A few months ago my son and his wife moved back to California taking my one and only grandchild, Lily. From the day she was born her and I spent a lot of time together, I watched her while her parents worked. Our days were filled with a lot of spoiling and cuddling. One of our favorite things to do together was to snuggle up and read. The first book I ever bought her and it was her favorite, was “Is Your Mama a Llama?” written by Deborah Guarino. We spent hours reading and rereading this book, it’s literally falling apart at the seams. By the way this is a really good children’s book, fun to read!
Is Your Mama a Llama? on Amazon
A couple of weeks ago I was unpacking some boxes (we moved the same time they moved back to CA) and I found Lily Bugs favorite book. Just seeing that book made me miss her cute little face and our time together reading. I have so many great memories reading to her but the sad part is she’s so young (21 months) and I don’t think she will remember it.
I was thinking this could be really fun to do for your little ones that are still at home. You could record library books so that you don’t have to go out and buy them especially if the kids really like them. They could listen to the story over and over. I think this would be a really special thing to look back on when they are older and let their own kids watch.
How to Make Your Own Video Book (Basics):
- Pick a book.
- Take pictures of each page including the cover.
- Upload them to your computer.
- Download Movie Maker for FREE.
- Open Movie Maker
- Click on “Title” this is where you can place a personal message or the date of the video.
- Click on “Add Videos and Photos” this is where you will upload the pictures that you saved earlier.
- Double check that the pictures are in the correct order.
- Make sure that the cursor is positioned at the beginning of the video.
- Click on “Record Narration”. Press “Record” and begin reading the story.
- Click on “Stop” when you are done.
- “Save”
- Click on “YouTube” to upload to your youtube account.
Tips:
- The page is changing faster then you can read it. Move the cursor to the beginning of the picture that you want to change. Click on “Edit” and change the “Duration”
- I like to do an individual recording for each page. It’s a little easier to estimate the duration of an individual page then it is to do it for the whole book.
- Play around with the program. There are a lot of neat things that you can do to make your books shine.
- Make sure when you upload your video to youtube that you set it as private unless you have authorization from the publisher. You don’t want any copyright infringements.
Where I’ve linked:
So excited to stop by and follow your blog! I am coming over from a blog hop and am a new follower. I would love if you stopped by and did the same! PS. I love your social symbols in the top right.
Thank you Elise, I'm following you back.
Hi Robin – came by to thank you for leaving a nice comment on my blog – I'm now following you!
Hugs,
Suzan
Suzan – you didn't have to thank me you earned it. I'm following you back.
What a great idea! I know it must be hard to be so far from your grandchild. Very creative solution. Thanks for linking up at Transformed Tuesday. I'm a new follower. Hugs, Peggy
Thank you! Being away from her is pretty rough. I have all boys and I was really enjoying doing all of those girlie things with her.
What a great way to be able to read to your grandchild from afar!!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Thank you Jill – You have a great week too.
What a fun idea! Too cute. 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up to the Craft Yourself Crazy link party!
Chloe
It was a lot of fun to make too.
Found you on Thirsty Thursday!
I'm glad you found me, I hope you'll be back.
Love this idea! Very Cute and a great way to stay connected to your grandchild!
I would love it if you would share this (and anything else you have been working on) at my linky party!
Thank you for the invite – I will be sure to link up to your party on Friday
What an awesome find! I now wish my kids were young again. Thanks for linking to my party! I love the picture too!
Making the video was a lot of fun. My granddaughter loved it. The picture is of her. Thanks for coming by.
What a great idea and we love "Is your Mama a Lama?" Ours is also falling apart at the seams!
Your newest follower from Designed Decor blog hop! 🙂 We have a link party going today and would love for you to join in too (we give away free ad space)!
Is you Mama a Llama? is such a fun story to the little ones to hear and fun for us to read.
really cool idea
Ann xxx
It's so easy to do and a great memory maker.
That's a fantastic idea!
I'm glad you liked it Cyndee.
Thank you for sharing at Rustic Restorations Weekend!
Thank you for hosting and letting me share this idea.
What a great idea. They are only little for a minute, mine is 20 months and 3 days! He would love this. Thanks so much for sharing on Super Sweet Saturday.
Steph
swtboutique.com
Hold on to every minute you can, they grow up sooooo fast. My oldest is 25 and it seems like yesterday he was little.
This is a fabulous idea! Isn't it amazing how a grandchild can change your entire life???? Thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday!
I never new how wonderful it would be to be a glama!
a wonderful idea! My husband has been telling me I should share some of my life stories and have him record them for our grandchildren. I know you must miss her. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo
I miss her terribly! I was also thinking of doing some videos to give to my children of funny things that they did when they were younger.
What a special thing for your grandchild. I am sure she will cherish this for years to come! Thanks for sharing on Share it Saturday
She is loving it. When we skype her she always talks about Is Your Mama a Llama.
What a great idea! Your little grandie is a real doll and what a special bonding you will have with her. Thanks so much for sharing with Share Your Cup.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you, we think she is pretty darn cute. It is so nice to be able to continue this special time with.
Cute idea! Watch out Hallmark! Thanks for linking up! I am your newest fan!
Kim
Yea this just might put Hallmark out of business, NOT! But this is a really fun way to bond with those that are far away.
This is such a great idea!! I'm so glad you shared at Romance on a dime.
So happy that you liked it.
What a great idea! Thanks for linking up on Inspiration Spotlight @ DearCreatives.com Hope to see you again soon!
Thank you for allowing me to share this on your blog.
What a great idea, and such a precious photo!! Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent! Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Hugs
Kathy
Thank you, this is one of my favorite photos of her.
Thank you for linking up to last week's Get Crafty Friday linky party! Your video photo book was featured in this week's post. I hope you check it out and grab a button =)
Amy @ The Stitchin' Mommy
Thank you for the feature. I have grabbed your button.
I love this! Such a great idea — thank you so much for linking up. I'm featuring you tomorrow. 🙂 Clydia @ Three Mango Seeds (IT'S PARTY TIME)
I'm so happy that you liked it. Thank you for allowing me to share it on It's Party Time.