CM vs. Top-loading

[sconnell]

Ok, I'm whining here. I wish I hadn't bought that dang 2004 Disney SB! I love it! It's top-loading and I had always been a CM girl. I really like that I can go back and re-organize things if I do a page that I wanted somewhere else. I'm not organized enough to scrap in the order I want my book. This is what was holding me up on DD's book! I was so scared that I would want to go back and add something.
Anyone else?

 

[ek_disney]

You took that leap!! I have only got to the point of purchasing the top loading album. I haven't used them yet.

I am so far behind because I have to have my pictures in order. I know a top loading album would solve that problem. I just need to take that second step...

I have thought about if I didn't like the album I could always "wallpaper" a CM album. I know.....

I am glad you like your album!!

 

[ToDisney]

I have never used a strap-hinge and love the top loading for the reason you posted. I'm not a scrapinorder kinda girl and top loading works great for me.

 

[nicki dahling]

I am in the minority, but I love my CM albums. I do not scrap in order, I just side-load my layouts that I may need to move around. I have used top-loading albums , but mostly for gift giving or speciality albums ( say a birthday, anniversary, etc ) that doesn't reguire a lot of pages. I don't mind cutting off the edge ( I do it with my top-loading pages also because I don't like the way they buckle when they are filled ). I know you can add a longer post to the album if needed, but I didn't like the look as much as my cm , so that's what I stick too. I hope you like the top-loading album you purchased , but also wanted you to know that you can do the same with your cm one. You can also buy pocket pages and use them as toploading in a cm album. And now with all of the different coverset albums offered by cm, you choose what type or color refill you want in your album.

Cyndi

 

[blondie7]

I am definately a top loader albulm girl. I have one cm book and will never but another. I enjoy being able to move my pages around and use more styles of paper without wasting a white sheet. I have friends who love tehre cm books but I will stick to my Top loaders. I do love other cm stuff though

 

[Spinning]

Yep I started with CM and quickly moved to top loading. I do love the CM covers and so wish they would add top loading true 12x12. If they did that I think they would always be number one and their Consultants would have a lot more business....Oh well I can dream.
I did do the Mickey mouse 8x8 and loved it. But of course it was one trip and a small book so easy to keep in order.

 

[goofymom/pop]

I love top loading albums too! But hate the way the spine looks on my book shelf when I add additional pages to the album. My solution was to make very small/thin albums which is a bit of a pain. I am currently using mostly CM but really hate when I make a mistake and get something out of order because I cannot fix it. I don't do a lot of wallpapering anymore, not enough time to get the books done as it is.

Another thing about top loading that is awesome....you can power layout right in your book. Place your stickers, photos, and paper right in the pocket of the page it belongs to and when you ready you have it all together. This allows you to skip a page if your not feeling creative about that one, and move on to the one your dying to do.

I have seen some top loading with covered spines but so far the covers are that great.

Anyone know of a good one. I am all for not spending 36 bucks per album, esp when I have 5 or 6 going at one time.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

This is one of those ongoing and very personal debates. I have a girlfriend who won't use anything but CM strap hinge. I've used strap hinge by CM and others and am absolutely devoted to top load since I discovered them. But I'm still picky about the top loads I use. They must be 3 post for the most part. On VERY rare occasions I will use a 2 post for some special purpose or if the cover is just "to perfect" for a special book. I'm pretty loyal to Dalee Books, although I recently bought another brand (still 3 post) that my LSS had in stock because they had them in school colors with an opening on the front for a photo and another that already had a metal plate inscribed with the name of the high school. Will use this for DS's senior year stuff.

Deb

 

[DiznEeyore]

If being able to move pages around is your only concern about CM albums, I may have a solution! My first suggestion is to buy the top-loading Westrim page protectors at Michaels (or other scrap stores). They fit perfectly into CM albums. The other thing you might want to try is something I've read on 2Peas -- put the side-loading page protectors on the white CM page, then slide your completed layout right into it. Same as top-loading, only from the side! I haven't tried it, but several gals on 2Peas said it works great.

I struggle with the whole album issue myself -- I've tried every kind out there, I think. I love the Colorbok Perfect Scrapbooks, which are top-loading, but my problem with top-loaders is that dust collects across the top edges of my layouts (maybe this is a more pronounced problem for me 'cuz we live on a dirt road?). So I use the top-loaders for my small books (pets, some WDW trips, etc.) and CM 12x12s for my big books.

 

[bananiem]

I'm another one that switched to top-loading and haven't gone back. If CM would come out with a top-loading album I'd buy it. When my kids were younger I found they had a hard time turning the pages of my first couple of strap-hinge albums, which were a WDW and vacations albums. The post ones, if not over-stuffed, seemed easier for them. I also like not having to wall paper. I like to use colored cardstock for my backgrounds. Then I can just slip the page in.

 

[WDWMom]

I'm with most of you. I love top loading because I'm O/C about things being in order. I started my DS's books with CM albums and I don't want to change the look so I am still using those for their books only. Again, the O/C thing. I do like the idea of sliding the pages in onthe side. I'm going to try that on the CM books.

 

[Sandy22]

Can someone post a picture of what the CM book looks like when open?

 

[nicki dahling]

CM sideloading :

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=183171


CM album open

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=527111


Cyndi

 

[Sandy22]

Thanks Nicki!

 

[TN Traveler]

I've never used a CM album but considering it for a special cruise/travel book I'm going to make for my travel agency. The problem I have tho, is it KILLS me to spend $36 or so for an album, have to buy extra refill pages and then have to buy page protectors in addtion to all of this. If CM would make a postbound or top loading album w/the page protectors already in it, I'd be the first in line to buy it.
My big complaint about postbound albums is you can't add too many pages to them and w/as many pictures as I take, I need LOTS of pages!!
I took 19 rolls of pictures from our trip to Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World last year!! I have everything scrapped but now working to get in albums....hoping to keep it to 2.
Thanks for a good thread w/interesting information.
Karen

 

[AtlantaSue]

I, too, have switched to top loading, but I've been wondering if I'm using the "best" available. I'm curious as to why you like the 3 post albums better. So far, I think I've only used 2 post albums. Any other suggestions you could give for my next album purchase would be appreciated!

 

[Spinning]

Hope you don't mind but I can answer this!
3 post is sturdier. Less flexing of the spine. I think this is really important if you are a bulky lumpy scrapper or especially if you like to expand them to their fullest or even beyond (guilty!)

 

[DiznEeyore]

I've never used a CM album but considering it for a special cruise/travel book I'm going to make for my travel agency. The problem I have tho, is it KILLS me to spend $36 or so for an album, have to buy extra refill pages and then have to buy page protectors in addtion to all of this. If CM would make a postbound or top loading album w/the page protectors already in it, I'd be the first in line to buy it.

I think CM is now selling just the cover sets .... and then you could buy the top-loading Westrim pages at Michaels to fill it!

 

[AtlantaSue]

Spinning -

Thanks for responding. That sounds like what I need!