Memoirs Legacy Book, part deux

A beautiful place to keep your legacy alive! Share your memories, your life story, the way you want to tell it with our memoirs legacy book! Choose among over 50 memory guides to preserve your personal history and philosophies for your future generations. You are the boss as you select the guides, response length, order of your book, general tone and placement of photos.

This archival memoirs legacy book is hand-made and comes with everything you need to share your story.

We make it very easy for you to create your legacy book. With our flexible legacy book, you have all the control in its creation. You choose what you want to share and how you want to share your story.   

With your legacy book, you will receive a beautiful album that is screw post bound for easy expansion.  You will also get:

  • 20 archival quality and recycled pages 
  • 52 self-adhesive inspirational legacy prompts
  • 40 self-adhesive response cards in 2 sizes for your responses 
  • enough photo corners for 10 pictures. 

The book can be expanded and you can purchase additional cards, photo corners and prompts if you would like to share more. 

If you would like for each child or grandchild to have their own copy of your legacy book, we can reproduce them for you.  Just call or email and we can provide you with more information. 

**Want the legacy prompts as examples of memoirs? Would you like just the contents of the kit but not the album? We sell just the prompts as a download and also the prompts, response cards and photocorners separate too.

Explore the Idea Gallery for more information and ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is your legacy book different from other legacy books out there?

Why do I want flexibility in creating my legacy book?

Why would I not want to hire someone to create my legacy book for me?

Why do you recommend I handwrite my legacy rather than type it?

My family does not seem that interested in learning my story.  Why should I create a legacy book? 

I don’t have time to write my legacy book.  Why should I create a legacy book?

Leaving my legacy seems like a daunting task.  How can your legacy book be less daunting than other legacy book options out there?

I am purchasing the legacy book for my father.  Do you have any recommendations on encouraging him to share his legacy with us before he goes?

I am only 51 and I want to start creating my legacy book.  Am I too young to do start on my legacy book?

I would like my legacy book reproduced so that each of my children and grandchildren have their own book.  How can I have them reproduced?

Can I use my photo in the front cover? 

What is screw post binding?

What kind of recycled pages are in the keepsake book?

Why are the pages in the leather book kraft?

I would like the leather book however I would like white pages.  Is this possible?

What is bonded leather?

What is archival quality?

What does deckle-edging look like?

What’s so special about Fabriano Medioevalis?

Are these keepsake books handmade? 

What are prompts?

What kind of photo corners is included?

If I wanted to see the keepsake book in person before I purchase it, where can I find one?

I would like to have a keepsake book made just for my situation which does not fall under your current offerings.  How can I go about having one made?

Why are the prompts and response cards self-adhesive? 

My event is next week.  Will I be able to get a keepsake book in time?

What if I make a mistake while writing on the cards?

What kind of pens work best?

Do you find that people are hesitant to share their feelings on the spot? 

I really like the concept of your keepsake books.  I would like to make my own version as a DIY project.  Any recommendations?

Why wouldn’t I use a regular album and use tape, glue, paper and photocorners to create one myself? 

I want one of your guest books but I am not going to use it for a wedding or as a memoir book.  Does this matter?

 

Why is your legacy book different from other legacy books out there?

Blue Sky Papers’ Legacy Book is very different from the legacy books available today.  There are 2 main kinds of legacy books that can be created.  The first is a fill-in-the-blank type book that is full of graphics, has set space for responses and has hundreds of pages filled with questions.  These can typically be found at book stores and cost less than $25.  The second kind of legacy book is one that a personal historian would create for you and it is a custom job.  These are beautiful and completed to your taste.  The downside is that these cost in the upper hundreds, maybe even in the thousands.  The Blue Sky Papers’ Legacy Book is a cost-effective way to have a personalized legacy book.  The creator has the creative freedom to make it how they want, yet the creator is given the tools, supplies and inspiration to create a beautiful legacy book. 

Why do I want flexibility in creating my legacy book?

Because it is your book, about you!  It should represent who you are!  You will want the assistance and inspiration we provide when creating your legacy book, however, you will want the flexibility to pick and choose what you do and don’t want to answer.  You will want the flexibility to decide if you want to write a novel on a topic.  Who wants a printed legacy book that has 180 pages with only 5 pages completed!?!  Our guess is that you, the creator, would end up shelving the book because it was too much… and too inflexible!

Why would I not want to hire someone to create my legacy book for me?

This is a great option and you can get a beautiful, custom book when going this route.  If you want a low cost, custom book, we can create one for you using our kit.  We provide services to help – we can interview, transcribe, produce and reproduce your legacy book for you.  You would want to do this if you do not have the time or energy to assemble yours yourself. 

Why do you recommend I handwrite my legacy rather than type it? 

This is your choice completely!  We feel that a handwritten note from an ancestor is a nicer keepsake than a printed, typed note.  But we understand that some people do not prefer this and that is fine!  The Blue Sky Papers’ Legacy Book is all about choice!  It definitely makes sense to print when your handwriting is difficult to read.  We can transcribe or print for you.  Contact us to learn more. 

My family does not seem that interested in learning my story.  Why should I create a legacy book? 

They are interested!  They might not be knocking down your door to hear your story because they all are busy with their lives, but trust us; they want to know your story!  And they will want to pass this down to their kids.  Just ask them… they will tell you they want this.

I don’t have time to write my legacy book.  Why should I create a legacy book?

Creating a legacy book is something you will need to make time for!  It will be meaningful and special to give this to your family – plus, they want to know your story!  This is one of those things that would be easy to keep putting off, but with each day our memories fade.  We can help you with our services if you don’t have much time but want to create your personal legacy book. 

Leaving my legacy seems like a daunting task.  How can your legacy book be less daunting than other legacy book options out there?

Because our legacy book is flexible!  You don’t have hundreds of questions to answer, you can pick and choose which ones you want to respond to and you can make it as long or as short as you would like.  Plus, our book has a timeless beauty to it.  It has a classy and elegant design.  It will look great 20, 40, 100 years from now.  This book is the height of elegance and flexibility!

I am purchasing the legacy book for my father.  Do you have any recommendations on encouraging him to share his legacy with us before he goes? 

We have quite a few customers purchase a legacy book for someone else and this seems to be their main concern – they want the legacy of their loved one, but that loved one doesn’t think anyone wants to know their story.  We know this couldn’t be further from the truth!  For starters, giving the book to him lets him know you are serious about your desires.  You can use some of the prompts to get him talking about his past, and in the discussions, remind him of how much you enjoy hearing his story and how the whole family will appreciate a written version.  A nice, bonding experience you may enjoy would be to interview him to get his story and capture it for him.  If you don’t have the time, we would be happy to do this for you. 

I am only 51 and I want to start creating my legacy book.  Am I too young to do start on my legacy book?

You are never too young to start writing your legacy!  Memories only fade with time so the sooner you start the better.  Most of what you will want to record is things that happened to you in your youth and in your story thus far.  You don’t need to wait to share those and other stories!

I would like my legacy book reproduced so that each of my children and grandchildren have their own book.  How can I have them reproduced?

It is a nice thing to leave each direct family member with their own copy… no fighting in your family!  To keep the peace, we have the ability to reproduce your legacy book.  Please contact us for more information. 

Can I use my photo in the front cover? 

Yes, the window box of our keepsake books is for your photograph, image, art or handwritten note.  The inside of the front cover has a slit where you can slide your picture. 

What is screw post binding?

All of our keepsake books and keepsake journals are bound by screw post.  What this means to you is flexibility.  Pages can be added and removed at your leisure.  Yet the binding is concealed.  Both of the covers have a narrow flap punched with holes and creased so they are folded under when the covers are closed. A post and screw is inserted through each hole in both covers and matching holes punched in the album pages. When the screws are tightened and the covers are closed, the post heads are concealed. Pages can be added or removed from albums bound in this manner. The number of pages that can be included depends on the length of the available screw posts.

What kind of recycled pages are in the keepsake book?

The pages in our keepsake books and keepsake journals are 30% post consumer.   Our book boards also contain recycled content.

Why are the pages in the leather book kraft?

The beauty of the leather is highlighted by the kraft color.  It is sophisticated and chic. The kraft color also gives the pages a rustic feel which compliments the leather nicely.   

I would like the leather book however I would like white pages.  Is this possible?

Absolutely.  Please contact us prior to placing the order online because it is a custom order. The cost for this custom order will remain the same. 

What is bonded leather?

Bonded leather is a material composed of leather fibers constructed into a fibrous mat to create an often identical look and feel to that of genuine leather.  Bonded leather is often indiscernible from genuine leather.  Blue Sky Papers’ bonded leather is premium bonded leather and it has a beautiful natural appearance with a light shine.  It does not scratch easily like genuine leather and should maintain its quality appearance for generations.   

What is archival quality?

There is no set standard for what quantifies “archival quality,” however the main characteristic of something archival quality is that it is acid-free.  Acid in papers cause discoloration and aging overtime.  Blue Sky Papers keepsake books are made with acid-free pages.  

What does deckle-edging look like?

Deckle-edging is a fashion and style of paper where the edges appear torn or unfinished.  Common to handmade papers where the fibers are not cut off the edges, deckle-edged paper is considered to be a sophisticated look and is often viewed as “European.”  Blue Sky Paper’s Recipe Book and Guest Books (Memoirs and Wedding Guest Book) contain deckle-edged paper from Fabriano Medioevalis.    

What’s so special about Fabriano Medioevalis?

Fabriano Medioevalis is a high-end stationery line that is mould-made and hand torn for its exquisite deckle-edge.  Built on seven centuries of tradition and quality for which they are renown, Fabriano is the jewel of Italian paper making.  Your Fabriano Medioevalis paper is made on slow rotating mould machines and impeccably crafted out of the finest paper pulp in 260 gram weight cards.  The cards are thick and are in a soft ivory cream color. 

 

 

 

Are these keepsake books handmade? 

Yes, Blue Sky Papers keepsake books and keepsake journals are handmade. And they are handmade in the USA.  

What are prompts?

Prompts, or writing prompts, are phrases that inspire thoughts and emotions on a particular subject so to “prompt” you to write.  Our inspirational prompts are one of Blue Sky Paper’s most unique features. The inspirational prompts make it easy to weave your personal story through your keepsake journal.

What kind of photo corner is included?

Our keepsake books come with clear, acid-free photo corners.  These are self-adhesive – no licking to get them sticking!

If I wanted to see the keepsake book in person before I purchase it, where can I find one?

Our keepsake books and keepsake journals are carried in a number of retail stores, both national and local – RedEnvelope, Paper Thread (an American Greetings Store) and OnPaper to name a few.  We do not have a current list of retailers but we would be happy to direct you to a store close to you.  Please call 866-708-7750 or email service@blueskypapers.com and we will be happy to help! 

I would like to have a keepsake book made just for my situation which does not fall under your current offerings.  How can I go about having one made?

Just give us a call or email us!  We have made custom keepsake books for quite a few people.  It is quick and easy and you should have your book in less than 2 weeks. 



Why are the prompts and response cards self-adhesive? 

The prompts and response cards are self-adhesive for easy assembly.  No need for glue or tape.  Just remove the liner and apply them to the pages.  Note: some keepsake books have guided pages (with prompts printed on them) and do not come with self-adhesive prompts.

My event is next week.  Will I be able to get a keepsake book in time?

We can expedite ship your order.  You can locate the shipping cost under the policy section of our website. 

What if I make a mistake while writing on the cards?

We provide ample response cards (aka tributettes) with each keepsake book.  If you were to want more, you can order more tributettes by calling or emailing us at orders@blueskypapers.com.  While this handmade book is appreciated for its human element, it is a good idea to write the responses on a separate sheet of paper before writing on your tributette response card. 

What kind of pens work best?

We find that roller ball and felt-tip pens work best on our tributettes response cards.  The ink dries quickly and looks more sophisticated.  We also find that ball point pens may smudge if touched quickly after writing.   

Do you find that people are hesitant to share their feelings on the spot? 

Oh no! It's WAY easier for people to express themselves in writing.  Once they understand what a special gift it is for the recipient, everyone wants to participate.  It's the one thing all the guests have in common – honoring the recipient!

I really like the concept of your keepsake books.  I would like to make my own version as a DIY project.  Any recommendations?

Besides creating a keepsake book yourself using our kit, you can create your own using our concept with your own supplies if you like.  You can use an album or journal and have your creators answer your prompts on pieces of paper.  Stationery stores often carry nice cards that you can purchase.  Use double-sided tape or glue on the back to apply them to the pages.  If you run dry on prompt ideas, you can download a list of Blue Sky Papers prompts. 

Why wouldn’t I use a regular album and use tape, glue, paper and photocorners to create one myself? 

You just answered part of the question yourself - tape, glue, photo corners - all of which take time and money.  Plus, you will have extra supplies which just take up space.  Blue Sky Paper’s Keepsake Books contain all that you need (and nothing more) to create your one-of-a-kind gift.  We make it easy for you!

I want one of your guest books but I am not going to use it for a wedding or as a memoir book.  Does this matter?

Our guest books are the same, they are simply marketed separately.  You can use Blue Sky Papers’ guest books for any occasion!


See step-by-step guides here.

 

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