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Reel Fun: A GIVEAWAY!

September 5, 2012 By crafterhours 53 Comments

I’ve tried hard to remember whether I had a Viewmaster as a kid. I know I played with plenty of them, but I think it was always at other kids houses. I don’t think I was neglected in the toy department, it just happens that I never had one myself, so when someone with Image 3D e-mailed us a few weeks ago and offered to let us make one (and give one away!) I think it was kid-me that answered “Yes! I’ll try it!”
Image 3D allows you to choose a viewer (white, black, red, blue) and create your own reel for about $25 + shipping. The viewer will also work with Viewmaster reels. If you *have* 3D images, you can go crazy with those, but I’m not that fancy. I just chose 7 family photos from the last year. In the interest  of fairness, I chose two group photos, two of each kid and one Roscoe, the older of our two beagles. Don’t tell the younger beagle he didn’t make the cut, mmmkay?

Uploading and arranging the photos was really simple. I also made a center label. The only problem I ran into isn’t really worth mentioning because it was one of those things that only *I* would have a problem with. Since I’d labeled the reel with “I <3 Us” I tried to use that as the name of the reel on the site. Apparently, using something other than a number or letter in the name is a bad, bad plan. It wouldn’t even let me re-open the file to edit it and I had to start over. In computer language I’d hurled a “your motherboard is so old that…” joke. I spent over an hour trying to avoid that and then it took all of two minutes to reassemble. Moral of the story: don’t get so wrapped up in your own cleverness that you forget to read the “WARNING: only use letters and numbers in title” that is so clearly there.
The reel preview let’s you advance just like you will when the viewer gets to you. I love a creative interface that is so detailed. (Hear that, computer? A compliment. Sorry about the motherboard joke.)

And now– it’s here! I think it only took about a week from order to arrival. I’m trying to decide whether my Grammy would think it’s cute or just silly to send her one of these. (I love picturing her friends passing it around at the dinner table where she lives!) I chose the white version because I love clean and simple, but I expect that the girls will attack it with stickers sooner or later.

The finished disk is transparent in the middle rather than a paper label you’d find on an old school Viewmaster.

K was the first to check it out. (Also, the internet debut of her much shorter hair.)

While through the images, she said “so, these are like old memories?” Umm, yes. Last month is ancient history.

 M took a turn checking it out too, asking questions about the photos.

I love when I can capture her reactions – so often I miss them as far as the camera goes. But this is her genuine “wow” face. I could eat it up.

I love our family reel, and now I want to add a few classic reels to our collection too. Are you ready to win one of your own? Leave a comment on this post. That’s simple enough, yes? The winner will be selected on Monday morning and posted on our Facebook page.

If you’d like to find Image 3D online, you’ve got lots of options:

http://www.image3d.com
http://www.image3d.com/blog
http://www.facebook.com/USA.Image3D
https://twitter.com/image3dusa
http://www.youtube.com/image3dusa
http://pinterest.com/image3d/

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Filed Under: photography Tagged With: gift, giveaway, photography, review

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Comments

  1. Tara says

    September 5, 2012 at 7:11 am

    I love it! That is great :)

    Reply
  2. Joelle says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:05 am

    I’ve looked at these before, but felt like I needed a “reason” to order one … winning would be a great reason! ;-)
    joellemarie72 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  3. Grandma G says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:29 am

    Oh, that looks so fun! My granddaughter would love it!

    Reply
  4. Emily says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:47 am

    My mom just gave my daughter my old viewfinder and she has loved playing with it. She would love this!

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:53 am

    I CAN’T BELIEVE THESE ARE BACK!! I always loved these as a kid and have told my sons about them since they were little. I would love nothing more than to share one with them (now teenagers)with pictures of us on there! How cool is that?!
    Lyn lynette.barbara at facebook.com

    Reply
  6. Mel says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:57 am

    wow, what fun! I loved my old viewmaster. My kids would have no idea what to do with it, lol.
    mouellette80[at]hotmail[dot]com

    Reply
  7. JennS says

    September 5, 2012 at 9:01 am

    That is awesome!
    sneakythecat at gmail dot com

    Reply
  8. de Libbrechts says

    September 5, 2012 at 9:04 am

    À super idea!

    Reply
  9. Rose says

    September 5, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Oh my! So much fun! I would love this for my little ones, too. :)

    Reply
  10. Mary Ann says

    September 5, 2012 at 10:10 am

    oooh, neat-o! i looooove viewfinders! and to make them customizable and personal??? stupendous!

    Reply
  11. Summer says

    September 5, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I had a bunch of dinosaur themed ones as a kid, but having one with family photos is so much more exciting! Love the idea, and thanks for the giveaway!
    summerhaugh84@gmail.com

    Reply
  12. Christine says

    September 5, 2012 at 10:44 am

    Way cool! That would be so fun!

    Reply
  13. Kelli @ WhimsiKel says

    September 5, 2012 at 11:14 am

    These are so neat! I would love to get one for my kids! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  14. Sarah says

    September 5, 2012 at 11:49 am

    This is such an awesome idea! Pretty sure these would be awesome gifts as well!

    Reply
  15. Little Ella Lu says

    September 5, 2012 at 11:53 am

    How fun!

    Reply
  16. Sarah M. says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    I am going to be spending a lot of time in an out of town hospital (again!) next year, and would love to have a personalized viewmaster along with me to keep me smiling through the physical therapy and pain. I would fill it with pictures of family, friends & all the things I enjoy most in life. This is such an amazing product!

    Reply
  17. Alison says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    I love these! I have a list of wonderful ideas to get these as gifts!!!

    Reply
  18. Lauren says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    These are really awesome and I’d be grateful to win. Many thanks,

    Lauren

    Reply
  19. tellies says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    My kiddos would love these! Thanks for posting! – Kelly

    Reply
  20. Alisha says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    I have a feeling that ordering the films could get addictive! :o)

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    I have 2 High School Cheerleaders and they are Both Capts. of their Teams (JV,Varsity) I would LOVE this to show of pictures thru the year in this View Finder,and then make them for all the Teams! Love this Idea,Thanks for the chance to win one :)

    Reply
  22. Emily says

    September 5, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    THese are cool! I’m pretty sure my parents still have ours from growing up. :)

    Reply
  23. Karen@Candid Diversions says

    September 5, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    How cool is that! My girls would love this.

    Reply
  24. Heidi V says

    September 5, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    My boys would LOVE to see themselves inside the viewmaster! Ok I’m not gonna lie…I’d LOVE it too!!

    Reply
  25. Jennifer says

    September 5, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    What a clever idea and super fun! My daughter would love this.

    Reply
  26. lauren guilbeau says

    September 5, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    so cute! love this! hope to win.
    lguilboATgmailDOTcom

    Reply
  27. Kelly Helberg says

    September 5, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    Ok, that’s pretty cool! I could totally see doing a bunch of these. They’d make really cool table conversation pieces at a wedding, too!

    Reply
  28. Christie says

    September 5, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    That is co cool! I would love to try it out and I am sure my kids would love it too!

    Reply
  29. Melissa Thiele says

    September 5, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    Love this! I want one! :)

    Reply
  30. Caitlin Weaver says

    September 5, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    This would be an AWESOME gift!! Hoping to win,
    cbakertroublemaker@hotmail.com

    Reply
  31. Justin Thiele says

    September 5, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    This is too cool!

    Reply
  32. Michelle says

    September 5, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    Reel-y fun giveaway!

    Reply
  33. Nicole NP says

    September 5, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    I LOVD my Viewmaster! This is so awesome :)

    Reply
  34. Courtney H. says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    This is amazing! I would love to win this!
    Courtney.holt82 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  35. Sarie L. says

    September 5, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    I remember playing with a Viewmaster when I was young — how great that they’re still around. :) I love that you can make your own photo reel – amazing. Would love to win for my kiddos.
    sarie.leide@yahoo.com

    Reply
  36. Ajaire says

    September 5, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    I love this! I cannot wait to get one for my little girl. Such a fun idea :)

    Reply
  37. Jennifer Douglass says

    September 5, 2012 at 10:12 pm

    Just a quick hello to say thank you for all of your inspiration! I’m celebrating my first year of blogging this month, and wanted to let you know I mentioned your blog… I have really enjoyed following you… and crafting along with you(Skirt Week was realy fun!)… Jennifer

    p.s. If you want to check it out you can here…

    http://creatingbitsofenvy.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-my-blogiversary.html

    Reply
  38. clemsonrebekah says

    September 6, 2012 at 1:45 am

    what great idea

    Reply
  39. Jane says

    September 6, 2012 at 4:08 am

    Eek – I still have my treasured Viewmaster from childhood, with Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh and Pinocchio reel sets. How cool that you can do this now! I’d so love to win :)

    Reply
  40. Corinnea says

    September 6, 2012 at 6:44 am

    What fun!! I loved my Viewmaster. Wish I knew what happened to it. I’m already thinking of the favorite photos I would choose….

    Reply
  41. Brian says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Awesome idea, cool give-away too!
    We are actually looking into using this product for our wedding- put photos of us on the table in the view finders. Perfect for our afternoon reception in an extremely well lit (natural light) hall.
    Would LOVE to win one!

    Reply
  42. Meagan says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    This is an awesome way to show off family photos! I can totally see me ordering these one for each year!

    Reply
  43. ninjadesigns says

    September 6, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    WOW! i’ve seen these reels used for wedding invitations, but it was a specialty thing and totally un-affordable for the common-person. this is totally awesome!

    Reply
  44. Lisa Olson says

    September 6, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    So cute, and way easier than scrapbooking! I’m sold. :)

    Reply
  45. shelby says

    September 6, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    love it! shelbywellard at gmail dot com

    Reply
  46. Leah Claire says

    September 6, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    What a fun memory-keeper and gift! I LOVED viewmasters when I was little. leahclaireh (at) gmail (dot) com. Really love your new blog header too!

    Reply
  47. Stacie Brooks says

    September 7, 2012 at 8:40 am

    What a neat idea! My kids would love it.

    Reply
  48. Muireann says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    This is cool! I’d love to make one for my husband, with pictures from our 2012 goals. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  49. Crystal K says

    September 7, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    Awesome Cool!! Wouldn’t that be way fun for vacation pics, more so than a flickr account, you tube or Slide projector!
    ;-)

    Reply
  50. Christie says

    September 7, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    This is a cool idea, our family would get a big kick out of it for sure!

    Reply
  51. Leela the Kid says

    September 7, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    So cool! Looks really fun for the kids.

    Reply
  52. ardiana aditya says

    September 7, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    aw cool~
    btw M looked so cute with her “wow” face

    Reply
  53. sleepy headed mom says

    September 10, 2012 at 12:46 am

    That’s so cool. I love when toys that we had as kids come back out and we can get them for our own. I haven’t seen a veiwmaster in so long.

    Sleepyheadedmom at gmail dot com

    Reply

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