Best quality scrapbook?

[bumbershoot]

Now that I've moved into a bigger place with room for me to work on my photo albums and scrapbooks, I've started doing it again. And I find myself in need of, well, books to scrap in!

I was first sucked into scrapbooking when all my work friends were doing Creative Memories, and even though the rep drove me nuts being so snobby about CM vs *anything else*, now I find myself doing the same thing! Of course at the time, 8 years ago, it's possible there weren't all the same-quality choices as there are now. Maybe.

Anyway, I am wondering what brand names I should look for, to find the acid free, lignin free (is that as important as the CM rep said it was?), etc etc etc, scrapbooks!

Thanks for your help!

 

[DinahInWonderland]

I personally like to use the K&Co. scrapbooks. They come in a million designs and are just beautiful. I have never had a problem with them holding up and some of my books are huge!

 

[KrisS]

I've learned the hard way that CM really the best quality. I only used CM for years but friends/family would always get the "copycat" versions for a fraction of the price - but I quickly saw that they're not as durable and well made. Then, I switched to digital and didn't like the one CM choice. So, I searched for another brand with side loading protectors. Well, I got a post-style album and protectors that are the same brand but the holes in the protectors don't match the posts!!!! AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH! And the spine protector is just a piece of paper! I'm sure it's not going to last......I really hope CM comes up with a new album that gives me the flexibilty of their regular albums. So, I'd stick with CM if you can!
Kris

 

[Steakgoddess]

I only use CM albums for my pages. I have spent way too much buying other and cheaper albums and they eventually fall apart. I buy the CM coversets--no pages. Then I buy the Pioneer page protectors and use those in the coverset album. I can use whatever paper I want--no wallpapering.
These are the page protectors I use:
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2767&PRODID=prd1091

 

[TiggerFamily]

CM is the best IMO. I used a top load post album from ACM for a gift and it was such junk, I will never use anything other then CM.

 

[ariel & eric]

I prefer Colorbok albums or Maple Leaf. Maple Leaf are side loaded. Both have 3 posts - I would never use 2.

Not a big CM fan. Too expensive when I can get great quality elsewhere. JMO

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks, all!

I have a couple, random, non-CM albums. I buy them when I see something really cheap, but then it never actually matches a use I have, LOL. So the only pages I've actually worked on are CM, and after posting this question I was looking at those pages, and for being 7 or 8 years old, the pages still look very new (I am a very basic scrapbooker and don't generally cover the pages with other paper, so the white pages are still very visible).

I'll have to see if I have to have a rep again, to order online...the rep was the aspect of CM that I really didn't like, she was so snooty about her products! (for instance, flipped out when someone brought store-bought stickers...I felt that if the pages were so good, they could absorb the evil acid on the stickers, but she didn't feel that way)


But it's also VERY good to know the brand names of other really high quality albums!!!!! I don't want to be snooty about it.

ariel & eric, what's the difference, usage-wise, of 3 vs 2 posts?

 

[Lisa]

Sorry you had a bad experience with a CM consultant. I promise you, not all are like that.

 

[ariel & eric]

ariel & eric, what's the difference, usage-wise, of 3 vs 2 posts?

When an album has 3 sets of posts it is not flimzy. When there are only 2 the book tends to wobble when you put in more pages/extenders. I just don't find that with 3.

Sandy Lion, Pioneer (don't ever buy) have 2, Colorbok and I think K & CO have 3.

 

[Disney Baby]

I'll have to see if I have to have a rep again, to order online...the rep was the aspect of CM that I really didn't like, she was so snooty about her products! (for instance, flipped out when someone brought store-bought stickers...I felt that if the pages were so good, they could absorb the evil acid on the stickers, but she didn't feel that way)

I would ask around and find a consultant that is low key - there are several out there that are not CM Nazis If you can't find a good one by word of mouth - than you can order from one online with no interaction - it comes right to you door now!!! You can't beat the quality or the guarantee... IMO

 

[Spinning]

I always love this question. Because unfortunately there isn't one book out there that is perfect. CM is a nice out side book. But I hate their system, hate their pages and hate the cost. YOu have to buy pages and then buy protectors and then if you don't like the white back ground you need to cover the page up....So it is expensive. I will say I do want to see how the top loading or side loading pages work. Because again I do like the outside books....
I reall loved forever yours. Top notch and I stuff my books. Never had any issues...unfortunately they folded....someone bought them out but I haven't see them on line yet....
I like Dalee another great book same fab page protectors. But you have to find a consultant or order on line.
Here is a link to some nice books. I haven't tried the new one they are now selling called album options. The lady says it is as nice or nicer than FY. She does a really nice job with the embossing too.
http://www.accentalbums.com/index.html
Good luck finding the perfect book. The one nice thing with CM I don't htink they are going anywhere. Which is a plus if you like all your books to have the same look. I am really bumming about Forever yours. It does look nice having the same style, size etc....on the book case...

 

[laura&fam]

I like Close to My Heart albums (they are a stamping company with consultants similar to CM). I also like their sheet protectors because there is extra room on the binding so the page lays much flater than with other sheet protectors. I have used them with other (cheaper) binders and they still work. They are top loading.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you all!

The page protector thing is interesting...during my short time with CM (during which I used a tax refund to buy a big fancy carry case loaded with stuff I've barely used, LOL) they were barely talking about those (I think there was one party I went to where we used a protector thing), so I never got into them, and don't really like the look of them. Now looking around, it seems everyone uses the protectors!


Oh I can't believe I finally have the room to get my pictures figured out, my stuff out from their bins, and not have to clean it all off the floor every evening.

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

I only use CM albums for my pages. I have spent way too much buying other and cheaper albums and they eventually fall apart. I buy the CM coversets--no pages. Then I buy the Pioneer page protectors and use those in the coverset album. I can use whatever paper I want--no wallpapering.
These are the page protectors I use:
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2767&PRODID=prd1091

Hi there --- just wanted to clarify.... These page protectors will work in CMs albums with the straps??? That might work for me... I have gone to digital and would like a slip in page so I don't have to glue down all my 12 x12 pages..... But I love CMs albums....

 

[JandJ]

Thank you all!

The page protector thing is interesting...during my short time with CM (during which I used a tax refund to buy a big fancy carry case loaded with stuff I've barely used, LOL) they were barely talking about those (I think there was one party I went to where we used a protector thing), so I never got into them, and don't really like the look of them. Now looking around, it seems everyone uses the protectors!


Oh I can't believe I finally have the room to get my pictures figured out, my stuff out from their bins, and not have to clean it all off the floor every evening.

I always use page protectors on my CM albums. I'm surprised your CMC didn't push those - every CMC I've ever known has really pushed the page protectors. I actually like them. They keep everything "in place" so to speak and looking neat. Plus, if you accidentally spill something on it the protectors keep your lay-outs safe, as well as keeping them dust free because the protectors go on from the side. It can get expensive though! My CM is not a "nazi" and doesn't have a problem if we bring in other albums, stickers, etc. She's very nice and has great coupon sales. In June if you ordered a CM album she gave the page protectors for free! I got a new 10x12 album just because it looked cool

As for other albums, I've used K&Co., Maple Lane, and Memory Stor. The Memory Stor albums are very nice! I used to get them at Costco, 2 albums for $30. They are not flimsy paper albums with paper spines, they are cloth and leather with 3 posts, so they are very sturdy. But Costco hasn't carried them recently.

 

[RedheadHokie]

Creative Memories... definitely! ! (Although I am soooo behind in all of my albums!!)

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks again!