New to scrapbooking got some ?

[onedisneylover]

oops also forgot to mention...i get my pics done at sam's, or costco...i am too impatient to go to one of those places that have to send it to you...i want my pics asap!!!

you can also up load to those sites and they will be ready when you go in to pick them up...love doing that!!!

 

[TN Traveler]

WOW! What a great thread!! I have been scrapping for 4 or 5 yrs now and have learned alot by reading the comments and replies.

I have always loved to take pictures and honestly am a freak about keeping them in albums. I am willing to guess that I have 30 -35 pocket albums in the top of my closet right now that go back as far as 1978 when I graduated from high school. Of course I won't go back and "redo" those albums but when I started scrapping have done nothing but Pioneer or another brand of top loading post bound album. As one poster said "why should I have to buy a $40 album and then page protectors in addition when I can get top loading albums that are just as good." AGREED!

It appears that the majority of folks here started scrapping w/CM. I did too. I meet a girl through my travel agency that I booked a cruise for. We started talking about pictures and the next thing I knew, I was coming to her house for a CM party. I was HOOKED!!! But like several people, I didn't appreciate the pressure or "scare tatics" used by so many CMCs that you must use CM products or your pictures won't last. Then I met another person who was a CMC but she was not a "hard seller". She used CM albums and tools but purchased whatever else she wanted at our LSS, Mike's, JoAnnes or wherever else we found a sale! I now purchase all my CM products from her b/c I appreciate her not pushing me or putting my albums down b/c I didn't use CM.

As another poster stated, watch the papers for sales at Mikes & JoAnne's. A couple weeks ago JoAnne's had all their paper on sale 5 sheets for $1. I don't know about you guys but that's a HUGE savings for me. Of course after spending $23 JUST ON PAPER, I could probably open up my own LSS now but that's our little secret, ok?! Remember the word SALE!! That word will become your favorite word in your scrapbook life!!

Just enjoy what what you're doing. Make it fun. Read lots of different magazines for ideas, get on great websites like this one and Two Peas for ideas and inspiration. And when you get stuck, pop off a question to us and I'm sure AT LEAST one of us will have an opinion to share!!!!

Enjoy!!

Karen

 

[onedisneylover]

cm reps , lss's, chain stores, they are all a business. people are in this to make money.

i think that if a cm rep uses primarily all cm products, they are more likely to sell that product. i know, i do it all the time (not with cm stuff though)...i see new products, and i don't *know* how to use them, or i don't quite like them...yet...until i see them used over and over again on 2peas...then it grows on me and i have to have it!!!

i think that cm people could attract alot more people if they lose the scare tactic.

 

[onedisneylover]

sorry to keep posting on this subject...

but it is like being burger king...and they tell you that our food is the best and that all the other food/restaurants out there are bad for you...

you may eat the stuff for a while, but then you know that there are other stuff out there that you want to try, because even though they might have many products/food, you just get sick of the same old stuff!!!

 

[JaneMcAsh]

Comments -
"the CM consultant stressed that you should only ever use CM products in you sb, as other products will ruin the pictures over time."
- There are LOTS of Archival products out there - ranging from stuff for scrapbooking to things from professional photography and museum suppliers. Check the labels carefully, and use what you want. NO company has a monopoly on picture-safe products.

"Is it ok to use self printed digital pictures, or only ones developed by a store?"
Depends on your printer . Both Epson and Hewlett-Packard have printers (some not that expensive) that do beautiful pictures that will actually last LONGER than prints from all but the most expensive photo place. Check out Cnet's review "Five fab photo printers" http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3156_7-5142923-1.html. For more information check Wilhelm Imaging Research (www.wilhelm-research.com)

Jane

 

[bubbasmom99]

I love that my CMC does not push CM products as the "only way" to preserve memories. She uses other products too. She has a very successful business but focuses on teaching people how to be creative with layouts and how to journal, etc, rather than focusing on pushing the products.

I love their tools - the cutting system & punches. Not so much the stickers or short cuts, or strap hinge album.

As far as photos, I've used Ofoto (now Kodak) - great results, Snapfish & Winkflash (decent results & Winkflash is a great value), and Costco. Costco's good color-wise and they use the big machine, but they don't always print out lined up correctly (i.e. top of hair cut off).

I have printed a few at home but I prefer to use the professional service. I don't like spending money on all that ink!

 

[clh2]

Just a quick Winkflash special (never heard of them before, so I went on their website). For your first order, the cost per print is 8 cents, for up to 75 picture, 4x6.

From their website:
8¢ Prints! on your first order of up to 75 4x6 prints
Using coupon code D6E4R3W2

Maybe it's time for me to finally get some of our prints developed!

 

[clh2]

My DH also brought it to my attention that snapfish and shutterfly have some promotions in the new (2006) Entertainment Book, both offering 30 free prints (4x6) for new customers. There is also a Target coupon for $3.00 off one hour basic service, and one for 10 free digital prints.

 

[Honeybehr1]

I have been scrapping for almost 7 yrs now and I got into it from a CM rep. I do not like how she forces their products down your throat and scares you by saying all your work wont last and ours is the only way to go yada yada yada BUT I found a new rep and she is wonderful. She will tell you whats available but she also stresses that it is YOUR album, you can do with it what you will but she is there for information on how to preserve it the best way possible.

I for one buy from anywhere and everywhere. I use CM tape runner (LOVE IT) and their cutting system IMOP is far superior to anything I have tried. And I love their corner punches and the square punch. And their cutting system makes making circle and ovals soooo easy.
But other than that, I buy what I want since it is MY album

 

[Cam2Mike]

CM..you guys are killing me...I am a CM consultant and my customers use whatever they want in their albums. I don't judge or lecture. I do draw a line at maegnetic albums though. I only have to show one from 5 years ago that is totally yellow already for people to get the point! I tell my customers what CM preaches and how much they spend on product testing and that I believe it. I tell them that what they want to believe is up to them. If you have had bad experiences with pushy sales people you shouldn't judge the entire company or their products. There are thousands and thousands CM consultants that do it because they love scrapping and want the discount. Many are not "sales" people. I certainly am not. Can one really dispute that their tools are totally awesome?? I also dispute the statement "that any manufacturer will do"..I don't agree, people need to make sure they are using photosafe products which can be done by doing a little research on the brand name. Magnetic albums say "photo safe" on the packaging and we all know that they are not..so packaging may not be accurate.

My customers also come to my workshops and use other products and sometimes other albums. I never say a word...but I and others look on and see what a pain in the butt some of the other albums types can be to work on, not lying flat, messing around with screws and extenders, pages bend when they turn, etc,etc. They see how easy it is to use a CM album and come around eventually.

I am also grateful to my CM consultant who taught me how to scrap. I never would have thought I was capable of making such awesome keepsakes (I am not creative) without her.

I didn't mean to be so long but the CM bashing was getting out of hand and I think the lady deserves to hear a few nice things about CM too!

 

[Beanie]

It's actually cheaper to print pictures from Sam's Club than to print at home.

I guess that would depend on where you live. I live 3 hours from the closest Sam's Club and one hour from our local Walmart. It is definitely cheaper for me to print my pictures at home on Photo Paper, which is why my DH has invested a great deal of money into a wonderful photo printer and I only use Kodak Paper.

I scrapbook for me and me only. I have some CM products (tools only) and I like them, but I could never scrap their style. I have my own style and I scrap for enjoyment. I am not worried about my albums lasting hundreds of years, only long enough so my kids can enjoy them when they are older. What they do with them after, is their business. I am sure in hundreds of years I won't be around and won't really care either! LOL

Enjoy scrapbooking, it is a great addiction to have!! I love the shopping best!