I started scrapbooking over 12 years ago at my neighbor's CM home show (they kind where you paid a materials fee). The day after the home show, I ordered nearly everything they had at that time and I haven't looked back. I will browse Michaels, Hobby Lobby, JoAnne's and online websites for different papers. But I looked at other tools and albums and none come close to the quality of CM. I love love love CM. For a few years, CM seemed to loose momentum. But then CM re-energized and updated to compete with the big box stores and other sources. The emphasis used to be on simple and completed pages. Now, they also provide for the more elaborate and crafty traditional scrapbooked in addition to expanding into a digital world. I am not a CM consultant so my review is strictly as a consumer. I scrap with a group of 6-8 regulars. We use mostly CM.