Albums Question

I use Creative Memories strap hinge albums and based on recommendations I got, I just ordered my first top loader, a Close To My Heart.

When I asked about this, many people recomended the Perfect Fit (Memory Makers, Making Memories - something MM?) albums and the Dalee albums. Both top loading. The feedback I have gotten is that if you use a post bound, use one that has three posts. Both of those are available at my LSS.

Cyndi

a.m.d-d geek code v1.02 L+ Frt *O I++ X H- C L++ P Y+

I have discovered the wonderful world of top loaders LOL I bought one for my dad when I was home in June... this way, I can bring home 12x12 pages, COMPLETED, when i go home to visit. I'll likely buy one for my inlaws next.

I just got a new CM "12x12" from a friend who no longer uses strap hinge albums. I see why... none of them are truly 12x12 or consistent from one to another at times. (strap hinge)

Anyway........ top loaders are what I plan on using from now on.

Hi Wanda, I prefer top loading albums myself. The page protector is "built in" so there's no need to spend a good bit on the album, then turn around and buy page protectors too. Also, it's easier to move pages around. For example, my very first album was a CM album. I completed the album and then 2 months later, my mother found the photo doubles she had made for me of an event that was right in the middle of my album. But because it was a strap hinge album, I couldn't put the new pages in where they should have been put. (because you do both sides of one page) However if I had been using a top loading album, I could easily have shuffled the pages around to put the new pages where they should go. Am I making any sense? Anyway, happy shopping!

--Lauren

I prefer to use CM 12x12 albums. I guess I like the guarantee and the quality (buffered pages, etc) of the CM albums but mostly I like, the way the page protectors are on the album pages (sideways) so that dust will not fall in your album when stored upright like toploading postbounds. I get around the "not being able to move my pages around issue if I find new photos, etc." by completing my layout on background paper and then NOT attaching them to the actual page. I just slip my completed layout in and the page protector keeps it in place. That way, if I find photos that I want to insert and make a new layout and keep my book in chronilogical order, I can easily shuffle my pages around. The issue about CM albums not being "true 12 x 12 size" is somewhat annoying to me, but I have learned to deal with it, as I like the albums so much.

Just my 2 cents,

Amy :) AZ

i prefer my cm strap hinge albums also, but i just found some westrim strap hinge top loading page protectors that can be used in them (cm ) as well. beacuse like the others i had a problem finding photos months later to add and couldn't with these pages and protectors you can.

I need to go album shopping. Kinda excited going to start another album.

CM has some protectors that can go in between the pages as well. They are called portrait sleeves.

I love CM 12x12 albums. I love that the page protectors fit so neatly, and that they open on the side so they don't collect dust. I love that the pages are so stiff and don't pull at the binding like post bound albums. I love that they have reinforced edges so that you can flip through them numerous times and not tear or bend the page. I also like those edges because they help the pages to not rub together. I like that you can add pages and they can be pretty full before you have to buy another album.

I ride the fence on this one. I really like the quality of CM albums but soemtimes get frustrated by the fact that the pages are not true 12X12. Also there's been more than once when I had to unstap the whole album because of 1 page. Then there are the postbound albums and I like them because they hold true 12X12 pages and I can drop the page into the page protector or move the page without pulling the ablum apart. I've used Pioneer albums for some of my recipe albums and I like them but the most recent album I bought (because it's monogramed for my kids HS) is by K & Co. No opinion on the K&Co album yet. HTH Susan

I measured my CM 12 x 12 album page and it is 12 inches tall and 11 1/2 inches wide if you don't count the edging on each side. I think it is worth cutting a half inch strip off the side of a 12 x 12 page for the quality of a CM album. I hope this makes everyone's fears ease a little knowing that is all they have to do to make it work!

Lori K.

My friend discovered you can add the top loading pages to CM albums... some of them have a slit top and bottom to add to the CM ones. I've not tried it yet, but have bought some of the 8.5x11 top loading protectors to add to my CM albums when it comes time. Again, I just have those issues with the CM albums not being true to size. (at least with Mary Engelbreit and I think Debbie Mumm's albums they state on the album 11 3/4x11 3/4)

I love my CM tools though! :)

Can't remember if I said this earlier or not...

I bought my dad a 12x12 top loader... this way I can work on pages just for him and send them to him or take home to him on visits. Makes for easier scrapping for family. Talked to my SIL today about getting me doubles of my neice and nephew to do pages for dad's album as well as mine... I need to be able to do something for girls since I have BOYS LOL

I have bought some of the strap-hinge protectors Carol is talking about - bought them for 8.5x11 CM album I didn't even have at the time! I was recently introduced to the CM portrait sleeves Diana is talking about, too. They are top loading protectors made just for strap-hinge. I really like the CM strap-hinge albums. I have only done a few pages in mine because I don't want them to be out of order. But I am going to start using cardstock for the background and I will attach minimally at each corner and then slide the regular CM protectors over it. My first and only post-bound is the one I have for my circle journal. Don't know how I feel about them yet. I haven't used 3 ring yet but I don't particularly care for them.

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**Patty H in Florida**

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com Pages done in 2003: 31

One thing about CM albums - the 12x12 albums have 12x12 pages in them BUT with the binding on the left and right of the page (for strength and protection) it makes the actual usable space less than 12x12. Their paper is 10x12 because they don't think you should fill up the page with too much that may be distracting from the photos. CM was started to "create memories" - pictures and journaling so we don't forget the important things about those pictures.

I'm not a CM consultant and I don't particularly care for their style all the time. BUT I do think it is soooo important that we document our lives for the future generations. Right now my 80 yr old grandma, who was one of the strongest women I knew, can barely remember what she had to eat 2 hours ago. Not much help for the box of pictures in her closet.

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**Patty H in Florida**

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com Pages done in 2003: 31

I use the CM albums because of the quality. Have looked at the others but the quality isn't the same. But I'm hoping they will make top loading page protectors that seal at the top kinda like the zip lock bags for sandwiches for dust free pictures. I don't like the fact that it isn't a true 12x12 and it becomes heavier because of using cardstock background the 3 layers. But I'm going to keep with CM for consistency of my albums.

Good idea!

The problem I had with top loaders is that the pages weren't laying flat, but I'm sure it was something that I was doing wrong.

I like the CM albums because they are sturdy. My 2 and3 year olds love to look at them . I feel safe enough that the pages won't be destroyed by them. The only time has been when I forgot to put a page protector on.

I'm a very slow scrapper so when I scrap at home I am more creative and use more embellishments. When I go to a crop I take my old pictures that need to be done and scrap CM style. I like the CM style because it's clean and simple and it leaves more room for journaling. When I look at my CMC albums it makes me wish I did a whole album like that. Hers are all done on the tan pages in purple albums. It just looks neat to have all of the family photos in one simple color scheme.