A little over ten years ago, I took up scrapbooking as a hobby. I loved being able to lay out family photos onto large pages and make eye-catching displays of our memories. Since I became a mom, I haven't scrapped a single photo. I haven't had the time, nor do I have the space to lay out a big photo project, and leave it out, until its completion. I quickly discovered that photo books are a much better way to go. 

Photo books make beautiful gifts, and with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I have been thinking about making a family photo book for a special gift to give to someone I love. My husband laughs at me for all the pictures I take, but I have a feeling he'll be all smiles when he receives a book of beautiful family photos of the two of us and our precious son. Luckily, I can easily create and pick my photo book or photo album designs online. Some great sites will allow me to create a personalized photo book in only a few steps.

Montage makes creating beautiful photo books easier than ever! One of the things that has frustrated me about creating photo books in the past, is that creating the layout can take a very long time. With Montage, simply upload or import your photos, and use the magic auto layout feature, to see your photos laid out in full spreads, in no time! Montage takes the guesswork out of creating a beautiful photo book.

Choose from several different themes for your photo book layout. I love that there are so many themes to choose from because you might not want the same theme for a baby shower photo book that you might want to use for a wedding photo book. Choose from basic, yet elegant black and white themes, or bright colorful layouts, at no extra cost! Personally, I love the chalkboard theme! 

Next, use the photo book editor to arrange your pages. Start with the cover, and shuffle the photos, add text, and more! You can customize your photo book quickly, and easily! As you go through the pages of your photo book, you can edit and delete or add photos to your layout. Click the red 'x' to delete a photo. To crop or enlarge a photo, simply click the photo to edit. Use the Change Layout tool to quickly change the way the photos in the spread are arranged- presto, change-o! 

Montage allows users to take a test drive, editing a mock photo book, before creating a photo book with personal photos. Spending a few minutes using the test drive feature isn't required, but in my opinion, it's worth it, because you get to check out all of the cool features available from Montage, and when you're ready to add your own photos and create your photo book, you'll already have an idea of how it works, and it may take you even less time to create your book.

Montage uses only quality materials for their photo books, including eco-friendly leather, imported from Italy, as well as thick layflat paper. Montage photo books can contain up to 70 pages, and include up to 180 photos, at a fixed price! 

Montage photo books come in three sizes:

Small Book (6 inches) - $39.00

Medium Book (8.5 inches) - $59.00

Large (12 inches) - $119.00

Montage also offers super speedy shipping. Not only can you easily create your beautiful photo book in mere minutes, you'll have it in your hands within 4-5 business days. Every photo book shipment includes a return address label, in case you need to return it.

Montage photo books make amazing wedding and travel books. My best friend is tying the knot in October, and I would love to gift the happy couple a beautiful wedding photo book, made from personal photos taken by yours truly. Montage photo books make beautiful gifts! Why not make a family photo book, and give it as a special Valentine's Day gift this year? Want to relive happy vacation memories? Make a beautiful vacation photo book! Montage photo books are perfect for gifting, or creating for personal enjoyment for years to come!

Want One? Create Your Montage Photo Book!

Head on over to Montage.com to take a test drive, and create your personal photo book! You still have time to create your photo book, and have it in time for Valentine's Day! You can also connect with Montage on Facebook.

Want One? Win One!

One lucky reader will win a Medium Montage Photo Book, valued at $70.00! Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older. Please use the RC Giveaway entry form below to enter for your chance to win.

Special thanks to Montage for offering this amazing Valentine's Day giveaway for our readers!

Good luck!