What brand of album do you like?

[bananiem]

I've used Westrim, one Pioneer, and Dalee. I like the Dalee but I recently got a Scrap in a Snap catalog and I'm wondering if any of you have used their albums. I know a lot of you prefer the CM ones but I can't bring myself to spend that much on an album. I usually only buy them at Michael's with a 40% off coupon.
So, what kind do you like?

 

[grover]

I have used 3 pioneer albums-they have been fine for me, but I am also wondering if there is mabey something else out there I should try.
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[Spinning]

You sound like me! I keep trying and looking for the perfect album!
Anyway I use Scrap in a snap albums and really like them. They are true 12x12 top loading. Very nice page protectors! They hold a lot of refills Only wish they weren't so bright! or have swirls on all of them! I do like to use plain albums.
I just bought a Mrs Grossman album and love it! Good value for the money. You get 15 or 20 pages plus some stickers. The covers a very pretty and cost around $28. They are true 12x12 so you might want to look for them. I am lucky my LSS sells them and has a 40% coupons once a month...so very good deal!

 

[Janice]

I only have one album at the moment and it is a Dalee with a Tapestry cover. I really like it because you can unscrew the posts and extend them, you can move the PP's around to suit yourself and chop and change things around. I am about to buy another one purely because this is getting a bit heavy to lift around as at the moment it has 20 PP's in it, with 2 layouts (back to back) in each pocket and another 10 empty ones. I could extend the posts, but I will need another Album anyway so will just get another one. They are quite expensive over here - I paid 35 UK pounds (about $52) but I do think the quality is exceptional.

 

[chessie]

I use post bound albums most often. I prefer the Dalee albums too. The manufacturer suggests that the album will hold approximately 35 page protectors. I have found their quality to be very good. I like the idea that I can take my layouts in and out of the page protectors and rearrange them. I do a lot of teaching and I can pull different layouts from several different books to show as examples. I also use a 3 ring binder for projects in progress or for page kits. It has taken quite a bit of abuse and has held up quite well. K & company has some very beautiful post bound albums.I have one of them picked out for the story of Me.

 

[grover]

Does Micheals sell the Dalee albums?
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[pas2]

I was just going to post the same question except I am looking for recommendations for 8.5 x 11 size top loading. I like post bound but am currently using a 3 ring binder but it is overflowing.

 

[JudithM]

I'm on my 4th scrapbook & so far have been using Pioneer albums -both 8.5" x 11" & 12" x 12". I like the top loading feature & the fact that I can move the pages around. Plus I can extend the album using the metal screw extenders. I did learn that Dalee page protectors are NOT the same size as Pioneer ones (Dalee is a bit longer/wider) & that Pioneer does NOT sell just the plastic protector. I don't care for the strap books - just a personal preference.

 

[BevS97]

I was going to post Dalee - but I have just finished fighting with the thing, trying to add a page protector - maybe I have too many pages in? I haven't counted them, but I've extended the posts a few times, it seems ok once it's put back together, but trying to get all the pages on the posts and get them screwed together is a job for an Octopus!

I have a K&Co album which I haven't used yet - but it is very beautiful. I am planning on using it for my dd's pictures. I have a gingham Dallee for her baby pictures, and then the K&co will be the next age bracket. It's a Romanza one, you can see them on Chessie's link. I think they are beautiful albums, but I havent worked with them yet.

I also have a snap in a scrap album which I am using for my disney trip - I've just noticed tonight that the piece of card which covers the spine was ripped at the holes, so I am not very impressed with that at all. I'm not sure if I will be able to repair it- but regardless, I don't expect it to rip.


Now that i have a few different brands of post bound album, I have discovered a new problem. Whenever I bought the album, I also bought matching page protectors and post extenders, and now I have no idea which post extenders are which, and they are not compatible - if you get the wrong one's you can't screw the cap back in.

Bev

 

[Lainy67]

Double post _ OOOOOOOPS - See below

 

[Lainy67]

I use only CM albums. I just became a CMC, but that was 10 days ago, and I have been scrapbooking for 3 years. I just don't want anyone to think I am so biased for CM stuff because that is the rap a lot of CMCs get on message boards.

I priced out the Westrim, which is supposedly the SAME as the CM before I signed my agreement (going into this with my eyes open, etc...). I don't think it is, nor do I think it looks as nice, but the price was not that much different in the end. I looked at Michaels, and the LSS, and I found the book more expensive at the LSS (by (1$) - $25.95, but the refills were cheaper - with the refills being $7.50 per package (had to buy two) and then $5.50 for page protectors. The total cost of the whole shebang at the LSS, was $57.45 for the Westrim.

CM Album is 36$ but has 15 pages so you only have to buy 1 refill at $12 to get to 30 pages. Then 2 page protector packs instead of 3 for a total of $15. So, $63 total for the album, etc.... This takes it to the same page count.

When I first started doing the scrapbooking I tried other products. I bought a couple of Westrim albums, and they are not as nice of a feel to the cover, and I really don't think the pages are as nice, and I have held two up to each other and had my hubby look at them. I wanted to get a better deal as Scrapping can be expensive. He picked the CM pages out as well. If they have changed in the last couple of years, ok, but when I looked at them, I could tell a difference.

As far as top Loading, I don't like them. But, they may be right for a lot of people. I am very organized (ok, I have referred to myself as anal on many occasions - not to mention the legions of others who have) and I HAVE to scrap in chronological order, at least on a particular book. So having them out of order is not an issue.

I did price the Mrs. Grossman, and the cover was pretty nice. The 12 x 12 was 27.50 with 20 sheets and 10 refill sheets for 3.50, so probably pretty good bang for the buck if you want a top loading album. I don't like them and would probably never use them because my daughter (3 years) drags them around and turns them upside down, and I have had things fall out of older albums that were done like that.

Good Luck

 

[grover]

Has anyone here used or heard of DF albums? I saw them on www.scrapbooking.ca and they have three styles with Winnie the Pooh on the cover-would be perfect I think for a Disney album!
Are they a true 12 x 12 and are refills available?

Grover in Winnipeg

 

[DiznEeyore]

I've always used CM albums, but saw the new "Perfect Scrapbooks" by Jill Rinner at my LSS and fell in love! They're true 12x12, top-loading, post bound and have removable (covered) spines like CM albums. They say they can hold up to 70 pages and they come in beautiful colors! I'm using a sage green one for our Flower & Garden Festival trip and just bought a sapphire one for our upcoming Disney cruise next month.

The best part is, they're only $24.99! Refills are 10 to a pack for $3.99. You can see them at :

http://www.colorbok.com/Memory/Memhome.html

Click on "The Perfect Scrapbook".

I'm also told they emboss beautifully for those of us who like titles on our books.

 

[Beanie]

I also use Scrap in a Snap as well...I love them...I have two of them, but I think I am going to get another one...My Scrappin has really taken off and I am getting more and more pages filled in it! LOL

 

[Pammy jo]

Grover, those are VERY cute. How in the world do you find all these great things??? Anyway, if you do end up getting one will you please let me know. I'd love to know about the quality. I may have to go for one for my upcoming trip.

 

[pattyT]

Grover -
what a great site! I need 3 new albums and I don't have the $ for more CM books with my trip right around the corner so I checked out the site you recomended and the prices looked good - but how is the quality? Also I didn't see anything about shipping to the US. So are those Canadian prices?
THanks!

 

[grover]

PattyT- The albums are cute aren't they! The prices are in Canadian dollars do for those of you in the USA you would get a awesome deal when you factor in the exchange! I have never ordered from Rhea (the owner) before however many fellow scrappers have and her service is excellent! They only have good things to report. I emailed her a few days ago to ask about the quality of the albums as I was wondering the same thing mysefl-she personally responded (very quickly I might add) and said they would be of similar quality to the Pioneer albums (which is what I use now and am happy with). If you any questions you should email her as I am sure she would be happy to answer any questions you might have as I am not sure about the shipping the states.
If I decide on getting one I will let you all know! If someone beats me to it please post!

Grover in Winnipeg!

 

[TwinMom7]

I started with Westrim, but quickly switched to CM when I realized the difference in the quality...and the fact that the CM albums were guaranteed. After all of the time and money I put into those albums, I want them to last FOREVER!!!

My first Westrim album got a small water spot on it and it was stained for good.

I also have all of my albums engraved, and the local woman who does the engraving will not do the Westrim albums - she can't guarantee how they will turn out, compared to the CM albums.

I currently have 7 completed 12 x 12 CM albums on my shelf - and one in progress. Each is at the maximum capacity of 45 pages!! The only albums I have that aren't CM are my Disney albums - and I'm currently working on my 4th one of those.