New to scrapping - album suggestions please

[justjulie]

I'm new to scrapbooking and would like the advice of all the seasoned scrappers as to what type of album works for you. I am looking for a 12 x 12 album but am looking for suggetions as to what type you prefer - post, binder-type, hinged - bring on the suggestions!


justjulie

 

[piratesmate]

I'll be of no real help, but here's what I think - so far.

I started with the CM strap albums. I love the quality, but am not thrilled at the price since I'm not working. I made the "mistake" of drooling over the LOs on 2Peas and started working on wallpaper pages without actually putting them into the CM albums. Now they won't fit w/o trimming the edges, which I don't want to do.

So I went to Mike's & picked up a couple post-bound top-loading albums really cheap! They're true 12x12 so my wallpaper pages slid in nicely. The quality isn't there of course and you don't get them to "lay flat" like the CM albums. I'm not working in the books anyway, so it's okay with me.

I like the flexibility of being able to do a page as the inspiration strikes and then put it right into the book to store it. If I want to add a few more pages, I can. No more worrying about what's on the back of a page - or pull the whole thing apart to switch 2 pages.

 

[HeatherinVT]

I have been scrapping for about 3-4 years and heres what i have found....
I started with 12x12 post bound and like the poster above i find them to be cheap and you can only add so many extra pages and if your like me its just not enough

I love the 3 D ring binders (i have always used hiller and love them)
michaels carries them also.

I have mostly done 12x12 and like them although i sometimes feel over whelmed like i cant get all my pics on one page but dont necessarily always want to do a 2 page spread.....

I just did a 6x6 theme album (postbound) and LOVED LOVED LOVED the ease of it! I think i would like the ease of anysize theme album just because it was the same color papers throughtout the book and then just add embellishements and pictures and wall lahhhh

Im going to takle 8x11 for my wedding/honey moon album so i will let you know about that....

All and all i think the ringbinders are the best
and 12x12 paper is easist to find in LSS rather then 8x11

Good luck if you need help let me know....

 

[barb45]

I too thought that Creative Memories albums were nice but expensive so I started out with cheaper post albums. I quickly learned my lesson though and now I only use Creative Memories albums (and their cutting systems are great too). They are expensive but you are planning on keeping these for a lifetime. My daughter started with a cheaper album but was eyeing up my CM albums and wanted her own. We looked into her being a consultant and I wished I had done that! She's not even sure if she is going to sell anything but gets such a break on starting out and what she wants to purchase it doesn't matter if she ever sells anything! My rep told me a lot of people sign up for their own hobby purposes.

 

[ajksmom]

I started out with CM albums, they are expensive but I believe well worth it. I have used post bound and 3 ring but just don't feel like they will hold up too well. One thing I've done is when having a CM party I always use my "earnings" on albums, that way its not coming out of my pocket. Also, Westrim makes the straphinge pages and protectors and these are available at acmoore, michaels and joanns. You could use their discount coupons and save a ton of $$$. They also have toploading pages available now although I haven't seen or used them yet.

 

[barb45]

justjulie - I just noticed that you are a fellow Ontario resident - where are you from? I'm in Windsor.

 

[cobbler]

I too only use CM albums. Yeah they can get pricey but the quality is worth it. Esp if you want them to last a long time.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Weighing in on the discussion - for me personally I've found a good blend between the CM quality and the post bound ease. For me it was more that I don't like the jeeping (that little plastic strip on the edge) that drove me nuts. I felt like it was throwing the layouts off. But wanted that solid quality.

My LSS suggested I try Dalee post bound books. I did and I haven't gone back. From a quality standpoint they are similar to CM (and so is the price!) They are 3 post - which I think makes a major difference as they don't "shift" back and forth like a 2 post will. Every refill pack comes with post extenders and inserts to keep your pages from alligatoring in the book. I have some really big books, I mean like 3-4" thick! And have had no problem with them. We have even had several of DS' on display this past week and after many, many people paging through them there are no signs of wear.

Deb