sam. I plan to have my blog made into a book, or several books. I would dedicate the book to my children and future grandchildren so they would have something to remember me by.
This is truly a fabulous giveaway!

Kim said...

Happy follower:)

Pam said...

This is totally cool! I would dedicate my book to my kitty cats, because if I chose a family member over another family member, I would never hear the end of it.

Pam said...

Follower. Of course.

Helene said...

This is such a great idea. Love your book.

anniebakes said...

I am a follower!!

anne
www.anniebakes.net

anniebakes said...

I would dedicate this to my Family, who eat all of the delicious things I make whether they are tasty or not!

PS: I have been wanting to do the blog2print for some time now, it sounds so easy and looks so wonderful when done!

anne
www.anniebakes.net
anniebakes@aol.com

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Sam,
This is wonderful. I'm so glad you've made your blog into a book. It really looks great. This sure would make a wonderful Christmas present to give to folks.
Congratulations! Will the book be availabe locally at book stores?

"All things French" said...

What a wonderful idea ~ I would dedicate my book to my 2 daughters who after the death of my husband, encouraged me to follow my dream and travel to the country I love France ~ and thus was born my blog-site "All thing french".

xx
Dianne

Donna-FFW said...

I am a follower..

Donna-FFW said...

I would dedicate my book to the kids, omitting the adult stories, of course;)

EliFla said...

I would dedicate it to the two men of my life: my dad , who is the best selfmade chef in the world and to my hubby...who is a great tester!!!
Your blog is really wonderful...and I'm a follower even without a giveaway....hugs, Flavia

La Table De Nana said...

I'm not entering but cannot pass up the opportunity to say I love your book:) And your dedication.
:)

LOVE.

Mr. Bill said...

Sam..YOU are SO clever....I guess that is one reason that I am compelled to savor your every word and photo!

5 Star Foodie said...

What a lovely idea for a holiday gift! Those books are gorgeous!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love your beautiful book! I've always wanted to make one...what a wonderful giveaway! I would dedicate it to my sweet hubby who encouraged me...and set up my blog! ; ) Thanks!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm a follower and a friend! Hugs! ♥

Claudia said...

Oh Sam - your book is gorgeous. I always tell myself that when my blog is good enough I will do it. And dedicate it to my past and present nuclear family - the past for teaching me to love and appreciate homemade food and for my present family for encouraging me no matter what I put on the table!

Lea Ann said...

Isn't this a wonderful thing? I've seen it only on one other blog. I'd love to do this. Hope I win. :-)

Lea Ann said...

I am a follower

Design Wine and Dine said...

This is SO SUPER cool! I would dedicate my book to my husband who loves to cook as much as I and puts up with all the time I spend blogging!

Design Wine and Dine said...

I am a follower! :)

A Year on the Grill said...

I would so love to do this for my wife... Publish some of the things from our stay in St Thomas...

What is their delivery time???

A Year on the Grill said...

and I am a follower

Chef Bee said...

Wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing.

Plan B

Katrina V. said...

Great prize! I'd dedicate mine to my husband for eating everything I make, even if it turns out poorly. :-)

Katrina V. said...

Also, I follow your blog.

Vicki Lane said...

I've been meaning to do this eventually -- your book looks wonderful, Sam!

Evan @swEEts said...

What a fabulous idea! I would absolutely love to make my blog into a book, dedicated to my taste tester and the love of my life :)

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

What a special giveaway, Sam, especially at this time of year. If I won, I would dedicate my book to my two daughters.

FOODalogue said...

Hi Sam, Your book looks great. I love that you have Carmines in PB showing. That is a fun place. I recently used Blog2Print to create a book for a blogging friend but have not done it for myself.

FOODalogue said...

And, yes, I follow My Carolina Kitchen with pleasure.

Chow and Chatter said...

oh I would dedicate to my hubby and Jasmine adore them

oh and wheres the link to buy your book!!!

I want one

Rebecca

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I am a new follower.

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

What a great giveaway! How thrilling to see my blog in book form. I would dedicate my book to my 85-year-old mother whose interest in cooking spurred my own.

Rita said...

I am saving this post to study next week after my kids have gone;busy weekend for me. My daughter in law has been looking for ways to prerve my blogs for my grandchildren. This might be the answer. Can't wait to see her tonight and share this with her,
Thank you Thank you
Rita

From the Kitchen said...

Sam: What a wonderful offer! How special it would be to have my blog in a book that I could take down and thumb through whenever I felt so inclined.

I'd dedicate my book to all who have encouraged me.

Best,
Bonnie

Kat said...

I would dedicate my blog book to my grandchildren, who were the who reason I started blogging and have found a world of wonderful bloggers.
The first time they offered the book, I just got it on a CD, but would love to have it in book form. I am so cheap! The $40 gift certificate would be great.

myfrenchkitchen said...

This is such a great idea and just look at how pro and bautiful your book looks!! I would probably dedicate a book to my two daughters, since I've promised them a book... one day...!
bisous
Ronelle

Jill said...

I would dedicate my book to my Grandmother. She passed away a couple of years ago. She always inspired me and encouraged my creativity.

Jill said...

I am also a follower!

Mary said...

How thrilling to have your own book on the shelf. It looks beautiful, Sam, and I'm sure it is a treasure to read and browse. I hope you are having a great day.

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Sam, your book came out beautifully! I would dedicated mine "To Culinary Types everywhere..."

Bridgett said...

I would dedicate it to my daughter since she gets excited over everything I cook.

Diana (Di) said...

Sam, the love-of-my-life husband would approve of my dedicating it to my Mother. She loved my cooking and whenever someone said, "Rose, you really taught your daughter well", she would throw her head back and chuckle and with her beautiful smile, say, "No, she taught me how".

Thanks for throwing my hat into the ring.

Diana (Di) said...

...and of course I follow My Carolina Kitchen! ;)

Cathy said...

Your book is wonderful, Sam. I cherish mine and browse through it often. I especially like that we were able to additional photos so I could include many family pictures. Since I already have my book please don't include me in your lovely giveaway.

Pacheco Patty said...

Sam, this is one of the coolest things I've seen and I love your sweet dedication. You are an inspiration to me and I thank you for sharing this wonderful service:)

A Feast for the Eyes said...

I keep telling myself to make my blog into a book. Only with my LONG tutorials and multiple photos, it night be thicker than Tolstoy's War & Peace! I dedicate my love of cooking to my Mutti, of course. When I was just a little girl, she was teaching me how to cook. She always said, "the best way to catch a man is through his stomach". She was right. I adore my husband. I guess I'd have to say I'd dedicate to the both of them!

Abramyan Avenue said...

I have always wanted to do this!! I can't imagine a better way to share memories for years to come!! I would dedicate my book to my husband and two girls. It is because of them I blog...they are my blog! Thank you for such a wonderful and special giveaway!
-April

Abramyan Avenue said...

I am also a follower!! I've stalked your blog for quite some time!! lol!!

A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...

This is a very cool giveaway!

I would dedicate my book to my husband, because he is my biggest cheerleader and worst critic!

Selba said...

Sam... this is really a great giftaway!

If I can dedicate my food book then it would be to my school library where I work as a teacher because the students can borrow the book and have the opportunity for them to learn more about the authentic Indonesian food and street food that I've been posted on my blog.

Velva said...

This is so cool! I know you are proud of your cookbook. No doubt, it would be a fabulous have for my collection :-)
My cookbook would be dedicated to the people who have graced my table to share a meal with my family, and have given us the opportunity to share a meal with them.

Happy holidays to you.
Velva

Barbara said...

Before I started blogging, I did a cookbook for my family via a company called Blurb. But now that I'm blogging, I've accumulated so many more recipes that I'd love to put all my recipes in another book.
Great giveaway, Sam. And of course, I'd dedicate it to my three kids...who keep me young.

Lynn Daws said...

Hi this is wonderful. So much fun! I would dedicate mine to my Husband Nick, he is the other half of me and without him I wouldnt be whole. Plus he is my inspiration! Thanks for the contest!

Lynn Daws said...

I am also following you. Love your Blog, just found it and am loving it. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Pam said...

Your book is wonderful! What a great giveaway and fun thing. Thanks for sharing!

Faith said...

What a lovely book, Sam! And what a sweet dedication...if I won I would also dedicate my book to my hubby, Mike. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

Faith said...

I've been a follower for quite some time now! :)

tasteofbeirut said...

I would dedicate my book to my grandmother Nabiha, who is the one who was there for me every day, and showed me the intricacies of Lebanese cuisine and taught me to love it. She toiled all her life and gave selflessly to her husband and three daughters and was never celebrated, ever.

Rita in Kansas said...

I love to look at all your pictures, will be a new Follower and I would love to have a book made of my blog to give to my Mom in Germany, she does not have a computer so she don`t know about all the things I do and Blog.

Stephanie Savors the Moment said...

Thanks so much for the info on this fabulous website! Like you, I would also dedicate my book to my husband who has been my partner in eating and drinking over the course of writing my blog - so fun!

Stephanie Savors the Moment said...

I am also a follower of your blog which I have been enjoying for quite some time - fabulous!!!

KBeau said...

Yes, I'm a follower. I've had your blog on my blogroll on my side bar for a long time. Didn't realize until today that I wasn't an official follower.

Anyway, I think I'd have to dedicate my book to my family because they've been the inspiration for a lot of my posts.

Foodessa said...

Sam...how tempting of an idea this has become lately. Yours looks wonderful.

As much as I would love to dedicate this journal to my very encouraging Hubby...I would definitely want to dedicate my first book to the wonderful influential woman in my life...my Mommy ;o)

Foodessa said...

As to being able to get a 2nd opportunity to win this prize...why not let you know that you're always on my blogroll Sam ;o)

Flavourful wishes and thank you for the giveaway ;)

Ciao, Claudia

Vagabonde said...

I started my blog in March 09 and several months ago I had 3 blog books made by blog2print. I had them made for a six month period as I included some of the comments after each post (and my posts are long.) I have now three books and they turned out beautifully. Don’t enter me for this drawing as I already have the books and will wait now till next March to get my 4th one. Thanks for coming to my blog I always enjoy your comments.

Juliana said...

Wow, how interesting...such a great idea...I think I'd dedicate to everyone that comes to read it :-)

Kaye Barley said...

oh wow - what a terrific idea! love it! Sam, your book looks amazing.

I'd love to have my blog in book form. I'd dedicate it to Donald and Harley, of course, but I think I'd also dedicate it to all the guest bloggers who have made Meanderings and Muses the special place it is.

Great offer, Sam - thank you.

Bo said...

I follow!

Beverly said...

I've been so tempted by this idea. Your book is fabulous.

I've missed you on Pink Saturday. Come back and play with us. Our theme this week is favorite holiday movies.

girlichef said...

Oh my gosh, Sam!! This is so cool...I've always wanted to do this! I would dedicate my book to my babies...my muses :) Thank you for this opportunity!

girlichef said...

I am a follower of your blog :D

girlichef said...

I just shared it on FB (tagged you)

Chris said...

I'm a follow who isn't?

I almost did the Blog2Print last year through Big Oven but I didn't like how the pages configured between the two set ups so I put it off.

I need to try this again, it looks like a lot of things have gotten worked out.

momgateway said...

I'm dedicating this book to my 80 year old mom who recently had a serious head injury due to a fall and has lost some motor and speech functions. She is unable to take care of herself now but she will love to look at the photos and the recipes I learned from her.

Stacey Snacks said...

What a great idea Sam! I love it!
I would dedicate the book to my husband, who encourages me and supports me in whatever I do! (he is the one who got me to start my food blog years ago!).

Sophie said...

Congrats for your own blog book,..it looks beautiful & stunning too!

Tv Food and Drink said...

That's terrific. I just did the same thing via Blurb and I got them today. I'm supposed to give them as Christmas presents but I just can't stop looking at them (pats self on back repeatedly :)