CM totes/carryall vs. Crop In Style bags

[Tiger926]

I feel like I'm being a bother since I've posted so many questions over the past few days, but I am really into my scrapping now and you all have so much knowledge to share, that I thought I'd try again!

I am on the search for a scrap bag/organizer. I don't have tons of stuff as my style is simple , and I do most of my stuff at home, but I am wanting to go out to crops, so I would like to get a good quality bag. I am interested in either CM Memory Mate Carryall or Album Tote or Crop In Style Jr. My husband actually bought me the CIS Jr. last night @ Michael's, and although I really like it (I also have the CIS Paper Taker - good quality stuff!), it doesn't seal shut as it has clip flaps down the front.

I would love to hear what types of bags you all have, especially if you could give me any info regarding the CM bags that I mentioned as I don't have time to visit my CMC tonight and compare these bags to the CIS Jr. I would love to hear from those of you who have compared any of these bags. Like I said, I mostly want it to carry 1 album & some supplies such as scissors, pens, adhesive and a few sheets of paper and or stickers. All of this fits in the CIS Jr. but I'm not sure about fitting in the CM bags. I'm really not interested in the wheeled totes as I have back problems and my other friends say that even though they have wheels, they are still quite heavy and I really don't think that I need a bag this big, but I am willing to take any and all suggestions for bags/organizers. We have limited stock here at our LSS as well as Michael's, so any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tiger

 

[Spinning]

You will out grow the Jr very fast! Plus when filled it is sooooooo heavy! I started with the Jr. I now have the xxlarge crop in style and really like it. It has taken a lot of abuse and still looks great and has held up well.
I know nothing about the CM bag.
Are you planning to travel and go to crops? If so you need a bag that is friendly to work out of.
Wheels are a must for me!

 

[ToDisney]

I have the XXL and I can get so much stuff in there, that it helps if I have someone helping me lift it in and out of the car. I've had it for several years now and it's held up really well!! Sorry, I'm not a CM customer so I can't respond about their products.

 

[disneyfanintn]

I have both the CM Album tote and the Carry all. They both are great. The Album tote will easily hold and album and some supplies. The Carry All will hold that plus give you growing room. I've had the Album tote about 2 years and the Carry All I guess over a year - both have held up well.

I am a little bias as I am a CM Consultant. But that's just my .02 cents worth.

 

[nicurn]

I have the navigator which I love. it has wheels and you can cram a bunch of stuff in them... plus the paper taker fits onto the handle to sit ontop. basically it just depends what you want to take with you when you go someplace. If you are just taking pens and little stuff, well then you don't need a giant bag. (of course as time goes on... you may want a big bag) I also have some of the cute new solid black diaper bags (love being a nicu nurse) which have plenty of room in them too. can't help ya with the cm stuff, sorry maggie

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks ! I was looking at the Navigator but out of 6 LSS stores in my city and Michael's, only one store can get it and she has to order it and doesn't know how long it will take to come in. Plus, I haven't seen it and it's approx. $180.00 CDN tax included, and I think that's a lot to be spend sight unseen.

Thanks again, Tiger

 

[American Scrapper]

I have the XXL and the Junior tote. I also have the Scutto bag from Jenny Craft and love it. It wheels around great and is easy to handle. My XXL just became to heavy for me and the handle won't go down anymore.

Kathy

 

[ksjayhawks]

I have the Create a Bag, a Scrap and Store carryall, and an old leather briefcase.
The Create a bag has two deep side pockets that double zip. They have storage pockets and one side has a plastic case to put pictures, stickers, etc. Inside are dividers for papers or pages, another pocket and room for equipment--cutter, punches, etc; on the top are holders for pens or scissors and small zipped pockets. It has wheels and a tall handle.
The scrap and store carryall has alot of pockets-some clear, some net. It has two "portofios" to put pages, papers, etc. in. On the outside of these are holders for pens, scissors and other items. They are detachable. It also has three rings so it can hold the sticker storage pages. It can hang up or be placed on the tripod. I made a simple "pillowcase" style" cover to go over it when I take it anywhere.
The briefcase is one of my husbands from when he first started working. It is very sturdy and wide. It has two pockets on the insides. It opens from the top and is great for my cutters, plastic designs, etc. It fits nicely on top of the create a bag. This bag also works great when I know I am going to work on specific pages and have them ready to go and don't need to take along a lot of paper, stickers, etc.
I just put everything on top of each other and off I go. If I get a sizzix machine, I may have to get a tote for that.

 

[nicki dahling]

I'm a cm girl by nature. I have the carryall, the binder that holds stickers, and the cart is on my wish list. I like the fact that it has big pockets and that the inside is not lots of little compartments. That way I can decide how or what I want to put in the bag. I also like the feel of the cm bags in comparison to some I have seen. I suggest taking your time comparing and looking at the different options out there before investing in one. Buy what works for you. Take in consideration how you will be using it ( the supplies you plan to tote around ), and what you will using it for ( crops, full time storage , etc ). I have back problems so I know in the long run I still would rather have a wheeled cart rather than a bag with a strap. But that's just me Happy shopping. And be forwarned organizing your scrap stuff can become an obsession in itself. Sometimes I think I have more organizing my stuff.

Cyndi

 

[pattyT]

I HAD the cis Jr
and was going to give the cm one that came with the package when I signed on as a rep to my cousin - then realized that the cm one is larger (she wanted a smaller bag) and the extra pockets are larger.

if you want to check out something unconventional try:
a ZAG toolbox from Walmart
they are hard plastic with lots of pockets and bins
and for about $28 can fit a LOT of stuff!
I used that til I outgre it
even fit the sizzix in it before in the middle compartment!

http://www.zag.co.il/products_inner...roduct_line_id=41&Sub_Sub_Super_id=8&this=491

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Mine is a CIS with wheels and an extendable handle (like the rolling suitcases) although I'm not sure which size it is called. It normally retails for around $100 US but I picked it up on sale at Hobby Lobby a month or so ago for 40% off.

I've used it for several crops in the time and really like it. I can extend the handle and with a luggage strap secure my CIS binders on top quite easily.

Before that I'd use a collection of tote bags when I went to a crop. Actually (and I probably shouldn't admit this) but the case is in my car so I can pull it into the office when I have a slow afternoon without students coming to see me!)

Deb

 

[wtpclc]

Tiger926 - If you have back problems, keep it small! I find that I will max out whatever bag I have. Being a CM'er I'd go with the album tote. It is divided into 2 zippered sections, Each one could fit a couple albums. If you take one album, you could also take an expanding file, pens and cropping tools. Each side has pockets. One side has one big pocket (good for pages, large paper or a cutting mat) the other side has a smaller pocket for pens and another larger pocket that could fit 10x12 paper.

Here's what I usually fit in mine:

All my pens (CM's entire set) - Med side pocket
pencil & eraser (small pocket)
All CCS patterns, scissors, reg and mini TR (in MM Carrying case)
Cutting Mat (large pocket)
1-2 Albums
File Mate (for paper)
A shape maker or 2

That will take me pretty far. It still gets kind of heavy, but it's what I've recommended for my clients with back problems. Even with a wheeled cart, you need to pick it up to get it into and out of the car and house.

Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[cobbler]

I had a crop in style - don't know what line of it but I had one. Its ok, it didn't hold my things the way I liked them too.

Then I got the Memory Mate carryall and the album tote. I like my carryall much better. I do have stuff in my album tote that I lug around, mostly my accessory binders. I am getting the cart this month and hope to eliminate the need for my album tote, or at least make limited use out of it.

I like my carryall better than the CIS because it doesn't have a ton of little compartments that for me, go unused.

 

[diznygirl]

I recommend the Album Tote for you as well. I had it, but now I don't travel fro scrapping, so I gave it to a friend. I think the CM Memory Case is hard to carry around - it's not centered so it tends to flop around, and seems heavier.

At home I have the Memory Mate cart - I wheel it from the closet to the dining room and back again for scapping. I can't imagine lifting it when it's full - it's hard enough to roll!!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have the Crop in Style Jr. and I like it, but it is small and I only really use it when I'm just going to my sister's to crop and just need to bring a few things.
It is small, you will outgrow it quickly. I also have a Navigator and really like it, but I don't go to crops all that often so I wind up using it mostly for at home storage. I got the Navigator when it was 50% off at JoAnn's. I can't see paying $150-$200 for these things. I mean, they are very nice and all, but I see them on sale all the time at the big craft stores or if they aren't on sale, there is always a coupon. I don't think I ever would have paid full price...then again, like I said, I don't go to a whole lot of crops, maybe I'd feel differently if I did.


Lisa

 

[Limmer]

I have the CIS NAvigator and I really love it. I can store (almost) all my stuff in it whether at home or going to crops. I purchased it from a site called R&R Scrapbooking http://www.scrapbooking.ca/cropinstyle.html because it is really hard to here in Ontario. The shipping was very reasonable but I can't remember exactly what. Even with the shipping they were cheaper than Michael's or my LSS. And at Michael's I could not use a coupon because it was special order.