Creative Memories advice needed

[Diz-Mommy]

Tools! And Tape runner/refills!

I am not a CM person at all (album, style etc) . But I love their tools and tape runner (like the old tape runner better).....

They went back to the old style version tape runner if you're talking about the first original type. I hated the second edition they came out with too, the one you couldn't refill...

The newest one is much like the old one, with a nice improvment (a roller to help with tape placement)

 

[Diz-Mommy]

A lot has also been mentioned about the 12" trimmer... Just wondering if you are talking about the new version or the one you have to use in conjunction with the cutting mat? I personally LOVE the new 12" straight and wavy cutting systems!

I'd say if you're just starting out to get the BIG starter kit. I didn't because I didn't think I'd use all that stuff and get what I needed and save money...what a joke. I spent MORE and walked away with LESS than if I would have just bought the starter kit!

I think all the must haves are in the Big kit too.

The things I've bought over the years, but don't use a whole bunch (what DH would say is a waste of $$)

1. Those cute little 7x7 albums (I'm talking the decorative ones that are limited edition) , I'm a sucker for them even though I don't end up using them!

2. The cutting patterns that are funky shapes such as the hexagons, hearts, wavy squares etc. (I DO use the ovals the most and sometimes the circles)

3. The pre-cut papers whether they be short cuts or die cuts!

4. The shape punches:the circles, the hex, deco square, and hearts
(I'd say I get A LOT of use out of the squares and stars, but I have a little boy so I just don't do a lot of frilly pages with the need for deco squares and hearts)

All in all, I have EVERYTHING because I am a CM junkie. When I was a consultant my #1 client was ME. Probably why it didn't work out too well profit wise

 

[MazdaUK]

Do you have to sign up to be CMC to get the starter kit? And if you do, do you HAVE to do parties? When I did Pampered Chef you had to have 6 parties lined up (with names and numbers) on your agreement, but I also got a small Tupperware kit (party in a bowl - fantastic!) and never had to do a party for it

 

[wtpclc]

WHen you order teh consultant kit, you sign an agreement ot put in a $500 order within 30 days of signing. If you have enough firends or just want to get $500 woorth yourself at 30% off , you do not need to have a class or get together.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

Do you have to sign up to be CMC to get the starter kit? And if you do, do you HAVE to do parties? When I did Pampered Chef you had to have 6 parties lined up (with names and numbers) on your agreement, but I also got a small Tupperware kit (party in a bowl - fantastic!) and never had to do a party for it

I'm sorry I didn't mean the CMC kit... I wouldn't go that route becuase you are going to end up with a lot of excess tools you won't need or use for example: 3 personal trimmers! I think CM still has three pre-set product "kits" I don't know the exact names but there is a Basic, Advanced and Deluxe... If I were to start over from the very beinging, I would have just invested in the deluxe kit, because I ended up getting it all to begin with! Plus most consultants throw in a few freebies when you buy the "big one". Good luck with your class, hopefully the people who attend will buy lots and you'll get some credit towards products too!

 

[MazdaUK]

They don't show those in the catalogue so i suppose the consultant has extra paperwork about that - I'm just waiting for my invites etc. to arrive

 

[wtpclc]

Ahhh... The "Collections"

The big one is still pretty much teh same "Memoy Keepers", then there's enhancers, essntial and cropper (or something like that). I tell people t okeep the sheets, as the Memory Kepers is really the core stuff you will end up using, it's just perhaps a little much to get all at once. Those really are good starter set, though.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

Yeah, I don't think they are in the catalogue, but I think they still offer them at the CM homeshows... I would call your CMC and ask if CM still does those and get the detials about what each kit includes...They have probably changed since I was last a CMC (I had to drop out early this year)

 

[nicki dahling]

I know another CM user hear just slides her page in without sticking it down at all and it works fine for her!

That would probably be me. I love cm albums, and sometime I scrap directly on the paper , but most of the time I wallpaper my pages and just stick them in "sideloading" them in. And no they don't fall out. I do cut them to fit inside the jeeping, but I do that even with toplaoding albums ( seems to cut down on the puckering effect ). Anyway here is a demonstration :


Sideloading

Pictures directly on the page :

Cm Pages

Cyndi

 

[nicki dahling]

Forgot to post my favorite must have's :

Cm Punch ( square, and circle specifically )

Cm Personal Trimmer

CM Corner Rounder

CM Photo Tape

CM Albums

CM Powersort Box/Other Organizers ( they have the best bags ).

Not that crazy about : keep in mine this is a very short list, I tend to love most of their stuff.

Alpha Stickers ( use them , but prefer my quickutz and sizzix ).

Pens ( they are good quality, I tend to do computer journaling though, so they just sit in my desk collecting dust ).

12" DecoFile Organizer ( the one organizational item I don't like , only because I have found a better system for my 12x12 paper ). The files for them are excellent though.


Cyndi

 

[goofymom/pop]

You can view the collections on creativememories.com I think they are still offering a freebie with each different collection. And I agree the big one is full of most if not all of the really basic nesessities. Have fun and let us know what you get.

 

[goofymom/pop]

it seems they are no longer listed on the website.... don't know why.

 

[MazdaUK]

OK, its getting close now.....

Would anyone say Fiskars cutters are better than CM? I've seen a set in Lakleland that does ovals and its cheaper than the CM one.

Also, are there things I should wait for until I visit Vancouver next summer? (As I have to pay in £ what you pay in $, plus a bit )

Dining room tidy and ready - just have to keep the kids out till after Thursday night

 

[Twigs]

I would NOT recommend the fiskars circle or oval cutters. They are not easy to use. I have ripped the paper with them numerous times while cutting and it is extrememly hard to cut the same exact size circle or oval again. I love the CM cutters, and I have not touched the fiskars ones again.

The fiskars cutters that I do like is their shape cutting system. There are plastic templates about 8 1/2" x 10" size and you use their shape cutter with them, it has a swivel blade. I know they do have templates with ovals and circles, but you do not get as many sizes as you do with the CM cutting system. I use the fiskars shape cutting stars, hearts and some other shapes.

 

[bcarson]

I just want to say that the CM cutting system is worth its wait in gold!!! I love these things. It takes a very small learning curve. Practice on a few old pics and you are ready to go. I just bought the wavy frames and now I have them all but the jazzy and I don't really want that. I have bought all of mine off of ebay though. I get it much cheaper if I am patient. This is probably the best thing for scrapbooking I have bought this far.

 

[MazdaUK]

Thank you all for your help!

The mince pies are in the oven and I'm ready to go!!

 

[piratesmate]

Good luck with your party today! I hope you get lots of freebies!

 

[MazdaUK]

I hope you get lots of freebies!

So do I! Unlikely though I fear as I've had a couple drop out with this flu that's going around, and I think they offer less over here than they do in the US - there's nothing on the website about the "Gift to you" just for holding tha party, and little in the hostess pack, so i wouldn't mind betting I need to spend £50 just to get a sticker

I'll let you know what I buy (and what I get for free ) and again thanks to all of you for your advice.

 

[goofymom/pop]

Pixie Dust to you for a great party!!! Please let us know how you make out....we love hear about everyones fun!

 

[becky7953]

Good luck on your party!

I say a must is the cutting system, corner rounder and 12 inch trimmer.